Herald Of The United States

Public Official Documents.

Documents respecting our connexion, &c. with the Ex-Bashaw of Tripoli.

(Continued from our last.)

Conclusion of Commodore Barron's letter to Captain Hull.

EVERY support will, of course, be given to him by a systematic union of operations with the squadron, so as to enable him to get in the rear of the town ; but should he be found deficient in those qualities or that it appears we have been deceived in regard to the disposition of the inhabitants; he must be held as an unsuitable object for further support or co-operation. I beg leave to mention to you, that as we are short of officers, the services of all will be wanted on board the respective ships, as soon as we enter upon offensive measures. Should you conceive however, that any serious disadvantage may result from withdrawing those with you, I have no objection to their remaining as volunteers : but it is impossible for me to comply with your requisition for 100 marines, to be sent to the coast. Such a step, in the present posture of affairs, far exceeds my powers, and, besides, as we are rather short of hands, I could not feel myself justifiable in detaching so considerable a force from the squadron.

I have not been unmindful of your requisition for field artillery, which I think with you, is essential, but here it was impossible to procure it; I therefore dispatched, some days since, the Congress frigate to Messina, where I hope to obtain four field pieces, complete for service, and as soon as they arrive, they will be sent to the coast, with the necessary ammunition. As I am still too unwell to write you with my own hand, I must refer you to captain Hull, in whose judgment and discretion I have the fullest confidence, for information on several collateral points, and for my sentiments on others. In this letter I have endeavoured to explain, as clearly as possible, what are my ideas with respect to the wishes and intentions of our government, and what I feel to be the extent of my authority, relative to the co-operation with Hamet Bashaw. I reiterate my fixed resolution to afford you every support and assistance which are consistent with the powers and resources vested in me, adding, at the same time, my

different from any guarantee, covenant or agreement, by which the United States may stand committed, to place the exiled prince on the throne, or any condition which militates against the most perfect and uncontrouled power of choice and action in concluding a pacification with Jusuf Bashaw, should he offer terms honorable and advantageous to our country.

I should be wanting in justice to you, Sir, as well as to the officers who have shared thus far your toils and dangers, were I not to express, my full reliance upon your courage, energy and perseverance, as well as my ardent desire that your most sanguine expectations may be realized. The observations which I here convey to you are far from being intended to cool your zeal or discourage your expectations, but they are what I conceive is necessary to make, and drawn from me by the purest feelings of duty, and as such, permit me to recommend them to your calm and candid consideration, and I request that you will make them the Subject of conversation with captain Hull, who is fully possessed of my sentiments.

(COPY.)

From Commodore Barron to the Secretary of the Navy.

SIR,

Malta, 6th April, 1805.

Having in my respects of yesterday given a full account of the present disposal of the squadron under my command, and whatever had occurred of note since my preceding despatches, I have now the honor to lay before you a sketch of Mr. Eaton's transactions in Egypt, and the measures which have been in consequence thereof adopted. The accompanying communications from that gentleman to the navy department, joined with copies of those addressed to me) and the collateral correspondence betwixt capt. Hull and him: to all which I beg leave to refer you minute. by) will afford you a wide view of the subject, whilst it precludes the necessity of lengthy comments from me. You will there perceive the many and unforeseen difficulties which Mr. Eaton met with in finding the ex-bashaw who had joined the fortunes of the Mamelukes. You will be apprised of the situation in which matters stood at the departure of the Argus from Alexandria, on the 19th of February, and the plan which he had chalked out to pursue the intended co-operation with Hamet. On receipt of these advices I made immediate arrangements to send such part of the succors requested by the bashaw, and Mr. Eaton; as could be procured here, and as I conceived myself authorized by my instructions to afford ; and captain Hull sailed again on the 26th ultimo, in the Argus, with the Hornet sloop, (the same which I mentioned having purchased) under convoy, carrying a supply of money, provisions, &c. He directed his course for Bomba, (a place about 60 miles to the eastward of Derne) where, as you will collect from the papers enclosed, he confidently expected to open a communication with the bashaw, and his followers. Such, sir, is the present situation of the business.

I am well aware that you will feel an anxiety to know my opinion with regard to the probable success of this co-operation ; but until I have further intelligence and more data to go by. it were improper even to hazard a conjecture. In perusing the letters from Mr. Eaton, and weighing the nature and consequences of certain measures in his contemplation, I must own that I have felt some uneasiness arising out of a fear that he has taken a wider scope in his engagements to the bashaw; than is compatible with the ideas and intentions of government, or with the authority vested in me, as relates to the subject of co-operation. I have stated this apprehension in a communication to Mr. Eaton, in which I have also explained, in precise terms, my own ideas, and how far I conceived he might proceed, without committing himself or the country. A copy of my letter will be found annexed. I feel confident that the sentiments here expressed, and the principles laid down, with respect to the plan in question, will meet your approbation.

From the concurring information, principally from persons well acquainted with the bashaw, which I have recently received of his character and conduct, I confess that my hopes from a co-operation with him are less sanguine than they were. Perhaps, however, I may shortly have reason to raise my expectations to their former standard ; Not till something occurs to justify the belief that he possesses more courage, energy and talents, than those who appear to know him well give him credit for, it would be reprehensible to flatter myself or the government with prospects, which the result may disappoint.- I am equally at a loss to calculate the effects of this co-operation upon the mind of the reigning bashaw : a short time will throw light upon this interesting point. In the mean while I cannot conceal from you my candid opinion, that from the obstinacy hitherto evinced by Jusuf Bashaw, and the pertinacity of his character, not animated with bravery and other qualities belonging to a soldier, sided to the natural

advantages of his situation, the contest promises to be more arduous than was at first anticipated. Our co-operation with Hamet may, and in all probability will, induce him either to offer us terms at once ; or, finding his dominions menaced, and his life endangered, to put every thing to the hazard of war. In the latter case we may naturally conclude that his resistance will not only be obstinate, but desperate. I look with anxiety for the return of the vessel which sailed a few days since for Tripoli, with supplies for the prisoners ; he will undoubtedly bring important intelligence.

