From Webster Blount (unpublished)
Mogador 4th. March 1785
Sir

At my return from Morocco the 14th. of last month I received here your letter of 19th. Novemr. last, in which you advise of the order of His Excellency Count de Rechtoren our Ambassador at Madrid, to use all my power to obtain from the Emperor the release of the American Ship with her Crew and lading, which order you confirm to me by your letter of 11th. Jany. of the present year.

As I was on my departure from Morocco after the reception of your afore said letter of 11th. Januy. His Majesty having made known his intentions of coming to Mogador, and that at his arrival he would answer me on what related to our republic. I had but just time to insinuate by means of a person at Court what I was charged to represent. As to the Americans His Majesty made answer, to leave that affair likewise untill his arrival at Mogador.

In an audience which I had from His Majesty the 3d. inst. I warmly demanded the restitution of the ship, and that the Captain and Crew might be allowed to leave this country; but He answered me that altho’ they were free, yet nevertheless they should not be allowed to depart untill some one should come from their country—and afterwards His Majesty told me that the Alcayar Tahar Denis was charged with this affair respecting the American, with whom I afterwards had a conference to explain more circumstantially to him the nature of my representations in their behalf, and be recommend to him strongly to assistance with his good offices so as to be able to succeed better. The said Denis promised me to make a sutiable report to his master to endeavour to get him to change his ideas as to the detention of theses subjects of the united States. This Sir is what I have been able to do till the present in conformity to the order of the Count de Rechteren And I beg of you to communicate to him what I now inform you of. If here after there should be any more favorable news on this subject I shall not fail to advise you of it—In the mean while I have the honor to be with perfect esteem Sir Your most obedient humble servant

(signed)Webster Blount.

p.s. After having written the above, The Alcade Tahar Fenis told me by order of his Majesty that he had never received any answer from the United States of America on the subject of peace, But at present as our nation interests themselves for them, that when this Ambassador shall come He would part whatever they desired and that the Ship, lading and Crew should be restored, and in the meantime the said Americans are declared to be at liberty and shall be well treated. That His Imperial Majesty likewise wishes to know who has been commissioned on their part to make overtures to him to conclude a Treaty of Amity and commerce, Since has not received any letter or any propositions, and that at present His Governor has written to him that some one is on the way with an Ambassador who is coming from Madrid to treat on this subject of the Americans. In short Sir I give you all these informations for the satisfaction of the Count de Rechteren. Till the issue is known I am Your very humble servant

W.B.

Faithfully translated from the original by John Pintard.
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