1To James Madison from George Davis, 11 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 July 1801, New York. Renews request for consulship at Algiers. Thanks JM for courtesies shown him in Washington. RC ( DLC ). 2 pp.
2To James Madison from George Davis, 23 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Davis. 23 July 1806, Norfolk. “I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th. Inst. and to transmit you the official bond filled up in the sum of five thousand dollars. The Schooner Mohawk in which I have engaged a passage for Gibraltar, will Sail with the first fair wind.” Letterbook copy ( NHi : George Davis Letterbooks). 1 p.
3To James Madison from George Davis, 13 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a Genoa Gazette received by this mornings mail, which contains the late degree sic of His Majesty the Emperor of France declaring Great Britain in a state of Blockade &c &c &c. The Vessel which has on board my letters of yesterday, is still off the harbour, & have dispatched a Boat with the hope of placing this on board. With profound respect & Consideration I...
4To James Madison from George Davis, 13 July 1808 (Madison Papers)
On the 23d. ulto. I received letters from the Ex-Bashaw (via Tunis) under date of the 8. December, 11th. February, and 30th. March last, enclosing the two copies of the convention, which I had forwarded for his approbation, and a power to dispose of his landed property in Tripoli. His answer to my letter of the 26th. December is a scrutiny of the different articles of the Convention, to all of...
5To James Madison from George Davis (Abstract), 9 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
9 May 1805, Tunis . “I have the honor to enclose for your information a Copy of a letter which I this day forward by an express to Col Lear; and by which you will learn, the situation of affairs with the Regency of Tripoli—no doubt should be entertained of his Excellency the Bey’s being fully empowered to conclude the peace—but I very much doubt that this will ever be effected, without some...
6To James Madison from George Davis, 25 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
Several communications from the Ex-Bashaw whose contents nearly correspond with the copy of his letter alluded to in No. 8, have reached me since the date of that dispatch; together with a letter from Mr. Barker enclosing a transcript of an official communication from the Navy Department directing the discontinuance of Sidi Ahmet’s pension as soon as he Should learn that provision had been...
7To James Madison from George Davis, 20 August 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 August 1804, Tunis. “I have the honor to inform You that a Courier has this moment arrived from Sphax [Sfax], which gives me the pleasing intelligence of our Squadron’s having made a Powerful and successful attack on the Town and Harbour of Tripoli; and profit of this early occasion for Malta to forward you a Copy of the Dispatch received from Commodore Preble. The affair has not yet been...
8To James Madison from George Davis, 13 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
Under other circumstances than those in which I actually find myself, the unaccountable delay in the return of the Hornet (as promised by Capt. Campbell) would prove to me a source of much uneasiness. The Bashaw has been pleased to honor me with a considerable portion of his confidence, and I feel no doubt of being able to maintain the respectable and friendly footing on which I am placed....
9To James Madison from George Davis, 31 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
The friendly and intimate footing which I have maintained near the person of the Bashaw has enabled me to Keep constantly in his view the Situation of his brother; and, notwithstanding the versatile disposition of Sidi Ahmet, a combination of circumstances has at length placed within his grasp the means of securing all the pretensions to which he aspired but which I ever considered too great...
10To James Madison from George Davis, 27 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
The letter with which I was charged, for Mr: Nissen H: D: M: late Consul at Tripoli, was yesterday delivered in person; his being in quarantine prevented an unrestrained communication. Mr: Nissen informs me that there exists a Secret Article Singned by the Commissioner stating, "that we shall not have the right to demand the fulfillment ( on his part ) of the 3d. Article of the treaty untill...
11To James Madison from George Davis, 15 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
I left Gibraltar two days after I had the honor of addressing you from that place. We had twenty eight days passage, and have been quarantined thirty. I made choice of Leghorn as the most likely place to find a Speedy, and cheap conveyance to Tripoli: there is however no probability of succeeding ’till Spring, unless a Vessel should be chartered at an enormous price, at least 2500$. My...
12To James Madison from George Davis, 21 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Davis. 21 January 1806, Washington. “By a letter from Consul Lear dated Algiers August 22d. 1804, (enclosing an extract from a communication of the Honb: The Secty. of State of the 6th. June 1804) I was directed to enquire into certain items of Mr. Eatons Accounts for which the regular vouchers could not be obtained. The result of my enquiries on this subject were communicated...
13To James Madison from George Davis and Others, ca. 8 July 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Ca. 8 July 1809. A petition submitted on behalf of ship captains and owners whose vessels brought refugees from Cuba to New Orleans. These French refugees and their slaves from Cuba have come to New Orleans, where their property has been seized or detained because the importation of slaves is prohibited by federal law. These hapless people were “exposed to the unrelenting fury of an incensed &...
