J'ai l'honneur de vous prevenir que les deux medailles et les etuis sont prets. Je vous serais oblige de les faire retirer a la monnoye des medailles ainsi que les six medailles de bronze.

Les 2 medailles d'or pesent 2m. 4on. 1gr. a 175l. l'once 3434l. 2 belieres en or a 6l. chaque 12 6 medailles de bronze a 7l. chaque 42 2 etuis de galuchet[68] 142 —— Total 3630

J'ai l'honneur d'etre Monsieur votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, LAGRANGE, Caissier de la Monnoye des Medailles.

[Footnote 68: Galuchet, prepared shark-skins.]



Memoire de deux grandes chaines d'or fournies a Monsieur Short par Auguste, orfevre du Roi.

Petite Chaine. A l'epoque ou l'or etait a 110l. l'once, (p. 125) chaque maillon de cette chaine devait couter 6l., maintenant que l'or vaut 133l. 6-8. Ce qui est plus du 6eme en sus de son ancien prix, celui de chaque chainon revient a 7l., ce qui eleve le total des

365 chainons a la somme de 2555l. L'anneau et l'S de cette chaine valeur 65 —— 2620

Grande Chaine. Chaque maillon de la grande chaine qui par la meme raison ne devait couter que 13l. 10 revient au prix de 16l., ce qui fait pour le total des

365 chainons a la somme de 5840l. Pour l'anneau et l'S de cette chaine valeur 80 —— 5920 —— Total des deux chaines 8540l.

[Translation.]

M. Lagrange to William Short.

To Mr. SHORT. Paris, January 31, 1792.

I have the honor to advise you that the two medals and the cases are ready. I would be obliged to you to have them taken from the Mint of Medals, as also the six medals in bronze.

The two gold medals weigh 2m. 4oz. 1gr.[69] At 175 livres[70] the ounce 3,434 livres 2 loop-rings in gold at 6 livres each 12 6 medals in bronze at 7 livres each 42 2 galuchet cases 142 ——- Total 3,630

I have the honor to be, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant, LAGRANGE, Cashier of the Mint of Medals.

[Footnote 69: Former weights of France: 1 livre = 2 marcs = 16 ounces = 128 gros = 384 deniers = 9,216 grains.]

[Footnote 70: Former moneys of France: 1 livre = 20 sous = 240 deniers or 48 liards. 1 livre = 0.9876 francs.]



Account of the two large gold chains furnished to Mr. Short by Auguste, goldsmith to the king.

Small Chain. At the time when gold was worth 110 livres the ounce, each link of this chain was to cost 6 livres; now that gold is worth 133 livres, 6 sous, 8 deniers, which is more (p. 126) than one-sixth above its former price, that of each link comes to 7 livres, which increases the total of the

365 links to the sum of 2,555l. The ring and the S of this chain, cash 65l. ——- 2,620l.

Large Chain. Each link of the large chain, which for the same reason was to cost only 13 livres, 10 sous, comes to 16 livres, which makes for the total of

365 links the sum of 5,840l. For the ring and the S of this chain, cash 80l. ——- 5,920l. ——- Total for both chains 8,540l.



No. 20. (p. 127) PLATE XXI.

March 4, 1797—March 4, 1801.

John Adams President of the U.S. A.D. 1797. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS.

[Second President of the United States of America.]

JOHN ADAMS PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. (United States) A. D. (Anno Domini: The year of our Lord) 1797. Bust of President John Adams, facing the right.

PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. Two hands clasped in token of amity; on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes, and buttons with the American eagle on them; the other wrist bare; above the hands, a calumet and a tomahawk crossed—Indian emblems of peace and war.

JOHN ADAMS was born at Braintree, now Quincy, Massachusetts, October 19, 1735. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1755, studied law, and settled in Boston in 1768; he was a delegate to Congress, 1774-1778; serving on the Boards of Naval and of Foreign Affairs, and also on the Board of War; commissioner to France, 1778; to Holland, 1780; minister to Holland, 1782; to England, 1785-1788; vice-president of the United States, 1789-1793; President of the United States, 1797-1801. He retired to Quincy in 1801, and died there, July 4, 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Independence of the United States, and on the same day with Thomas Jefferson.



No. 21. (p. 128) PLATE XXII.

February 2, 1800.

Patriae. patres. filio. digno. Thomas Truxtun. [Rx]. United State frigate Constellation, of 38 guns, &c.

CAPTAIN THOMAS TRUXTUN.

[Action with the Vengeance.]

PATRIAE. PATRES. FILIO. DIGNO. THOMAS TRUXTUN. (The fathers of the country to their worthy son, Thomas Truxtun.) Bust of Captain Truxtun, in uniform, facing the left.

UNITED STATES FRIGATE CONSTELLATION OF 38 GUNS PURSUES ATTACKS AND VANQUISHES THE FRENCH SHIP LA VENGEANCE OF 54 GUNS 1 FEBY. (February) 1800. Naval action between the United States frigate Constellation, of thirty-eight guns, Captain Truxtun, and the French frigate La Vengeance, of fifty-four guns, Captain Pitot. The Constellation has lost her main mast. Exergue: BY VOTE OF CONGRESS, TO THOMAS TRUXTUN 29 MAR. (March) 1800.[71]

[Footnote 71: See INTRODUCTION, pages xxiii and xxxi.]

The engraving is an exact representation of the original gold medal, at present the property of Thomas Truxtun Houston, jr., of Washington, the great-grandson, in the female line, of Commodore Truxtun.

THOMAS TRUXTON was born in Jamaica, Long Island, New York, February 15, 1755. He served as lieutenant and captain of privateers during the War of Independence. In 1782, while engaged in carrying Mr. Thomas Barclay, United States consul-general, to France, he beat off a (p. 129) British frigate of thirty-two guns. After the war he commanded East Indiamen, but in 1794, on the creation of the American Navy, he received a commission as captain, and was appointed to the Constellation, of thirty-eight guns. In 1799, he captured l'Insurgente, a French frigate of thirty-six guns, Captain Barreault. His celebrated engagement with La Vengeance, of fifty-four guns, Captain Pitot, took place February 2, 1800, and for this exploit Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He afterward commanded the President, of forty-four guns. In 1802, Mr. Smith, secretary of the Navy under President Jefferson, having interpreted as a resignation Truxtun's refusal to accept the command of the Mediterranean squadron, unless a flag captain was given him, the country was deprived of this gallant officer's services. He retired to New Jersey, and afterward removed to Philadelphia, where he was high-sheriff of the city and county from 1816 to 1819, and where he died, May 5, 1822.



ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolutions of Congress Voting a Medal to Captain Truxtun, etc.

Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be requested to present to Captain Thomas Truxtun a golden medal, emblematical of the late action between the United States frigate Constellation, of thirty-eight guns, and the French ship of war La Vengeance, of fifty-four, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in the above engagement, wherein an example was exhibited by the Captain, officers, sailors, and marines, honourable to the American name, and instructive to its rising navy.

Resolved: That the conduct of James Jarvis, a midshipman in said frigate, who gloriously preferred certain death to an abandonment of his post, is deserving of the highest praise, and that the loss of so promising an officer is a subject of national regret.

Approved March 29, 1800.



Captain Thomas Truxtun to the Secretary of the Navy. (p. 130)

To Benjamin STODDART, Esq., United States ship Constellation, Secretary of the Navy. At sea, February 3, 1800.

Sir: On the 30th ult. I left St. Christopher's, with the Constellation, in excellent trim, and stood to windward in order to gain the station for myself before the road of Guadaloupe; and at half-past seven in the morning of the day following I discovered a sail to the south-east, to which I gave chase, and for the further particulars of that chase, and the action after it, I must beg to refer to the extracts from my journal, herewith, as being the best mode of exhibiting a just and candid account of all our transactions in the late business, which has ended in the almost entire dismantlement of the Constellation, though, I trust, to the high reputation of the American flag.

I have the honour to be, &c., Thos. TRUXTUN.

Occurrences on board the United States ship Constellation, of thirty-eight guns, under my command, February 1, 1800:

Throughout these twenty-four hours very unsettled weather; kept on our tacks, beating up under Guadaloupe, and at half-past seven in the morning, the road of Basseterre bearing east, five leagues distant, saw a sail in the south-east standing to the south-west, which, from her situation, I at first took for a large ship from Martinique, and hoisted English colours in giving chase, by way of inducement for her to come down and speak me, which would have saved us a long chase to leeward off my intended cruising ground; but finding she did not attempt to alter her course, I examined her more minutely, as we approached her, and discovered that she was a heavy French frigate, mounting at least fifty-four guns. I immediately gave orders for the yards to be slung with chains, top-sail sheets, &c., stoppered, and the ship cleared, and everything prepared for action, and hauled down the English colours. At noon the wind became light, and I observed the chase that we had before been gaining fast on held way with us, but I was determined to continue the pursuit, though the running to leeward, I was convinced, would be attended with many serious disadvantages, especially if the object of my wishes were not gratified.

