of the friendship subsisting between the two nations, he
expects to have the preference given him. on his paying
WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE 337
the same freight offered by any other nation." Against
this requisition Captain Bainbridge, and the American
Consul, Mr. O'Brien, remonstrated warmly and strenu-
ously. It was evident, they said, that this stipulation could
apply only to merchant ships, not to national vessels,
charged by their own government with specific employ-
ments ; that Captain Bainbridge had received positive
instructions for his voyage, from which he dared not and
would not deviate ; and that there were other ships in the
harbour which would answer the purpose equally well.
The Dey, hovv^ever, persisted in his demand ; and left Cap-
tain Bainbridge only a choice of great difficulties and em-
barrassments. On the one hand, an Ambassador, v\"ith a
retinue of two hundred Turks as passengers, and presents
to the amount of five or six hundred thousand dollars,
were to be forced on board the frigate, and carried to Con-
stantinople at the entire risk of the United States. If in
the new and dangerous navigation to that place accidents
happened to the Dej^'s property, the United States would
be held responsible to indemnify him ; if any cruisers of
the Portuguese, Neapolitians, or other powers at war with
Algiers, should meet the George Washington, and capture
her, still the United States would be bound to reimburse
the loss ; and the American vessels in the Mediterranean
w^ould be instantl}?- seized by the Algerines as a security
for it. Should he be more fortunate, and beat off these
enemies, they might consider this cover of Algerine pro-
perty as a violation of neutrality, and think themselves
justified in retaliating on the defenceless commerce of the
United States in the Mediterranean. Besides which, he
Avould deviate from his orders, by undertaking for six
months, a voyage not sanctioned by his government. On
the other hand, a refusal to comply would occasion the de-
tention of the frigate, which was now in the power of the
Dey, and be followed b)^ an immediate declaration of w^ar
against the United States, for this alleged breach of the
treaty, and a seizure of all American vessels in the Medi-
terranean. In this situation. Captain Bainbridge opposed
the Dey as long and as vigorously as possible. The Dey
promised, that if a Swedish frigate, which was then expect-
29
338 GLORY OF AMERICA,
ed, arrived, he would take her in place of the George
Washington. But she did not come. A British twenty-
four gun ship arrived, and offered to carry the presents.
This, however, the Dey refused, because he would not be
under obhg-ations to England ; and at last, exasperated by
opposition, he sent for Captain Bainbridge and the Consul,
and peremptorily demanded that the frigate should go to
Constantinople, threatening, in case of refusal, to nicJve
slaves of all the Americans in Alo:iers. to detain the frig-ate,
and send out his cruisers against the defenceless trade of
the United States. The liberty of his countrymen, and the
safety of the American commerce, decided Captain Bain-
bridsfe at last to smother his indignation at this unpleasant
and humiliatinof service, and he consented to receive the
Algerine ambassador.
Another diiierence arose about the flag : Captain Bain-
bridge declared that the frigate should carry her own co-
lours ; but the Dey insisted that the flag of Algiers should
be Avorn during- the vovao^e. It was vain to resist, however
mortifying to obe^".
They sailed from Algiers on the nineteenth of October.
The winds were unfavourable, the weather bad, and the
society of the Turks not calculated to console the ofiicers
for these inconveniences ; but they submitted with as good
a grace as possible to a humiliation which they deemed
necessary for their country's service. The frigate anchor-
ed at the lower end of Constantinople in twenty-three days
from her departure, and the next morning, the tvrelfth of
November, the American flag was hoisted at the mizen,
the Algerine at the main. Soon afterwards, three officers,
in succession, were sent on board by the Grand Seignior,
to inquire Vv-hat ship that was, and what colours she had
lioisted. They were told it was an American frigate and
an American flag. They said they did not know any
such country. Captain Bainbridge then explained that
America was the New World by which name they had
some idea of the country. After these inquiries, the frigate
ctoie into harbour, saluted the Grand Seignior's palace
with tv%'enty-one grms, and proceeded to unload the Alge-
rine cargo. The ambassador was not permitted to have
WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE. 339
his audience before the arrival of the Capudan Pacha, or
High Admiral from Egypt, and it was necessary for the
frigate to wait the result. Captain Bainbridge endeavoured
to employ the interval in giving to the Turkish govern-
ment a favourable impression of a country, of which his
ship and crew were the only specimens they had ever an
opportunity of seeing. At this time an embassy to Con-
stantinople was projected, and William L. Smith, Esq.
then minister of the United States in Portugal, was desig-
nated as the American Ambassador. It was therefore de-
sirable that his arrival should be preceded by as advanta-
geous an opinion as possible of his country. How well
Captain Bainbridge succeeded in making these impres-
sions, we may learn from the following unsuspicious testi-
mony of a distinguished traveller, Mr. Clarke, who was
then at Constantinople, and with whom Captain Bain-
bridofe contracted a friendly intimacy.
