Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-11-18
HKTRAcr or A LETTER
fe q Gentleman ia this City, dated
U. .StQsss' S6;b Eousteln,ieu
~ NSIt"Ft tEtEeFUFtt
off .Ieasia1, .Scbf. La. 1915. (

OF sffcRsf5.0, Sept. La, 1873. f..
The only letter. can fatter myself that has
ever reached either my mother or Yourself, was
by the Brig Eperv!er. As the Commanders dis
patches soere seat out by that yessel--you are
now IN full possession OF all the circumstances
relative to our treaty with the Dey and OF cou..se
can say whether the treaty was such one AS
you eXpecied--or OF such nature, as was likely
10 give general satisfaction TO the government
Though aE honorable one, and on .geh terms that
with Propriety it could not be rsjected-for tie
hey granted every demand made, suil 1 tliini
the Commodore was rather has,y'--Had he
oruized SIX weeks longer, we should have des-
troyed me whole OF their navy placed II entire
~ out OF their power to commence Tor many years
any depredations on our commerce, and finally
made peace on tic same terms we have It now
But peace with this people was Certainly the
nest desirable object, and as we have it on our
own terms, we should not complain. From AL
gers we sssed for CagLari in SARDINIA, to procure
WAGER and fresh Northumberland we stood
much N want of--ior that most horrid complaint
scurVy began TO make It's appearance in most of
the vessels and rendered our return into some
friendly port of the utmost Importance This is q
poor miserable place, and though was tired aft er
orr long cruize, OF the ship and sea, still pre-
ferred beng actively employed out than remain
ING IN Cagi&ri---and did not regret again putting
to sea on the fourth day after our arval, to bend
Our course once more ,owards Barbary and set
tie some differences with the Rev of Tuns un-
known to our government when we sailed but
winch the commodore took all responsibility Is
Their representative to settle. The cause o.
complaint was this During our war with Eng
land one OF OR prlyateers sent into Tunis four
prizes, al OF which were received and prom sed
protection Two were seized by the Bey and
sold at reduced price, he becoming tie sole
purchaser, while the other two were taken out OF
his ports under the battery, bya Brifih Byig.
| aud carried of. Our consul demonstrated m vain
aud was finally threatened with a secret yisit from
some Of his rurban'd Majesty's faithful subjects,
il he said any thing further on the subject
Prudence of course dictated silence until an
opportunity should present to do the IT, States
justice and as soon as our Squadron arrived, he
forwarded has communications to the Commo-
dore, who demanded and obtained remuneration
for all the prizes They were valued by our Con
sul at = $1,000, every cent Of which his majesty
pad assuring the Commodore double the a
mount should be paid with pleasure, rather than
go to war with America. You must know
the Commodore had given him his choice, the
| money to be paid IN II hours after the demand
| or hOstlties would commence Thus ended bur
difficulties with the most formidable of all the
| Barbary powers, and though we had no fighting
still this demand was made before their walls.
! IN sight OF SIX frigates, as many coryettes and
| briggs, with fifty gun boats capable If acting IN
two harbOrs. AS the Commodore was indlspos-
( ed Che day Tic money was TO be paid, Cap ain
Gordon, the second IN command, was ordered to
wait on the Bey, received the amount and passed
the necessary receipt BY this good turn of tor.
tune, had the pleasure Of beng introduced TO
His Jfgesty-ard seeing something Of the man.
ners Of the Bar5ary C0arf. To enter into eve
/ ~ minutia respecting this visit and my sensatl.
ons, &c. &c. would exceed the limGs of Tie lie
| ter viii therefore say notung at present o.
| the subject, but wait tll can in berson tal, O.
yer my trGUes, and tell YOU all--lor hope The
/ time Is not FAR distant ere once more turn m,
lace 90 the West and embrace in my native land
The only ono OF freedom under the sun--those
friends have left behind
! We remained of Tunis DAYS, wien we a.
| gain weighed anchor and stood 70 sea, destined
| on visit 10 our Old friend the Bashaw. lie like
h,s brothers the Dey and Bey, had taken advan
tage Of our war with England, to seize some A.
merican vessels laying in his harbour, and sem
them to Malta 90 be disposed Of for Their orgi
nal owners. They we're vessels sent in by o5rr
privateers, and valued by our CONSUL at $1,000
a sum pitful indeed-but pitfui rs IL was, tho
British Consul was Villain enough to persuade th,
poor foolish old Bashaw to deliver them up {.
4 -
- Perhaps not--as he wished to avail himself o
he n9uSut Of teTsr to extort hs swa tern