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

CHAPTER VII
The Peace Treaty of 1795 and Aftermath
Yes, you know how to gabber… Go and tell your Ambassador that I
accept his terms, more to pique the British who are your inveterate
enemies, and are on very bad terms with me, than in consideration of the
sum which I esteem no more than a pinch of snuff. 1
Dey Hassan Pasha (1795)
Introduction
The year 1789 brought with it fundamental structural changes to the
United States; the Confederation passed away and a new system of government
was established under a new constitution. On April 30 of that year, George
Washington was sworn into the office of president of the USA, John Adams
became his Vice-President, and Thomas Jefferson was appointed Secretary of
State. Accordingly, all seems to indicate that the ‘old tunes’ relating to Algiers
were going to be played by the same old hands. Indeed, until 1795 and to some
extent there would be no major breakthrough in United States policy towards
Algiers. While Congress and the Presidency were establishing themselves, all
foreign matters, were kept at standstill.
1 Cathcart, The Captives, p. 184.
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