1From 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...
2Enclosure: 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...
3James 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...
4To 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...
5Enclosure: 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...
6To 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...
7To 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...
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...
9Enclosure: 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...
10To 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...