Caramanli, Ahmet (fl. 1808-1809) to George Davis re: permanent residence in Morocco and paying debts
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02794.126 Author/Creator: Caramanli, Ahmet (fl. 1808-1809) Place Written: Malta Type: Manuscript document Date: 1809/01/10 Pagination: 2 p. 23 x 19 cm Order a Copy
Caramanli writes that he can neither settle in "America, being so far removed, my family having so many objections on account both of religion, manners and language" nor in Levant, which is "prey to civil wars and contentions. In consequence I esteem it now more to my advantage . . . to make Morocco my place of permanent residence." Caramanli had previously refused to settle in Morocco. The ex-Bashaw also acknowledges the receipt of $200 from William Higgens. Scribal copy bound together with GLC 2794.118, .120-.124, .128-.133, .135-.145 and .147-.151. (Letter #9 in bound volume.)
His Excellency Ahmet Bashaw Caramanli -
To George Davis, Esq.: American Consul at Tripoli. -
I have the pleasure to be in receipt of your esteemed favor announcing to me the final wishes of my brother Reigning Bashaw of Tripoli, relation to my future permanent establishment. My unfortunate situation, my many past fatigues, and the agonizing sensation occasioned by my continued State of mendacity renders me daily more and more desirous of fixing for life.
My brother proposes (thro you) my removal to America or the Levant, either of which I would accept with pleasure but from the circumstance of America being so far removed, my family having so many objections on account both of religion, manner and language, that I cannot feel myself authorized to oblige them to go there. From the Levant I have letters of recent data, and find that country at this moment prey to civil way and contention. In consequence I esteem it more to my advantage, and doubtless equally consonant to the wishes of my brother to make Morocco my place of permanent residence, and am willing to enter into immediate articles for my removal therets previous to the end of the month of April coming. I have also communicated those resolution to William Higgens, Esq and in consequence have received from him $ 200 allowance for this month. W- Barker has discontinued said monthly allowance since October last which has been to me a very great mortification - being here in a foreign country penniless. Will you have the goodness to order said arrears to be paid me in Malta.
Hereinclosed [sic] you will received the amount of my debt both for Malta and Sicily I trust every thing in your friendship for their discharge other wise I fear my creditors will not allow my departure from this.
I am, with esteem,
Dr Sir,
Your mo: obt sert.
Ahmet Caramanli
{Seal.} Ex. Bashaw of Tripoli.
Malta 10. January 1809.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.