Papers of John Adams, volume 21

Thomas Barclay to John Adams, 17 July 1792 Barclay, Thomas Adams, John

From Thomas Barclay

Dear Sir Gibraltar 17th. July 1792

I wrote to you the 28th. of May inclosing a letter1 which I received from the American Prisoners at Algiers—with a Petition which they requested you would lay before the Senate, I now send you a Copy of that Petition which came to my hands a few days ago—

The Distracted state of the Empire of Morocco has hitherto prevented my passing to that Country, but it is probable that a short time will restore some kind of Tranquility there, either by the Event of a general Engagement, or by a Division of the Empire— At present Muley Solimon governs the Kingdom of Fez, and his brother Ischem that of Morocco. and both are preparing to take the field.2 Wishing you and Mrs. Adams all the happiness this life can afford, I remain / Dear Sir / Your Very Affectionate / Humble servant

Thos Barclay

ENCLOSURE

To the Honourable Senate of the united States of America City of Algiers May the 12th. 1792

The Humble petition of us the undersigning Citizens of the united States who are now Languishing prisoners at Algiers—

Humbly Sheweth

that we youre petitioners had the misfortune of being Captured nearly Seven years ago by Cruisers belonging to the Regency of Algiers while we were navigateing Vessels belonging to Citizens of the united States.

that we were flattered for a Considerable time with the Expectations held up to us that we would be Redeemed from Captivity as Soon as it Could be done with propriety and Consistant to the Interest of our Country. that to effect this Redemption Mr John Lamb, was Sent to Algiers on the part of the united States and that he entered into and agreement with the Regency of Algiers for our Ransom in Consequence of which the Terms were Recorded on the books of the Regency but Mr Lamb never Returned to fulfill them by the payment of the Ransom money though he promised in the name of the United States to do it in foure months.

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that we understand that Several persons have been empowered to make enquiries whether the Ransom agreed upon by Mr Lamb might not be Reduced but all attempts of that Sort have hitherto proved ineffectual. the Regency Declareing that the Contract made by the agent of the United States ought to be Discharged3

that we were for some time Suplied with Such Sums of money as Served together with the prospect of Redemption held up to us to alliviate in Some Degree the Rigioure of our Captivity but those Suplies have Ceased for a Considerable time Dureing which we have been Reduced to the utmost Distress.

that owing to the Maloncholy Situation to which we are Reduced one of us James Harnet has been Deprived of his Sences and is Confined in a Dungeon.4 the Rest remain Destitute allmost of all the Necessaries of life and in this Deplorable Situation we have Resisted any Temptations to enter into the Service of the Regency that might be hereafter attended with repentance or Remorse. Trusting in the Justice and Humanity of Congress that we Shall never be Reduced to the Necessity of abandoning our Country & Religion

We Humbly pray you will further Consider what our Sufferings must have been Dureing that trying period of Nearly Seven years Captivity twice Surrounded with the pest and other Contagious Distempers (which has Numbered Six of our Countrymen in the bills of Mortality) far Distant from our Country and families without any that prospect or assurances of ever seeing them more

With these Sentiments we entreat that some attention will be paid to our Situation and that Congress will before the whole of us perish take Such Steps towards our being Liberated as in theire judgement shall appeare proper and Right and youre petitioners will ever pray and be thankfull

Richard OBryen Isaac Stephens Andw. Montgomery Alexander Forsyth. Jas: Lear. Cathcart— George Smith— Philip Sloan Pelee Lorin Ths Gregory Billings Jacoben Issanier William Patterson James Harnet. James Hull 133

RC and enclosure (Adams Papers); internal address: “Mr. Adams—”; endorsed: “Mr Barclay / 17. July. 1792 with a / copy of a Petition from / our Countrymen in / Captivity at Algiers. / recd. Sept. 24. 1792.”

Not found. For the prior congressional response to the condition of the American captives in Algiers, see Thomas Jefferson’s 9 Dec. 1791 letter, and note 1, above.