Passed two schooners standing to the northward, one of these showed American colours, and was a merchant vessel, and the other I supposed to be of the same description.

February 2d, at one P.M., the wind being somewhat fresher than at the noon preceding, and an appearance of its continuance, our prospect of bringing the enemy to action began to brighten, as I perceived we were coming up with the chase fast, and every inch of canvas being set that could be of service, except the bog reefs which I kept in the topsails, in case of the chase, finding an escape from our thunder impracticable, should haul on a wind and give us fair battle. But this did not prove to be her commander's intention. I, however, got within hail of him at 8 P.M., hoisted our ensign, and had the candles in the battle (p. 131) lanterns all lighted, and the large trumpet in the lee-gangway ready to speak him, and to demand the surrender of his ship to the United States of America; but he, at that instant, commenced a fire from his stern and quarter guns, directed at our rigging and spars. No parley being then necessary, I sent my principal aid-de-camp, Mr. Vandyke, to the different officers commanding divisions on the main battery, to repeat strictly my orders, before given, not to throw away a single charge of powder, but to take good aim and fire directly into the hull of the enemy, and load principally with two round shot, and now and then with a round shot and stand of grape, &c., to encourage the men at their quarters; to cause or suffer no noise or confusion whatever; but to load and fire as fast as possible when it could be done with certain effect. These orders being given, in a few moments I gained a position on his weather quarter that enabled us to return, effectually, his salute; and thus a close and as sharp an action as ever was fought between two frigates, commenced and continued until within a few minutes of 1 A.M., when the enemy's fire was completely silenced, and he was again sheering off.

It was at this moment that I considered him as my prize, and was trimming, in the best manner I could, my much shattered sails, when I found the mainmast was totally unsupported by rigging, every shroud being shot away, and some of them in several places, that even stoppers were useless, and could not be applied with effect. I then gave orders for the officers to send the men up the gun-deck to endeavour to secure it, in order that we might get alongside of the enemy again as soon as possible; but every effort was in vain, for the mainmast went over the side a few minutes after, and carried with it the top-men, among whom was an amiable young gentleman who commanded the maintop, Mr. James Jarvis, son of James Jarvis, Esq., of New York. It seems that this young gentleman was apprized of the mast going in a few minutes by an old seaman, but he had already so much of the principle of an officer ingrafted on his mind, not to leave his quarters on any account, that he told the men if the mast went they must go with it, which was the case, and only one of them was saved.

I regret much his loss, as a promising young officer and amiable young man, as well as on account of a long intimacy that has subsisted between his father and myself; but have great satisfaction in finding that I have lost no other, and only two or three slightly wounded, out of thirty-nine killed and wounded—fourteen of the former, and twenty-five of the latter.

As soon as the mainmast went every effort was made to clear the wreck from the ship as soon as possible, which was effected in about an hour. It being impossible to pursue the enemy, and as her security was the great object, I immediately bore away for Jamaica, for repairs, etc., finding it impossible to reach a friendly port in any of the islands to windward.

I should be wanting in common justice were I to omit here to journalize the steady attention to order, and the great exertion and bravery of all my officers, seamen and marines, in this action, many of whom I had sufficiently tried before, on a similar occasion, and all their names are recorded in the muster-roll I sent to the Secretary of the Navy, dated the nineteenth of December last, signed by myself.

All hands employed at repairing the damages sustained in the (p. 132) action, so far as to get the ship into Jamaica as soon as possible.

Thomas TRUXTUN.



President John Adams to the Secretary of the Navy.

To B. STODDART, Philadelphia, March 31, 1800. Secretary of the Navy.

The President of the United States requests the Secretary of the Navy to take immediate measures for carrying into execution the resolution of Congress of the 29th, for presenting to Captain Thomas Truxtun a gold medal, emblematical of the late action between the United States frigate Constellation, of thirty-eight guns, and the French ship-of-war La Vengeance, of fifty-four, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in the above engagement, wherein an example was exhibited by the captain, officers, sailors and marines, honourable to the American name, and instructive to its rising navy.

John ADAMS.



John Adams to Captain Thomas Truxtun.

To CAPTAIN THOMAS TRUXTUN, U.S.N. Quincy, November 30th, 1802.

Sir: I have many apologies to make for omitting so long to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favour of the 10th of July. The copy you have done me the honour to present me, of the medal voted by Congress, and executed according to my directions to the Secretary of the Navy, I accept with great pleasure, not only from my personal regard to the giver, but because I esteem every laurel conferred upon you, for the glorious action of the 1st of March, 1800, as an honour done to our beloved country. From both of these motives I have been highly gratified with the honour the gentlemen of Lloyd's Coffee House have done themselves in the handsome acknowledgment they have made of their obligations to you. I regret that the artist had not completed the medal in season, that I might have had the satisfaction of presenting it to an officer who has so greatly deserved it; and I lament still more that I had not the power of promoting merit to its just rank in the navy, that of an admiral.

The counsel which Themistocles gave to Athens, Pompey to Rome, Cromwell to England, De Witt to Holland, and Colbert to France, I have always given and shall continue to give to my countrymen, that, as the great questions of commerce and power between nations and empires must be decided by a military marine, and war and peace are determined at sea, all reasonable encouragement should be given to the navy. The trident of Neptune is the sceptre of the world.

I am, Sir, etc., John ADAMS.



No. 22. (p. 133) PLATE XXIII.

March 4, 1801—March 4, 1809.

Th. Jefferson President of the U.S. A.D. 1801. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT THOMAS JEFFERSON.

[Third President of the United States of America.]

TH. (Thomas) JEFFERSON PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. (United States) A.D. (Anno Domini: The year of our Lord) 1801. Bust of President Jefferson, facing the left.

PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. Two hands clasped in token of amity: on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes and as many buttons; on the other, the American eagle; above the hands, a calumet and a tomahawk crossed—Indian emblems of peace and war.[72]

[Footnote 72: See INTRODUCTION, pages xxiv and xxvi.]

This medal bears no signature, but as the smaller size of the same is marked R. (Reich), it is presumable that both are the work of that engraver.

JOHN REICH, a native of Germany, came to America by the advice of Henry Voigt, chief coiner of the United States Mint, who on his arrival took him into his employ to make scales and other fine work. Mr. Scott took him afterward as an assistant to make dies, but tried in vain to have him appointed by the government. Reich made the Preble and Hull medals and the Indian medals of Presidents Jefferson and Madison. He died in Albany, State of New York, in 1833.

THOMAS JEFFERSON was born at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia, April 2, 1743. He studied at William and Mary College, Virginia, and was admitted to the bar in 1767. He was a member of the House of (p. 134) Burgesses, of Virginia, from 1769 till the Revolution; was delegate to the Continental Congress in 1775; wrote the Declaration of Independence, 1776; was governor of Virginia, 1779-1781; member of Congress, 1782; minister to France, 1785-1789; secretary of State to President Washington, 1790-1793; vice-president of the United States, 1797-1801; President (first term), 1801-1805; (second term), 1805-1809. He then retired to his estate of Monticello, in Albemarle County, Virginia, and died there, July 4, 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the Independence of the United States, and on the same day with John Adams.



No. 23. (p. 135) PLATE XXIV.

1804.

Edwardo Preble duci strenuo Comitia Americana. [Rx]. Vindici commercii Americani.

COMMODORE EDWARD PREBLE.

[Naval operations against Tripoli.]

EDWARDO PREBLE DUCI STRENUO COMITIA AMERICANA. (The American Congress to Edward Preble, a valiant officer.) Bust of Commodore Preble, in uniform, facing the left. On edge of bust, R. (Reich).

VINDICI COMMERCII AMERICANI. (To the vindicator of American commerce.) The United States fleet, commanded by Commodore Preble, is bombarding Tripoli. Exergue: ANTE TRIPOLI MDCCCIV. (Off Tripoli, 1804).[73]

[Footnote 73: See INTRODUCTION, pages xxiv and xxx.]

