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...
71To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 24 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
At this moment I mean only to acknowledge the receipt of Yours of the 9th: of April 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 probably left out by mistake, & to inform you that I immediately took passage onboard a greek Polacca bound to Corfú whose master has agreed to land...
72To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 25 July 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 July 1803, Leghorn . No. 10. Encloses news from Nissen at Tripoli brought by a French ship that arrived “Last night.” Has not heard from Davis at Tunis or from Morris, “which seems to me as extraordinary as improper.” Foresees difficulties in the coming negotiation: “we have lost our importance in those seas, & if it is not speedily retrieved by a brilliant act we must & had much better at...
73To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 25 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
Last night arrived from Tripoli & Tunis a french vessel which brought me the enclosed intelligence from Mr: Nissen at Tripoli. From Mr. Davis at Tunis & from Comodore Morris I have not rec’d. a line since I saw them last which seems to me as extraordinary as improper. As I am just going to embark for Malta I cannot be so diffuse as is necessary on the subject of Mr. Nissen’s report but foresee...
74To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 30 August 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 August 1803 , “ Frigate Adams at Sea .” No. 11. Wrote in his last letters (nos. 9 and 10 [ 24 and 25 July ]) that he was drawing on the State Department for $20,000 “in order to facilitate a negotiation between the United States and the Regency of Tripoli.” Believes “it would have been of no service what ever but the reverse, to have proceeded to Tripoli without funds or credit.” Also...
75To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 30 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
In my last communications Nos. 9 & 10, I intimated to you that I should be necessitated to draw upon the department of State for $20,000 in order to facilitate a negotiation between the United States and the Regency of Tripoli as it would have been of no service what ever but the reverse, to have proceeded to Tripoli without funds or credit. The Bashaw as in a former instance would increase...
76To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 9 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 September 1803 , “ US. frigate Adams at sea .” “In my last communication of the 30th. Ulto., I had the Honor to inform you of my departure from Leghorn on the 27th. do., on board the U.S frigate Adams, and to promise you a detail of our opperations in relation to our affairs with the Regency of Tunis, which I now have the Honor to transmit, for the information of government.… “Friday Sept:...
77To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 18 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 September 1803 , “ US Frigate Adams off Almeria bay .” No. 13. “The enclosed detail will inform you of our actual position at Tunis.” Informs JM that “the Bashaws political reason” for not receiving Cathcart at Tunis was “in consequence of a request from the Dey of Algiers to that purport, in compliance with the will of the Sanhedrim & their most righteous Secretary.” Is “consequently...
78To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 18 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed detail will inform you of our actual position at Tunis, in addition to which I have the honor to inform you that I was creditably inform’d that the Bashaws political reason for not receiving me at Tunis, is no other than in consequence of a request from the Dey of Algiers to that purport, in compliance with the will of the Sanhedrim & their most righteous Secretary; I am...
79To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 25 September 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 September 1803, Gibraltar . No. 14. “On the 23rd. inst. I arrived in this bay & immediately went onboard the Constitution to pay my respects to Comodore Prebble & Coll. Lear. In obedience to your instructions of the 16th. of July I presented them with a copy of my communication of the 9th. inst. & since has given the latter every information in my power, the bustle naturally attending so...
80To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 19 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 October 1803, Gibraltar . Informs JM that he will proceed “to Leghorn in the Syren the first westerly wind.” “I have given Mr. Lear every information in my power, & will dispatch the Syren from Leghorn to Algiers with the Consular present with the greatest dispatch.” Announces that peace has been concluded between the U.S. and Morocco; refers JM to Preble and Lear for the details. RC ( DNA...
81To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 19 October 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that I proceed to Leghorn in the Syren the first westerly wind. I have given Mr. Lear every information in my power, & will dispatch the Syren from Leghorn to Algiers with the Consular present with the greatest dispatch. Peace is concluded between the United States & Morocco, for the particulars, of which I refer you to Comodore Prebble & Col. Lear & remain with...
82To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 30 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
I arrived here in the United States Brig Siren on the 12th: inst: & on the 14th: I got practique in consequence of having landed immediately at the Lazzaretto, & my writing a note to General La Vilette the Tuscan Governor of Leghorn with whom I am personally acquainted, the Brig was quarantined for some days longer in a similar manner that the Adams was last May of which you are no doubt...
83To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 15 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed papers will inform you of the loss of the United States Frigate the Philadelphia, of the deplorable situation of the Officers & crew, & of the steps which I have taken to alleviate their present sufferings until provision is made for them by government. I have not a word to offer in extenuation of this fatal accident, it envolves incalculable consequences, & changes our position...
84To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 17 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 December 1803, Leghorn. “Enclosed with this is my acct: curt. with the United States for the ammount of $44,550 the whole of said sum being accounted for & the vouchers forwarded to the Department of State, except the ballance which is in favor of the United States $5854 82/100 which shall be accounted for when I make out my acct: of disbursements for this year; & lest some of my good...
85To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 6 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 January 1804, Leghorn. No. 1. “I have receiv’d no intelligence since my last from our Squadron or any part of Barbary; I hope the intrigues of OBrien & Davis may not prove prejudicial to our affairs in those quarters for I have always been of opinion that Mr: OBrien was not sincere when he requested his recall, & the character which Davis has assumed will make him go any length to maintain...
86To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 20 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 January 1804, Leghorn. Has drawn on JM for $5,250 in favor of Anthony Dugan for $5,000 cash received from Dugan at 5 percent discount, “said sum to be applied for the relief of the Officers & crew of the United States (late) Frigate the Philadelphia now in Captivity in Tripoli, which I request you to honor & have placed to my acct: until final settlement.” “Mr: Dugan acting as Agent for his...
87To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 28 January 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 January 1804, Leghorn. “I have the honor to transmit for final settlement accompts & vouchers for expenditures, which with those already forwarded to the Department of State includes a statement of all expenditures made by me upon acct.: of the United States of America, from the date of my Commission as Consul of the U: S: at Tripoli July 10th 1797 unto the 31st: of Decemr: 1803.” According...
88To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 1 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 February 1804, Leghorn. No. 2. Enclosed his accounts with the U.S. up to 31 Dec. 1803 with his 28 Jan. 1804 letter . “At present I send you a copy of a negotiation with Mr: Anthony Dugan for bills upon you for 5000 dollars at 5 ⅌C: discount on the ammount receiv’d which makes a considerable difference between the terms of this negotiation & that for 20,000 dollars negotiated by Messrs. Degen...
89To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 6 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1804, Leghorn. No. 3. Encloses “a copy of my correspondence with Comodore Preble & others, since my last of the 1st: of February.” “I have not heard from Colonel Lear since I parted with him! but my anxiety has been in some measure reliev’d by Come. Preble’s letters, as the[y] inform me that he has receiv’d the sundry communications which I forwarded to him in the United States brig...
90To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 18 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1804, Leghorn. No. 4. “By the arrival of the Imperial Polacca La Benevolenza Captn: Luca Lucovich in eight days from Tripoli I am enabled to give you the intelligence contain’d in the enclosed extract of a letter from Monsr: Antoine Zuchette Batavian chargé des affaires at Tripoli to Diederick Kerfsbyll Esqr: Batavian Consul at Leghorn , the latter gave me the extract in confidence &...