Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-06-23
or MIR. ROBDINs,(cfR

Frigaie Philddetphia. II
IN SENATE, TUESDAY, May 81.
Mr.. RosnrNs spoke TO the following effect:
This bill is II bill TO compensate tho
recaptors Of the frigats Philadelphia,
after her capture by the baTbarians Of
TIipoli, and while she was, and after
SHE had long been in their secure pos
session, in their own harbor, and under
the guns Of their own ioIt, and where she
was kept fully manasd and armed as
their pride as well as defence, and
where she was monument at once for
barbarian triumph, and for American
humiliation. This protecting fort was
armed with more than hundred guns,
and backed, il was said, by an army IN
camp of twenty thousand men. The
banks Of this harbor were lined with
land batteries throughout, and armed al
50 vita more than hundred guns, and
its aters were guarded by u thousand
seamen. Still this little gallant band,
tho recaptors, at the dead of night, with
Decatur at their head, made their way
to this lrigate, boarded her, cut down
every barbarian on board, or drove him
over her sides into the water; then, and
in obedience to orders, to set fire to her
in different parts, burnt her down to the
waters edge, and then made their re-
ire at in safety: and all this IN the face
and fire oLthe artillery Of that fort and
of those land-batteries. Thus, in flames,
was extinguished this monument Of our
disgrace, and our own irigate was no
longer to be employed as a pirate in pi-
racies on our own commerce III those
seas. This astonishing feat struck ter
ror into all the Powers on the Barbary
coast, and they humbled themselves to
their fears Of apeople capable Of such
daring exploits. They were soon after
brought to sue for peace, to release our
captive citizens without ransom; in a
word, TO sufler US to dictate 10 them the
terms Of peace. From that moment, ev-
er after down to the present time, our
commerce, before SO vsxed and harras-
sed and plundered, has been safe to our
merchants in those seas Such were the
fruits Of that bold and successful enter
prise.
ln every instance save this, the cap
ture and destruction of an enemy's ves-
sci Of war, or the recapture Of our own
vessel Of war from the enemy, has been
compensated to the captors by Congress.
10 the report in this case there is ap-
pended complete list Of all those cases,
and Of the compensation made TO each,
fully altesting this fact. This case stands
solitary exception. Though the first
in the order Of time; though in brilliant
and consequential merits the first, it re-
sated. The subject has frequently been
before Congress, and in no instance have
ever the propriety and the duty of max
ing compensation, and to the amount Of
this bill, been mado a question:; but q
difference of opinion as TO the scale OF
distribution has been the difficulty, and
has frustrated every bill for compensa-
ton heretofore reported. To obviate
the objections growing out Of this differ
reported bill with scale Of distribution
corresponding to the pay of the officers
and seamen Of the Navy, according to
the pay bill adopted at the last session of
Congress. This, we think, will do JUS
tice, and give satisfaction. The parties
interested, all, as we understand, and
believe, will be content with this scale. I
As the same bill has now been reported
TO both Houses, the com mittecs indulge |
the hope that no difficulties Of form will
no longer impede this act OF national
justice. But one word further, with the
indulgence of the Senate, as to the NOR
its of this case.
Let il be recollectcd that this daring
enterprise was out of the routine of the
regular naval service; it was indeed per-
mitted, but not directed by the command
ing officer on that station; it was wholly
u volunteer enterprise. 1t was original
ly suggested by the gallant and ever to
be lamented Decatur, then lieutenant,
and but a youth as it were. lie saw
that the thing was practicable to spirits
daring like his own, and that the achieve
ment, though full Of danger, would be
full Of honor. He saw the brilliant page e
it would make in history, but he did not
toresee that it woulG be but the title
page to that volume OF brilliant exploits
which subsequently, were to illustrate our
naval annals, Of which this was to be
the precursor and animating model. He
soon collected his volunteer band Of
congenial spirits, all young like himself,
and, like him, burning with thirst for
distinction. Confding in themselves,
they went to the enterprise confident of
success, and did realize what to colder
minds would seem but the dream of ro-
nance. 1t is pleasing TO note the num-
Der Of our naval heroes, who afterwards
so much disiing guisbed themselves in our
naval battles. who paye their iuyenile