The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-01-21
A FORMER WAR.

had for centuries been sc0urged by AraD
pirates, whose lairs were Morocco, Tripoli,
Algiers aud Tunis, aud who were known
under the general term of 4" Barbary Corsairs"
They were an intolerable persecution TO the
commerce Of the world, and part Of the
danger which every ship entering the Medi-
terranean had 10 calculate upon was that OF
being captured by these highwaymen Of the
seas, which meant not only the loss Of vessel
and cargo, but the enslaying Of the crews.
1t is a strange thing TO read nowadays, but
all the maritime nations OF the woTld-ln-
Guiding even England, which then rs now
vaunted that she ruled the waves paid
tribute TO these rascals, as the price OF inn
munity from their attacks, and meekly
ransomed from them such Of their citizens
as they captured. Instead Of raising money
to send the gospel TO the heather, religious
people in those days collected money TO
redeem Christian csptiyes who were wearing
their lives ont in bitter toll for their Ma
hometan captors. Great Britain had navy
which had successfully crushed those OF
Holland, Spain, France and Denmark, but
she never dared attack the nests of the Bar
barry pirates.
Owing to the broils Of the Napoleonic
period large portion OF the carrying trade
of the world had fallen into our hands, and
our ships became objects Of the pirates at
teniion. Like the Others we tried TO buy
them of, and for years paid the Bey Of TripOli
large sum of money every year, and sent
TO the Dey Of Algiers and the Bey Of Tunis
besides, annual presents Of ships, powder,
cannon, shot, and other naval stores. But
the more we paid them the more insclent
and exaciing they became. Matters reached
their climax in 500, when we sent COmmo-
dore Bainbridpe, IN the frigate George Wash
ington, TO carry the annual tribute TO the
Dey Of Algiers. The Dey ordered him to
carry the Algerine Ambassador to Constan-
tinople Bainbridge refused TO comply, when
the Dey said TO him with the greatest stern
ness: You pay me tribute, by which you
become my slaves, and therefore / have the
right 10 order you as think proper" The
frigate was then lying under the guns Of the
castle, and could not have moved without
the Dey's permission. The American Con-
sui assured Bainhridge that unless be COM
piled his ship would he seized and converted
into an Algerine pirate. He therefore
yielded, and was subjected TO the further
humiliation Of being compelled TO carry the
Algerine flag at the fore. He took the Am
bassador to Constantinople, and on his re-
turn wrote TO the Secretary Of the Navy, ]
hope / shall never be sent 20 Algiers with
tribute, unless am authorized TO deliver il
at the month Of my cannon"
The Bey Of Tripoli wanted more money
than we had been paying him, and gave ms
six months in which 70 comply. This not
being done he cut down the flagstaff Of the
American Consulate and proclaimed war
The Administration determined TO try "a
humble the pride Of these CESAR Kings
A squadron Of four frigates was sent TO the
Mediterranean in the Spring Of 1901, under
the command Of Commodore Dale. On the
way one of the frigates-the EsseK-feil u
with Tripoitan oorsair, and after SHARP
fight Of three hours captured her. The mex
year squadron Of six friEates was sent 10 thu
Mediterranean, under command Of Commo
dore Charles Morris. These squadrons die
effective work in protecting our ships Tit
next year il was determined odo something
extensively, and in May, l5O3, the jobs
Adams, commanded by Capt Rodgers, block
AIDED the port Of Tnpoli, and tough
q sharp engagement with the lant
batteries and gunboats, in which sh
gained a decided advantage. II was after
ward decided 10 raise the blockade but
before leaving, Rodgers determined TO Civ
the Tripolitans something 10 remember bin
hy, and with two ships attacked a larg
Tnpolitan corsair, lying in sheltered bsy
and blew her up, with large portion {
Der piraticRl crew. Commodore Preble wa
assigned 10 the command Of the Mediterrs
mean feet, and his FIRST act was TO bring I'll
Sultan Of Morocco 10 terms, which he di
, without much trouble lie next turne
las attention 20 TripolL lie was info
tunate at the outset Capt. Bainbridg
commanding the hue frigate Philadelphi
ran her upon an unknown rock in ia
harbor Of THpoli, in his eagerness TO captui
p a corsair lie was attacked there by 8
overwhelming force, and compelled TO 81
render his ship, which was gotten of Il
= rock, repaired, and converted into Tripod
tan man-ol-war. cambridge and his Office
were treated as prisoners Of war, bat Il
crew were set tow0rk as slaves. Bainbrid
~ found means 10 communicate his mislouuI
~ 10 Commodore Prebie and suggest daFil
= scheme for destroying the Philadelphia, a.