Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-01-10

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U. $. Snip Guerrero, Bay of Algers
July 4th, 1915.
SIR--We have the honor 10 refer YOU
to the official reports of commodore Deca-
tur to the navy department, for an accOun
of the operations ofthis squadron previous
TO our arrival OH Aigiers on the 26th uIti-
mo.
Having received information that the
Aigerihe squadron had been at sea for
considerable time longer tiian that to which
their cruisers usually extend, and that
despatch boat had been sent from Gibraltar
to Algiers to inform them of ur arrival in the
Mediterranean, we thought that they
might have made harb0r, where they
would be in safety. Ne, therefore, whilst
they were in this state OF uncertainty. be-
Iieycd it proper moment to deliver the
Presidents letter, agreeabty TO our ia
struc,ions. Accordingly. on the 18th uiti-
mo, q flag oftFuce was huisted ON board
the Guerrero, with the Swedish fac at the
main. a boat came of abnut noon, with
MIR. Norderiiug, consul Of Sweden, and tie
captain the port WHO confirmed the in
teiligeEce we had before received, and 20
whom we communicated information af
the capture 0ttheir frigate and brig. The
Impression made by these events was visi-
bic and deep. We were requested by the
captain OF the port. MIR. NOrlerlin2 declar-
ing nc was not authorized 70 acl, 10 state
the CONDITIONS on which we would make
peaee to which we replied, by giving the
letter CT thc President 20 the Dey, ana bF
note from us to him, COPY of Which
(No. ~ we have the honor to trans.A.,
herewith. Zoe captain Of de p0rt dleu
requested taat hcst.!itie8 should cease
pending the negotiation. and that uer.cns
authorized to treat shoGld goon shore, be
and Mr.. Norderiing both Affirming tat the
minister OF macEe had p.cdCed hiasef ior
our security and return to oar ships whert
we pleased. Both these PROPOSITIONS were
rejected, and they we're explicitly informed
that the uegOtatior must be carried on on
board the Feet, and tat hostiliiies, as far
as t'oy respected vessels. could not cease
Iney returned On shore. On the flIovipg
day the ssue persons returned. aud IN
formed ", that they were commissioned
oy the Dey to treat with us on the propOs-
Ell OASIS, a3d their anxiety appeared ex-
RENE 90 conclude tie peace Immediately.
Fcihen DrouSh tiorwardthem model ola trea.
tV' W1ich we declared would not bedepa-ted
'row 80 substance, at the same time de-
cianUg tat although the United States
wonid never stipulate for paying tribute
under any form whatever, yet that taey
were a magpanimous and generous nation.
who would, upon the presentation ofcpn
suls. do what was customary with other
great nations, in Their friendly intercourse
with Algiers. The treaty was then eva
mined, and tbey were of opinion that *.
would not be agreed to in its present form
and particularly requested that the article
.Tegniring the restitution of the proper
they bad captured, and which had be-
distributed, might be expunged, allegin
tnat such demand had never before bee
made upon hgiers. To this IL was an
swercd that The claim was Just and would
be adhered TO. They then asked, whe
ther, Il the treaty should be Sisned by the
Dcy, VIC would engage to restore the can
tused vessels which we refused. T6ey
inenr represented that il was not the pre-
sent Dey who bad declared the war, which
they acknowledged to be unjust, connecting
that they were wholIyin tic wrong. and
had no excuse whatever, requesting, how
ever, thst we would lake tie case Of the
Dey into consideration, ana upon his A. |