Viewing the present posture of affairs therefore, either as elegible to our national honor and interests, or the situation of the Bashaw and people here, I consider it due to the confidence of government and a bond imposed by all the injunctions of humanity, to endeavor to hold this post to the last moment, in hopes that some happy occurrence may take place to secure our own and at the same time to assist the interests of our friends; and I most devoutly pray heaven, that the blood of innocence may not stain the footsteps of us who have aimed only to fight the enemies of our country.

- June 3d. The enemy feinted another attack today by sending a detachment on the back of the town, which was repelled with loss. Their object seemed to aim at ascertaining the disposition of the inhabitants of the place; these turned out to a man in view of them. Their main body halted at a safe distance and after some manoeuvering retired to their camp. During the alarm, a detachment from the garrison, under command of Lieut. O'Bannon passed through town. Every body, age and childhood, even women from their recluses shouted, "Live the Americans! Long live our friends and protectors !" Hapless beings! If they could descry the reverse that probably awaits them, how justly would their acclamations of confidence be turned to execrations !

June 5th. This morning a spy, a religious chief, whom I had employed to watch the enemy's motions, and who last night slept in their camp, reports that a courier arrived yesterday, eleven days from Tripoli, with dispatches from the reigning Bashaw, to his Commander in Chief in this vicinity, stating his intentions of concluding a peace with the United States, which he was resolved to carry into effect, even if he sold his wardrobe! After which he should know how to dispose of his internal enemies. He enjoined it on the commander to hold his position before this town, if possible, till the issue of this project of peace should be known. The Mirabout chief added

that the Beys had it in contemplation to propose an armistice to me. I shall meet such an overture, if it should be offered, until I receive further advice from head quarters.

Eleven o'clock, A. M. This morning came in two: deserters from the enemy's camp, both Levant Turks, Ismien and Mahamet, a Choux and a Cheriff, corresponding with the rank of Aid du Camp and Ensign, who confirm the information before stated; and add that the Beys cannot prevail ou their troops to attack this place under our battery, and guns of the shipping; but that they calculate on sacking the city, the moment we evacuate our posts. These officers put themselves under the protection of the American flag, giving this reason for reference that they wished to get out of the kingdom of Tripoli, and thought this a favorable occasion. They say Joseph Bashaw has about two hundred soldiers in Tripoli, in whom he can place confidence, and three or four hundred others, who are undisciplined and suspected. They declare that the people in general of the kingdom expect with solicitude and impatience the approach of Hamet Bashaw, as they think him a good man, and are weary of the madness and violence of his brother.

Five o'clock, P. M. This afternoon an Arabic chief, Ab'd'el Selim, with a party of warriors came over to us: he brings a message from the principal Arab chief at camp, that he will come over to the Bashaw with his cavalry, amounting to. about one hundred aud fifty, if he can have assurances that the Americans will not abandon him, in which case Joseph Bashaw would devour his family and lands. This chief asserts that the Bey of Bengazi, who is with the camp, is well disposed towards us; and on- . ly waits the arrival of our supplies to declare himself.

Be assured, Sir, we only want cash and a few marines to proceed to Tripoli, and to meet you in the citadel of that piratical kennel for the liberation of

our captives. It would only occasion a delay of their release a few months, their triumph will amply compensate this delay.

It is thought proper to dispatch the Hornet with these communications, and hold ground here until your answer can be received.

June 9th. Day before yesterday, Hodge Ismain Bey, the second in command of the enemy's army here, deserted with a few attendants and camels, took off the military chest and entered the desert for upper Egypt. This defection is said to have been caused by his being charged with bad generalship in the affair of the 13th ultimo. He commanded the cavalry.

June 11th. Yesterday morning the enemy, having received fresh reinforcements of Arabs, appeared in great numbers on the heights which overlook the town; and moved along the site of the mountain for the space of two or three miles, apparently in search of some avenue to descend without being exposed to our cannon, but seemed irresolute. An accident brought on an engagement. The declivity of the mountain is a steep and uneven ledge of rocks, with only one pass where cavalry can move down; and this about two miles and a half from the town. The plain below bordering on the sea about one mile in depth is calcarious rock and red earth, very broken; in many places of which the brass twelves could take effect, in others, impeded by ridges near the shore. About half way between the town and the pass of the mountain the Bashaw had posted a few cavalry to serve as videts. A detachment of the enemy, of superior numbers, descended the pass with a view of cutting off this post; but they were manfully resisted and repelled. Reinforcements of small parties joined, and continued to join, on one side and the other, till about two o'clock, when the action became gener al. We were little more than spectators of the scene, The Argus, as often as the enemy were uncovered from the ridges, galled them with her shot from her

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long twelves; (the 24 lb. cannonades could not reach) and we occasionally brought one of our field pieces to bear on them from our advanced battery; but the fire of the Hornet was lost by reason of her being too near the shore, the high bluff of which covered the enemy. Captain Hull, who had the fairest opportunity of ascertaining it, judges there were five thousand men on the field. The engagement lasted four hours though frequently charged the Bashaw lost not an inch of ground. At length the enemy gave way, and were pursued quite to the pass of the mountain, where a regard to safety compelled many of them to quit their horses, which fell into the hands of our friends. This action, though fought in the Barbary manner, was conducted judiciously on the part of the Bashaw, and the victory was decidedly his. The number of his killed and wounded is between fifty and sixty: among the latter four of his principal officers. Some Arab women who came in from the enemy's camp this morning, say the Beys lost between forty and fifty killed, and upwards of seventy wounded. If we could have furnished but two hundred bayonets to assist a charge and cut the pass of the mountain, not a horse should have escaped. Mr. O'Bannon was impatient to lead his marines and the Greeks, (about thirty eight in number) to the scene of action. This could not be done without leaving our post too defenceless in case of a reverse : besides, I confess, I had doubts whether the meas ures lately adopted by our commissioner of peace would justify me in acting offensively any longer in this quarter. Had the aids come forward seasonably, which we hoped to receive here, we might now have been at Cape Mensurat, and in fifteen days more at Tripoli. Head winds have detained the Hornet, and a gale last night took the Argus to sea as soon a she returns Captain Evans will be dispatched to he ad quarters.

I have communicated, some days since, such parts of the contents of your letter of the nineteenth ultimo

as concern him to Hamet Bashaw. He answers, that, even with supplies, it would be fruitless for him to attempt to prosecute the war with his brother after you shall have withdrawn your squadron from the coast; but without supplies he must be left in a most forlorn situation; for he can command no resources here, nor can he place any faith in provisions which may be stipulated with his brother in his favor, unless guaranteed by the United States. He emphatically says that to abandon him here is not to have cooperated with him, but with his rival! He wishes us to take him off in case of a peace. I am extremely anxious to learn the issue of the negociation.

Mean time, I have the honor to be,

with great respect and consideration, Sir, your most obedient servant,

WILLIAM EATON.

SAMUEL BARRON, ESQ. Commander in chief of the United States forces in the Mediterranean.

On board the United States frigate Constellation, off Derne, June 13th. 1805.

EXTRACT to COMMODORE RODGERS, then in comMAND of the SQUADRON.

SIR, AT six o'clock, P. M. of the eleventh instant, Capt. Campbell anchored in this road; at eight, sent off Lieut. Wedersrandt with your letter of the sixth, and Col. Lear's of the fifth, announcing the conclusion of peace with Joseph Bashaw of Tripoli, and, consequently, requiring me to evacuate this post; and the next morning a letter from his own hand, advising me that his ship would receive my garrison. About nine o'clock the Captain came on shore, attended by a few of his officers, whom I accompanied into town. I now communicated to the