11To James Madison from William Eaton, 15 July 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 July 1801, Tunis. Gives account of his audience with bey where he protested the insult American consul Cathcart received during his voyage from Algiers to Leghorn. Bey rejected the protest, insisting Cathcart was a troublemaker, but the next day bey became conciliatory. Encloses letter of protest to bey. All is tranquil for the moment. Believes he has new evidence that the Algerine...
12To James Madison from William Eaton, 15 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
After the 28th. ult. on copy to be filed: “ Copy of Letter A ” . nothing Occurred until the 3rd. inst. when I presented my self at the Palace to demand Satisfaction for an Insult offered our Nation in the person of their Agent on his Passage from Tripoli to Leghorn by a Corsaire of this regency. The Bey not only refused the Satisfaction I demanded but Said he would never consent that Mr....
13To James Madison from William Eaton, 20 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the 17th. instant Commodore Dale, in the President, arrived with the Sloop Enterprize; and the day following Captain Bainbridge, in the Essex, having under his convoy from Gibralter the Ship Grand Turk, and the brig Hope from Baltimore. The Ships of war have taken in fresh water and provisions and will proceed on their destination this evening; to facilitate which measure I have been so...
14To James Madison from William Eaton, 19 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 August 1801, Tunis. Has a letter from Tripoli reporting that Dale appeared there on 26 July and rejected pasha’s proposed truce. Has learned also that Captain Jercovich was at Malta retailing merchandise in late June, thereby failing to abide by charter terms and forfeiting right to freight. Hopes this information will arrive in time to prevent captain from securing full freight. Encloses...
15To James Madison from William Eaton, 19 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
By letter from our Chargè Des Affaires at Tripoli of 27th. ult. we are informed that the Commodore Dale appeared before Tripoli the 26. that the Bashaw proposed a truce, but that his proposition was rejected. By the Danish Commodore I learn that the Raguse Brig, Ben Venuto, Captain Gio. Jercovich, which I dispatched express to the United States on the twentieth of April last, was in Malta late...
16To James Madison from William Eaton, 4 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 September 1801, “ On Board the Philadelphia, road of Tunis .” Reports that U.S. naval presence in the Mediterranean has defeated the objective of Tripoli by preventing the capture of Americans and has given Tripolitans an example of what they may expect if they go to war with Americans. Notes that Tripolitan admiral and his ships would have been captured had he not taken refuge with the...
17To James Madison from William Eaton, 4 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
Although the expedition of the squadron into this sea has not had all the success which its first position here seemed to promise it has nevertheless effected much good. It has intirely defeated the object of the Tripoline expedition, prevented any of our citizens falling into chains, and given the Tripolines a very flattering speciment of the harvest they may reap and the honor they may aspire...
18To James Madison from William Eaton, 5 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 September 1801, “ On board the Grand Turk, Road of Tunis. ” Encloses documents on current situation and future prospects of U.S. with regard to Tripoli. Mentions planned project between former pasha of Tripoli [Ahmad Qaramanli], now in exile at Tunis, and himself for land attack on Tripoli. Reigning pasha’s subjects are ripe for revolt; believes bey of Tunis would support project. Suggests...
19To James Madison from William Eaton, 5 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
The inclosures which I have the honor herewith to forward will inform Government, as accurately as I have the means, of our actual position and future prospects in regard to Tripoli one circumstance only omitted, which is a project in concert between the rightful Bashaw of Tripoli, now in exile in Tunis, and myself to attack the usurper by land while our operations are going on by sea. These...
20To James Madison from William Eaton, 10 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
10 September 1801, “ On board the United States Ship President, road of Tunis. ” Reports that President is in port for repair of fore-topmast. Believes the U.S. government has “very much mistaken the character of these Barbary States,” whose rulers regard courtesy as cowardice, moderation as diffidence, and civility as submission. States that the kindness of a Danish commander to his enemy the...