Washington, George (1732-1799) to the Emperor of Morocco
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 #: GLC09033 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: s.l. Type: Letter signed Date: 1 December 1789 Pagination: 1 p. Order a Copy
Thanks the Emperor for sending letters to the rulers of Tunis and Tripoli re: Barbary pirates, explaining that America cannot pay the desired tribute, having "no Mines, either of Gold, or Silver, and ... just recovering from the Waste and Desolation of a long War." However, he predicts that the United States "shall gradually become useful to our friends." Writing as the new head of state, "the United States, having unanimously appointed me to the supreme executive Authority, in this Nation..."
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
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.