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CHAPTER X.

Capt. Decatur receives high commendations from Com. PrebleGrief at the death of Lieut. J. Decatur-Notice of him-Proposale of the Commodore to the Bashaw-Renewal of the attack upon Tripoli-Capt. Somers, Lieuts. Wadsworth and Israel enter into the squadron of the enemy's boats, with the Ketch Intrepid as a fire-ship-She explodes!-Awful effects of the explosion -Reflection-Notice of Lieut. Wadsworth-Com Preble superseded by Com. Barron-Brief notice of EDWARD PREBLE.

CAPT. Decatur, having thus far taken such a distinguished and leading part in all the gallant achievements in the naval warfare of America against Tripoli, it became indispensably necessary to be somewhat minute in describing them, in order to present him to the reader.

For his unparalleled bravery, desperate courage, and unequalled success in the battle of the 3d of August, Com. Preble could bestow nothing but his highest and most unqualified commendation. This was not the mere effusion of an admiring commander, surrounded by his victorious comrades around the festive board, after a signal victory, but it was officially announced to the whole squadron in a "general order" upon the 4th. The Commodore knew well where to bestow applause, and when to make, or rather to recommend promotion. His general order is in the Navy Department; and as to promotion, it was out of the question, as Decatur, although but twen

ty-five years of age, had reached the highest grade in the American Navy.

Amidst the congratulations in the squadron for the successful issue of the first attack upon Tripoli, a silent gloom irresistibly pervaded the hearts of the officers and seamen. It was not caused by contemplating upon the arduous and yet uncertain contest which they were directly to renew. Inured to duty, and familiar with victory, they were total strangers to fear. But Lieut. JAMES DECATUR "was dead!" While they were floating triumphantly upon the waves of the Mediterranean, his body was reposing in death upon its bed, and his gallant spirit had flown to heaven. The shouts of joy over all Britain for the victory of Trafalgar, were mingled with groans of grief for the death of Nelson. No less pungent was the sorrow of intrepid Americans at the fall of Lieut. Decatur.

Suffice it then

He had unremittingly pursued the duty of the naval profession from the time he entered the navy, until the day he was basely and treacherously slain. It is inconsistent with the design of this volume, to go into a minute detail of his life. The life of his admired brother is the object of it. to say, that by a long course of assiduous duty, in various ships of the American navy, and under different commanders, he secured to himself the confidence of his superiors, and the approbation of his government. The post assigned him upon the 3d of August, evinced the high estimation in which he was holden by the discerning and penetrating Com

Preble. The manner in which he discharged the duty imposed upon him, and the manner in which he fell, have already been mentioned. His memory is embalmed with those of Somers, Wadsworth, and Israel, who followed him into eternity, thirty days after he left the world, and who made their exit from the same sanguinary theatre upon which he fell.

The fearful, yet temporising Bashaw, through the medium of a foreign consul, offered terms to Preble which he indignantly rejected, as degrading to his government. Upon the 7th, another attack was resolved upon, and the squadron arranged in order to execute it. The effect desired was produced. A heavy battery was silenced-nany bomb-shells and round shot were thrown into the town-and although the damage to the enemy was not so essential as the attack of the 3d, it increased the dismay of the Bashaw. Amongst the Gun-boats engaged in this second attack, was one taken from the enemy by Decatur. She was blown up by a hot ball sent from the batteries, and Lieut. Caldwell, Midshipman Dorsey, and eight seamen were killed; six were wounded; and Midshipman Spence, with eleven seamen, were rescued unhurt from the waves.

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Two days afterwards, Commodore Preble took a deliberate view of the harbour in one of the Brigs, in order to determine the best mode of commencing a third attack. He gave "no sleep to the eyes nor slumber to the eyelids" of the sullen and incorrigible wretch who wielded the sceptre of blood-begot

ten power over his subjects, the wretched and degraded race of beings, who were dragging out a miserable existence in Tripoli. The hopes of the American prisoners increased, as those of the Bashaw and his troops diminished: The terms for ransom were lowered more than two-thirds; but Preble and Decatur had become stern negotiators, and Mr. Lear chose to let them continue their diplomatic skill.

The prospects of a protracted warfare—at an immense expense to the American government; the tedious and gloomy imprisonment of nearly half a thousand Americans in the dungeons of a barbarian, amongst whom were some of the noblest hearts that ever beat in human bosoms-the probability that more American blood must be shed in effecting a complete subjugation of the yet unyielding Bashaw, induced Com. Preble to offer the sum of, eighty thousand dollars as a ransom for the prisoners, and ten thousand dollars as presents, provided he would enter into a solemn and perpetual treaty with the American government never to demand an annual tribute as the price of peace.

The infatuated and infuriated Bashaw rejected these proposals with affected disdain, mingled with real fear. Com. Preble had nothing now to do but to renew his naval operations. He could entertain no rational hopes from the romantic and chivalrous attempt of Gen. Eaton, who had entered Derne with the Ex-Bashaw Caramalli; and with whom he had made a treaty. This unfortunate prince, with

his gallant general, and his rabble army could no sooner have entered the city of Tripoli by land, guarded by more than 20,000 well armed Arabs, than one of the reigning Bashaw's gallies could have sunk the frigate Constitution.* He, therefore, left it wholly with the American consul to arrange affairs with the august court of Tripoli, while he was determined to "manage his own affairs in his own way," with his squadron in the harbour.

Capt. Decatur, the next in command to Com. Preble, his confidential adviser, and the idol of every American in the squadron, stimulated the whole to the exertion of their utmost energy. To repel the idea that the pacific offer of the Commodore arose from apprehensions of defeat, the bombards. occasionally disgorged their destructive contents into the city; when upon the 27th Aug. another general attack was made with such effect as to induce the Bashaw to renew negotiations for peace, but nothing definitive was effected. Upon the 3d September, another attack was made, to the very great injury of the Bashaw's batteries, castle and city.

Although but few Americans had lost their lives in the various battles, yet the vessels of the squadron

* See Chap VIII. However much the reader may admire the almost unparallel d exertions of Eaton in the causeof Caramalli, and regret the misfortunes of both, still the cool and reflecting statesman could never give his sanction to a project so extremely difficult of accomplishment, with means so wholly incompetent. Eaton will never be forgotten; but he will be remembered as a victim to his own romantic ambition.

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