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, 9 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I arrived at this place last Evening from Spain, France, England and Martinique Having left Spain about the Middle of Decr., Paris the latter End of Decr., London the begining of Jan’y. and Martinique the 18th. of Last Month. And altho I presume I have but little information that will be any ways interesting or that will be later than the information you must have had from the different places...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To James Madison from William Willis, 17 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I Enclose you a letter Rec’d by an express Vessell dispatch’d by Mr. Eaton our Consul at Tunis, The Contents of which will shew you the unhappy State of our affairs in that Quarter. We have no information yet of the arrival of any American Ship of war in these Seas but expect them daily. There are now twenty-five Vessells in this Port, and the Coast; this must wait for some Vessell to arrive...
6To James Madison from William Willis, 28 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 June 1801, Barcelona. “The Bashaw of Tripoli having declared war against the United States, the Government no doubt will early as possible attend to the defense of the Commerce of the Mediterranean, and no doubt it will be satisfactory to the people of the United States to know that their money is expended for a purpose so interesting to them, & so conducive to their interest. “There is no...
7To 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...
8To James Madison from William Willis, 18 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have Rec’d a letter from the secretary of the treasury; informing me, that my account was referred, to the accounting officers of the treasury, but that the allowing it depended on their having authority from you, Sir. I have therefore to request the favor of you Sir, to inform me whether it is agreeable to you to give directions for their allowing me those small accounts. It seems the...
9To James Madison from William Willis, 4 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 May 1802, Washington. “From some of the remarks you made, in the Conversation I had the honor to have with you this day; I have reason to beleive that some misinformation has been given you, of my leaving Barcelona.… When I left Barcelona, I had hopes of finding some property in Europe, belonging to James Muirhead & Co of Charleston, for whom I had made very large advances.… Even with all my...
10To James Madison from William Willis, 4 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
From some of the remarks you made, in the conversation I had the honor to have with you this day; I have reason to beleive that some misinformation has been given you, of my leaving Barcelona. With this impression I beg leave to state to you some of the leading causes of my leaving it at the time I did. When I left Barcelona I had hopes of finding some property in Europe, belonging to James...
11To James Madison from William Willis, 1 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 June 1802, New York. Has terminated his business and found a passage to France. Hopes to be in Barcelona in forty days. “I am inform’d (indirectly) that one of the Mr Montgomerys of Alicant were about to apply for the consulate of Barcelona, and from this I am led to conjecture the source of a great part of the Clamor rais’d against me, and such an opportunity no doubt will be very...
12To James Madison from William Willis, 1 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have at length terminated my business and met with a passage to France as the nearest place to Barcelona and hope to be there in 40 days. I should have solicited a passage in the Frigate now here had I not feard a long quarantine. I am inform’d (indirectly) that one of the Mr Montgomerys of Alicant were about to apply for the consulate of Barcelona, and from this I am led to conjecture the...
13To James Madison from William Willis, 31 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 July 1802, Barcelona. “I arriv’d here on the 23d inst and on the following day wrote to our minister at Madrid a Coppy which letter I now enclose to you as it contains something respecting the Clamor that has been rais’d in my absence which as I expected has ceas’d and those that have been so active in their Clamor begin now to be sensible that their reward will be nothing but shame and...
14To James Madison from William Willis, 31 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
I arriv’d here on the 23d inst and on the following day wrote to our minister at Madrid a Coppy which letter I now enclose to you as it contains something respecting the Clamor that has been rais’d in my absence which as I expected has ceas’d and those that have been so active in their Clamor begin now to be sensible that their reward will be nothing but shame and disgrace and some of the most...
15To James Madison from William Willis, 9 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 September 1802, Barcelona. Encloses a copy of a letter just received from O’Brien. Believes U.S. shipping would be safeguarded by “a regular System of Convoy” but as yet there is none. Suggests that U.S. ships of war are too large for the mission of suppressing the Tripolitans; “but had we a few Schooners of 14 to 16 Six pnd. they would be of sufficient force to defeat any one of the...
16To James Madison from William Willis, 9 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I herewith enclose you a Coppy of a letter which I have just Rec’d from Consul O’Brien. We have nothing new here, respecting the Tripotins, and as yet I have not heard of but one of our Vessells being taken, and if a regular System of Convoy is adopted perhaps years may pass without our loosing another but as yet none has taken place and many of our Vessells put to sea which would remain...
