1To John Adams from James Leander Cathcart, 25 March 1797 (Adams Papers)
Having had the honour of being in company with Mr. Jefferson some days past I was advised by him to lay the Journals & papers accompanying this letter before your Excellency in order to give you what information lays in my power relative to our negotiation with the Regency of Algiers & likewise as the first Magistrate of a Free & Independent people to claim from your Excellency a redress of...
2To John Adams from James Leander Cathcart, 12 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
Pardon the liberty I take, after so great a lapse of time, to obtrude myself on your retirement, but having had the honor to be usher’d into public life by your patronage & that of the immortal Washington, & having received my first Commission from you in 1797 I think that it will not be unpleasing to you that I have not dishonor’d the preference that was given to me, in a time when we were...
3Enclosure: Isaac Chauncey to Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 20 July 1818, enclosure no. 2 in James Leander Cathcart to … (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding that James Leander Cathcart Esq r late Consul at Cadiz & a is an applicant for the appointment of Navy Store keeper or Purser of the contemplated Navy depot, I have great pleasure in recommending this gentleman to your notice— M r Cathcart has been personally known to me about fifteen years, during that period he has filled several important public situations, and I believe...
4To Thomas Jefferson from James Leander Cathcart, 25 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
James Leander Cathcart prests his respectful compliments to Mr Jefferson & returns him the Arabic manuscript with a literal translation: it is not dated at any particular place, but the Tunisian Ambassador supposes it to have been wrote at Derna & refers you to Mr Eaton for a further elucidation of the facts therein contain’d. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
5To Thomas Jefferson from James Leander Cathcart, 13 March 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Were it possible to increase the respect, veneration, & esteem which I have cherish’d for you, ever since I have had the honor of your acquaintance in 1796, your very kind and affectionate letter in my behalf would have that effect; it serves to prove that the truely great do not think that they deviate from their dignity by espousing the just cause of an injured officer who has served his...
6To Thomas Jefferson from James Leander Cathcart, 24 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
James Leander Cathcart prests his respts to Mr. Jefferson and begs leave to inform him that he waited upon the Tunisian Ambassador this morning who inform’d him that the letter wrote in Arabic is in the dialect of Egypt some expressions of which he does not perfectly understand: he therefore requested me to leave it with him until the morning & he would endeavor to have it explaind by one of...
7To Thomas Jefferson from James Leander Cathcart, 12 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Vicissitude marks all human events!! born in the expectation of a genteel competency, and nursed in the lap of luxury and ease, I found myself at an early period of my life wholly disappointed by a train of unfortunate events which prudence could not evade, nor human foresight control, which joined to the liberality of a generous but too improvident father, obliged me to choose the Ocean as a...
8James Leander Cathcart to Thomas Jefferson, 27 August 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
After a lapse of more than fourteen years , permit me most respectfully to enquire, how do you enjoy your health? and to hope that it may be long preserved in as perfect a state as I have ever wish’d it to be in— Vicissitude my good Sir marks all human events! and how many of them have I experienced since I first had the honor of your personal acquaintance in 1796: then just return’d from a...
9To Thomas Jefferson from James Leander Cathcart, 19 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In the month of Augt. 1805 I done myself the honor to address you on the subject of future employment, I have ceased to importune you ever since being convinced that it is impossible for every applicant to meet with the encouragement he may expect, & probably no vacancy has offer’d that I could with propriety have applied for until the present moment. The motive of the present application is...
10To Thomas Jefferson from James Leander Cathcart, 5 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
James L. Cathcart presents his respects to Mr. Jefferson & begs leave to inform him that John Woodhouse is the name of the shiper of wine at Marsalla & Thomas Dyson that of our Agent at Syracuse, with the Agent at Palermo Mr. C is unacquainted—As Mr. Jefferson I presume only wants a small quantity for his own use of the very best quality he respectfully recommends him to write to Mr. William...
11John Woodside to Thomas Jefferson, 14 November 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of M r Cathcart it has fallen to my lot to address you in his behalf, permit me therefore Sir to intrude upon your privacy. This I do Sir with a degree of confidence beleiving that in your retirement the best interests of the United States occupy your highest regards; and that nevertheless you are far from disregarding the interest of an individual private Citizen, much less...
12To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 12 September 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 September 1811, Madeira. Advises that the wines JM ordered are cased and awaiting a vessel for Alexandria or Baltimore. Both JM’s and Monroe’s wines will be forwarded as soon as a ship is available. “I have taken the liberty to include the Pipe of wine for Mrs. Lucy Washington in the bill I have drawn upon you this day in favor of Matthew Cobb Esqr. of Portland for £378. Stg.” Wishes to be...