Mawlay Sulayman ibn Mohammad (1766–1822) and Hisham ibn Mohammad (d. 1799) were sons of Mohammad III, emperor of Morocco. They fought a civil war after the death of their brother, Yazid ibn Mohammad, in 1792. Mawlay Sulayman won and ruled as sultan until his death (Thomas K. Park, Historical Dictionary of Morocco, Lanham, Md., 1996, p. 212; C. R. Pennell, Morocco: From Empire to Independence, Oxford, 2003, p. 112, 113).

For the plight of the American sailors seized and held in Algiers since 1785, see vol. 20:463–464. Though the issue had faded from congressional debate, on 8 May 1792 George Washington asked the Senate if it would support making a treaty of peace and amity with Algiers. He proposed providing a ransom of $40,000 for the thirteen prisoners, estimated the negotiation and signing expenses at $25,000, and suggested paying an annual tribute of $25,000 to protect American trade from further depredations. The Senate supported Washington’s plan on the same day and increased the budget for signing expenses to $40,000, but adjourned without taking any action. The 2d session of the 2d Congress opened on 5 Nov., and senators met four days later. They read this petition from Capt. Richard O’Bryen, of the American brig Dauphin, and his enslaved crew; senators referred the matter to Jefferson and again let the matter lie (vol. 17:xvi; Amer. State Papers , Foreign Relations, 1:136; U.S. Senate, Jour. , 2d Cong., 2d sess., p. 457).

Sailor James Harnet, of the American merchant schooner Maria, died in July 1793 (Rhode-Island Museum, 17 Nov. 1794).

Tench Coxe to John Adams, 28 July 1792 Coxe, Tench Adams, John

From Tench Coxe

Sir Philada. the 28th. July 1792

I am sorry to inform you that since I had the honor to write you last no offer, within my Knowlege, has been made for Mrs. Keppele’s house, tho a bill was set up on it at an early day. I presume your Son has duly communicated this to you before.

You will see by our public prints that Pennsylvania has commenced openly its electioneering movements. Two meetings have been held in the Hall, wherein you sat in the Congress of 1776.1 The citizens filled it to an inconvenient degree in so warm a season. At the first meeting the Mayor of Philada (Matthew Clarkson Esquire) was in the chair. The debates were very animated. Mr. Lewis (a gentleman of the law late district Judge of the U.S & Attorney of the U.S.) took the lead on the affirmative side of an appointment of persons to meet the conferrers of the Counties at Lancaster for the purpose of agreeing on electors of the Chief Magistrates and on representatives in the third Congress. Mr. Dallas, the Governors Secretary, took the lead the other way. Mr. Bingham & some others spoke briefly—They were chiefly on the side of the measure, which was desired by the friends of the general Goverment. This measure was so far carried that a committe, of one person from the twelve wards of the 134 City, was appointed, and a Majority were men of discretion & suitable for the service of selecting from the City five persons out of whom the Town might chuse two to attend the Conference at Lancaster. On their appointment they retired and brought in five names among whom were Mr. Lewis & other suitable persons. The consideration of these persons, and what & whether any particular instructions should be given to them was postponed ’till an adjourned meeting on Friday Evening. Tho every thing had taken a course, which was satisfactory, there was considerable force—and warmth in the manner of the speakers & in short such appearances of increasing Heat, that the Mayor is said to have absented himself from the Friday’s meeting to avoid the Chair. Mr. Powel, who is Speaker of the State Senate & represents the city in that Body, was placed in the chair. The gentlemen, who are considered as in the system of state Politics, of whom Mr. Dallas was the principal and ardent Spokesman, came prepared for two efforts it is said: one to reject the plan of a conference—the other to introduce other names, if that plan should still be adopted. It is said that Mr. Dallas declaimed much about city & country, rich & poor, the aristocracy—&ca. After a great deal of discussion among a very few persons, principally Mr. Lewis, Mr. Wilson & Mr. Dallas the question of nominating conferees was tried again & decided by the Chairman in the Affirmative. This produced a pointed address to the Chair, which turned upon his partiality in declaring the sense of the Meeting to have been expressed in favor of a conference, when it was said by the speaker (Col. Thos. Forrest) to be manifestly against it. After some discussion the Chairman retired from his Station. The Moment was confused. I am not acquainted with the particulars, but the issue was, that one of the Alderman, lately the Mayor of the City ( John Barclay Esqr.) was placed in the Chair— The meeting became warm, and somewhat disordered—and rose without adjourning to any other time at Eleven in the Evening. The plan of the conference is at least suspended—and things are in a train unpromising to the cause of the Government. Another meeting is notified as intended on Monday Evening— I am sorry to remind you of my prognostics of the Course of things on the occasion of the ensuing Elections in this State. I hope however that some good use will be made of the Events of last week and that the friends of the general government, of Pennsylvania, and of this happy people will be roused to the great exertions, which are manifestly necessary to protect them from the miseries and crimes which ever flow from public disorder.

