The manuscripts cover a variety of topics, primarily surrounding Spanish-American relations with a few others concerning Anglo-American affairs and include, most commonly, correspondence concerning ships and American citizens sized on the high seas and requests for interventions on behalf of merchants overseas, but also include some significant documents concerning the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819.
[Includes:]
RANDOLPH, Edmund (1753-1813) Autograph letter signed ("Edmund Randolph") as Secretary of State to Messrs. Viar and Jaudens, Philadelphia, 4 July 1794. One page, bifolium. Forwarding papers [not present] regarding efforts of a "Mr. Barlett, the owner of the Ship Russell … taken at Fort Dauphin, and Mr. Bartlett is resolved to send a vessel tither immediately , with a hope of recovering her and her cargo." * PICKERING, Timothy (1745-1829). Autograph letter signed ("Timothy Pickering") as Secretary of State to José de Jáudenes y Nebot, "Department of State," 20 October 1795. One page, bifolium. Concerning a demand from the owner of the American ship Betsy, which was seized by a Spanish frigate. * MARSHALL, John (1755-1835). Letter signed ("J Marshall") as Secretary of State to David Lenox, Washington, 16 September 1800. One page. Regarding the case of "Thomas Maskill, a native of New Jersey, has been impressed and is detained on board the British Ship of War Zealand," and applying for "their discharge." * MONROE, James (1758-1831). Letter signed ("Jas Monroe") as Secretary of State to the Chevalier de Onis, "Department of State," 18 July 1816. One page. Monroe notes receipt of "your letter of the 10 instant, intimating a readiness to interpose your good offices to obtain the release of such vessels belonging to Citizens of the United States … on account of their not being furnished with Sea-Letters," and advising that he would soon write with information on the status of an American ship that would be dispatched to retrieve them." * ADAMS, John Quincy (1767-1848). Letter signed ("John Quincy Adams") as Secretary of State to Louis de Onis, "Department of State," 11 April 1818. One page, with 15 page manuscript enclosure, being, according to Adams, "copies of papers received at this department complaining that …[several] citizens of the United States were in the month of May last seized within the undoubted limits of the United Sates, buy a miliary force, under the orders of the Spanish Government in Mexico…." * ADAMS, John Quincy (1767-1848), VIVES PINON, Franciso Dionisio (1755-1840). Document signed, Washington, 22 February 1821. Two pages with one page translation into Spanish enclosed (seal tear losses, marginal chips, toning and dampstains). Certifying the ratification of the "Treaty of Amity, Settlement, and Limits between the said United States of America and His said Majesty…" * CLAY, Henry (1777-1852). Letter signed ("H Clay") as Secretary of State to Francisco Facon, Washington, 10 January 1828. Two pages, bifolium 324 x 202mm. Concerning "the interposition of the President to cause a slave, alleged to have been carried off from Porto Rico and clandestinely brought to Boston…."
The balance of the correspondence is similarly varied and involve various assistants in the State Department as well as foreign consular officials. Of particular interest are several folios (heavily browned) of what appears to be proposed terms for a treaty between the United States and Spain that resulted in the Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819 which delivered Florida to the United States and defined the boundary of the two nations, dated 18 & 24 October 1818.
50 letters and documents, 140 pages (appox.), ranging in size from 236 x 195 to 328 x 200mm. (papers somewhat brittle, browned, with occasional losses).
[Together with:]
Correspondence qui dévoile la trahison du senateur americain W. Blount; les intrigues du Minire Anglais Liston; et l'estrange neutralité des Etats-Unis, Timohty Pickering, Ecuyer. Phadelphie: Imprepar C. Parent, Cinquième rue Sud, No. 32. Octavo (215 x 120mm). (some toning and ofsetting). Bound to style. * [Trujo y Tacon.] Lettres de Versus, adresses au native American [sic]. [1797?]. Octavo 210 x 140mm. In white paper wraps. Sabin 106217. * Real Cedula de S. M. y Señores del Consejo, en que se manda observar y guardár el Tratádo de Amistád, Límites, y Navegacion concluído, y ratificádo entre du Real Persona, y los Estádos Unídos de América. Madrid: En la Imprwenta Real : Y reimprésa en San Sebasian : En la de Don Lorenzo José de Riesgo y Montero, Impresor de la M. N. y M. L. Provincia de Guipuzcoa : del Tribunal de Corregimiento de ella, &c. 1796. Quarto (288 x 190mm). Bound to style. * Real Cedula de S. M. y Señores del Consejo Supremo de las Indias, que contiene la instruccion y reglas acordadas para el aumento de la poblacion blanca en la isla de Cuba. Madrid: en la imprenta real, 1818. Quarto (302 x 210mm). (Damsptained). * Jose Coppinger. Havitantes de la Florida Oriental. San Augustin de la Florida 7 de Julio de 1821. Broadside, 308 x 195mm. (Small loss at upper left corner, light foxing).