Algs. 23 March, 1805 Rec'd 23 Apr. 1805 My Dear Sir, Having just learnt of an oppy for Tunis, I hasten to forward this, together with a duplicate of my last, dated 15th inst. Whose original I sent by Capt. Baynsforth of H.B.M's Brig Morgainania. On the 17th inst. At 10 A.M. while the Dey of Algiers, was on a visit at his Bobasoon Castle, inspecting the works & workmen thereof, a most serious attack was made on his life, by four of his Turk Soldiers, from the City Cassarees. The Dey was setting under a tent, where he had been taking some refreshment, the fragments of which he had directed his attendants to give to the Slaves & Carbiles [sic], at work a small distance from him- by this humane offering he was left alone in the tent. Four Soldiers, who had been seen 1/2 an hour before on the ground, rushed instantly upon him, each armed with two pistols, a Carbine & an atagon [sic]. They all discharged their pieces on him, at the distance of 12 to 20 feet, not one of which took effect, except a slug, which thro' his sash & made a skin wound on his Belly. The ruffians observing they had not done what they intended, two of them fell on the Dey with their atagons, while the other two began to load their pistols, &c. again. The Dey stood his ground valiantly, & rec'd on his head & body from 12 to 14 severe cuts of the atagon- the last blow they [2] gave him, was on the back of his head, which brot [sic] him to the ground. All this was committed in as short a space of time as an expert hand might load & fire a musket. His attendants, were at the distance of 60 yards, & instantly ran to his assistance, and stoned to death, three of these assasins on the spot. The fourth effected a retreat, but has since been found dead, in a prickly pear hedge, at the foot of Babasoon mountain- occasioned, as is supposed, by a blow he appears to have rec'd on his temple, in the above combat. The Dey had two of his fingers cut off, & was mangled in other parts in a shocking manner. For the first two or three days it was that he w[oul]d. not survive his wounds- but is now pronounced out of danger. A more miraculous escape never happened- 8 pistols & 4 carbines, loaded with balls & slugs, to be discharged at a person, the distance of 12 to 20 feet, & do him no injury, is certainly a most extraordinary occurance- more particularly so, as the robes of the Dey were burnt by the powder & 120 Shot & Slugs passed thro' the tent in which he was sitting. Since this event, he is reverenced by his subjects as more than mortal- one who is under the peculiar guardianship of the Deity.- A day of festival is to be observed in commemoration of this interesting event. This event, as was natural, threw every [3] branch & order of people into a state of utmost consternation- houses, Stores, offices, as well as the City-gates, were in an instant closes- public & private work suspended- inhabitants forsook their dwellings in the lower parts of their houses & ascended terrasses [sic]- in short everything seems to look as tho' the latter day had come. Here was a field to observe the minds of the people, &c. &c- but I forbear to say more on this subject- I have been thus particular, least accts. of general massacre, &c. might spread abroad.- //The English Consul dined with me yesterday. he told me, the King of England, has observed in his last speech to parliament, that negotiations for peace were on foot between his nation & France. We have no News here. The Spanish Courier has commenced running again, from here to Barcelona: this more of conveyance, has been suspended for six months, past, owing to pests. &c. The English Consul has taken that Garden, which stands northward, below our's [sic]on a point of the mountain- the house is very large & new, belongs to an old Hogia, later of the Palace- the Consul is not married, about 40 to 45- expects his Sister out shortly to keep his house- he lives in the Garden, & is a very clever sort of a gentleman. My sincere regards for Mrs. Lear, & have the honor to be, my Dear Sir, with great respect, Yr ms. Obt. Very hum. St. //Mountford Hon. Tobias Lear, Esq. Con. Gen. U.S. for The Barby. States. P.S. Mar. 25th. The Danish Consul has just rec'd letters from Tripoli- mention Capt. B. & c. well & in confinement. Tripoli, is preparing for an Attach, from the American Squadron, which she expects, they intend making- [address leaf] From M. Timy Mountford 23 March 1805