13To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 13 August 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 August 1810, Madeira. Cathcart acknowledges JM’s letters of 30 May and 15 and 26 June and informs him of the arrangements he has made for purchasing wine ordered by JM. RC , duplicate, and enclosures ( DLC ). RC 2 pp.; docketed by JM. Duplicate (3 pp.; docketed by JM) includes 16 Aug. postscript mentioning enclosures: invoice for £249 (1 p.); and bill of lading (1 p.) for wine shipped on...
14James Leander Cathcart to James Madison, 11 August 1834 (Madison Papers)
We had heard of your indisposition with sympathy & regret, & of your recovery with sincere pleasure. Associations which recall remembrances of passed events for the space of thirty eight years in more happy days, are not easily effaced from the memory, however time rank, & distance, may weaken the impression— Manners & customs are strangely altered in this disfranchised Metropolis of the...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 10 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 August 1801, Leghorn. No. 10. Acknowledges receipt of JM’s 21 May letter accompanied by a letter from Commodore Dale. Encloses copies of Dale’s letter and his reply to inform JM of their proposed method of procedure. His dispatches forwarded direct from Tunis and by True-man on the Columbia will convince JM that the dey of Algiers will never intercede on behalf of the U.S. but rather in...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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:...
22To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 26 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
A few days ago I made application to General Dearborn as a candidate for an Agency that is vacant at the post of Natchitoches; finding I had a rival in the person of Mr. Rodgers, I waited upon the general this morning who inform’d me that a number of respectable persons having applied for the said appointment he had determined to lay their pretensions before the President who would select the...
23To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart (Abstract), 3 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
3 May 1805, Washington . “If you have recd. no later intelligence from the mediterranean the following extract will give you some information.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Tripoli, vol. 2). RC 2 pp.; docketed by Wagner. At the bottom of his letter, Cathcart appended an extract of a letter from William Higgins to him, dated at Malta 8 Jan. 1805 (printed in Knox, Naval Documents, Barbary Wars, Dudley...
24To 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...
25To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 7 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose for your Information, the Documents relative to the Ship Manchester, with a duplicate of My Letter of 4: Ulto. which will inform you of her detention. Since my last no Alteration has taken place whatever on this Island. On the 26: Ulto. Sr. Sidney Smith in the Foudroyant, with the Agamemnon, and a Gun brig loaded with Rockets & other implements of Destruction,...
26To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 6 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Leander Cathcart. 6 June 1806, Baltimore. “I was hond. with yr favor of the 2nd. inst in course of post & would have replied to it had I had any thing to inform you worthy your attention: The presents are compleated, the Cattle, plate, & Mocca Coffee excepted: I have made purchases for the Ambassador to the amount of 20,000, the whole of which is lodged in the public stores: he...
27To 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...
28To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 22 June 1812 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 June 1812, Madeira. Solicited an appointment to the Lisbon consulate in June and July 1811, “should it again become vacant.” Has been informed that Mr. [George] Jefferson resigned the post due to ill health. “May I hope that my expectations will not be disappointed & that I may at last have a prospect of educating my family in a manner equal to my wishes.… I have only to add that my...
29To 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...
30To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 31 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have this day taken the liberty to draw upon you in favor of Messrs: Ca thcart Foster & Shaw for dollars Seventy Nine twenty Cents for disbursements made by my or der for the relief of distressed Seamen, which y ou please to duly honour & have charged my Account until I forward the nec essary vouchers I have the h onour to continue with great respect Sir Your Obedt: servant DNA : RG...
31To 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...
32To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 30 May 1806 (Madison Papers)
We arrived in this City via Annapolis on Sunday evening, & with difficulty obtain’d lodgings at the Columbian Inn, after having been rejected at Evanses & several private houses: The manner the Ambassador has been treated since, & the pains that has been taken to efface unfavorable impressions promises success equal to the expectations of government. Yesterday an officer from the seat of...
33To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 26 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Leander Cathcart. 26 July 1806, Boston. “On the 24th. inst. I had the honor to receive your dispatches for the Tunisian Ambassador & on the 25th. the Brig Franklin arrived here; elate with the hope of terminating this disagreeable business & of returning to my family, judge my regret at being under the necessity of forwarding the enclosed: I have made use of every persuasive...
34To 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...
