To James Madison from Stephen Cathalan, 25 October 1802
From Stephen Cathalan, 25 October 1802
Marseilles october 25th. 1802
Sir
I have the Honor of inclosing you a Packett from Consul James Lear. Cathcart of Leghorn.
The U.S. Fregate Constellation Capn. Murray arrived from Leghorn in Toulon on The 18th. inst. wanting Some repairs on her Rudder which was Soon done. She Sailed on The 22d. inst. Strait for Gibraltar being ordered by Commodore Morris to go There, without Calling here or in The Spanish ports to offer Convoy in order to settle with Consul Simpson definitively The Treaty between U. Stes. and Morocco.
The Sweed Succeeded in making a treaty of Peace With Tripoly by the intermediance of France. They pay, it is Said, 150 Thousand Dollars for it, without any Ramson whatever for The Sweed prisoners with an annual Tribute of 8000 Dolars. The Sweed Consul here has Shewed me The Treaty in a packett Sealed That admiral Cederstrom has delivered to him at Toulon to be forwarded to Sweeden and be ratify’d by the King of Sweeden.
Commodore Morris was to Sail from Leghorn with Consul Jams. Lear. Cathcart for Tripoly to treat of The peace, but he Could not be informed Then, that peace with Sweeden was already made, only That They were treating for it.
The Schooner Enterprize was to Sail from Leghorn This way to offer convoy to the American Vessells down The Streights.
My Agents at Toulon have Supplied The Constellation with Fresh provisions only. The Small Repair having been Supplied by the arsenal and Nothing being as⟨ked⟩ for it by the Prefect, but These Small Supplies in fresh provisions have been paid to my agents at Toulon by Capn. Murray in his bill on Messrs. Ogden Schwartz & Company of Marseilles under Agents of Mr. Purviance at Leghor⟨n⟩. These Gentlemen having given Letters on That purp⟨ose⟩ to Capn. Murray directed to my own Agents at Toulon and Tho’ They offered as well as I to Supply Capn. Murray on my own account and by my orders, he prefers to Employ Them Thro’ Mr. Purviance’s Channell. This has Saved me the Trouble of going to Toulon as I had offered Captn. Murray if he Should have requested my presence There.
The american Ship Columbia of Providence Geo: A Hallowell Master Sailed from This port from T⟨he⟩ quarantine place (into Pomigue Island) with a Cl⟨ear⟩ bill of health for Providence Calling to Barcelona. She had lost 7 men of her crew on 8 who fell Sick. The last died on the 12th. inst. In haste I Have The Honor to be with Respect Sir your most humble & obed Servant
Stephen Cathalan Ju⟨nr.⟩
P.S. No doubt Wm. Lee Esqr. our agent at bordeaux will have forwarded you The copy of the letter I had received from Mr. Beaussier The French Chargé d’affairs at Tripoly, which I forwarded him on the 15. octob. inst.
S. Cn. J
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.