The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-20
ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO.
When stephen Decatur Sailed 10 En-
force Respect for American Rights.

From "ow Vary and the Barbarv corsdi,s.'
bv Gardner ". AHen.
AS soon as the wal with Great Brit
ain was over 1t was possible for the
Government to turn its attention to
Algiers, and on February rs, 1915
President Madison sent a message to
Congress recommending a declaration
of war. Congress ~thereupon passed
an act, which was approved March 2
declaring war against A.giers.
Two s%quadrons were organized, one
at Boston under Commodore William
cambridge, the other at New York un-
dc7 CoTnmcdsr. stephen Decatur. The
latter was ready first and sailed May
90, 1915. 1t comprised the frlgates
Guerriere, ~, flagship, Captain Will
lam Lewis; Constellation, SO, Captain
Charles Gordon. and Macedonian, 3s,
Captain Jacob Jones. the sloops-of-war
Epervicr, IS, Captain John Downes,
and ontario, 10. Captain Jesse ID.
Elliott; the brigs FREELY, Spark and
flambeau. each II. Lieutenants George
w. Rodgers, Thomas Gamble and
John b. Nicholson: and the schooners
Torch and Spitfre, IL, Lieutenants
Wolcott Chauncey and Alexander ],
Dallas. - A few days after sail
ing the squadron encountered n heavy
gale. in which the Firefy sprang her
masts and was obliged to put back TO
New York for repairs.
Decatur arrived at Gibraltar on June
Is. ''' on the morning OF the nth,
the squadron being much scattered In
search OF strange sails. the Constella-
ton sighted a large fr!gate under top
sails, twenty miles or more southeast
of Cape de Cat, and signalled an
enemy. Decatur, thinking that the
Algerine would believe his squadron to
be English, wished TO avoid any ap-
p%earanCe Of being In chase. so as ia
carry out the deception until he was
within striking distance of the enemy
But the Constellation, through the
mistake OF a ,quartermaster. hoisted
tho American ensign; and although
the other vessels, following the Guer-
riere's example. Immediately showed
British colors, the Algerine at ono
took alarm. and rapidly spreading al
sail, headed for Algiers.
The Constellation was nearest the
stranger and about a mile from her
Half a mile astern Of the Constellation
was the f.pervier, with the Guerrero
on her s~tarboard quarter and the On
tario on her port beam. The other
vessels We're scattered far behind. The
Constellation opened fire on the
enemy. who returned II and then wore
ship and headed for the Spanish coast
.NsNHn- Il. - -a.,4- - z-Aa q. a.. ~
long chase TO Algiers and hoping tc
make a neutral port.
The ontario crossed her bow. and the
Guerriare. passing between the Con.
stcllatlon and Epcrvier. approached 50
close To the Algerine as to receive q
musketry fire from her tops which in.
iured several OF her crew. Without
returning this fire Decatur brought
his snip up close alongside the enemy
and gave her IA ~broadside which ere.
ated great havoc on her deck.
Res Hammida had already peel
wounded by a shot from the Constel.
lation and was seated in an exposed
position on the quarter deck directing
the working Of his ship with grea'
fortitude. He was cut in two by a 4.
pound shot from one OF the Guerrlere'.
,arronadcs. A second broadside drov,
all the AlCerines below except a few
~musketeers, who with cool Courag,
kept up the fight.
Wishing to prevent unnecessary los.
Il life, Decatur ceased firing and drew
ahead out of range. although the AL
gerlne had not struck her co,ors. TIL,
Epervier now anne up on the star,
board quarter OF the enemy whc
seemed to be attempting to escape
The little brig mannuvred skilfulll
about the big fr gate and gave he,
nine broadsidcs. receiving only mus
kerry fire in return. At last the Alge,
r!rN brought her head to the wine
and surrendered. She was the frigat,
Mlshuda of forty-siX guns, the flag
ship of REFS liammida.
Thus Decatur opened the attack O,
the Rtrhlry pirates IN the war Of 1915
subsequently, he captured the brig Es
t'dio. and on June ~, 1915. he arrive,
If Alg.cgs, where peace was concluded
From App'cfon's 'priopcfia Of America
RiogrIpLp
II was stipulated that the Unite,
states should never pay tribute to tn,
Dey Of Algors. and all Christian cap
tiv,s were To be released.
This treaty ana the demands Of De
Cltur gave the death blow to tina
cruel system which for centuries. I,
the shame Of Christcndom, had elevat
"a the liarhary powers into banefu
Importance.
Decatur next went to Tunis and de
maudcd indemnity from the Dey 70
violating treaty stipu,ations, which
demand was conceded.
IL" then made n similar demand o,
the Pasha of Tripod, and for the re
lease Of Neapolitnn and Danish pris
unors all Of which was granted. thu
ending forever the pretensions OF tn,
l!arhary powers.
FOR this Decatur received tn
thanks of all Europe; and on the as
somhling of Congress in December
1916, President Madison began his mes
sage with a high ~euloglum upon hi
success against the Barhary states.
The Prodigal son.