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liar to the Pope at Rome; and although the squadron belonged to a distant and Protestant nation, he declared, that" All Christendom had not effected in centuries, what the American squadron had accomplished in the space of a single year." The name of Preble, as commander in chief, and of Decatur his leading champion, resounded through all the maritime nations upon the shores of the Mediterranean. Not only Tripoli, but all the Barbary powers bordering upon that sea, were held in check, and their indiscriminate depredations upon all the commercial world trading in its ports, enjoyed, in a greater or less degree, the benefits arising from the presence, the vigilance and the achievements of the American squadron. Even the jealousy of British naval officers, for a time, gave place to the effusions of involuntary admiration.

But it was in the bosom of his own beloved country, where the veteran Commodore received demonstrations of respect and approbation most grateful to his patriotic and noble heart. Particulars must be omitted. The American government, fully acquainted with his nautical skill, and duly appreciating his invaluable services, employed him to assist in arranging, systematising and advancing the naval establishment of the Republic. He had conquered Tripoli into a peace, which was concluded in a few months after he returned to America. A vote of thanks, and a medal, were presented to him by Congress.

He died in his native town, upon the 25th August, 1807. He has a monument of his fame in the heart of every officer and seaman who ever served under him. It is enough to say that STEPHEN DeCATUR, never ceased to express his unqualified admiration of the immortal PREBLE, until he was rendered immortal himself, and followed his beloved and adored naval patron into eternity.

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CHAPTER XI.

Capt. Decatur takes command of the frigate CONSTITUTION-Perfection of discipline in the American Navy-He takes command of the frigate CONGRESS-Peace with Tripoli-Emancipation of Capt Bainbridge, his officers and seamen-Meeting between them and Capt. Decatur, American officers and seamen of the Squadron-Captain Decatur returns to America in the frigate Congress Visits his Father, Commodore Decatur, at Philadelphia-He is appointed Superintendant of Gun-boats-Marries Miss Wheeler, of Norfolk, (Vir)-Supersedes Com. Barron, and takes command of the frigate Chesapeake—“ Affair of the Chesapeake"-Captain Decatur takes command of the Southern Squadron as COMMODORE.

CAPT. DECATUR, upon the retirement of Com. Preble, from the American squadron, in the Mediterranean, found himself senior to all the officers of the original squadron, and next in command to Com. Barron, who united the additional force with it, and assumed the chief command of the whole.

As commander of the noble frigate Constitution, and of the gallant officers and seamen who had so long served under the immediate orders of Com. Preble Decatur felt as if a high degree of responsibili ty devolved upon him. It was the first frigate he ever commanded, and he was the youngest officer in the American navy ever placed in so important a station. But although he had arrived only to that period of life when the characters of men generally

begin to develope their permanent qualities, he had so intently and assiduously pursued the duties of his profession-had passed through so many grades of office had seen such a diversity of service, and had fought so many battles, that he had become qualified for any station in the navy.

As the very respectable force brought into the Mediterranean by Com. Barron so essentially augmented the American squadron, the most efficient operations were probably expected to be immediately commenced. But the Bashaw was already sufficiently humbled. Negotiations were opened upon shore, and the united squadrons had little more to perform than the sluggish and irksome duty of standing off and on, and awaiting the result of the deliberations at the Bashaw's palace.

Capt. Decatur, after such a long series of incessant duty, might well be supposed to need repose. But, ever ready to receive and execute the orders of his new.commander, he remitted no portion of his accustomed vigilance in preparing for it. While in command of the Constitution, he enjoyed the society of the accomplished officers who remained in her, and who had participated so largely in the dangers the squadron had encountered, and the victories it had gained.

No event of sufficient interest.to relate particularly, took place in relation to Capt. Decatur while on board the Constitution. It might be hazardous to say that the crew made great advances in the science of naval tactics while under his command, as they

had so long served under the accomplished Preble but it has ever been acknowledged that Capt. Decatur was amongst the most strict and best qualified disciplinarians in the American Navy. This, if not the very first, is next to the first quality of a naval officer. Discipline has been acquired by all the American officers, and to a degree of perfection unknown even to the oldest veteran Admirals of Britain, who now enjoy the benefits of centuries of previous naval experience, whereas scarce a quarter of a century has passed since the American Navy has had existence.

In rapturously contemplating the splendid achievements of Decatur, the reader is exceedingly prone to overlook the causes which have produced such wonderful effects. Even his unequalled personal courage in action might have led him to the fate which almost invariably befalls misdirected rashness, had he not thoroughly acquired that nautical skill which enabled him to practise those masterly manoeuvreings, which so often baffled his most skilful adversaries. And also that military skill, which has given such complete perfection to American gunnery and produced such rapid and tremendous effects upon the enemy.

It is believed, that this system may be called THE AMERICAN NAVAL SYSTEM-and that it is retained as an arcanum with our naval officers. After the most diligent research, no publication could be found, which developed, what, to a landsman, seems as a mystery. This unquestionably is the dictate of the

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