1James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, September 1834 (Madison Papers)
I recd. in the due time your letter of Aug. 11. But in my present condition I have been obliged to spare the use of the pen as much as possible, especially when an answer was not pressing, and I could give none that could be of much importance. It may well be supposed that at my age, and after a lapse of nearly 30 years, my memory must be a very fallible resort for information as to...
2James 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...
¶ To James Leander Cathcart. Letter not found. 30 January 1827. Calendared in the lists probably made by Peter Force ( DLC , series 7, box 2).
4To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 17 January 1827 (Madison Papers)
The much lamented death of the venerable & worthy Mr. Jefferson, in which event I most sincerely sympathize with you, his family & the nation, has deprived me of his influence, and if denied the honor which I now most humbly solicit, in any shape that you may be pleased to grant it, I may then conclude that I have not a friend of influence in the World; the inclosed is a copy of a letter from...
5From Thomas Jefferson to James Leander Cathcart, 24 March 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with real grief from your favor of the 10 th that you are still unsuccesful in your endeavors to better your situation. but grief however afflicting is unavailing where there is no power to relieve. had I that power it should certainly be exercised in your behalf . You request me to give you a certificate specifying that when I nominated you to the Senate when your appmt took place I...
6To 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...
7From Thomas Jefferson to James Leander Cathcart, 20 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with sincere sympathy the continuing disappmt of your hopes of public employment, and the distresses to which that disappmt has brought you . but retired as I am from all concern with the public affairs or those directing them, I can render you little service. the only favor in which I can interpose is that of interesting a friend in your behalf. I try this in the letter now inclosed...
8From John Adams to James Leander Cathcart, 25 March 1822 (Adams Papers)
I have received your letter, and the documents with it. Unable from the failure of my sight to read them, I have had them read to me. All I can say is, that your appointment as Consul was made upon mature deliberation, and careful examination of your conduct and correspondence, and your other writings; and nothing has ever come to my knowledge, exciteing any repentance or regret for that...
9To 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...
10From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 23 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
I received yesterday your letter and communications of the 18th. instant. I have read them with a sincere sympathy for the situation in which you find yourself; and with regret that a more fortunate one has not followed your long continuance in the public service. I shall of course feel much pleasure at any occurrence which would brighten your prospects for the time to come. I know not however...
11To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 18 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
After a lapse of more than five years, permit me most respectfully to enquire, how do you enjoy your health, and to hope that it may long be preserved in a state as perfect 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 honour of your personal acquaintance in 1796 then just return’d from a cruel...
12Thomas Jefferson to James Leander Cathcart, 10 September 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return after an absence of some weeks from home, I find here your favor of Aug. 27. and learn from it, with great regret, the difficulties of your present situation. I can say with truth, and justice therefore requires me to say, that I considered your administration of our affairs, while Consul on the Barbary coast , as one of the most rigorous integrity; and that too in a situation...
13James 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...
14Enclosure: Recommendation of James Leander Cathcart [ca. July 1818], enclosure no. 1 in James Leander Cathcart to Thomas … (Jefferson Papers)
We the undersign’d having a satisfactory knowledge of James Leander Cathcart Esq r either personally, or by character from Gentlemen in whom we place confidence, & from his public character, do recommend him to the President of the United States , & to the heads of Departments, & especially to the Secretary of the Navy , as a fit candidate for the office of Purser or Paymaster of the naval...
15Enclosure: 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...
16Enclosure: John Rodgers to James Leander Cathcart, 9 June 1819, enclosure no. 3 in James Leander Cathcart to Thomas … (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 28 th Ult o accompanied by a Journal of the proceedings of the Agents sent under the instructions of the Board of the 13 th of Nov r 1818 has been received—On a cursory perusal of the Journal, the Board discover much information respecting the object of your mission which it would be desirable for them to possess; and they return it to you in order that such extracts from it...
17Enclosure: John Rodgers to James Leander Cathcart and James Hutton, 6 August 1819, enclosure no. 4 in James Leander … (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners of the Navy have received your communication with a summary recapitulation of, & reference to a Journal deliver’d at the office of the honorable the Secretary of the Navy — The Commissioners of the Navy have derived much valuable information from the perusal of your summary—It is entirely satisfactory to them upon all the points of which it treats— Tr ( DLC: TJ Papers ,...
18Enclosure: John Quincy Adams’s Report to Congress on James Leander Cathcart, 14 December 1819, enclosure no. 5 in James … (Jefferson Papers)
M r Cathcart having been included among the prisoners ransom’d by the United States , at the conclusion of the first treaty with Algiers , it is not perceived, upon what just principle his claim can be supported to be paid by them for his ransom; it ought however in justice to M r Cathcart , to be added, that if long, faithful, & important services, acknowledged by every successive...
19To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 22 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to transmit for your Excellency’s perusal the most correct information obtainable of the actual state of Spain & its government when I left Cadiz in February last, & have only to add that a few days prior to my departure General OReilly took passage in a merchant vessel bound to Lima in order to take the command in chief of all King Ferdinands forces in Peru & its...
20Richard W. Meade to James Leander Cathcart, 2 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
As you about proceeding to Washington I have thought it my duty to draw up, a Statement of the present State of Spain, which I beg you to present to The President in my name. From a personal residence in Madrid during the Summer & late ⟨of?⟩ Decr. last I can vouch for the truth of the picture, & I conceive that It is highly interesting to our Governt. to be made acquainted with the real State...
21To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 5 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
On my return from Phila. I was hond. with your communication of the 16th. Ulto. & found that Mrs. Cathcart had given an order for the delivery of the wine to the person whom you directed to receive it, & according to your request I now inclose the acct. of cost & charges amt, $1696.33/100. I have taken passage in the Brig Savage for Gibraltar on my way to Cadiz where I mean to establish myself...
¶ To James Leander Cathcart. Letter not found. 16 August 1815. Acknowledged in Cathcart to JM , 5 Sept. 1815 , where it appears to have to do with the delivery of and payment for a shipment of wine for JM .
23To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 7 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that I arrived in this City last Monday, & a few days afterwards heard that your Exy: had left orders for a Commission to be made out for me as Consul genl, resident at Cadiz, this intelligence was very grateful to my feelings in a double point of view, as it indicated that I still retaind a portion of your confidence & esteem, & promised the pecuniary means of...
24John 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...
25To 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...
26To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 28 February 1812 (Madison Papers)
E’re you receive this the anxiety attending your re-election to the Chief Magistracy of the United States will be over, & as no doubt is entertain’d of your success, give me leave to congratulate you in anticipation of the happy result. By the return of my Schooner the Five Brothers from Portland Mr: Cobb inform’d me that a deduction of eighteen per centum was made from the bill I drew upon...
27To 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 &...
28To 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...
29To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 22 July 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 July 1811, Madeira. Acknowledges receipt of the duplicate of JM’s letter of 28 May . “I feel great satisfaction that the wines I sent to your address are approved & will endeavor to execute your present commission similar to the last by the first good conveyance.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.
30To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 30 June 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 June 1811, Madeira. Has heard that Jarvis has resigned the Lisbon consulate and wishes to be considered for the post in the event of a vacancy. “The Consulate at Madeira is a paltry situation the emoluments trifling, not near sufficient to maintain my family.” All trade is engrossed by a few houses, there is no commission business, and he has been vegetating “in the same dull annual...