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

utter. For this reason, visits of Algerian ships to Dutch ports did not
materialize until 1773; by then corsairing was on the decline and Algerian
Muslim merchants took their businesses at hand. Even then, the only local
production that was worth importing were Delft panes that Algiers imported
between 1773 and 1803. 33
Hence, this clause profited largely to the Dutch
merchants who made considerable profits from trade with Algiers. The Dutch
corsairs profited even more; they were well-received at Algiers where they
could sell their prizes and get provisions and shelter in case of problems. 34
Therefore, to remedy to these inequalities in trade, Algiers asked for
compensations in the form of annual payments in naval materials, commonly
referred to as tribute, that were needed for the navy: cannons, powder, bullets,
sail-cloth, ropes, planks, and masts. 35
Those indeed were strategic war
materials but the European countries, particularly the lesser powers like the
Scandinavian countries and later on the United States, accepted to provide them
according to specific clauses in the treaties. Originally, the clause on annuities
was introduced on a basis of “mere mercantile calculation.” 36 Later, western
interpretations equated those payments in naval commodities with tribute
which in fact was a covert justification for overthrowing the principle of trade
reciprocity. By attaching tribute to notions of dignity and national sovereignty,
33 These famous panes could be seen today at Dar Mustapha Pasha, Algiers. Krieken, Corsaires et
marchands, pp. 120-21.
34 Ibid., p. 17; Groot, “Ottoman North Africa and the Dutch Republic,” p. 136.
35 Devoulx, “Marine d’Alger,” pp. 386-87.
36 William Shaler, Sketches of Algiers: Political, historical, and civil: containing an account of the
geography, population, government, revenues, commerce, agriculture, arts, civil institutions, tribes,
manners, languages, and recent political history of that country, (Boston: Cummings, Hiliard and
Company, 1826), pp. 111-12.
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