61To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 5 May 1803 (Madison Papers)
In my last of the 30th: of March I had the honor to inform you that I intended to remain some time longer with Comodore Morris, as I presumed that I should be able to convince him of the propriety of proceeding off Tripoli immediately & of taking me with him in order to commence a negotiation with that Regency according to the tenor of my instructions. I fail’d in the attempt and on the 6th:...
62To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 1 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 June 1803, Leghorn . No. 5. “Enclosed I … transmit my accompts & acot: curt: which closes my accompts as Consul for Tripoli,” as well as “a full exposition” of all expenditures “under the head of Tripoli since my administration commenced.” Hopes they meet with the government’s approbation. With the exception of “some diamond solitaires,” all the gifts for Algiers have arrived. Requests that...
63To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 1 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed I have the honor to transmit my accompts & acot: curt: which closes my accompts as Consul for Tripoli I have likewise annex’d a full exposition of the monies which have been expended under the head of Tripoli since my administration commenced, & hope that it may meet the approbation of government. The Presents for Algiers have nearly all arrived some diamond solitaires excepted which...
64To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 20 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 June 1803, Leghorn . No. 6. “Since the date of the enclosed communications to our Consuls in Barbary nothing has transpired either to confirm or to contradict the report” of Smith’s capture. Hopes it “may turn out to be a similar one to that of Mc:Niels engagement.” Has heard nothing “official from our squadron.” It is reported that “some powder caught fire by accident” on board the New...
65To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 20 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since the date of the enclosed communications to our Consuls in Barbary nothing has transpired either to confirm or to contradict the report therein contain’d of the capture of Mr. Smith, which I most sincerely hope may turn out to be a similar one to that of McNiels engagement, neither have I heard any thing official from our squadron. It is however here reported that on board the Newyork...
66To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 22 June 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 June 1803, Leghorn . No. 7. Has heard nothing of the capture of Smith by the last post from Naples, only that the Prudent , Captain Crowninshield, has departed. “From an almost uninterrupted series of misfortunes which literally commenced before I was born & seems to be assiduous in persecuting me through life I have become naturally credulous in believing reports which excite sensibility &...
67To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 22 June 1803 (Madison Papers)
By the last post from Naples, I have heard nothing relative to the capture of Mr. Smith. My correspondent merely mentions the departure of the Prudent Captn. Croningshield. From an almost uninterrupted series of misfortunes which literally commenced before I was born & seems to be assiduous in persecuting me through life I have become naturally credulous in believing reports which excite...
68To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 8 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 July 1803, Leghorn . No. 8. Informs JM that “the report of the capture of Mr. Smith has proved to be false, he arrived safe at Malta, as did the ship Prudent.” “A respectable merchant at Genoa” reports “that the Dey of Algiers, having order’d his Cruisers to capture all british merchantmen that had not changed their old passports according to stipulation with the british consul…, had...
69To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 8 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I am extremely happy to inform you that the report of the capture of Mr. Smith has proved to be false. He arrived safe at Malta, as did the ship Prudent on which he was supposed to have taken passage at Messina. All well. A respectable merchant at Genoa by last post gave his correspondent here the following intelligence, Viz. By an arrival from Tunis we are inform’d that the Dey of Algeirs...
70To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 24 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 July 1803, Leghorn . No. 9. Acknowledges receipt of JM’s 9 Apr. circular , “enclosed with two letters from the President to the Bey of Tunis the one of the 14th: & the other of the 22nd: of April.” The commission for Tunis was not enclosed. Has taken passage on “a greek Polacca bound to Corfú whose master has agreed to land me at Malta.” Hopes to find U.S. warships there. Will execute the...