Bat the convenience and wishes of officers, are not generally consulted on these occasions. The whole matter was arranged by those high in authority, and the following ships were appointed to remain in the Mediterranean; some of which had arrived after the treaty of peace. United States frigate U. S., 4-1, Com. Shaw; Washington, 74, Com. Chauncey; Java frigate, 44 Com. 0. Perry; frigate Constellation, 38, Capt. Gordon; Erie, sloop-of-war, 22, Capt. Crane; Ontario, 22, Capt Downes. I was removed from the Firefly to the Ontario, and of course among those that were to stay. This exchange and arrangement was made in Gibraltar Bay. After the homeward-bound fleet had sailed, the Ontario was sent over to Tangier for live stock, but the Moors would not sell us anythine that had life, it being contrary to Mahometan law.
We returned to Gibraltar, joined the fleet, and sailed for Port Mahon, Island of Minorca. Scarcely had the homeward-bound ships left Gibraltar, when Omar Pacha declared to our consul that he would not abide by the treaty; alleging as an excuse for this gross infraction of what we supposed to be an honorable treaty, that our fleet had come upon him unawares. When his fleet were out, and just at the moment of signing, it was announced to him, that a ship with a large amount of tribute money had just appeared, and he was afraid that if our ships had got possession of this valuable prize, they would have kept her, together with all the treasure on board, and that when he signed the treaty, we had him like a man upon his back with a razor to cut his throat.
Accordingly, they sailed out with their Corsairs, and captured an American brig. As soon as this intelligence had reached us, we sailed immediately for Algiers. The consul came off, and confirmed the report, stating also, that as soon as the fleet had left the Bay, the Dey began to be abusive, and complained loudly against his folly in signing the treaty so hastily, affirming that he could, with any one of his batteries, have blown our diminutive fleet out of water. The Algerine fleet were now in winter quarters, and secure inside the moles. Commodore Shaw was now determined on an attempt to burn the fleet. All the carpenters were set at work planing every piece of spare lumber into shavings, oakum and thacking, well tarred, and sprinkled with spirits of turpentine.
These combustibles were put into empty barrels and secured ready for use; boats were selected, stout and able crews appointed for them, noble and daring officers were put in command of the expedition, and the night fixed, upon for this hazardous undertaking. But it was a matter of regret to us all that a rascally Frenchman happened to call on board as a visitor just at this time. He saw these preparations going on, and suspecting that something hostile was in the wind, though pretending not to notice anything. Immediately on his getting on shore, he informed the" captain of the port of what he saw, and in less than an hour the forts were crowded with men; the ships all manned, and every preparation made to repel any attempt that might be made to burn their ships.
The difficulty was finally adjusted, the treaty resumed, and the brig which they had captured given 124: up, and damages paid. I understood afterwards, by a gentleman who obtained his knowledge from one of the consuls at Algiers, that when the Dey was informed that the United States had just concluded a peace with England, and that during the war with this great nation, the United States had captured a great number of their ships, that he became alarmed, fearing that a large fleet would be sent against him, when he reconsidered his treacherous act, and apologized to the consul. It appeared to me very mysterious, that long before our fleet arrived off Algiers, the Dutch had been at war with them, and had several frigates cruising off their coast, and even while we lay there, these Dutchmen would run in within two gunshots, and fire away bravely.
The Algerines seemed to care no more about them, than for the sea-gulls, that flew about the bay. And now, supposing all right, we sailed again for Port Mahon, which is a very extensive and commodious harbor for ships-of-war, formerly a rendezvous for the English fleet, but not a place of much commerce. It possessed a very fine dock-yard and arsenal, and in the days of Spain's prosperity, ships were built, and all the necessary equipments, such as making rigging, casting guns, &c., were done here. The Constellation and Ontario, needing some repairs, the commodore applied to the governor for permission to lay the ships at the navy yard wharf. The governor gave the permission, provided that we should assist with our seamen to fit out and get ready for sea the Ferdinand, of 120 guns.