151To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the 31st. of Jany. the United States Ship Washington arrived here from Tunis and Naples & sail’d in a few days with all the merchant vessels under her convoy that were ready to depart. We have since heard of her safe arrival at Mersailles. The President has been thoroughly repair’d at Toulon & has sail’d for Gibraltar, I presume to await the arrival of the other squadron which we expect...
152From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, [6 February] 1802 (Madison Papers)
The United States Schooner Enterprize Captain Sterret, being on the point of Departure for Gibraltar, I avail myself of the opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of a series of your dispatches of last year, including, No. 12, with the exception however of No. 8. I also enclose you a copy of the communications made to congress respecting our Barbary affaires, and of a law which has just been...
153To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 February 1802, Leghorn. Has drawn on JM for $453.09 in favor of John Shaw, commander of the George Washington . In postscript states that he has no news worth relating and is awaiting instructions from the president “with the same anxiety & impatience that a Mussulman awaits the prostrations of a pusillanimous christian chief, or that an Algerine Jew awaits the arrival of a Barbary Consul...
154To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
This day I have taken the liberty to draw upon you in favor of John Shaw Esqr. Commander of the United States Ship Washington for the sum of four hundred & fifty three dollars nine cents payable upon sight, which sum you will please to pay & place it to my acct. until final settlement & by so doing you will very much oblige Sir Yr: very hble Servt. Pt. St. Nothing has taken place since my last...
155To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 28 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 December 1801, Leghorn. No. 14. Sends enclosures “which will inform you of the trifling occurrences since my last.” Reports “we are amazingly fortunate that none of our merchant vessels have been captured,” as one of the Tripolitan cruisers has been as far west as Cartagena; President is at Toulon, George Washington at Naples, Philadelphia off Tripoli, and Essex guards cruisers at...
156To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 28 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
Permit me the honor to forward for your perusal the enclosed papers which will inform you of the trifling occurrences since my last. We are amazingly fortunate that none of our merchant vessels have been captured as one of the Tripoline Cruisers has been as far to the westward as Carthagene. At this inst. the President is at Toulon the Washington is at Naples the Philadelphia is stationed off...
157To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 6 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 November 1801, Leghorn. No. 13. Transmits dispatches received on 5 Nov. from Eaton and duplicates of earlier ones already forwarded. Is distressed at news from Eaton that U.S. squadron had gone to Gibraltar and left enemy coast unguarded; hopes at least one frigate will have returned. U.S. citizens trading at Leghorn complain of lack of protection, no warship having appeared at Leghorn since...
158To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 6 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
By the enclosed dispatches—which I recd. yesterday from Mr. Eaton, & the duplicates of those already forwarded government will be inform’d of every transaction which has transpired since my last. I am exceedingly distress’d lest some of the Tripolines puts to sea as Mr. Eaton informs me that the enemys coast is abandon’d by our ships of War & that the whole Squadron has proceeded to Gibraltar...
159To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 27 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 September 1801, Leghorn. No. 12. Sends enclosures covering occurrences since his last dispatch. Danish commodore Koefoed has arrived from Tripoli, where he adjusted terms of tribute rather than taking advantage of the current opportunity to eliminate payments; coercion of the pasha seems contrary to Danish policy. Though enclosures show the friendly disposition of Swedes, he believes they...
160To 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...
161To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 7 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 September 1801, Leghorn. No. 11. Sends enclosures that will show current American position. Adds that “the Capture of the Tripoline Cruiser in its tendency is equal to a victory.… A few more actions will effectually establish our national character in this sea, & prove to the Tyrants of Barbary that the government of the United States will not suffer indignitys with impunity.” Assures JM...
162To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 7 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
I embrace the earliest opportunity to forward the enclosed dispatches which I have copied in order to multiply their conveyance: their being no vessel here ready to sail for the United States I have enclosed them to Mr. Cathalan at Marseilles. By the enclosures A & B you will be inform’d of our actual position; the Capture of the Tripoline Cruiser in its tendency is equal to a victory, &...
163To 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...