17To James Madison from William Willis, 15 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 September 1802, Barcelona. Encloses copies of letters “giving information of the affairs of Tripoli, with the objects the Triplins Seem to have in view.” Commodore Morris in the schooner Enterprize passed within sight of Barcelona on 12 Sept., “and I Extremely regret his not Calling, because but three or four days before, there was a Tripoline Cruiser of About thirty Tons on this Coast.”...
18To James Madison from William Willis, 15 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you with this Copies of Letters giving information of the affairs of Tripoli, with the objects the Tripolins Seem to have in view. Comodore Morris passed this Port on the 12th. inst. in Sight with the Schooner Enterprize and I Extremely regret his not Calling, because but three or four days before, there was a Tripoline Cruiser of About thirty Tons on this Coast, and the Schooner...
19To James Madison from William Willis, 19 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 September 1802, Barcelona. Encloses a false register and Mediterranean pass taken from Capt. Thomas Lewis of the Pomona . “I am trying by All means in my power to find out to a Certainty the Author of this fabrication.” Believes Lewis is involved; “I understand he has bought a vessel in Egypt & put her under American Colours, and Sold her in Malta, and what makes this Appear Stronger...
20To James Madison from William Willis, 19 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since my last of the 15th. inst. I have found in possession of Capn. Thos. Lewis of the Ship Pomona a false Register and Mediterranean pass which I have demanded of him, and he has delivered me, which I now inclose to you. I am trying by All means in my power to find out to a Certainty the Author of this fabrication. I have already strong presumptive proof, and it is very probable that Capn....
21To James Madison from William Willis, 29 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 September 1802, Barcelona. Transmits a copy of his 19 Sept. dispatch, since which nothing new has occurred. “I have not yet been able to get the Papers and Plate Promised me from the Person who has told me he has them,… but I am Confident he will make no bad use of them. As Soon as I get them, I Shall enclose a Set of them to you, and Shall Send the Plate.… The Name of the person who has...
22To James Madison from William Willis, 29 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I herewith Enclose you Copies of my Last of the 19th. inst., Since which nothing New has taken place. I have not yet been able to get the Papers and Plate Promised me from the Person who has told me he has them, as he has removed them out of the Gates, and when I have been for them, he has either been absent or he had Company; but I am Confident he will make no bad use of them. As Soon as I...
23To James Madison from William Willis, 9 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since mine of the 19th. of Sept. inclosing with it the false Register and Mediterranean pass that I demanded & obtained from Capn. Thos. Lewis, and mine of the 29th. of the same month, I have Receiv’d from Capn. Mills the Papers mentioned; but none of them are either signed or sealed. I shall send you some of them in a few days. I am trying all in my power to find to a Certainty the Authors,...
24To James Madison from William Willis, 12 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 October 1802, Barcelona. “Imediately after writing my Letter to you upon the Subject of the insolent Letter from Lewis I thought it best to summons both Lewis & Baker, In order that they should appear together and to answer to the interrogations that I should put to them and, to commit Lewis for his insolent Letter, Lewis remaind silent; but Baker returnd the following insulting reply, I...
25To James Madison from William Willis, 12 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
Imediately after writing my Letter to you upon the Subject of the insolent Letter from Lewis I thought it best to sommons both Lewis & Baker, In order that they should appear together and to answer to the interrogations that I should put to them and, to commit Lewis for his insolent Letter, Lewis remaind silent; but Baker returnd the following insulting reply, I inclose you the sumons and...
26To James Madison from William Willis, 20 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 October 1802, Barcelona. Encloses another blank counterfeit register and Mediterranean pass no. 2 [not found]. Is unable to find out anything more respecting “the Plate of the Register Seals &c.” “My Vice Consul Mr. Stirling having disobey’d my orders in this investigation I shall dismiss him tomorrow.” Had Stirling acted as ordered, the other plate “if in this Place would probably have...
27To James Madison from William Willis, 20 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
I herewith Enclose you another Blank Conterfeit Register and Mediteranean Pass No. 2. I have not yet been able to find any thing more respecting the Plate of the Register Seals &c. My Vice Consul Mr. Stirling having disobey’d my orders in this investigation I shall dismiss him tomorrow. Had he acted as I orderd him the other Plate if in this Place would probably have been found. I have not yet...
