Papers of John Adams, volume 16
New York 14
th:January 1785
On the 21st: Ultimo I accepted the Place of Secretary for foreign Affairs. All the foreign letters which had been received during the
490
recess of Congress were then and are still in the hands of a Committee to whom they had been referred—none have since arrived.—
The adjournment from Trenton to this Place necessarily occasioned delay in business—1 Congress yesterday made a House, and I expect that some of these more important measures will soon be matured. By the next opportunity I flatter myself with having the pleasure of writing to you more particularly. Judges are nominated and will doubtless be appointed to decide the interfering claims of Massachusetts and New York. Advices just received give reason to apprehend an attack of the Cheroquees on Kentucky, a settlement which encreases with a degree of rapidity scarcely credible.2 It is rumored but not ascertained that the Spaniards encourage them.—
I have the honor to be / Gentlemen / Your most Obt. & hum̃: servt:
RC (PCC, No. 44, f. 427–430); internal address: “To the Honorable / John Adams, Benjn: Franklin & Thos: Jefferson Esqrs:”; endorsed: “New York Janry. 14. 1785 / from / Mr Jay / Secry of Foreign Affairs.”
Congress resolved on 23 Dec. 1784 to move its meeting place from Trenton, N.J., to New York City while a federal city was erected near Lamberton, N.J. (now part of Trenton), on the banks of the Delaware River. During the debates Congress rejected a proposal for the city to be located “at Georgetown, on the Potomac” (
JCC
, 27:699–704).
Jay’s reference to the probability of hostilities with the Cherokees reflects the previous day’s reading in Congress of a letter from Arthur Campbell of Washington County, Va., warning of such an event (Smith, Letters of Delegates
, 22:119;
JCC
, 28:4).
r:
r:South Barbary the 17 Jan
y.1785
Tis with the utmost grief. I Acqt. you: the Accident which as befallen me. at my departure from Cadix. to Tereniffe. were I was bound to. but unfortunately taken by one of the Emperor of Moroccos Cruzers. and Carried into Tangier. were my Vessel lays. afterwards myself & people. with many fatigues obliged to proceed to Morocco. to the Emperor. with whom I spoke to. & notwithstanding Replied He was in peace with our Nation. still ordered us to this place.1 Suspended till an Embassador of the united States of America. appears. not doubting but Congress. will take the case in Concideration to prevent further misfortunes. being assured. will not end with me. if an American Embassador. does not come to Reconcile matters hopeing will be soon. in order to Release us from this place. Craveing most Earnestly. that you’ll interfere. thereon as I am
491
an American Subject. & fought for my Country & Liberty. and above all. to Caution. my brother Seamen that they may not become the same prey. & afterwards will be with much more difficulty to come to a Reconciliation. if I can be so happy as to merit yr. Answer on the Subject. will ever make me duty bound to you. and giveing me Leave to tender my Sincere Respects to you. I Remain with all Regard / Your Excelencies / Mt. Obt. Hble. Servt.
RC (Adams Papers); addressed: “To / His Excelency / John Adams / Ministr. Pliniy. of the united States / of America / Hague”; internal address: “To His Excelency / John Adams / Ministr. Pliniy: of the unitd. States of America”; endorsed: “James Erwin / Mogadore.”; and by AA: “James Erwin / janry. 1785.”
James Erwin, writing from the Moroccan port of Mogador (now Essaouira), approximately 350 miles southwest of Tangier, was the captain of the American brig Betsy. In Oct. 1784 it was captured by Moroccan forces at the direction of Sultan Sidi Muhammad ibn Abdallah. The seizure was intended, as Erwin indicates in his letter, to demonstrate the sultan’s frustration with the American failure to negotiate despite the overtures he had made to the United States indicating his interest in a Moroccan-American treaty. For the actions taken by Congress and the commissioners regarding relations with Morocco and the capture of the Betsy, see John Jay’s 11 March 1785 letter to the commissioners, and
JA’s 20 March letter to Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, both below. For additional information on Sultan Sidi Muhammad ibn Abdallah, see Descriptive List of Illustrations, No. 10, above.