The ex-bashaw's secretary of state, whom you will find mentioned in Mr. Eaton's correspondence, returned in the Argus, to join his master. He appeared to be a sensible, discreet old man ; he brought me a letter from the bashaw, a translation of which, with a copy of my answer, is attached to the accompanying papers.

Commodore Barron to Wm. Eaton, Esquire.

Malta, 18th April, 1805.

SIR,

I had the honor of addressing you very fully on the 22d ult. by captain Hull; since when I have received no advices from the Barbary coast. It was not till the 12th inst. that the Congress arrived here from Messina, with the field artillery; which captain Decatur experienced a considerable delay and difficulty in procuring. It was my intention to have sent the frigate to the coast, but on making particular enquiry of a pilot well acquainted in that quarter) I find that the impracticability of approaching the shore with heavy vessels, renders the communication extremely uncertain and difficult, I have, therefore thought it prudent to wave my original intention, and to dispatch the Nautilus Schooner, whose light draught of water will enable her to approach the coast with greater safety and advantage. Capt. Dent shapes his course for Bomba, where I calculate he will find you with the bashaw and army, and where I hope he will have little difficulty in establishing an intercourse. He has on board his schooner two brass field pieces, with trains, powder, shot &c. complete, which he is directed to deliver to your person. I hope they will reach you safe, and have no doubt they will be found extremely serviceable in the progress of your operations. Nothing material has occurred since capt. Hull's departure. The harbour of Tripoli remains closely blockaded, The President frigate sailed this day to reinforce the vessels already on that station.

Capt. Dent is instructed, after delivering the artillery and stores, to return immediately to this port; with dispatches from you. You will readily imagine my anxiety to hear of your proceedings and prospects. I am. &c.

(Signed)

S. BARRON.

Extract of a letter from William Eaton to Commodore Barron, dated

Derne, April 29th, 1805.

The information I have the honor to forward this date, stating, in abstract, occurrences since my last, will not disappoint the expectations my calculations there may have formed.

Certain periods of your letter of the 22d alt. requires distinct and separate answer. This I shall do with candor.

It was understood when government came to the determination to try the effect of a co-operation with Hamet Bashaw, against the enemy, that provision would be made, adequate to the experiment; six field pieces, thousand stand of arms, with suitable ammunition, and eighty thousand dollars, were asked for by Hamet Bashaw, whilst yet in possession of this province, and gaining ground against the Usurper.-- The Secretary of the Navy informed me that the arms, ammunition, and fifty thousand dollars would be furnished, and they were to have been put on board in Hampton roads. While the squadron were getting ready for sea, information arrived of the Bashaw having been driven from his post, and retired to Egypt. In consequence of which it is to be presumed the supplies getting in readiness were with held, as the success of the experiment then appeared very doubtful. The twenty thousand dollars deposited with the consul general at Algiers; to be applied to this service cannot be Supposed adequate to the purpose of bringing the Bashaw from his exile in Egypt, placing him in a situation to act against rival, possessed of all the resources of his kingdom, and carrying his plan of operations into effect, whatever may have been the dispositions of the people towards him. The twenty thousand dollars; therefore, could have been means only to assist the release of the Bashaw, and the revival of his affairs, in case our plan should be thought feasible. Hence I think it is not presuming too far to conclude, that the unlimited discretion vested in the commander in chief, in regard to all the exigencies of the war, and particularly as it relates to the object in view, extends to every matter necessary to its accomplishment. The instructions of the Secretary of the Navy, certainly cannot mean to tie him down to any limited applications.

The advantages calculated to result from the success of this measure have heretofore been stated, and the so far the experiment has not

disappointed these calculations. We are in possession of the most valuable province of Tripoli : the high estimation the enemy places on this department of the kingdom, is evidenced by the extraordinary efforts he has used to defend it, and by the menaces to which he has resorted to deter us from the operations here : his camp was but twenty four hours march from the place, when we seized it by assault, I am this evening informed they are retrograding, and only regret we have not the means of pursuing them. The expenses already incurred in this expedition, will amount to nearly thirty thousand dollars ; for thirteen thousand of which we are indebted to Messrs. Briggs and Brothers, of Alexandria, eleven thousand have been received through the hands of capt Hull, including his advance and drafts in Egypt. I have disbursed nearly two thousand, and for the residue shall be indebted to individuals. This expense will not appear extravagant, when it is considered that it covers all our expenditures in Egypt, where many sacrifices were necessary to pass the barriers of Turkish jealousy and avidity, in getting the Bashaw through that country ; of furnishing horses, tents, arms and ammunition preparatory to entering the desert; of provisioning a thousand two hundred souls, and about two hundred horses, in the barren desert; upwards of forty days. a distance of nearly five hundred miles, and of caravans for transporting these provisions the whole distance from Alexandria, and also the unavoidable expenditures in presents to chiefs. and payments to troops, in order to gain the one, and avail ourselves of the services of the other.

(To be continued.)