Papers of John Adams, volume 18
th.1786
Since my Arrival here from Carthagena I have been in constant Expectation of a secure Opportunity for forwarding the inclosed, being nearly the Copy of a Letter I wrote to my Father shortly after my landing in Spain.2 It contains all the Observations I have been enabled to make by Reason of the Obstacles which (in my Situation at Algiers) prevented particular Enquiry. Indeed I had not the most distant Idea of remaining for so short a Time: otherwise perhaps I might have afforded greater Satisfaction in this Respect.3
I have not recieved any Letters from Mr. Lamb since his Arrival at Alicant but have lately heard that he is released from Quarantine—he may therefore be expected here every Day—as he had informed mr. Carmichael of his Intention of coming up immediately.
I shall be governed by his Orders & endeavour still to evince that nothing on my Part has been or shall be wanting to fulfill my Duty—although I must hope that Circumstances will be considered if my Services have not been equal to the Expectation formed of them.
Haste & the little Opportunity I have had to prepare my Observations as well as the Manner of writing in a Croud, I trust will plead my Apology, for delivering them in their present State—especially as my Father might have communicated in New-York the Intelligence they contain, I have therefore concieved that Alterations might be improper—as your Excellencies will distinguish what is well founded, & may be enabled to judge what Opinion may be formed on them in New-York.
The Envoys from Portugal & Naples are still at Carthagena awaiting the Completion of the Spanish Treaty.
This Court would undoubtedly have wished mr Lamb to remain in like manner—if his Instructions could have justified the Delay—before their Interference could consistent with their own Interests be employed in Favor of the United States.
The Portuguese Envoy told me at Carthagena, that he had no Expectations of succeeding—and would rather see a Confederacy 294 framed against the Barbary States—by those with whom they are at War.
He appeared much dissatisfied at being so long delayed. It would be Presumption in me to offer any News—mr. Carmichael being so much better enabled to afford Information—& will write by the present Occasion.4
I am with proper Respect / your Excellencies / most obedient & humble servt.
(An exact & literal Copy. Test: W short)
FC in William Short’s hand and enclosures (PCC, No. 87, I, f. 385–421); internal address: “Their Excellencies John Adams & / Thomas Jefferson Esqrs: Ministers / Plenipoteniary from the United States of / America at the Courts of Great Britain & France / respectively.” For the enclosures, see notes 2 and 3.
Thomas Jefferson received Randall’s letter and its enclosures on 26 May and sent copies of them, and other documents recently received, to Congress with his 27 May letter to John Jay (Jefferson, Papers
, 9:590). With his letter of 30 May, below, Jefferson apparently sent JA all of the documents enclosed with his letter to Jay. Upon receiving Jefferson’s letter,
JA wrote to Jay on 6 June, below, enclosing all of the documents that he had received from Jefferson. The PCC thus contains two complete sets of these documents, for which see note 1 to Jefferson’s 30 May letter to JA
, below.
The copy of the extract from Randall’s letter to his father that Jefferson sent to JA is in Randall’s hand. This is probably because of the time William Short already had spent in copying the extract as enclosed by Jefferson in his 27 May letter to Jay and which is printed in same, 9:526–536.
Written on 2 and 3 April, while at the “House of Quarantine Alicant,” the first portion of the letter contains a detailed account of the information gleaned by Randall during the five days that he spent in Algiers. He described John Lamb’s fruitless efforts to open negotiations and the dey of Algiers’ refusal to negotiate owing to the United States’ lack of a treaty with the Ottoman Empire, of which Algiers was nominally a part. He commented on Algiers’ relations with European nations, emphasizing the high cost of negotiations due to the gifts required by the dey and the sums needed to redeem enslaved sailors. In the second part of the letter written on 3 April, Randall, likely using information obtained from Spanish officers who were quarantined with him, described the Algerian government and the composition and strength of its navy. For the effect of Randall’s commentary, see Jefferson’s second letter of 30 May (Jefferson, Papers
, 9:595) and
JA’s 6 June reply, below.
The second enclosure, in Short’s hand, was a declaration signed by Lamb that Randall’s departure from Algiers and return to Spain was owing to Lamb’s “particular Desire” (Jefferson, Papers
, 9:536).
William Carmichael wrote to Jefferson on 16 May, enclosing Randall’s letter as well as one from the Conde d’Expilly, in which the Spanish negotiator referred to the Dey of Algiers’ refusal to treat. Carmichael indicated his willingness to go to Constantinople to open negotiations with the Ottomans (same, 9:538–540).
Last night I was honoured with your Letter of April 7th. and am happy to find that Twelve States, have granted to Congress the
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Impost. New York I am persuaded will not long withhold her Assent, because, that in Addition to all the other Arguments in favour of the measure, She will have to consider that all the Blame of Consequences must now rest upon her, and she would find this alone, a greater Burthen than the Impost.— This Measure alone, as soon as it is compleated will have a great Effect, and instantly raise the United States in the Consideration of Europe, and especially of England. Its beneficial Effects will be soon felt in America, by producing a Circulation of that Property, the long Stagnation of which, has been a principal Cause of the Distress of the Community. The States jointly and Severally, would find immediate Benefits from Establishing Taxes to pay the whole Interest of their Debts, those of the Confederation as well as those of particular States.— The Interest of Money would instantly be lowered, and Capitals be employed in Manufactures & Commerce that are now at Usury. It is no Paradox to Say, that every Man would find himself the richer, the more Taxes he pays, and this Rule must hold good untill the Taxes shall amount to a sum sufficient to discharge the Interest due to every Creditor, in the Community.
The Power to regulate the Commerce of the whole, will not probably be long witheld from Congress, and when that point shall be agreed to, You will begin to hear a Cry in England for a Treaty. Like Daniel Defoes Game Cock, among the Horses Feet, it will be “Pray Gentlemen dont let Us tread upon one another.”—1
You have, I hope before now, Lord Carmarthens Answer of Feb. 28. to my Memorial of Nov. 30.— I had determined in my own Mind not “to demand a Categorical Answer, without the further Orders of Congress,” and it is a great Satisfaction to find your Opinion coincide.2 It is now with Congress to deliberate what Answer, they should make to his Lordship and for my own Part I dont see what Answer they can give untill they know the sense of Massachusetts, New York Virginia & south Carolina.
With the highest Regard I have the honour to be / Sir your most obedient humble servant
RC (PCC, No. 84, VI, f. 179–181); internal address: “His Excellency John Jay / Secretary of state.” LbC (Adams Papers); APM Reel 112.
From Daniel Defoe’s 1702 essay, “The Shortest Way with Dissenters,” but there it reads, “Pray Gentlefolks let us stand still for fear we should tread upon one another.”
JA refers to the encoded postscript in Jay’s 7 April 1786 letter, above.