From James Madison to James Leander Cathcart, 2 June 1806 (Abstract)
To James Leander Cathcart, 2 June 1806 (Abstract)
§ To James Leander Cathcart. 2 June 1806, Department of State. “The Secretary of the Navy has anticipated the answer to your letter of the 30th. Ult.1 by authorizing you to inform the Tunisian Minister, that the small armed Vessel is intended as a present to the Bey; that he may load her on his own account; and, that, after calling at Baltimore to receive his purchases, she will take him and the residue of his property on board, at Boston.2 You are therefore at liberty to proceed towards Philadelphia as soon as you find it convenient.”
Letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15). 1 p.; addressed to Cathcart at Baltimore.
2. On 5 June 1806 Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith sent Cathcart a second copy of these instructions. He stated that the vessel that Thomas Jefferson had ordered to be prepared for the Tunisian ambassador, Soliman Melimeni, was “a copper bottomed well found Brig, built principally of live oak” mounting ten guns. It would be staffed by officers of the U.S. Navy and would take no passengers other than Melimeni and his suite, in order to have “abundantly room enough for all the Ministers goods.” Cathcart was to “assure him explicitly, that we intend putting on board, nothing but what may be required for the use of the crew on their voyage to Tunis.” In addition, Smith wrote, “it is probable that the President may determine to present her to … the Bey of Tunis” (DNA: RG 45, Misc. Letters Sent).