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 &...
2To 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...
3To 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...
4To 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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,...
11To 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...
12To 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...
13To James Madison from George Davis, 15 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
On the 27. Ultimo I received a letter from Capt. Dent of the U. S. Brig Hornet, which mentioned that all our vessels of war had been ordered home; and enclosed the proclamation of His Excellency the president of the 2. of July. This information joined to the unwillingness ever manifested by the Bashaw to the release of his brother’s family, induced me in order to hasten their departure, to...
14To 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....
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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....
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To 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...
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, 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...
26To 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...
27To 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.
28To 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...
29To 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...
30To 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...