14To James Madison from George Davis, 30 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Davis. 30 May 1806, Tunis. “On the 30th. Mr. Devoize, the French consul, concluded the contract, for the liberation of the slaves of St. Pierre’s, 100,000 Spanish dollars. “It thus far concerns the government that the claim of William Eaton, esquire, for 17,000 piasters of Tunis, paid for the ransom of one of His Sardinian majesty’s subjects, will be brought to an issue. In the...
15To James Madison from George Davis, 8 March 1803 (Madison Papers)
In Consequence of the departure of Mr. Eaton from this Regency by Order of the Bey, the particulars of which will be made known to you, Commodore Morris has been pleased to honor me with the appointment as Chargé d’Affaires for the United States until the pleasure of the Government shall be known. While I am sensible of the consequence of such an appointment, particularly at such a period, I...
16To James Madison from George Davis, 17 November 1803 (Madison Papers)
On the evening of the 13th. instant, a Courier arrived from Tripoly, who reported that an American Frigate, had run on Shore at that place; and was captured by the Gunboats of the Regency—most of the Consuls, had letters, but no mention was made of the circumstance. On the following morning, I was at Bardo, with Mr. Nyssen, who informed me, that no doubt could be entertained of the fact, in as...
17To James Madison from George Davis, 13 July 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Davis. 13 July 1806, Norfolk. No. 1. “By Mr. Payne who arrived at this place on the 10th. Inst: I had the honor to receive your letter of the 24th. June, with enclosures. “In closing my Accounts with the Department of State, as Acting Consul for the Regency of Tunis, I made a charge of the outfit usually allowed to Consuls on the Barbary Coast, and certainly without having a...
18To James Madison from George Davis, 24 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
24 April 1804, Tunis. “In my original of the 8th. Inst. of which I have now the honor to forward You a Triplicate, mention is made, of having enclosed You a Copy of Commodore Preble’s letter, to his Excellency the Bey, which together with some documents relative to a prize , were to have been sent me. A Gale of wind obliged the Commodore, to get underway on the evening of the 7th. without...
19To James Madison from George Davis, 21 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
I had the honor to receive, on the 30. August, a letter from the Department of State dated the 25. May, acknowledging the receipt of several communications from this office up to the 15. October 1807. The letters addressed to me by the Ex-Bashaw of Tripoli, as well as those from Mr. Barker, describe in strong terms the destitute situation of His Excellency. Hence his refusal to comply with the...
20To James Madison from George Davis, 4 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
In several interviews which I have recently had with H. E. the Bashaw, he has constantly urged the return of the captured Gun-boats, which he asserts to have been positively promised at the conclusion of the peace; and in our last conversation he expressed his intention of writing to the President of the United States upon the subject. I have endeavoured to evade, as much as possible, all...
21To James Madison from George Davis, 5 November 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Davis. 5 November 1805, “Hampton Roads on Board U. S. Frigate Congress.” “I have the honor to inform you that I arrived at this place yesterday, on board the U.S. Frigate Congress, forty days from Tangiers, in company with Sidi Solyman Meli Meli (late Bashaw Ambi of the Turks) Ambassador from the Court of Tunis to the Govt. of the U.States. I presume we shall Sail the first fair...
22To James Madison from George Davis, 19 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you my last dispatch, no information has reached me, from any quarter, excepting such as His Excellency has communicated at the different interviews I have had with him. The silence of Sidi Ahmet is I presume to be wholly attributed to the want of a conveyance for his reply to my letter of the 28. December last. This circumstance is much to be regretted,...
23To James Madison from George Davis, 14 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
A circular letter from Commodore Campbell dated Gibraltar December 20th. was received here on the 19. ultimo, intimating the possibility of a rupture between the United States, and the Bey of Tunis, and recommending to the Captains of American merchantmen to remain in port until further information was received; the general anxiety is not yet quelled as we have heard nothing from Tunis since...
24To James Madison from George Davis, 10 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
By a greek Vessel which arrived a few days since advices have been received from Tunis to the 16th: of November, and from Tripoli to the 31st. of October, which gives us the melancholy news of the death of Doctor James Dodge (on the 16th: Oct.) our late Chargé Des Affaires at Tunis. It is said that the affairs between France and Algiers are amicably arranged; and that Tunis is making great...
25To James Madison from George Davis, 29 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have suffered a greater length of time than usual to elapse since the date of my last respects, because little occurred worthy of communicating, and opportunities of forwarding my dispatches are very unfrequent. On the 21. Ultimo the Bashaw again renewed his demand for the Gun-boats. He says that the Commissioner, at the signing of the peace, promised to write to Government and exert his...
