1To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 22 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the 9th. Inst. arrived at algiers The us. Ship President and Schooner Enterprize. I have recd. your letter of the 21st. of may and the Cloth and Linnen. The money the Commodore did not land as I had Considerd. nothing Could be done in makeing a Cash payment, untill the arrival of the washington with Stores, when the regency —in Eating of the Sheep might be induced to Eat allso some of the...
2To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 20 May 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 May 1802, Algiers. Notes the arrival on 15 May of an Algerine frigate with a Portuguese frigate captured on 8 May near Gibraltar. The Algerine frigate, flying American colors, had “ranged right along Side and Covered the Portugees’s decks with about 250 turks and moors and in the run of ½ an hour became masters of The Portugee whom had made no preparation.” The victory will “increase The...
3To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 25 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 November 1801, Algiers. Reports that the George Washington and the Peace and Plenty left Algiers for Tunis on 22 Nov. Bad weather and the Algerine navy’s use of the port facilities explain the delay. Discusses state of U.S. accounts with Algiers, including the dey’s latest requests on his private account, the comparative advantages of gifts in cash and kind, and the benefits of bribing the...
4To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 20 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the 15th. Inst. arrived The Algerine new frigate of 44 Guns, Bringing with her as a prize a portagee of 44 Guns Captured on the morning of The 8th. of May 5 leauges to The Eastd. of Gibralter. The Algerine had got between Gibralter and The portugee as the latter took The Algerine to be an american frigate. he having american Colours hoisted, untill he Came within pistol Shot, of the...
5To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 7 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 July 1802, Algiers. Reports a message from the dey telling him “to write and directly Bring to Algiers The large Ship, The Washington , that he the dey would send her to Constantinople to bring to Algiers A Quantity of masts and other articles.” “ Force only Can Errace those ideas from the Brain of the dey.” Suggests the U.S. be ready for war “if the dey does not renounce his Don Quixotte...
6To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 11 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the Evening of The 6th. Inst. arrived at Algiers in 16 days from Tripoli Capt Morris his mate and Three mariners two of his Crew being British and 2 french were Claimed and given up at Tripoli to the Consuls of their nations—this American Crew were applyed for by letter by the dey of Algiers at my request in The name of The UStates, on the 5th. and 7th. of July to be given up to him by the...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Richard O’Brien, 28 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Considering on the insult and disgrace which has happened to the Chesapeake frigate induced me to presume to write you these few lines— As we are at peace with all the Barbary powers where is the necesity of the frigate Chesapeake going as Commodore to the Meditteranian—a frigate two Brigs and a schooner is an inadequate force if we should have war with Algiers or tunis it would require all...
8To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 23 November 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the 21st. Inst. at 4 P M I got alongside of the united States frigate The New york Captain Barron and recd. your letter of The 27th. of July with a P. S. of The 22d. of august with the 30 Thousand dollars in order to make a Cash payment to this regency in Lieu of Stores. It blew fresh We landed at the marine of Algiers at 7 P M with the money where all remained that night. In the morning at...
9Richard O’Brien to William Loughton Smith, 12 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 August 1801, Algiers. Repeats word that President and Enterprize arrived at Algiers 9 July and sailed for Tunis on 11 July; Essex and Grand Turk passed on 10 July; Philadelphia was last heard from at Gibraltar, keeping watch on two Tripolitan corsairs. Has received cloth shipment for third installment of two-year tribute. Algerine dey and ministry claim they wrote three “Strong letters” to...
10To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 3 October 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 October 1803, Algiers . Wrote six circular letters to Spain announcing the arrival on 2 Aug. of two Tripolitan galliots of “4 Guns Each 3 lattine Sails 13 benches of Oars, and from 50 to 60 men Each.” The next day the two ships sailed for the Spanish coast in search of Americans. On 10 Aug. a Tripolitan corsair “arrived … from Carthagena had been out 37 days and took nothing.” It sailed on...
11To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 22 October 1802 (Madison Papers)
I would wish to draw your attention to the following Considerations That in June last this Regency Obliged The Spaniards to give them an extraordinary present which Spain Seen her policy and interests in acquiseing to. The amt. was 160 Thsd. dollars. There was no pretence for this extra demand The dey &c ministry would have money and Spain would not have difficulties. The Regency as an extra...
12To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 1 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
I had the honour of forwarding to you by four different Conveyances, four dispatches of The Same time and date giving an account, and Statement, of The arrangement of The affairs of The U.States with This Regency. On the 10th. of November last I arranged with This Government for The annuities from the 5th. Septr. 1795 to The 5th. Septr. 1801. Our Money affairs or debts to The Bacris & Busnachs...
13Richard O’Brien to William Kirkpatrick, 16 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 August 1802, Algiers. Describes the French response to demands made on them by the dey and the state of relations between Algiers and Great Britain, “the Dons” of Spain, and Portugal, and suggests that the dey might next direct his aggressions against the Scandinavian countries or the United States. Asks to have his letter forwarded to JM. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD , Málaga, vol. 1). 3 pp.;...
14To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 8 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
I had The pleasure of receiving on the 3d. Inst. yours of The 16th. ultimo. I am glad to find you are well. You will have heard from Mr. Montgomery That The U S Ship the G Washington Captain Shaw, arrived at Algiers on The 5th. ultimo & with said Ship The Peace & plenty with the last of The Stipulations for Tunis, That The Washington is nearly discharged and will Sail in about 15. or 20 days...
15To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 1 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 February 1802, Algiers. Reports that on 10 Nov. he arranged financial affairs with the regency for the period 5 Sept. 1795 to 5 Sept. 1801 as well as debts to Baccri and Busnach in the amount of $15,073.75, which does not include bills he drew on JM in favor of Captain Shaw to the amount of $8,642. George Washington and Peace and Plenty left Algiers on 22 Nov., arriving at Tunis on 1 or 2...
