Oracle post — Portsmouth, N.H., 1805-03-26 00:00:00, page 2

gates.,
24th. With a light breeze from the N. E.we stood
in with the squadron prepared for action, intending
to attack the town and shipping in the night. At 8
in the evening anchored about tm^nd an half miles
from the batteries. At midnight it fell calm. I
^t the bomb vessels under the protection of the
past 5, P. M. the wind began to freshen from the
N. N. W. I made the signal for the gun andbomb
boats to retire from action, and for the vessels to
which they were attached to take then! in tow.
The Argus made 'signal that the strange sail was a
friend. In this day's action No. 4 had a24 pound
shot through her hull ; No. 6, her latteen yard shot
away ; No. 8 a 24 pound shot through her hull,
which killed two men. Some of the otherboats had
their rigging and sails considerably cut. We threw
43 shells, and about 500 24 pound shot into the town
and batteries All the officers find men engaged
in the action behaved with the utmost intrepidity.
„half past 6 all the boats were in tow, and the
squadron standing to N. W. At 8 the John Adams
Capt. Chauncey, from the United Stases,g rined
company.—At9 the squadron anchored, Tripoli
bearing'S. E. 5 miles distant. Gun boat No. 3, was
this day commanded by Mr. Brooks, master of the
Argus and No. 6 by Lieut. Wadsworth of^he Con•
_stitution. Annexed is a return of our loss .in this
attacks
killed—Gun boat No. 9. 1 lieutenant,
1 midshipman,
1 boatswain's mate,
1 quarter gunner,
1 sergeant of marines &
5 seamen,
Ditto. Gun boat No 8. 2 seamen.
I- 12 total.
Wounded—Gun boat No. 9/6 seamen, 2 of which
mortally
Captain Chauncey brought me the first positive
information that any reinforcement was to be ex
pected. By him I was honoured with ' your letters
of the 7th, 22d and 431st of May, informing me that
four frigates were coming out under Commodore
Barron, who is to supercede me in the command of
ournaval forces in these seas,at the same time appro
bating my conduct, and conveying to me the thanks
of the ' president for my services. I beg you, sir,
-to accept my warmest thanks for the very obliging
language in which you have made these communi
ideations, and to assure the president, tint to merit
the applause my country, is my only aim, and to
receive it the highest gratification it can bestow.
Capt. Chancey informed me that the frigates might
be expected every moment, as they were to sail
from Hampton Roads 4 days after him ; in conse
quence of this information, and as I could notbring
the John Adams intoaction, she having left all her
gun ct rriages for her gun deck, except 8, on board
the Congress and Constellation a day or two pre
vious to her sailing, I determined to wait a few days
.for the arrival of commodore Barron before another
attack, when, if he should arrive, the fate of Tripoli
must be decided in a few hours, and the Bashaw
completly humbled. Hud the John Adams brought
out her gun carriages, I should not have waited a
moment, and can liave no doubt but the next attack
would make the arrival of more ships unnecessary
for the termination of th^Tripoline war. I gave
captain Chauncey orders to remain on the station,
that we might be benefitted by the assitance of his
boats and men, as nearly hall the crews of the Con
stitution, brigs and schooners, are taken out to man
.the bombs, gun and ships boats when prepared for
an attack.
August 9th. We were enraged supplying the
bombs and gun boats with ammunition and stores,
and getting every thing in readiness for an attack
the moment Commodore Barron should arrive and
make a signal. I cannot but regret that our naval es#
tablishment is so limited, as to deprive me of the
means and glory of completely subduing the haughty
tyrant of Tripoli, while in the chief command,it will
however afford me satisfaction to give my successors
all the assistance in my power.—At 3 P. M. I went
on board the Argus for the purpose sf reconnoitering
the harbour of Tripoli, we stood in towards the
town, and were near being sunk, by the enemy's fire
—one of the heaviest shot struck shout three feet
short of the water line,raked the copper off her bot
tom under water, and cut the plank half through.
In the evening the wind blew strong from the N.
