Jenks' Portland Gazette

TRIBUTE TO COMMODORE PREBLE.

To EDWARD PREBLE, Esq.
Late Commander in Chief of the American forces in the Mediterranean.

SIR,

WE the undersigned officers of the squadron late under your command, cannot in justice suffer you to depart without giving you some small testimony of the very high estimation in which we hold you as an officer and commander:--it is under these impressions, Sir, that we beg leave to assure you that your supersedure in a command in which you have acquired so much honor to yourself and country is by us deeply regretted, notwithstanding we feel assured that the measure was dictated by necessity.

As you are about to return to your native country, we all join most cordially in wishing you a pleasant passage, and sincerely hope that our countrymen may generously bestow on you that meed which your important services so richly deserve; and believe us sincere in saying that we shall largely participate in any future event that may add to your fame or happiness. We have the honor to be, with the highest respect and esteem your obedient servants,

STEPHEN DECATUR, Jun. capt. frigate Congress.
CHARLES STEWART, Master and Com. brig Syren
ISAAC HULL, Master and Commander, brig Argus
ISAAC CHAUNCEY. Master, and Com. frigate J Adams
JOHN SMITH, Master and Commander, brig Vixen
JOHN DENT. Lt. Commandant. ch. Nautilus.
Charles Gordon, Lieut.
Joseph Tarbell, Lieut.
Samuel Elbert. Lieut.
Charles Morris, Lieut.
Nathl Haraden, Master.
Hechcote S. Reed. Lieut.
Daniel S. Dexter, Lieut.
John Hall, Capt. Marines.
Robert Greenleaf, Lt. do.
James Wells, Surgeon.
N. Morris, Purser.
P. Leonard, Chaplain.
Edward Bennett, Lieut.
John B. Nicholson Lieut.
Marmaduke Dove, Master.
James Lawrence, Lieut.
Joseph Bainbridge, Lieut.
J. Thorn, Lieut.
Thomas M'Donough, Lieut.
Seth Carter, Master.
Lewis Herman, Surgeon.
Michael Carrol, Lieut.
Joseph I. Maxwell, Lieut.
Syracuse harbour. Nov. 18
Com. of ch. Enterprise.
William Barrows, Master
Robert Spence, Lieut.
S. R. Marshall, Surgeon.
Sybrant Vanchaick, Lieut.
John Johnson, Lt. Marines
Timothy Winn, Purser,
N.T. Weems, Surgeon.
John W. Dorey. Surgeon.
John Darby, Purser.
L. Griffin, Surgeon.
John Tripp, Lieut.
William Crane, Lieut.
Richard Butler, Master.
J. Graham, Surgeon.
Geo. Wash. Reid, Lieut.
Charles Regely, Lieut.
Stephen Catlin, Master.
James Tootell, Purser
G. Jacques, Surgeon.
Ralph Izard, Lieut.
J. M. Harpswell,
G. Marcellin,
E. Green, Purser

To captains Decatur, Stewart, Hull, Smith, and Chauncey, Lieutenant Commandants Dent and Robinson, and other Officers late under my Command.

GENTLEMEN,

I HAVE this day been honored with your esteemed favour of the 18th inst. and as I have been in the highest degree gratified by the support I have received from you in a difficult and dangerous service, so am I equally flattered by your approbation of my conduct as commander of the squadron, and be assured that I should always consider my reputation as an officer secure, while my views were seconded by that talent and intrepidity, for which you stand so eminently distinguished.

As it respects my being superseded, I can only say, that I could not have been more gratified than by being allowed to command you until the present war was brought to a conclusion, but rank must be attended to; and when a measure is impelled by necessity, it becomes the duty of an officer to submit with cheerfulness--this I do; convinced as I am that you will serve your country under my successor with the same ardour as heretofore.

There can be no question but your country will be gratefully impressed by your exertions; and be assured gentlemen that it is with sincerity that I reciprocate your obliging wishes for my future fame and happiness. I have the honor to be with the highest respect, your obedient servant.

(Signed)
EDWARD PREBLE.

Syracuse, 6th Nov. 1804.