To James Madison from Benjamin W. Crowninshield, 17 April 1815
From Benjamin W. Crowninshield
Navy Department April 17th. 1815:
Sir,
I have the honour to transmit, for your consideration, a Copy of the orders to Commodore Decatur, for the government of his operations in the Squadron under his Command;1 and I have to request, that you will be pleased to suggest such alterations and additions as you may judge expedient. I have the honour to be, With great regard and respect, Sir, Your most Ob: Servant,
BW Crowninshield
RC and enclosure (DLC); letterbook copy (DNA: RG 45, LSP). RC in a clerk’s hand, signed by Crowninshield; docketed by JM. For enclosure, see n. 1.
1. Crowninshield’s 15 Apr. 1815 letter to Capt. Stephen Decatur (5 pp.) ordered him to sail from New York for the Mediterranean as soon as instructions for the peace commissioners, of whom Decatur was one, arrived. He was to capture as many Algerine vessels as possible on his way to Algiers and to blockade the port, but since his squadron of two or three frigates, two sloops, and five smaller vessels was considered “not sufficiently Strong, to attempt offensive operations, against the Town & Batteries of algiers,” he could choose to await the arrival of a second U.S. squadron while using his own “to produce the most effect upon the Enemy” and to protect U.S. commerce in the Mediterranean. Crowninshield gave Decatur permission to transfer his flag to a sloop and return to New York or Philadelphia, if superceded by the arrival of a superior officer. The letter also contained instructions for financing and supplying the expedition and for establishing a naval hospital near the scene of operations.