s of peace. I
enclose you copies of our correspondence, which will convince you
that our attacks have not been made without effect.

_August 16th._ No news of the frigates, and but short allowance
of water in the squadron. I sent the Enterprize to Malta, with
orders to the agent there to hire transports, and send off
immediately a supply of fresh water, provision, and other stores
which have become necessary, as some of the squadron have now
been upwards of five months in sight of this dismal coast,
without once visiting a friendly port. Those vessels, as well as
the gunboats, received their supply of water and provisions from
the Constitution.

_August 18th._ As the season is fast approaching when we may
expect bad weather, and no news of the frigates, I have
determined to make an attack as soon as the wind proves
favourable. At eight P.M. I sent Captains Decatur and Chauncey,
in two small boats, to reconnoitre the harbour, and observe the
disposition of the enemy's flotilla at night. They returned at
midnight, and reported that they were anchored in a line abreast,
from the mole to the Bashaw's castle, with their heads to the
eastward, for the defence of the inner harbour. At daylight (p. 144)
the wind shifted suddenly from northeast to north-northwest, and
brought a heavy sea on shore, which obliged us, for greater
safety, to weigh and stand to sea.

_August 20th._ We had gained an offing of nine or ten leagues;
still blowing hard. We had met with the ketch Intrepid, from
Syracuse, with a cargo of fresh water, stock, and vegetables, for
the squadron.

_August 22d._ Fell in with a ship from Malta, with water and live
stock for the squadron. These cargoes arrived very opportunely,
as we have for some time past been on a short allowance of water.
The wind having moderated, we stood in and anchored with the
squadron, six miles northeast by north from Tripoli. All the
boats were engaged in discharging the transports. The Enterprize
arrived from Malta, but brought no intelligence of the long
expected frigates.

_August 24th._ With a light breeze from the northeast, we stood
in with the squadron, prepared for action, intending to attack
the town and shipping in the night. At eight in the evening,
anchored about two and a ha