Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-07-29
.ALGiERs.

This following interesting aruS'o :: ..o..I,,
of Decatur in 1873, ana Is Wo'u a.,
Of being preserved 1t is extracted nom '"'
New York Journal of Commerce.
"a distinguished gentleman of thus city, VINO
was ON board the Guerrero. Commodore Deca-
tur's Aag ship, and consequently an eye VIII
nose .of the events which distinguished that me-
morabIe epoch in the annals OF our navy, has cow
runicated TO us the prominent incidents OF the
exnedition, some of which we do not recollect 10
have seen in print H.
The SQUADRON made the passage from THIS
norf IN C;ibratarin period of "a days, careiuiiv
ronr eaIinr their character lest the Algerine meet
should obtain information of their being at sea-
and thus elude their grasp. After passing ihe
Straits. one OF the Algerine frgates was descr'eu
under easv SAIL off Cape De Gait, on the Sp'r'-
ish coast, where the Barbary corsalrs usua''y lag
lurking for prey She was moving Sen'ly a'oi' J;
unsuspcious of the character OF our Meet. uiul
by. sumo mistake, the American hag was run up
by the Constellation. The English nag was ~
SANITY hoisied by the Guerrero followed oy 'he
whole squadron. butt was too late: III ''''sSu'
the frieate had all sails set. and was going Deiore
the wind with extraordinary velocity inc on
stelation and the Guerrero gave chase ana a.
thew approached the object Of their pursuit the
constellation occasionally fired. until some OF
bcr shot passed SO near the bow OF the Guerrero
that signals were made forhe to resume her std
tion in the line. The Guerrero ran up WITHIN
musket shot, and poured IN such tremendous
| broadsides. that in about 20 minutes the enc
my's guns were completely senced. FROM an
INABILITY TO understand their language. 1t was I'm.
nossible to ascertain whether lie had struck; ana
! Captan Lewis with Number OF men. was there
fore drec ted to lower one of the boats and board
Az thew rowed alongside, several OF the Aise-
rines made signs for them to keep OH: but after
moments consultati0n,it was resolved to hazard
the experiment of boarding. On reaching the
deck, most appalling spectacle presented ,tse'i'
| The deck was swimming with blood nearly an
inch and half deep; an evidence OF the a"in'
carnage made among the crew. those VINO were
alive fell upon their knees IN an attitude Oh sup
pcation looking for no more mercy than they
would have shown under change OF circumstan-
ces AS one Of our officers was traversing the
deck, his cutlass. which was swinging from his
arm, accidentally struck wounded man IN the
face. with some force. upon which brother OIL
Ger exclaimed. :. for mercy's sake, my dear fel-
low. be CAREFUL The Turk turned his eyes up
on the latter with mild and benignant look,
which, SAYS our informant, $. | shall never for
cet' He was offered an orange to cool his
thirst, but shook his head. and IN few mo-
ments was corpse.
..After capturing brig of % guns of Cape Pa.
los. the Commodore directed his course to Algiers
and entered that beautiful harbor with Swedish
colors Hy,ns. The Swedish consul came on
board, with the Captain of the Port, in barge
manned with AlgeriDe sailors. and when they
we're told of the capture Of their finest tirisate q
the death of the Admiral, Rais Hammlda, they
shook their head. in utter disbelief But the ap-
pearance Of some Of the officers of the frigate,
who were brought up from below, at once salts
fed them of the truth of the story. The terms
of treaty already drafted, were delivered to the
Consul for the Dew to sign without alteration or
qualifications The Dey was inclined to temper
ixe, and solicited an armistce, first for "a hours,
and afterwards for 5, to deliberate upon the pro-
no,ti0ns. sNOt one minute" was the reply OF
Commodore Decatur.
s.The Consul was further told by Decatur, that
the treaty, if signed at all. must be signed with
out deIav; that there should he no suspension Of
hostiities, and if in the meantime any OF the Al
gerine vessels should appear of the harbor they
would be captured; and that all American cap
tiyes who were held in bondage, together with
| full indemnity for all captures made, must ac-
company the return of the treaty. The Consul
retired, and it was not long before it was pro.
claimed from the mast head that an Algerine fri
gate was standing into the Bay. The drum beat
to quarters, and all hands were addressed by De-
canr. as was always his habit before battle, in an
animated manner, who told them it would be ne.
cessary to take the enemy by boarllng.to prevent
them from running on shore to avoid capture;
said he, call ask of you. my boys, is to follow
me-" The crew answered with three cheers.and
orders were given to put the ship alongside OF the
approaching foe. While she was standing out
for that purpose, boat was seen coming offwi;h
white flag hoistsd, the signal which was agreed
on if The treaty should be signed. AS the Con-
sui gained the deck of the Guerrero, the Commo-
dore met him with the question 'Peace or War;"
peace exclaimed the Consul in half breath.
us the treaty signed exactly as Isentit?' ''Ex.
actly, upon my honor" replied the Consul with
agitation, placing his hand upon his heart. The
eye of the Commodore glanced hastily over the
paper, the unfortunate captwes were received
with a parental welcome, and the indemnity IN
hard-dolIars conveyed on board. Preparation
for battle ceased, and the fleet and The enemy
sailed peacefully into the harbor.
..After the arrival of Com. cambridge. the