twenty-four
pound shot into the town and batteries. All the officers and men
engaged in the action behaved with the utmost intrepidity. At
half-past six all the boats were in tow, and the squadron
standing to the northwest. At eight, the John Adams, Captain
Chauncey, from the United States, joined company. At nine the
squadron anchored, Tripoli bearing southeast, five miles distant.
Gunboat No. 3 was this day commanded by Mr. Brooks, master of the
Argus, and No. 6 by Lieutenant Wadsworth, of the Constitution.

Annexed is a return of our loss in this attack.

_Killed._ Gunboat No. 9: One lieutenant, one midshipman, one
boatswain's mate, one quarter gunner, one sergeant of marines,
and five seamen; Gunboat No. 8: Two seamen.

_Wounded._ Gunboat No. 9: Six seamen, two of whom mortally.
Total, twelve killed, six wounded.

Captain Chauncey brought me the first positive information that
any reinforcement was to be expected. By him I was honoured with
your letters of the 7th, 22d, and 31st of May, informing me that
four frigates were coming out, under Commodore Barren, who is to
supersede me in the command of our naval forces in these seas, at
the same time approbating my conduct, and conveying to me the
thanks of the President for my services. I beg you, Sir, to
accept my warmest thanks for the very obliging language in which
you have made these communications, and to assure the President
that to merit the applause of my country is my only aim, and to
receive it the highest gratification it can bestow.

Captain Chauncey informed me that the frigates might be expected
every moment, as they were to sail from Hampton Roads four days
after him. In consequence of this information (and as I could not
bring the John Adams into action, she having left all her gun
carriages for her gun deck, except eight, on board the Congress
and Constellation, a day or two previous to her sailing), I
determined to wait a few days for the arrival of Commodore
Barron, before another attack, when, if he should arrive, the
fate of Tripoli must be decided in a few hours, and the Bashaw
completely humbled. Had the John Adams brought out her gun
carriages, I should not have waited a moment, and can have (p. 143)
no doubt but the next attack would make the arrival of