The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-08-13
Letter from DR.. Cozvdery, TO bis friend Bal
Il fimore, dated 7irip0h, Nou. Is, 1904.
MY DEAR SIR,

Il fimore, dated 7irip0H, No1. Is, 1904.
MY DEAR SIR, VS.
No Doubt Won have often heard of thesIofs of
the frigate Philadelphia, and the captivity of
its whole crew by the Barbarians. We were ia
ken on the sin of October, 1908. and robbed
OF our property even thegreateH part of our
ciosthiiig akeii CTR t5+ ks. ihta-
men were pus 20 hard labour without mercy {:
they have fufered much for want of food and
cloathinG, in confequence of which, five have
paid their lat debt to nature, and FIVE have
turned Turks. s,s 81
Myfef and fellow officers were permitted to
occupythe houfc where our Confui (Mr. Cath
cart) retided while in Tripo!i. The Baihaw
compels me to cxercife my profeffon in his
palace, and among his Gaves. To relieve the
difreiTes of the lattcris a pleafiire to ne, a.
monp whom is sur unfortunate crew and ahout
two hundred Neapolitans. Until lately was
kept in clofe confinement, except when [ was
taken out by guard who attended me while
vihted the iick. Inow have liberty of the town,
and live in one of the Bafhaw's apartments,
with two of his attendants, but am not allowed
TO vitit our officers. NV letters to them are al
ways examined by the Turks before thew get
them. About the fri of February, we were
removed from, the Confuiar houfe to the cattle,
and placed in clofe confinement under pow
erful guard of Turks, who examined every pa.
per and letter with the utmof fcru:iny, to pre-
vent our having any communication with our
fquadron off the town, which they mu:h
feared. What few letters we receive, are o.
pened before we get them. No doubt mary
have been fuppreftd.
MIR. Nepon, the Danifh conful, has done us
many favours, and is entitled TO our utmoit gra-
titude. We live in hopes of being liberated in
due time, and in manner that will do honor
20 our country, the fervice of which we were
in, whole wrongs we are ayenging, when by a
fatal misfortune we fell into the hands of a
monftrous foe. We were diveited of liberty &
property, and plunged into prifon, from thence
into more gloomy one, the dreary walls of a
cattle, the gloomy walls of which befpeak the
mifery of Chriltian llaves who erected them un.
der the lafh of tyrants the glimmering light
of which is admitted through an iron grating in
the top of the roof. The doors are fecured
with large locks and bars of iron, and guarded
by Turkifh folders, who are ready to plunge
their daggers into our hearts at the word of a
tyrant, who preierves us only for the ranfom he
expects from our country. We hope and ex-
pect that the free fons of Columbia will foon re-
fore usto our native fhore, that we may Join
them IN the protection of its rights and the en-
joyment of its blefiings.
Our fquadron made FIVE vigorous attacks up-
on this place lait fummer, in which much blood
was ihed. Terms Of peace have been offered,
without effect. The Balaw's demands are
greater than hope my country will lever accede
to. Force of arms is the only proper method
in this cafe.
fhould be glad to hear from you-.-My ref
peGs to all my friends.
Yours respectfully, &c.
JONATHAN COWDERY.