EDWARD PREBLE was born at Falmouth Neck, now Portland, Maine, August 15, 1761. He served as midshipman and lieutenant during the War of Independence, was appointed lieutenant in the navy in 1798, and commanded the brig Pickering. In 1799 he became captain, and was appointed to the Essex. Owing to ill health he was unemployed till 1803, when he was given the command of the squadron sent against Tripoli. For his skill and bravery on this expedition Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. In 1806, President Jefferson offered him the Navy Department, which he declined on account of ill health. He died in Portland, August 25, 1807.



ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 136)

Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to Commodore Preble.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and the same are hereby, presented to Commodore Edward Preble, and through him to the officers, seamen, and marines attached to the squadron under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct displayed in the several attacks on the town, batteries and naval force of Tripoli, in the year one thousand eight hundred and four.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, emblematical of the attacks on the town, batteries, and naval force of Tripoli, by the squadron under Commodore Preble's command, and to present it to Commodore Preble in such a manner as, in his opinion, will be most honourable to him; and that the President be further requested to cause a sword to be presented to each of the commissioned officers and midshipmen who have distinguished themselves in the several attacks.

Resolved, That one month's pay be allowed, exclusively of the common allowance, to all the petty officers, seamen, and marines, of the squadron, who so gloriously supported the honour of the American flag, under the orders of their gallant commander, in the several attacks.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be also requested to communicate to the parents, or other near relatives, of Captain Richard Somers, Lieutenants Henry Wadsworth, James Decatur, James R. Caldwell, Joseph Israel, and Midshipman John Sword Dorsey, the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of those gallant men, whose names ought to live in the recollections and affections of a grateful country, and whose conduct ought to be regarded as an example to future generations.

Approved March 3, 1805.



President Thomas Jefferson to Congress.

Washington, D. C., February 20th, 1805.

TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES.

I communicate, for the information of Congress, a letter of September 18, from Commodore Preble, giving a detailed account of the transactions of the vessels under his command, from July the 9th to the 10th of September, last past.

The energy and judgment displayed by this excellent officer, through the whole course of the service lately confided to him, and the zeal and bravery of his officers and men in the several enterprizes executed by them, cannot fail to give high satisfaction to Congress and their country, of whom they have deserved well.

Th: JEFFERSON.



Commodore Preble to the Secretary of the Navy. (p. 137)

To the Honourable SECRETARY OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, Washington, D. C. United States ship Constitution, Malta Harbour, September 18th, 1804.

Sir: I had the honour to write you from Messina, under date of the 5th of July; I then expected to have sailed the day following, but was detained, by bad weather, until the 9th, when I left it, with two small bomb vessels under convoy, and arrived at Syracuse, where we were necessarily detained four days. On the 14th I sailed, the schooners Nautilus and Enterprize in company, with six gun boats and two bomb vessels, generously loaned us by His Sicilian Majesty. The bomb vessels are about thirty tons, carry a thirteen-inch brass sea mortar, and forty men. Gun boats, twenty-five tons, carry a long iron twenty-four pounder in the bow, with a complement of thirty-five men. They are officered and manned from the squadron, excepting twelve Neapolitan bombardiers, gunners, and sailors, attached to each boat, who were shipped by permission of their Government. This step I found necessary, as every vessel in the squadron was considerably short of complement. The gun boats are constructed for the defence of harbours; they are flat bottomed and heavy, and do not sail or row even tolerably well. They were never intended to go to sea, and, I find, cannot be navigated with safety, unless assisted by tow ropes from larger and better sailing vessels, nor even then, in very bad weather; however, as they were the best I could obtain, I have thought it for the good of our service to employ them, particularly as the weather in July and August is generally pleasant, and, without them, my force too small to make any impression on Tripoli.

On the 16th of July we arrived at Malta, where we were detained by contrary gales until the 21st, when we left it, and arrived in sight of Tripoli the 25th, and were joined by the Syren, Argus, Vixen and Scourge. Our squadron now consisted of the Constitution, three brigs, three schooners, two bombs, and six gun-boats, our whole number of men one thousand and sixty. I proceeded to make the necessary arrangements for an attack on Tripoli, a city well walled, protected by batteries judiciously constructed, mounting one hundred and fifteen pieces of heavy cannon, and defended by twenty-five thousand Arabs and Turks; the harbour protected by nineteen gun-boats, two galleys, two schooners of eight guns each, and a brig mounting ten guns, ranged in order of battle, forming a strong line of defence, at secure moorings, inside a long range of rocks and shoals, extending more than two miles to the eastward of the town, which form the harbour, protects them from the northern gales, and renders it impossible for a vessel of the Constitution's draught of water to approach near enough to destroy them, as they are sheltered by the rocks, and can retire under that shelter to the shore, unless they choose to expose themselves in the different channels and openings of the reefs, for the purpose of annoying their enemies. Each of their gunboats mounts a heavy eighteen or twenty-six pounder in the bow, and two brass howitzers on their quarters, and carry from thirty-six to fifty men. The galleys have each one hundred men, schooners and brigs about the same number. The weather was not favourable for anchoring until the 28th, when, with the wind E. S. E., the squadron stood in (p. 138) for the coast, and at 3 P.M. anchored, per signal, Tripoli bearing S. two and a half miles distant. At this moment the wind shifted suddenly from E. S. E. to N. N. W., and from thence to N. N. E. At 5 o'clock it blew strong, with a heavy sea, setting directly on shore. I made the signal to prepare to weigh. At 6, the wind and sea having considerably increased the signal was made for the squadron to weigh and gain an offing. The wind continued veering to the eastward, which favoured our gaining sea-room without being obliged to carry so great a press of sail as to lose any of our gunboats, although they were in great danger. The gale continued varying from N. E. to E. S. E. without increasing much, until the 31st, when it blew away our reefed foresail, and close-reefed main-topsail; fortunately, the sea did not rise in proportion to the strength of the gale, or we must have lost all our boats. August 1st the gale subsided, and we stood towards the coast: every preparation was made for an attack on the town and harbour. August 3d, pleasant weather, wind East; stood in with the squadron towards Tripoli. At noon we were between two or three miles from the batteries, which were all manned, and observing several of their gunboats and galleys had advanced, in two divisions, without the rocks, I determined to take advantage of their temerity. At half-past 12 I wore off shore, and made the signal to come within hail, when I communicated to each of the commanders my intention of attacking the enemy's shipping and batteries. The gun and mortar boats were immediately manned and prepared to cast off, the gunboats in two divisions of three each; the first division commanded by Captain Somers, in No. 1; Lieutenant Decatur in No. 2, and Lieutenant Blake in No. 3; the second division commanded by Captain Decatur, in No. 4, Lieutenant Bainbridge in No. 5, and Lieutenant Trippe in No. 6. The two bombards were commanded by Lieutenant-Commandant Dent, and Mr. Robinson, First Lieutenant of this ship. At half-past 1 o'clock, having made the necessary arrangements for the attack, wore ship and stood towards the batteries. At 2 signal made to cast off the boats; at a quarter-past 2 signal for bombs and gunboats to advance and attack the enemy. At half-past 2 general signal for battle. At three-quarters-past 2 the bombs commenced the action, by throwing shells into the town. In an instant the enemy's shipping and batteries opened a tremendous fire, which was promptly returned by the whole squadron within grape-shot distance; at the same time the second division, of three gunboats, led by the gallant Captain Decatur, was advancing, with sails and oars, to board the eastern division of the enemy, consisting of nine boats. Our boats gave the enemy showers of grape and musket balls as they advanced; they, however, soon closed, when the pistol, sabre, pike and tomahawk were made good use of by our brave tars. Captain Somers, being in a dull sailer, made the best use of his sweeps, but was not able to fetch far enough to windward to engage the same division of the enemy's boats which Captain Decatur fell in with; he, however, gallantly bore down with his single boat on five of the enemy's western division, and engaged within pistol shot, defeated and drove them within the rocks, in a shattered condition, and with the loss of a great number of men. Lieutenant Decatur, in No. 2, was closely engaged with one of the enemy's largest boats of the eastern division, which struck to him, after having lost a large proportion of men, and, at the instant that brave officer was boarding her to take possession, he was (p. 139) treacherously shot through the head by the captain of the boat that had surrendered, which base conduct enabled the poltroon (with the assistance he received from the other boats) to escape. The third boat of Captain Somers' division kept to windward, firing at the boats and shipping in the harbour; had she gone down to his assistance, it is probable several of the enemy's boats would have been captured in that quarter. Captain Decatur, in No. 4, after having, with distinguished bravery, boarded and carried one of the enemy of superior force, took his prize in tow, and gallantly bore down to engage a second, which, after a severe and bloody conflict, he also took possession of. These two prizes had thirty-three officers and men killed, and twenty-seven made prisoners, nineteen of which were badly wounded. Lieutenant Trippe, of the Vixen, in No. 6, ran alongside of one of the enemy's large boats, which he boarded with only Midshipman John Henley and nine men, his boat falling off before any more could get on board; thus was he left, compelled to conquer or perish, with the odds of thirty-six to eleven. The Turks could not withstand the ardour of this brave officer and his assistants; in a few minutes the decks were cleared, and her colours hauled down. On board of this boat fourteen of the enemy were killed, and twenty-two made prisoners, seven of which were badly wounded. The rest of their boats retreated within the rocks. Lieutenant Trippe received eleven sabre wounds, some of which are very severe; he speaks in the highest terms of Mr. Henley, and those who followed him. Lieutenant Bainbridge, in No. 5, had his latteen yard shot away early in the action, which prevented his getting alongside the enemy's boats, but he galled them by a steady and well directed fire, within musket shot; indeed he pursued the enemy until his boat grounded under the batteries; she was, fortunately, soon got off. The bomb vessels kept their stations, although covered with the spray of the sea occasioned by the enemy's shot. They were well conducted by Lieutenants Dent and Robinson, who kept up a constant fire from the mortars, and threw a great number of shells into the town. Five of the enemy's gunboats, and two galleys, composing the centre division, and stationed within the rocks, as a reserve, joined by the boats that had been driven in, and supplied by fresh men from the shore to replace those they had lost, twice attempted to row out, to endeavour to surround our gunboats and their prizes: I as often made the signal to cover them, which was promptly attended to by the brigs and schooners, all of which were gallantly conducted, and annoyed the enemy exceedingly, but the fire from this ship kept their flotilla completely in check. Our grape shot made great havoc among their men, not only on board their shipping, but on shore. We were several times within two cables length of the rocks, and within three of their batteries, every one of which, in succession, were silenced, so long as we could bring our broadside to bear upon them; but the moment we passed a battery, it was re-animated, and a constant, heavy fire kept up from all that we could not point our guns at. We suffered most when wearing or tacking; it was then I most sensibly felt the want of another frigate. At half-past four, the wind inclining to the northward, I made the signal for the bombs and gunboats to retire from action, and, immediately after, the signal to tow off the gunboats and prizes, which was handsomely executed by the brigs, schooners, and boats of the squadron, covered by a heavy fire from the Constitution. At three-quarters past 4, P.M., the light vessels, gunboats, and prizes being (p. 140) out of reach of the enemy's shot, I hauled off to take the bomb vessels in tow. We were two hours under the fire of the enemy's batteries, and the only damage received in the ship is a twenty-four pound shot nearly through the centre of the mainmast, thirty feet from the deck; main royal yard and sail shot away; one of our quarter-deck guns damaged by a thirty-two pound shot, which, at the same time, shattered a mariner's arm; two lower shrouds and two backstays were shot away, and our sails and running rigging considerably cut. We must impute our getting off thus well to our keeping so near that they overshot us, and to the annoyance our grape shot gave them; they are, however, but wretched gunners. Gunboat No. 5 had her main yard shot away, and the rigging and sails of the brigs and schooners were considerably cut. Lieutenant Decatur was the only officer killed, but in him the service has lost a valuable officer. He was a young man who gave strong promise of being an ornament to his profession. His conduct in the action was highly honourable, and he died nobly. The enemy must have suffered very much in killed and wounded, both among the shipping and on shore. Three of their gunboats were sunk in the harbour, several of them had their decks nearly cleared of men by our shot, and a number of shells burst in the town and batteries, which must have done great execution. The officers, seamen, and marines, of the squadron behaved in the most gallant manner. The Neapolitans, in emulating the ardour of our seamen, answered my highest expectations.

