To James Madison from John Ridgely, 6 January 1806 (Abstract)
From John Ridgely, 6 January 1806 (Abstract)
§ From John Ridgely. 6 January 1806, “Tripoli in the West.” “I enclose for your information a list of the cruisers belonging to this Regency.1
“When I was left here by Colo. Lear charged with the affairs of the United States, I had neither expectation or wish that the appointment would be confirmed. In my several communications to you I have avoided expressing such a desire; because situations and emergencies might occur which from the nature of my education and pursuits it could not be expected I should be qualified to meet; as well as private reasons which would render my residence here peculiarly comfortless. I look forward with anxious expectat⟨ion⟩ to […] arrival of the Gentleman whom the President of the United States shall honor with this appointment.”
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, CD, Tripoli, vol. 3). RC 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Ridgely. Both documents extensively damaged at upper left edge. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. The enclosure (1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Ridgely) is a 4 Jan. 1806 list headed: “Cruisers belonging to the Regency of Tripoli in Barbary.” enumerating two corvettes, one copper-bottomed and carrying 28 guns, the second carrying 10 guns, five zebeques, three kirlangis, and two Martinganas, mounting a total of 74 guns for a grand total of 112 guns; below the list is an added note: “Besides gun-boats which cruise in the summer, and carry one or two guns or two or four swivels.”