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Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) to Hamuda Bassa re: delayed response to Lear's letter on possible war

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02794.089 Author/Creator: Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) Place Written: Tunis Bay Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1805/08/10 Pagination: 2 p. + docket 25.1 x 20.2 cm

Summary of Content: Draft copy of GLC 2794.090. Written aboard the "U.S.S. Constitution." For excerpt, see GLC 2794.090. Docketed on verso.

Full Transcript: Tobias Lear, Consul General of the United States of America for the Regency of Algiers &c. &c.

To His Excellency Hamuda Bashaw, the Most Illustrious and most magnificent Price, the ...Bey of Tunis, the abode of Happiness.

I had flattered myself that I should have had the honor of hearing from your Excellency in answer to my letter of the 8th of this month, which was delivered to Mr. Davis, our charge' d' affaires the same day; who came on board this ship yesterday by order of the commander without any letter from your Excellency, or the formal assurance for a mantainance [sic] of the Peace which I [struck: flattered myself would have] had hoped your Excellency would have thought proper to have sent, and which [struck: would] might have enabled me to present myself before your Excellency, and I trust to have arranged the differences between our nations to our mutual satisfaction and interest.

As this is not the case, and your Excellency may conceive that all communication is [struck: stopped] cut off since the departure of our Charge' d' affaires from your Regency, I have the power to assure you that there will be on our part the same security for any persons who may [2] come on board our Vessels as has been heretofore, until we may be in a declared state of hostility, which God forbid; and your Excellency may be assured that any communication from yourself will meet the most respectful attention.

I pray your Excellency to accept the homage of my high respect & consideration.

Tobias Lear

On board the U.S. Ft. Constitution
August 10th: 1805


[Docket]:
To His Exy. the Bey of Tunis
Aug. 10th: 1805

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People: Lear, Tobias, 1762-1816

Historical Era: The New Nation, 1783-1815

Subjects: USS Constitution (Old Ironsides)DiplomacyGovernment and CivicsGlobal History and US Foreign PolicyGlobal History and US Foreign PolicyBarbary CoastBarbary PiratesBarbary WarsAfricaPiratesPresident

Sub Era: The Age of Jefferson & Madison

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