Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 3Jefferson, Thomas
History
Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 3
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
On your arrival at Morocco, sound your ground, and know how things stand
at present. Your former voyage there, having put you in possession of
the characters through whom this may be done, who may best be used for
approaching the Emperor and effecting your purpose, you are left to use
your own knowledge to the best advantage.
The object being merely to obtain an acknowledgment of the treaty, we
rely that you will be able to do this, giving very moderate presents.
As the amount of these will be drawn into precedent on future similar
repetitions of them, it becomes important. Our distance, our seclusion
from the ancient world, its politics, and usages, our agricultural
occupations and habits, our poverty, and lastly, our determination to
prefer war in all cases to tribute under any form, and to any people
whatever, will furnish you with topics for opposing and refusing high
or dishonoring pretensions; to which may be added, the advantages their
people will derive from our commerce, and their sovereign, from the
duties laid on whatever we extract from that country.
Keep us regularly informed of your proceedings and progress, by
writing by every possible occasion, detailing to us particularly your
conferences, either private or public, and the persons with whom they
are held.
We think that Francisco Chiappe has merited well of the United States,
by his care of their peace and interests. He has sent an account
of disbursements for us, amounting to three hundred and ninety-four
dollars. Do not recognise the account, because we are unwilling, by
doing that, to give him a color for presenting larger ones hereafter,
for expenses which it is impossible for us to scrutinize or control. Let
him understand, that our laws oppose the application of public money so
informally; but in your presents, treat him handsomely, so as not only
to cover this demand, but go beyond it with a liberality which may
fix him deeply in our interests. The place he holds near the Emperor,
renders his friendship peculiarly important. Let us have nothing further
to do with his brothers, or any other person. The money, which would
make one good friend, divided among several, will produce no attachment.
The Emperor has intimated that he expects an ambassador from us. Let him
understand, that this may be a custom of the old world, but it is not
ours; that we never sent an ambassador to any nation.
You are to be allowed, from the day of your departure till your return,
one hundred and sixty-six dollars and sixty-six cents and two thirds, a
month, for your time and expenses, adding thereto your passage money and
sea-stores going and coming.
Remain in your post till the first of April next, and as much longer as
shall be necessary to accomplish the objects of your mission, unless you
should receive instructions from hence to the contrary.
With your commission, you will receive a letter to the Emperor of
Morocco, a cipher, and a letter to Colonel Humphreys.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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