1To James Madison from William Willis, 9 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 March 1801, Norfolk, Virginia. Arrived on 8 Mar. after departure from Spain in mid-December, passing through Paris, London, and Martinique en route. Nothing new reported from Barcelona before his departure, and American squadron in Mediterranean will keep sea-lanes safe. Spoke with Talleyrand in Paris and learned of his support for amicable Franco-American relations. On subject of a general...
2To James Madison from William Willis, 22 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed copy of a circular letter from Consul OBrien at Algiers, will explain to you the unpleasant state of our affairs in this quarter. There is no doubt that the Dey of Tripoli has in some measure been prompted to declare war against the United States by European influence, as all the powers that are concerned in commerc⟨e⟩ are desirous of amas[s]ing the golden harvest of the...
3To James Madison from William Willis, 17 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 June 1801, Barcelona. Transmits a letter received by an express vessel dispatched by Eaton, reporting on “unhappy State of our affairs” in Tunis. Has received no information yet on arrival of any U.S. warships “in these Seas.” Twenty-five vessels are in port or on coast waiting for protection. The U.S. now has the opportunity to gain a commercial ascendancy over all North Sea powers by the...
4To James Madison from William Willis, 18 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 July 1801, Boston. Seeks clarification on his account, which was not accompanied by vouchers. Obtaining such papers is difficult, and the sums involved were often trivial. The whole amount is only about $500 for maintaining a consulate five years in Barcelona. Few U.S. ships touched there until his arrival—now about eighty come each year. When Tripoli declared war on the U.S. he tried to...