Page images
PDF
EPUB

"We have found it expedient to detach a squadron of observation into the Mediterranean sea, to superintend the safety of our commerce there, and to exercise our seamen in nautical duties. We recommend them to your hospitality and good offices, should occasion require their resorting to your harbours. We hope their appearance will give umbrage to no power; for, while we mean to rest the safety of our commerce on the resources of our own strength and bravery in every sea, we have yet given to this squadron in strict command to conduct themselves towards all friendly powers with the most perfect respect and good order: it being the first object of our solicitude to cherish peace and friendship with all nations with whom it can be held on terms of equality and reciprocity.

"I pray God, very great and respected friend, to have you always in his holy keeping.

"Written at the City of Washington, the twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one.

(Signed)

By the President,

TH: JEFFERSON.

(Signed) JAMES MADISON, Secretary of State."

Form of a Letter which Commodore Dale was directed to write to the Dey of Algiers and the Bey of Tunis.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,

HAVING the honour to command a squadron of observation, despatched by the President of the United States into the Mediterranean sea, to support the safety of their commerce threatened with attacks by the Bashaw of Tripoli, and to exercise our seamen in nautical duty, the instructions that I have received from the President require, that in approaching your harbours I should tender the profound respect that is due to your excellency's dignity and character, and should recommend the squadron under my

command, to your hospitality and good offices. I leave to the consul of the United States the task of explaining more particularly the friendly dispositions of the United States towards your excellency, the proofs with which he is charged of their desire to maintain the treaty between the two powers, and the reliance of the President on similar dispositions on your part; for myself I only make use of the occasion to assure your excellency of the sensibility with which I shall experience your friendly countenance and accommodations, and of the sentiments of reverence and exalted esteem with which,

I have the honour to be, your excellency's obedient ser

vant.

SIR,

[CIRCULAR.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

WASHINGTON, MAY 21, 1801.

For a considerable time past suspicions have prevailed that a rupture with the United States was intended by the Bashaw of Tripoli. Of late, the alarms and proofs have been such as to impose on the President the obligation of making immediately the most effectual provision within his authority for the defence and protection of our Mediterranean commerce, in case it should be attacked from that quarter. At the last session of Congress six frigates were directed by law to be kept as a peace establishment.Out of this force three frigates and also a sloop of war have been equipped and will sail for the Mediterranean in a few days, under the command of commodore Dale. Should war have been declared, or hostilities actually been commenced against our trade, this force will be employed in the most effectual manner for its safety. Should the means which have been or may be employed to obviate the necessity of such an application of the force be successful, the squadron after cruising a sufficient time in the Mediterranean, perhaps, if circumstances should not render it

unadvisable, as far as the Levant, and towards Constantinople, will return to the United States.

The expedition will by this means, be not without its use, whatever may be the state of things on its arrival. It will have the effect, from which so much advantage has been promised by our consuls and others, of exhibiting to the Barbary powers a respectable specimen of the naval faculties of the United States. It will exercise our mariners and instruct our officers in the line of their service, and in a sea which it may be particularly useful for them to understand. And as they form a part of the peace establishment, the measure will add but inconsiderably to the expense otherwise to be incurred. The United States being now also happily at peace and amity with all the European powers, the moment is the more favourable in that view of the subject.

The President has thought proper that this early information and explanation should be given to you, that, being fully possessed of the causes and object of the expedition, you may guard it against any misconception or misrepresentation that may by possibility be attached to it: and moreover prepare the government where you are, to lend to this squadron such hospitalities and accommodations in its ports or elsewhere, as opportunities may claim, and as it would be incumbent on the United States to reciprocate. The friendly disposition felt by the United States towards justifies them in their confidence that no convenient proof of a like disposition will be withheld, and of this friendly disposition you are authorized and instructed by the President, on all proper occasions, to give the most explicit and cordial assurances.

I have the honour to be, Sir, with great consideration, your most obedient servant.

To Rufus King, London,

David Humphreys, Madrid,
William Smith, Lisbon,
W. V. Murray, Hague.

[CIRCULAR.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

WASHINGTON, MAY 21, 1801.

SIR,

THE proofs, which have been received, of the hostile purposes of the Bashaw of Tripoli, having imposed on the President the obligation of providing immediately for the safety of our Mediterránean commerce, he has judged proper to send to the coast of Barbary a squadron of three frigates and a sloop of war, under the command of commodore Dale. The squadron will sail in a very few days from this date. Should war have been declared or hostilities commenced, commodore Dale is instructed to make the most effectual use of his force for the object to which it is destined. Should the means employed by our consuls, and those which accompany this expedition, for obviating such an event, be successful, the squadron then, after cruizing for some time in the Mediterranean, perhaps, if circumstances should not forbid, into the Levant and towards Constantinople, will return to the United States. The expedition will, by this means, be not without its use, whatever may be the state of things on its arrival. It will have the effect, from which so much advantage has been promised by our consuls and others, of exhibiting to the Barbary powers a naval force from the United States. It will exercise our mariners and instruct our officers in the line of their service, and in a sea where more than any other their services may be wanted; and as they form a part of the peace establishment fixed by law, the measure will add but inconsiderably to the expense that would otherwise be incurred. The United States being also happily at peace with all the powers of Europe, the moment is the more favourable in every view that can be taken of it.

The President has thought proper that you should be furnished with the information here given, in order, first, that you may be ready to afford every friendly and useful accommodation that occasions may admit, to the squadron

or any part of it: secondly, that being possessed of the objeets of the expedition and the considerations which led to it, you may be able by proper explanations to prevent its being misunderstood. The United States persist steadfastly in their desire of living in peace and friendship with all nations who will permit them, and on all occasions where assurances to that effect can be proper, you are authorized to make them in the most satisfactory manner.

I am, with great consideration, Sir, your most obedient servant, JAMES MADISON.

(Signed)

[ocr errors]

A copy forwarded to each of the following named Consuls: Thomas Bulkeley, Consul, Lisbon; John Gavino, Gibraltar; Anthony Terry, (acting) Cadiz; James Simpson, Tangier; William Kirkpatrick, Malaga; William Willis, Barcelona; Robert Montgomery, Alicant; John Matthieu, Naples; Frederick H. Walloston, Genoa ; Thomas Appleton, Leghorn; John Lamson, Trieste; Etienne Cathalan, agent, Marseilles.

Extract of a Letter from James Leander Catheart, to the Secretary of State, dated,

TRIPOLI, APRIL 18, 1800. "I HAD the honour of receiving yours of the 15th of January on the 18th instant, and am happy my conduct has been approved of by the President. Yours. to Dr. M'Donogh I delivered to the British consul to forward to him or to keep until his arrival. I have already informed you that he departed from hence with commodore Campbell last January, in order to solicit the court of Portugal for the consulate of this regency, he having the commodore's promise of recommendations.

"In consequence of the decease of our political father, I sent my drogoman to inform the Bashaw that the next day I should hoist the banners of the United States half mast, the only token of respect which I had in my power to pay to the manes of our much beloved patriot, intending

*VOL. I.

« PreviousContinue »