NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2002 Mar 02 @ 09:00UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
(1745 - 1829) American politician and Adjutant General of the Continental Army, Secretary of War (1795) and Secretary of State (1795-1800). Important manuscript L.S. as Secretary of State 1p. 4to., Philadelphia, Dec. 24, 1798, to James Leander Cathcart, the newly-appointed American consul at Tripoli, instructing him to gather intelligence regarding the city's defense seven years before marines would storm the city! In full: ""In my letter of the 20th. instant, I omitted to desire what I wish may receive your early attention - a communication to the department of State of the most correct information attainable of the naval force of Tripoli, the species or armed vessels, the number of their guns and men; also of the nations with which that Regency is at war, the times in the year when these armed vessels usually put to Sea; their common cruizing [sic] ground, and their modes of attack. It will likewise be very desirable to obtain the most accurate information of the several ports of Tripoli, the quality of their roads and harbors, as to the depth of water and exposure to winds, and the manner of entering them with safety. As soon also as you can get correct information of the form of government, their military force, how many regular troops and their state of discipline, and the numbers and condition of the militia, you will communicate the same. If there be some months in the year when the navigation on the Barbary coast is more dangerous than in others, you will note them accordingly; and the general course of the winds and their violence and moderation at the different seasons. In the estimate of the stores stipulated for Tunis, of which a copy was given to Capt. Eaton, instead of 1200 read 12,000, cannonball: they are supposed to weigh 60 tons which is right. As the cypher in words will be found less embarrassing than the one in letters with a keyword, it will in general be best to use the former, as well between the three Consuls at Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli, and William Smith Esq. our Minister at Lisbon, as with the department of State. But if there should be anything to communicate among the Consuls or to the department of State requiring impenetrable secrecy, then use the letter cypher with the key agreed on. Great care must be taken in writing in cyphers, to avoid errors, which might have injurious consequences. I am Sir, your most obt. Servant Timothy Pickering"". Catchart proved to be a significant figure in negotiations between the Dey of Tripoli and the United States. Upon his arrived in Tripoli on April 1, 1799, he immediately became involved in a conflict with the Tripolitan government for his failure to bring naval stores promised by the U.S. in a treaty signed in 1796. As tensions grew, Cathcart was imprisoned in Tripoli in January 1803, and released only after a payment of a $22,000 ransom. A few minor and partial fold splits at margins, mounted to another sheet, overall very good condition.
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United States
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