26To James Madison from George Davis, 24 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Davis. 24 January 1806, Washington. “In a letter which I had the honor to address you on the 21st: I stated all the information I posessed respecting certain Items in Mr Eaton’s accounts, excepting, that the Drogerman declares also to have been present at the Settling of them with the Minister; when a denial was made of having recd. the ten thousand dollars, which he had...
27To James Madison from George Davis, 7 August 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
7 August 1804, Tunis. “In consequence of the recent visit of the Neapolitan force, (as stated in the last I had the honor to write you) His Excellency, has ordered all his Corsairs mann’d: they will Sail in two divisions; and it is said are to attack the enemy’s Squadron, under any, and all circumstances—there are on board two half Gallies five hundred & fifty Men; and the rest of the Squadron...
28To James Madison from George Davis, 8 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 March 1803, Tunis. In consequence of Eaton’s departure from Tunis by order of the bey, “the particulars of which will be made known to you,” Commodore Morris has appointed Davis chargé d’affaires until the government’s pleasure is known. “While I am sensible of the consequence of such an appointment, particularly at such a period, I also feel bold in the Opinion, that … a uniformity of...
29To James Madison from George Davis, 3 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
In consequence of serious disputes which have existed for some time between the English Consul W. W. Langford, Esqr. and the Bashaw of Tripoli, the former left this Regency on the 13th. ultimo, on board the U. S. Brig Hornet; and at their mutual request I have taken charge of the English affairs. I have the honor to enclose you a copy of a letter which I addressed to Sir Alexander Ball. Since...
30To James Madison from George Davis, 2 March 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have this day received a letter from Commodore Campbell, an extract of which I have the honor to enclose you and shall hold myself in readiness to embark with Capt. Dent for Syracuse or Malta according to his orders. The object of my visiting Syracuse is, I presume, to have an interview with the Ex-Bashaw and to make some arrangement respecting the Gun Boats mentioned in my letter to...
31To James Madison from George Davis, 24 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a part of the letters, which I am desirous to have presented to the President. The Absence of Chancellor Livingston, from the City, prevents my applying to him, at this time for a Letter on the subject. His Excellency the Vice President, will be at Washington in a few days, and from, his personal knowledge of me I feel a confidence, of his interesting himself...
32To James Madison from George Davis, 29 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
Immediately after my arrival at Syracuse, which was on the 14. Instant, I waited on His Excellency Ahmet Bashaw Caramanli, who, without any reserve introduced the subject of his residence in Sicily which he said was for the sole purpose of obtaining his family and learning the decision of the Government of the United States relative to himself. He complained much of the manner in which he had...
33To James Madison from George Davis, 2 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Consular present (of which I had the honor to forward you a list on the 29. of April) has been distributed agreeably to the enclosed note. Part of the present intended for the Minister was given to one of the Princes, but I shall as early as possible, procure similar articles from Malta and deliver them. Some of the inferior officers of the Bashaw objected to receive what had been sent to...
34To James Madison from George Davis, 23 June 1808 (Madison Papers)
At a private audience on the 19. Instant with H. E. the Bashaw, he informed me that the Ex-Minister of Ahmet Bashaw, had gone to Tunis with his family, and that the eldest Son of the Exile was at Malta on his way to that Regency: that the object of their mission was to engage Hamouda Bashaw to espouse their cause. Under these circumstances he demanded the return of the obligation he had given...
35To James Madison from George Davis, 7 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I am waiting with much impatience, the arrival of some vessel of war for the purpose of transporting the family of Hamet Caramanli. In my letter of the 2. of June I mentioned the doubts which the Minister had expressed as to the extent of my orders; the detention of the family, and more particularly the return of the Brig Hornet without permission to take them has renewed this suspicion; and...
36To James Madison from George Davis, 19 December 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Davis. 19 December 1805, New York. “I had the honor to lay before you a dispatch under date of the 31st. of August, detailing the transactions of our Squadron off Tunis; and the reasons which forced me to return to the U. States. It affords me some Satisfaction to find that no charges exist against me, nor, that any part of my conduct, has been disapproved of; in as much, as I am...
37To James Madison from George Davis, 23 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Every occurrence which has taken place since the date of my last dispatches being noted in the Journal, the enclosed extracts therefrom, together with copies of my letters to Sidi Ahmet and Consul Pulis will, it is presumed, render any comments unnecessary. His Excellency’s attention has been chiefly occupied for some months past in refitting and augmenting his marine, to which he has lately...
38To James Madison from George Davis, 1 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
My last respects, under date of the 29th. December, contained, among other enclosures, a convention concluded in favor of Ahmet Caramanli, whereby, the Reigning Bashaw engages to allow him a pension of $3000 per annum, on condition that he shall reside in the Regency of Morocco. The original was forwarded by the way of Malta, a duplicate by that of Tunis, a triplicate via Leghorn and a...
