FROM M. DE SARTINE TO M. THE COUNT DE VERGENNES, Translation. Versailles September 21, 1778. Sir, I have received the letter you did me the honor to write to me the 5th of this month to inform me of the commission which the deputies of the United States of North America have given you for the purpose of engaging the King to take the necessary measures with the Regencies of Barbary, to fulfil the engagements which he has made in the 5th article of the treaty of the 6th February of this year. I have examined this article and find that the King has promised to employ his good offices with the King of Morocco and the Princes of Barbary; to provide as extensively as possible for the advantage, convenience and security of the subjects of the United States and their vessels and cargoes against all violence, insult, attack or depredation from the Barbarian Princes and their subjects. After these engagements it seems to me proper to think of the means to realize them, notwithstanding all the difficulties which appear to be in the way. But before the plan we may adopt is presented to the King, it appears necessary to be assured of the true inclinations of the United States of North America and those steps they desire to be taken on the part of France. Are the United States of America determined to conclude treaties with the Princes of Barbary, or do they only wish that we should employ our good offices to make their flag respected by the powers of Africa? This last matter we can never obtain, or if by chance we should procure from some of them the privilege of trade for the United States, their permission would be but deceitful, momentary and very precarious, and it would undoubtedly expose us without being of the least service to the subjects of the United States. The Algerines particularly would never respect the flag of the United States, without they received considerable advantages. You know too well, sir, the character of the barbarians and the policy of their Government, not to see the inutility and dangerous consequences of such an overture. It would be less difficult perhaps to engage them to acknowledge the independence of the United States of North America, and to conclude treaties with this new power. It is necessary first to know what may be the instructions of the deputies of Congress, and whether they are authorized to enter into negotiations with the Princes of Africa, through the interposition of France. If Congress has this design, I can then take the orders of the King to give his deputies instructions how to enter upon a negotiation with the Sovereigns of Barbary, and we, sir, can concert measures that may be effectually employed to obtain the end proposed, without hazarding our own interests for those of the United States. This negotiation will be long and,difficult, but I will neglect nothing to secure its success, if the Congress is determined on it, and you think that the "King is engaged to favor it." I shall wait your answer before I make any overture. I have the honor to be, &c. SARTINE. FROM THE COUNT DE VERGENNES TO THE COMMISSIONERS. Translation. Versailles, April 28, 1784. Gentlemen, I have communicated to M. Marshal de Castries, all the papers which you have done me the honor to address to me respecting the Barbary Regencies, and I cannot do better than send you a copy herewith of the answers, which this Minister made to me on this subject. I have the honor, gentlemen, to be, &c. DE VERGENNES. COPY OF THE LETTER FROM M. MARSHAL DE CASTRIES TO THE COUNT DE VERGENNES AT VERSAILLES. Sir, Translation. April 24, 1785. I have received the letter which you did me the honor to write the 21st inst. and the different pieces which accompanied it. I have perused them with attention, and I hasten to let you know, as you desire, my opinions on the questions proposed by the American Ministers. I begin by informing you, that about three weeks since they have been furnished with extensive instructions of the contributions and presents of the Christian powers, and' of the value and species of those which France has made them for purposes of State. It remains for Congress to judge whether a good understanding with the Barbarians is worth the sacrifice, without which it will be superfluous to pretend to it. Should they happen to obtain it from the King of Morocco and the Regency of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli would easily follow their example, and certainly at less expense. The particular affair which they have had with Morocco, seems to invite them to begin with that power, and of the three modes which they propose, I only think the last advisable. The King of Morocco supports no authorized Consul in France; and besides his pretensions to being sought after, I doubt whether he would consent to send a Minister to meet those of the United States; this proceeding would be inefficacious, and the agent would not have sufficient power to conclude a treaty or a solid arrangement. The same would be the consequence of a negotiation carried on by writing. It remains then to propose to the King of Morocco to wait until they can have advised Congress to send him a Consul. I will willingly charge myself with the care of forwarding their letter to this Prince, and the officer of the King shall have orders to render every service in his power to the American prisoners, until the negotiation shall actually be set on foot. Whenever the thirteen United States shall have entered thereon, they may rely on the interposition and assistance of his Majesty's Consul. I see, with pleasure, that they have already procured those of his Catholic Majesty, whose powerful influence will be infinitely useful to them. When our treaty with Algiers shall expire, we shall desire to renew it, and even may flatter ourselves to be able to do it without any difficulty. But should any occur that must be surmounted, the King is accustomed to use no foreign interventions to establish or preserve the good understanding, which it suits him to maintain with the Barbary powers. As to the rest, sir, you can assure the American Ministers, that they will always find the King inclined to favor their negotiations with these States; and on all occasions to assist them with his cares and offices, which he would render them though he were not engaged by the convention they claim. But at the same time, it is necessary that they adopt measures of similar execution. I hope, sir, that I have precisely answered all the points of the letter which Messrs. Adams, Franklin and Jefferson, have written to you, and to every thing essential contained in the pieces which accompanied it. I have the honor to send you the originals, &c. FROM THE DUKE OF DORSET TO THE COMMISSIONERS. Paris, March 26, 1785. Gentlemen, Having communicated to my Court the readiness you expressed in your letter to me of the 9th of December, to remove to London, for the purpose of treating upon such points as may materially concern the interests, both political and commercial, of Great Britain and America, and having at the same time represented that you declared yourselves, to be fully authorized and empowered to negotiate, I have been, in answer thereto, instructed to learn from you, gentlemen, what is the real nature of the powers with which you are invested, whether you VOL. II.-38 |