so, please use it as your own; for God only knows when I shall have an occasion to appear in full uniform." * He had then been permitted to look out upon the sea only four times in five months.

We here close our notice of the correspondence between the two officers, so honorable to both. The copies of seventeen letters from Preble to Bainbridge have been preserved; few of them, however, bear date after the 1st of July, and these relate principally to events which we have considered when speaking of his attacks and negotiations. The Captain's letters to him, subsequently to the period at which we have arrived, were also generally devoted to warlike suggestions, and reports of circumstances affecting the Commodore's plans and operations.

It is delightful to observe the spirit manifested on both sides, throughout the intercourse of these generous-hearted seamen, who left home panting to do their country service, but who now, by the chances of war, were so very differently situated. And, while we have endeavored to convey to the reader some idea of its nature, and thus to show a trait in the character of each, due regard to justice requires us to record, that others besides Preble sought to minister to the necessities of our captive countrymen.

First in merit, if the difficulties of his position be fully regarded, was Sidi Muhammed Dghies, the Prime Minister of Tripoli, of whom we have so often spoken. Strange as this may seem, such is unquestionably the fact. No epithet of reproach or disrespect to this gentleman is to be found; but, on the contrary, the most full and continued testimony is borne to his delicacy, his humanity, and his attention. Bainbridge represents, that he was "a man of the world, of great discernment, and much politeness; " while Preble frequently and warmly thanks him for his many acts of kindness to the prisoners, and this not only in communications to the Minister himself, but in those to others. To Nicholas C. Nissen, the Danish Consul, it would appear that too high praise can hardly be given. He was the first Christian seen by the captives after landing upon the inhospitable shores of Africa; and, during the nineteen months and three days, that they continued in prison, he was unremitting in his endeavors to serve them. If,

on the night of their touching these shores, he sent food and bedding from his own house, so did he continue his philanthropic exertions at every inconvenience, and at much personal risk, and, at times, at the hazard even of his life. Bainbridge, in a handsome letter to the Secretary, stated his distinguished benevolence; and Congress passed a resolution, requesting the President to communicate to him the high sense entertained by that body of his disinterested and noble conduct. So marked a disposition on the part of this gentleman to serve the unfortunate, is the more to be commended, as no other Consul at Tripoli manifested anything like his zeal; and the coldness and indifference of some of them drew from Preble strong expressions of indignation.

Allowing these persons to pass without naming them, we cannot suffer our Consul at Malta to escape so easily; for upon him there were claims, which he could not innocently disregard. We have more than once alluded to the long periods that elapsed, in which, though Preble and Bainbridge frequently wrote to each other, no letters were received by either; and it may be added here, that the despicable meanness of Joseph Pulis was at the bottom of this singular mystery. He was detected in diverting letters from their proper address, and in sending those that came to him from America, for Bainbridge and his officers, to places from which they would never have been returned; while those of the Commodore to that gentleman were enclosed under cover, and directed to the United States. There may be a difficulty in accounting for cruelty so wanton; but there seems to have been positive proof of the fact, and conclusive evidence that his conduct was the result of deliberate choice, not of accident. Much is said of this man; and even if a liberal allowance be made, he did little honor to our consular corps. Preble wrote to the Secretary of the Navy a full account of the transaction about the letters, and said he personally detected him in the conduct here related. The Commodore stated, moreover, that Pulis had been a Consul of the Bashaw of Tripoli, and that "no respectability attached to his character."

CHAPTER IX.

Remarks on Preble's Recall. Testimonials to

his Merits. Officers distinguished in the War of 1812, who served under him. - He adjusts his Concerns in the Mediterranean. to the United States.

Returns

THE recall of Preble was a blunder. The country felt, and the administration admitted, that in all respects he was the officer for the duty upon which he was sent. The reason for his removal from the command of the squadron was, simply, that, as James Barron, Bainbridge, and Campbell were the only caарtains in the service, who were his juniors, he could not be retained without being placed over other captains who were his seniors. But he would have been satisfied with a reinforcement of two frigates; and, had only two been sent, no change would have been necessary, as Bainbridge was in prison. The difficulty could also have been obviated in another way, by the mere promotion of the requisite number of lieutenants, of whom two of his own commanders, Stewart and Hull, were at the head of the list.

As, in the public mind, a recall often implies