28To James Madison from William Willis, 18 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 November 1802, Barcelona. Reports that Pinckney left Barcelona for Italy on 8 Nov. “I have had no letters from him, but have heard he got on Expeditiously as far as Montpellier, and was ready to Set out for Marseilles on the 14th.” Has been “much occupied of Late” investigating the business of the false papers and encloses the third set of a blank register and Mediterranean pass. “I...
29To James Madison from William Willis, 18 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Charles Pinkney the United States Minister at Madrid left this Place on the 8th. for Italy, Since which I have had no letters from him, but have heard he got on Expeditiously as far as Montpellier, and was ready to Set out for Marseilles on the 14th. I have been Much Occupied of Late, and at Every moment, that I can find for the Purpose, I am Occupied in investigating the business of the...
30To James Madison from William Willis, 15 December 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 December 1802, Barcelona. Notes that the principal object of this letter is to transmit the enclosed copy of a circular letter received from Tunis via Italy. Also encloses a copy of an affidavit [not found] of Benjamin Mum-ford and William B. Bowen sworn to before Cathalan, the purpose of which is expressed at the bottom of the affidavit. Has no recent information of the “Cruising Ground of...
31To James Madison from William Willis, 15 December 1802 (Madison Papers)
The principle object of thi s letter is to transmit you the within Coppy of a Circular letter Rec’d from Tunis by way of Italy and also to Enclose you the Coppy of an aff i davit of Mumford & Bowen befor e Mr. Cathalan the Object of which is expressed at the bottom of it. I have no late information of the Cruising Ground of the Pyrates of Tripo ly but Some time in October they wer e off Malta...
32To James Madison from William Willis, 6 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 July 1803, Barcelona . Has received two affidavits from Cathalan, one made by Thomas Lewis and the other by William Baker, “almost every sentence of which is false.” Is “astonish’d at the easy manner in which they swear to the most attrocious falsehoods.” Encloses an affidavit made by Benjamin B. Mumford and William B. Bowen “which contradicts some of the assertions of Lewis & Baker.” “My...
33To James Madison from William Willis, 6 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have Rec’d from Mr. Catalan Two affidavits, one made by Thomas Lewis and the other by William Baker almost every sentence of which is false and altho I was before acquainted with many acts of Vilainy of these men yet I cannot but be astonish’d at the easy manner in which they swear to the most attrocious falsehoods. I herewith enclose you an affidavit of Benj. B Mumford and Willm. B Bowen...
34To James Madison from William Willis, 13 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 July 1803, Barcelona . Has heard nothing from Tripoli. The Algerines have captured a number of British ships “On account of their Papers not agreeing with the forms Last sent out.” Has ordered Capt. James Mills to deliver his ship’s papers, “but he has absolutely refus’d to do it.” Benjamin B. Mumford has set out for Bordeaux, “Leaving Baker & Ogden & Schwartz their agents” in Marseilles....
35To James Madison from William Willis, 13 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since my last Via Lisbon nothing very remarkable has occurr’d here: we have no late news from tripoly but the Algerines have taken a number of Brittish Merchant Ships, On account of their Passes not agreeing with the forms Last sent out. I have lately demanded of Captain James Mills to deliver into this office his ships papers but he has absolutely refus’d to do it. Benjamin B Mumford who with...
36To James Madison from William Willis, 6 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 August 1803, Barcelona . Has just learned “that an English master of a Vessell here has a Set of American Papers.” Will try to acquire them and find out where the captain got them if the report is true. Suspects “the English Vice-Consul who is a Catalan, may have furnish’d” them, or “he may have got them from Mills, as he is very intimate with him.” Will apply to the authorities “on monday …...
37To James Madison from William Willis, 6 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have just had a that an English master of a Vessell here has a Set of American Papers. I shall try to them from him if I find it true, that he has them and Endeavour to find where he got them. My suspicions are that the English Vice-Consul who is a Catalan, may have furnish’d him with them or that he may have got them from Mills, as he is very intimate with him. It is late this afternoon...
38To James Madison from William Willis, 9 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 August 1803, Barcelona . “It appears to be Certain that the Tripoline Ship So long detaind in Gibralter has been taken by the U S frigate Adams and carryed into Malta.… The English have a fleet off Toulon, so that it appears that they suspect Bonaparte wishes to play them another such trick as he did before when he pretended he would invade England the[y] seem to suspect that he has a design...
