the affairs of foreign nations, whom God purify of his sins -Amen.

[L. s.]

Translated from Arabic to Spanish by Dr. Manuel de Bacca, professor of the former language-and from Spanish, by JAMES SIMPSON.

Tangier, August 12, 1802.

From No. 49, dated at Tangier, September 3, 1802.

"WITH this I have the honour of transmitting copy of the letter I wrote the minister on the 1st inst. It will afford me much satisfaction to know, what I have said on subject of the emperor's pretension, meets the approbation of his excellency the President.. I have stated only facts, and thought best to reserve copy of my letter of the 18th July 1795 to the then minister, and that of Muley Soliman's to the President on the 18th August following, vouchers more proper to be exhibited in support arguments, and in opposition to what farther may be alleg ed on the part of this government, on subject of what they thought fit to advance, rather than now.”

of

as

"The business of bringing the Tripoline ship from Gibraltar under the emperor's flag, has been again agitated, and a general application made by Alcayde Hashash to the consuls here, for passports for her as belonging to his majesty, to sail from hence for Tripoli: I positively refused mine in these terms, nor do I find any has been granted; but it is certain, men have been ordered from Tetuan for her, and that she is to hoist colours at Gibraltar so soon as the weather will allow these people to get over.

"I have acquainted captain Campbell of the Adams frigate, that in my private opinion the whole is a colourable business, but if the emperor announces to the body of the consuls that the ship is his and demands passports accordingly, merely to go to sea and navigate as his, i really do not see how I dare return to contest the matter; or from

circumstances to express doubts on what is stated by the sovereign of the country as a fact, without running a great risk of drawing serious resentment on the commerce of the United States."

Copy of a Letter from James Simpson, Esq. Consul of the United States, &c. to his Excellency Sidy Mehammed Ben Absalem Selawy, Secretary of State, &c. &c. &c. Fez.

SIR,

I HAVE received the letter you wrote me, in answer to that I had the honour of addressing his imperial majesty, from Tetuan. In that letter you acquainted me it was his majesty's pleasure I should remain in this place, and exercise the functions of my office as heretofore, as that the necessary orders had been given for that effect, to the governour Alcayde Abderhaman Hashash. Very much desirous of seeing perfect harmony subsist between this empire and the United States of America, and at all times ready to contribute thereto as far as in my power, I did not hesitate at again hoisting their flag on my residence in Tangier, in testimony of the return of peace, and notified to his excellency the President, his majesty's friendly dis-" positions in this particular.

I also gave the necessary information on the subject to the commanding officer of the American ships of war, stationed in these seas, and granted passports for his majesty's frigate Mirboha, and schooner Miribha, that they might put to sea and navigate in safety.

I beg you will have the goodness to represent these matters to his imperial majesty, with an assurance from me that he will always experience from the government of the > United States, and their agents, an equal readiness to correspond with every disposition his majesty may be pleased to shew, for maintaining an uninterrupted peace between the two nations. At same time speaking with that sincerity ought to guide the representatives of nations, I cannot help

expressing to you with what surprise and concern I observe the farther communication you make me by order of his imperial majesty, stating his expectation of annual embassies accompanied with presents from the United States of America. You are pleased to say it was so stipulated with the late Sid Mohamet Ben Ottoman.

I beg you will tell me where, and by whom such engagement was made, for I am a perfect stranger to it.

What I know of the matter is, that in the year 1795, when I had the honour of being sent by the government of the United States to his imperial majesty Muley Soliman at Rhabat, for the purpose of congratulating him on his happy accession to the throne of his ancestors, and for obtaining a recognition of the treaty made at Morocco, between his majesty's father Sidy Mohamet Ben Abdallah and the United States of America, bis majesty was pleased to ratify that treaty, without any addition or alteration; ́in fulfilment of his father's engagement, made in the name of the Almighty, that it should continue in full force for fifty years from the first day of Rhamaden in the year 1200, on which it was signed.

His Majesty's letter on that occasion to the President of the United States, bearing date the 2nd of Zafar 1210, was delivered to me by Sid Mohamet Ben Ottoman, and declared that his Majesty was at peace, tranquillity and friendship with America, in the same manner as his father (who is with God) was, to which the government of the United States have ever faithfully corresponded.

By that treaty, there is no stipulation whatever for embassies being sent, or presents made by either the one government or the other, as you will see by the copy of it in Arabic. I delivered it to Sid Mohamet Ben Ottoman, on the 12th July, 1795, at Rhabat. I have seen it my duty to transmit to the government, I have the honour to represent in this country, three several copies of your letter on this important subject, by different conveyances, to guard against miscarriages; and I wait to receive such orders as his excellency the President shall see fit to give me on the occasion.

I have lately received information that two seamen, part of the crew of the American ship stranded three years ago near Cape Nun have escaped from the Arabs, and are now with the governour of Tarudaunt. I have to request you will have the goodness to transmit me a letter to that gentleman, directing him to allow these unfortunate people to proceed to Mogadore, in order that my agent there, Mr. Peter Guyer, may send them to their own country. Alcayde Hashash having signified to me his majesty's wish to be provided with some more American rice, I have given the necessary directions to the consul at Gibraltar to send me a supply, so soon as he can get any of a quality proper for his Majesty's use.

It will at all times afford me particular pleasure to obey such commands from his Majesty.

I avail of this opportunity of renewing my assurances of respect, and beg you will be persuaded, I am, &c.

Extract of a Letter from Consul Simpson, to Consul Gavino, dated Tangier, September 27, 1802.

I AM happy to tell you that some matters in discussion with this country have already been so far explained, and misconceptions on the part of this government done away, as leaves me no room to apprehend longer a necessity of having recourse to America for instructions, as every matter is in the fairest train of perfect accommodation, and I hope the gun carriages will come just in time to settle every thing, at least for some years, until they think of something else to ask for.

MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANS, MITTING A REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE, WITH THE INFORMATION REQUESTED IN A RESOLUTION OF THE HOUSE, OF THE SEVENTEENTH INSTANT, RELATIVE TO THE VIOLATION ON THE PART OF SPAIN, OF THE TWENTY-SECOND ARTICLE OF THE TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP, LIMITS AND NAVIGATION, BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE KING OF SPAIN.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

I Now transmit a report from the Secretary of State, with the information requested in your resolution of the 17th instant.

In making this communication, I deem it proper to observe that I was led by the regard due to the rights and interests of the United States, and to the just sensibility of the portion of our fellow citizens more immediately affected by the irregular proceeding at New Orleans, to lose not a moment in causing every step to be taken which the occasion claimed from me; being equally aware of the obligation to maintain in all cases the rights of the nation, and to employ for that purpose those just and honourable means, which belong to the character of the United States.

December 22, 1802.

TH: JEFFERSON.

Report of the Secretary of State, to the President of the United States.

THE Secretary of State, to whom the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the United States of the 17th instant was referred by the President, has the honour to enclose to him the letters and communications annexed, from the governour of the Mississippi Territory, the governour of Kentucky, and from William E. Hulings, formerly appointed vice-consul of the United States at New Orleans. In addition to this information on the subject of the resolution, it is stated from other sources, that on * VOL. I 24