Papers of John Adams, volume 17
]112 September 1785
Heads of enquiry for Mr Barclay as to Morocco,2 Algiers, Tunis &c—
1 Commerce. What are the articles of their export & import?3 what articles of American produce might find a market in Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli &c. and at what prices? whether rice, flour, tobacco, furs, ready built ships, fish, oil, tar, turpintine, ship timber &c. and whether any of these articles would hereafter be acceptable as presents? what duties are levied by them on exports & imports— do all nations pay the same, or what nations are favoured & how far? are they their own carriers, or who carries for them? do they trade themselves to other countries or are they merely passive?4 what manufactures or productions of these countries would be convenient in America, & at what prices?
2 Ports. What are their principal ports, what depth of water into them, what works of defence protect these ports?
3 Naval force. How many armed vessels have they, of what kind & force? what is the constitution of their naval force, what resources for encreasing their navy, what number of seamen, their cruizing grounds, and season of cruizing?
4. Prisoners. What is their condition & treatment? at what price are they ordinarily redeemed & how? do they pay respect to the treaties they make? Land forces, their numbers, constitution, respectability? Revenues, their amount?5
56 Language. What language is spoken, & what European language is most understood?
6 Government. What is their connection with the Ottoman Porte, is there any dependence or subordination to it acknowledged, and what degree of power or influence has it?
7 Religion. By what principle of their religion is it that they consider all Christian Powers as their enemies, until they become friends by Treaties?
8. Captures. What captures have been made of ships or citizens 438of the United States, & any other nation, what nations are they now at war with?7
FC in David Humphreys’ hand (PCC, No. 87, I, f. 143–144). Dft in Thomas Jefferson’s hand, with additions by JA (Adams Papers); filmed at 4 Sept. with Jefferson’s letter of that date. LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 111.
This date is derived from the LbC, which is dated “Grosvenor Square London Septr 12. 1785.” As he did with Barclay’s first letter of credence (No. 1, above), JA likely prepared a signed and dated fair copy, but as with the letter of credence, the fair copy has not been found, because it was necessary to make revisions—notably the deletion of references to Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli, since Barclay was going only to Morocco. It is clear, however, that David Humphreys made his FC from the copy sent by JA, probably enclosed with
JA’s 15 Sept. letter to Thomas Jefferson, below. For the final version of the “Heads of enquiry,” that was sent to John Lamb and signed by JA on 1 Oct. and by Jefferson on 11 Oct., see Jefferson, Papers
, 8:621–622. It presumably is identical to that given Barclay, except for its references to Algiers rather than Morocco, but see also note 7.
In the Dft, the remainder of the title is in JA’s hand.
In the Dft, the passage from this point to “acceptable as presents?” is in JA’s hand.
In the Dft, the remainder of this paragraph is in JA’s hand.
In the Dft, Jefferson followed this query with another that JA omitted: “Coins. what coins pass there & what rates?”
In the Dft, this and the remaining three entries are in JA’s hand.
Immediately below the final entry, Humphreys wrote, “NB Similar heads of Enquiry were given to Mr Lamb.”
r:Square.– London.
th.Sep
r:1785
We have the honor to inform you that we have recd. fm. the U: States of America, in Congress, full power & instructions to form treaties with the Emperor of Morocco & the Regencies of Algiers, Tunis & Tripoli, and we enclose you a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14th. February 1785. impowering us to apply so much of the money borrowed in Holland to that use as we may deem necessary, not exceeding 80,000 Dollars.— We have appointed & sent Thos: Barclay Esqr: Consul General in France, & have authorised him to draw upon you for 20,000. Dollars, part of that sum, & you are desired to hold the remaining 60,000. Dollars ready to answer his further Drafts, whenever he shall be hereafter authorised by us to draw, or our drafts, if we should have occasion to draw in favor of any other person or persons.—
It is our desire that this may be considered by you as a 439Communication in Confidence, to be reserved in secrecy— We hope that this measure will enlarge the resources & raise the Credit of our Country.—
With much respect we have the honor to be, Gentlemen, / Your Most Obedt: humle: servants—
LbC and enclosure in Charles Storer’s hand (Adams Papers); internal address: “Messrs: Wilhem & Jan Willinks & / Nicholas & Jacob Van Staphorsts”; APM Reel 111. The enclosed congressional resolution immediately follows the letter in the Letterbook.
JA drafted this letter at the behest of Thomas Jefferson in his letter of 4 Sept., above, and presumably sent Jefferson a fair copy for his signature. It was not sent, however, and was returned to JA with Jefferson’s second letter of 24 Sept., below. This was because by the time it reached Paris, John Lamb’s arrival and his appointment to negotiate with Algiers, Tripoli, and Tunis made new instructions to the loan consortium necessary. For the decision resulting in the new directive to the consortium, this time dated 6 Oct and only from JA, see Nos. XI and XII, and notes, both below.