" The arrival of an American frigate for the first time,
^ at Constantinople, caused considerable sensation, not only
among the Turks, but also throughout the whole diplo-
matic corps stationed in Pera. This ship, commanded
by Captain Bainbridge, came from Algiers, with a letter
and presents from the Dey to the Sultan and Capudan
Pacha. The presents consisted of tigers and other ani-
mals, sent with a view to conciliate the Turkish govern-
ment, whom the Dey had offended. When she came to
an anchor, and a messaofe went to the Porte that an Ame-
rican frigate was in the harbour, the Turks were altogether
unable to comprehend where the countiy was situated
whose flag they had to salute. A great deal of time v/as
therefore lost in settling this important point, and in con-
sidering how to receive the stranger. In the mean time,
we went on board to visit the Captain ; and were sitting
with him in his cabin, when a messenger came from the
Turkish government to ask whether America was not
otherwise called the new world ; and, being answered in
the affirmative, assured the Captain that he was welcome,
and would be treated with the utmost cordiality and re-
spect. The messenger from the Dey was then ordered
on board the Capudan Pacha's ship ; who, receiving the
340 GLORY OF AMERICA.
letter from their sovereign with great rage, first spat, and
then stamped on it ; telling him to go back to their master,
and inform him that he would be served after the same
manner, whenever the Turkish Admiral met him. Captain
Bainbridge was, however, received with eveiy mark of
attention, and rewarded with a shawl and a fur cloak ;
too-ether worth about four hundred dollars, as presents.
The fine order of his ship, and the healthy state of her
crew, became topics of general conversation in Pera ;
and the different ministers strove who should receive him
in their palaces. We accompanied him in his long boat
to the Black Sea. as he was desirous of hoistins" there, for
the first time, the American flag ; and on his return, were
amused by a very singular entertainment at his table
during dinner. On the four corners were as many decan-
ters, containing fresh water from as many quarters of the
globe. The natives of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America,
sat do^\m together, to the same table, and were regaled
Avith flesh, fruit, bread, and other viands ; while of every
article, a sample from each quarter of the globe was pre-
sented at the same time. The means of accomplishing
this are easily explained, by his having touched at Algiers,
in his passaofe from America, and being at anchor so near
the shores both of Europe and Asia."'
On the arrival of the Capudan Pacha, the Algerine
Ambassador was denied an audience, and both his letters
and presents refused, on account of the many depredations
committed by Algiers on the commerce of Austria and
other nations friendly to the Porte, and also for having
made peace with France, without consulting the Grand
Seignior. The Ambassador and his suite were not suf-
fered to leave their houses, the Dey of Algiers was ordered
to declare war against France, and sixty days allowed to
receive in Constantinople the account of his compliance,
on pain of immediate war.
Captain Bainbridge was, however, received by the
Capudan Pacha with distinguished politeness. He took
the frigate under his immediate protection : requested
Captain Bainbridge to haul down the Algerine flag and
carry the American ; and being fond of ship-building and
WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE. 341
naval aifairs, conceived from the seaman-like conduct of
the officers, and the state of the frigate, a high idea of the
American marine character. These attentions were pecn-
liarly grateful, as this officer was related by marriao;e to
the Grand Seignior, and supposed to possess gi'eat influ-
ence in public affairs. He afterwards addressed a friendly
letter to Mr. Smith, the expected Ambassador, and the two
countries might have formed a commercial treaty under
very favourable auspices ; but the mission to Constanti-
nople was afterwards discountenanced by our government.
The different diplomatic characters at Constantinople
paid to Captain Bainbridge very marked civilities more
particularly Lord Elgin, the British, and Baron de Hubsch,
the Danish Ambassador. Every thing being at length
arrano-ed, the George Washin:ton sailed from Constanti-
nople^'in December, carryinglhe Turkish Ambassadors
secretary back to Algiers, with an account of the unfa-
vourable result of his embassy.
