31To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 21 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 May 1802, Leghorn. No. 6. Acknowledges JM’s letter enclosing the 6 Feb. act for the protection of the commerce and seamen of the U.S. Encloses a copy of his dispatch no. 8 “& cannot imagine how it miscarried.” Has received no word from Barbary or about U.S. warships since his last dispatch. “I have kept myself in readiness to embark at a moments warning ever since the arrival of Comodore...
32To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 21 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I was honor’d by the receipt of Yrs enclosing an Act pass’d on the 6th. of Feby. for the protection of the commerce & seamen of the United States of America on the 16th. inst. The communications therin mentioned I have not receiv’d probably owing to their bulk, as Mr. Gavino informs me that he has some Pamphlets for me which he intends to forward by sea. I enclose a copy of my dispatch No. 8:...
33To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 3 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 June 1802, Leghorn. No. 7. “Yesterday” he enclosed dispatches from Eaton through 4 May. Now encloses an extract of intelligence received from Tripoli “containing the most prominent transactions of that government from the 12th. of March to the 30th. of April,” to which he adds the following extracts from Eaton’s letter to him of 21 May. On the day before yesterday the Schooner Enterprize...
34To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 3 June 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday I enclosed dispatches from Mr: Eaton at Tunis down to the 4th: of May. I have now the honor to forward an extract of the intelligence which I receiv’d from Tripoli on the 1st: inst. containing the most prominent transactions of that government from the 12th: of March to the 30th: of April in addition to which I take the liberty to forward for the information of govt. the following...
35To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 July 1802, Leghorn. No. 8. Enclosures A and B, along with his dispatch no. 7 which was forwarded by the Liberty on 3 June, relate all information of importance on U.S. affairs with Tripoli and Tunis. Tripolitan cruisers have been frequently at sea since the war began, and this at a time when the extent of American commerce “never was so valuable.” Has seen twenty-four American ships “in this...
36To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
By inclosures A. & B & my dispatch No. 7 forwarded by Ship Liberty on 3d. June you will be informed of every transaction worthy notice in relation to our affairs with Tunis & Tripoli. You will please to observe that the cruizers of Tripoli have been frequently at Sea since the war commenc’d & thence concieve the danger our Merchant ships have been exposed to, from the returns of our Consuls...
37To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 15 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 July 1802, Leghorn. No. 9. Cannot find “words expressive of my feelings” about the capture of the brig Franklin by the Tripolitans. “It proves that we cannot evade the depredations of the most insignificant cruisers of the most insignificant Barbary State. What? after the pains that had been taken to defeat the projects of the Bashaw of Tripoli … had been attended with success … & we were...
38To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 15 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
I cant find words expressive of my feelings when I contemplate the national consequences attending the capture of the brig Franklin. Had those pirates got her crew safe into Tripoli it would have reduced us nearly to the same humiliating situation that the Swedes are in. As it is, it proves that we cannot evade the depredations of the most insignificant cruisers of the most insignificant...
39To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 6 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 August 1802, Leghorn. No. 10. Has received circulars from Gibraltar announcing the Moroccan declaration of war against the U.S. “By my Circular of the 11th. of Septr. 1801 copy’s of which were forwarded to the Department of State and to Comodore Dale I foresaw this event, & I hope I will not be thought presumptuous should I assert that it might have been prevented.” Encloses Simpson’s answer...
40To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 6 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
By circulars from Gibraltar we are informed that Mr. Simpson arrived at that place on the 25th. of June having recd. orders to depart the Emperor of Morocco’s dominions in half an hour, in consequence of his having declared war against the United States of America. By my Circular of the 11th. of Septr. 1801 copy’s of which were forwarded to the Department of State and to Comodore Dale I...
41To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 25 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 August 1802, Leghorn. No. 11. During his residence at Tripoli, transmitted to the State Department a history of the reign of Ali Pasha, father of the reigning sovereign, including the “different revolutions in that State,” the murder of Mohammed Bey, and the usurpation by Yusuf Pasha Qaramanli of the throne of his brother Hamet Pasha. Is convinced that the inhabitants of Tripoli hold the...
42To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 25 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
During my residence at Tripoli I had the honor to transmit to the Department of State the history of the r eign of Aly Pacha father of the reigning sovereign of Tripoli including the different revolutions in that State, an account of the murder of Mohammed Bey & the dethroning of the rightfull sovereign of Tripoli Hamet Pacha who at that period was under the protection of the Bey of Tunis, but...
43To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 26 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 August 1802, Leghorn. Submits for the president’s decision a plan to coerce Yusuf Pasha of Tripoli to agree to a permanent treaty with the U.S. and “perpetual protection” for his brother Hamet by threatening him with the “use of such means as God had already placed in our hands … join’d to our influence at the sublime Port.” Encloses William Eaton’s letter to him of 12 July “with my...
44To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 26 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
In addition to my dispatch of yesterday give me leave respectfully to submit to the Presidents decision—Whether, supposing government should think proper to put an end to the War with Tripoli without prosecuting it to extremity; it would not be to the interest of the United States to embark Hamet Pacha on board our Comodores Ship & proceed with him before Tripoli, to then inform his brother...
45To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 3 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Enclosures No. 1: 2: 3, are letters which I have receiv’d since my last from Tripoli. No. 3 informs us of the Bashaws great desire to come upon terms which he may suppose to be favorable to us, but from the stile of the letter it is pretty evident that he still expects we will purchase our peace. I am really at a loss how to act for want of knowing the pleasure of government, not having...
