1823. Feb. 3 Trip. H Introduction

Out of this universal and constantly existing evil, grows, at this particular

time, a particular and most horrible danger: a danger of a domestic and in that

way of a comparatively private nature: but magnified into a public and universal

danger, by the situation of the family: a danger of ”civil war•: and, at the

conclusion of it, that of the contry's falling into the power of a ”Monster•,

more atrociously cruel and mischievous, than is perhaps to be seen in any page

of history:© a monster to whose already experienced and notorious appetite for

carnage, and delight in the spectacle of human tortures, the rest of the

reigning family, together with my own in connection with it, would be among the

earliest and surest victims.

On each vacancy, a Mahometan throne, I need not inform you, is, among the

brothers of the last Sovereign, the object of a general scramble. Of the Sons of

the reigning Sovereign of Tripoli, this Monster, Mahomet Caramalli, is the

eldest: some traits of him you will see presently.

Now Sir as to the ”remedy•: and, opposite as it is to existing Constitutions, I

look without doubt to your agreeing with me, that it is the only possible one.

It is neither more nor less than a ”Constitution•:© a Constitution as near as

may be to that of your United States. Sir, in looking up to it /this great

edifice of your's/, arduous as it is, neither my imagination, nor yet my

judgement, can stop at Tripoli. Established in any ”one• of the four Barbary

States, the change would travel on, in an assured course, over all the others.

Believe me Sir, even with us, feelings and opinions © in a word the ”times• ©

are ripe for it: much more so than you would naturally imagine. Yes Sir, we are

all of us ready for a Washington. Perhaps you may be able and willing to send us

one. ”I• can not be he: but I hope to be able to prepare the way before him: I

shall endeavour at it, if I have life.

Thus much in generals: now as to details. What I have to submit to your

consideration in this way, you will find ranged under the following heads ©

?.1 Inducements of greatest urgency, together with facilities for the proposed

enterprize © State of the reigning family, and of my own in connection with it.

?.2. Plan of operation, on the supposition of no foreign assistance ?.3.

Weakness of the Government © facilities afforded by it. ?.4. Extension of the

felicitous change to ”Tunis•, ”Algiers• and ”Morocco• © its use, and facility.

?.5. Assistance from the United States, ”why• and ”what• desired. ?.6. United

States their expected ”inducements• for concurrence. ?.7. ”Secrecy• why

necessary © thence ”operation•, prior to all communication to Congress. ?.8.

Immediate preliminary measures proposed in case of concurrence.