Tripoli in Barbary March 18th 1805 From N.C. Nilsen Esqr Commdr. Barron 18th March 1805 Sir The Bashaw Minister Sidi Muhamed Dghies personally desirous of a reestablishment of peace with the United States of America and wishing to contribute whatever may be in his power to the conclusion of it; has requested me Sir in his name to address you this letter. Sidi Muhamed Dghies is convinced that you are informed of his endeavours in 1801 to prevent the declaration of war, he alone oppose the general opinion of the Divan in this respect; The letters of Mr. Cathcart, late Consul for the U.S. at Tripoli, to his Government at that time will bear testimony of this fact. The war having nevertheless been declared, nothing has since been omitted by Sidi Muhamed Dghies that could contribute to the conclusion of a peace. Sidi Muhamed Dghies has personally too much interest in the undisturbed tranquility of the trade of Tripoli not to avail himself of every mean that could be conducive to what has been his interest and constant desires. For this moment he wishes to prevent further hostilities, the state of his health, his family and his private concerns are so many reasons for him to endeavour to persuade both parties to come to an agreement; he is certain that these [2] are likewise your wishes Sir, and the intention of your Government; The situation beside of your unfortunate Countrymen here, which Sidi Muhamed Dghies has endeavoured to alleviate as much as it has been in his power, is nevertheless such that they and their relations in American can not but look upon it as an act of humanity to accelerate the conclusion of a peace, that again can restore them to their Country. Sidi Muhamed Dghies is desirous of a peace and he wishes that a negotiation my be renewed before the commencement of any direct hostilities against this place. His health and particularly the state of his eyes, will oblige him to retire with his family in a short time to the Country, and will not permit him again to return to town at any further overture or negotiation of peace, and he is afraid that being absent he shall not be able so easily to suscitate [sic] in the mind of the Bashaw equal peacefull [sic] sentiments with his own. A negotiation entirely by letters is tedious and difficult; To negotiate by a person sent ashore from a Ship of war and who returns again onboard, after a short stay and maybe after a momentary personal interview with the Bashaw, has many difficulties and proves often more detrimental to a reconciliation than productive of a peace; Sidi Muhamed Dghies dont [sic] thinks it necessary to enlarge upon the difficulties that attend this way of negotiation and their cause. You can not Sir, but be aware of them Yourself; he proposed therefore as the most effectual manner of conducting a negotiation of peace, to send [3] to Tripoli a person properly authorised [sic] and furnished with instructions; Whoever shall be sent, can be assured of the most perfect inviolability, should his and Sidi Muhamed Dghies cannot endeavour to reestablish peace prove prove [sic] successfull [sic], the business is thereby naturally brought to a happy conclusion, should it however unfortunately prove otherwise, the negotiator will have liberty to return free from molestation of any kind and in what manner he may judge convenient. You will please Sir Yourself to fix upon the securities you may require for the faithfull [sic] observation of these condition, in case you shall think proper to agree to these proposals and whenever you, as an answer to this letter may request the admission of a negotiator. After having in this manner candidly and confidentially stated to you Sir his mind, Sidi Muhamed Dghies hopes to have precluded every suspicion of his peacefull [sic] intention and convinced you that every facility will be shown for a mutual satisfactory conclusion of peace; he dont [sic] believes it necessary to observe, that a sincere and lasting peace is at every time preferable even to a successfull [sic] war; that was has many chances and that often unforeseen accidents occasion loses however prudent the measures were taken to assure success. That Sidi Muhamed Dghies has requested me Sir in his name to write to you this letter, and that the contents have been faithfully translated, I have no doubt but that you readily will give credit, but give me leave [4] likewise to assure you Sir, that I in case did not believe myself the sentiments contained in this letter sincere, I would have excused myself from putting them to paper and in this persuasion I shall consider it as a very favorable circumstance for me, if I have been found in any way instrumental to the means of bringing about a peace between the U.S. of America and the Bashaw of Tripoli and of procuring the liberty of your unfortunate Countrymen here, having the honor to be with. the greatest Respect Sir Your most obedient humble servant N.C. Nilsen His Danish Majesty's Consul For Tripoli in Barbary Commodore Sam'l Barron Commanding the U. States Squadron in the Mediterranean