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ought not to be exposed to the hazard of a heavy gale of wind, which we have good reason soon to expect," before being thoroughly refitted in port.

Here we end our account of the contest of the third squadron, with winds and waters, with Tripolitan flotillas, castles, and batteries; and also our brief survey of the many and various obstacles, which its ships and officers met with and overcame, between May, 1803, and September, 1804. The period was short; but none more memorable, or of greater benefit to our national character, is to be found in our naval annals. Every citizen of the republic may look back to it with pride and unalloyed satisfaction.

CHAPTER VIII.

Preble's Attention to Bainbridge and his Associates in Prison. Correspondence between the two Officers. Difficulty of supplying our Countrymen in Prison at Tripoli with Clothing, Money, and Stores. Kindness of the Bashaw's Prime Minister, and of the Danish Consul.-Indifference of Consuls of other Christian Powers.

WE pass to the consideration of a prominent trait in Commodore Preble's character; his

kindness of heart as a man, evinced in his treatment of those of his command, who fell into the Bashaw's hands, and thus caused both him and his successors much embarrassment. It has been seen, that the loss of the Philadelphia, at the first, deranged Preble's offensive operations very seriously, and that finally, when the questions of peace and ransom came up, it was the means of prolonging the war.

The two officers, as has been mentioned, kept up a correspondence with each other. This was of two kinds; one open and allowed; the other secret and in cipher, by the use of lime-juice instead of ink. Bainbridge was made prisoner on the 31st of October, 1803. Between that time and the 25th of November following, he wrote to his chief no less than eight letters on the subject of his calamity, and his condition as a prisoner. A single extract must suffice. "I severely feel," said he, "the loss which my country has sustained, but feel conscious that no impropriety in truth can be attached to me; and have not a doubt, on investigation, but it will appear so to my government. Still, I am no stranger to the censures of an ungenerous world, and the premature opinions which are too hastily formed on the misfortunes of the unfortunate." Again, "The only alternative left of becoming pris

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oners to Tripoli, was that of blowing the ship up. Some fanatics may say, that was the proper one to have pursued. I never pre

sumed to think, that I had the liberty of putting to death three hundred and six souls, because they were placed under my command."

Preble, in acknowledging the receipt of four letters, responded, "Your situation is truly distressing, and affects your friends too powerfully to be described. You may rest assured, that in me you have a friend, whose exertions. shall never be wanting in endeavoring to relieve you; and in the mean time you may command such supplies of money, for the comfort of yourself, officers, and crew, as you may require." After many similar expressions of tender regard, and detailing the operations of the squadron, that Bainbridge might learn how affairs were proceeding, Preble added, "Conscious yourself of having done your duty, and the certificate of your officers approving your conduct and exertions on the day the ship was lost, must afford you consolation amidst your misfortunes." To Mr. Pulis, our Consul at Malta, the Commodore wrote, about the same time, "You have done right in sending Captain Bainbridge three hundred dollars; and if it had been three thousand, I should be an

swerable for the supply." Again, before the close of the month, in a second letter to the captive officer, when arranging to send to him various articles for the comfort of the prisoners, he said, " Make known to me what articles you stand most in need of, and, be assured, every attention shall be paid to your wants." That no endeavors might be spared to alleviate the sufferings of his countrymen, he addressed Mr. Nissen, the Danish Consul at Tripoli, thus; "I wish exceedingly to see you. Come off to me, if you can, when I appear with the squadron before Tripoli. I will hoist a red flag at the fore-top-gallant-mast head, as a signal by which you may know the Constitution. I wish to establish funds for the supply of Captain Bainbridge and his officers; and now assure you, that any advances for their support and comfort, which you have in your power to make, shall be readily repaid by me, on account of my government." communication to the Secretary, he remarked, "Would to God I could release them."

In a

Among the crew of the Philadelphia were some infamous characters, and unrestrained by discipline. Bainbridge said they would "even rob the last jacket from their shipmates to sell for liquor to get drunk on." These, and especially Wilson, the Captain's coxswain, and 10

VOL. XII.

his favorite, behaved in a most shameful manner, and, besides personally and impudently insulting his captive commander and other officers, strove to exasperate the Bashaw, and induce him to treat his prisoners with severity. Wilson claimed the protection of the Swedish Consul as a Swede; but as Bainbridge wished that he might be retained to be punished for his evil conduct, when all should be restored to freedom, the Commodore's intercession was desired and exercised in a severe rebuke to the Swedish functionary.

"The

moment I learn," said he, in the course of his letter, "that you protect Wilson, I shall make a representation to the President of the United States, and to our Minister at the Court of St. James, in order that your conduct may be complained of to the King, your master. I hope and trust, Sir, that you are not so far lost to every sense of honor and humanity, as to support a scoundrel in the abuse of gentlemen, merely because they are unfortunate." It is not likely that this was felt, for Bainbridge remarked, that the Consul's character was such, as to prevent the least communication with him.

There was difficulty from another cause. The Bashaw kept the crew at work; and as there were several mechanics, they were ex

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