To James Madison from John Mathieu, 18 June 1802
From John Mathieu, 18 June 1802
Naples 18th. June 1802.
Sir
The Frigate Boston of the United States Capn. Mc.Neill being ready to sail this evening, I avail myself of this opportunity to send you a Statement of all the Ships belonging to the U.S. which came to this Port, and those of Messina, & Palermo since the 1st. of January last till the 30th. of June.
I am very sorry to hear from said Capn. that Morocco has declared war to the U. S. I have immediately written to all the Consuls, and Consular Agents in the Mediterranean—informing them of Same for the Government of the American Capn’s. who may be in their respective Ports. I am Sir with the greatest Respect, Your Most obt. & Most humble Servant
John Mathieu
P.S. In this moment I received the inclosed Circular letter f⟨rom⟩ Leghorn. I am very unhappy to see our Commerce so interr⟨upted⟩ by those Barberians, but that our Frigates will give a good account of them.
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.