Description:

19th Century Morocco
London, England, ca. May-September 1834
Pirates & Morocco: Hanseatic Diplomat Discusses Mediterranean Policy with British Consul to Morocco, 23pp
Archive
JAMES COLQUHOUN. Collection of 5 autograph letters signed, "J. Colquhoun", addressed to Edward William Auriol Drummond-Hay. Ranging in date from May to September, 1834, various places. 23pp, measuring between 7.125" x 8.875" (smallest) 8" x 12.625" (largest). Expected folds and areas of minor tearing with scattered soiling, not affecting text. Overall, in very good condition.

In this series of letters, the British representative of the Hanseatic Cities of Hamburg, Bremen, and Lubeck asks the American-born British consul in Tangier, Morocco to help protect Hanseatic interests against piracy so prevalent in the Mediterranean. He also makes extensive efforts to send the consul a gift to express the appreciation of the Hanseatic Cities.

Excerpts include:

-May 29: "I hear from an Official Source that a Neapolitan squadron consisting of a Frigate & some corvettes have proceeded to Tangier with Instructions to the Commander to begin with negociation & in case of failure to have recourse to force – that a Neapolitan Brig of War here has received orders to proceed & join the others at Tangier."
"The large quantity of British Capital in Foreign Ports & consequently of shipments on British account, distributed in the ships of all nations expose British Interests to be affected indirectly by any depredations committed on Cargoes under the Hanseatic or Neapolitan flag & indeed under almost every flag."
"The only security for British as well as foreign Commerce in the Mediterranean & on the European Coasts bordering on the Atlantic is viz the dismantling of the Piratical Vessels which it is hoped will be enforced & immediately follow the settlement of the Neapolitan question."

-June 1: "The Senate of Hamburgh is however of opinion that as experience has shewn that it is as yet difficult, perhaps impossible to abolish the piratical system and as Morocco in particular will probably not be brought for some time to alter her System, the Hanseatic negociation must be persevered in, with a view to a final settlement."
"I am directed in the name of the Venerable Senates to assure you that they are fully sensible of & highly value the benefit which the Commerce of the Hans. Towns has already received from your judicious and successful Endeavours to protect it & that they are anxious to prove to you how much they feel grateful for your Services, that they are preparing further Instructions which will if possible be sent by the next mail, some delay being, as has been before observed unavoidable from the necessity of their Corresponding among each other. They cannot but confidently rely on your experienced Judgment & diplomatic tact still to shield them from any hostile Measures and trust that the piratical Vessels in question will be dismantled forthwith as the best earnest of Security."

-June 30: "I trust that the appearance of the Neapolitan fleet off Tangier & the seeming support given to it by a French force will set the question of the risk of the Morocco flotilla putting to sea, at rest – besides the incomplete state of their Vessels & the delay & difficulty in equipping & rendering them seaworthy seem to remove all cause of alarm for the safety of the Commerce of any peaceful commercial state, for the present – and I should hope for the future. In the mean time the Senate must leave it to your discretion to act according to circumstances – to continue the negociation should the Morocco Government renew the discussion so as in that case to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion."

-September 1: "I have twice seen Mr Secretary Rice on the subject of the Senates being permitted to express, by a mark of their esteem for your Diplomatic talents, the sense they entertain of your services toward the Hanseatic Republicks. He wished to have an opportunity of conversing with Lord Palmerston on the subject, in order that the two Secretaries might not act on different Principles. I pointed out the distinction between a British Diplomatic Functionary receiving unlimited presents from Indian Princes or Barbary Pirates and his receiving a well earned Compliment from the States to whom he had rendered services under the auspices of his own Government."

-September 18: "I have sincere pleasure in stating to you that Mr Secretary Spring Rice has approved of the Senates making an acknowledgment for your services at Morocco to Hanseatic Commerce during the last 5 years."

James Colquhoun (1780-1855) was born in Scotland and attended St. John's College, Cambridge, for a year. In 1809, he served as Deputy Agent-General for the payment of volunteers organized for the defense of Britain in the Napoleonic Wars. He later served as Consul-General to Great Britain for the Hanseatic Cities of Hamburg, Bremen, and Lubeck from 1817 to 1855, signing commercial treaties on their behalf with Great Britain and other nations.

Edward William Auriol Drummond-Hay (1785-1845) was born in England and graduated from Christ's Church, Oxford, in 1806. Two years later, he took up a commission in the army, where he served in the peninsular war, France, the Low Countries, and was present at the Battle of Waterloo. He then served as Consul General in Tangier, Morocco, from 1829 to his death in 1845. His son, Sir John Drummond-Hay (1816-1893), succeeded him in the position as Consul General there for more than forty years, rising to the rank of Minister Resident and then to Envoy Extraordinary.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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