The Sun. — 1844-07-25 (London, England)

EXMOUTH. After adverting to some remarks made on the subject in the English journals, the writer thus continues : " England appeared to comprehend that there was for her a sort of moral necessity to repress the insolence of the Algerifles, and that the only means of arriving at the complete abolition of the slavery of the blacks was first to abolish the slavery of the whites. But she still hesitated, and it was necessary, in order to overcome her irresolutions, for the example of the rigorous undertaking of the American squadron under the orders of Captain Decatur, to excite her pride. 'lt is only then,' says M. Charles de Rotatier, in his history of Algiers, ' that this Power determined to intervene in the difficulties which the Algerine Government caused to the kingdoms of Sardinia and of Naples, and in April, 1816, Lord Exmouth arrived before Algiers at the head of a tint of twenty-five sail, of which six were ships of the line. But, appearing above all, desirous of showing consideration to the interests of the regency, he only imposed on it in favour of the powers which England took under her protection—conditions but little advantageous and little honourable. Naples, in particular, had to complain of the treaty which was then concluded for her.' Such tire the results of the appearance of Lord Exmouth before Algiers. We have seen how the English mention the benediction of the liberated Christians. A month later, Lord Exmouth appeared again before Algiers. This time, fortunately for the Christian slaves, he was grossly insulted by the Algerines ; the English Consul was arrested, and his wife and children were most shamefully dragged through the streets. Oran, Bona, and Calle, were ensanguined with the murder of several British subjects. Then the honour of England was at stake, and she determined to act at last with rigour against these bandits, whom she had hitherto treated with such consideration. The details of the affair are known, as well as the magnificent audacity of Lord Exmouth—audacity wonderfully favoured, besides, by the incredible ignorance of the Turkish, gunners. But, says again the historian whom we have already quoted, ' the glory of. the English would be greater if the reproach could not be brought against them of not having done enough. Political men remarked at this period, that Lord Exmouth, in the very terms of his report, had simply received instructions to burn the Algerine vessels ; and that, being able to constrain this barbarous Government to destroy its fortification, and to renounce for ever its piracies, he had simply stipulated for an advantageous peace for himself and Holland, and the abolition of slavery. To add to her preponderance in Europe by this striking action, to avenge her own injuries, and still show consideration to a Power which might thenceforward be subject to her, was the calculation of England.' It is seen by this how far England is entitled to boast of her disinterestedness; and incriminate our ambition. She did not retain an inch of ground in Algeria, it is true, but she had reserved to herself better than that. She had thence. forward under her hand a band of robbers, whom she could at any time let loose upon all the commercial navies. We acted differently, it must be allowed. After having bombarded Algiers, we have kept Algeria; but piracy exists no longer, the Mediterranean is free at present for everybody, and the whole of Christendom is relieved from these shameful tributes, which nearly every country paid to a chief of robbers. If we were to act in the same way at present with respect to Morocco, who could complain ? England alone. But, decidedly, all the Christian Powers which are still in the present day the tributaries of this Government would applaud its fall, and would thank us for our victory."