This voyage to Constantuiople, though irksome to the
officers, was" ultimately the means of acquiring much
honour to the United States, and might have been ren-
dered hi2:hly serviceable. Fortunately for us, the George
Washin|ton arrived suddenly before Constantinople, v.-hich
no Christian vessel Avas ^permitted to do tlie laws of the
Porte requiring that all foreign vessels should wait one
hundred and twenty mJles below the city, in order to ob-
tain leave to come' up ; and as the Am^erican flag and
nation v.^ere then unknown, and the ministers of foreign
powers would of course have ])een umvilling to see a
young, adventurous people, admitted to share the advan-
tages of a trade which they were enjoying exclusively, ^the
probability is that the frigate never would have reached
Constantinople. Arriving, however, as she did, a fine
ship, with an excellent crew, in the best discipline, she
gave the Turks a high idea of the naval character of the
United States a chaJracter which they have since seen us
sustain with so much glory in the war with Tripoh. After
landing some Turks at Malta, as a favour to the Capudan
Pacha^ Captain Bainbridge arrived oflE" Algiers on the
twenU^-first of January. Warned by his past misfortune,
29*
SA2
GLORY OF AMERICA.
he did not venture Ids frigate within reach of the fort, but
sent the Ambassador's secretary on shore in a boat, al-
though the Dey desired that he' would come into port to
discharge some guns, })elonging to Algiers, which he had
taken in there, as ballast, for t)ie vo^^age to Constantinople.
The Dey, however, insisted, and Captain Bainbridge, fear-
ful of the consequences to the unprotected commerce of the
United States, again ventured within the Dey's power,
delivered the old guns, and took other ballast. The tyrant
Avas now so effectually humbled by the orders of the Grand
Seignior, that he instantly released four hundred prisoners,
who had been taken with British and Austrian passports,
and declared war against France. Finding too that
Captain Bainbridge Vv^as on friendly terms Avith the Capu-
dan Pacha, his menaces softened into great mildness.
After having been thus instrumental in the release of so
many prisoners, Captain Bainbridge was now enabled to
serve the interests of humanity in another way. On the
declaration of war with France, the Consul, and all the
French subjects, then in Alo-iers, were ordered to leave the
country in forty-eio-ht hours, and as their lono-er stay
would have exposed them to captivity, they were all taken
on board the George Washington.
He sailed from Algiers about the last of January, and
after landing the French passeno:ers at Alicant. arrived at
Philadelphia in April ISOl, and received tlie marked
approbation of the government for his conduct, during- this
long, unpleasant, and delicate service. Before his return,
the cessation of hostilities vdth France, had caused a re-
duction of the navy, and the retained were only nine
Captains, of whom he had the satisfaction of iindina- him-
self one. In the follov^4ng June, he received the command
of the frigate Essex. About this time, the reo;ency of Tri-
poli, emboldened by the success of 'the Algerines, com-
menced hostilities against the United States; to oppose
which, a squadron of frigates, among which was the Essex,
was sent to the :Mediterranean. Here he continued for
thirteen or fourteen months, engaged in convoyino- Ameri-
can ships and other neutrals m'the IMediterranean, and
cruising against the Tripolitan ships of war, Avith none of
William bainbridge. 343
wliich, however, he had the good fortune to engap-e. He
returned to New York in July, 1802, and remamed on
shore lor about mne months, engaged in superintending
the bin dnrg of the United States' brigs Syren and Vixef
in May, 1803, he was appointed to command the Phi-
ladelphia, a frigate built by the merchants of Philadelphia,
aiid presented to the government of the United States!
