Alexandria Daily Advertiser

Important.

From the (Philadelphia) True American, of the 16th instant.

By the politeness of Captain Calvert, of the ship Maria, arrived last night from Cadiz, we were favored with a copy of the following important letter from Commodore Preble to John Gavino, Esquire, our Consul.

United States Frigate Constitution,
Syracuse Harbor, Feb. 7, 1804.

JOHN GAVINO, Esq.
Consul of the United States.

Dear Sir,

I have the pleasure to announce to you the pleasing intelligence of the capture and destruction of the Tripolitan frigate of 40 guns, late the United States frigate Philadelphia, by the United States ketch Intrepid, of 4 guns and 70 men, commanded by Captain Decatur, of the Enterprise, who volunteered his services in the occasion. It is to be regretted that he was so situated, that it was impossible to bring her out.

On the night of the 3d January, the brig Syren, Capt. Stuart, and ketch Intrepid of 4 guns, fitted for the purpose, and commanded by captain Decatur, with seventy volunteers, from the squadron, sailed for Tripoli, with orders to burn the frigate in that harbor. They this day returned, having executed my orders much to my satisfaction.

On the night of the 16th ult. Capt. Decatur, entered the harbor of Tripoli, with the ketch, laid her along side the frigate, and in a gallant and officer-like manner, boarded and carried her against all opposition. After gaining complete possession, he proceeded to fire her with success, and left her in a blaze, in which she continued until she was totally consumed. He had one killed and only one wounded. The Tripolitans had between 20 and 30 men killed on the deck. One large boat load made their escape, some men ran below and perished in the flames; but the greater part jumped overboard. She was moored close to the batteries, with all her guns loaded, and two of their corsairs, full of men, lay within half musket shot of her.

A fire was kept upon the ketch by the Batteries, Bashaw's Castle and Corsairs.-- Not a musket or pistol was fired by our men, every thing was settled by the sword.

The Syren anchored without the harbor to cover the retreat of the Ketch, and sent her boats to assist, but unfortunately they did not arrive in season, as the business was accomplished, and the Ketch on her way out, before the boats met her. Had they got in sooner, it is probable some of the Tripolitan Corsairs would have shared the fate of the frigate.

Very respectfully, I am,
Dear sir,
Your obedient servant,
EDWARD PREBLE.

Captain Calvert informs, that a demand had been made of the Tripolitan Government, by the Emperor of Russia, for the enlargement of the crew of the Philadelphia frigate.