the purpose of viewing the American squadron. The Constitution again complimented him with twentyone guns, with which he was much gratified.

The next day the American consul informed the commodore that the emperour had given orders for the American brig, detained at Mogadore, to be released; and that he would give audience to the American commodore and consul on the following Monday.

On the day appointed, the commodore, accompanied by four persons, went on shore. He ordered the officer, commanding the squadron during his absence, to fire upon the town, if he should be forcibly detained; and not to enter into any treaty for his release, nor be influenced by any considerations for his personal safety. When arrived at the castle, they were conducted through a double file of soldiers to the emperour. The commodore, on entering, was requested to put away his side arms; with this he declined complying; and was permitted to retain them. The emperour expressed much sorrow and regret that any difference had arisen; for it was his desire to be at peace with the United States. He denied having given any hostile orders; promised to restore all American vessels and property, detained by the authority of any of his governours; and renewed and confirmed the treaty made with the United States in 1786. The commodore and consul, on the part of the United States, promised that the vessels and property belonging to the emperour, should

be restored; and the orders for capturing them revoked.

Commodore Preble was now at liberty to direct his whole attention to Tripoli. The season was, however, too far advanced for active operations.

On the 31st of October, the Philadelphia, being, at nine o'clock in the morning, about five leagues to the westward of Tripoli, discovered a sail in shore, standing before the wind to the eastward. The Philadelphia immediately gave chase. The sail hoisted Tripolitan colours, and continued her course near the shore. The Philadelphia opened a fire upon her, and continued it, till half past eleven; when, being in seven fathoms water, and finding her fire could not prevent the vessel entering Tripoli, she gave up the pursuit. In beating off, she ran on a rock, not laid down in any chart, distant four and a half miles from the town. A boat was immediately

lowered to sound. The greatest depth of water was

found to be astern.

In order to back her off, all sails

were then laid aback; the top-gallant-sails loosened; three anchors thrown away from the bows; the water in the hold started; and all the guns thrown overboard, excepting a few abaft to defend the ship against the attacks of the Tripolitan gun-boats, then firing at her. All this, however, proved ineffectual; as did also the attempt to lighten her forward by cutting away her foremast. The Philadelphia had already withstood the attack of the numerous gun-boats for four hours, when a large reinforcement coming out of Tripoli, and being herself deprived of every

means of resistance, and defence, she was forced to strike, about sunset. The Tripolitans immediately took possession of her, and made prisoners of the officers and men, in number three hundred. Fortyeight hours afterwards, the wind blowing in shore, the Tripolitans got the frigate off, and towed her into the harbour.

.

On the 14th of December, commodore Preble sailed from Malta, in company with the Enterprize, commanded by lieutenant Stephen Decatur. On the 23d, the latter captured a ketch in sight of Tripoli; which place she had left the preceding night, bound to Bengaza. She was under Turkish colours, and was navigated by Turks and Greeks. On board of her were two Tripolitan officers of distinction, a number of Tripolitan soldiers, and about forty blacks belonging to the bashaw and his subjects. The commodore had at first determined to release the vessel and men claimed by the Turkish captain and only detain the Tripolitans, about sixty in number, as prisoners. But before this determination could be put in execution, he ascertained, that this same captain had been very active in assisting to take the Philadelphia. He had, on that occasion, received on board his vessel one hundred armed Tripolitans; had changed his own colours for that of the enemy; had attacked the frigate ; and, when she was boarded, had plundered the officers. This determined the commodore to retain the vessel. As she was in no condition to be sent to the United States, he forwarded her papers to

government. Soon after he had her appraised; and took her into the service as the ketch Intrepid.

When lieutenant Decatur was informed of the loss of the Philadelphia, he immediately formed a plan of recapturing and destroying her, which he proposed to commodore Preble. At first the commodore thought the projected enterprise too hazardous; but at length granted his consent.. Lieutenant Decatur then selected for the enterprise the ketch Intrepid, lately captured by him. This vessel he manned with seventy volunteers, chiefly of his own crew; and on the third of February sailed from Syracuse, accompanied by the brig Siren, lieutenant Stewart. The Siren was to aid the boats; and, in case it should be deemed expedient to use the Intrepid as a fire ship, to receive her crew.

After a tempestuous passage of fifteen days, the two vessels arrived off the harbour of Tripoli, towards the close of day. It was determined that at ten o'clock in the evening the Intrepid should enter the harbour, accompanied by the boats of the Siren. But a change of wind had separated the two vessels six or eight miles. As delay might prove fatal, lieutenant Decatur entered the harbour alone about eight o'clock. The Philadelphia lay within half gun sho of the Bashaw's castle and principal battery. On her starboard quarter lay two Tripolitan cruisers within two cables length; and on the starboard bow a number of gun-boats within half gun-shot. All her guns were mounted and loaded. Three hours were, in consequence of the lightness of the wind, con

sumed in passing three miles, when, being within two hundred yards of the Philadelphia, they were hailed from her, and ordered to anchor on peril of being fired into. The pilot on board the Intrepid was ordered to reply, that all their anchors were lost. The Americans had advanced within fifty yards of the frigate, when the wind died away into a calm. Lieutenant Decatur ordered a rope to be taken out and fastened to the fore chains of the frigate, which was done, and the Intrepid was warped along side. It was not till then the Tripolitans suspected them to be an enemy; and their confusion in consequence was great. As soon as the vessels was sufficiently near, lieutenant Decatur sprang on board the frigate, and was followed by midshipman Morris.* It was a minute before the remainder of the crew succeeded in mounting after them. But the Turks, crowded together on the quarter deck, were in too great consternation to take advantage of this delay. As soon as a sufficient number of Americans gained the deck they rushed upon the Tripolitans; who were soon overpowered; and about twenty of them were killed. After taking possession of the ship, a firing commenced from the Tripolitan batteries and castle, and from two corsairs near the frigate; a number of launches were also seen rowing about in the harbour; whereupon lieutenant Decatur resolved to remain in the frigate, for there he would be enabled to make the best defence. But perceiving that the launches kept at a distance, he ordered the frigate to be set on fire,

* Now Captain Morris.