ln-^f //' .f /''''' ^^'^ P'^ ^ Philadelphia, in July,
IbUo, for the Mediterranean, to join the squadron then
under Commodore Preble. On reaching Gibraltar, he
heard of two Tripohtan cruisers off Cape de Gatt, and im-
mediately shaped his course after them. On the '^Gth of
Aujust, he discovered a shipwdth a brig in company, both
under a foresail only. As it w^as night, the wind bio win o-
very fresn, and the ship's guns housed, it was not till th%
Philadelphia hailed her, that she proved to be a vessel of
war, from the coast of Barbary. On ordering her boat on
board with the ship's passports, she was found to be the
Mazouda, a cruiser of twenty-two ,^ins, and one hundred
and ten rnen, from Morocco, and by concealing from the
Moorish officer who came on board, the nation to which
the Essex belonged, he w^as led to mention that the brio-
hnT.fn! iT''T ?^f ^/^ ^P^^"' '''^'''''' '^^y ^'^^ boarded"
but not defamed. The low sail under which the brier was
however exciting some suspicion, Captain Bainbridge sent
his first lieutenant, to examine if the ship had any Ameri-
can prisoners; but he was prevented by the Captain of
ttie ship. A boat well manned and armed was sent to
enforce a compliance, and they found on board, the Ame-
can Captam of the brig, who, wath his crew, were all con-
lined below, the brig having been captured by the Moorish
tlTn -^'.^^^1 ^f''\ ^^''' '^^'^'' ^f i'^^^^lity. Cap-
ta n Bainoridge had no hesitation in making prize of the
sh p, which was immediately manned from the Philadel-
Shf'if 'I 1^^ *'r '^''P' proceeded to cruise for the bnV,
which had made off during this examination. It was
rt .T.lf ^''^^^^''^"- ^1 ^"^^ ^ ^^^^els, all the next day,
ek cln.-!^^' ^}''^':''''^^ P"^'^^^d, and taken, and both ves-
seis cairied into Gibraltar.
On board the Mazouda, were cruising orders from the
344 GLORY OF AMERICA.
governor of Tangier, which proved the hostile disposition
of the Emperor of Morocco, who was about letting loose
his forces ao-ainst the American commerce. The capture
of one of his finest ships, at the commencement of his
scheme, convinced him of the folly of it, and afforded
Commodore Preble, on his arrival at Gibraltar, the means
of brin2:ing the Emperor to a speedy and permanent peace
with the United States.
WnilQ he was detained by this negotiation. Captain
Bainbridge, in company with the Vixen, Captain Smith,
had proceeded to blockade the harbour of Tripoli. Here
he soon received information, that a Tripolitan cruiser
had escaped from the port, and he despatched the Vixen
to cruise off Cape Bon in quest of her. After her depar-
ture, the Philadelphia v^-as driven from her cruishig ground
for several days, by the prevalence of strong westerly
^ales ; but the wind' having changed to the eastvs^ard, she
returnino- to her station, when, on the thirty-first of
was
October, not many leagues to the east of the town, at about
nine o'clocl^ in the morning, a strange ship was seen in
shore, to which chase was immediately given. The
chase kent as close in shore as she dared, and ran for the
harbour of Tripoli. The Philadelphia continued to chase
along the land, not venturing into shoaler water than
seven fathoms, and keeping up a constant fire ; but find-
ing she could not cut the chase off from the harbour, gave
up'' the pursuit, and hauled her wind to the northward,
which Avas directly ofi' from tiie land: when, about half
after eleven o'clock, as she was going at the rate of six or
seven knots, she ran on rocks about four miles and a half
from the town. These rocks are a continuation of a reef,
which, directly opposite the town are above v.^ater, and
extend a long'distance to the eastward. They were not
laid down in any charts on board, nor had they been dis-
covered by our public ships, which had before cruised on
this coast ; nor, althousfh three leads were kept heaving,
Avere they perceived tilfshe struck. Great exertions were
instantly made to float the ship. A part of the guns were
thrown overboard ; the anchors cut a,way from the bows ;
the Vv^ater started ; the foremast cut away ; but all to no
WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE
345
purpose. As soon as she had grounded, the gun-boats
came out to attack her. They took a position on her
quarters; but her stern-chasers compelled them to change
their station ; and while the ship continued upright, with
the few guns that could be brought to bear she could keep
the enemy at a distance ; but she soon lay over so much
on one side, that she could not use her gims. At length,
after she had sustained the enemy's fire for between five or
six hours, and seeing no chance of getting the ship ofl", a
council of war was called of all the officers, who gave a
unanimous opinion, that, as it was impossible to defend
themselves, or to annoy the enemy, any farther show of
resistance would only expose the lives of the crew, and
that the painful alternative of surrender was all that re-
mained for them. The magazine was therefore drowned ;
the arms and every article" of value thrown overboard ;
the ship scuttled; the pumps choked and the colours
were then hauled down at five o'clock. One of the boats
was sent to acquaint the enemy that the ship would make
no farther resistance. " On approaching the enemy," says
one of the officers employed on this occasion, " we were
hailed by almost every one, and each ordered us along
side of his boat. One, however, fired a shot, which struck
near us, and presuming him to be the Commodore, we
rowed towards him, when one of the near gun-boats, per-
ceivmo- we were not coming to him, manned his boat and
came after us. About fifteen men were in this boat, all
armed with pistols, with sabres, and a long musket sus-
pended over their backs. They were a ferocious and sa-
vage set. They sprung into our boat, and immediately
two seized Lieutenant Porter, and two others seized me.