N, E. the squadron weighed and kept,under sail all
might. The day following we anchored, Tripoli
bearing SS. W. 6 miles distant. At 10 4. M.
the French consul hoisted a white flag under the
national colours, which was a signal that the Bash
aw was ready to treat. I sent a boat into tlie har
fooiv and took this opportunity to forward captain
Bainbridge and his officers, letters from their friends,
the boat was not allowed to land, but returned in the
afternoon and brought me a letter advising that the
Bashaw was ready to receive 500 dollars for the
ransom of each of the prisoners, and terminate the
war without any consideration for peace or tribute ;
this is 350,000 dollars less than was demanded pre
vious to the action of the third instant. These terms
1 did not hesitate to reject, as I was informed by
captain Chauncey that it was the expectation of our
(government on the arrival of four frigates, to obtain
the release of the officers and crew of the Philadel
phia without ransom and dictate the terms of peace,
I enclose you copies of our correspondence, which
will convince you that our attacks have not been
made without effect.
16th. No news of the frigates, and but short al
lowance of water in the squadron. I sent the En
terprise to Malta, with orders to the agent tlie re,
to hire transports and send off immediately a supply
of fresh water, provision, and other stores which
have become necessary, as some of the squadron
hhve now been five months in sight of this dismal
coast, without once visiting a friendly port; those
vessels as well as the gun boats receive their supply
of water and provisions from the Constitution.
18th. As the season is fast approaching when
are may expect bad weather, and no news of the
frigates, I have determined to make an attack as
soon -asthe wind proves favourable —AtBP. M. I
sent captains Decatur and Chauncey in two. small
boats to reconnoitre the harbour, and observe the
disposition of the enemy's flotilla at night ; they
returned at midnight, and reported that they were
anchored in a line abreast, from thy Mole to the
bashaw's castle, with their heads to the eastward,
for the defence of the inner harbour.-—At day light
the wind shifted suddenly from N. E. to N. N. W.
an brought a heavy sea on shore, which obliged
us, for the greater safety to weigh and stand to sea.
20th. We had gained an offing of 9 or 10 leagues,
still blowing hard. We met with the Ketch Intre
pid, from Syracuse, with a cargo of fresh water,
stock, and vegetable^ for the squadron.
22d. Fell in, with a ship from Malta, with water
and live stock for the squadron. These cargoes
arrived very opportunely, as we have for some time
past been on short allowance of water. The wind
having moderated, we stood in, and anchored .witli
the squadron 6 miles N. E. by N. from Tripoli ;
all the boats were engaged in discharging the trans
ports. The Enterprize arrived from Malta, but
brought no intelligence of the long expected frig-
gen beats to bombard the town ; the boats of the
squadron Were 'employed in towing them in. At
1 A. M. the bombardment commenced, and con
tinued until day light, but with what effect is un
certain. At 6 all the boats joined us, and were ta
ken in tow by the squadron, which was under weigh
and standing off. At 7 anchored 4 miles north of
the town. The weather for several days proved
unfavourable for approaching the shore.
28th. We were favoured with a pleasant breeze
from the eastward. At 3P. M. we weighed ^nd
stood in for Tripoli. At 5 anchored the Constitu
tion 2 miles N. by E. from fort English, and 2 and
an half from the bashaw's castle ; the light vessels
ordered to keep under weigh. We were employed
until 8 P. M. in making arrangements for attacking
the town ; a number of the officers and many of
the seaman of the Constitution being attached to the
bomb, gun and ship's boats , captain Chauncey
witli several of his officers, and about seventy sea
men and mariners volunteered their services on
board the Constitution. 'All the boats in the^quad
ron were officered and manned, and attJhed to
the several gun boats ; the two bomb vessMs could
not be brought into action, as one was leaky, and
the mortar bed of the other had given way. The
John Adam's, Scourge, transports and bombs, we
anchored seven miles to the northward of the town
Lieut, commandant Dent, of the Scourge, came on
board the Constitution, and took charge of the gun
deck ; lieutenant Izard of the Scourge all joined
me. Lieutenant Gordon commands gun boat No. 2,
and lieutenant Laurence of the Enterprize, No. 5,
—these are the only changes. At half past lA. M.
the gun boat in two divisions led by captains, Decatur
and Somers were ordered to advance, and take their
stations close to the rocks, at the entrance of the har
bour, within grape shot distance of the bashaw's cas-1
tle. The Siren, Argus, Vixen, Nautilus, Enterprize'
andboats of the squadron accompanied them. At 3
A. M. the boats anchored with springs on, within
pistol shot of the rocks, and commenced a brisk fir
ing on the shiping, town, batteries, St bashaw's cas
tle, which was warmly returned, but not as ,well di
rected ; the ship's boats remained with the gun boats,
to assist in boarding the enemy's flotilla, it it should
v enture out ; while the brigs and schooners kept
under weigh ready for the same service, or for an
noying the enemy as occasion might present. —
At day light presuming that the gun bohts had
nearly expended their ammunition, we weighed with
the Constitution and stood in for tire harbour, Fort
English, the Bashaw's castle, crown and mole bat
teries kept up a heavy fire on us as we advanced.
