Circular Letter to Alexander J. Dallas, Samuel Smith, DeWitt Clinton, and William Eustis, 19 May 1806 (Abstract)
Circular Letter to Alexander J. Dallas, Samuel Smith, DeWitt Clinton, and William Eustis, 19 May 1806 (Abstract)
§ Circular Letter to Alexander J. Dallas, Samuel Smith, DeWitt Clinton, and William Eustis. 19 May 1806, Department of State. “It has been thought not improper that the Tunisian Minister, before his departure from the United States, should have an opportunity of seeing our principal Cities & the most populous parts of our Country; and the rather as there is some ground for suspecting that erronious impressions with respect to our strength have found their way into his mind.
“With this view, and in order to render the tour the more agreeable to him, Mr. Cathcart has been so obliging as to be his companion, and to supply by the respectability of his character & standing, the place of other honary marks of attention & distinction used in other Countries on such occasions.
“Will you permit me to introduce Mr. Cathcart to your civilities, and to ask the favor of you, in communication with him, to facilitate the opportunities of gratifying the curiosity of his Tunisian companion, as far as your City may furnish useful means for the purpose.”1
Letterbook copy (DNA: RG 59, DL, vol. 15). 2 pp. Addressed to Smith at Baltimore, Dallas at Philadelphia, Clinton at New York, and Eustis at Boston.
1. JM also may have included copies of his credential for James Leander Cathcart: “I Certify that James Leander Cathcart Esqr. has been appointed to purchase articles as presents to the Bey of Tunis, for which purpose he makes a tour to the Northward; and it being desireable that Sidi Suliman Mellimelli the Tunisian Ambassador, should avail himself of so favourable an occasion of making a visit to the different parts of the United States, through which Mr. Cathcart designs to pass, Mr Cathcart has consented to their travelling together. In Faith Whereof, I James Madison Secretary for the Department of State of the United States of America, have signed these presents, and caused the Seal of my Office to be affixed hereto, at the City of Washington this 19th day of May A D 1806 and in the thirtieth year of the Independence of the said States” (DLC: Rives Collection, Madison Papers; 1 p.).