I cannot but notice the active exertions and officer-like conduct of Lieutenant Gordon, and the other lieutenants of the Constitution. Mr. Harriden, the master, gave me full satisfaction, as did all the officers and ship's company. I was much gratified with the conduct of Captain Hall and Lieutenant Greenleaf, and the marines belonging to his company, in the management of six long twenty-six pounders, on the spar-deck, which I placed under his direction. Captain Decatur speaks in the highest terms of the conduct of Lieutenant Thorn and Midshipman McDonough, of No. 4, as does Captain Somers of Midshipmen Ridgely and Miller, attached to No. 1.

Annexed is a list of killed and wounded, and, enclosed, a copy of my general orders on this occasion:

Killed. Gunboat No. 2: Lieutenant James Decatur.

Wounded. Constitution: one marine; gunboat No. 4: Captain Decatur (slightly), one sergeant of marines and two seamen; gunboat No. 6: Lieutenant Trippe (severely), one boatswain's mate and two marines; gunboat No. 1: two seamen; gunboat No. 2: two seamen. Total, one killed, thirteen wounded.

August 5. We were at anchor with the squadron about two leagues north from the city of Tripoli; the Argus in chase of a small vessel to the westward, which she soon came up with, and brought within hail; she proved to be a French privateer, of four guns, which put into Tripoli a few days since, for water, and left it this morning. I prevailed on the captain, for a consideration, to return to Tripoli, for the purpose of landing fourteen very badly wounded Tripolitans, which I put on board his vessel, with a letter to the Prime Minister, leaving it at the option of the Bashaw to reciprocate this generous mode of conducting the war. The sending these unfortunate men on shore, to be taken care of by their friends, was an act of humanity on our part, which (p. 141) I hope will make a proper impression on the minds of the barbarians, but I doubt it. All hands were busily employed in altering the rig of the three prizes from latteen vessels to sloops, and preparing for a second attack. Observed one of the enemy's schooners and the brig (two corsairs in the harbour) to be dismasted; was informed by the French captain that the damage these vessels received in the action of the 3d had occasioned their masts being taken out.

August 7th. The French privateer came out, and brought me a letter from the French Consul, in which he observes, that our attack of the 3d instant has disposed the Bashaw to accept of reasonable terms, and invited me to send a boat to the rocks with a flag of truce, which was declined, as the white flag was not hoisted at the Bashaw's castle. At 9 A.M., with a very light breeze from the eastward, and a strong current which obliged the Constitution to remain at anchor, I made the signal for the light vessels to weigh, and the gun and bomb boats to cast off, and stand in shore toward the western batteries; the prize boats having been completely fitted for service, and the command of them given to Lieutenants Crane, of the Vixen, Thorn, of the Enterprize, and Caldwell, of the Syren, the whole advanced with sails and oars. The orders were for the bombs to take a position in a small bay to the westward of the city, where but few of the enemy's guns could be brought to bear on them, but from whence they could annoy the town with shells; the gunboats to silence a battery of seven heavy guns which guarded the approach to that position, and the brigs and schooners to support them, in case the enemy's flotilla should venture out. At half-past one P.M., a breeze from N. N. E., I weighed with the Constitution and stood in for the town; but the wind being on shore, made it imprudent to engage the batteries with the ship, as, in case of a mast being shot away, the loss of the vessel would probably ensue, unless a change of wind should favour our getting off. At half-past two P.M., the bomb and gun boats having gained their station, the signal was made for them to attack the town and batteries. Our bombs immediately commenced throwing shells, and the gunboats opened a sharp and well directed fire on the town and batteries, within point blank shot, which was warmly returned by the enemy. The seven gun battery, in less than two hours, was silenced, except one gun; I presume the others were dismounted by our shot, as the walls were almost totally destroyed. At a quarter-past three P.M., a ship hove in sight to the northward, standing for the town; made the Argus signal to chase. At half-past three, one of our prize gunboats was blown up by hot shot from the enemy, which passed through her magazine: she had on board twenty-eight officers, seamen, and marines, ten of whom were killed, and six wounded; among the killed were James R. Caldwell, First Lieutenant of the Syren, and Midshipman John S. Dorsey, both excellent officers; Midshipman Spence and eleven men were taken up unhurt. Captain Decatur, whose division this boat belonged to, and who was near at the time she blew up, reports to me that Mr. Spence was superintending the loading of the gun at that moment, and, notwithstanding the boat was sinking, he and the brave fellows surviving, finished charging, gave three cheers as the boat went from under them, and swam to the nearest boats, where they assisted during the remainder of the action. The enemy's gunboats and galleys (fifteen in number) were all in motion close under the batteries, and appeared to meditate an attack on our boats; the Constitution, Nautilus, and Enterprize, were to windward, ready, at every hazard, to cut them off (p. 142) from the harbour, if they should venture down; while the Syren and Vixen were near our boats, to support and cover any that might be disabled. The enemy thought it most prudent, however, to retire to their snug retreat behind the rocks, after firing a few shot. Our boats, in two divisions, under Captains Somers and Decatur, were well conducted, as were our bomb vessels, by Lieutenants Dent and Robinson. The town must have suffered much from this attack, and their batteries, particularly the seven gun battery, must have lost many men. At half-past five P.M., the wind began to freshen from the N. N. E., I made the signal for the gun and bomb boats to retire from action, and for the vessels to which they were attached to take them in tow. The Argus made signal that the strange sail was a friend.