35To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 27 August 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Leander Cathcart. 27 August 1806, Boston. “I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Mella Menni return’d here yesterday evening heartily tired of his expedition, & looking rather a little foolish; I immediately inform’d him of the arrangement which had taken place relative to the debenture upon his cargo, with which he seemd perfectly satisfied, but at the same time indicated that...
36To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 22 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
In mine of 26: April I had the honor to inform you that this Island had been returned to the Porteguese on the 23d. of said Month, since which no alteration whatever has taken place, neither has any thing of moment Occurrd. By this Conveyance Mrs. Cathcart, has sent a Tub containing some Grape vines of a very superior quality which she Requests Mrs. Madison to accept, with her best Respects....
37To 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...
38To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
In my dispatch No. 6 of which the enclosed is a copy I had the honor to inform you that I should proceed with my family to Tunis and there wait the Presidents orders. You will therefore be surprized to find my letter dated here before you know my reasons which are as follows. First the Cruisers of Tripoli being all ready to sail I suspected that the y might follow our rout & plunder the vessel...
39To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I am sorry to inform You that on the th: Ulto: the British Privateer Brig Caroline, Commanded by Charles Jones, brought into these Roads the American Ship Manchester, Joseph Reynolds Master, Owned by John James Mercht. of Philadelphia, de tained by her since the 19th. Ulto., on pretence that the said Ship had inc urred the Penalty inflicted on Neutrals by the British Order of Council of the...
40To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 9 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 May 1802, Leghorn. No. 5. Has not heard from “Barbary” but supposes Eaton persuaded Hamet to remain at Malta until the U.S. naval squadron arrives with instructions from the president. Has been informed that the Enterprize arrived “with dispatches at Gibraltar” and immediately went in search of the Boston , “who I presume is off Tripoli, but this is only conjecture as I have not been favor’d...
41To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 5 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
During Mr. Eaton’s delay at Leghorn he inform’d me that no consideration on earth could have sufficient weight to induce him to remain in Barbary a moment after our affairs were terminated with Tripoli which would naturally envolve in its consequences a final settlement with Tunis. I therefore request that I may be removed from Tripoli to Tunis as I presume I have a prior right to that...
42To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 27 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
By the enclosures mark’d from A to G—you will be inform’d of what ever has occur’d to my knowledge since my last. I am in hourly expectation to hear from the Comodore who I make no doubt will act with energy & concur with me in the mode of operation which I have recommended. Comodore Koefoed who commands a Danish Squadron in this Sea lately arrived here from Tripoli. He has taken the advantage...
43To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 14 January 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honour to inform you that on the 24th. Ulto. Sir Samuel Hood w ith Four Sail of the Line, five Frigates & a number of Transports with General Berresford & four Thousand Troops on board, anchor’d w ithin two Cables length of this City & imme d iately clapped Springs on their Cables & hoisted o ut their Batteaux & apparently made every preparation to make a vigorous attack upon the...
44To 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...
45To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 18 September 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 September 1811, Madeira. Encloses an invoice and bill of lading for the six pipes of wine JM ordered on 28 May—five pipes for JM and one for Mrs. Lucy Washington. Pipes no. 1 and 2 are from the vault of John de Carvalhal, the remainder from the private stock of Henry Correa. Assures JM of the purity of the wine, mentioning that “the vintages of the four last years have been remarkably bad &...
46To 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...
47To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 12 August 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Leander Cathcart. 12 August 1805, Washington . “I have the honor to enclose Mr. Nissen⟨s⟩; receipt [not found] for security given for cloth taken from me by the Bashaw of Tripoli deposited in his hands by me in order that he might recover the amount upon account of the United States, & likewise his letter to me of the 14th. of January 1805 containing a list of the furniture left...
48To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 6 September 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Leander Cathcart. 6 September 1806, Boston. “I have taken the liberty this day to draw upon you in favor of Saml. Brown Esqr. for one thousand five hundred dollars which draft I request you to honor upon sight: I am happy to inform you that all my business is compleated here & Mella Menni is only waiting for his people to return from New York in order to embark.” RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
49To 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...
50To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 August 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From James Leander Cathcart. 4 August 1806, Boston. “I was hond. with your letter of the 28th. Ulto. & its enclosures, & immediately applied to Judge Blake & the Attorney of the district, and they have given it as their opinion that their appears no legal difficulty in ordering the absentees of the Tunisian Ambassadors suite on board provided they arrive here in time: on the 29th. ulto. I...