Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners, 15 November 1786
Thomas Barclay to the American Commissioners
Escurial 15th. Novr. 1786
G entlemen
I came here a few days ago to deliver a letter from the Emperor of Morocco to the King, which I put into the hands of the Count de Florida Blanca, acknowleging the Sense I had of his Attentions and thanking him with great sincerity on the Part he had taken in our business at Morocco. He seemed very much pleased with our success and smiling replied “Now that we have happily finished this Treaty, we will see what we can do with others for you.” I am persuaded that this Minister is extremely well disposed to serve our Country, and I doubt not but this Court will greatly strengthen our endeavours with the Barbary Powers. It is the decided opinion of the Count D’Espilly that nothing ought to be attempted with Algiers at present and that you should begin with the Porte. He proposes setting out for Africa some time hence and promises a continuation of his good offices. He remarked that if we could capture one Algerine Cruizer it would greatly facilitate a Treaty. But this mode of negociating would I think prove more expensive than any other and it ought to be our last Resort. I am informed by a letter from Mr. Chiappi of Mogadore that a vessel is arrived there, the master of which Reports, that on his Passage from Lisbon he saw an Algerine Frigate of 40 guns and four Xebecks, and that the people who were on board one of them informed him they were going to cruise on the Coast of America. But I cannot give entire Credit to the Account as the Season of the year is far advanced, and we have not heard that any of the Algerine Cruisers have passed the Streights of Gibraltar, within which I hope the Portuguese Squadron will keep them, this being all that may be expected from them. To-morrow I shall return to Madrid and from thence to Alicant from whence I shall give you as clear an Account of Mr. Lamb’s situation as Circumstances will admit of. I believe there are some Effects belonging to the United States at Corunna worth looking after, it is some Years since in Consequence of a Letter from Mr. Morris, I endeavoured to recover them. I shall take all the information I can of their Value and if it appears clearly that they are worth so much Attention, I will return to France by that place, if not I shall go as soon as possible home by the shortest Rout. I am with great Respect Gentlemen, your most obt. humble servt,
Thos. Barclay
RC (MHi: AMT); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Barclay; addressed; endorsed. Tr (DNA: PCC, No. 91, i); in the hand of William Short. PrC of Tr (DLC). Noted in SJL as received 6 Dec. 1786.