Lieutenant Stephen Decatur kills the captain of a Tripolitan gunboat in a hand-to-hand engagement at Tripoli, August 3, 1804. The wars with the Barbary pirates marked the first time the United States became involved militarily with the Muslim world. (Naval Historical Center)
Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect every one who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined. --Patrick Henry