In this day's action No. 4 had a twenty-four pound shot through her hull; No. 6 her latteen yard shot away; No. 8 a twenty-four pound shot through her hull, which killed two men; some of the other boats had their rigging and sails considerably cut. We threw forty-eight shells, and about five hundred twenty-four pound shot into the town and batteries. All the officers and men engaged in the action behaved with the utmost intrepidity. At half-past six all the boats were in tow, and the squadron standing to the northwest. At eight, the John Adams, Captain Chauncey, from the United States, joined company. At nine the squadron anchored, Tripoli bearing southeast, five miles distant. Gunboat No. 3 was this day commanded by Mr. Brooks, master of the Argus, and No. 6 by Lieutenant Wadsworth, of the Constitution.

Annexed is a return of our loss in this attack.

Killed. Gunboat No. 9: One lieutenant, one midshipman, one boatswain's mate, one quarter gunner, one sergeant of marines, and five seamen; Gunboat No. 8: Two seamen.

Wounded. Gunboat No. 9: Six seamen, two of whom mortally. Total, twelve killed, six wounded.

Captain Chauncey brought me the first positive information that any reinforcement was to be expected. By him I was honoured with your letters of the 7th, 22d, and 31st of May, informing me that four frigates were coming out, under Commodore Barren, who is to supersede me in the command of our naval forces in these seas, at the same time approbating my conduct, and conveying to me the thanks of the President for my services. I beg you, Sir, to accept my warmest thanks for the very obliging language in which you have made these communications, and to assure the President that to merit the applause of my country is my only aim, and to receive it the highest gratification it can bestow.

Captain Chauncey informed me that the frigates might be expected every moment, as they were to sail from Hampton Roads four days after him. In consequence of this information (and as I could not bring the John Adams into action, she having left all her gun carriages for her gun deck, except eight, on board the Congress and Constellation, a day or two previous to her sailing), I determined to wait a few days for the arrival of Commodore Barron, before another attack, when, if he should arrive, the fate of Tripoli must be decided in a few hours, and the Bashaw completely humbled. Had the John Adams brought out her gun carriages, I should not have waited a moment, and can have (p. 143) no doubt but the next attack would make the arrival of more ships unnecessary for the termination of the Tripoline war. I gave Captain Chauncey orders to remain on the station, that we might be benefited by the assistance of his boats and men, as nearly half the crews of the Constitution, brigs and schooners, were taken out to man the bombs, gun and ship's boats when prepared for an attack.

August 9th. We were engaged supplying the bombs and gunboats with ammunition and stores, and getting everything in readiness for an attack, the moment Commodore Barron should arrive and make the signal. I cannot but regret that our naval establishment is so limited as to deprive me of the means and glory of completely subduing the haughty tyrant of Tripoli, while in the chief command; it will, however, afford me satisfaction to give my successor all the assistance in my power. At three P.M. I went on board the Argus, for the purpose of reconnoitering the harbour of Tripoli; we stood in towards the town, and were near being sunk by the enemy's fire; one of their heaviest shot, which struck about three feet short of the water line, raked the copper off her bottom under water, and cut the plank half through. In the evening the wind blew strong from the N. N. E.; the squadron weighed, and kept under sail all night. The day following we anchored, Tripoli bearing S. S. W., six miles distant. At ten A.M. the French Consul hoisted a white flag at his flagstaff, under the national colours, which was a signal that the Bashaw was ready to treat. I sent a boat into the harbour, and took this opportunity to forward Captain Bainbridge, and his officers, letters from their friends. The boat was not allowed to land, but returned in the afternoon, and brought me a letter, advising that the Bashaw was ready to receive five hundred dollars for the ransom of each of the prisoners, and terminate the war, without any consideration for peace or tribute. This is three hundred and fifty thousand dollars less than was demanded previous to the action of the 3d instant. These terms I did not hesitate to reject, as I was informed by Captain Chauncey that it was the expectation of our Government, on the arrival of four frigates, to obtain the release of the officers and crew of the Philadelphia without ransom, and dictate the terms of peace. I enclose you copies of our correspondence, which will convince you that our attacks have not been made without effect.

August 16th. No news of the frigates, and but short allowance of water in the squadron. I sent the Enterprize to Malta, with orders to the agent there to hire transports, and send off immediately a supply of fresh water, provision, and other stores which have become necessary, as some of the squadron have now been upwards of five months in sight of this dismal coast, without once visiting a friendly port. Those vessels, as well as the gunboats, received their supply of water and provisions from the Constitution.

August 18th. As the season is fast approaching when we may expect bad weather, and no news of the frigates, I have determined to make an attack as soon as the wind proves favourable. At eight P.M. I sent Captains Decatur and Chauncey, in two small boats, to reconnoitre the harbour, and observe the disposition of the enemy's flotilla at night. They returned at midnight, and reported that they were anchored in a line abreast, from the mole to the Bashaw's castle, with their heads to the eastward, for the defence of the inner harbour. At daylight (p. 144) the wind shifted suddenly from northeast to north-northwest, and brought a heavy sea on shore, which obliged us, for greater safety, to weigh and stand to sea.

August 20th. We had gained an offing of nine or ten leagues; still blowing hard. We had met with the ketch Intrepid, from Syracuse, with a cargo of fresh water, stock, and vegetables, for the squadron.

August 22d. Fell in with a ship from Malta, with water and live stock for the squadron. These cargoes arrived very opportunely, as we have for some time past been on a short allowance of water. The wind having moderated, we stood in and anchored with the squadron, six miles northeast by north from Tripoli. All the boats were engaged in discharging the transports. The Enterprize arrived from Malta, but brought no intelligence of the long expected frigates.

August 24th. With a light breeze from the northeast, we stood in with the squadron, prepared for action, intending to attack the town and shipping in the night. At eight in the evening, anchored about two and a half miles from the batteries. At midnight it fell calm. I sent the bomb vessels, under the protection of the gunboats, to bombard the town; the boats of the squadron were employed in towing them in. At two A.M. the bombardment commenced, and continued until daylight, but with what effect is uncertain. At six all the boats joined us, and were taken in tow by the squadron, which was under weigh and standing off. At seven, anchored four miles north of the town. The weather for several days, proved unfavourable for approaching the shore.

August 28th. We were favoured with a pleasant breeze from the eastward; at three P.M. we weighed, and stood in for Tripoli; at five, anchored the Constitution, two miles north by east from Fort English, and two miles and a half from the Bashaw's castle; the light vessels ordered to keep under way; we were employed until eight P.M. in making arrangements for attacking the town; a number of the officers, and many of the seamen, of the Constitution being attached to the bomb, gun and ship's boats; Captain Chauncey, with several of his officers, and about seventy seamen and marines, volunteered their services on board the Constitution. All the boats in the squadron were officered and manned, and attached to the several gunboats. The two bomb vessels could not be brought into action, as one was leaky and the mortar-bed of the other had given way. The John Adams, Scourge, transports and bombs, were anchored seven miles to the northward of the town. Lieutenant Commander Dent, of the Scourge, came on board the Constitution, and took charge on the gun-deck. Lieutenant Izard, of the Scourge, also joined me. Lieutenant Gordon commands gunboat No. 2, and Lieutenant Lawrence, of the Enterprize, No. 5; these are the only changes. At half past one, A.M., the gunboats, in two divisions, led by Captains Decatur and Somers, were ordered to advance and take their stations close to the rocks at the entrance of the harbour, within grape-shot distance of the Bashaw's castle. The Syren, Argus, Vixen, Nautilus, Enterprize, and boats of the squadron accompanied them. At three, A.M., the boats anchored with springs on, within pistol shot of the rocks, and commenced a brisk fire on the shipping, town, batteries, and Bashaw's castle, which was warmly returned, but not as well directed. The ship's boats remained with the gunboats, to assist in boarding the enemy's (p. 145) flotilla, if it should venture out, while the brigs and schooners kept under way, ready for the same service, or for annoying the enemy as occasion might present. At daylight, presuming that the gunboats had nearly expended their ammunition, we weighed with the Constitution, and stood in for the harbour. Fort English, the Bashaw's castle, crown and mole batteries, kept up a heavy fire upon us as we advanced. At half past five, I made the signal for the gunboats to retire from action, and for the brigs and schooners to take them in tow. We were then within two cables length of the rocks, and commenced a heavy fire of round and grape on thirteen of the enemy's gunboats and galleys, which were in pretty close action with our boats. We sunk one of the enemy's boats, at the same time, two more, disabled, ran on shore to avoid sinking; the remainder immediately retreated. We continued running in until we were within musket shot of the crown and mole batteries, when we brought to and fired upwards of three hundred round shot, besides grape and canister, into the town, Bashaw's castle, and batteries. We silenced the castle and two of the batteries for some time. At a quarter past six, the gunboats being all out of shot and in tow, I hauled off, after having been three-quarters of an hour in close action. The gunboats fired upwards of four hundred round shot, besides grape and canister, with good effect. A large Tunisian galliot was sunk in the mole. A Spanish ship, which had entered with an ambassador from the Grand Seignor, received considerable damage. The Tripoline galleys and gunboats lost many men, and were much cut. The Bashaw's castle and town have suffered very much; as have their crown and mole batteries.

