Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) to Hamuda Bassa re: continued peace between U.S. and Tunis
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02794.093 Author/Creator: Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) Place Written: Tunis Bay Type: Manuscript document signed Date: 1805/08/11 Pagination: 2 p. + docket 24.5 x 19.8 cm Order a Copy
Final draft of GLC 2794.092 in a clerk's hand with Lear's signature. Written aboard the "U.S.S. Constitution." Lear responds to the Bashaw's letter of 9 August 1805 (GLC 2794.088). "[A]s [your previous letters] contain such assurances of your friendly disposition towards the United States, and expressions of a determination to continue that friendship . . . I shall not hesitate to present myself before your Excellency towmorrow . . . ." Docketed on verso.
Tobias Lear Consul General to the United States of America
To.-
To His Excellency Hamsuda Bashaw, the most Illustrious and most Magnificent Prince, the Bey of Tunis, the abode of Happiness
The length of time necessary for making a full and correct translation of the letter with which your Excellency honored me yesterday dated the 9th of the present month, will, I hope, account for its not been sooner acknowledged.
I have attentively considered the contents of the last, as well as the former of your Excellency's letters, and as they contain such assurances of your friendly disposition towards the United States, and expression of a determination to continue that friendship, on your part, according to the Treaty now existing between our Nations. I shall not hesitate to present myself before your Excellency tomorrow, in order to have a full and clear explanation of all differences which have risen, and to confirm that harmony and good understanding which it is so desirable should always prevail between your Excellency and the Government of my Country. -
Should our conferrence [sic] terminate, as I trust it will, in restoring that confidence in the continuance of peace between our Nations, which shall be fully satisfactory, the guarantee which has been required by the Commodore for securing this important point, will no longer become necessary. -
As I am not sufficiently conversant in the Italian [2] language to make my Communications to your Excellency perfectly understood, I shall take the liberty of carrying with me a Gentleman for that purpose.
I pray your Excellency to accept the assurances of my profound Respect & Consideration. -
Tobias Lear
U.S. Frigate Constitution
Tunis Bay. Aug 11th 1805
[address leaf]
To
The Bey of Tunis
Augt. 11. 1805
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