My coat was soon ofl^ my vest unbuttoned, and my cravat
torn from my neck. I thought, for my own part, I should
not have time to count my beads ; but we soon perceived,
that their violence was only with the view of getting from
us whatever money or valuables we might have concealed
about our persons. We now proceeded towards the shore,
the gun-boat men continuing in our boat. It was just dark
when we approached the beach, which was covered with
people, armed, and shouting most hideously, and landed
346 GLORY OF AMERICA.
amidst the shouts of the populace, by whom we were
pushed about rudely. We were conducted to the gate of
the Pacha's castle, followed by the crowd. Here we were
detained some minutes, his highness not being ready to
receive us. We were, however, at leng^i ushered into his
presence. We now felt ourselves safe. The Pacha was
seated in state, with his ministers and principal officers
about him, and surrounded by a numerous guard. We
were desired to be seated, while the boat's crew stood at
some distance back. A variety of questions were put to
us ; how many men were in the Philadelphia ; how many
guns had she ? were any of the guns of brass ? how much
powder was there ? was there any money in the ship ?
where was Commodore Morris ? where was the schooner
Enterprize ? and other similar questions. Three glasses
of sherbet were brought, one for each, of which we
drank."
The same scene of plunder was renewed when the
Tripohtan came on board. They took from Captain
Bainbridge his watch and epauletts, and the cravat from
his neck ; but with much struggling and difficulty he
saved the miniature of his wife. When he was brought
into the castle, the same set of questions was repeated by
the Pacha, who observed, among other things, that the
fortune of v.^ar had placed Captain Bainbridge in his pre-
sent situation. They were then sent to another apartment,
where a supper was provided for the officers ; after which
they were brought in a body before the Pacha, who grati-
fied himself by taking a view of them collectivelv. The
complacency with which he surveyed them, his cheerful
and animated countenance, sufficiently denoted his satis-
faction at seeing them. His reception of them, however,
made favourable impressions of his character. He pre-
sented them to his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sudi Mu-
hamed Dghies, who was to have charge of them, and who,
the Bashaw observed. VN-ould take srood care of them.
This indeed they found to be strictly true ; for they were
now conducted to the house of the late American Consul,
and, although it was by this time one o'clock in the morn-
ing, the Minister sent for the Danish Consul, Mr. Nissen,
WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE. 347
whom he introduced to Captain Bainbridge as his parti-
cular friend, and one who would render the officers every
service in his power. This estimable man mmiediately
brought refreshments, and all the beddmg which he could
collect at that hour ; and about two o'clock the officers lay
down to sleep, as well as their new and terrible mistortune
would permit them. The next day the Minister of t o-
reiffn Affairs requested Captain Bainbridge and his otli-
cers, to Pive their parole, in order that he might, m turn,
pledo-e his word to the Pacha for their safety. This was
complied with. The officers also presented a unanimous
address to the Captain, in which they stated their beliel,
that the charts and soundings justified as near an approach
to the shore as they had made ; and declaring, that on
this as on every other occasion, his conduct had always
been correct and honourable. Soothed by this proof of
con^dence and attachment. Captain Bainbridge endea-
voured to render the situation of his officers and crew as
comfortal^le as possible. The Consular house was com-
modious, and though not large enough for the accommo-
dation of so many persons, was at -least airy, and the
atmosphere they breathed was pure. About a fortnight
after this however, the Pacha's Minister acquainted Cap-
tain Bainbridge, that letters had been received from the
TripoHtans who had been taken by Captain Rodgers, m
the .Tohn Adams, complaining of being ill-treated by him,
and Captain Bainbridcre was requested to sign an order
upon Commodore Preble, to give up these Tripohtan pri-
soners, v/ith a declaration, that if he refused, the ill-treat-
ment shown to the Tripohtan prisoners should be retah-
ated upon the officers of the Philadelphia. Captain
Bainbrido-e peremptorily refused to sign this order, and
accordingly, by w^ay of punishment, they were conaucted
by the sfave driver to the prison, where the crev/ were