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

“on account of the scandal it would bring on them.” 141 Previously, Jefferson
had obtained a detailed account and opinion from Count d’Estaing, former
vice-admiral in the French navy who served unssuccessfully in the American
war of independence, 142 about an incident that happened between Algiers and
France in 1741-42 and which led to a diplomatic crisis. Based on his contacts
with the two Frenchmen, and on his own thoughts, Jefferson reported to Jay on
May 23, 1786. In his report, he submitted a plan for bombarding or blockading
Algiers apparently inspired to him by an opinion made by one de Massiac, one
of those actors who were involved in the 1741-42 incident.
The plan was entirely based on a letter from d’Estaing which Jefferson
enclosed to support his argument. 143 The idea of a blockade seemed to be
attractive to Jefferson because it did not involve much expense. As European
bombardments had not “produced the desired effect against the barbarians,” it
was argued that with “cross anchoring, and with a long range, that is to say,
with several cables spliced to each other, and with iron chains, one might, if
necessary, always remain there [perpetual blockade?].” It was also thought that
because “the Algerines have fitted out merchantmen with heavy cannon” that
rendered it “necessary to blockade the place with two ships of the line, so that
one of the two might remain moored near the bar, while the other might
141 USDC, 1:750-52, From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, May 23, 1786.
142 Charles Hector Theodat (Count d’Estaing), 1729-1994, showed briefly in the 13 colonies as viceadmiral
of the French fleet in 1778. After too poor performances in the North and a heavy defeat in the
South in 1779, he returned to France and ended at the guillotine in 1794. His services to the Americans
were amply rewarded; in 1787, Jay recommended him to Congress for an honorific copper medal,
probably because of the plan he recommended for blockading Algiers. USDC, 3:232, Report of John
Jay to Congress, July 11, 1787.
143 USDC, 1:752-54, From Count d’Estaing to Thomas Jefferson, May 17, 1786. This letter appears in
WTJ1, 7:531 and SPPD, 10:54 under the date May 17, 1784, which is improbable since Jefferson did
not reach Paris until August 6, 1784. For date of arrival at Paris see Jefferson, Memoir, 1:49.
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