Transcript of a letter dated 28 July 1802, Tangier, from U.S. Counsel James Simpson to Thomas Buckley Esq., shortly after Morocco declared war on the United States

In May of 1801, the Bashaw of Tripoli declared war on the United States by cutting down the flagstaff in front of the U.S. Consulate. In response, Jefferson sent a group of frigates to defend American interests in the Mediterranean and to blockade Tripoli. As part of the blockade, , Simpson refused to issue passports requested by Sultan Moulay Suliman of Morocco for two vessels to carry wheat from Gibraltar to Tripoli. 

On June 22, 1802, the Sultan Moulay Suliman responded by  expelling Simpson from Tangier and declaring war on the United States, but on July 26, 1802, invited Simpson to return.  This letter is dated July 28, 1802, shortly after Simpson’s return to Tangier in “furtherance of reconciliation.” 

The letter describes the readiness of Moroccan vessels and warns that Moroccans are preparing “to Capture American Vessels.”  The letter encloses a “Dispatch for the Secretary of State.”

Tangier 28 July 1802

Dear Sir

          I have to thank you for a letter received this day week at Gibraltar, and for these it covered. ~ I landed here Monday running under a Flag of Truce from the Enterprise Schooner,[1] for purposes of making certain Communications from the President to the Imperial Majesty[2], towards the furtherance of reconciliation; ~ The issue I will be careful to acquaint you. ~

          In the meantime I avail of this opportunity, to advise a Frigate of 22 Guns of 100 Men[3] lays purposely ready at Larach, to put to Sea first Levanter[4], provided with full authority to Capture American Vessels, which beg you will make known. ~ At Tetuan they have two half Gallies of two Guns each, & about fifty men nearly ready. ~ Enclosed is a Dispatch for the Secretary of State which request you will forward by first opportunity. ~

          I am with regard

               Dear Sir 
Your Most Obedient Servant


s/ James Simpson

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[1] Enterprise was a 12 gun schooner, in 1801-02 under the command of Lieutenant Andrew Sterett

[2] Sultan Moulay Suliman. Morocco was the first nation to recognize the fledgling United States as an independent nation in 1777. The Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship of 1786 is the first treaty between the United States and any Arab, Muslim or African country, and stands as the U.S.'s oldest non-broken friendship treaty. Sultan Moulay Suliman, had reaffirmed the Treaty in 1795

The Treaty provides for the protection of American shipping along the Moroccan coast and for commerce between the two nations on the basis of most favored nation. The treaty, binding for 50 years, was sealed by the Sultan Sidi Mohamed on June 28, 1786 and an additional article was added July 6th. Signed and sealed by Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States, Thomas Jefferson in Paris on January 1, 1787, and John Adams in London on January 25th, it was ratified by Congress and entered into force on July 18, 1787.

  

[3]           This could refer to the Meshboha [a/k/a Mirboho or Mirboka], a 22-gun Moroccan Frigate with a crew of 120 men. The Meshboha, carrying orders of the Governor of Tangiers to cruise for American vessels and an American prize, was captured a year later, in August 1803, by the Philadelphia.   Preble and Rodgers blockaded the Moroccan coast and in October entered the Bay of Tangiers with the American Squadron (Constitution, New York, John Adams, and Nautilus) in full battle array.  
            After preliminary negotiation conducted by consul James Simpson, Sultan Moulay Suliman disavowed the act of the Governor of Tangiers, expressed a desire to remain at peace with the United States, and sent presents of cattle, sheep and fowl.  He again signed the treaty of 1786.

As President Jefferson informed the Congress, “All difficulties in consequence therof have been amicably adjusted… each party restoring to the other what had been detained or taken.”  (Special Message of December 5, 1803). See Charles Oscar Paullin, Diplomatic Negotiations of American Naval Officers, 1778-1883 (1912);   Charles Oscar Paullin, Commodore John Rodgers (1909).  The Emperor proclaimed, “The American nation are still, as they were, in peace and friendship with our person, exalted of God.” Eugene Schuyler, American Diplomacy and the Furtherance of Commerce (1895)

The National Intelligencer reported that Jefferson “had commanded peace” with Morocco “on his own terms” without blood or tribute.  Jefferson in turn praised the “temperate and correct course pursued by our consul, Mr. Simpson.” (Special Message to Congress of December 5, 1803)
James Simpson was U.S. Consul to Morocco at Tangier from 1796-1820.

[4] The Levanter is an easterly wind that blows in the Western Mediterranean, reaching its greatest intensity through the Strait of Gibraltar. The Levanter winds can occur at any time in the year, but are most common from July to October.