Cadmus was built in 1818 in New York. She was a packet sailing between New York and Havre. In 1824, Cadmus carried General Lafayette to New York on a visit at the invitation of the U.S. Congress. From 1827, Cadmus became a whaler, sailing from Sag Harbor, New York. She made 17 complete whaling voyages. During her whaling years Cadmus brought in oil and whale bone worth a total of $359,000. In 1849, a new owner sailed her to California so that he and his crew could take part in the gold rush there. They abandoned her in San Fransisco, where she became a storehouse until she became too leaky; her bones were eventually buried under fill. Career Cadmus was the sole packet of the Whitlock Line, owned by William Whitlock, Jr., of New York, which sailed to Havre. In 1824, Cadmus, Francis Allyn, master, carried General Lafayette to New York. President James Monroe and Congress invited Lafayette to visit the United States in 1824, in part to celebrate the nation's upcoming 50th anniversary. Monroe intended to have Lafayette travel on an American warship, but Lafayette felt that having such a vessel as transport was undemocratic and booked passage on Cadmus. Lafayette arrived at New York on 15 August 1824, accompanied by his son Georges Washington and his secretary Auguste Levasseur. On 18 September 1826, Cadmus, Allen, master, took out five crew members from Neptune, at . Neptune, of Nova Scotia, had become water-logged and dismasted on her way from St Kitts to Nova Scotia after having encountered a gale on 8 September at . One man of Neptunes crew died in the incident. Seven hours after Cadmus rescued Neptunes crew, she put Simon Newcomb (Neptunes master), and three men on Eliza, which was coming from Sumatra, and which took them to Salem. One man joined Cadmus. From 1827, Cadmus became a whaler, sailing from Sag Harbor, New York. She made 17 complete whaling voyages. As of February 2023, almost nothing is known of her first whaling voyage. 2nd whaling voyage (1828–1829): In 1828 Captain George Howell sailed from Sag Harbor. He returned in 1829 with 28 barrels of sperm oil, 1927 barrels of whale oil, and 17,012 pounds of whale bone. 3rd whaling voyage (1829–1830): Captain Howell sailed in 1829 and returned in 1830. Cadmus returned with 107 barrels of sperm oil, 1,468 barrels of whale oil, and 12,622