29.12.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

Meanwhile at Algiers, Dey Muhammed Pasha died on 12 July 1791 and<br />

Sidi Hassan ascended to the Deyship. 2 In many a po<strong>in</strong>t, the death of the Dey<br />

could have been perceived as a relief by the Americans as they kept referr<strong>in</strong>g to<br />

the old age of the Dey and announc<strong>in</strong>g his death s<strong>in</strong>ce 1787. 3 The American<br />

representations <strong>in</strong> Europe seized the event promptly and recommended<br />

negotiations because they thought the new Dey had “more favorable<br />

dispositions” towards the United States. 4<br />

1. The Road to a Peace between Algiers and the United States<br />

In 1790, a petition for the liberation of American captives at Algiers was<br />

<strong>in</strong>troduced <strong>in</strong> the House of Representatives; the matter was referred to the<br />

Secretary of State for exam<strong>in</strong>ation and report. Accord<strong>in</strong>gly, Jefferson made two<br />

reports to the President, one on ‘Prisoners at Algiers’ and the other on<br />

‘Mediterranean Trade.’ 5<br />

That way, Jefferson was f<strong>in</strong>ally provided <strong>with</strong> the<br />

opportunity to put his 1780s schemes <strong>in</strong>to execution. He proposed that it might<br />

be “better to repress force by force” and that American captives could be<br />

exchanged aga<strong>in</strong>st corsairs if American raids were carried aga<strong>in</strong>st Alger<strong>in</strong>e<br />

shipp<strong>in</strong>g. 6<br />

Alleg<strong>in</strong>g that Algiers had rarely accepted to exchange Moors for<br />

white captives, he argued <strong>in</strong> favor of captur<strong>in</strong>g Turks because they were a<br />

2 James L. Cathcart, “The <strong>Diplomatic</strong> Journal and Letter Book of James Leander Cathcart, 1788-1796,”<br />

American Antiquarian Society, Proceed<strong>in</strong>gs, n.s.: 64: 2 (1955), pp. 314-15.<br />

3 At least three letters from Jefferson announced, doubted, or asked confirmation about the supposed<br />

death of the Dey. For one see USDC, 2:59 From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, June 21, 1787.<br />

4 ASP/FA, 1:130, Letter from William Short, Chargé des Affaires of the United States at Paris, Aug. 24,<br />

1791.<br />

5 Ibid., 1:100-8, Message from the President of the United States to Congress, communicat<strong>in</strong>g a report<br />

of the Secretary of State, <strong>in</strong> relation to American prisoners at Algiers, December 30, 1790.<br />

6 Ibid., 1:101, Report of the Secretary of State <strong>in</strong> relation to American prisoners at Algiers, December<br />

30, 1790.<br />

296

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!