21To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 6 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 August 1802, Leghorn. No. 10. Has received circulars from Gibraltar announcing the Moroccan declaration of war against the U.S. “By my Circular of the 11th. of Septr. 1801 copy’s of which were forwarded to the Department of State and to Comodore Dale I foresaw this event, & I hope I will not be thought presumptuous should I assert that it might have been prevented.” Encloses Simpson’s answer...
22To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 25 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 August 1802, Leghorn. No. 11. During his residence at Tripoli, transmitted to the State Department a history of the reign of Ali Pasha, father of the reigning sovereign, including the “different revolutions in that State,” the murder of Mohammed Bey, and the usurpation by Yusuf Pasha Qaramanli of the throne of his brother Hamet Pasha. Is convinced that the inhabitants of Tripoli hold the...
23To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 26 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 August 1802, Leghorn. Submits for the president’s decision a plan to coerce Yusuf Pasha of Tripoli to agree to a permanent treaty with the U.S. and “perpetual protection” for his brother Hamet by threatening him with the “use of such means as God had already placed in our hands … join’d to our influence at the sublime Port.” Encloses William Eaton’s letter to him of 12 July “with my...
24To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 3 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Enclosures No. 1: 2: 3, are letters which I have receiv’d since my last from Tripoli. No. 3 informs us of the Bashaws great desire to come upon terms which he may suppose to be favorable to us, but from the stile of the letter it is pretty evident that he still expects we will purchase our peace. I am really at a loss how to act for want of knowing the pleasure of government, not having...
25To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 4 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Having found an assistant I am enabled by this Post to forward the enclosed letter, and my answer to and from Mr: Nissen at Tripoli with my answer to his letter of the 8th: of July. I refer you to my dispatch No: 12. of last year dated September the 27th. 1801, for the reason which induced the Danish Comodore to adopt this pusillanimous conduct, he thinks he has effected a great deal by...
26To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 8 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I conceive it my duty to forward Copy’s of all my correspondence that conveys the least intelligence to the department of State; however disagreeable this line of conduct may be on several occasions, I prescribed the rule myself, & from it I am resolved not to swerve, ’tho I am convinced it will procure me many private enemies, but at the same time I flatter myself it will promote the general...
27To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 8 October 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 October 1802, Leghorn. No. 15. Encloses a copy of a letter from the bey of Tunis to the president. “The nature of the demand therein made, as well as the insolent stile it is couch’d in will dictate the necessity of re-inforceing our squadron in this sea as soon as possible after the meeting of Congress, as I presume it would be inconsistent to accede to this demand after having refused the...
28To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 29 November 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 November 1802, Malta. No. 16. Acknowledges JM’s 18 Apr. and 10 May letters, received from Commodore Morris on 12 Oct. Enclosures nos. 1 and 2 will give JM the latest intelligence from Tripoli; no. 3 contains Cathcart’s opinions on the proper steps to take in the present crisis; and no. 4 shows the terms of a separate peace Sweden concluded and Danish and Dutch arrangements with Tripoli. “We...
29To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 25 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 January 1803, Malta. No. 1. Describes his movements and those of the U.S. fleet between his departure from Leghorn on 3 Nov. and his return to Malta on 4 Jan. The frigate Constellation , “the last off Tripoli,” left that station in August 1802. Commodore Morris intends to proceed with the squadron to Tunis and then to Algiers in consequence of reports “lately received” from O’Brien that the...
30To James Madison from James Leander Cathcart, 15 March 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
15 March 1803 , “ Chesapeake at Sea .” No. 2. Encloses a journal of events which have taken place since his last dispatch. Enclosure A contains the latest information from Tripoli, and enclosure B is his last letter to Nissen. Hopes Eaton will be able to efface the suspicion he is under at present of misapplication of public money and “thereby, eradicate, unfavourable impressions, prejudicial...