The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-04-25

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directly affift the Accomplishment of thofe OBJ
jeets. The refittance we met at this place, is
faid to have discouraged the expectation formed
of the cooperation in view. This ~refifance
would undoubtedly have been lefs obitipate,
had not the vicinity of the enemy's camp in fome
meafure nfpired, or at leaft encouraged it. But
It might have been expected that the governor
of Jofeph Bafhaw, who twenty months ago with
from Tripol, drove Hamet BaGhaw from
the poft, and who itil held poffefIion, would ep-
pofe his return by all the means in his power
Want of qualities e1entiai to the character ofa
commander and a prince is ftated as a ferrous OBJ
2acle to tie advancement Of bis caaie. We do
not hitherto find that the enemy poffefies thofe
qualities in 10 eminent degree, as to iuftify
companion TO the prejudice of his rival. 1t
mutt be admitted that the latter pofIefIes the
capacity of commanding refpect and oonciliat-
ing affection among his fubjeets.-And have
lately had good reafons to correct the unfavour-
able opinion at any time entertained of his mi
Iitary enterPrfe; yet he is not general me-
yer knew but one Turk who, thought, deferv.
ed that character. am not alone in the OPT
Mon, it is general among the gentlemen who
have acted with me, that Hamet Bai.sw poi
feties talents iufhcient to our purpofe. As evil
dence of this, every one of them is not only
willing but folicitous to purfue the expedition.
With fuch aids as have mentioned to be
thought requiGte, we could at once break up
the enemy's camp in our front, and open our
way, without further comfortable impediments,
to the gates of Trpoli. The enemy is aware
OF this' and isendeavorius to out-general us
his camp is abroad of corrfe his defence is
weakened at the capital. The total defeat of
his forces here, would be fatal blow to his in
| tereits. To recall them would be to abandon
the provinces of Derne and BengaZi. But to
| remove the enemy near him by pacificasion, he
may fafely turn all his refources againft his RI
val and, when once relieved from this danger,
we fhali again undoubtedly have experience of
his relbeH to treaty.
! am fufpicious that the Spanifh conful has
an influence in Jofeph Baihaw's meafures. If
my recollection ftrves me, he was accufed by
| our late conful, Mr.. Cathcart, of advifing the
war. recolleet perfectly well hearing him
alert, at Tunis, in December 1901, that The H.
merieans mijealcnlated if they thought offore;ug
peace qVif5ont paying for it. National fhame,
| perhaps intereft, and individual pride engaged
him to favor fuch an if1ue of the war he is
| faid to be the confidential man of the Baihaw,
am afraid one important confederation has
been overlooked in the arrangements lately "a
aopted by Mr.. Lear-the danger of falling back
to an lrrecoverable diftance, in cafe of the fai-
lure of the negotiation commenced by him, and
at the fame time the abandonment of the adyan-
taeeous grounds we hold here--it would GER
tanly havea tendency to unite the kingdom of
| lrIPo agana us, and politely to encourage
the whole coat of Barbary to aggrefIion. Or
hould ittranlpre that the evacuation of this polt
had been recommended, it would certainly
have an unfavourable influence OH the pending
| negotiation.
Another confederation is involved, which can.
not but wound the pride of military principles
we mutt ftrlke the flag of our country here in
\ a N ubC how
triumph, and yield to them the honor of vic.
rory which no encounter hitherto has given
| them right to claim, nor reafon to expect :
| certainly they, and perhaps the world, will
place an nniut contribution on this retreat; at
any rate 1t rs retreat-and a retreat of Ameri.
cans 1t Individual feeling were alone to be
coniuited in this ituation, it would prefer a
manly defeat to this mode of fafety: the con-
fequences to the national character would he
more honorable.
The burthen of expenfe, which mutt accrue
from purifying the cooperation, feems an in.
inrmolntable obftacle. / am apprehenliye that
the ultimate expenfe OF maintaining a peace
with Joeph Biihaw will be more burthenfone
| 10 the United States than that accruing from
this cooperation belides it is calculated that
this expenfe will be reimbaried.
1t is Infatuated that the conful general is CD.
poied TO the meature. 1t is pofIibe that he NAV
nave oStter information from whence to form
an opinion Gifts ifiue, than we who have thu.
TAR acc omPanied the expedition but it is not
probable has he any agency in the war
cannot but indulge the hope, that additi.
| onal 'nftructons from government will arrive in
ieafon, to enable you to furnilh the means OF
proiecuting the cooperation to effect. of chafi.
ling the temerity of our enemy, and of prevent.
ing. the melancholy and 6ifagreeable events.
which prefent appearances threaten. You
would weep, fir, were you on the fpot, to wit.
neis the unbounded confidence placed in the
American character here, and to reflect that this
confidence mutt fhortly fink into contempt and
immortal hatred you would feel that this con.
ndence, at any price, ihould be carried through
the Barbary regencies, at leat to Tripoli, bv
| the lame means that it has been infpired here
But 1t no further aids come to our aiIiftance.
and we are compelled to leave the place under
IT'S actual circumstances, humanity itfelf muft
weep. The whole city ofDernc, together with
numerous families of Arabs, who attached
themielves to Iamet Bafhaw, and who re(i(ted
Joieph,s troops in expectation of fuccour from
us, mutt be abandoned to- their fate; havoc and
laughter will be the inevitable confeouence-
not foul ofthem can efcape the hvage yenpe-
ance OF the enemy. In proceeding, therefore,
| thus far and no farther inf sod IF IanJ;,n l. =