Captains Decatur and Somers conducted their divisions of gunboats with their usual firmness and address, and were well supported by the officers and men attached to them. The brigs and schooners were also well conducted during the action, and fired a number of shot at the enemy, but their guns are too light to do much execution. They suffered considerably in their sails and rigging. The officers and crew of the Constitution behaved well. I cannot, in justice to Captain Chauncey, omit noticing the very able assistance I received from him on the quarter-deck of the Constitution during the whole of the action. The damage which we have received is principally above the hull. Three lower shrouds, two spring stays, two top-mast back stays, trusses, chains, and lifts of the main yard, shot away. Our sails had several cannon shot through them, and were beside considerably cut by grape; much of our running rigging cut to pieces. One of our anchor stocks, and our larboard cable, shot away, and a number of grape shot were sticking in different parts of the hull, but not a man hurt! A boat belonging to the John Adams, with a master's mate (Mr. Creighton) and eight men, was sunk by a double-headed shot from the batteries, while in tow of the Nautilus, which killed three men, and badly wounded one, who, with Mr. Creighton and the other four, were picked up by one of our boats. The only damage our gunboats sustained was in their rigging and sails, which were considerably cut by the enemy's round and grape shot. At eleven, A.M., we anchored with the squadron, five miles northeast by north from Tripoli, and repaired the damage received in the action.

August 29th and 30th. Preparing the bomb vessels for service; supplying the gunboats with ammunition, etc.

August 31st. A vessel arrived from Malta with provisions (p. 146) and stores; brought no news of Commodore Barron or the frigates. We discharged this vessel's cargo and ordered her to return.

September 2d. The bomb vessels having been repaired and ready for service, Lieutenants Dent and Robinson resumed the command of them. Lieutenant Morris of the Argus, took command of No. 3, and Lieutenant Trippe, having nearly recovered from his wounds, resumed the command of No. 6, which he so gallantly conducted the 3d ultimo. Captain Chauncey, with several young gentlemen, and sixty men from the John Adams, volunteered on board the Constitution. At four P.M., made the signal to weigh; kept under sail all night. At eleven P.M., a general signal to prepare for battle. A Spanish polacre in ballast came out of Tripoli, with an ambassador of the Grand Seignor on board, who had been sent from Constantinople to Tripoli to confirm the Bashaw in his title; this ceremony takes place in all the Barbary regencies every five years. The captain of this vessel informed us that our shot and shells had made great havoc and destruction in the city, and among the shipping, and that a vast number of people had been killed: also informs us that three of the boats which were sunk by our shot in the actions of the 3d and 28th ultimo, had been got up, repaired, and fitted for service.

September 3d. At two P.M., Tripoli bore south southwest, two miles and a half distant; wind east by north. At half-past two the signals were made for the gunboats to cast off, advance, and attack the enemy's galleys and gunboats, which were all under weigh in the eastern part of the harbour, whither they had for some time been working up against the wind. This was certainly a judicious movement of theirs, as it precluded the possibility of our boats going down to attack the town, without leaving the enemy's flotilla in their rear, and directly to windward. I accordingly ordered the bomb vessels to run down within proper distance of the town and bombard it, while our gunboats were to engage the enemy's galleys and boats to windward. At half-past three P.M., our bombs having gained the station to which they were directed, anchored, and commenced throwing shells into the city; at the same time our gunboats opened a brisk fire on the galleys, &c., within point blank shot, which was warmly returned by them and Fort English, and by a new battery a little to the westward; but as soon as our boats arrived within good musket shot of their galleys and boats, they gave way and retreated to the shore within the rocks, and under cover of musketry from Fort English. They were followed by our boats, and by the Syren, Argus, Vixen, Nautilus and Enterprize, as far as the reefs would permit them to go with prudence. The action was then divided. One division of our boats, with the brigs and schooners, attacked Fort English, whilst the other was engaged with the enemy's galleys and boats. The Bashaw's castle, the mole, crown, and several other batteries kept up a constant fire on our bomb vessels, which were well conducted, and threw shells briskly into the town; but, from their situation, they were very much exposed, and in great danger of being sunk. I accordingly ran within them with the Constitution, to draw off the enemy's attention and amuse them whilst the bombardment was kept up. We brought to within reach of grape, and fired eleven broadsides into the Bashaw's castle, town and batteries, in a situation where more than seventy guns could bear upon us. One of their batteries was silenced. The town, castle and other batteries considerably (p. 147) damaged. By this time, it was half-past four o'clock; the wind was increasing, and inclining rapidly to the northward. I made the signal for the boats to retire from action, and for the brigs and schooners to take them in tow, and soon after hauled off with the Constitution to repair damages. Our main-topsail was totally disabled by a shell from the batteries, which cut away the leech rope, and several cloths of the sail; another shell went through the fore-top-sail, and one through the jib; all our sails considerably cut; two top-mast backstays shot away, main sheets, fore tacks, lifts, braces, bowlines, and the running rigging, generally, very much cut, but no shot in our hull, excepting a few grape. Our gunboats were an hour and fifteen minutes in action. They disabled several of the enemy's galleys and boats, and considerably damaged Fort English. Most of our boats received damage in their rigging and sails. The bomb vessel No. 1, commanded by Lieutenant Robinson, was disabled, every shroud being shot away; the bed of the mortar rendered useless, and the vessel near sinking; she was, however, towed off. About fifty shells were thrown into the town, and our boats fired four hundred round shot, besides grape and canister. They were led into action by Captains Decatur and Somers, with their usual gallantry. The brigs and schooners were handsomely conducted, and fired many shot with effect at Fort English, which they were near enough to reach with their carronades; they suffered considerably in their rigging, and the Argus received a thirty-two pound shot in the hull forward, which cut off a bower cable as it entered. We kept under weigh until eleven P.M., when we anchored, Tripoli bearing south southwest three leagues. I again, with pleasure, acknowledge the services of an able and active officer in Captain Chauncey, serving on the quarter-deck of the Constitution. At sunrise I made the signal for the squadron to prepare for action. The carpenters were sent on board the bombs to repair damages, and our boats employed in supplying the bombs and gunboats with ammunition, and to replace the expenditures.

Desirous of annoying the enemy by all the means in my power, I directed to be put into execution a long contemplated plan of sending a fire ship, or infernal, into the harbour of Tripoli, in the night, for the purpose of endeavouring to destroy the enemy's shipping, and shatter the Bashaw's castle and town. Captain Somers, of the Nautilus, having volunteered his services, had, for several days before this period, been directing the preparation of the ketch Intrepid, assisted by Lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel. About one hundred barrels of powder, and one hundred and fifty fixed shells, were apparently judiciously disposed of on board her. The fusees leading to the magazine, where all the powder was deposited, were calculated to burn for a quarter of an hour.