46To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Having found an assistant I am enabled by this Post to forward the enclosed letter, and my answer to and from Mr: Nissen at Tripoli with my answer to his letter of the 8th: of July. I refer you to my dispatch No: 12. of last year dated September the 27th. 1801, for the reason which induced the Danish Comodore to adopt this pusillanimous conduct, he thinks he has effected a great deal by...
47To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 8 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I conceive it my duty to forward Copy’s of all my correspondence that conveys the least intelligence to the department of State; however disagreeable this line of conduct may be on several occasions, I prescribed the rule myself, & from it I am resolved not to swerve, ’tho I am convinced it will procure me many private enemies, but at the same time I flatter myself it will promote the general...
48To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 8 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 October 1802, Leghorn. No. 15. Encloses a copy of a letter from the bey of Tunis to the president. “The nature of the demand therein made, as well as the insolent stile it is couch’d in will dictate the necessity of re-inforceing our squadron in this sea as soon as possible after the meeting of Congress, as I presume it would be inconsistent to accede to this demand after having refused the...
49To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 8 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed is a copy of a letter from the Bashaw of Tunis to the President of the United States. The nature of the demand therein made, as well as the insolent stile it is couch’d in will dictate the necessity of re-inforceing our squadron in this sea as soon as possible after the meeting of Congress, as I presume it would be inconsistent to accede to this demand after having refused the cannon...
50To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 29 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 November 1802, Malta. No. 16. Acknowledges JM’s 18 Apr. and 10 May letters, received from Commodore Morris on 12 Oct. Enclosures nos. 1 and 2 will give JM the latest intelligence from Tripoli; no. 3 contains Cathcart’s opinions on the proper steps to take in the present crisis; and no. 4 shows the terms of a separate peace Sweden concluded and Danish and Dutch arrangements with Tripoli. “We...
51To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 29 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the 12th: of October I had the honor to be presented, with yours of the 18th: of April and 10th: of May last, by Commodore Morris. No. 1 and 2 of the enclosures, will give you our latest intelligence from Tripoli. No. 3 Contains my Opinion relative to the Measures most proper to be adopted in the present crisis. And No. 4 will inform you the terms on which Sweden has concluded a Seperate...
52To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 25 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 January 1803, Malta. No. 1. Describes his movements and those of the U.S. fleet between his departure from Leghorn on 3 Nov. and his return to Malta on 4 Jan. The frigate Constellation , “the last off Tripoli,” left that station in August 1802. Commodore Morris intends to proceed with the squadron to Tunis and then to Algiers in consequence of reports “lately received” from O’Brien that the...
53To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 25 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to inform You that I sailed on board the Chesapeake from Leghorn roads on the 3d. of Novr. and arrived at Malta on the 20th. where we lay untill the 25th. of December when we got underway in company with the Enterprize schooner and proceeded to Syracuse in Sicily and return’d to this port on the 4th. inst. where we found the New York, who had arrived on the 29th. of December...
54To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 15 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 March 1803 , “ Chesapeake at Sea .” No. 2. Encloses a journal of events which have taken place since his last dispatch. Enclosure A contains the latest information from Tripoli, and enclosure B is his last letter to Nissen. Hopes Eaton will be able to efface the suspicion he is under at present of misapplication of public money and “thereby, eradicate, unfavourable impressions, prejudicial...
55To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 15 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed with this, I have the honor to transmit, for the information of Government, a Journal of events, which has taken place since my last. Enclosure A, contains, the latest information, we have received from Tripoli, and B, is my last communications to Mr. Nissen. The suspicion which Mr. Eaton is at present under, of having, misapplied Public money, I most sincerely hope he may be able to...
56To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 30 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 March 1803 , “ U. S Ship Chesapeake Gibraltar Bay .” No. 3. Notes that his last dispatch informed JM of transactions at Tunis; he now communicates those at Algiers. He and Morris arrived in the bay of Algiers on the evening of 19 Mar. and found there a French frigate whose commander informed them that Mustafa Dey had not declared war on France, as they had been told at Tunis, and that the...
57To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 30 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
My last dispatch inform’d you of our transactions at Tunis. I have now the honor to communicat e those at Algiers. On the 19th. in the evening we arriv’d in thi s Bay where we found a French Frigate whose Commander inform’d us, that the Dey of Algiers had not declar’d War against France as we were inform’d at Tunis that their boat was on Shore in order to accommodate matters amicably if...
58To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 April 1803 , “ U S Ship Chesapeake, Gibraltar Bay .” Informs JM that he has drawn on the State Department “this day” for $430.25 in favor of John Gavino; “said sum when paid you will please to have placed to my Acct. untill final settlement.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Tripoli, vol. 2). 1 p. In a clerk’s hand, signed by Cathcart. Docketed by Wagner. A full transcription of this document has been...
59To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
This day I have taken the liberty to draw upon the Department of State for the sum of Four hundred & thirty dollars & twenty five Cents in favor of John Gavino Esqr. Consul for the U S. of America at this place. Said sum when paid you will please to have placed to my Acct. untill final settlement. I am with very great Respect Sir Your Most Obdt. Servt. The preceding is the full transcription...
60To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 5 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 May 1803, “Lazzaretto of St. Rocco,” Leghorn. No. 4. Refers to his 30 Mar. dispatch , which informed JM of his intention to remain with Commodore 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.” On 6 Apr. he...