To James Madison from John Gavino, 22 March 1807
From John Gavino
Gibraltar 22d: March 1807
Sir
I have not been honourd with any of your favours, since my last dispatch No. 40 under date of 10: Inst:. I then informed you of Messrs: Baring of London having paid Colll. Lears dr[a]ft to my order pr £1500 Stg when became due. I also informd you that adl: Duckworth was at anchor with 14 British Sail of the Line oposite the Dardenals, as the Turkish Govermt: had refused their passing up, as that the Turkish fleet at Constantinople were ready for sea Consisting of 17 ships the Line.
I now have the honour of annexing you Extract of a letter from mr. Lewis who Colll. Lear left at algiers, on his going for Tunis,1 it is dated 22d: ult. I find the Constitution Capn: Campbell has been at Malta & saild for Syracuse, I have not a line from him or Colll. Lear, nor do they mention any thing to me regarding the affairs of Tunis.
The Spaniards have also Enforced Bonapartes Blocading Manifesto of 21th: Novr: last, & keep a Vigelent look for Nutrals in the Gutt.
A few days ago the Brig Alert of Newbury Port Samuel Herrick Master from Marseilles bound to Newbury Port was taken with a head wind in the Gutt which obliged his making for this Port in effecting which he got within reach of the Gunns of the Battery at Cabrito Point, when the Spaniards fird at said Brig, & badly wounded in the Leg Daniel Ford one of her Mariners, who⟨m⟩ I have been obliged to take on shore to be Currd, & is now mending, tho at one time a mortification was apprehended, I have sent Copy of the Masters deposition to M. Young Esqr at Madrid to lay same before our Minister at that Court. I have the honour to be with respect—Sir Your most obedt. & most huml: Servt
John Gavino
Herewith a dispatch from Consul Simpson of Tanger.2
RC and enclosure (DNA: RG 59, CD, Gibraltar, vol. 3). On verso of enclosure, RC docketed by Brent as received 30 May. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. The enclosure is an extract of William Lewis to Gavino, 22 Feb. 1807 (1 p.), reporting on renewed conflict between Algiers and Tunis and on the movement of warships in Algiers. Lewis expressed confidence that the conflict would keep Tunis from “breaking with” the United States, adding that as far as he knew, U.S. affairs in Algiers were “on the best footing, though they would not be much deranged, […] by the arrival of a regalia ship.” He also mentioned his suspicions that Tobias Lear had gone to Tripoli or Malta based on “his long” absence.
2. Likely James Simpson to JM, 6 Mar. 1807.