To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 1 July 1806
From James Leander Cathcart
Boston July 1st. 1806
Sir,
I arrived here yesterday and was duly hond. with your favor of the 21st. Ult. and have recd. drafts on the U, S branch bank at this place to the amount of 5000 dollars the appropriation of which shall correspond with your instructions.
The Ambassador requests that the cash intended as presents to his suite may be paid into his hands at Boston, as several debts have been contracted by them which he has paid and he wishes to embrace this opportunity to indemnify himself.
I have made no arrangment for a seperate present to the Sahibtappa as the 5000 dols. which I receiv’d at Washington will hardly be sufficient to compleat the present for the Bashaw; I will however have a present prepared for him long before the brig arrives at this port: The offer of one thousand dollars in cash would be consider’d as an insult by the Sahibtappa when Mella Menni has receiv’d double that sum, but 500 dols. laid out in articles not common in that country would be receiv’d as a compliment, consequently I will expend 2000 dols. on his account (unless you think proper to order me to the contrary) which will increase the appropriation for presents exclusive of the brass field pieces to 7000 dollars which is the least sum that can be expended to answer the end contemplated by government in sending them.
I am anxious for the arrival of the Brig as I assure you I am heartily tired of my companion. I have the honor to continue with respectful esteem Sir Your Obnt. Servt.
James Leander Cathcart
| Dr James Leander Cathcart in account with the United States of America | Cr. | ||
| To Cash recd. in warrants from the | By presents to the Bashaw of Tunis | 5000 | |
| Department of State as pr. date | $10,000 | By do to the Sahibtappa | 2000 |
| By do to the Ambassador Mella Menni | 2000 | ||
| By do to his suit | 1200 | ||
| By Salary to Mella Menni say twelve weeks at 200 Dols pr Week | 2400 | ||
| By carriage hire | 400 | ||
| Deficiency 3000 dollars | $13,000 | ||
By the above rough statement will be seen in what manner the money will be expended and I request the deficiency which is 3000 dollars may be remited as soon as convenient.1
James Lear. Cathcart
RC (DNA: RG 59, CD, Tunis, vol. 3). Docketed by Wagner.
1. Filed with the RC are undated notes in Joel Barlow’s hand, headed “Presents in Money” (1 p.; docketed by Wagner: “Mr. Barlow’s hints respecting presents to the Tunisian Embassy &c.”), which read as follows:
| “ | Dol. | |
| “to Melly Melly | 2500 | |
| “2 of his Turks who are officers at home & will have influence there | 500 each | 1000 |
| “1. Secretary. Melly’s relation | 500 | |
| “6 Servants—100 each, but to be divided among them by the Ambassador | 600 |
“Mr. Lear should be left with a considerable discretion as to the sums to be given in Tunis, both to calm down the expectations relative to naval stores, and as a compensation for want of repairs of the chebeck & her two prizes, which I should advise to restore without repairing.
| “Say to the Sapatapa | 3000 |
| “To the private Secy. of the Bey by the name of Nissan | 2000 |
| “For all others | 2000 |
“Lear should intimate to the Bey that as long as he preserves peace & friendship on his part, the President will not be wanting in proofs of his regard, which he may be assured will not be less than 8000 Dollars a year in cash. I understand the president has already given him such assurance in his letters.”
Written in pencil adjacent to the first four dollar amounts, respectively, are the numbers “2000,” “600,” “300,” and “300.” The last three dollar amounts have been canceled in pencil.