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Davis, George (fl. 1803-1811) to William Higgens re: naming Sidi Ahmet Caramanli as Bey of Derna

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02794.124 Author/Creator: Davis, George (fl. 1803-1811) Place Written: Tripoli Type: Manuscript document Date: 1809/01/15 Pagination: 2 p. 23 x 19 cm Order a Copy

"The ex-Bashaw has made frequent applications to the Government of the United States, as well as to it's [sic] agents, to obtain for him the sovereignty of the province of Derna." Davis explains that this possibility is more likely than previously conceived, and that "the advantages resulting from such an arrangement are obvious; the people of the province are attached to him, his personal safety and that of his family would be as much secured as tho' he were in the United states, and the revenue of the country . . . would be confirmed to his heirs forever." Scribal copy bound together with GLC 2794.118, .120-.124, .128-.133, .135-.145 and .147-.151. (Letter #7 in bound volume.)

Tripoli 15. January 1809. -
Sir.
I had the honor to write you under date of the 5. reltins, enclosing a letter to the Ex-Bashaw which contained some propositions for his final establishments. Since addressing that letter the Bey (son in law and nephew to Sidi Ahmet) has interest himself greatly in behalf of his uncle, and the good dispositions which his zealous exertion awakened in the mind of the Bashaw have not been neglected by myself.
The Ex- Bashaw has made frequent application to the Government of the United States, as well as to its agents, to obtain for him to sovereignty of the province of [illegible] with it's revenues; but the concession was deemed too considerable to authority an expectation that it would be granted. From several recent conversation however, with much less difficulty than was imagined. If Sidi Ahmet will renew his application to me, unclogged with those innumerable restrictions which he is in the habit of attacking to the favors he solicite[sic], I feel confident that his wishes will be gratified. He should at the same time write a letter to his brother making the request in a friendly manner. The advantages resulting from such an arrangement are obvious; the people of the province are attached to him, his personal safety and that of his family would be as much secured although he were in the United States, and the revenue of the country which amounts to eight or ten thousands sequins pannum would be confirmed to his heirs for even.
I should sincerely rejoice at the happy termination of this affair; and as the moment is favorable for placing his interest to upon a permanent basis, I hope that he will seize it with as much warmth as I have done. When his answer is received if it be conformable to my just expectation, an embassy will be sent to him in form.
Iris not meant that this communication, and the enclosed one from, should invalidate the proposition already made, if they should be ultimately concluded, until those now in question shall be put in execution. In that [illegible] every part of any of my former letter will be voided as well for the pension of $ 3,000 Pannum, as the provision for liquidating his debt, because he himself will have ample means of satisfying his creditor.
With respect & consideration
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your Mo: Obt Servt.
( signed ) George Davis
William Higgens, Esq:
Navy Agent of the U.S
Of America, Malta

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