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I wish, Sir, that this state of our affairs, so far only as your source of information, may be confidential, as I have moved, and shall continue to move by every prudent and honest method in the promotion of a good course of things; and I do not wish to appear any where, more than is necessary. The election of Representatives will take place the second Tuesday in October, that for the Chief Magistracy on the same day, I think, in Novemr. There is therefore sufficient time for prudent, & judicious measures to be adopted, if there be a force willing to carry them.—2

I beg you to do me the Honor of presenting, with my most respectful Comps. to Mrs. Adams, the enclosed papers on the subject of the Silk worm. The little treatise, following the eighth page, is written by one of her own sex, and on the score of perspicuity, utility and public feeling reflects honor upon the worthy woman.3 Mrs. Coxe, being in the country with four of our flock, cannot have the Honor to join her respects to mine.—4

It will give you pleasure, sir, to learn that our Revenues present a satisfactory appearance. The returns of spirits distilled in the U.S & of Stills for the year following the commencement of the act (tho incomplete) exhibit a Revenue of very near 300,000 Drs. and the foreign Spirits will probably prove more than three times that Sum—5

With Sentiments of unfeigned & the highest Respect, I have the Honor to be, / Sir / your most obedt. & most h. Servt.

Tench Coxe

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The V. President of the United States.—”; endorsed: “Mr Coxe. 28. July 1792.”

From 19 to 31 July Pennsylvania lawmakers clashed over a method for selecting candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives in a series of meetings led by Philadelphia mayor Matthew Clarkson, secretary of the Commonwealth Alexander James Dallas, and prominent politicians such as William Lewis, William Bingham, James Wilson, Samuel Powel, Thomas Forrest, and John Barclay. After repeatedly failing to agree on procedure, attendees adopted two paths forward. A Federalist-dominated committee of conference took shape, in tandem with a committee of correspondence steered by Democratic-Republicans. The Federalist committee held meetings across Pennsylvania, asking participants to name their candidates. The Democratic-Republican committee solicited names through private correspondence and county meetings. Seven politicians earned a place on both party lists, and they were all elected on 9 October. In addition, the Federalists nominated James Armstrong, Thomas Fitzsimons, and Thomas Scott, while the Democratic-Republicans put forth Andrew Gregg, William Montgomery, and John Smilie (Tinkcom, The Republicans and Federalists in Pennsylvania, 1790–1801 , p. 51, 54, 55–57, 59, 64, 65–66; Philadelphia Federal Gazette, 31 July; Philadelphia American Daily Advertiser, 1 Aug.; Philadelphia General Advertiser, 1 Aug.).

For Pennsylvania’s choice of presidential electors, see Coxe's 8 Nov. letter, and note 1, below.

Coxe sent a copy of John Byrne, Some Modern Directions for the Culture and Manufacture of Silk . . . from the Hatching of the Worm, till the Silk is Prepared for the Loom, Windham, Conn., 1792, Evans, No. 24802. 136 The “little treatise” has not been further identified.

In addition to Ann Rebecca, Tench and Rebecca Coxe Coxe then had four other children: Tench, Jr. (b. 1784), Francis (b. 1789), Alexander (b. 1790), and Charles (b. 1791) (Cooke, Tench Coxe , p. 236).

Coxe reported to Alexander Hamilton on 25 July that he had estimated the returns on distilled spirits in order to calculate the monies owed to the federal excisemen who collected the revenue. Coxe noted that the total estimate was $1,124,856.74, a figure he based on the lower returns of 1791 (Hamilton, Papers , 12:85–94).