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

correspondence between the different ministers plenipotentiaries at European
courts, special envoys, diplomatic agents, and Algiers. That factor in itself
caused many delays and generated much distrust, frustration, and anger, both
among Algerian state officials as well as among American captives at Algiers.
As an indication: in May 1784, Congress decided finally to negotiate
with the North African states and set a commission for the purpose. 123 Late in
1784, John Lamb, an American in the “Barbary trade” was proposed to be
special agent for Algiers but he was not commissioned until March 1785—
almost one year later; 124
and it took him another year to reach Algiers.
Meanwhile, the Algerian corsairs captured the two first American ships in July
1785. 125 When Lamb finally arrived at Algiers in March 1786, matters had
become more complicated than they had been two years earlier because the
Americans had also to negotiate for the redemption of captives. 126 In October
1786, he was recalled back to the USA to report to Congress but he did not sail
back home until May 1787. 127 Late of that same year, he had not reported to
Congress yet. 128
Four full years had been spent in correspondence and Atlantic crossing
and re-crossing and Congress did not take a decision relating to negotiations
with Algiers. It was a lengthy but fruitless course of action which caused the
123 SJ, 3:489, May, 7, 1784.
124 USDC, 1:652, From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, October 11, 1785; Commissions to Thomas
Barclay and John Lamb, p. 657.
125 Ibid., 1:655, From Richard O’Bryen to Thomas Jefferson, August 24, 1785.
126 Ibid., 1:739, From John Lamb to Thomas Jefferson, March 29, 1786. In all, two full years elapsed
between the time Congress resolved for negotiations and the time Lamb arrived at Algiers.
127 Ibid., 2:59, From John Lamb to Thomas Jefferson, May 20, 1787.
128 According to Parker, Lamb reported to Congress in April 1788; however, none of the American
state documents indicated that. Parker, Uncle Sam in Barbary, p. 54.
199