To James Madison from Stephen Cathalan Jr., 30 July 1805 (Abstract)
From Stephen Cathalan Jr., 30 July 1805 (Abstract)
§ From Stephen Cathalan Jr.1 30 July 1805, Marseilles. “I embrace the opportunity of Mr. Julius Oliver2 of Philadelphia who is ready to Sail on his Brig Jefferson for that port,3 to Congratulate you on the Peace which has been Signed between the United States and the Bashaw of Tripoly on the 3d. June last,4 which by the reports is an honorable and advantageous one, and produces the best effects for the energy the Government of the United States has Shewed in that Contest and the Valour of their officers and Seamen; I herein have the honor to inclose you the States of the American Vessels entered and Cleared from this port from the 1st. July 1804 to the 31, Decembr. with the States of those from the 1st. January to the 30th. June ulto. [not found]. You will observe that trade between united States in this Port has much encreased and it is hoped it will Continue more So as long as war will Continue between France & England.
“Mr. Julius Oliver who was my Chancellor will probably have to honor of presenting his Respects to you, Sir; I have been much Satisfy’d with his Services and take the Liberty of Recomending him to you, begging you to introduce him near the most Honble. President to whom he wishes much to present his best respects and mine also.”
RC (DNA: RG 59, CD, Marseilles, vol. 2). 3 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Cathalan.
1. Stephen Cathalan Jr. (1757–1819) was named vice-consul at Marseilles in 1790, a position he held until his death. In 1804 Washington Irving described him as: “a small man—a french man but talks English fluently. He has a great esteem and admiration of his own appearance and qualifications in which good opinion he is a little singular as I believe very few except himself intertain it” (André de Gasquet, Étienne Cathalan, 1757–1819: Vice-consul des États-Unis à Marseille de 1789 à 1819 (Marseille, 1998); 1:313 n.; Boston Columbian Centinel, 21 July 1819; Irving, Journals and Notebooks, ed. Wright, 1:81).
2. Julius Oliver, a protégé of Cathalan, was an orphan who had been sent to school in Philadelphia at Cathalan’s expense. At this time he was also serving as chancellor of the Marseilles consulate ( 31:107–8; 7:249).
3. On 14 Sept. 1805 the Jefferson was captured at the mouth of Delaware Bay and carried into Halifax for judgment (New-York Gazette & General Advertiser, 25 Oct. 1805).
4. For the peace treaty, see George Davis to JM, 20 June 1805, 9:482–83 and n. 1.