16To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 16 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Your letter of the 10th. of May I have recd this day inclosed to me Open in one from Consul Gavino of the 30th. Of July informing me he recd. Said letter The 25th. July. What motive has given it this great detention, I further Cannot trace, or Divine. Such Vouchers as Can be Obtained in this Country I shall use my Endeavours to procure but I shall Observe I cannot have or procure others...
17To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 26 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 September 1801, Algiers. Complains that the dey and the prime minister have requested four times that he provide a passport for over 250 crewmen from the two Tripolitan cruisers blockaded at Gibraltar. The crewmen, to avoid capture and starvation, had escaped and made their way to Oran. The dey wishes to return them by ship to Tripoli, but the port is under American blockade. Is determined...
18To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 8 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 November 1801, Algiers. States that the George Washington , which arrived 5 Oct. with the Peace and Plenty , is almost off-loaded and will depart in fifteen or twenty days, convoying the Peace and Plenty with the last cargo of annuities for Tunis. Frigate’s presence has temporarily added to U.S. security. Declined to ask dey for a passport for the ship going to Tunis since O’Brien refused...
19To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 14 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 June 1802, Algiers. Describes two Tripolitan corsairs that arrived on 10 June and departed “this morning … in Search of Americans and Swedes.” “They Say they are about 20 days from Tripoli Sailed with 3 others, and those 2 has Coasted it down the Barbary Shore to Algiers. They report that the Swede and American frigts. Cruises a long way of[f] and durst not approach on account of the Gun...
20To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 16 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
On the 13th Inst. The report of the misfortune of The Philadelphia & Capt Bainbridge reached us at Algiers and was yesterday Confirmed. It must be evident to our govt. that They have but two Courses to steer Money or balls—if The former I would allso ransom the frigate, and if we attack tripoli we Should get our soundings from Comodore Preble and Captain Bainbridge. This Should be done with...
21To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 16 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the 5th. Inst. arrived here 2 french 74 Gunships a Brig and Corvetta under the orders of a rear admiral haveing on board General Hulen as Ambasador of Bonapt. On the 6th. he demanded of the dey to renounce all money Claims on france to admit of the free navigation of The Italian republic— to punish with Severity 2 algerine Captains for over acts against france That france will give no...
22To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 24 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 February 1803, Algiers. Two French frigates “this day” arrived in eight days from Toulon. Finds France and Algiers “will not wrangle at present as neither Seems inclineable for a Real war.” Algiers has no merchant ships, and France “will pause and Consider whether She has not a greater interest in The preservation of This regency & The System of Barbary Then in its destruction.” A Spanish...
23To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 1 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
I had The honor of receiveing your letter of The 30th. of March with The Purveyors Certificate dated The 30th. of October 1803. on The 27th. of July. I fully agree with you in its Contents, relative to The System or policy towards this Govt. that is not to admit any extra demands, to be Just and fulfill The Stipulations of our treaty with The dey. The same time many trifleing affairs it will...
24To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 16 September 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
16 September 1802, Algiers. Acknowledges JM’s letter of 10 May “recd this day inclosed to me Open in one from Consul Gavino of the 30th. Of July.” Observes that while he will try to obtain such vouchers as are available, he can get none but what consuls of other nations get— “the Circumstances and System of transacting affairs in this Country will not admit of it.” This was fully explained in...
25To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 23 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 November 1802, Algiers. “On the 21st. Inst. at 4 P M I got alongside of the united States frigate The New york Captain Barron and recd. your letter of The 27th. of July with a P. S. of The 22d. of August with the 30 Thousand dollars in order to make a Cash payment to this regency in Lieu of Stores.” Notified the minister of marine and foreign affairs at eight o’clock the next morning that...
26To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 14 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
On the 29th. of March sailed 5 Algerine Corsairs, and on the 29th. of April sailed 7 sail. To this date they have sent in two Neapolitans, taken within 1 Mile of Toulon, allso, 2 Spanish Vessels one loaded with Sugar Condemned for A Genoa & the other took the Algerine for a pirate & abandoned his Vessel, & on this acot. is Condemned Cargo of wheat. There has allso This day arrived an Algerine...
27To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 28 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
Commodore Morris and Squadron left sight of Algiers on The Evening of The 20th. of March. On The 21st. Sailed The Enterprize Captain Starrett with The required Ansr. I hope you have recd. These letters and dispatches. On the 7th. Inst Sailed 9 Sail of large Algerine Corsairs I believe They go off The Coast of Italia. As yet we have not heard from Them. Mr. Shaw at Tunis writes me That on The...
28To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 9 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
Since the departure of Captain Morris on the 29th. of november nothing Very extra has transpired on our affairs. I had again a few days past tried to prevail on the Generl. of marine to use his influence with the dey to accept A Cash payment from the U States, in Lieu of Stores, but he answered me it would be in Vain that The timber for building The frigt. is So much wanted, and the...
29To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 18 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
On the morning of The 17th. of January 1803 the dey sent A messenger to inform me that his Patience was nearly finished with The americans. That we had brought no Stores and That he would not accept of A Cash payment Therefore he did not See the Use of The Consul remaining here as yet he being at peace with The Americans. I desired my respectfull Compliments to The dey that I had 60 days past...
30To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 5 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 April 1801, Algiers. Reports prime minister’s reminder earlier in the day that the U.S. is nearly three years behind in annuities; recounts his own assurances that scheduling shifts, problems of procurement, and the like account for the delays. Notes that “This looks Squally.” Adds on 11 Apr. that dey ordered him to ask U.S. for 500 barrels of gunpowder and 4,000 rounds of ball ammunition...