At half past 5, I made the signal for the gun boats
to retire from action ; and for the brigs and schoon
ers to take them in tow—we were then within two
cable's length of the rocks, and commenced a heavy
fire of round and grape on thirteen of the enemy's
gun boats and gallics, which were in pretty close ac
tion witli our boats. We,sunk one of the enemy's
boats, at the same time, two more disabled, ran on
shore to avoid sinking ; the remaider immediatly re
treated. We continued running in, until we were
within musket shot of the crown and mole batteries,
when we brought to, and fired upwards 300/ round
shot besides grape and canister into the town. Bash
aw's castle and batteries. We silenced the castle and
and two of the batteries for some time. At 1-4 past
6 the gunboats being all out of shot and in tow, I
hauled off,after having been three quarters ofan hour
in close action. The gun boats fired upwards of 400
round shot, besides grape and canister witli good
effect. A largeTunisiaji galliot was sunk ip mole ;
a Spanish ship whicli had entered witli an ambas
sadour from the grand senior received considerable
damage. The Tripoline gallies and gun boats lost
many men and were much cut.
The Bashaw's castle and town have suffered ve
ry much ; as have their crown and mole batteries,
Captains Decatur and Somers conducted their divi
sions of gun boats with their usual firmness and ad
dress ; and were well supported by the officers and
men attached to them. The brigs and schooners
were also well conducted during the action, and fir
ed a: number of shot at the enemy ; but their guns
are too light to do much execution. They suffered
considerably in their sails and rigging. The officers
and crew of the Constitution behaved well, I cannot
in justice to captain Chauncey, omit noticing the ve
ry able assistance I received from him on the quar
ter deck of the constitution, during the whole ot the
action. The damage which we have received is
principally above the hull ; three lower shrouds,
two spring stays, two topmast back stays, trusses,
chains and lifts of the main yard shot away.
Our sails had several cannon shot through them,
and were besides considerably cut by grape ; much
of our running rigging cut to pieces, one of our an
chor stocks and our larboard cable shot away, and a
number of grape shot were sticking in different parts
ofthe hull; but not a man hurt ! a boat belonging
to the John Adams, with a master's mate (Mr.
Creighton) and eight men, was sunk by a double
headed shot from the batteries while in tow of the
Nautilus, which killed three men.and badly wounded
one, who witli Mr. Creighton, and the other four,
were picked up by one of our boats. The only dam
age our gun boats sustained, was in their rigging
and sails, which were considerably cut with the en
emy's round and grape shot.
At 11 A. M. we anchored with the squadron 5
miles N. E. by N. from Tripoli, and repaired the
damage received in the action.
29th and 30th, preparing the bomb vessels for ser
vice; supplying the gun boats witli ammunition, £c.
31st, a vessel arrived from Malta with provisions
andstores ; brought no news of commodore Barron,
or the frigates. We discharged the vessels cargo
and ordered her to return.
September the 2d, the bomb vessels having been
repaired and ready for service, lieuts. Dent and
Robinson, resumed the command of them. ^ifu@-|
ant Morris of the Argus took comtnUnd ofl
and lieutenant Triple having nearly recovered from|
his wounds, resumed the command of No, 6, which
he so gallantly conducted the third ultimo. Capt.।
Chauncy, with several young gentlemen, and 60 men
from the John Adams, volunteered on board the
Constitution. At SP. M,made the signal to weigh ; •
kept under sail all night. At 11 P. M. a general
signal to prepare for battle: a Spanish Polacre in
ballast, came out of Tripoli, with an ambassador of
the grandseignor on board who had been sent from
Constantinople to Tripoli terconfirm the Bashaw in
his title ; —this ceremony takes place in all the Bar
bary regencies, every five years. The captain of
this vessel informed us, that our shot and shells had
made great havoc and destruction in the city, and a
mong the shipping, and that a vast number of peo
ple have been killed ; —also informs us that three of
the boats which were sunk by our shot, in the ac
tion of the 3d and 28th ult. had been got up, repair
ed and fitted for service.
