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

“could still seek their fortunes unchecked.” 48 Although the trip in “unsanitary
vessels” was hardly pleasant, Americans did not refrain from steering their
merchantmen to the Muslim ports because “the profits often outweighed the
hardships.” 49 According to a report of the Secretary of State made in 1790,
prior to independence, Mediterranean trade represented about one-fifth of the
colonial trade and involved a large variety of products. Chief among colonial
exports were dyes (especially indigo and cochineal), sugar, tobacco, and rice—
originating in the southern plantations, and dried fish, timber, and ‘Boston
Particular’ (rum) which originated in the New England colonies. 50 For the sole
dyes, figures indicate an increase from 2.3 million livres tournois annually in
1750-54 to 3.5 million in 1786-89 51 despite what was much decried as
‘Barbary pirates’ depredations.
The total value of American commodities shipped to the Mediterranean
was officially evaluated at about £707,000 for the year 1770. By comparison,
the total value of foreign goods (mainly Spanish, French, and Dutch), exported
the same year from the West Indies to the same destination was estimated at
£6,287. 52 This is clear indication of the heavy trade activities between the
American colonies and Mediterranean ports which could only be motivated by
lucrative gains and huge profits. More, exports were more than three times that
48 Oren, Power, Faith, and Fantasy, p. 18.
49 Ibid.
50 Panzac, “Trade in the Ottoman Empire,” p. 191; Oren, Power, Faith, and Fantasy, p. 18. Rum, called
also ‘Boston Particular’ because of its importance in the economy of colonial Boston, MA, is an
alcoholic beverage which was particularly used as an exchange commodity in the African slave trade,
known also as the ‘Triangular Trade.’
51 Panzac, “Trade in the Ottoman Empire,” p. 192.
52 Figures are from Ray W. Irwin, The Diplomatic Relations of the United States with the Barbary
Powers, 1776-1816 (Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1931), p. 18.
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