1To James Madison from William Eaton, 6 March 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 March 1801, Tunis. No. 34. Reports British pressure on bey has forced Tunis to expel French diplomats. Notes resulting change in plans for American charter vessel Anna Maria . Believes British-French hostilities and disruption of French Mediterranean trade offer opportunity for American shipping to replace French in Indian trade. Quotes from earlier statements of bey supporting improved...
2To James Madison from William Eaton, 10 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
The dispatches herewith inclosed from the Consul of the United States at Tripoli seem to me of so much consequence to the safety and interests of our maritime and commercial citizens, and, in the event, to the revenue of the government, that I not only feel myself justifiable but constrained by duty to use extraordinary means to communicate them to the department of State: I have therefore...
3To James Madison from William Eaton, 18 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
18 April 1801, Tunis. Contrary winds have delayed departure of chartered vessel [ Benvenuto ]. Reports arrival of O’Brien letters of 5 Apr., which acknowledge receipt of Cathcart correspondence dated 3 Jan. to 26 Feb. and relate O’Brien’s effort to obtain helpful intervention of Algerine regency at Tripoli. Notes that O’Brien also discusses delays regarding the arrival of U.S. regalia in...
4To James Madison from William Eaton, 28 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1801, Tunis. No. 36. Announces arrival of Anna Maria at Marseilles 5 Apr. Although he has no special instructions, has proposed a commercial convention with bey to eliminate exceptionable articles in existing treaty. Reports that Benvenuto , carrying Tripolitan dispatches, sailed for U.S. 20 Apr. Since then he has seen in O’Brien-Cathcart correspondence a copy of a letter from dey of...
5To James Madison from William Eaton, 25 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the eleventh instant War was declared in form by the Bashaw of Tripoli against the United States of America. A few days before this event took place the Commodore’s Ship was dressed with the flags of all Nations: that of the United States was hoisted forward; in the place of prize flags, under the Neapolitan. This Commodore who (is) a British Renegade—Morad Rais , Alias, Peter Lisle . We...
6To James Madison from William Eaton, 1 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
My project of a commercial convention with this Regency, I am apprehensive, will produce nothing. Two circumstances operate to impede it. The protection given by the French to the Italian States, and the delays of the United States to forward their treaty Stipulations. On the 27th. ult. entered two Corsaires of the Government from a Cruise, a Xebec of 24-twelve pounders, and a Corvette of 20....
7To James Madison from William Eaton, 28 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the night of the eighteenth instant a fire broke out in the Bey’s Palace which in its progress consumed fifty thousand stands of small arms. The Second day following I recieved a message to wait on the Bey; but was at that moment confined to my bed with a billious fever so that it was not till this morning I have been able to go in my carriage to the Palace. The Bey’s object in calling on...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10To 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...