39To James Madison from George Davis, 19 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 November 1804, Tunis. No. 21. “I have the honor to inform You, that on the 16th. Inst. eight Algerine Corsairs, anchored in the road of the Gouletta; they reported to have seen the Neapolitan Squadron: This morning a great number of wounded were sent on board one of the Brigs; and about thirty on shore; We finally learn that there has been an action, (either with the Portuguese or...
40To James Madison from George Davis, 18 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 February 1804, Tunis. “Since I had the honour of addressing You, We have remained in perfect tranquillity. His Excellency & chief officers, are however extremely peevish, in consequence, of the uncommon dryness of the Season, threatening a total loss of the year’s Crop—the price of Grain has augmented so much, & the consequent distress of the People so great, as to have called for the...
41To James Madison from George Davis, 2 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
2 November 1804, Tunis. No. 20. “Since I had this honor, everything remains in Statu quo, as relates to ourselves; but Civil comotion here, and in the neighbouring States advances rapidly—a formidable Banditti, has recently been discovered, consisting chiefly of Turks, who, infested the Country & Suburbs of the City—eight were Strangled in two days by order of the Bey; an unprecedented act of...
42To James Madison from George Davis (Abstract), 17 February 1805 (Madison Papers)
17 February 1805, Tunis . No. 24. “I have the honor to inform you of the safe arrival of the Tunisien Xebec at Sphax; the Rais came to Tunis on the 19th. ultimo, and made several complaints as was naturally anticipated, (esta l’usanza) to wit, of the loss of two chests of cloathing, damage done to the vessel, her rigging &c. I gave a decisive refusal to any compensation; his complaints were in...
43To James Madison from George Davis, 31 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
31 August 1801, New York. Reminds JM of letters from Edward Livingston, DeWitt Clinton, and Samuel Mitchill recommending him for the post of consul for Algiers, which he forwarded on 23 July. Wrote JM on 6 Aug. [letter not found] requesting to be considered for post at Tunis or Tripoli. Dr. Kemp of Columbia College has also written to Jefferson on his behalf. Reports that the frigate...
44To James Madison from George Davis, 2 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
I arrived at this place on the 7th. ultimo, and on the 10th. communicated to the Minister of Foreign affairs, Sidi Dghies, my orders relative to the Execution of the 3d. article of the treaty. He expressed some surprise at the demand and instantly handed me the secret article (of which I have the honor to enclose you a copy) and promised to take an early opportunity of acquainting the Bashaw....
45To James Madison from George Davis, 14 January 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 January 1805, Tunis. No. 23. “The last which I had the honor to address to You, was under date of the 9th. December, informing You of the visit of Capt. Campbell, and its object; as also of the result of my remonstrance against the Rais, who plundered Capt. Egery—under the same date, and by return of frigate, I stated to the Consul Genl., and Commodore Barron, the Bey’s expectations...
46To James Madison from George Davis, 8 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 April 1804, Tunis. “On the evening of the 3d. Inst. anchored in the road of the Gouletta, the U. States Frigate Constitution Commodore Preble, in company with the U. S. Brig Syren; in the morning, while at the Gouletta, I recd. a note from the Commodore, informing, that it was not his intention to make any delay at Tunis; the sole object of his visit, being to learn how our affairs stood...
47To James Madison from George Davis, 28 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
My unpleasant communication of the 17th. ultimo, (which was forwarded via Marseilles, Leghorn, and Malaga) announcing the loss of the U. States Frigate Philadelphia—I trust has been recd. This unfortunate event, has given not only the Bashaw; but all Barbary, an influence over us, which no other possible circumstance could have produced; the little National consequence, we possessed with this...
48To James Madison from George Davis, 7 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
From the conviction that the interests of Sidi Ahmet, as well as those of my Government would be best promoted by continuing the same open and friendly mode of negociation with the Bashaw, which I had previously adopted and pursued, I communicated to His Excellency the arrival of his brother at Malta, immediately after the receipt of Consul Pulis’ letter announcing it; and, in conformity his...
49To James Madison from George Davis, 10 September 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From George Davis. 10 September 1806, Gibraltar. No. 3. “I have the honor to inform you of my arrival at this place on the 6th. instant in thirty thre⟨e⟩ days from Norfolk. We were boarded previous to our entering the Straits by the Iris frigate and Termagant Sloop of War, and treated very politely. “Lord St. Vincent with ten sail of the line and four thousand troops has arrived in the...
50To James Madison from George Davis, 10 July 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 July 1804, Tunis. “The affair of the Tunisien Sandals captured by the U. States Brig Syren, as stated in the last I had the honor to address You, has not since been made the subject of farther discussion; but am well convinced, that this trifling occurrence will be hereafter the basis of an extravagant demand: a similar circumstance happen’d to the Swedes, who took a Sandal of the Island of...