officers and crew of the
Philadelphia. Be assured, sir, I have incessantly endeavoured to
effect this desirable object. I have no doubt but my successor
will be able to effect their release, and establish peace, on
such terms as will reflect the highest honour on himself and his
country.

_September 17th._ Arrived at Malta with the two detained Greek
vessels. We experienced very bad weather, but had the
satisfaction to learn that the bombs and gunboats had arrived
safe at Syracuse, the 15th instant, without accident. Each of the
Tripoline gunboats which we have captured has two brass howitzers
abaft, and a handsome copper gun in the bow, which carries a
twenty-nine pound shot, is eleven and a half feet long, and
weighs six thousand six hundred pounds.

I send you a plan of the town and harbour of Tripoli, with the
disposition of our squadron, and the enemy's flotilla, at the
time of the several attacks, with sundry other papers.

I have the honour to be, with the highest respect, sir,

Your most obedient servant,
Edward PREBLE.

_____

_R. Smith to George Harrison._

To
George HARRISON, Esq., Navy Department,
Philadelphia. June 26, 1805.

Sir: I have received your letter, accompanied by drawings of the
medal for Commodore Preble. I now return you the Commodore's
likeness and one of the drawings sent to me by you. I approve the
drawings, excepting as to size, which appears to me to be too
large. I doubt whether any die can be made to impress so large a
surface. We should depart, too, from general custom, by making
this medal so large. The medal voted by the old Congress, for
General Washington, was three inches diameter, those for General
Greene, Gates, &c., were two and a half inches, and those for
Morgan, Wayne, &c., were two inches. The drawings of the medal
for Commodore Preble are four inches. I have no objections to the
medal for Commodore Preble being two and a half inches. Confer
with artists upon the subject and let me hear from you. It is my
determination to have it made by Mr. Reich, and you may so inform
him, that he may not engage in other business to interfere with
this.

I am respectfully,