Thomas Barclay’s life and work exemplified the spirit of early American diplomacy. From his roots as a merchant in Philadelphia to his groundbreaking work in Morocco, Barclay’s career was marked by his dedication to his country’s interests, his diplomatic skill, and his perseverance in the face of challenges.

Early Life and Background

Thomas Barclay was born in 1728 in Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland, into a prosperous family. His father, Robert Barclay, was a successful linen merchant and shipowner, a business that likely shaped Thomas’s early life and career. While his mother’s identity remains uncertain, it is speculated that her name might have been Carsan. Raised in an environment attuned to commerce and shipping, Thomas Barclay learned the merchant trade through his father’s business in Strabane. By the mid-1760s, Barclay had migrated to Philadelphia, arriving around 1764, where he became an active participant in the growing American colonial mercantile scene.

In Philadelphia, Barclay’s business flourished. He became a prominent member of the city’s Irish community and was instrumental in the development of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, a fraternal organization founded in 1771. His business was central to the Irish trade, particularly in the export of flax seed and the import of linen, dry goods, and other products. Barclay’s business interests extended to various international markets, including England, the Caribbean, and southern Europe, where his ships were frequently seen.

In 1770, Barclay married Mary Hoops, a young woman from western Pennsylvania. Mary, born in 1750, had moved to Philadelphia at the age of eleven. She was part of a large family, the daughter of Adam Hoops and Elizabeth Finney Hoops. Together, Thomas and Mary had several children, and their family life played a key role in his subsequent diplomatic career.

Barclay’s first decade in Philadelphia coincided with growing tensions between the American colonies and Great Britain, starting with the Stamp Act of 1765. Barclay quickly became involved in the colonial resistance. He was a signer of non-importation agreements in 1765 and 1769, actively opposing British trade policies. Additionally, he played a significant role in the Philadelphia Tea Party of 1773, a non-violent protest against the British East India Company’s tea. His involvement in resistance efforts extended to being a member of several influential committees, such as the five successive Philadelphia correspondence committees during the critical years of 1774 to 1776. Barclay’s political activities continued as he was appointed to the Pennsylvania Navy Board in 1777, and he remained politically active throughout the American Revolution.

Diplomatic Career

Appointment as Consul to France

By 1781, Thomas Barclay’s political and business reputation had led to his appointment as the United States consul to France, following the disappearance of William Palfrey, who had previously held the post. This occurred during the final stages of the American Revolutionary War, and Barclay’s appointment was critical as the United States sought to secure supplies and formal recognition from European powers. Barclay’s responsibilities as consul involved managing the shipment of supplies, such as blankets and clothing, to General George Washington’s troops. He worked closely with Benjamin Franklin, who was serving as the American minister to France, and contributed to the success of the American war effort in Europe.

In addition to his role as consul, Barclay was tasked with managing America’s public accounts in Europe, a responsibility he took on in 1782. His diplomatic role involved significant coordination with European powers, and he was also appointed as the agent for the Commonwealth of Virginia, representing the interests of the state on the international stage.

The Treaty with Morocco

One of the most significant achievements of Barclay’s diplomatic career came in 1785, when he was selected to negotiate a treaty with the sultan of Morocco, Sidi Muhammad ibn Abdullah (Muhammad III). This treaty, known as the Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship, was the first treaty ever negotiated by the United States with a foreign power. The treaty was essential for securing American shipping interests, as American merchant ships faced threats from Barbary pirates, particularly Moroccan corsairs.

The Moroccan government had been seeking a diplomatic relationship with the United States for several years, and after a Moroccan corsair captured an American merchant vessel in 1784, the American government realized that it was necessary to respond. Jefferson, who was serving as the U.S. minister to France, proposed Barclay for the mission, and the choice was endorsed by John Adams, who was serving as the minister to London. Barclay’s diplomatic skills, reliability, and prudence were seen as key assets in securing a treaty with the sultan of Morocco.

Negotiating the Treaty

In June 1786, after a lengthy journey that included overland travel and a sea voyage from Cadiz, Barclay arrived in Morocco’s capital, Marrakech. The negotiations were challenging, but Barclay’s experience and diplomatic acumen enabled him to secure a treaty that would have long-lasting significance. The treaty provided American merchants with the assurance of safe passage through Moroccan waters, without the threat of piracy or tribute demands. Barclay was adamant that no future tribute or gifts could be required, a position that was crucial in ensuring that the United States would not be obligated to make large payments, as other European powers had done in their dealings with North African states.

Barclay’s successful negotiation of the treaty with Morocco was groundbreaking in that it was achieved without the typical demands for tribute, which had been a standard part of agreements between European powers and the Barbary states. The treaty was ratified by the United States Congress in July 1787, and it is regarded as one of the longest unbroken diplomatic relationships in U.S. history. This treaty ensured the protection of American ships in Moroccan waters and helped secure safe trade routes to and from southern Europe, vital for America’s burgeoning commercial interests.