3rd. At 2, P. M. Tripoli bore S. S. W. twoand
a half miles distant, and wind E. by N. At half
past 2 the signals were made for the gun boats to
cast of and advance and attack the enemy's gal
lies and guu boats which were all under wcjgh iq
the eastern part of the harbour, whither thty hadJ
for some time been working up against the wind. I
This was certainly a judicious movement of theirs, I
as it precluded the possibility of our boats going'
down to attack the town without leaving the ene-|
ray's flotilla in the rear, and directly to windward
I accordingly ordered the bomb vessels to run down
within proper distance to the town, and bombard it,
while our gun boats were to engage the enemy's gal
lies and boats to windward. At half past 2P. AI.
our bomb having . gained the station to which
tliey were directed, anchored and commenced
throwing shells into the city. At the same time
our gun boats opened a brisk fire on the gallies and
within point blank shot, which was warmly return
by them and fort English, and by a new battery, a
little to the westward ; but as soon as our boats had
arrived within good musket shot of their gallies and
boats, they gave away and retreated to the shore
within the rocks and under cover of musquetry
from fort English. Tliey were followed by our
boats, and by th? Syren, Argus, Vixen, Nautillus,
and Enterprze, as far as the reef would permit
them to go with prudence. The action was then
divided. One division of our boats with the brigs
and schooners, attacked fort English whilst the oth
er was engaged with the enemy's gallicsand boats.
The Bashaw's castle, the Crown, and several o
ther batteries, kept up a constant fire on our bomb
vessels which were well conducted, and threw
shells briskly into the town, but from their situa
tion they very much exposed and in great
danger of being sunk. I accordingly ran within
them with the Constitution to draw off the enemy's
attention, and amuse them whilst the bombardment
was kept up. We brought to within grape, and
fired eleven broadsides into the Bashaw's castle,
town and batteries, in a situation where more than
70 guns could bear upon us. One of their batteries
was silenced. The town, castle, and other batter
ies considerably damaged. By this time, it was half
past 4 o'clock. The wind was increasing and.in
clining rapidly to the northward. 1 made the sig
nal for the boats to retire from action and for the
brigs and schooners to take them in tow and soon
after hauled off with the Constitution to repair da
mages. Our main-top-sail was totally disabled by
a shell from the batteries, which cut away the leach
rope and several cloths of the sail. Another shell
went through the fore top sail, and one through the
jib. All our sails considerably cut—two topmast
back stays shot away, main sheets, fore tacks, lifts,
braces, bow lines and the running rigging generally
very much cut, but no shot in our hull, excepting a
few grape. Our gun boats were an hour and fifteen
minutes in action—They disabled several of the en
emies galleys and boats, and considerably damaged
fort English. Most of our boats received damage
in their rigging and sails. The bomb vessel No. I,
commanded by lieut. Robinson, was disabled—every
shroud being shot away—the head of the mortar
rendered useless, and the vessel near sinking. She
was, however, towed off. After fifty shells were
thrown into the town, and our boats fired 400 round
shot, besides grape and cannister.—They were led
into action by captains Decatur and Somers with
their usual gallantry.—The brigs and schooners
were handsomely conducted and fired many shot
with effect at fort English, which they yere near e
noug'n to resell with the carronades. They suffered
considerably in the rigging, and the Argus received
a 32 pound shot jn the hull forward, which cut off
a bower cable, it entered. We kept under way
until 11 P. M. when we anchored, Tripoli bearing
S. S. W. 3 league's. I again with pleasure acknow
ledged the services, of an able and active officer in
captain Chauncey, serving on the quarter deck of
the Constitution. At sun-rise I made the signal for
the squadron to prepare for action. The carpen
ters were sent on' board the bombs to repair dama
ges,fc our beats employed in supplying the bombs and
gunboats with ammunition, and to replace the ex
penditures.•
Desirous of annoying the enemy,by ail the means
in my power,! directed to be put into execution a
long contemplated plan of fending a fire (hip or in
fernal, into the harbour of Tripoli in the night,
for the purpose of endeavouring to destroy the en
emy's flipping, and (hatter the Bafhaws castle and
town. Capt. Somers, of the Nautilus, having
volunteered his fervicts, had, for several days before
this period, been direding the preparation of the
ketch Intrepid, assisted by lieutenants Wadfwort h
and Israel. About :oo barrels of powder and 150
fixed (bells, were apparently judiciously disposed of
on board her. The fuzes leading to the magazine,
where all the powder was deposited, were calcula
ted to burn a quarter of an hour. September 4th
the Intrepid being prepared for the intended service
captain Somers and lieut. Wadsworth made a
choice of two of the fafteft rowing boats in the
squadron, for bringing them out. After reaching
their destination and firing the combuflible mater
ials, which were to communicate with the fuzts,
capt. Somers boat was manned with four seamen
from the Nautilus,lieut. Wadsworth's with fix from
the Constitution. Lieut. Israel accompanied them.
