1To James Madison from William Eaton, 6 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1801, Tunis. No. 34. Reports British pressure on bey has forced Tunis to expel French diplomats. Notes resulting change in plans for American charter vessel Anna Maria . Believes British-French hostilities and disruption of French Mediterranean trade offer opportunity for American shipping to replace French in Indian trade. Quotes from earlier statements of bey supporting improved...
2To James Madison from William Eaton, 6 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
The letter which I had the honor to address to the department of State Dec. 20. gave advice of the destination of the Ann Maria, a change in the position of this regency with France necessarily involved a change of her destination. It was the intention of this Bey, notwithstanding the orders of the grand Signor, to maintain the neutral posture he had taken: but, before his dispatches went off...
3To James Madison from William Eaton, 10 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
The dispatches herewith inclosed from the Consul of the United States at Tripoli seem to me of so much consequence to the safety and interests of our maritime and commercial citizens, and, in the event, to the revenue of the government, that I not only feel myself justifiable but constrained by duty to use extraordinary means to communicate them to the department of State: I have therefore...
4To James Madison from William Eaton, 18 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 April 1801, Tunis. Contrary winds have delayed departure of chartered vessel [ Benvenuto ]. Reports arrival of O’Brien letters of 5 Apr., which acknowledge receipt of Cathcart correspondence dated 3 Jan. to 26 Feb. and relate O’Brien’s effort to obtain helpful intervention of Algerine regency at Tripoli. Notes that O’Brien also discusses delays regarding the arrival of U.S. regalia in...
5To James Madison from William Eaton, 18 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
Contrary winds having detained the brig until this evening gives me an occasion to add for the information of Government, an extract of a letter which this moment passes through my hands from Mr. OBrien to Mr. Cathcart dated Algiers 5. inst., wherein the former acknowledges the receipt of the following communications from the latter— Viz— His letter circular dated January 3d. 1801 Ditto to...
6To James Madison from William Eaton, 28 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1801, Tunis. No. 36. Announces arrival of Anna Maria at Marseilles 5 Apr. Although he has no special instructions, has proposed a commercial convention with bey to eliminate exceptionable articles in existing treaty. Reports that Benvenuto , carrying Tripolitan dispatches, sailed for U.S. 20 Apr. Since then he has seen in O’Brien-Cathcart correspondence a copy of a letter from dey of...
7To James Madison from William Eaton, 28 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor and the satisfaction to inform you that the Ann Maria , Captain George G. Coffin, arrived at Marseilles the 5th. instant. In consequence of which I have ventured to propose and am actually discussing the project of a commercial convention with the Bey of Tunis, which promises the annihilation of the exceptionable articles of the treaty of peace, and other advantages. This...
8To James Madison from William Eaton, 25 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the eleventh instant War was declared in form by the Bashaw of Tripoli against the United States of America. A few days before this event took place the Commodore’s Ship was dressed with the flags of all Nations: that of the United States was hoisted forward; in the place of prize flags, under the Neapolitan. This Commodore who (is) a British Renegade—Morad Rais , Alias, Peter Lisle . We...
9To James Madison from William Eaton, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
My project of a commercial convention with this Regency, I am apprehensive, will produce nothing. Two circumstances operate to impede it. The protection given by the French to the Italian States, and the delays of the United States to forward their treaty Stipulations. On the 27th. ult. entered two Corsaires of the Government from a Cruise, a Xebec of 24-twelve pounders, and a Corvette of 20....
10To James Madison from William Eaton, 28 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the night of the eighteenth instant a fire broke out in the Bey’s Palace which in its progress consumed fifty thousand stands of small arms. The Second day following I recieved a message to wait on the Bey; but was at that moment confined to my bed with a billious fever so that it was not till this morning I have been able to go in my carriage to the Palace. The Bey’s object in calling on...