The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-19
Remarks OF Hon. John l.. Dawson, on the Bill
for the Relief OF the Widow OF Commodore

'ho iNopub lost, eye is occasionally attract
ed by the discussion OF propositions involving ques-
tons OF private right, that are deeply interesting
on account OF their historical associations The pro-
eeedings OF the House OF Representatives, publish
ed In the Daily Globe present instance of this kind
II is 10 be found in the remarks of the Hon John l.
Dawson. OF Pennsylvania, the motion TO proceed to
the consideration OF The bill for the relief of the widow
OF Commodore Decatur, and others. 1t is interesting
exposition OF The facts involved the case, and present.
ed IN that concise and favorable that character
izes Inc speeches OF that gentleman For the benefit OF
our readers who have DOT the proceedings of
Congress at large, we publish his remarks entire:
Mr. DAWSON. move to take up Senate bill No.
2o3 or the elei OF the captors of the gate PhiIade
pha. and ask the House to indulge me whilst make
hIe statement ot the history and merits of this claim
Inc Dill makes compensation 10 The surviving officers
and crew OF The tte ketch Intrepid for signal and gal
liant services rendered in the month of February, 1904
by entering IN the night The harbor OF Tpo and under
the very guns OF The castle Of the Bashaw boarded the
fgae Philadelphia, then captured prize in the posses
sion OF the TnpoliIans-cleared her decks, killing TWEEN
~ OF her crew IN close fight, drove the balance into the
sea- then fired he vessel, by which she burnt to the wa
'efs edge, and made their escape without the loss of
single man. This gallant act was conceived by Stephen
Decatur, and executed by him and gallant crew with
singular fidelity, resolution, and courage The history of
this affair is as brief as the achievement was brilliant,
and shall therefore detan the House but for moment
IN referring tot Alter the close of The revolution, and
IN Inc beginning OF the present century, navy was
greatly reduced in the number OF its vessels war they
were in dismanlled condition. and numbers OF the Off
GERS and crews were disbanded As consequence OF
our deenceess condition upon the sea, epoations were
| committed upon American commerce; and nowhere was
piracy bold and reckless in the Meder anean For
time we enjoyed the friendly protection of the British,
Swedish, ana other friendly powers, until withdrawn
from commercial rivalry, when the government OF Trpoli
IN May, 1901. made an open declaration of against
the United States
The government OF the United States prior to being in.
formed of this declaration OF by Tripoi, had sent
squadron into the Mediterranean for the protection of
American commerce, which remained there till the fall
of s03 when the irgate Philadelphia while in chase of
Trpoitan vessel stranded Oft the harbor of Trpo and
IN that condition coniended gaanty against the power
fu batteries OF the CITADEL until the tide falling the ship
settled captured, and afterwards carried into Trpoli
as prize. Commodore Banbridge, his officers and men,
made prisoners, were confined the prisons and dun
geons OF the city. This disaster touching 10 the
pride and sp OF our navy. and il agreed that
thing must be done. In the time Commodore Pre-
BILE. in command of the Constitution, had passed the
Straits OF Gibraltar and took command of the squadron
Decatur suggested TO Commodore Prebe his plan for the
recaplue of the frgae and the of January 1904
he received orders to carry his purpose execution
The Of Decatur consisted Of three lieulenan seven
mdshlpmen, one surgeon, and sixy-two and
marines all OF whom were volunteers in the enterprise
On the 81 day OF February this gallant band left the
Dor OF Syracuse, In Sicily, and against adverse Winds
upon a doubtful sea- and still more doubtful enterprise,
succeeded in entering the hafbor of Tpo boarding the
ship clearing ber decks, fully Iescuing her then destroy
Ing The vessel by ng her. and escaping by the light of
The conagraiion without the loss OF single man This
daring deed shone forth then, as does now, iuslr
GUS instance OF heroic achevemeRt--one that will re-
dound TO the credit OF the American navy, and in all time
10 prove mperishable the pages of American
history.
There no portion OF the globe that has furnished so
many baefelds, where history has recorded so many
instances OF heroic daring, that which is washed
by the waves o the Mediterranean and the Adatic vet
there is that for bold conception, energetic heroic
and successful execution, will compare with that OF De-
caiu and his gallant associates Tae result of in
calculable advantage 10 The nation. 1t only caused
the African pirates quail before the terrible energy
skill and courage OF our sailors, but secured the liberia
fuon OF the capuves abolished tribute, il encouraged
commerce. aud secured honorable peace The very
order OF Commodore Prebe indicated the hazard and
spohsbility of the enterprise. Ii was enter that
habor in the night board the Philadelphia, and burn her,
and IN order TO prevent ALARM 10 carry all by the sword
The order executed under heavy fire from the ship
ping and batteries Commodore PIebe, in his Official
despatch detailing The achievement says of the captos
that their conduct IN the performance OF the dangerous
service assigned them cannot be sufficiently estimated
| II is beyond all praise"
The propositions Mr. Speaker, of providing reward
for these gallant and their representatives has
gagged the attention OF Congress since 1924 Decatur,
believe, fell and died in ls22. Though great difficulty
has been found in adjusting the mode OF distributing the
reward has ever been experienced in admitting the
abstract justice OF the claim Though not technically
embraced by the law which provides prize money the
captors OF enemy's ship captured and then burned
and destroyed, yet this OF the capture OF ship
our own, by officer who volunteered to perform des
perale and skilfu enterprise is infinitely entitled
to regard than the ordinary cases embraced by the
law of prize, from which class OF cases, however, it
does not differ in principle Congress 10 have
kea this view of the justice OF the claim for in every
WneFe an ana report
nade either in the Senate House of Representatives,
its abstract justice has been recognised and acknowE
edged, Gen. Jackson, in his message of December 8,
is29-his first message 10 Congress-reconmends that
the claim be paid Five times has ii passed the Senate,
and times been ayorably reported upon in the House
OF Representatives and would that the iardy and
uncertain action of Congress, like the claws delay,
amounted TO "denia of justice" trust that II will be
delayed longer 1t is claim full OF merit and full
OF justice It's passage will make provision for The
widows and descendants OF men who really did the
Stale some service. Decatur, Lawrence, Balnbrldge,
Morris, and McDonough names ilustous in Amer
ican history.
The widow of Commodore Decatur, ] am informed,
resides within this District IN absolute poverty. think
that Congress should endeavor to make cheerful FIRE
side so long esoaie by the neglect OF government that
owed her husband s, much. | believe, Mr., Speaker,
that il is true that the nearer approach the source OF
organized power the less sympathy we experience,
the greater the neglect discover This case does not
stand alone nor surprised that the settlement OF the
claim has been so long delayed, when remember that
eight years since in idle stroll, saw the remains Of
Decatur in the vault Kaarama, exhibiting all the evi
dences ef neglect The coffin decayed-hs ashes ex-
posed to the eye--no, neameni dIscernibe silver
plate bearing the inscription OF Stephen Decatur marked
The con whilst the remnant OF silken glove covered all
that remained OF the hand that had defended so gaany
the rights and honor oil the country But national mus
tlce and neglect will not endure forever. remember
we'll that but short time afterwards the national spirit
arose II from common impulse and the remains OF
Decatur were removed from The grove of Kallaama to
his native place, the city OF Philadelphia The spirit,
the feeling, and patriotic ardor that marked their recep
ton into the city of Philadelphia and the procession 10
their last burial place. equaled only by that which
the OF the great conqueror from his
prison grave the city OF Paris, the home OF hs early
life and the theatre OF his glory. trus Mr. Speaker
a.. nd hat,