1To James Madison from William Eaton, 6 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1801, Tunis. No. 34. Reports British pressure on bey has forced Tunis to expel French diplomats. Notes resulting change in plans for American charter vessel Anna Maria . Believes British-French hostilities and disruption of French Mediterranean trade offer opportunity for American shipping to replace French in Indian trade. Quotes from earlier statements of bey supporting improved...
2To James Madison from William Eaton, 10 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
The dispatches herewith inclosed from the Consul of the United States at Tripoli seem to me of so much consequence to the safety and interests of our maritime and commercial citizens, and, in the event, to the revenue of the government, that I not only feel myself justifiable but constrained by duty to use extraordinary means to communicate them to the department of State: I have therefore...
3To James Madison from William Eaton, 18 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 April 1801, Tunis. Contrary winds have delayed departure of chartered vessel [ Benvenuto ]. Reports arrival of O’Brien letters of 5 Apr., which acknowledge receipt of Cathcart correspondence dated 3 Jan. to 26 Feb. and relate O’Brien’s effort to obtain helpful intervention of Algerine regency at Tripoli. Notes that O’Brien also discusses delays regarding the arrival of U.S. regalia in...
4To James Madison from William Eaton, 28 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1801, Tunis. No. 36. Announces arrival of Anna Maria at Marseilles 5 Apr. Although he has no special instructions, has proposed a commercial convention with bey to eliminate exceptionable articles in existing treaty. Reports that Benvenuto , carrying Tripolitan dispatches, sailed for U.S. 20 Apr. Since then he has seen in O’Brien-Cathcart correspondence a copy of a letter from dey of...
5To James Madison from William Eaton, 25 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the eleventh instant War was declared in form by the Bashaw of Tripoli against the United States of America. A few days before this event took place the Commodore’s Ship was dressed with the flags of all Nations: that of the United States was hoisted forward; in the place of prize flags, under the Neapolitan. This Commodore who (is) a British Renegade—Morad Rais , Alias, Peter Lisle . We...
6To James Madison from William Eaton, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
My project of a commercial convention with this Regency, I am apprehensive, will produce nothing. Two circumstances operate to impede it. The protection given by the French to the Italian States, and the delays of the United States to forward their treaty Stipulations. On the 27th. ult. entered two Corsaires of the Government from a Cruise, a Xebec of 24-twelve pounders, and a Corvette of 20....
7To James Madison from William Eaton, 28 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the night of the eighteenth instant a fire broke out in the Bey’s Palace which in its progress consumed fifty thousand stands of small arms. The Second day following I recieved a message to wait on the Bey; but was at that moment confined to my bed with a billious fever so that it was not till this morning I have been able to go in my carriage to the Palace. The Bey’s object in calling on...
8To James Madison from William Eaton, 15 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 July 1801, Tunis. Gives account of his audience with bey where he protested the insult American consul Cathcart received during his voyage from Algiers to Leghorn. Bey rejected the protest, insisting Cathcart was a troublemaker, but the next day bey became conciliatory. Encloses letter of protest to bey. All is tranquil for the moment. Believes he has new evidence that the Algerine...
9To James Madison from William Eaton, 20 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the 17th. instant Commodore Dale, in the President, arrived with the Sloop Enterprize; and the day following Captain Bainbridge, in the Essex, having under his convoy from Gibralter the Ship Grand Turk, and the brig Hope from Baltimore. The Ships of war have taken in fresh water and provisions and will proceed on their destination this evening; to facilitate which measure I have been so...
10To James Madison from William Eaton, 19 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 August 1801, Tunis. Has a letter from Tripoli reporting that Dale appeared there on 26 July and rejected pasha’s proposed truce. Has learned also that Captain Jercovich was at Malta retailing merchandise in late June, thereby failing to abide by charter terms and forfeiting right to freight. Hopes this information will arrive in time to prevent captain from securing full freight. Encloses...
