Alexandria Daily Advertiser

The following message from the President was delivered to the two Houses by Mr. Harvie:

To the Senate and House of Representatives.

[I enclose a letter received from Captain Bainbridge, commanding the frigate Philadelphia, informing me that she has fallen into the hands of the enemy. This event renders it expedient to use force, and enlarge the Mediterranean squadron beyond the present appropriation for the naval service. I recommend therefore to the consideration of Congress such measures relative to the appropriation as they think the exigency requires.]

TH: JEFFERSON.

Tripoli, November 1, 1803.

Fortune necessitates me to make a communication the most distressing of my life; it is with the deepest regret that I inform you of the loss of the United States frigate Philadelphia, under my command, by being wrecked on rocks between five miles to the eastward of Tripoli. The circumstances relative to this unfortunate event are; at 9 o'clock in the evening about five leagues to the east of Tripoli, saw a ship in shore of us standing before the wind to the westward; immediately gave chase. She hoisted Tripolitan colours, and continued her course very near the shore; about eleven o'clock had approached the shore to seven fathoms water; commenced firing at her, which, we continued by running before the wind until half past eleven; being then in fourteen fathoms water, and finding our fire ineffectual to prevent her getting into Tripoli, gave up the pursuit, and was bearing away when we ran on the rocks in 12 feet water forward, and 17 feet abaft; immediately lowered down a boat from the stern, sounded and found the greatest depth of water astern, laid all sails aback, loosed gallant sails, and set a heavy press of canvass on the ship, blowing fresh, to get her off, cast three anchors away from the bows, started the water in the hold, threw overboard the guns, except some artillery to defend the ship against the gun boats which were then firing on us; found all ineffectual, then made the last resort of lightening her forward by cutting away the fore-mast, which carried the main top gallant mast with it; but labor and enterprise were in vain! for our fate was direfully fixed. I am fully sensible of the loss that has occurred to our country, and the difficulty which it may further involve her with this Regency; and feel beyond description for the brave unfortunate officers and men under my command, who have done every thing in their power worthy of the character and stations they filled; and trust on investigation of my own conduct that it will appear to my government and country consistent with the station in which I had the honor of being placed. Striking on the rocks was an accident not possible for me to guard against by any intimation that as no such shoals were laid down in the chart on board, and every careful precaution by the leads kept heaving, was made use of in approaching the shore to effect the capture of a Tripolitan cruiser; and after the ship struck the rocks, all possible measures were taken to get her off the firm determination made not to give her up as long as possible hope remained, although annoyed by gun-boats, who took their position in such a manner that we could not bring our guns to bear on them, not even after cutting away the mast of the stern to effect it. When my officers and self had not a hope left of its being possible to get her off the rocks, and having withstood the fire of the gun boats for two hours, and a reinforcement coming out from Tripoli without the least chance of injuring them in resistance, to save the lives of brave men, left no alternative, but the distressing one of hauling our colours down, & submitting to the enemy whom chance had befriended. In such a dilemma the flag of the United States was struck. However painful it will be to our fellow citizens to hear the news, they may be assured that we feel it a national loss equally with them. Zeal of serving our country in doing our duty has placed us in this situation which can be better conceived than described, and from which we rely on our country extricating us.

The gun boats in attacking fired principally at our masts. Had they directed their shot at the hull no doubt but they would have killed many. The ship was taken possession of a little after sun set, and in the course of the evening myself and all officers with part of the crew, were brought on shore, carried before the Bashaw who asked several questions. From his palace the officers were conducted to the house which Mr. Cathcart lived in, where we lodged last night, and this day the Minister has become the guarantee to the Bashaw, for us officers, and we have given him our parole of honor. Enclosed you will receive a list of the officers and a few of the people to attend them, who are quartered in the American Consular house, & are to be provided for by such ways and means as I can best adopt, which will be on as economical a plan as possible. The remainder of the crew will be supported by the Regency. We have all lost every thing but what was on our backs, even part of that was taken off; the loss of the officers is considerable, as they were well provided in every necessary for a long station. Mr. Nissen the Danish Consul, has been extremely attentive, and kindly offers every service of assistance. I trust, sir, you will readily conceive the anxiety of mind I must suffer. After the perusal of the enclosed certificates from the officers on my conduct, should you be pleased to express the opinion of government, you will much oblige me.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
With the greatest respect,
Your most ob't serv't,
W. BAINBRIDGE.

P. S. Notwithstanding our parole we are not permitted to leave the House or go on the top of it, and they have closed our view of the sea.

The above letter was accompanied by a certificate of the officers of the Philadelphia, bearing testimony to the good conduct of Capt. Bainbridge and a list of 43 officers and 264 men in captivity. On motion of Mr. Nicholson the message was immediately referred to the committee of Ways and Means.

Extract of a letter from the Purser of the Argus, dated Cadiz Bay, Jan. 23.

The loss of the Philadelphia is a severe blow to our little squadron. The Commodore has sent home dispatches from which you will learn the particulars. The officers are in the American Consular house, and are said to be generously treated, which, I suspect, is not altogether the case with the crew. In consequence of this disastrous event, we are at a loss to judge what policy will be pursued by the United States. I hope however to see a sufficient addition to the present squadron in the spring to convince the powers of Barbary, that we are not disheartened by the loss of one frigate. Every thing rests quiet with Morocco. The spirited conduct of commodore Preble has had a very happy effect. Toulon and Genoa still remain blockaded by Lord Nelson's squadron. The fever is said to have entirely subsided at Malaga. There is a report, that 140 of the crew of the Philadelphia have claimed protection of Lord Nelson, as being British subjects, but that he refuses to interfere in the business.