The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-08-26

In the window, and threatened to FIRE at them Thi,
assault was promptly returned with the fragments Of
stene and mortar which had been knocked by the
non into their apartments With the view Of Increasing
the Bashaws prejudice against the prisoners, twas inn
mediatey reported to him that they were making an at
tempt escape Sossey, the chief OF the slave guard,
promptly appeared and threatened vengeance unless
the officers conducted themselves subn,issvely.
As Captain cambridge could not descend to enter into
explanation with this scowng Cerberus, he handed him
n note to Sid Mohammed Dgheis and obse we'd that he
was very sure that the minister would decide properly
the subject Captain Bainbridge informed, IN the
Of a few hours that the guard who first threw
stones into the PRISON was severely bastinadoed and
dismissed from the guard.
An the damages which the vessels sustained in the
action OF the twenty being repaired the comno-
dore resolved another attack Soon after the CON-
mencement Of the action the enemys galeys gave way
and the American gunbosts schooners and briggs, pur-
sued them within musket shot OF fort English. Here
our little squadron separated, part Of 1t continuing the
attack the Trpoitan boats and galeys, the remain
der boldly engaged the fort, The two bomb ketches
threw shells into the town with great effect but being
exposed to fire from the castle and mole batteries,
threatened with destruction. There danger heing
discovered by the commodore he his fgae between
them and the batteries and though ne was within mus
ke shot OF seventy guns which were brought 10 bear
upon hun from the batteries yet so rapidly and eecsu
ally did he discharge his broadsdes, that he again drove
the enemy from their guns, and did great injury to the
city.
The wind now commenced to blow fresh on shore,
which obliged the commodore to order all vessels to
Withdraw under cover OF the Constitution The Ameri-
vessels received considerable injury in the engage
nent, but strangers may appear, not man was kll-
cd Failing in the last several attacks to capture more
Of the Trpolan vessels, in consequence of their IN
willingness to venture beyond the protection OF their
forts, it determined by commodore Prebe to send
in fire ship with view Of burning them. For this
purpose he fitted out the ketch Intrepid with one hun
dred barrels OF gunpowder, and one hundred and fifty
shells in her hold. Trains arranged us no, to
cndanger the ship Captain Somers, Leutenants Wads-
WORTH Israel, and ten volunteered for the erpedi-
ton Two first rowing boats selected for the
purpose OF retreat after applying the matches Al
eight o'clock in the evening the fourth OF September,
the Intrepid stood into the harbor under convoy FOL
some distance, Of the Argus, Vixen, and Nautilus.
When she had nearly reached the point oestnauon the
fire ship boarded by two hundred Trpoitans from
two galleys At this instant awful explosion took
place, which hurled to destruction, not only Captain
Somers and his brave companions, but two hundred
Turks not soul was spared to explain the cause oil
the disaster The trains may have been ignted by the
wads which fired by the enemy. some suppose
on Captain Soners percelvng means OF escape resov
ed to die, and with his heroic hands fired the vessel
On the sixth Of September, Captain cambridge and
several OF his officers permitted TO view the dead
bodies of their sedcvoted countrymcn, who had per-
ised by the explosion Their features mutlla-
ted and dshgured that Of them could be identified
This circumstance however, did not lessen the pog-
nancy Of grief which such spectacle was calculated
10 awaken. II was sufficient 10 know, that they were
brave Americans who made themselves willing sacrifices,
TO effect the release Of their captive brethren Several
OF our imprisoned officers were allowed the privilege
and consolation Of paying the last melancholy duty to
the remains Of their unfortunate countrymen
After each Of these bold aud repeated attacks OF the
dashing Preble, the Bashaw renewed his negotiations
for peace. Asmight be expected from the injury in
fcted by our squadron, he gradually lcssened IN the
amount OF the ransom which he demanded.
The Tripolitan demands being still thought extrava
CANT the United States government sent out larger
squadron, under the command of commodore Samual
Barron, who being senior to commodore Prcble, took
command Of the whole Prcble rcnquishcd To his
young and distinguished friend Captain Decatur the i
gate which he commanded and returned to the United
States where he most cordially received and hon
ored wherever he appeared Before he left the squad
ron. however address presented TO him, signed
by every officer Of the squadron, expressive Of the
very high estimation in which he was held officer
and commander and regret that he should have been
perseded IN command IN which he had acquired so
much honor to himself and country"
Commodore Barrons squadron retired to Syracuse,
where he engaged to repair for active operations
IN the spring. Arrangements were also making TO pro-
the cooperation Of the deposed Bashaw of Trpol,
with whatever forces he could command and bring into
the field
The captive sailors being uniformed with regard to
these movements and preparations, and deemng their
berations almost hopeless, planned method for escape,
which they found means to communicate to their Off
The sailors rush in body into the castle,
force open the prison doors Of the officers who
head them in attack the palace which forms
part Of the castle The Bashaw and his family to
lie treated kindly, but secured and the castle TO be
retained possession Of until the arrival OF Amer-
vessels The enterprise counenanced by Cap
tain cambridge and his officers, but the attempt de-
cared by the suspicious Of the Dashaw, The carpenter,
boats,a am sainakcr, and masters mate in conse-
qaeneH; from among the and lodged with the
officers The prisoners rigdiy searched for
ceaIod arms--the guards without the castle in
creased in numbers, and additional force placed at
all their outpos,s that the scheme, like all the pre-
,ions ones, failed of object through beyond
the control Of the intrepid and amos, desperate procc
tors OF them.
The scene Of these brilliant operations the
with view to procureahe liberation OF the prisoners,
changed for the same objects to the land,