Adams Papers Digital Edition

Papers of John Adams, volume 21

From Alexander Hamilton

From Tench Coxe
131 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.”

 1.

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.

 2.

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).

 3.

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).

 4.

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