The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-18

noyance they gave the enemy
lieutenant Lawrence Of the Enterprise and
Lieutenant Read Of the Nautilus, command
inc these vessels in the absence OF their COM
manders,) merit the Commodore's thanks for
their active exertions in towing and protect
ing prizes - ,.,
Of the brave Lieutenant James Decatur, who
nobly fell at the moment he had Obliged an
enemy Of superior force to strike TO him.
Lieutenant cambridge, in pursuing into the
harbor,. engaging the enemy, and his conduct
through the action merits and receives the
Commodore's thanks.
Lieutenant Trip will be pleased to accept
thanks for the gallant conduct which distin-
guished him in boarding, capturing, and bring
ing out one Of the enemys gun boats of supc
rior force, after having received eleven
wounds.
have now to tender my warmest thanks
TO the lieutenants, sailing masters, marine Off
GERS and other officers OF the Constitution, for
the prompt support received from them.
The conduct of the officers, seamen, and
marines Of the squadron, have not only in the
action of the third instant, but on every other
occasion, merted the highest encomiums.
Given on board the U. S. ship Constitution,
at anchor off Tnpoli, the fourth day Of August,
1901.
Signed, EDWARD PREBLE.
For the whole Of this month and part of
September, the city of Tripoli, and the bat
teries were kept under the fire of the squad
ron, and the bombardments OF the mortar YES
sells, at least whenever the wind permitted the
squadron to approach and retreat-they were
invariably attacked day or night until several
of their notilla were sunk, the town and Bate
ries considerably injured, and many OF the
enemy were killed and wounded, The
squadron, however, were not without
their casualties, whereby the Siren had three
officers and eight seamen killed and thirteen
wounded. After this distinguished service,
Lieutenant Stewart was promoted to be mas
ter commandant, and placed in command OF
the frigate Essex, which vessel, after the con-
clusion Of the peace with rripoli, proceeded
with the rest of the squadron, commanded by
Commodore Rogers to Tunis Bay, for the pur-
pose of checking in that regency rising dis
position to commence hnstiltics on the flag
and commerce of the United States. The
hostile attitude of the squadron, while there,
induced Mr.. George Davis, consul of the
United States to leave the city and seek re-
ftlge on board of the feet The state of our
affairs now drawing to crisis so serious, it
appeared to the Consul General, Colonel
Lear, that the flag officer ought to strengthen
his acts with the advice and consent of his
principal officers In consequence OF which,
the COMMUNICATIVE chief called a council,
consisting of Captains Campbell, Decatur,
Stewart, Hull, Smith, Dent and Robinson, to
whom the situation Of our affairs with the re-
gency was explained, and the opinion Of the
officers demanded whether hostilities ought
not immediatelyto commence. twas at this
council that the opinion of Captain Stewart
carried with II the assent of all the officers,
and preserved the peace Of the country with
that regency. 1t was on receiving that opin-
ion as delivered in the council, transmitted by
the Consul General and the Consul, Mr.. Da-
Wis, to the President of the United States, Mr..
Jefferson expressed to his cabinet, the high
satisfaction he felt at having an officer in the
squadron, who comprehended the information
al law, the constitution Of his country, and the
policy of his government. Captain Stewart
gave it as his opinion, that there was no pow
or under the constitution of the United States
which authorized hostilities and war on others,
but that which was lodged exclusively with
Congress that the President of the United
States could not exercise this power without
the authority of Congress, much less COM
mander of an American squadron; that due
respect for the laws Of nations forbade agrees
sion, and only justified sef-delence by vigi-
lance and convoy for the protection of our CT
Zens, their property and commerce but where
hostile attempts were made on either, he
would be justified in Selling all persons en-
gagged in them, but no farther would his coun-
try sanction his acts. The policy Of the Uni
ted States was at all times pacific, and espe-
cially so with people remote from our coun-
try, with whom we must war with every dis
advantage-that we had just terminated war
with one of those powers, even more insight
cant and assailable than Tunis, at considera-
BILE expense--the loss ofonc lrigate and seve-
raj valuable lives-it was true, the enemy had
been punished for forcing war on us, but might
we not be punished through disaster, by fore
ing war upon Tunis; that their threats were
well calculated to put us on our guard, but
would not justify aggression.
This sound reasoning and discretion pre-
vailed our Consul was restored to his post,
peace was continued, and the Bey Of Tunis
sent special minister (Mellcy Mellcy, to the
United States, who received every satisfac-
ton at the hands Of Mr.. Jefferson. On the
termination of this affair with the regency of
Tunis, Captain Stewal took command Of the
frigate Constellation and returned to the Uni
ted States. On his arrival he was promoted
TO post captaincy.
Navy Department, 9th April, 1906
SIR 1t affords me real pleasure, to have
it in my power TO transmit to YOU herewith,
commission, to which your honorable services