•36 Clarke's travels. 
CHAR III. 
FROM CONSTANTINOPLE TO THE PLAIN 
OF TROY. 
Arrival of an American Frigate—Departure from Constantino¬ 
ple — Dardanelles—Situation of Sestus—Dismissal of the 
Corvette—Visit to the Pacha—Voyage dorm the Hellespont — 
Appearance caused hy the waters of the Mender—Udjek Tape 
—Koumkalc. 
The arrival of an American frigate, for the first time, at 
Constantinople, caused considerable sensation, not only among 
the Turks, but also throughout the whole diplomatic corps sta¬ 
tioned at Pera. This ship, commanded by captain Bainbridge, 
came from Algiers, with a letter and presents from the dey to 
the sultan and capudan pacha. The presents consisted of 
tigers and other animals, sent with a view to conciliate the 
Turkish government whom the dey had offended. When she 
came to an anchor, and a message went to the Porte that an 
American frigate was in the harbour, the Turks were altogether 
unable to comprehend where the country w as situated whose 
flag they were to salute. A great deal of time was therefore 
lost in settling this important point, and in considering how to 
receive the stranger. In the mean time we went on board, to 
visit the captain ; and were sitting with him in his cabin, when 
a messenger came from the Turkish government, to ask whe¬ 
ther America were not otherwise called the New World; and, 
being answered in the affirmative, assured the captain that he 
was w elcome, and w ould be treated with the utmost cordiality 
and respect. The messengers from the dey were then ordered 
on board the capudan pacha’s ship; who, receiving the letter 
from their sovereign with great rage, first spat, and then stamp¬ 
ed upon it; telling them to go back to their master, and inform 
him, that he would be served after the same manner, whenever 
the Turkish admiral met him. Captain Bainbridge was how¬ 
ever received with every mark of attention, and rewarded with 
magnificent presents. The fine order of his ship, and the 
healthy state of her crew, became topics of general conversa¬ 
tion in Pera; and the different ministers strove w r ho should 
first receive him in their palaces* We accompanied him in hte 