September 4th. The Intrepid being prepared for the intended service, Captain Somers and Lieutenant Wadsworth made choice of two of the fastest rowing boats in the squadron, for bringing them out, after reaching their destination, and firing the combustible materials which were to communicate with the fusees. Captain Somers' boat was manned with four seamen from the Nautilus, and Lieutenant Wadsworth's with six from the Constitution. Lieutenant Israel accompanied them. At eight in the evening, the Intrepid was under sail, and standing for the port, with a leading breeze from the eastward. The Argus, Vixen, and Nautilus, convoyed her as far as the rocks. On entering the (p. 148) harbour, several shot were fired at her from the batteries. In a few minutes after, when she had apparently nearly gained the intended place of destination, she suddenly exploded, without their having previously fired a room filled with splinters and other combustibles, which were intended to create a blaze in order to deter the enemy from boarding while the fire was communicating to the fusees which led to the magazine. The effect of the explosion awed their batteries into profound silence with astonishment; not a gun was afterwards fired for the night. The shrieks of the inhabitants informed us that the town was thrown into the greatest terror and consternation by the explosion of the magazine, and the bursting and falling of shells in all directions. The whole squadron waited, with the utmost anxiety, to learn the fate of the adventurers, from a signal previously agreed on, in case of success; but waited in vain. No signs of their safety were to be observed. The Argus, Vixen and Nautilus, hovered round the entrance of the port until sunrise, when they had a fair view of the whole harbour. Not a vestige of the ketch or her boats was to be seen. One of the enemy's largest gunboats was missing, and three others were seen very much shattered and damaged, which the enemy were hauling on shore. From these circumstances, I am led to believe that these boats were detached from the enemy's flotilla to intercept the ketch, and, without suspecting her to be a fire ship, the missing boat had suddenly boarded her, when the gallant Somers and heroes of his party, observing the other three boats surrounding them, and no prospect of escape, determined, at once, to prefer death and the destruction of the enemy to captivity and torturing slavery, put a match to the tram leading directly to the magazine, which at once blew the whole into the air, and terminated their existence. My conjectures respecting this affair are founded on a resolution which Captain Somers, Lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel had formed—neither to be taken by the enemy, nor suffer him to get possession of the powder on board the Intrepid. They expected to enter the harbour without discovery, but had declared that should they be disappointed, and the enemy should board them, before they reached the point of destination, in such force as to leave them no hopes of a safe retreat, that they would put a match to the magazine, and blow themselves and their enemies up together; determined, as there was no exchange of prisoners, that their country should never pay ransom for them, nor the enemy receive a supply of powder through their means. The disappearance of one of the enemy's boats, and the shattered condition of three others, confirm me in my opinion that they were an advanced guard, detached from the main body of the flotilla on discovering the approach of the Intrepid, and that they attempted to board her before she had reached her point of destination; otherwise the whole of their shipping must have suffered, and perhaps would have been totally destroyed. That she was blown up before she had gained her station is certain, by which the service has lost three very gallant officers. Captain Somers, and Lieutenants Wadsworth and Israel were officers of conspicuous bravery, talents, and merit. They had uniformly distinguished themselves in the several actions; were beloved and lamented by the whole squadron.

September 5th. We were employed in supplying the gunboats with ammunition, &c., and repairing the bomb vessels for another attack, but, the wind shifting to the N. N. E., a heavy swell setting on shore, and other indications of bad weather, determined me, for greater safety, to take the guns, mortars, (p. 149) shot and shells out of the boats into the Constitution and John Adams, which was accordingly done. The weather continuing to wear a threatening aspect until the 7th, and our ammunition being reduced to a quantity not more than sufficient for three vessels to keep up the blockade, no intelligence of the expected reinforcement, and the season so far advanced as to render it imprudent to hazard the gunboats any longer on the station, I gave orders for the John Adams, Syren, Nautilus, Enterprize and Scourge, to take the bombs and gunboats in tow, and proceed to Syracuse with them. The Argus and Vixen to remain with the Constitution, to keep up the blockade.

September 10th. The United States ship President, Commodore Barron, and Constellation, Captain Campbell, hove in sight, and soon joined company, when the command of the squadron was surrendered to Commodore Barron with the usual ceremony. I continued in company with the squadron until the 12th, when three strange ships came in sight, standing direct for Tripoli. Chase was given, and two of them boarded and taken possession of by the Constitution, the President in company, about four leagues from Tripoli, but not more than five miles from the land, while the Constellation and Argus were in chase of the third. The two boarded by the Constitution were loaded with about sixteen thousand bushels of wheat. Tripoli is in a state of starvation, and there can be no doubt but these cargoes were meant as a supply and relief to our enemies.

Considering the season too far advanced, and weather too uncertain, to hazard any further operations against Tripoli, at present, Commodore Barron determined that the prizes should be sent to Malta, under convoy of the Constitution, it being necessary she should go into port to be recaulked and refitted. I notified to Commodore Barron that it was my wish to return to the United States, in the frigate John Adams, Captain Chauncey; this readily, and in the handsomest manner, met his acquiescence. I shall accordingly return in that ship.

The service in this quarter cannot suffer from this arrangement, as Captain Decatur is at present without a ship, and my return will place him immediately in the exercise of the duties attached to that commission which he has so gallantly earned, and his country generously bestowed. I shall feel a pleasure in leaving the Constitution under the command of that officer, whose enterprising and manly conduct I have often witnessed, and whose merits eminently entitle him to so handsome a command.

The other commanders merit the highest commendations for their prompt obedience to orders, on all occasions, and for the zeal, spirit and judgment which they displayed in the several attacks on the enemy's shipping and batteries, as well as for the general good order and discipline at all times observed on board their respective vessels. The officers of the squadron have conducted themselves in the most gallant and handsome manner; and the conduct of the different ship's companies have merited my warmest approbation since I have had the honour to command them.

It affords me much satisfaction to observe that we have neither had a duel nor a court martial in the squadron since we left the United States.

I most sincerely regret the loss of our gallant countrymen, who have sacrificed their lives to the honour of the service, and that it has not been in my power, consistent with the (p. 150) interest and expectation of our country, to liberate Captain Bainbridge and the unfortunate officers and crew of the Philadelphia. Be assured, sir, I have incessantly endeavoured to effect this desirable object. I have no doubt but my successor will be able to effect their release, and establish peace, on such terms as will reflect the highest honour on himself and his country.

September 17th. Arrived at Malta with the two detained Greek vessels. We experienced very bad weather, but had the satisfaction to learn that the bombs and gunboats had arrived safe at Syracuse, the 15th instant, without accident. Each of the Tripoline gunboats which we have captured has two brass howitzers abaft, and a handsome copper gun in the bow, which carries a twenty-nine pound shot, is eleven and a half feet long, and weighs six thousand six hundred pounds.

I send you a plan of the town and harbour of Tripoli, with the disposition of our squadron, and the enemy's flotilla, at the time of the several attacks, with sundry other papers.

I have the honour to be, with the highest respect, sir,

Your most obedient servant, Edward PREBLE.



R. Smith to George Harrison.

To George HARRISON, Esq., Navy Department, Philadelphia. June 26, 1805.

Sir: I have received your letter, accompanied by drawings of the medal for Commodore Preble. I now return you the Commodore's likeness and one of the drawings sent to me by you. I approve the drawings, excepting as to size, which appears to me to be too large. I doubt whether any die can be made to impress so large a surface. We should depart, too, from general custom, by making this medal so large. The medal voted by the old Congress, for General Washington, was three inches diameter, those for General Greene, Gates, &c., were two and a half inches, and those for Morgan, Wayne, &c., were two inches. The drawings of the medal for Commodore Preble are four inches. I have no objections to the medal for Commodore Preble being two and a half inches. Confer with artists upon the subject and let me hear from you. It is my determination to have it made by Mr. Reich, and you may so inform him, that he may not engage in other business to interfere with this.

I am respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant, R. SMITH.



No. 24. (p. 151) PLATE XXV.

March 4, 1809—March 4, 1817.

James Madison President of the U. S. A. D. 1809. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT JAMES MADISON.

[Fourth President of the United States of America.]

JAMES MADISON PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. (United States) A. D. (Anno Domini: The year of our Lord) 1809. Bust of President Madison, facing the left. On ring, R. (Reich).

PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. Two hands clasped, in token of amity; on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes and as many buttons with the American eagle on them; the other wrist bare; above the hands, a calumet and a tomahawk crossed—Indian emblems of peace and war.[74]

[Footnote 74: See INTRODUCTION, page xxiv.]

The dies of the reverse of this medal served for all the Indian Presidential medals struck previous to July, 1846, when new ones had to be made, as will be seen from the following extracts from despatches of R. M. Patterson, director of the Mint, to William Merrill, commissioner of Indian affairs, bearing date, Philadelphia, July 18, 1846:

"As the dies for the Indian medals belong to the War Department, it is proper that I should mention that the reverses are no longer in a condition to be employed. They have been used for all the medals struck since the time of President Jefferson, and it was with difficulty that they could be made to answer for those which we have just completed. A new set will be absolutely necessary, and it seems not unreasonable that they should be paid out of the appropriation made for these medals, in striking which they have finally failed."

