A FORGOTTEN CONFLICT.
Extrordinary as it may now seem, Tripoli once declared war on America. This was in I SO 1, and the war lasted
about four years. The “casus belli” is understood to have been that the I nited States refused to increase the payment for immunity from the depredations of ti'.e Tripolitan corsairs. Expecting trouble, the I-'nited States had already sent a squadron to the .Mediterranean, and in 1 SOti the frigate Philadelphia., whilst chasing a pirate into the harbour of Tripoli, stiuck a sunken rock and was captured. In February, 180!, Lieutenant Decatur gained distinction by surprising and burning the captured vessel, for which exploit lie was promoted captain. The war hung on, and in July, 1801, several unsuccessful attempts were made to take the forts guarding the harbour. With the assistance of the licet, \\ illiam Eaton, an American officer and adventurer, captured the town of Derna, and began preparations for marching on the capita], when peace was concluded on June -1, 1805.
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Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 79, 15 November 1911, Page 4
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166A FORGOTTEN CONFLICT. Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 79, 15 November 1911, Page 4
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