11To James Madison from William Eaton, 4 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 September 1801, “ On Board the Philadelphia, road of Tunis .” Reports that U.S. naval presence in the Mediterranean has defeated the objective of Tripoli by preventing the capture of Americans and has given Tripolitans an example of what they may expect if they go to war with Americans. Notes that Tripolitan admiral and his ships would have been captured had he not taken refuge with the...
12To James Madison from William Eaton, 5 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 September 1801, “ On board the Grand Turk, Road of Tunis. ” Encloses documents on current situation and future prospects of U.S. with regard to Tripoli. Mentions planned project between former pasha of Tripoli [Ahmad Qaramanli], now in exile at Tunis, and himself for land attack on Tripoli. Reigning pasha’s subjects are ripe for revolt; believes bey of Tunis would support project. Suggests...
13To James Madison from William Eaton, 10 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 September 1801, “ On board the United States Ship President, road of Tunis. ” Reports that President is in port for repair of fore-topmast. Believes the U.S. government has “very much mistaken the character of these Barbary States,” whose rulers regard courtesy as cowardice, moderation as diffidence, and civility as submission. States that the kindness of a Danish commander to his enemy the...
14To James Madison from William Eaton, 4 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 October 1801, “ On board the Philada., road of Tunis. ” Comments that although the U.S. squadron has not had all the success it seemed to promise, it has done much good by preventing “any of our citizens falling into chains” and showing the Tripolitans “a very flattering specimen of the harvest they may reap” in a war with the U.S. Tripolitan admiral and crew would certainly have been taken...
15To James Madison from William Eaton, 19 October 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 October 1801, Tunis. Announces that Tunis has broken its truce with Portugal and on 16 Oct. sent six corsairs and sixteen hundred men there, a measure further proving that “these regencies are in dispair of some game.” Maintains that the U.S. will have to defend itself against Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli unless it leaves Tripoli “an awful monument of the danger of provoking our vengeance.…...
16To James Madison from William Eaton, 17 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 November 1801, Tunis. Reports that the Philadelphia left Tunis for Gibraltar on 4 Oct., since when he has heard nothing of the squadron. Notes that the George Washington and the Peace and Plenty arrived in Algiers on 5 Oct. and “have been some days expected here; but the winds have been contrary.” Encloses copy of letter from Nissen [not found]. Seeks official decision on whether he may...
17To James Madison from William Eaton, 12 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 December 1801, Tunis. Reports that the Peace and Plenty , convoyed by the George Washington , arrived 1 Dec. and has begun unloading cargo. Powder, though somewhat damaged, “passed with a bribe to the surveyor.” Is confident the rest of the cargo—which appears to be in good order—will be accepted because of his friendship with the governor of Porto Farina, who will receive it. Captain Wood...
18To James Madison from William Eaton, 13 December 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 December 1801, Tunis. Notes receipt on 3 Dec. of JM’s 17 July letter by the Peace and Plenty . Has information from London up to 28 Aug. about arms, cloth, and jewels being prepared there for the bey, who will not accept less than he demanded, especially as Danes have recently acceded to similar demands. Will not withhold any gifts if this endangers peace with Tunis during Tripolitan war...
19To James Madison from William Eaton, 3 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 February 1802, Leghorn. Encloses copy, marked A, of his letter of 13 Dec. indicating his intention of going to Leghorn for reasons of health. Sailed on that date in the George Washington , leaving American affairs in the hands of naval doctor William Turner, a Virginian. Arrived at Naples on 21 Dec.; lists nine American ships and their masters that he found there. Sent enclosure marked B to...
20To James Madison from William Eaton, 22 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
22 February 1802, Leghorn. Has received information from Tripoli to 9 Jan. that there had been no captures of American vessels. The pasha is dispatching his corsairs to different ports in the Morea to avoid American attack. Reports that discontent in the interior of Tripoli has “arisen to insurrection” and that the capital suffers famine. The pasha has “made overtures of reconciliation to his...
