Page:The Burton Holmes lectures; (IA burtonholmeslect04holm).pdf/54

 the first of all the nations of the world to defy the dey and refuse to cringe before him. "Millions for defense but not one cent for tribute" became the cry of an indignant people. It was in 1815 that Commodore Decatur served notice on the dey that we would not under any circumstance furnish any more money for filling his fathomless pocket. The dey suggested that he would take instead some powder for his fleet. "The powder you shall have if you insist," replied Decatur, "but the balls go with it." And for the first time in his life the dey refused a proffered present. A few months later the Algerines having committed more depredations on our shipping, the Commodore insisted upon presenting them with a good round of tribute in the form of cannon-balls. He captured the largest frigate of the pirate fleet and threatened the city itself. The dey, terrified, sued for peace, and on the deck of Decatur's gallant ship he signed a treaty vastly different from the treaties that his predecessors had been wont to make with Christian powers. By the terms of this treaty he was bound to release all Americans held as slaves, pay an indemnity, and renounce all claim to future tribute. One year later, 1816, the English fleet sailed into the harbor of Algiers.

TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO HAVE PERISHED AT SEA

The abolition of Christian slavery was demanded. The dey insultingly declined to obey, whereupon the English made