At Bin the evening the Intrepid was under fail,
and (landing, for the port, with a leading breeze
from the eastward. The Argus,Vixen & Nautilus
convoyed her as far as the rock. Ou entering the
harbour several foot were fired at her from the bat
teries. In a few minutes after, when die had ap
parently nearly gained the intended place of detti
nation, file suddenly exploded, without their hav
ing previously fired a room filled with splinters
and others combustibles, which were intended to
create a blaze, in order to deter the enemy from
boarding, whilst the fire was communicating to the
fuzes, which led to the magazine. The effe& of
the ekploGon awed their batteries into profound
lilence, with astonishment. Not a gun was after
wards fired for the night. The (hrieks of the in
habitants informed us that the town was thrown into
the greatest terrour and consternation by the explo
sion of the magazine, and the bursting and falling
of (hells in all directions. The whole squadron
Waited with themtmoft anxiety to learn the fate of
the adventurers, from a (ignal previously agreed on
in case of fuccele, but waited in vain ; no signs of
their fafety were to be oblerved. —The Argus,
Vixen, and Nautilus hovered round the entrance
of the port until sunrise, when they had a fair view
of the whole harbour. Not a vestige of the ketch
or boats were to be seen. One of the enemy's lar
gest gun boat was miffing, and three others were
seen very much (battered and damaged which the
enemy were hauling on fliore. From these cir
cumstances lam led to believe, that thole boats
were detached from the enemy's flotilla to intercept
the ketch, and without fufpeaiug her to be a fire
drip, the miffing boat had suddenly bearded her,
when the gallant Somers and the heroes of his par
ty, observing the other three boats surrounding
them, and no profptd of escape, determined at
once to perfer death and the deftru&ion of the
enemy, to captivity and torturing slavery, put a
matchtothe train leading diredly to the maga
zine which at once blew' the whole into the air
and terminated their existence. My conjeaura re
ipcaing this affair ate founded on a reflation,-
which capt Somers, lieutenants Wadsworth aifyG
real bad formed, neither to be t3ken by the envy,
nor (offer him to get polkffion of the powder on
board the Intripia. They expected to enter the
harbour without difeovery, but had declared, if
they foould be difappointeJ, and the enemy mould
board them before they reached the point of defli.
nation, in fuel) force as to leave them no hopes of a
fafe retreat, they would put a match to the mo„.
zine, and blow rhemfelves and their enemiee up to.
ge,her—determined, as there was no exchange of
prisoners, that their country should never pay ran
som for them, nor toe enemy receives supply of
powder through their means. The disappearance
of one of the enemy's boats, and the (haltered con
dition ofthree others, confirm me in my oppinion,
that they were an advanced guard, detached fromA
the main body of the flotilla on discovering the'
approach of the Intrepid, and that they attempted
to board her, before (he had reached her point of
destination, otherwise the whole of their (hipping
must have (uttered, and perhaps would have b<en
totally destroyed. That file was blown up before
die gained heritnion is certain, by which th. service
has loft three very gallant officers. Capt. Somers,
and lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel were officers
of canfpicuous bravery, talents and merit—they
had unifor,mer!y distinguished tbemfel zes in the few,
era! actions—were beloved and lamented by the
whole fquadrou;
September the §th. We were employed in sup.
plying the gun boats with ammunition, &c. and
repairing the bomb veffcls for another attack, but
the wind fluffing to theN. N. E. a heavy (well Let
ting on diore ; anc other indications of bad weather,
determined me for greater Safety to take the guns,
mortars, (hot, and (hells out of the boats into the
Constitution and John Adams, which was accord
ingly done. The weather continuing to wear a
threatening afped until the ,th, and our ammuni
tion being reduced to a quantity not more than Suf
ficient for three vessels to keep up the blockade ; no
intelligence of the «xpeaed reinforcement; and the
season so far advanced as to render it imprudent to
hazard the gun boats any longer on the Ration ; I
gave orders for the John A lams, Syren, Nautilus,
Enterprize and scourgc'to t:ke the bombs and gun
boats in tow, and proceed to syracufe with them,
the Argus anl Vixen to remain with the Confuta
tion to keep up the blockade.