21To James Madison from William Eaton, 18 March 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 March 1802, Tunis. Adds to what he wrote in the enclosed letter to Rufus King that on arriving in Tunis, he found Hamet Pasha “yielding to his brother’s instances and on the point of departing for Derne a Province of Tripoli, the Government of which is promised him.” Has refused Hamet’s request for a passport and “told him very candidly that if he departed we must consider him in the light...
22To James Madison from William Eaton, 4 April 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 April 1802, Tunis. Refers JM to enclosures marked A, B, C, D, and E giving information of his actions from 12 to 24 Mar. Gloria made safe journey to Malta, having left Tunis 26 Mar. and arrived back 3 Apr. Off Malta, the Gloria “happily fell in with Captain McNeill,” who gave its mission “his approbation and concurrence”; calls JM’s attention to McNeill’s letter to him and instructions to...
23To James Madison from William Eaton, 4 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 May 1802, Tunis. Reports that on 2 May “it was announced to the Bey that an American frigate had captured four Coasting Vessels belonging to his Subjects, bound to Tripoli.… Immediate restitution of Vessels and cargoes were demanded by the Bey. Yesterday and to day have been consumed in discussion on the subject.” To the bey’s argument of “the principle of free bottoms free goods ,” Eaton...
24To James Madison from William Eaton, 25 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yesterday I recd. a note from the Beys prime minister demanding an interview with the Cap. of the schooner and myself this morning: but the schooner had already departed. I rendered myself at the palace to encounter, as I supposed, new perplexities; but on passing the usual ceremony with the Bey I discovered on his countenance an unusual air of complaisance. He signified to me that, after...
25To James Madison from William Eaton, 8 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 June 1802, Tunis. Complains that his plans regarding Hamet Pasha of Tripoli “have undergone very severe criticism by Captains S. Barron and Bainbridge; by them reprobated in a stile of most illiberal censure; and under their influence, rejected by Capn. Murray in an air of authority and reprimand.” Acknowledges his reporting that “ We are abandoned by our ships of war ” must have offended...
26To James Madison from William Eaton, 7 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
Though the inclosure of this date needs no comment I cannot forbear remarking that it exhibits a melancholly proof of the truth of my apprehensions and of the necessity of more energy. I should be more in detail; but this goes off immediately viâ Leghorn, and I have not yet possessed myself of whole facts. The slaves will be marched to this city tomorrow, and probably hence by land to Tripoli....
27To James Madison from William Eaton, 5 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 August 1802, Tunis. Encloses copies of letters received from chargé d’affaires at Tripoli, Captain Morris, and Hamet Pasha. Has heard from a Tripolitan merchant that the presence of the latter at Malta has excited alarm at the Tripolitan court and “Universal discontentment and revolt pervade all clases” there. “The reigning Bashaw has caused as many shirts, or robes to be constructed as he...
28To James Madison from William Eaton, 7 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
Since closing my dispatches of day before yesterday I have received official information of the hostile menaces of the Emperor of Morocco, and of Commodore Morris being detained in that quarter to wait the result. In consequence of this intelligence I have written to Mahamet Bashaw and Consul Pulis, inclosures 1. & 2. It is now become, in my view of our actual situation, more important than...
29To James Madison from William Eaton, 9 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 August 1802, Tunis. Encloses copies of letters from chargé d’affaires at Tripoli and Captain Morris. These letters “serve to corroborate an opinion I have steadily entertained, and repeatedly stated to our commanders, of the necessity of having small vessels of war off and on this coast.” Points out that “there is no article in our treaty with this Bey which prohibits the sale of enemy...
30To James Madison from William Eaton, 23 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 August 1802, Tunis. Reports on a personal interview with an acquaintance, Mr. DeWitt, which took place 22 Aug. on a Danish frigate twelve days from Tripoli. DeWitt said that the pasha of Tripoli “was desirous of peace; the subjects more so: but that the capture of the American brig had greatly elevated his pride.” The threat of an attack by his brother in company with the Americans and the...