New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-19

q, africa has been available until the publica-
fsan OF this valuable work of Mr.. Aliens.
The volume shows evidence of having been
r-epared with painstaking thoroughness. The
suthor has had recourse to the original records,
and presents in logical sequence the events
which he describes. The negotiations of our
representatives. the course of public feeling and
legislation at home, and the movements of our
naval vessels are all followed with carefully
minnie particuIarity and discussed with in
,ellieeut discrimination. II is possible to de-
te-r7ine where every ship in various squad
IONS was al any given time. and what officers
were OF board, complete rosters being given in
the appendix, which also includes digests of the
various treaties entered into with the different
Rers. Deys- Sultans and Pachas. AS a work of
historical research, Our Navy and the Barbary
Corsairs" is more than CONNIE ndable and, al
though the author is not quite SO successful in
bringing out the picturesque side Of his story,
this is 50 inseparably linked with the facts
which he narrates that the book should not fail
Of more popular interest as well
In the infancy Of our country our weakness
compelled US TO follow the example Of European
nations in paying tribute TO the corsairs though
the spirit Of freedom which had so lately secured
our Independence chafed at the humiliating
necessity. As early as 1894 Congress authorized
the construction Of six frigates to protect our
shipping and our honor. but with the unfort-
unate Yroyiso that work on them should cease
il peace could Ice secured through negotiation
There were stil those in Congress and in the
country VINO felt that honor was safe if did
not have TO pay more than the current rates,
These vessels ultimately completed note
worthy IS forming the beginning of our modern
navy. and set the pace which has since been
consistently followed of giving to il the best
ships OF their class afioat Prudent councils
prevailed at home until the extortonate and
unconsciouable demands of Tripoli so aroused
popular Indignation that war was at last
definitely determined on BIockading and fight
ing vas kept Up internationally until having
stopped long enough to defeat Great Britain in
the War Of 1872, We again turned our attention
10 the Mediterranean and sent two fleets under
cambridge and Decatur. which quickly and
finally compelled the submission of the greedy
ularauders
Lively times our sailor men had in their en-
counters with them! For centuries the Bar
harry pirates had inspired terror by their fierce
attacks ana their mode of boarding and sweep
inc the decks Of enemy. 1t was supposed.
writes Mr Allen, that the only hope for an ad-
yersary lay in keeping them at q distance by
superior saamanship and gUnnery. The success
e our LlUejackets IL meeting them and beating
them At their own game completely dispeled
this superstition. While Preble was lying off
Trip9i l. 1894. some exciting engagements took
place in one Of which Stephen Decatur, then a
youug Lieutenant n command Of Eunboat. at
tackled Tripolitan vessel. the captain Of which.
be had been told. had treacherously killed his
brother. John Decatur. after having surren-
5er-d him.
He ran alongside and AZ once boarded with Mac
dln1lEt and The remnant OF ms crew. Decatur
singled OK the captain. q man Of greet SIC and
strength, and attacked him turIOusIy. The ITipo-
u- made u thrust with his boarding pike, and. IN
EreIpLng To parry the blow. DecaJurs cutlass
F-s broken Of II the hill. leaving him for the
Moment uuarm-i. Another thrust of the pike
wounded Linz IN the n. Decatur seized the
antagonist After short struggle they fell to the
teck, with Decatur on top. Meanwhile. the two
crews Eere lighting 1uTlOusly about their las ders,
and q IrqglIt4L aimed q blow at Decatur's head
SIN Els sl-uliL-T, when seaman named Daniel
FRAZER. having both arms disabled by wounds, in
teryS0sed ms head and received the blow. which
4slo open his scalp The TrIpoli-Pn captain, being
cefneath and. holding him down with MS left
Lano, drew q knife and was about TO plunge it
MO ms breast Decatur seized the uplifted arm
VIII MS left hand, while he managed TO get his
!Snt INTO MS pocket, where he had d pistol. Civ
L-g i the proper direction, he fired through the
EDckst The giant relaxed his hold and fell dead
haE1ng lost seventeen killed, including their leader
wounded soon gave up the fight