Papers of John Adams, volume 18
28 June 1786
Translation of the within Letter from his Excellcy. Sidi Hadg Taher Ben Abdelhack Fennish to their Excellcies: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson Esqrs.—
1
Grace to God who is the Sole unity Whose Kingdom is the Only Existing one
To their Excellencies John Adams and Thomas Jefferson Esqrs. This is to Acquaint You that I am ordered by the Emperor my Master (whom God preserve) to Acknowledge the receipt of your Letter, Sign’d at London and Paris on the first and Eleventh of October 1785,2 which has been delivered, into his own hands by the Hoñble Thomas Barclay Esqr. who Came to this Court, in order to negociate an Amicable Peace between My Master (whom God preserve) and all his Dominions, and those of the united States of America. This Matter has been happily concluded to the Satisfaction of all Parties, The Contents of this Treaty, you will learn from your Envoy the Said Thomas Barclay, to whom His Imperial has delivered it, together with á Letter for the united States;—
I have likewise His Imperial Majesty’s Orders to assure you of his entire Aprobation of the Conduct of your Envoy, who has behaved himself with integrity and honor Since his arrival in our Country appearing to be á Person of good understanding, and therefore His Imperial Majesty has been Graciously pleased to give him two honorable favourable and unparalleled audiences, Signifying his Majesty’s perfect Satisfaction at his Conduct;
368As I am Charged with the affairs of your Country at this Court, I Can assure you, that I will do all That lies in my power to promote the friendly intercourse that is So happily begun; And of the assistance I have already given in your affairs, your Envoy will acquaint You, and Concluding I do Sincerely remain, Morocco the first day of the blessed Month of Ramadan 1200,— / (Sign’d) the Servt. of the King My Master— / whom God preserve—
I do hereby certify that the above is á true Translation from the arabic Language of the annexed Letter, Morocco the 16th. July 1786
RC (Adams Papers).
This translation by Isaac Cardozo Nuñez is written on the reverse of the folio page containing the Arabic text of Fennish’s letter. For the Arabic text, see Descriptive List of Illustrations, No. 5, above. Fennish’s letter was among the documents, including the treaty, enclosed with Thomas Barclay’s 2 Oct. letter to the commissioners, which reached Paris in late December (from Thomas Jefferson, 20 Dec., below). The commissioners replied to Fennish’s letter on 27 Jan. 1787, below.
Presumably Barclay’s letter of credence (vol. 17:441–443).
thJune 1786
We are honored with Your Excellency’s Favor of 19th: Inst: mentioning You had perfected the Congress Bond No: 4543 and returned it by Mr: Daniel Parker, Who has delivered same to us—1
We take the Liberty, to inclose Your Excellency, the Edict of His Most Christian Majesty, appointing us in conjunction with Messr: Henry Fizeaux & Co: the Treasurers of his Finances in these United-Provinces.2 A Commission so highly honorable and consequential and congenial to our system of Politics, is very flattering to us; and it can but give Pleasure to the Well-Wishers to the Credit of America, that its Management is confided to a Commissioner of Congress Loans in this Country—
We are respectfully / Your Excellency’s / Most obedient humble Servants
s.& Jacob van Staphorst.
RC and enclosure (Adams Papers); internal address: “His Excelly / John Adams Esqr:—”
With their 9 June letter (Adams Papers) the Staphorsts enclosed bond No. 4543 from the 1782 Dutch loan, which JA had neglected to sign. In his 19 June 1786 reply (LbC, APM Reel 113), JA indicated that he had signed the bond and was returning it by way of Daniel Parker, as requested.
The enclosure was a printed copy, in
369
370
French and Dutch, of the 1 June arrêt appointing the Fizeaux and Staphorst firms as overseers of French finances in the Netherlands. It was a revision of a 10 May arrêt to the same purpose. The 10 May and 1 June arrêts appeared in the Gazette de Leyde on 6 and 27 June.