1To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 5 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 April 1801, Algiers. Reports prime minister’s reminder earlier in the day that the U.S. is nearly three years behind in annuities; recounts his own assurances that scheduling shifts, problems of procurement, and the like account for the delays. Notes that “This looks Squally.” Adds on 11 Apr. that dey ordered him to ask U.S. for 500 barrels of gunpowder and 4,000 rounds of ball ammunition...
2To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 12 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
I presume you have received The dispatches I forwarded by The Brutas Captain Brown which left Algiers in October last, and allso those I forwarded by The G. Washington, and My Sundry letters and Communications which I have repeatedly forwarded to Mr Smith On Barbary affairs. In february The Bashaw of Tripoli declared he no longer held to his friendship with the United States, has demanded Vast...
3To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 24 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
My last letter from Consul Cathcart was dated the 17th. of april at that time nothing was arranged on our affairs. The Bashaw of Tripolis demands was very exorbitant and far beyond any lattitudes which Could be given to a Consul in Barbary, and agreeable to the Bashaws declaration the Corsairs of Tripoli would have his orders to Capture Americans. Report Says they have taken 3 Sail. The dey...
4To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 22 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
On the 9th. Inst. arrived at algiers The us. Ship President and Schooner Enterprize. I have recd. your letter of the 21st. of may and the Cloth and Linnen. The money the Commodore did not land as I had Considerd. nothing Could be done in makeing a Cash payment, untill the arrival of the washington with Stores, when the regency —in Eating of the Sheep might be induced to Eat allso some of the...
5Richard O’Brien to William Loughton Smith, 12 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 August 1801, Algiers. Repeats word that President and Enterprize arrived at Algiers 9 July and sailed for Tunis on 11 July; Essex and Grand Turk passed on 10 July; Philadelphia was last heard from at Gibraltar, keeping watch on two Tripolitan corsairs. Has received cloth shipment for third installment of two-year tribute. Algerine dey and ministry claim they wrote three “Strong letters” to...
6Richard O’Brien to William Loughton Smith, 5 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 September 1801, Algiers. Reports that President and Enterprize arrived at Algiers on 9 July and at Tunis on 16 July; Essex and Grand Turk were sighted at Algiers on 11 July and on 18 July arrived at Tunis. Enterprize has since had successful engagement off Malta with Tripolitan corsair. Commodore Dale notified Tunis on 20 July of blockade of Tripoli. President has left Tunis for Tripoli and...
7To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 26 September 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 September 1801, Algiers. Complains that the dey and the prime minister have requested four times that he provide a passport for over 250 crewmen from the two Tripolitan cruisers blockaded at Gibraltar. The crewmen, to avoid capture and starvation, had escaped and made their way to Oran. The dey wishes to return them by ship to Tripoli, but the port is under American blockade. Is determined...
8To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 8 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 November 1801, Algiers. States that the George Washington , which arrived 5 Oct. with the Peace and Plenty , is almost off-loaded and will depart in fifteen or twenty days, convoying the Peace and Plenty with the last cargo of annuities for Tunis. Frigate’s presence has temporarily added to U.S. security. Declined to ask dey for a passport for the ship going to Tunis since O’Brien refused...
9To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 25 November 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 November 1801, Algiers. Reports that the George Washington and the Peace and Plenty left Algiers for Tunis on 22 Nov. Bad weather and the Algerine navy’s use of the port facilities explain the delay. Discusses state of U.S. accounts with Algiers, including the dey’s latest requests on his private account, the comparative advantages of gifts in cash and kind, and the benefits of bribing the...
10To James Madison from Richard O’Brien, 1 February 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 February 1802, Algiers. Reports that on 10 Nov. he arranged financial affairs with the regency for the period 5 Sept. 1795 to 5 Sept. 1801 as well as debts to Baccri and Busnach in the amount of $15,073.75, which does not include bills he drew on JM in favor of Captain Shaw to the amount of $8,642. George Washington and Peace and Plenty left Algiers on 22 Nov., arriving at Tunis on 1 or 2...