164To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 10 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor of receiving yours of the 21st. May on yesterday evening & shall scrupulously observe the instructions contain’d therein. It was accompanied by a letter from Comodore Dale a copy of which is enclosed A—with my answer B, which will inform you of the operations which we mean to pursue should the meet with the Comodores approbation. By my dispatches forwarded direct from Tunis,...
165To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 8 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 August 1801, Leghorn. No. 9. Encloses dispatches received 4 Aug. from Eaton with copies of other papers. Awaits notification of arrival of American squadron, which he expects to receive from the commodore himself. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Tripoli, vol. 2); FC ( NN : Cathcart Papers). RC 1 p.; docketed by Wagner. Enclosures include copies of an appraisal of items of jewelry by...
166To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 8 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed with this are some dispatches which I receiv’d on the 4th. inst. from Mr. Eaton, with the Copys of some papers which will probably reflect some light on our affairs; as I expect to receive intelligence from govt. as well as an Official Advise of the arrival of our Squadron from the Comodore himself I shall postpone any farther communications until I receive them. I presume they have...
167To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 2 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
I am extremely happy to inform you that honor has re-assumed its Empire in the bosom of the King of Sweden & that he has protested the Bills drawn by Mr Tornquist to the amount of Two hundred & forty thousand Dollars the sum promised by him to the Bashaw of Tripoli as the price of Peace & that he has resolved to repel the demand for an annuity of 20,000 Dols by force of Arms & will send a...
168To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 June 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 June 1801, Leghorn. No. 7. Explains why, departing Tripoli, he sailed to Leghorn [where he arrived 2 June] rather than Tunis: he feared attacks from Tripolitan cruisers, believed communications from Europe to U.S. more direct, and hoped at Leghorn to determine the reaction of Swedish crown to pasha’s demand of tribute. Renders account of financial transactions since 14 May, complaining of...
169To 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...
170From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 21 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
The threat of hostilities against the trade of the United States by the Bashaw, certified in your communications, and issuing immediately from the Bashaw himself in a translation of his letter of 25th. May last, certified by his interpreter Farfara, has determined the President to send into the Mediterranean a squadron of three frigates and a sloop of war, under Commodore Dale, by whom this is...
171To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 16 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 May 1801, Tripoli. No. 6. Recounts further deterioration in U.S.-Tripolitan relations since 19 Apr. Reports pasha’s ceremonial declaration of war, when U.S. flagstaff was cut down. Encloses letter to pasha of 26 Apr. and message of 11 May protesting war threats and treatment of U.S. flag. Has reached an agreement (copy enclosed) with Danish consul, who will tend to American affairs,...
172To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 16 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
The following is a Journal of occurences since the date of my dispatches forwarded direct to America by our Consul at Tunis. On April the 19th. I received a packet from Mr: Eaton at Tunis which came enclosed to Mr. Nissen containing letters from Messrs. Smith and OBrien, from the former of the 10th. of November & 4th. of February in which I am inform’d that several of my dispatches have been...
173To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 21 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 March 1801, Tripoli. No. 5. Encloses accounts of disbursements and accounts current and copy of banker-merchant Leon Farfara’s record of monies paid pasha in lieu of overdue U.S. tribute. Denounces Farfara as “incorrigible” villain but notes that O’Brien trusts him. Relates his financial embarrassments, urges annual stipend of $2,000 for the consular post, and stresses the indignity he must...
174To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 21 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed are my accts. of disbursments & acct. curt. and likewise a quintuple of Mr. Leon Farfara’s acct. for cash & bills paid in lieu of the stores stipulated by the treaty between the United States and this Regency & likewise for the Brig Sophia promised to the Bashaw by Captn. OBrien when said treaty was concluded, The contingent expencis ammounted to 1500 dollars, the whole sum paid by me...
175To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 13 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
Since my last dispatch the enclosed being a duplicate, I have not heard a syllable from the Bashaw which convinces me that he waits for answers to his letters from Algiers, before he takes any decisive measure, if the Bashaw of Algiers peremptorily orders him to accept my offer: I think notwithstanding all his bravado, that he will acquiesce, if on the contrary the Dey does not write to him...