The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-02-21
How an American Commodore Ran the
Dardanelles.

Dardanelles.
Commodore Bainbridge's run through
the Dardanelles in 1901 was so remark
able that it deserves a detailed descrip-
ton. He had arrived at Algiers with
the tribute, which the United States, in
common with all other Governments,
then paid to the Dey. While his vessel,
the frigate George Washington, was ly-
ing at anchor under the batteries of Al
giers, the Dey requested him to carry
his Ambassador and presents to the Sui
tan, his suZerain, whom he had Offend
ed by concluding a treaty of peace with
France when Turkey and her British ally
were carrying on war in Egypt against
the French army under Bonaparte. Up
on refusing to 90 on such an errand, the
Dey insolently remarked to him "YOu
pay me tribute by which you become my
slaves; | have, therefore, right to or
der you as l please" Fearing the loss
of the frigate, and the slavery of him
self and crew, and the sacrifice of our
valuable commerce in that quarter by
the Algerine corsairs, cambridge finally
consented to execute the mission. In
reporting these proceedings, and which
were subsequently approved by his Gov
eminent, cambridge said: 81 hope |
may never be sent again to Algiers with
tribute, unless l am authorized to de-
liver it from the mouth of our cannon"
When the vessel was about sailing the
Dey insisted that the colors of Algiers
should fly at the main-an honor which
had always been yielded to him by the
English, French and Spanish command
ers who had been employed by him in
similar services cambridge acceded
to the demand until he got out of reach
of the guns of the harbor, and then he
hauled down the corsair flag and ran
up the Stars and Stripes. The Ambas-
sador had a suite of some 200 Mussul-
mans, with a large number of tigers
and other animals, and 100000 as
presents. The shifting of sail and nau-
teal maneuvers were much impeded
by the praying on deck of this crowd,
and their efforts to keep their faces
turned to Mecca. After a stormy pas
sage the castles of the DardanelleS were
reached. Fearing, if he was to apply,
he would not get firman to pass up to
the capital, he made a show of coming
to, partially chewing up his sails, and in
the meanwhile firing a salute. As soon
as the castles began to respond he spread
all his canvas to the wind, which was
blowing strong aft, and before his OPP
erations could be discerned he was be
yond the cannon range and spanking
along against the current in daShing
style. On his arrival at Constantinople an
officer was sent off to know under what
flag he sailed, to which he replied, The
flag of the United States" The mes
senger from the harbOr fort returned,
and observed that such nation as the
"United States " had never been heard
of before by the Tarkish Government,
and desired that Capt. Bainbridge would
explicitly state whence he came. He
then reported his vessel as belonging to
the " New World" which Columbus
had discovered, on hearing which the
messenger Immediately repaired to the
shore. In few hours he returned, and,
for the first time, came on board the
frigate, bringing with him a lamb and
bunch of flowers, the former as an en-
blem of peace, and the latter of wei
come. The Sultan then offered the yes
sci the hospitality of the inner harbOr.
He was much satisfied at the salute fired
on passing his palace. Noticing the
stars in the United States flag, he re-
marked that, as his own was decorated
with one of the heavenly bodies, he con-
sidered the coincidence as an omen of
the friendly intercourse between the two
nations. The Minister of Foreign At
fairs having threatened to seize his yes
sci, Bainbridge put himself under the
protection of Lord Elgin, the British
Ambassador. When the Capudan
Pasha soon after arrived with the fleet,
he removed all further difficulties.
and the more readily as he was
brother-in-law of the Sultan. The Porte
refused, however, to receive the Alger-
inc Ambassador or his presents, order
ed him to return, and to carry to his
master, the Dey, the Sultan's demand
to declare war against France, to remit
to him a million piasters for his daring
presumption, and to do all within 60
days. The Capudan Pasha told BaiH-
bridge it was the first time a foreign
armed vessel had reached Constantine
pie without having first obtained a
&c firman" from the Grand SeignOr. 1t
must have been the fault of the negli-
gence of the Commander of the Castles.
He had put him in confinement, and his
execution was only delayed until the
sentence had received his (the Pasha's)
signature, which would not be with
held. cambridge took the whole blame
on himself, frankly told alf the circum-
stances, and finally saved the life of the
offending Pasha at the Dardanelles. The
Sultan gave him, on leaving, frman
of protection. When in an audience
with the Dey, he refused to go a second
time to Constantinople on his business,
he flew into a rage, and would have had
him murdered on the spot had he not
displayed the Sultan's firman. This
! brought him to terms, and Bainbridge
was allowed to depart. Philadelphia
Press.