Manuscripts
This collection contains the papers of William Eaton, chiefly those accumulated during his service in the Mediterranean. The main period covered by these papers is that of 1798 to 1805, relating to the Barbary affairs. The earlier and later items are for the most part of a personal nature. Included are letters, documents (including 9 volumes of contemporary copies), commonplace books, manuscripts, with a few sketches. The papers document the relations between the U.S. and the Barbary states, the Tripolitan War (1801-05), James Leander Cathcart, naval operations of the U.S. and European powers. Also included are items related to Eaton's professional and personal affairs -- his army career, business transactions, claims against the U.S., and relations with his family and friends. Subject matter:
A. Algiers: Consulship of Richard O'Brien (official and personal correspondence)
B. Tripoli
1. Consulship of James Leander Cathcart (official and personal correspondence)
2. War, 1801-1805
a. Nicolai C. Nissen, Danish Consul and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires (official correspondence)
b. Expedition in behalf of Ahmed II (Hamet Karamanli), ending in the occupation of Derne
c. U. S. naval operations:
1). Attack on Tripoli
2). Co-operation with the land force at Derne
3. Treaty of peace
C. Tunis: Consulship of William Eaton
1. Negotiations with the bey
2. Relief of Danish captives
A. European Powers
B. The United States
A. Early army service: Recruiting, service in Georgia, courtmartial, etc.
B. Personal correspondence with family and friends
C. Business transactions
D. Claims against the United States
Persons represented in the collection include John Adams (2 pieces); Ahmed II, Bey of Tripoli (11 pieces); Samuel Barron (6 pieces); Samuel Briggs & Briggs Bros. (firm) (7 pieces); James Leander Cathcart (108 pieces); George G. Coffin (4 pieces); George Davies (3 pieces); William Eaton (92 pieces including 11 volumes); Hammoudah, Bey of Tunis (3 pieces); Rufus King (6 pieces); Ahmed Korshid, Viceroy of Egypt (3 pieces); James Madison (6 pieces); Francesco Mendrici (5 pieces); Alexander Murray (3 pieces); Nicolai Christian Nissen (37 pieces) Richard O'Brien (71 pieces); Timothy Pickering (5 pieces); Antonio Porcile (3 pieces); Stephen Pyncron (4 pieces); William Loughton Smith (3 pieces); and others. The chronological distribution of the correspondence and miscellaneous papers is: 1792-1798 (26 pieces); 1799 (60 pieces); 1800 (72 pieces); 1801 (125 pieces); 1802 (71 pieces); 1803 (21 pieces); 1804 (26 pieces); 1805 (71 pieces); 1806-1811 (36 pieces); and 1813-1829 (3 pieces). Some notable items include:
1795, Nov. 26. PICKERING, Timothy. To William Eaton. Instructions relative to the Creek Indians
1798, June 14. SEAGROVE, James. Return of the Creek Indians at Colerain
1798, Dec. 18. PICKERING, Timothy. Instructions to Richard O'Brien, William Eaton, and James Leander Cathcart
1799, Apr. 28. NELSON, Horatio, Viscount Nelson and Duke of Bronte. To Yussuf, Bey of Tripoli. Letter copied by James L. Cathcart and enclosed in a letter to William Eaton (1799, June 22)
1799, Nov. 2. SMITH, William Loughton. To William Eaton. A résumé of the political affairs of the United States at that time (letter press copy)
1799. EATON, William. Note of the effects granted to the regency of Tunis by the peace with the United States
1801, July 10. KING, Rufus. To Richard Dale, regarding the regalia for Tunis (letter press copy)
1802, Mar. 15. MORTIMER, H. W. & SON, and T. MORTIMER (firm). To Rufus King: Account for arms presented to the Bey of Tunis. Annexed to the above: 1802, Feb. 10. RANDALL & BRIDGE (firm). Bill for jewels set in gun mountings; also, invoice of jewels for the Bey of Tunis
1804, Sep. 5. O'BRIEN, Richard. To William Eaton. Letter telling of the attack on Tripoli
1804, Sep. 15. BARRON, Samuel. Verbal orders of Commodore Barron to Captain Hull of the U.S. Ship Argus. Attested by Isaac Hull and William Eaton
1807, June 8. AHMED II. To William Eaton. Friendly letter thanking Eaton for his efforts in Ahmed's behalf (in Italian, with Ahmed's signature and seal)
Most of the letters are originals, but the official government communications are mainly copies. Many of the letters are duplicated in the letterbooks; some are only in the letterbooks. Some papers appear in: Naval documents related to the United States wars with the Barbary powers ... / Prepared by the Office of Naval Records and Library, Navy Department, under the supervision of Captain Dudley W. Knox, U.S. (Washington : U.S. Govt. Print. Off., 1939-44).
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