produced from the slip it is of slow growth; but it lives to an amazing age. We see olive We see olive groves here which from the ruins of walls that enclosed them, appear to have been planted by Europeans; and which are yet fruitful. There is no need that any thing should be said of the produce of this tree neither as it respects the sustenance of life nor as a source of wealth. I contemplate attempting to introduce this tree also to America if circumstances should operate to favor the project. I do not know that the project has been assayed. Whatever may be the success of it, the anticipation that future generations may see sources of life and wealth covering the immense sand and clay barrens of our country, which now present a discouraging surface, is an agreeable subject of contemplation. To MRS. EATON. Tunis, April 13th, 1800. I AM at this moment exceedingly pressed with business, having with me two ships loading for Europe, and having communications to make to government of the ultimate result of my exertions the last year. Every thing is well with me, both public and personal. I have received the full approbation of the President on the manner in which I have conducted the affairs of the United States in a very critical moment; and the warm expressions of friendship of Mr. Pickering in a private letter from him on the subject. I should not mention these things, but I suppose a man may be a little familiar with his wife without being charged with vanity. Besides, I know you feel every thing which touches me. My prospects of commerce are truly flattering; and my health, thank God, was never better. You have wept for me, Eliza. God will let us rejoice together. I am more and more persuaded that there is a superintendant power, a Being of justice, who regards human affairs, and who maketh the upright exertions of a man to prosper. TO MR. PICKERING. (Private.) Tunis, May 13th, 1800. I READ your friendly letter of 13th January, with infinite satisfaction and a due sense of gratitude. I am not less sensible to the honor done me by the approbation the President has been pleased to confer on my conduct here. I am happy the discretion I used in drawing an outfit* did not incur censure. The situation in which I found myself on arriving here rendered some such expedient necessary. It was not without hesitation I adopted it, not feeling confident that my deductions from your comments would be admitted; knowing however, that, if not finally allowed, it might be placed to my debt on account of salary. It may not be improper to note here, what I do not chuse should appear in my official communications, unless a question be made on the subject, that the British consul's stated salary is 8007. sterling per an. and perquisites of office, last year, nearly 1200l. The Dutch consul's, who is charge des affairs for the Emperor and Republic of Ragusa, about 3000 dollars; perquisites of office more than three times this sum last year; Ragusa being the principal carrier for Tunis; and the consul receiving five per cent on the freight of their vessels (the British Consul also takes five per cent :) the Danish Consul about 3000 dollars the Spanish Consul 4000 dollars and all expenses defrayed by government, even his ward robe the Swede about 3000 dollars. From an estimate of the expenses of my table the last year, I find its amount D.1,970 48 cts. exclusive of clothing, horsekeeping and domestics' salaries, My house, however, the last year, has been a cara * $2,000. vansary. Every body, who had the ear of the Bey, whether Christian (Famin excepted) or Mussulman, (the latter have no scruples to a glass of wine under a christian flag,) have been my "good friends." For this sum a family might have been subsisted. Market provisions are much dearer here than in Algiers; say 33 1-3 per cent. Ought not the salary to be in proportion? The consular houses are much more in stile. If the American be singular in his resourses this will not be admitted as a sufficient excuse for his being so in his expenses. The outfit helped me. The surplus of furnishing the house and what cash I brought out, I embarked, incog. in trade with an English gentleman: and it has succeeded beyond my calculation. I was compelled to do this or go into debt. To Mr. PYNCHON. Tunis, May 23d, 1800. IT was not my intention to write you by this opportunity, because my vacant head could indict nothing worth your reading. But, rummaging this morning, among old passports, bills of health, manifests, protests, old letters and manuscript chaos of my own, I found, in a mutilated state, the original of the enclosed scrap. They are rhapsodies which eccurred at the instant of hearing of the death of the best and greatest mere man who ever died. On a review of it I like it; not because it is poetical or elegant; but because it is a strong expression of the impression the intelligence made on my mind. I send it to you that it may be printed, under your inspection, in the waste corner of a Newspaper. It savors a little of heathenism, but not in the least of atheism nor democracy. WASHINGTON'S RECEPTION in ELYSIUM. IT was a glad morn when great Jove announced, "Our glorious WASHINGTON arrives to day." A thousand suns, to grace the arch of heaven, Were lighted into lustre on the occasion; And stars, that twinkled through the beams of day, Were ranged to add a brilliance to the grandeur. A barge, constructed of the deals of life, Manned by eight heroes' spirits; antient half, Half modern; DAVID, Israel's royal warrior ; CYRUS the Persian Conqueror; PHILIP'S SON; And Rome's first Emperor, mighty JULIUS Cæsar; ALFRED the Great; Lewis the boast of France; PETER the Czar, and Prussia's deathless FREDERIC; DRAKE at the helm; bore him across the Styx. PHOCION and FABIUS, CHARLEMAGNE and WARREN, Stood and received him on the other side; And led him through Avernus. On the fields Of fair Elysium, ranged in open order, Once more were seen his loved compatriots, As he drew near the city, every gate And sang, once more, "The conquering Hero comes." Rose gracious; and, all affable, half bending, Half did him homage, while he bade him wellcome : Such the respect the great accord to goodness, Weep not, Columbia, that thy Son and Soldier Wouldst thou confine a soul like his to earth, Weep not, Columbia, WASHINGTON is still Barbary, March 1st, 1800. To Mr. HARRIS. Tunis, June 13th, 1800. THE death of our Patriarch had been told through this region, before your letter announced it. You have wept in America. You have had cause. The world should weep. Man has lost a friend! As a man and as an American, I feel a deep impression of manly sorrow. But as a christian, and an admirer of that extraordinary man, I am glad he has ascended. He lived enough to glory! enough to usefulness. It were unkind to wish him longer from home we owe infinite gratitude to heaven for lending him so long. He has left us the immortal monumenís of his virtue. He has left us his examples. He has left us a country. Long as America retains a single symptom of patriotism, honor, or * See his valedictory address to the Citizens of the United States in 1796. Read it in thy holy places. Bind it about thy It shall keep thee from the strange woman. It shall deliver thee from the Har lot that lieth in wait for thy soul. † Sister France ! Mother Britain ! |