ed the attention of
the law-makers to the crying need for a navy. But war had set in
between Portugal and Algiers; the Algerian corsairs were blockaded in
their ports, and American vessels were enjoying a temporary immunity
from piratical attack. Therefore Congress hesitated.

But in 1793 peace was suddenly arranged between Portugal and Algiers.
Immediately the corsairs swarmed out of the Mediterranean Sea, and
swooped down upon the American merchantmen. In a few weeks four ships
were in their hands, and the gangs of white slaves in Tunis and
Tripoli were re-enforced by nearly two hundred luckless Yankee
sailors. Then Congress awoke, and ordered the immediate building of
six frigates. The ships were laid down, the work was well under way,
naval officers had been appointed, and every thing seemed to point to
the revival of the American navy, when a treaty was negotiated with
Algiers, and all work was stopped.

And what a treaty it was! By it the United States relinquished every
claim to the rights of a sovereign nation. It agreed to pay an annual
tribute to the piratical Dey, in consideration of his granting to
American vessels the right of travel on the high seas. And when some
slight delay occurred in making the first payment of tribute, the
obsequious government presented the Barbary corsair with a frigate, to
allay his wrath.

We must pass hastily over the time during which this iniquitous treaty
was in force. Suffice it to say, that by it the United States paid the
Dey more than a million dollars. For the same sum his piratical
establishment might have been scattered like the sands of the desert.

In May, 1800, it fell to the lot of Capt. William Bainbridge,
commanding the frigate "George Washington," to carry the annual
tribute to Algiers. On arriving there he was treated with contempt by
the Dey, who demanded that he put the "Washington" at the service of
Algiers, to carry her ambassador to Constantinople. "You pay me
tribute, by which you become my slaves," said the Dey; "I have
therefore a right to order you as I may think proper."

Bainbridge protested, but to no avail. He had anchored his frigate
under the guns of the Dey's castle, and to disobey meant capture and
slavery. Accordingly he complied, but despatched a letter to the
authorities at home, saying, "I hope I may never again be sent to
Algiers with tribute, unless I am authorized to deliver it from the
mouth of our cannon."

When Bainbridge reac