§ From James Leander Cathcart. 9 August 1806, Boston. “I had every thing prepared for the Franklins departure at a moments warning when I was hond. with yours of the 4th inst. Having in some measure anticipated the answer I might expect to receive I had look’d for a proper vessel for the purpose and was fortunate in finding the two Brothers of Salem a very handsome little Ship of 155 Tons,1 I took the Ambassador on board of her & he seems to like her amazingly: I do not know on what terms I may be able to procure her but I presume she will be high, neither have I mentioned the particulars of the contents of your letter to the Ambassador as yet, lest it might be the means of originating fresh demands.

“As this vessel will be ready to sail by the time I receive ⟨an⟩ answer to this, I request to be inform’d whether all the presents are to be sent out in her and to whom are they to be consignd, and when ready for sea whether she is to be detain’d until the arrival of the vessel with the fieldpieces &c. from Washington, I likewise wish to know whether I am to lay in provisions for them or are they to find themselves at their own cost. The Turks from New York have not arrived neither have we heard anything from the Messenger Mohamet Ben Hodgia since his departure on the 29th. Ulto.”