To this distinguished commander, Mr. Biddle entrusted the care of his two sons, James and Edward, who, on obtaining midshipmen’s warrants, were attached to the frigate President, fitting for the West Indies. The cessation of hostilities with France brought the frigate again to the United States after a much shorter cruise than was intended, but which was rendered memorable by the melancholy death of Mr. Edward Biddle, who died at sea of a fever after an illness of a few days. Early in 1802, James Biddle sailed to the Mediterranean, in the frigate Constellation, Captain Murray, to protect American commerce against Tripolitan cruisers. This gave our young officer valuable opportunities of renewing his acquaintance with classic writers, and remains of antiquity, obtained by him during his studies at the University, and which were to him an additional fund of instruction and gratification. The Constellation returned home in 1803, and Mr. Biddle was transferred to the frigate Philadelphia, Captain Bainbridge, and returned again to the Mediterranean, where this unfortunate ship struck upon a rock, and was lost. When all efforts to get the Philadelphia afloat were found to be unavailing, Lieutenant Porter and Midshipman Biddle were dispatched to the commander to inform him of the accident. As they approached the Tripolitan gun-boats, they were fired upon and ordered to surrender. Porter and Biddle were prepared to deliver up their swords, but this ceremony was dispensed with by the savage Tripolitans; twenty of whom, of the most ferocious appearance, armed with sabres, pistols, and muskets, jumped into the boat, and at once commenced their work of insult and plunder. Two of them snatched Biddle’s sword, pulled off his coat, and began to fight for it, when, to decide their dispute, they returned it to him. His cravat was violently torn from his neck, his waistcoat and shirt torn open, in search for valuables that might be concealed about his person. They searched all his pockets, and took all his papers and money, except twenty dollars in gold, which he had slipped into his boot and thereby secured. The officers and crew were then carried on shore, conducted amidst the shouts and acclamations of a barbarous rabble to the palace gates, and ushered into the presence of the bashaw, who, seated in state, received them in the audience chamber; and after asking a variety of questions about the American squadron, they were conducted to the place assigned for safe keeping.