Demands  for  the  payment  of  these  claims  had  from  time  to  time  been  made
by  our  government,  but  Naples  had  always  refused  to  settle  them.
Jackson  and  his  cabinet  took  a  decided  stand,  and  determined  that  the
Neapolitan  government,  then  in  the  hands  of  Ferdinand  II. — subsequently
r:cknamed  Bomba  because  of  his  cruelties — should  make  due  reparation  for


386  THE  UNITED  STATES  SUSTAINS  ITS  DIGNITY  ABROAD

the  losses   sustained    by   American    citizens.      The    Hon.    John   Nelson,    01

Frederick,  Maryland,  was  appointed   Minister  to   Naples,   and  required  to

insist    upon    a  settlement.      Commodore    Daniel   Patterson,  who  had  aided

The  Claim  m  t^e  defense  of  New  Orleans  in  1815,  was  put  in  command

Against  of  the  Mediterranean  squadron  and  ordered  toco-operate  with

Minister    Nelson    in    enforcing    his    demands.       But    Naples

persisted  in  her  refusal  to  render  satisfaction,  and  a  warlike  demonstration

was  decided  upon,  the  whole  matter  being  placed,  under  instructions,  in  the

hands  of  Commodore  Patterson.
The    entire    force    under    his    command    consisted    of    three    fiftv-ffjn

'     «*

frigates  and  three  twenty-gun  corvettes.  In  order  not  to  precipitate
matters  too  hastily,  the  plan  adopted  was  that  these  vessels  should  appear
in  the  Neapolitan  waters  one  at  a  time,  and  instructions  were  given  to  that
effect.  The  Brandywine,  with  Minister  Nelson  on  board,  went  first.  Mr.
