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

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Christians’ enslavement at a time the Muslim slaves purely and simply<br />

disappeared <strong>in</strong> Europe, perhaps <strong>with</strong>out even a chance for life and less for<br />

redemption and freedom.<br />

In this context, one case is worth not<strong>in</strong>g here to po<strong>in</strong>t out the<br />

complexities of the issue of captives, <strong>in</strong> particular, and relations between<br />

Algiers and the Christian powers, <strong>in</strong> general. In 1679, Seth Sothel, a British<br />

subject, was captured by <strong>Algeria</strong>n corsairs or “Pirates of Argier” as they were<br />

called. K<strong>in</strong>g Charles II Privy Council ordered him to be “exchanged for one<br />

Hadgamore late Commander of the Tiger of Argier or one Buffilo Ball” and<br />

charged Admiral Narborough to carry out the exchange. 75 The Admiral could<br />

not carry out the task and certified before the Privy Council that he had left<br />

“Hadg Omar and Buffilo Ball under the Charge of Vice-Admiral [Arthur]<br />

Herbert <strong>in</strong> the Streights [Straits of Gibraltar].” The Privy Council issued a<br />

second order for Herbert to exchange Sothel for either or both of those<br />

prisoners or <strong>in</strong> case they had already been “disposed of”—mean<strong>in</strong>g already<br />

sold or died <strong>in</strong> captivity—he had to be exchanged “for the first Prisoner or<br />

Prisoners of Note that shall be taken of the Alger<strong>in</strong>es by any of his Majesty’s<br />

Ships under his command.” In 1680, Sothel was still prisoner and the exchange<br />

was not effected yet; he sued aga<strong>in</strong> and suggested that the “two Alger<strong>in</strong>e<br />

Capta<strong>in</strong>s might be sent to the English Agent at Leghorn, Thomas Deedham [a<br />

slave-trader], to keep until the exchange could be effected.”<br />

75 This anecdote, as well as quotes, are completely extracted from William R. Riddell, “Observations<br />

on Slavery and Privateer<strong>in</strong>g,” The Journal of Negro <strong>History</strong>, 15: 3 (Jul., 1930), pp. 340-47. Riddell<br />

used as a primary source legal documents from K<strong>in</strong>g’s Pr<strong>in</strong>ter: Acts of the Privy Council (Colonial<br />

Series), Vol. I and II (1613-1680).<br />

135

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