1. These letters from David Humphreys to Pickering, and their enclosures, are found in DNA: RG 59, Despatches from U.S. Ministers to Spain. Humphreys, who then served as minister to Portugal and chargé d’affaires to the Barbary States, wrote number 24 in Lisbon on 18 Dec. 1795, and it was docketed as received on 8 April 1796. Not having sent a letter for some time because no vessels sailed “owing to the extreme badness of the weather,” Humphreys “enclosed letters of the 5th & 11th of Octr from Mr [Joseph] Donaldson, together with the List of Consular Presents for Algiers & some observations on the subject.” Humphreys judged it “essential for counteracting intrigues, removing undue impressions & preserving Peace, that Consuls should be appointed without loss of time for all the Barbary States with which we may be in Amity.” He complained about his workload, lack of assistance, and low salary. Humphreys also returned some papers “which have become useless, in consequence of M. Skjöldebrand’s having declined accepting the Consulship for Algiers, & of the apparent incompetence of Captn Heissel to execute in a proper manner the functions of the Consulate for Morocco.”

Number 25, dated 31 Dec. 1795, has not been identified, but Humphreys alluded to it when he wrote number 26 from Lisbon on 11 Jan. 1796. His number 26 also reads: “The only intelligence I obtain from Algiers, is, that Mr Donaldson was confined to his bed by a complication of disorders, among which the gout & dysentery were the most prevalent. I hope no fatal consequences will ensue. But, in all events, it appears to me, the necessity of having a Consul named for that Regency becomes everyday more pressing.” Humphrey closed with the plans of the prince and princess of Brazil to travel “in order to have a personal interview with the King & Queen of Spain.”

When he wrote number 27 from Lisbon on 23 Jan., Humphreys enclosed two letters received from Donaldson, one from Philip Sloan, and one from Robert Montgomery: “From the two former you will learn the measures which have been taken with respect to Tunis & Tripoli; and what ground there is for hoping that a Truce will be observed. From the two latter you will be informed that there are other Dispatches on their way from Algiers for me; and that the State of Affairs in Africa is not so favorable as could be wished. To what this general report of the unfavorable state of affairs alludes, I am unable to determine. But, when I consider the impatience, fickleness, avarice & want of respect for public opinion, which are said to constitute a part of the Character of the Dey of Algiers; I must own I can never be without apprehensions of receiving disagreeable intelligence from thence. I am particularly sorry to hear that Mr. Donaldson has fallen into discredit with him; as well as that the health of Mr Donaldson continues to be so much impaired as to operate on his conduct, in such a manner as to induce Mr Philip Sloan to decline acting any longer under his orders. For I consider Sloan’s assistance as Interpreter of considerable importance.” Humphreys also enclosed a letter dated 23 Dec. 1795 from Joel Barlow, who was leaving Paris for Alicante, Spain, where he promised to improve the situation. Humphreys feared his own communications might be less frequent because the price “of most Articles of the produce of the U.S. is now so much higher in other Countries of Europe than in this Kingdom, that few or no vessels arrive here from thence. Consequently few or none will depart from hence for the U.S. for some time to come.”

Humphreys wrote number 28 in Lisbon on 31 Jan.–4 Feb.: “Mr Montgomery has not arrived here with the expected Dispatches from Algiers; nor have I received any intelligence from Barbary since my letter to you of the 23d inst.” Bad weather had greatly affected shipping, including the British fleet with troops bound for the West Indies. News had come from Paris that French and Austrian generals had concluded a truce to negotiate a peace, and signs indicated that the British government also might be preparing for peace negotiations.

Humphreys wrote number 29 in Lisbon on 6 Feb.: “At length Mr Montgomery has arrived (last night) with the long expected Dispatches from Algiers. His Journey has been retarded by heavy rains, bad roads, & swelled Rivers rendered impassable by the loss of Bridges. The vessel which is to carry this letter sails immediately, so that I have only time to copy the letter from the Dey of Algiers & that from Mr Donaldson to me. I enclose herewith the Copy of the Dispatch from the former; and the original letter from the latter.” The dey’s letter to Humphreys dated 4 Jan. expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of news regarding U.S. ratification of the Algiers treaty completed in early September 1795 and doubts over Donaldson’s authority to negotiate that instrument. He wanted Humphreys to “immediately dispatch a Courier” to explain the delay or risk “fatal consequences.” Written from Algiers on 3 Jan., Donaldson’s letter to Humphreys noted the dey’s demand and warned that the “Capricious” and “Avaricious” ruler might make peace with Portugal and turn against the United States.