Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-04-08

bC lIipOHtdnS WEf0 ODSlIlale, and
were secretly supported by foreign
friends. The nation became discourage
ed, when finally the Philadelphia frigate,
commanded by Capt. cambridge, in
sailing close to the town, struck on
rock and became stationary under the
powerful batteries of the citadel. A
brisk fire between each was sustained for
several hours, until the tide falling, the
ship settled, and her gonwales were un-
der water, and the captain, officers and
three hundred men, became prisoners
OF war. The Tripolitans took possess
sion OF the ship, warped her at high tide
from the rocks, moored her under the
castles, with the crescent waving over
the slar-spang!ed banner, while, the crew
were carried captive to the dungeons TO
undergo the most painful suffering. This
accident, joined to other causes, while
dlsheartening to the people oil the Unit
ed States, strengthened The power and
bauahty tone OF the Pacha, and very con-
sderably enlarged his demands tor tri-
butte and ransom OF prisoners.
1t was al this Iuncture, when the ship
was IN possession OF the enemy, and un-
der the protection OF several hundred
pieces OF ordnance irowniog from the
batllemenls, that Decatur and handful
OF brave men, in little xe5eque, dis
aused as iishermcp, fastened them selves
10 the frigate, sprang Oh board, and alter
fierce and bloody encounter win the
q malignant and turban'd Turk" on the
quarter deck, carried her at all points,
drove the Turks into the sea, tore down
the crimson Tag, fired her in several
parts, and took 10 their liule fishing smack,
and sailed oil trlumphan,ly, regarding al
cracking flames Illuminating the ores.
cents OF the mosques and the tnrrets Of
III. cas,les---the blaze OF artillery from
the embrazures--the blowing up of the
ship--ihc shrieks OF the dying, and the
imprecatIons of the Turkish soldcry,
together making night hideous." The
widow of Decatur asks the nation 10 pay
the gallant crew and hersel. as the sole
Representative of her deceased husband
The value OF Ahe ship thus captured.
Had no important consequences re-
suited 10 the baton, from this successful
exploit, it would still be a debt The ship
was captured aud lost 10 the nation she
passed into other hands sailed under
The enemy's Gag, and was recaptured
from that encmy; repassed into the pow
~ ar4,. xs,hf fact RI han
TO prevent a recap,ure. The legal is as
strong as the equitable claim. The con-
sequences OF this extraordinary attempt
were OF incalculable advantage TO the ma
ton; they led to an honorable peace /;
10 The adjustment oil tribute, TO The iibe-
ration OF the suffering captive; 10 future
peace and honor; to gal!an. ambitious
spirit in the navy; to an Increasing po-
puarily in that branch OF our defence;
10 strict discipline, and all OF which
we're productive Of future and permanent
glory in the war with the greatest naval
power of tic world.
After The peace with Tripoli, we had
occasional difference with the kegencles,
which, however, were settled without
an appeal TO arms, but IN 1914, war was
formally declared against Algiers, the
most powerful OF The states, and having
a Dey Of uncommon yaor and hrmness.
The government very judiciously en-
trusted the command of the squadron to
Decatur; and it is a fact unparalleled in
history, and ain,ost inconceivaoie in the
annals Of warfare, that in ffy aqs alter
The squadron sailed from Sandy Hook,
treaty of peace was signed between Al
.giers, and the United States, which in
cludcd decentralization for the past, and
security for the future. In that short
space of time, Decatur had arrived in the
Mediterranean fought and captured a
frigaie and some small vessels; killed
The Algerinc admiral; sailed into the
harbor Of Algiers, and ratified the treaty
at The cannoo's mouth. Such was tie
influence of former exploits, and by this
promp, and vigorous proceeding, saved
an immense SUN to the nation. From
Algiers, the squadron sailed Tor innis,
where gross intraction OF the treaty had
been committed, and nearly $4,000 oil
American property had been cut out by
the British. We were on the spot al
the time, and perceived the effect OF the
same influence. TELL your admiral TO
come ashore and sec me- said the Bey.
" He declines coming, your highness,
until these disputes are settled, which
are best done on board ship +" " Blu.
this is not treating me with becoming
Dignity; Hamuda Pacha, Of blessed me-
mory, commanded thee, to land and wait
- ri. e.. xaIs,xa