The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-09-21
MISCELLANEOUS.

From Barf0nS GeatLenten'S Magdsfae
SKETCHES FROM THE LOG OF OLD IRON
SIDES.
By THE AUTHOR OF OLD IRoNsIDEs OFF LEE SHORE
Your glorious standard launch again,
To meet another foe i Camp
BOARDING THE BEY.
In May, 1905, Commodore Barron returned
to the United States in i'll health, leaving Com
modore Rodgers in the Mediterranean COM
mand Of the largest American squadron ever
known.
Commodore Rodgers immediately hoisted
his flag on board Of the Constitution, and short
ly afterwards, rs the echo Of the evening gun
at the Valetta died along the shores Of Malta,
the feet got under weigh, and stood over to-
wards the African coast. 1t was on the eighth
day after their departure when the squadron
made Cape Carthage, and the ninth, at sunrise,
anchored in the roads of Goletta. Before the
gallant frigates laythe city Of Tunis, the abode
ofhappiness, and the fountain spring Of jack
asses and orange water. The signal for the
consul to come on board was Immediately
made, and on the following day he repaired on
board the Constitution, and gave the Commo-
dore a detailed account Of his fruitless con-
ferences with Hamouda Bey. A council Of
war was then called, at which Col. Lear, the
consul general, assisted, which resulted in the
determination to lombard the town in the
course OF thr,y-six hours, if favorable an
swer was not returned to Commodore Rod
gers letter demanding satisfaction.
Previous to the arrival of the squadron, the
Bey had called the American consul to his
presence, and, before the assembled divan, de-
manded the release Of Tunisian Xebec and
her two prizes which had been captured by the
Constitution for attempting to violate the
blockade Of Tripoli. The consul assured him
that they would not be released, and the Bey,
with frown, threatened declaration Of war.
He accordingly wrote a letter TO Commodore
Rodgers, and in answer received visit from
his feet before stated. The Bey, up TO the
very day of the appearance of the squadron,
had assumed lofty tone of menace, and
while his guards surrounded the consul with
their drawn scimetars and slackened bow
strings, addressed him as follows:
Ask any Of the christian consuls in this
regency if Hamouda Bashaw has ever received
such an insult from their government The
President Of the United States must know
that my father and grandfather have sat on the
throne and ruled kingdom. He shall learn
from me that Hamouda is not yet dead; and
every crowned head in Europe shall approve
the eternal continuance of that war which you
seem resolved to force me into--for solemn
" pledge myself, that if war is the result, ne
yer while have soldier to fire gun, will
accord peace. You may form some idea OF
my character from the difficulty you had to ne
gotiate peace, because you weakly permit
ted the Dey Of AlSiers TO interfere. You may
also learn my conduct to the Venitians, who
rashIy forced me into war; and if am
doorled 10 engage in another it shall be con-
tnued to the last hour of my existence. |
frankly tell you that the famine in my country
has prevented my declaring war against you,
in order that might convince my subjects
that their misercs should not be increased,
unless was forced thereto. Without such a
motive, you certainly never would have been
asked the reason why you captured my yes
sells but that just motive to protection OF
our difficulties, must be sacrificed TO those
considerations which owe myself and all Eu-
rope. You are the first power which has ever
captured Tunisian cruizer in full peace, on
any pretext whatever. Youare the first that
has ever offered unprovoked insults to Ha-
mouda Bashaw, who has ruled kingdom for
twenty-seyen years, and been respected by all
the world as sovereign. IfI were tamely to
submit to such acts of outrage, what should |
expect from nations far more powerful than
youlselvesl Yon have seen what has been
accorded me by Spain, Sweden, and Denmark,
whose local situation and maritime iorce rem