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

trade against the North African states. The very structure of the plan shows
how commerce was at the heart of American diplomatic endeavors.
The Plan of 1776 exercised a “profound influence” on the would-be
American diplomacy because “it crystallized the policy which the United States
has generally pursued throughout its history in regard to certain fundamental
concepts of maritime law and neutral rights.” 17 The principles outlined in the
plan were to be incorporated in future treaties of amity and commerce with
foreign countries. In general, they duplicated existing maritime practice such as
‘free ships make free goods’ and freedom of neutrals to trade in noncontraband
goods (excluding naval stores and foodstuffs) with belligerents, a
principle which was defended by the small naval powers. 18
A particularity of American principles as embodied in the Plan of 1776,
however, was the rejection of Congress to engage in binding politico-military
alliances. 19 But the prevailing circumstances soon made the Americans deviate
from those early ideas and move to seek political and military alliances with
European countries not only against Great Britain but also against the North
African states. That American diplomatic offensive prompted the British to
change their policy towards the rebellious colonies and made concessions to
them. Lord North, Great Britain’s Prime Minister (1770-1782), moved to offer
peace on the basis of home rule within the empire. 20 That possibility of peace
17 Bemis, A Diplomatic History, p. 25.
18 Ibid., p. 26; Gilbert, “New Diplomacy,” p. 26.
19 Pierre Melandri, La politique extérieure des Etats Unis de 1945 à nos jours (Paris: Presses
Universitaires de France, 1982), pp. 18-19
20 Ibid., p. 27; Bailey, A Diplomatic History, p. 35.
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