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

Certainly, and according to revolutionary era historian Eugene Schuyler,
that show off could allegedly not “but be noticed by the Barbary rulers, who
saw a strange flag, hitherto unknown, and which certainly had paid no tribute
to them, coming gradually into the Mediterranean.” 75 The country behind that
flag certainly also did not favor entering into contact with Algiers to inform
about its newly proclaimed existence and seek a regular diplomatic recognition
on the basis of existing laws and usage of nations. From sheer selfishness and
disregard of a centuries-old established diplomatic system, the United States
opted for hiding behind European treaties with Algiers so that it would not
have to abide by diplomatic usage, i.e.: payment for treaties and tribute. That
would permit it to sneak into the Mediterranean and continue to make huge
profits from trade without having to meet regional obligations or deal with
other than a “most christian king” as indicated by the founding document of
United States foreign policy. 76
2. 3. Algerian Corsairs and American Privateers Compared
In 1783, Benjamin Franklin, America’s foremost diplomat in Europe,
expressed wishes not to see a “new Barbary rising in America and our long
extended coast occupied by piratical States.” 77 Coming from the pen of an
75 Eugene Schuyler, American Diplomacy and the Furtherance of Commerce (New York: Charles
Scribner’ Sons, 1886), p. 196.
76 SJ, 2:6, 10, Plan of a Treaty with France, September 17, 1776. The American Plan of 1776 which
was set to serve as a model treaty for all negotiations was intended for a ‘most christian king;’ probably
its Americans drafters did not have the intention to deal with a ‘most Musulman king’!
77
Benjamin Franklin, Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin, His Social Epistolary Correspondence,
Philosophical, Political, and Moral Letters and Essays, Diplomatic Transactions as Agent at London
183