. The Neapolitans, in emulating
the ardour of our seamen, answered my highest expectations.

I cannot but notice the active exertions and officer-like conduct
of Lieutenant Gordon, and the other lieutenants of the
Constitution. Mr. Harriden, the master, gave me full
satisfaction, as did all the officers and ship's company. I was
much gratified with the conduct of Captain Hall and Lieutenant
Greenleaf, and the marines belonging to his company, in the
management of six long twenty-six pounders, on the spar-deck,
which I placed under his direction. Captain Decatur speaks in the
highest terms of the conduct of Lieutenant Thorn and Midshipman
McDonough, of No. 4, as does Captain Somers of Midshipmen Ridgely
and Miller, attached to No. 1.

Annexed is a list of killed and wounded, and, enclosed, a copy of
my general orders on this occasion:

_Killed._ Gunboat No. 2: Lieutenant James Decatur.

_Wounded._ Constitution: one marine; gunboat No. 4: Captain
Decatur (slightly), one sergeant of marines and two seamen;
gunboat No. 6: Lieutenant Trippe (severely), one boatswain's mate
and two marines; gunboat No. 1: two seamen; gunboat No. 2: two
seamen. Total, one killed, thirteen wounded.

_August 5._ We were at anchor with the squadron about two leagues
north from the city of Tripoli; the Argus in chase of a small
vessel to the westward, which she soon came up with, and brought
within hail; she proved to be a French privateer, of four guns,
which put into Tripoli a few days since, for water, and left it
this morning. I prevailed on the captain, for a consideration, to
return to Tripoli, for the purpose of landing fourteen very badly
wounded Tripolitans, which I put on board his vessel, with a
letter to the Prime Minister, leaving it at the option of the
Bashaw to reciprocate this generous mode of conducting the war.
The sending these unfortunate men on shore, to be taken care of
by their friends, was an act of humanity on our part, which (p. 141)
I hope will make a proper impression on the minds of the
barbarians, but I doubt it. All hands were busily employed in
altering the rig of the three prizes from latteen vessels to
sloops, and preparing for a second attack. Observed one of the
enemy's schooners and the brig (two corsairs in the harbour)