270 A REALM WON BY THE PURSE. P'T. IV. 12. Negotiations were therefore set on foot, by P'D. I. which the United States purchased of France, for the CH. III. sum of fifteen millions of dollars, the whole territory 1803. of Louisiana. This acquisition nearly doubled the Louisi- extent of the Republic, adding the vast western secana par- tion of the basin of the Mississippi, and giving the of United States a boundary on the Pacific Ocean. chased France. 12. What negotiations were set on foot? What purchase was made. For what consideration? What may be said of this acquisition? 1 War with Tripoli.-Troubles with England and France. P'D. II. Barbary 1. THE Barbary Powers were nations of professed P'T. IV. pirates. They took and made slaves of American citizens, as they did those of other countries, and appro- CH. 1. priated vessels and their cargoes. If any nation would 1803. pay them annual tribute, they would not take that nation's vessels. This was for several years done by the United States, as it had long been, by European piratinations. At length the American republic determined to resist, and declared war against Tripoli. This war is memorable, as it laid the foundation of the American naval character, and discipline. Commodore CHAPTER I.-1. What were the Barbary Powers? What did they with respect to the citizens and vessels of the European and American nations? In what case would they desist from their piracy? What did the U. S. do? Why is the Tripolitan war memorable? powers cal. 274 TRIPOLITAN WAR ENDED. P'T. IV. Preble, who commanded the American fleet, sent in 1803 to the Mediterranean, was not only an able ofCH. 1. ficer himself, but he possessed the talent of moulding others. P'D. II. Deca ploit. 1804. 2. Lieut. Stephen Decatur, retook the frigate Philadelphia from under the guns of the Tripolitan battery; set her on fire in the harbor, and escaped. This frigate, commanded by Capt. Bainbridge, was one of Feb. Preble's squadron, and had adventured too far into the tur's ex- harbor of Tripoli, and ignorant of the navigation had grounded. The officers and crew were made captives, and with other Americans, were treated with every indignity. Their sufferings went to the hearts of their fellow citizens; and, as an expedient to oblige the bashaw of Tripoli to release them, the government authorised Capt. William Eaton to unite with Hamet, an expelled bashaw, to assist him to recover his former station. Eaton Derne. 1805. 3. Eaton was made general of Hamet's forces, amounting to a few hundred Arabs. He marched from Egypt Feb. to Derne, where the American fleet co-operated with takes him. He assaulted and took Derne. The Tripolitans sent an army, which were defeated in two engagements. The bashaw then sued for peace; and Col. June 3. Lear, the American consul, negotiated with him a treaty, by which the American prisoners were set at Tripoli. liberty, sixty thousand dollars ransom-money being paid. Support was withdrawn from Hamet, but he recovered his wife and children. Peace with 4. In July, 1804, occurred the death of Gen. Alexander Hamilton. He died in a duel, fought with 1804. Hamil Aaron Burr, vice-president of the United States. Burr ton killed was the challenger. Hamilton, not having the courage with to brave the opinion which would call him coward, Burr. met his antagonist against his sense of right, and without desire or intention to injure him. By this lament in a duel 1. Who was the commander? What can you say of him?2. What daring exploit was performed by Decatur? How came the Philadelphia stranded? Where were the captain and crew? What was William Eaton to do in this war?-3. Give an account of his movements? On what terms was peace concluded? -4. Give an account of the death of Hamilton, and its cause? |