39To James Madison from William Willis, 9 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 August 1803, Barcelona . “I have duly Rec’d your private favour of the 28 of May and altho the subject is very afflicting to me yet I cannot withhold my gratitude to you for your information & advice. My Opinion is the same with yours that the forging papers with the seal of the United States on them is a very serious crime. And It gives me real pain to find that the President has been so...
40To James Madison from William Willis, 20 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 August 1803, Barcelona . Announces the arrival of John Leonard to take over the duties of the consulate. Has “aided him in being Rec’d here.” “I have private information that he is authoriz’d to arrest me as soon as he takes the office which will be on Monday this I must submit to as to all other Evils. My fate is peculiarly hard to be accus’d of acting against the interest of my Country,...
41To James Madison from William Willis, 20 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
John Leonard Esqr. has arriv’d and as it appears to be the Wish of the president that he should take charge of the Consulate I offer’d it to him the moment of his arrival and have aided him in being Rec’d here. I have private information that he is authoriz’d to arrest me as soon as he takes the office which will be on Monday. This I must submit to as to all other Evils. My fate is peculiarly...
42To James Madison from William Willis, 25 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 August 1803, Barcelona . “Mr. John Leonard has arrived here, as it seem’d to be the wish of the Government that I should give up the Consulate to him I have done it and shall attend the Orders of the president.… I have secret information that Mr Leonard has power to arrest me and send me to America this I submit to. It has been my fate to love and Serve my Country with Zeal, and to lay...
43To James Madison from William Willis, 25 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
Mr. John Leonard has arrived here. As it seem’d to be the wish of the Government that I should give up the Consulate to him I have done it and shall attend the Orders of the president. I have secret information that Mr. Leonard has power to arrest me and send me to America. This I submit to. It has been my fate to love and Serve my Country with Zeal, and to lay under the imputation of a most...
44To James Madison from William Willis, 27 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 August 1803, Barcelona . His last letter informed JM that “Leonard had arriv’d here and that he was soon to take possession of the Consulate.” Has given up the office but wishes to be reinstated once his “innocence and exertions for the common interest” of his country are established. “I am inform’d every day that Mr Leonard has secret instructions to arrest me and send me to the U.S.… I...
45To James Madison from William Willis, 27 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
My last inform’d you that Mr. Leonard had arriv’d here and that he was soon to take possession of the Consulate and have done all in my power to aid him in the commencement of his office. He says he was appointed to supercede me in office and that you informd him the office was vacant. In consequence of this I have given up the office to him, but as I wrote you some time past that I wished to...
46To James Madison from William Willis, 3 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 September 1803, Barcelona . Has delivered his office to Leonard, his successor. Leonard “assur’d me, that … I was displaced on account of a suspicion of my knowing, or having been active in passing false papers.” “But millions of dollars would not even have tempted me to permit any such thing. Mr Leonard after my having done every thing in my power to have him Rec’d with respect has proved...
47To James Madison from William Willis, 3 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have deliver’d up the office to Mr. Leonard who assur’d me, that you told him that I was displaced on account of a suspicion of my knowing, or having been active in passing false papers. It is impossible for me to avoid suspicion, that there has been so many arts, made use of to raise against me. But millions of dollars would not even have tempted me to permit any such thing. Mr Leonard...
48To James Madison from William Willis, 7 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 September 1803, Barcelona . “I have been much afflicted with many anonymous letters some of them very threatning. But I am more at a loss respecting your private favor of the 28th of May than any other.” Has heard nothing of the letter’s subject from the American officers, including Captain Rodgers, who visited here. “These things seem very strange to me … but I am still prepar’d to meet the...
49To James Madison from William Willis, 7 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have been much afflicted with many anonymous letters some of them very threatning. But I am more at a loss respecting your private favor of the 28th. of May than any other, as there has been a frigate here from the Squadron and altho I Spent part of my Time with the officers Especially with the Captain Rogers, Nothing was said to me on the subject of your letter These things seem very...
50To James Madison from William Willis, 11 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 October 1803, Barcelona . “I have been … confin’d to my bed with a malady caus’d by the bad medecine given me last winter to destroy me.… I with difficulty write: but as the subject is very interesting to the U S I suffer a little pain to serve my Country.” Understands that France intends “to obtain the Floridas from Spain by which means they will gain an important Port between the...