The following is the report referred to in the above Message:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, _Dec. 21, 1812_.
SIR: On the subject of the resolution of the honorable the
House of Representatives, of the 16th instant, I have the honor
to state, that, in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of
the 3d March, 1805, a gold medal, emblematical of the attacks
on the town, batteries and naval force, of Tripoli, by the
squadron under Commodore Preble's command, was presented
to Commodore Preble, in the manner stated in the enclosed
letter, dated May 17, 1806: That one month's pay was allowed,
"exclusive of the common allowance, to all the petty officers,
seamen, and marines, of the squadron, who so gloriously
supported the honor of the American flag, under the orders
of their gallant commander, in the several attacks:" That no
sword has been presented to either of the commissioned officers
or midshipmen, who distinguished themselves in the several
attacks: And that it is not known to this Department that there
ever was made by Congress a specific appropriation of $20,000
for the purpose of carrying into effect the resolution referred
to.
With respect to that part of the resolution which requests
the President to cause a sword to be presented to each of
the commissioned officers and midshipmen who distinguished
themselves, it is presumed that the President saw what to
his mind appeared difficulties of great delicacy, from the
peculiar language of the resolution. By the resolution, he was
requested to present swords to such only as had distinguished
themselves; and all having been represented to him as having
acted gloriously, he could not in justice draw with precision
a line of discrimination. He felt, it is presumed, a repugnance
to the making of a selection, which, by implication, would
necessarily have cast an unmerited reproach upon all not
therein included. A degradation of that kind might have greatly
injured the service, and could not possibly have been grateful
to the honorable feelings of the favored officers.
I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, your
obedient servant,