Letterbook of R. B. Jones, U.S. Consul at Tripoli, 1812-1847 (bulk 1814-1819): Finding Aid

Biography of Richard B. Jones

Richard B. Jones of Pennsylvania was an American diplomat. From 1812 until 1819, he served as American Consul at Tripoli. From December 15, 1852 until December 13, 1853, he served as Consul General of Egypt at Alexandria. His work in Egypt also included a brief period as a diplomatic agent in Cairo. Prior to his work as a diplomat, Jones served in the United States Navy and had been a member of the crew of U.S.S. Philadelphia (Frigate). Along with the rest of Philadelphia's officers and crew, Jones was captured and held as a prisoner by Tripoli for nineteen months when Philadelphia ran aground and was captured in October 1803.

Description of Contents

The Letterbook of R. B. Jones, U.S. Consul at Tripoli, comprising 0.21 linear feet of documentation, spans from 1814 to 1819, with several additional letters spanning from 1812 to 1847. The letterbook and its associated loose correspondence pertain to Richard B. Jones' diplomatic work in Tripoli and American-Tripolitan relations in the era of the Barbary Wars.

The letterbook, spanning the period of April 16, 1814-October 14, 1819, consists of copies of correspondence sent by U.S. Consul at Tripoli Richard B. Jones to correspondents including John Quincy Adams, Isaac Chauncey, Charles D. Coxe, William H. Crawford, Stephen Decatur, Richard S. Hackley, James Monroe, John Rosoni, William Shaler, James Sommerville, and Charles Stewart.

Primary topics of the correspondence include: financial difficulties of maintaining a diplomatic post at Tripoli; negotiations and agreements between the U.S. and the Bashaw of Tripoli; the issue of Britain's claim to two ships, U.S. war prizes, anchored in Tripoli harbor; domestic and political incidents and rivalries of the Bashaw's family; Consul Jones' aid to Denmark in its negotiations with Tripoli; assault on Jones by slaves of "English renegade" Murat Rais; diplomatic issue of British consular protection for Murat Rais; Tripolitan quarantine measures against plague; objections to British merchant vessels entering Tripoli harbor while flying the U.S. flag; and requests by Jones to be relieved of his consulship.

Included with the letterbook are four separate letters by Jones, dated 1812 to 1847.

Arrangement

The Letterbook of R. B. Jones, U.S. Consul at Tripoli is arranged by document type.

Access and Use

Access

Patron use restricted to microfilm.

Copyright and Permission

The Letterbook of R. B. Jones, U.S. Consul at Tripoli is the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Accessioned on February 3, 1872. Accession No. 13813.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

This collection also available on microfilm.

Related Archival Material

A letter from Jones to Abraham Lincoln is available in the Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Letterbook of R. B. Jones, U.S. Consul at Tripoli, MS 40

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Selected Bibliography

The following sources were consulted during preparation of the biographical note:

Richard B. Jones to Abraham Lincoln, Thursday, January 05, 1865 (Introduction), Abraham Lincoln papers: Series 1. General Correspondence. 1833-1916, Manuscripts Division, Library of Congress.

Smith, Walter B. America's Diplomats and Consuls of 1776-1865: A Geographic and Biographic Directory of the Foreign Service from the Declaration of Independence to the End of the Civil War. Washington, D.C.: Center for the Study of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Dept. of State, 1986.

U.S. Congress. House of Representatives. Committee on Foreign Affairs. Petition of Richard B. Jones, Late Consul General of the United States in Egypt, December 30, 1861. 37th Congress, 2d Session, 1862. Report No. 60.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in April 2020.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Jones, Richard B.
• Tripoli (Libya) -- Foreign relations -- United States
• United States -- Foreign relations -- 19th century -- Sources
• United States -- Foreign relations -- Tripoli (Libya)

Genre Terms

• Correspondence
• Letter books
• Manuscripts