To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 8 April 1801
From Stephen Cathalan, Jr.
Marseilles the 8th. april 1801
Sir
Permit me of embracing this opportunity of Forwarding dispatches from tripoly & Tunis, to the Secretary of State, to present you my best Respects and Sincere Congratulations, on your Election to the Presidency of the united states of america, assuring you, Sir, that my old Father, Mother and family as well as I, are much rejoiced Since we have heard that very Important and agreable event, tho’ the official New has not yet Reached me.
I have the honour of asking you, as a Peculiar favour (and a Continuation of that Friendship you have honoured me1 with, Since many years,) your kind Protection, towards me;—I will Study my Self to fulfill the Duties of my office, as long as my best Services will Continue to be agreable to you, as much as it may be in my Power, to deserve your approbation, & Satisfaction;
I have the honour to be with Great Respect Sir your most Obedient humble & Devoted Servant
Stephen Cathalan Junr.
RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The honourable President of the United States of America Thos. Jefferson Esqr. City of Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 29 June and so recorded in SJL. Dupl (same); in Cathalan’s hand, appended to his letter to TJ of 10 Apr. 1801. Enclosed in Cathalan to secretary of state, 8 Apr. (see below).
Forwarding dispatches: with a letter of this date to the secretary of state, Cathalan sent two packets of papers from the U.S. consul at Tunis, William Eaton, and acknowledged receipt of a circular from James Cathcart warning of the probable commencement of hostilities against the United States by Tripoli (RC in DNA: RG 59, CD; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 1:77; Joseph Barnes to TJ, 19 Mch.).
1. Word lacking in MS, supplied from Dupl.