naturally be very unexpected.' The Bashaw observed it was late, had coffee served, and said he would converse with me upon the subject at some other opportunity. I wished him a very good evening.

"May 4, the Siddi Mahomed Daguize, and Signior Farfara, came to the American house and informed me that the Bashaw had ordered them to ask me if I had taken any resolution in consequence of the conversation which I had with him on the 2d inst. I informed them that I had taken none whatever, and that it seemed unaccountable to me that his excellency should expect any other answer after what I had informed him in their presence. They stayed about an hour, during which time their conversation tended to persuade me that, considering the Bashaw's character, it was certainly the interest of the United States to make a sacrifice, that otherwise it would be impossible to remain long on good terms with him. I made use of the same arguments which I had done before. I, therefore, will not tire you with a repetition.

"At 6 P.M. they returned, and informed that the Bashaw was very much displeased, and had ordered them to acquaint me that he was informed that the Sahibtappa at Tunis had received more than forty thousand dollars from the United States, in cash, besides presents; that he had received very little more, and that he had never imagined the United States meant to put him on an equality with one of the Bey of Tunis's ministers.

"I observed that the Bashaw was misinformed by his correspondent, who, in order to ingratiate himself in his favour, had informed him of things which had never taken place; that he was giving himself as well as them and me a great deal of trouble, without any hopes of reaping the least benefit therefrom; that I requested them to inform his excellency that I had not power to offer him a dollar, and that there were no funds in the United States appropriated for maintaining our peace with Tripoli, as we had carried our treaty into effect already; that he had wrote to the President of the United States, the Dey of Algiers,

and Bey of Tunis, that he had settled with the agent of the United States, and had received a cash payment in lieu and in full of all demands, and that he was content; that only three years and an half had elapsed since our treaty commenced; that the first year he had received forty thousand dollars in cash, and the value of eight thousand in presents; that the second he had received twelve thousand dollars; and that last year he had received eighteen thousand, and presents to the value of four thousand more: that on the circumcision of his son, Siddi Aly, I had made him a present, superiour to the presents which were made him by the consuls of other nations on the same occasion ; that consequently the government of the United States were not deficient either in their respect to him, or tokens of friendship, as he had received in the short period of three years and an half, cash and presents to the amount of eighty-three thousand dollars, exclusive of ten thousand measures of grain which Hassan Bashaw had made him a present of, in consequence of his having concluded a treaty with the United States, which was worth at Tripoli ncar twenty thousand dollars more; that I was persuaded that if his excellency would give himself the trouble to reflect on the circumstances which had taken place since the commencement of the treaty between the United States and this regency, that he would not hesitate a moment in acknowledging the justice and propriety of my observations.

"In the evening the Bashaw's emissaries returned, and informed me that they had encountered great difficulty in persuading the Bashaw to believe that the consul had not power to make him a present without an express order from his government. His excellency said that he had received many presents from the consuls of other nations, and that their conduct had afterwards been approved. They observed that the form of government of the United States was vastly different from the government of every other nation, with whom his excellency was at peace; that he had a recent example that the powers of a consul were

limited, in the result of the Swedish consul's negotiation, he having arranged the affairs of his nation without receiving orders from his court; that he knew the consequence his bills were protested, he had received a severe reprimand from the King of Sweden, and was immediately suspended; and that his excellency might depend that the American consul would take care never to be reduced to a similar predicament, whatever might be the consequence of his non-compliance with his excellency's demand.

“They further informed me that the Bashaw had ordered them to request me to write to my government, to inform them that when he had wrote to the President of the United States he was contented with what he had received; that he really was so, on a supposition that the presents to him bore some proportion to those that had been promised to Tunis; that at present he was informed to the contrary, and that he felt himself amazingly hurt when he considered that he had been treated with indifference; and that he never would be convinced that the friendship of the United States was sincere until there was a greater equality observed in their donations between the two nations, or in other words, until he received some further marks of the President's esteem more substantial than mere compliments. They said that although the Bashaw was inclined to credit the impossibility of the consul's making him a present without orders from his court, that he likewise was sensible how much depended on the manner of his representation, that he believed he had treated him with every respect since his arrival at Tripoli, and he requested I would write in such terms as would insure him from the mortification of being disappointed; adding, this he expected from the consul as he values my future favour and a happy result to the objects of his mission. I replied that the object contemplated by the United States in sending an agent the vast distance of near 6,000 miles was to endeavour to maintain a friendly intercourse between the two nations on honourable and equitable terms; that as it had pleased God to employ me * VOL. I

6

as the instrument to promote so desired an effect, he might rest assured I should take pleasure in representing facts for the consideration of government in as favourable a manner as the dignity annexed to my office would admit; that as it would be the height of presumption in me to dictate to the President of the United States what he ought to do in the present case, so on the other hand, I by no means consider it to be a part of my official duty in any means to oppose the liberal intentions of government, should they be found disposed to make him a present, but on the contrary should I receive orders to that effect, I would take pleasure in executing them; but must again beg leave to repeat that the issue depended on them only. They retired, promised to make a faithful report to his excellency, protested they would use their influence in favour of the United States, and requested me not to close my letters until I heard farther from the Bashaw either direct or through their agency.

66

May the 6th, I waited on the Bashaw to pay my compliments to him in consequence of the festival; he treated me with great politeness, but I could easily discern that it was against his inclination; there was something in his countenance that indicated his smiles were not sincere and ought not to be depended on.

66

May the 10th, Farfara came to the American house, and informed me that the Bashaw had concluded to write to the President of the United States himself, as he entertained some suspicion that I would not write to government with sufficient energy; that the Bashaw would send me his letter the first opportunity that should present, to forward it, which he hoped I had no objection to do. I replied, none in the least, and requested Farfara to procure me a copy, if possible, which he promised to do. Having waited until the date of this despatch without having heard any thing more on the subject, I hasten to get my despatches in readiness to forward by the first conveyance. Should any thing intervene worthy of notice before I receive the Bashaw's letter it shall be the subject of another despatch."

Extract of a Letter from the same to the Secretary of State, dated

MAY 27, 1800.

"SINCE the date of the enclosed despatch, I heard nothing from the Bashaw until the evening of the 25th inst. when Siddi Mahomed Daguize sent me the original in Arabie, of which the enclosed is a literal translation. The only conclusion which can be drawn from the Bashaw's proceedings is, that he wants a present, and if he does not get one, he will forge pretences to commit depredations on the property of our fellow citizens. His letter to the President will be the means of keeping him quiet until he receives an answer, provided no unnecessary delay is made, as he will expect to reap a benefit therefrom. Should government think proper to make him a present, it will have the desired effect probably for one year, but not longer. I therefore can see no alternative but to station some of our frigates in the Mediterranean, otherwise, we will be continually subject to the same insults which the Imperials, Danes, Swedes, and Ragusans have already suffered, and will still continue to suffer."

Translated extract from a Letter of the Bashaw of Tripoli, to the President of the United States, dated

MAY 25, 1800.

"AFTER having cultivated the branches of our good will and paved the way for a good understanding and perfect friendship which we wish may continue for ever, we make known that the object and contents of this our present letter, is, that whereas your consul who resides at our court in your service, has communicated to us, in your name, that you have written to him, informing him that you regarded the regency of Tripoli in the same point of view as the other regencies of Barbary, and to be upon the same footing of friendship and importance. In order to further