And Philadelphia, December 5, 1846: (p. 152)

"In a letter which I addressed to you on the 18th of July last, I stated that the reverses used for the Indian medals were no longer in a condition to be again employed. I mentioned that the cost of a new set would be $300, and I asked your authority to have them made without further delay. This authority you gave me in your letter of the 21st of July. I have now to report that complete sets both of hubs and dies have been made, and that the hubs will put it in our power to replace a die, at any time, if it should be injured. All apprehension from this source is therefore removed for the future."

JAMES MADISON was born at King George, on the Rappahannock river, Virginia, March 16, 1751. He was graduated at the College of New Jersey, Princeton, 1771; studied law; was member of the General Assembly of Virginia, 1776; of the Continental Congress, 1780-1783; of the State Legislature of Virginia, 1784; of the Philadelphia Convention, 1787; representative in Congress from Virginia, 1789-1797; secretary of State to President Jefferson, 1801-1809; President of the United States (first term), 1809-1813; (second term), 1813-1817. He died at his estate of Montpelier, Orange County, Virginia, June 28, 1836.



No. 25. (p. 153) PLATE XXVI.

August 19, 1812.

Isaacus Hull peritos arte superat Jul MDCCCXII Aug. certamine fortes. [Rx]. Horae memento victoria.

CAPTAIN ISAAC HULL.

[Capture of the Guerriere.]

ISAACUS HULL PERITOS ARTE SUPERAT JUL. (Julii), MDCCCXII AUG. (Augusti) CERTAMINE FORTES.[75] (Isaac Hull conquers in July, 1812, the skilled by stratagem, and in August, the strong in battle.) Bust of Captain Hull, in uniform, facing the left. On edge of bust, R. (Reich).

[Footnote 75: As this legend refers to two events, Hull's celebrated escape from a British fleet in July, and his capture of the Guerriere in August, 1812, the official reports of both those important affairs are given.]

HORAE MOMENTO VICTORIA. (Victory in the space of an hour.) Naval action between the United States frigate Constitution, of forty-four guns, Captain Hull, and the British frigate Guerriere, of forty-nine guns, Captain Dacres. The Constitution, firing her starboard battery, carries away the Guerriere's mizzenmast, which, in falling, takes with it the mainmast; the Guerriere, having already lost her foremast, is completely dismasted; the Constitution, on the contrary, is but slightly injured in her rigging. Exergue: INTER CONST. NAV. AMER. ET GUER. ANGL. (Inter Constitution navem Americanam et Guerriere Anglicanam: Between the American vessel Constitution and the English vessel Guerriere).[76]

[Footnote 76: See INTRODUCTION, page xxiv.]

ISAAC HULL was born at Derby, Connecticut, March 9, 1775. He was first in the merchant service, but entered the navy as lieutenant in 1798, and served under Commodores Preble and Barron before Tripoli, (p. 154) 1802-1805. In May, 1804, he was appointed master-commandant, and in April, 1806, captain. On July 17, 1812, and on the following two days, while in command of the frigate Constitution, he found himself becalmed, with a fleet of five British vessels in pursuit of him, but by repeatedly sending out his kedge anchors and hauling his ship up to them, he kept out of their reach until the breeze sprung up again, when he soon left them far astern. A few weeks later, August 19, he fell in with and captured the British frigate Guerriere, Captain J. A. Dacres, for which gallant action Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. After the war, he commanded in the Pacific and the Mediterranean. He was a member of the Naval Board, and was at the head of the navy yards at Boston and at Washington. He died in Philadelphia, February 3, 1843.



ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to Captains Hull, Decatur, Jones, etc.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to present to Captain Hull of the frigate Constitution, Captain Decatur of the frigate United States, and Captain Jones of the sloop of war Wasp, each a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices; and a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to each commissioned officer of the aforesaid vessels, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry, good conduct, and services of the captains, officers, and crews of the aforesaid vessels in their respective conflicts with the British frigates the Guerriere and the Macedonian, and sloop of war Frolic; and the President is also requested to present a silver medal,[77] with like emblems and devices, to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Bush, and one to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Funk, in testimony of the gallantry and merit of those deceased officers, in whom their country has sustained a loss much to be regretted.

[Footnote 77: The silver medals are copies of the gold ones given to the captains of the respective ships.]

SECTION 2. And be it further resolved, That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, requested to present to Lieutenant Elliott of the navy of the United States, an elegant sword, with suitable emblems and devices, in testimony of the just sense entertained by Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in boarding and capturing the British brigs Detroit and Caledonia, while anchored under the protection of Fort Erie.

Approved January 29, 1813.



Captain Hull to the Secretary of the Navy. (p. 155)

To the Honourable United States frigate Constitution, Paul HAMILTON, at Sea, July 21, 1812. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: In pursuance of your orders of the 3d instant, I left Annapolis on the 5th instant, and the Capes on the 12th, of which I advised you by the Pilot that brought the ship to sea.

For several days after we got out the wind was light and ahead, which with a strong southerly current prevented our making much way to the northward. On the 17th at 2 P.M., being in 22 fathoms water off Egg Harbour, four sail of ships were discovered from the mast head to the northward and in shore of us; apparently ships of war. The wind being very light, all sail was made in chase of them, to ascertain whether they were enemy's ships or our squadron having got out of New York waiting the arrival of the Constitution, the latter of which I had reason to believe was the case.

At 4 in the afternoon a ship was seen from the mast head bearing about N. E., standing for us under all sail, which she continued to do until sundown, at which time she was too far off to distinguish signals, and the ships in shore were only to be seen from the tops, they were standing off to the southward, and eastward. As we could not ascertain before dark what the ship in the offing was, I determined to stand for her and get near enough to make the night signal. At 10, in the evening, being within six or eight miles of the strange sail, the Private Signal was made, and kept up nearly one hour, but finding she could not answer it, I concluded she and the ships in shore were enemies. I immediately hauled off to the southward and eastward, and made all sail, having determined to lay off till day light, to see what they were. The ship that we had been chasing, hauled off after us, showing a light, and occasionally making signals, supposed to be for the ships in shore.

July 18th. At daylight, or a little before it was quite light, saw two sail under our lee, which proved to be frigates of the enemy—one frigate astern, within about five or six miles, and a line-of-battle ship, a frigate, a brig and schooner, about ten or twelve miles directly astern, all in chase of us, with a fine breeze, and coming up very fast, it being nearly calm where we were. Soon after sunrise the wind entirely left us, and the ship would not steer, but fell round off with her head towards the two ships under our lee. The boats were instantly hoisted out and sent ahead to tow the ship's head round, and to endeavour to get her farther from the enemy, being then within five miles of three heavy frigates. The boats of the enemy were got out, and sent ahead to tow, which, with the light air that remained with them, they came up very fast. Finding the enemy coming fast up, and but little chance of escaping from them, I ordered two of the guns on the gun deck, ran out at the cabin windows for stern guns on the gun deck, and hoisted one of the 24-pounders off the gun deck, and run that, with the forecastle gun, an 18-pounder, out at the ports on the quarter deck, and cleared the ship for action, being determined they should not get her without resistance on our part, notwithstanding their force and the situation we were placed in.

At about seven in the morning the ship nearest us (p. 156) approaching within gunshot and directly astern, I ordered one of the stern guns fired to see if we could reach her, to endeavour to disable her masts, found the shot fell a little short, would not fire any more. At 8 four of the enemy's ships nearly within gunshot, some of them having six or eight boats ahead towing, with all their oars and sweeps out to row them up with us, which they were fast doing. It now appeared that we must be taken, and that our escape was impossible, four heavy ships nearly within gunshot and coming up fast, and not the least hope of a breeze to give us a chance of getting off by outsailing them.

In the situation, finding ourselves in only twenty-four fathoms water (by the suggestion of that valuable officer, Lieutenant Morris), I determined to try and warp the ship ahead by carrying out anchors and warping her up to them. Three or four hundred fathoms of rope was instantly got up, and two anchors got ready and sent ahead, by which means we began to gain ahead of the enemy. They however soon saw our boats carrying out the anchors, and adopted the same plan, under very advantageous circumstances, as all the boats from the ship furthermost off were sent to tow and warp up those nearest to us, by which means they again came up, so that at 9 the ship nearest us began firing her bow guns, which we instantly returned by our stern guns in the cabin and on the quarter deck. All the shots from the enemy fell short, but we have reason to believe that some of ours went on board her, as we could not see them strike the water. Soon after 9 a second frigate passed under our lee and opened her broadside, but finding her shot fell short, discontinued her fire, but continued, as did all the rest of them, to make every possible exertion to get up with us.