29.12.2013 Views

Ottoman Algeria in Western Diplomatic History with ... - Bibliothèque

Ottoman Algeria in Western Diplomatic History with ... - Bibliothèque

Ottoman Algeria in Western Diplomatic History with ... - Bibliothèque

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

privileges, was go<strong>in</strong>g to recur to the use of naval leverage to force those<br />

concessions on Algiers. 20 For the next two hundred years, France multiplied the<br />

use of naval power either for ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g or obta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g new privileges or for the<br />

purpose of consolidat<strong>in</strong>g power of the rul<strong>in</strong>g monarchs. 21 In all cases, Algiers<br />

retaliated through corsair<strong>in</strong>g aga<strong>in</strong>st French shipp<strong>in</strong>g and commercial <strong>in</strong>terests<br />

<strong>in</strong> the area.<br />

Similarly, early relations between Algiers and England were regulated<br />

through peace and commerce treaties, particularly the capitulation of 1579,<br />

between the <strong>Ottoman</strong> Empire and England. Throughout the reign of Queen<br />

Elizabeth I (1558-1603), no major tensions were recorded. Sporadic problems<br />

over captives and prizes were solved via diplomatic emissaries and peaceful<br />

talks as shown <strong>in</strong> this letter of 1584 from the Queen to Sultan Murad III (1574–<br />

1595):<br />

some of our Subjects of late, at Argier [Algiers], were by the Inhabitants<br />

of those Places (be<strong>in</strong>g perhaps ignorant of your Pleasure) evill <strong>in</strong>treated<br />

and grievously vexed, We doe friendly and lov<strong>in</strong>gly desire your<br />

Imperiall Majestie, that You will understand their Causes by Our<br />

Ambassadour, and afterwards give Commandement to the Lieutenants<br />

and Presidents of those Prov<strong>in</strong>ces, that our People may henceforth<br />

freely, <strong>with</strong>out any Violence or Injurie travell and doe their Bus<strong>in</strong>es <strong>in</strong><br />

those Places. And We aga<strong>in</strong>, <strong>with</strong> all Endeavour, shall studie to<br />

performe all those th<strong>in</strong>gs that We shall <strong>in</strong> any wise understand to be<br />

acceptable to your Imperial Majestie. 22<br />

20 Algiers ended by recogniz<strong>in</strong>g French privileges at bastion de France <strong>in</strong> 1628. Traité de Paix entre<br />

ceux d’Alger et les Sujets du Roi pour le commerce, fait le 19 Septembre 1628. Ibid., 15-22;<br />

Primaudaie, “Commerce et navigation,” pp. 22-57.<br />

21 Gillian Weiss, “Imag<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Europe through Barbary Captivity,” Taiwan Journal of East Asian<br />

Studies, 4: 1 (Jun., 2007), p. 56; Fisher, Barbary Legend, p. 5.<br />

22 As reproduced <strong>in</strong> Morgan, Complete <strong>History</strong> of Algiers, pp. 582-83. The full letter of the Queen and<br />

<strong>in</strong>structions of Sultan Murad III to the rulers of Algiers is shown <strong>in</strong> Appendix 1A.<br />

115

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!