Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-03-04
P CCJnhnUea.t

August 5th. We were at anchor will,
the squadron abou, two leagues north from
the city of Irpoli, the Argus in chase Of
small vessel to the westward, which she
soon came up with, and brought within
hail She proved to be a French privaseer
of 4 guns, which pot into Tripoli a few
days since for water, and left it this morn
ing. prevailed on the captain for con.
consideration, to return tc Tripoli, for the
purpose of landing IA very badly wounded
1'ripoltans, which / puton board his ves~
sci with letter 10 the prime minister,
leaving it at.the option of the bashaw, to
reriprocate this generous mode of conduct
ing the war. The sending these unfortu-
nate men on shore to be taken care of by
their friends, was an act of humanity on
our part, which hope will make a proper
impression on the minds of the barbarians
but l doubt it. All hands were busly EN-
ployed altering the rig of the three prizes,
from latten vessels to sloops, and prepar-
ing for a second attack. Observed one OK
the enemy's schooners and the brig 1.-TWO
corsairs) in the harbnr to be dismasted,
was informed by the French captain, thac
the damage these vessels received in the
action of the Sd, had occasioned their
masts being taken out.
The 7lh the French privateer came out
and brought me a letter from the French
Co sui, in which he observes, that our al
tack OF the Sd instant had disposed the Ba.
shaw TO accept Of reasonable terms apd
invitedme to senda boat to the rocks wth
Gag Of truce, which was declined, as Il:
white flag was not hois:sd at the ,Bashawh
castle. Ate A. NJ. with a very Hgh.
breeze from the Eastward, and strong
curreot, which obliged the Constitution to
remain at anchor. made the sigma! for
the Ign, vessels to weigh, and the gun and
bomb boats to cast of and stand in .hor:
towards the Western batteries, the prize
boats having been completely fitted for SER
vice, and the command Of them given u
lieutenant Crane, OF the Vixen, Thorn, OF
the Enterprise, and Caldwell OF the Syren {;
,he whole advanced with sails and oars.
The orders were for the bombs to take a
position IN small bay 10 the westward OF
The city, where bat few Of the enemy's guns
could be brought o bear on them, but from
whence they could annoy the town wiz,
shells. The snn-bea,s, - silence bsia
terry of seven heavy guns, which guarde
the approach to that position, and the brigs
and schoooers to support them, IN case IN:
enemy's Aotila should ventureout. At half
past /, p. NJ. breeze from N. N. f,
weip ned with the Constitution, and stood
in for the town, but,hs wind being on shore
made i. imprudenst to engage the bat,sriTs
with the ship, as in case of a mas, bein;
shot away the loss of the vessel would pro-
baby eusue, unless change OF wind should
favour our getting off, AT half paste. ?.
N. the bomb and gun boats having gan
ed their stations, the signal was made for
them TO attack the town and batteries. Our
bombs Immediately commenced throwing
shells, and the gun boats opened sharp
and we'll directed FIRE on the town and bat
teres within point blank shot, which was
warmly returned by the enemy. The Sc
ven gun battery Mess than two hours waS
silsnced, excep: ono gun. Ipfesu@e w