To James Madison from Stephen Cathalan, 20 September 1801
From Stephen Cathalan, 20 September 1801
Marseilles the 20th. September 1801
Sir
I have the honour of Confirming you my last Respects of the 5th. Inst. via Bordeaux, & Copy via Paris, & the hague, Inclosing you a Copy of the Sweed Agent in this place, relative to the Convoy the Frigates of his Sweed Majesty, will grant to the american Merchants vessels, to protect them against the Tripolitan Cruisers.
I have only now the time (the mail being on Departure) to forward you via Bordeaux, the Inclosed packett of Dispatches I have Just now Received for you, Sir, from Consul James Lear. Cathcart Esqr. now at Leghorn, which he recomends me to dispatch to you by the most direct Conveyance. He advises me of the Glorious action of the United States Schooner Enterprise, Commanded by Mr. Sterret, who took to the westward of Maltha a Polacre Corsair of Tripoly. The bey of Tripoly much mortified that such a Small vessel should Capture his Corsair, is now no doubt reppenting of having Dared to declare war to the United States, but the united Ships of war under Commodore Dale’s Command, will soon furnish him with other Instances of Mortification to the great honour of the united States, & their navy I hope!
The Sweed Frigate after having been extremely well Repaired in the arsenal of Toulon, was detained in Road longer than expected on acct. of head winds, but She Sailed yesterday, for Leghorn, & will be back in 8 Days I hope & take here the Three american vessels ready to proceed under her protection down to the Streights.
I have not Heard of Wm. Bainbridge Esq since he Left Barca. with the Essex Frigate on the 9th. ulto., nor of any other U. States Ships. They will be supplied by me here, or by the Arsenal at Toulon on my Demand, with any thing they may be in want of as Soon as any will Call on this Coast. I have the honour to be with Great Respect Sir Your most obedient humble & Devoted Servant
Stephen Cathalan Junr.
I am in a followed Correspondence with Consul J. Lear, Cathcart, & Ths. Appleton, at Leghorn, as well as our Consul at Genoa, Barcelona, alicante & Malaga, on what occurs Relative to the service of the united States, their Ships of War in order the Commanders whereof may be advised of it, as well as our Merchants vessels, with Instructions to forward such Intelligences to our Consuls at Gibr., Tangiers, & Barbary, as I have not any direct ways to Correspond with them now and as long as war with england will subsist.
The preceding is the full transcription of a document that was previously abstracted in The Papers of James Madison, Secretary of State series. The original abstract contains additional annotation and source information.