Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) to Hamuda Bassa re: the sovereign's refusal to meet with Lear
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02794.079 Author/Creator: Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) Place Written: Tunis Bay Type: Autograph manuscript signed Date: 1805/08/05 Pagination: 2 p. 22.7 x 18.7 cm Order a Copy
Written aboard the "U.S.S. Constitution." Draft copy, with edits, of GLC 2794.080. "As George Davis Esq our Charge de Affairs at your Courts has informed me that . . . you refused to receive me a person authorized to transact any business of my nation with you, I find myself unable to execute the duty assigned me by the President of the U. States." Page two contains doodling. Docketed on verso.
Tobias Lear Consul General of the U.S. of America
For the Regency of Algiers &c.
To
His Excellency Hamoeda Basha, the most Illustrious & most Magnificent Prince, the Bey of Tunis, the Abode of Happiness
I have the honor of addressing your Excellency two days past, and of enclosing the Copy of a letter which I bear from the President of the United States to your Excellency, and which I have been charged to deliver with my own hand, and to make certain communications on behalf of the President by your Excellency.-
As George Davis Esq our Charge de Affairs of your Court has informed me that on delivering and explaining said letter to your Excellency, that you refused to receive me as a person authorized to honor any business of my nation with you, I find myself unable to execute the duty assigned me by the President of the U. States, and which might tend to restore that harmony and good understanding which as is so desirable [struck: maybe] [inserted: should] exist between our [struck: Countries] [inserted: nations] [2] and shall feel it incumbent upon me to place any evil with may result from your Excellency's refusal to communicate with me, to its proper source.
I beg your Excellency to accept the assurances of [inserted: my] high respect & consideration.
Tobias Lear
U.S. Fr. Constitution
Augt. 5. 1805
[Docket]:
For
The Bey of Tunis
5 Augt. 1805
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