September the loth. The United States ffiip Prefifat
commodore Barron and Conftelhtion Capt. Campbell,
hove in tight and soon joined company, when the command
of the squadron was furreodcred to commodore Barron,
with the usual ceremony. I continued in company wi;h the
fquadfon until the xzth, when three Grange (hips came m
fight standing direct for Tripoli. Chafe was given and
two of them boarded and taken possession of by the Consti
tution, the President in company about four leagues from
Tripoli, but not more than five miles from the land ; white
the Constellation and Argus were in chafe of the third.
The two boarded by the Constitution were loaded with
about sixteen thousand bushels of wheat. Tripoli is inn
Gate of starvation, and there can be no doubc but those
cargoes were meant as a supply and relief to our enemies.
Considering the season too far advanced, and weaker
too uncertain to hazard-any further operations againfl Tri.
poli at present, commodore Barron determined that
prizes should be sent to Malta under convoy of the Consti
tution, it being necessary ffie should go into port to be re
caulked and refitted. I notified commodore Barren that
it was my wiffi to return to the United States in the frigate
John Adams, Capt Chauncey ; this readily and in the band
loßieft manner met his aequiefcence—l ffiall accordingly
return in that Ship.
The service in this quarter can not, fuffcr from this ar
rangement, as capt Decature is it present without a
ship, and my return will immediately place him in the ex
ercise of the duties attached to that commffion. which he
has so gallantly carried, and his country generously b.ftow
ed. I Shall feel a pleasure in leaving the Constitution un
der the command of that officer whose enterprizing and
manl, conduct I have often witoeffed, and whose merits
eminently entitle him to so handfunic a command,
Theotber commanders merit the highest commendations
for their prompt obedience to orders on ail occasions, and
for the zeal, spirit and judgment which they displayed in
the fevcral attacks on the enemy's fhippirg and batteries,
as well as for the general good order abd discipline at all
times observed on board their refpeaive vtffels. The of
ficers of the squadron have conducted themfclves in a moil
gallant and handsome manner ; and the condud of the dif
ferent flap's companies has merited my warmest approba
tion since I have had the honour t# command them.
TRIAL OF JUDGE CHASE.
It is the intention of the Editor of the National
Intelligencer, to publish in a volume, the proceed^
ings of this interesting trial at full length, with as
little delay as circumstances will admit.„
The extent of the work cannot at present be as«
certained with any precision. It will, however,
probably exceed 5000 pages octavb.
It shall be published in board, at a price not ex
ceeding 50 cents for an hundred pages.
Gentlemen desirous of securing copies are re
quested to leave their names with the Editor— and
th^ftrinters of newsfraftcra will confer a favor b^
inserting this ddnertisement a few times.
On Tuesday evening last a fire brook out iriNew-
York, on Fitch's wlrnrf, and destroyed a number of{
buildings. The stores, occupied by Messrs, ©vne
lius Wrekoff, Stephen Gorham, and Robert l!flmrs,
ton) were among the number of those consumed.,
The latter gentleman, besides considerable proper-]
ty, lost all his books and papers.
It affords me much fatisfaction to obfcrve that we have
neither had a duel nor court martial in the squadron focc
we left the United States.
-1 moss sincerely regret the loss of cur gallant country
men who have facrificed their lives to the honour of the
service, and that it has not been in my power, consistent
with the interest and expectation of our country, to libe
rate captain Bainbridge and the unfortunate officers and
crew of the Philadelphia. Be offered, Sir, I have irceffant
ly endeavoured to effect this desirable objetft. I have no
doubt but my fucceffar will be able to effect their release,
and etlablifh peace on such reruns as will reflet the higheff
honour on himfclf and his pountry.-
September 17, Arrived at Malta with the two detain
ed Creek VeffeJs. We experienced very bad weather, byc
had the fatisfaction to learn that the bombs and gun-boats
had arrived fafe at Syracuse the 25th infl without acci
dent. Each of the Tripoline gun boats which we have
captured has two brass howitzers abaft and a handfanc
copper gun in her bow, which carries a 29 pound fhet, us
II ^ feet long, and weighs 6.600 pounds.
I fend you a plan of the town end harbour of Tripoli,
with the difpofiton of our squadron, and the enemy's flo,
tilla, at the time of the feverai attacks, with sundry other
papers.
I have the honour to be,
With the highffl refpe& _
Sir,-
Your mod obedient servant,
ED WARD PREBLE.
United States Hup Constitution,
Malta Harbour, Sept. loth 1804.
Honourable Secretary of
the United States navy,
Washington.