Return to Morocco and Further Diplomatic Efforts

The significance of the Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship was so great that, in 1791, President George Washington sent Barclay back to Morocco to reaffirm the treaty following the death of Sultan Muhammad III. This mission was made more complicated by internal political struggles in Morocco, as the sultan’s sons fought for control of the throne. Barclay’s diplomatic efforts were hindered by this instability, but he continued to report back to Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson, keeping the U.S. government informed of the developments in Morocco and the broader Barbary region.

In 1792, Barclay received a letter from President Washington instructing him to proceed to Algiers to negotiate the ransom of American prisoners held by the Algerian government. This task was initially assigned to John Paul Jones, but after Jones’s death, Barclay became the backup. However, before he could carry out these instructions, Barclay fell ill while in Lisbon in January 1793. Despite his efforts to continue with his mission, he died on January 19, 1793, from what was described as an inflammation of the lungs. Barclay’s death marked a tragic end to his diplomatic career, making him the first American diplomat to die while serving abroad.

Legacy

Thomas Barclay’s legacy lies in his pioneering work as an American diplomat. His successful negotiation of the Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship was a defining moment in the early history of the United States’ foreign relations. The treaty not only provided protection for American ships in North African waters but also marked the beginning of a long-standing and important diplomatic relationship between the U.S. and Morocco.

Moreover, Barclay’s role in facilitating American commerce and securing vital trade routes in the Mediterranean and Atlantic cannot be understated. His work as a diplomat, particularly in the context of the Barbary States, was critical to the young nation’s economic survival and growth. His ability to negotiate without conceding to demands for tribute set a precedent for future U.S. foreign policy and helped establish the United States as a power capable of negotiating with major global powers on equal footing.

Thomas Barclay’s legacy remains integral to understanding the formation of U.S. foreign policy and the role of diplomacy in the early years of the American Republic.

Barclay’s untimely death in 1793, shortly before he could complete his mission to Algiers, was a significant loss to American diplomacy. His contributions to securing American shipping interests and his role in establishing the nation’s first treaty with a foreign power continue to be remembered as a vital part of the early history of the United States.

Timeline

1728: Thomas Barclay is born in Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland, into a merchant family.

Mid-1760s: Barclay moves to Philadelphia, becoming a successful merchant and shipowner, involved in Irish trade.

1770: Barclay marries Mary Hoops, a woman from western Pennsylvania.

1773: He participates in the Philadelphia Tea Party, opposing British trade policies.

1774-1776: Barclay serves on various committees, including the Philadelphia correspondence committees.

1777: Appointed to the Pennsylvania Navy Board, furthering his involvement in the Revolutionary War.

1781: Barclay is appointed consul to France by the Continental Congress.

1786: He negotiates the Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship, securing American shipping interests.

1791: Barclay is sent back to Morocco to reaffirm the treaty after the sultan’s death.

1793: Barclay dies in Lisbon while en route to negotiate with Algiers

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Thomas Barclay’s early background?

Thomas Barclay was born in 1728 in Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland, into a family of merchants. He moved to Philadelphia around 1764, where he became a successful merchant and shipowner, involved in the Irish trade, particularly the export of flax seed and the import of linen.

How did Thomas Barclay contribute to the American Revolutionary War?

Barclay was active in the colonial resistance against Britain, signing non-importation agreements and participating in the Philadelphia Tea Party of 1773. He was also a member of key committees and the Pennsylvania Navy Board during the war.

What was Barclay’s role as the United States consul to France?

In 1781, Barclay was appointed consul to France, where he worked closely with Benjamin Franklin to coordinate supplies for General George Washington’s troops and handle America’s public accounts in Europe.

What was the significance of the Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship?

The treaty, negotiated by Barclay in 1786, was the first formal agreement between the U.S. and a foreign power. It secured safe passage for American ships through Moroccan waters and established a long-lasting diplomatic relationship without tribute demands.

How did Barclay handle negotiations with the Sultan of Morocco?

Barclay successfully negotiated with Sultan Sidi Muhammad ibn Abdullah, ensuring that no tribute was required from the U.S., which was a significant departure from typical European treaties with North African powers. The treaty was ratified by Congress in 1787.

What role did Thomas Barclay play after the death of Sultan Muhammad III?

In 1791, Barclay was sent back to Morocco to reaffirm the treaty following the sultan’s death. His efforts were hindered by internal political struggles in Morocco, but he kept the U.S. informed of developments in the region.

What was Barclay’s final diplomatic mission before his death?

In December 1792, Barclay was tasked with negotiating a treaty and securing the release of American prisoners in Algiers. However, he fell ill in Lisbon and died in January 1793 before he could complete the mission.

What is Thomas Barclay’s legacy in American diplomacy?

Barclay’s successful negotiation of the Moroccan–American Treaty of Friendship is considered one of his most important contributions. His work laid the groundwork for future U.S. diplomacy, especially in terms of securing safe trade routes and establishing diplomatic relationships without tribute payments.