Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) to Hamuda Bassa re: continued peace between U.S. and Tunis
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02794.092 Author/Creator: Lear, Tobias (1762-1816) Place Written: Tunis Bay Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1805/08/11 Pagination: 2 p. + docket 25 x 20.2 cm Order a Copy
Draft copy of GLC 2794.093. Written aboard the "U.S.S. Constitution." Lear responds to the Bashaw's letter of 9 August 1805 (GLC 2794.088). For excerpt, see GLC 2794.093. Docketed on verso.
Tobias Lear, Consul General of the United States of America.
To His Excellency Hamuda Bassa, 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 having 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 expressions of a determination to continue that friendship, on your part, according to the treaty now existing between our nations, I shall not hesitate & present myself before your Excellency tomorrow, in order to have a full and clear explaination [sic] of all differences which have arisen, and to confirm that harmony and good understanding which it is so described should always prevail between your Excellency and the Government of my Country.-
Should our conference terminate, as I trust it will, in restoring [inserted: that] confidence in the continuance of peace between our nations [struck: the guarantee] which shall be fully Satisfactory, the guarantee which has been required by [2] the commodore for securing this important point, will no longer become necessary.-
[struck: I shall be with me a person]
I pray your Excellency to accept the assurances of my profound respect and consideration
Tobias Lear.
U.S. Frigate Constitution
Tunis Bay Augt. 11th. 1805
As I am not sufficiently conversent [sic] in the Italian Language, to make my communication to your Excellency perfectly understood, I shall take the liberty of carrying with me a gentleman [struck: who can] for that purpose.
[docket]
To
His Exy. the Bey of Tunis
Augs. 11th. 1805.
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