VIDAL , United States Consul to Halet Pasha, April 7, 1871

Mr. Vidal to the Pasha of Tripoli.

Excellency: I have the honor to inform you that Capt. Thomas H. Stevens, commanding officer of the steam-frigate Guerriere, of the American Navy, which arrived this morning at Tripoli, desires to pay you a visit, accompanied by the officers of his staff. His sojourn in this port having to be of very short duration, I would beg of you, if not inconvenient, to receive him to-morrow.

I will take the liberty, apropos of that visit, to remind your excellency that there are in the port of Tripoli a few remnants of the frigate Philadelphia, which was burnt down in 1804 by Lieutenant Decatur of the American Navy. The causes which brought up a war between the United States of America and the Bashaw of Tripoli have ceased to exist for a long time, and to-day there is left in the hearts of men the remembrance only of a deed which owed its splendor as much to the gallant renown of the Tripolitans as to the bravery of the Americans.

Considering the friendly relations which to-day unite both countries, and which we may hope will last forever, and remembering the proofs of personal good-will which you have already given me, I will improve the opportunity of the arrival in this port of the Guerriere to request your excellency to allow Captain Stevens to collect the anchor and other remnants of the Philadelphia which may yet be in the harbor, to be sent to the museum of our naval school at Annapolis.

By granting me that favor you will give to the whole American people a proof of friendship to which the Government that I have the honor to represent will not, I am sure, remain indifferent.

I take this opportunity to renew to your excellency the assurance of the consideration with which I have the honor to be your very respectful servant,