Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-02-21
MESSAGE
MESSAGE >
From. the President Of the United States,
respecting the application of HAmEr
CARAMALLI, ex-bashaw Of Tripoli.
CConfi1aed.J

Erfracs Of @ letter from Commodore Sam.
uet Bdrron TO Tobias Lear, esq. dated
a.. -. Malta, lSh Nay, 1905.
The recent dispatches from Mr.. Eaton
have been communicated to you. From
their tenor and the knowledge have
within short time obtained OF certain
features in the characterof Sidi Hamet
oashaw, must candidIy own that have
no longer the same expectations which 1
once entertained of the cooperation with
Him. His want of energy and military
talents, his total deprivation of means
and resources, the great expense already
incurred, and the large sum which would
be required, according to MIR. Eaton's
s'atemsnt, for pursuing the object a
sum tar exceeding both the resources
placed at my disposal, and The powers
vested in ME by my instructions, compel
me TO rclipquish The plan. Indeed, on
mature reflection l am Of opinion, that
II the ex-bashaw, having received this
impulse from our strength, and being
put into possession, of Derne, The pro.
vince where his inierest is supposed to
be the strongest, has not in himself suf-
hcient energy, address and courage, aud
cannot command sufficient means TO
move on with firm steps towards the u.
surper's residence, whilst we second his
operations by sea, he mug, be considered
no longer tit subjeGl f5r our support or
cooperation. am preparing to send
provisions 10 the coase for The subsist
ence OF the crews of the Argus brig and
Nautilus Schooner. which. remain there
at Mr' Eaton's request, and by the sloop
Hornet which conveys them, shall send
such Instructions to lha, gentleman, and
the officers with him, as furlher leHeeti
on and the nature Of your determination,
on this letter, may dictate. Whatever
may &c the final result efihis CO operati>
on, fcannot reject the belief, tha, it has
had q powerful eG'c0 upon The reignips.
bashaw and it may ,s fairly presu.ned
that the gallant conduct of our friends i'm
the affair az Derne, and fhe capture OF
that place, will have their influence, and
dispose MIN TO moderate his pretensions
and to think seriously OF peace. The
complaining condition Of some Of the
ships OF our squadron, is uot among the
leas; important consideration Of the pre-.
sent moment three Of the fiisates are
ia such a state, as, in my opinion and III
that Of the commanders, renders them
urf' TO eDcounter the severity of another
winters blockade, without undergoing
considerable repairs.
Three facts and considerations for The
due appreciation oil which you, sir, ars
htted by your talents and the length and
particular line of your experience, seem
to point out the present as suspicious be.
yond any former occasion, and lnde.d
as the very moment for attempting a
negotiation especially, when we com.
bine with these reflections the CERTAINTY
that our force, respe Gtable as it is, is vet
greatly exaggerated at Tripoli and con-
slider the effect which such a view Of the
enemy, added to the movements of his
brother, must have on the mind of Jus
sun bashaw. Strongly persuaded that
your conclusions upon these points have
my own, am induced to state
TO you my earnest wish that you may
deem it expedient to meet The overture
lately made through the Spanish consul
by his excellency, so far as to found on
II the commencement of negotiation.
l cannot entirely suppress another motive,
winch l confess weighs painfully on nv
mind. trust feel as becomes an A.
merlcan, and that know what an 4
merican ought TO suffer when the me
rests and honor of his country call on his
forlitude. Were deficient in these req
pecls, or misled by unrefleclinp comDas-
sion, am we'll assured that CAPT. BAN.
bridge and his unfortunate comrades
would De first in depreoating this dcfici.
ency. But / know tho value of sue h a
man as captain BainJridgc, aud of his
and am persuaded that speak
the language Of our country, when de-
clare, that as they lost their liberty i'm her
defence and her service, no reasonable
and honorable occasion should be ne
elected which affords prospect of re
leasing them from the bondage of big.
oted and unfeeling tyrant,
In communicating these sentiments.
You, sir, will do me the justice to believe,
that discard every idea of any real point
Of national honor or advantage being sa.
crificed TO the attainment of their eman.
cipation, weighing that honor and adyan-
tsge by The practice Of powerful nations
but l must contend that the liberty aud
rPrhaDa the lives af en- -