The subject of this memoir was born in the ancient town of Falmouth, now Portland, Maine, August 15th, 1761. He was the son of the Hon. Jedediah Preble, a member of the council and senate, who died in 1783, at the advanced age of seventy-seven.

Edward Preble exhibited from early childhood a firm and resolute temper, and a love for adventurous and chivalrous feats. While quite young he showed a predilection for a seafaring life, and although his father was much opposed to his choice, he thought it unwise to thwart him; and therefore placed him on board a ship bound for Europe, in which he made his first voyage. In 1779 Preble became midshipman, in the state ship Protector, of twenty-six guns, under the command of Captain Williams.

The Protector, on her first cruise, had a sharp engagement with a British frigate of thirty-six guns, on the coast of Newfoundland, and so disabled her that she was obliged to strike. She blew up in a few minutes afterwards.

The second cruise of the Protector was less fortunate; she was captured by a British frigate and sloop-of-war. The principal officers were taken to England, but young Preble, by the influence of his father, obtained his release. Captain Little, who was second in command in the Protector, and one of the prisoners taken to England, scaled the walls of his prison at Plymouth, and escaping with one other person, rowed in a wherry across the British Channel, and landed on the coast of France; thence took passage for Boston; and took the command of the sloop of war Winthrop, with Preble as his first lieutenant.

Captain Little had previously captured the tender of a brig, of superior force to his own, lying in the Penobscot river, in Maine. From the crew he gained sufficient information to determine him to take her by surprise. Accordingly he ran along side in the night, having dressed forty of his men in white frocks, to distinguish them from the enemy. He was hailed by the brig, supposing him to be the tender, with “You will run us aboard!” “Ay!” shouted Preble, “I am coming aboard!” and he immediately jumped into the vessel with fourteen of his men. The rapidity of the vessel was such, that it prevented the remainder from following them. Little cried out to his lieutenant to know if he would not have more men; “No!” he answered with great coolness, (expecting to be overheard by the enemy,) “we have more than we want already; we stand in each other’s way.” Those of the English crew on deck immediately leaped overboard, while others did so from the cabin windows, swimming for the shore, within pistol-shot. Preble then proceeded to the cabin, where he found the officers either in bed or just rising. He informed them they were his prisoners, that the brig was in his possession, and any resistance would be fatal. Supposing themselves captured by a superior force, they submitted, without any effort to rescue the vessel. The captors conveyed their prize to Boston. Our hero was only in his twentieth year, when this daring act took place, which gave striking indications of the intrepidity and courage which afterwards so greatly distinguished him.

Lieutenant Preble remained in the Winthrop the whole of the war. That vessel is acknowledged to have rendered much service to our trade, by destroying privateers infesting our eastern waters.

In 1798, and the ensuing year, government had decided on building fifteen frigates and twelve other vessels of war. Preble was the first lieutenant appointed, and in the winter of 1798 and 1799, he made two cruises as commander of the brig Pickering. The next year, with a captain’s commission, he commanded the frigate Essex of thirty-six guns. In January, 1800, he was ordered to Batavia, in company with the frigate Congress, as a convoy to our homeward bound ships. The Congress was dismasted and obliged to return, while Preble took under his own convoy fourteen sail of merchantmen, valued at several millions of dollars. Soon afterwards he was appointed commander of the Adams, for the Mediterranean; but his health declining, he was compelled to withdraw from the profession until 1803. His government then made him commodore of the squadron fitted out against the Algerine pirates on the coast of Barbary. The brilliant career of this gallant officer, in negotiating with so much ability, not only redound to his own credit, but exalted the character of the American navy in the eyes of all the world. His fleet consisted of the Constitution, of which he was commander, also the frigate Philadelphia, and several smaller vessels. The memorable bombardment of Tripoli is familiar to all readers of history, having been so often recorded by able historians. Congress voted the thanks of the nation, and an elegant gold medal, (See Plate IX.,) which were both presented by the President, with the most emphatic expressions of esteem. On his leaving the squadron, the officers presented a most affectionate and interesting address, expressive of their devotion and attachment to him as their commander, and of his worth as a citizen and Christian. In the latter part of the year of 1806, Commodore Preble suffered severely from a debility of the digestive organs. Indulging a hope of recovery, he bore his sufferings with that fortitude which had marked his character through life, until the 25th of August, 1807, when he breathed his last.

DESCRIPTION OF THE MEDAL.

Occasion.—The attack on Tripoli.

Device.—Bust of Commodore Preble.

Legend.—Edwardo Preble, duci strenuo comitia Americana.

Reverse.—The American fleet bombarding the town and forts of Tripoli.

Legend.—Vindici commercii Americani.

Exergue.—Ante Tripoli, 1804.