The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

WASHINGTON CITY.

FRIDAY, May 29, 1801.

We yesterday published in an Extra paper the following important letter, respecting the disposition of TRIPOLI and ALGIERS, received by the Secretary of State.

Extract of a letter from col. Humphreys to the Secretary of State, dated April 14th, 1801.

'I think I cannot display too much eagerness in communicating to you, by different conveyances, the news this moment received by me from Algiers. I hasten then to transmit copies of Consul O'Brien's letter to the 6th instant, which came to me through the Department of the first minister of state of his Catholic majesty.

From the last of these letters you will learn, that the Bey of Tripoli, having refused the mediation of Algiers, the presents sent from thence and the bills of consul Cathcart, was determined upon war against the United States, and was sending his cruisers to sea accordingly. It is devoutly to be wished that he may soon have reason to repent this wicked and rash proceeding at his leisure. As it is a considerable time since Consul Cathcart (whom I consider a very faithful and vigilant public officer) took the wise precaution of giving extensive advice of the great probability of this event, I cannot but hope that our unarmed merchant vessels will not be exposed to the hazard of falling into the possession of these pirates, but that they will rather be retained in port (however inconvenient or expensive it may be) until they can be protected by armed vessels of the United States, adequate to the purpose. On the policy of repelling force by force, and of blocking the ports of this aggressor, I can add little to the motives which I have already had the honor to offer. I may, however, just be allowed to say, that the circumstances seem more than at any former time to reduce us to the alternative of having a few frigates and light armed vessels in the Mediterranean, or of relinquishing our trade in it. To be at war with one of the Barbary powers, subjects our commerce to nearly the same risk as to be at war with all of them. To chastise that haughty but contemptible power which now dares first to insult us by its aggression would certainly serve, not only as a salutary example to the other piratical states, but it would produce an almost incalculable effect in elevating our national character in the estimation of all Europe.'

Algiers, the 5th of April, 1801.

SIR,

THE Algerine corsairs are as yet all in port, and wait the result of the second mission to Constantinople. I hope something will come forward from the United States before they sail; if not, I have my fears. On the 1st inst. I sent to the Dey, requesting he would permit a second letter to be wrote by his orders to the Bashaw of Tripoli: he answered that his letter had certainly gone safe, and would answer the desired effect. April 5th--this morning at 8 A. M. the prime minister of Algiers sent a choux or constable to me, to inform me that the Americans were in arrears in their annuities nearly three years; that what has been sent lately is very trifling, and that the Dey is not well pleased at this neglect or detention. I answered by my drogerman, to give my best respects to the prime minister; to inform him that in our last settlement we arranged the annuities for two years and nine months; that one year was considered by the U. States to be omitted; that we had brought sundry stores since (in the Sophia and Washington) which were not counted; that great commissions of timber and other articles were wrote for or ordered by the regency on the annuities; that these articles, I expected, were preparing in the U. States to be shipped for Algiers; that our rivers were frozen till March, and that by this time I expected said articles were shipped, and would of course come forward sufficient to answer all the requisite stipulations on the part of the U. States, which were due to the regency.

The prime minister observed, that we were much in arrears, more so than is customary to admit any nation; that he hoped these requisite articles on the annuities would soon arrive at Algiers; that they were the chain of our friendship with this regency. This looks seriously.

Sir, I am very respectfully,

Your most obedient servant,

(Signed) RICHARD O'BRIEN.

The hon. William Smith, at Lisbon.

Algiers, the 6th of April, 1801.

ESTEEMED SIR,

YESTERDAY I received letters from Consul Cathcart, dated Tripoli, the 19th and 26th of February. The Bashaw of Tripoli has disregarded the friendly letters and interference of the Dey of Algiers; has rejected to receive the presents I sent from Algiers. Consul Cathcart offered to give him bills, &c. to the amount of 25,000 dollars, to gain time to have a reference to the U. States; but this also was rejected. Our treaty is in a manner declared void, and the Bashaw of Tripoli has sent his corsairs to sea, with an intent to capture Americans. He wants war, and he should have it. Even if he should accept of the bills, I have not money or credit to pay or answer them; further, it would be establishing an example for Algiers and Tunis to make greater demands, and I have no such powers to act without a reference, on such a great affair, to the government and Mr. Smith. I have sent many important papers on this business to Mr. Montgomery, to copy and forward, and am so hurried that I have not time to add more than to inform you of this impending danger, and to assure you, Sir,

Of the sincere regard and esteem of your most obedient servant,

(Signed) RICHARD O'BRIEN

Hon. Col. Humphreys, at Madrid.

The requisite precautions should be taken. I have wrote circular letters on this event to the Consuls in Spain, Gibraltar, and Mahon. Copy of this letter you will please to forward to the Secretary of State and Mr. Smith.