Copy of letter from Commodore Stewart tc
Mrs Decatur.


BoydcntoYaa, Dec. 18th, 1926.
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Copy of letter from Commodore Stewart to


Mrs. Decatur.


BoydentoUn, Dec. 18th, 1926.


My dear Mrs. Decatur:


The re-assembling OF the honorable Con-
gress of the United States. renders it neces
sary that should no longer delay answering
your esteemed favor of June last, in which
you requested me TO state such information
relative to the burning of the Philadelphia,
in the harbor of 'Frpoli, as / may possess,
in aid of your claim on our country, for the
success of that gallant enterprise, so ably
and honorably performed by your late hus-
band.


regret that my limited abilities dsqual-
lty me from pourtraying in those glowing
colours of which that act is susceptible, the
gallantry and perseverance with which it
was performed by my late friend.
You state that your late husband had Civ.
EN- you to understand that the project OF
burning that frigate, at her moorings, and
thereby removing serious mpediment to
the future operations of the squadl Oh against
'Iripoli, originated with him. This under :
standing was perfectly correct--it did orr
slnate with your late husband, and he first
volunteered himself to carry it into effect;
and asked the permission of Commodore
preble, Oft Iripoli, (on first discovering the
| frigate was lost to the squadron to effect it
with the schooner Enterprise. then under