Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) to Hamuda Bassa re: delayed response to Lear's letter on possible war
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02794.090 Author/Creator: Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) Place Written: Tunis Bay Type: Letter signed Date: 1805/08/10 Pagination: 1 p. + docket 24.6 x 19.9 cm Order a Copy
Final draft of GLC 2794.089 in a clerk's hand with Lear's signature. Written aboard the "U.S.S. Constitution." "I had flattered myself that I should have had the honor of hearing from your Excellency, in answer to my letters of the 8th. of this Month (GLC 2794.084 & 2794.085) [. . . .] As this is not the case . . . I have the honor to assure you that there will be on our part the same Secureity for any persons who may come on board our Vessels as has been heretofore, untill we may be in a declared state of hostitilty . . . God forbid." Docketed on verso.
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 Prince, 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 letters of the 8th of this Mth. which was delivered to Mr. Davis, our charge' d' Affaires, the same day; who came on board this ship yesterday by order of the Commodore without any letter from your Excellency, or the formal assurance for a maintainance [sic] of the peace, which I had hoped your Excellency would have thought proper to have sent, and which might have enabled me to present myself before your Excellency, and I trust to have aranged [sic] the differences between our Nations to our mutual satisfaction and interest.
As this is not the case, and your Excellency may conceive that all communications is cut off since the departure of our Charge' d'affaires from your Regency, I have the honor to assure you that there will be on our part the same Security for any persons who may come on board our Vessels as has been heretofore, untill we may be in a declared state of hostility, which God forbid; and your Excellency may be assured that any communications 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
The Bey of Tunis
Augt. 10th: 1805.
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