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

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the Swedish consul at Algiers and returned to Lisbon. 18 By then, a new crisis<br />

between Algiers and the United States started unfold<strong>in</strong>g. Once aga<strong>in</strong>, the<br />

Americans stopped a peace process they had <strong>in</strong>itiated abruptly after it had been<br />

brought <strong>in</strong>formally to the knowledge of the Dey by the American prisoners,<br />

particularly O’Brien who became a sort of a de facto consul and kept feed<strong>in</strong>g<br />

the American government <strong>with</strong> <strong>in</strong>telligence after 1786—mostly general<br />

condition of the prisoners, armament and movement of corsairs, and political<br />

advise and forecast. Meanwhile, on presentation of his letter of credence to the<br />

Dey by the Swedes, the Dey probably angered by Americans’ irresponsible<br />

attitudes decl<strong>in</strong>ed to receive him. 19 Accord<strong>in</strong>g to Per Erik Skjoldebrand, brother<br />

of the Swedish consul, the Dey declared that “he would not make peace <strong>with</strong><br />

the Americans at any price whatever” and that “there had been a time when he<br />

was well disposed to support the engagements at half price, made by his<br />

predecessor.” 20 The Dey expla<strong>in</strong>ed that conditions were such that “his <strong>in</strong>terest<br />

does not permit him to accept your offers even were you to lavish millions<br />

upon him.” 21<br />

It is also probable that Dey Hassan Pasha on his side, although angered<br />

by the attitude of Americans, attempted to re-activate negotiations <strong>with</strong> the<br />

United States. Accord<strong>in</strong>g to a report from Humphreys to the Secretary of State<br />

18 The Swedish consul decl<strong>in</strong>ed represent<strong>in</strong>g the Americans formally least he would be <strong>in</strong> trouble <strong>with</strong><br />

the Court of his country; but he referred the task to his brother Per Erik Skjoldebrand who was at<br />

Algiers <strong>in</strong> no official capacity. ASP/FA, 1:414, The Swedish Consul to D. Humphreys, Esq. Nov. 13,<br />

1793.<br />

19 In two reports to the Secretary of State Humphreys <strong>in</strong>terpreted it a categorical “refusal of the Dey to<br />

grant a passport.” ASP/FA, 1:413, D. Humphreys, Esq. to the Secretary of State, November 19, 1793<br />

and from the same to the same, November 23, 1793.<br />

20 ASP/FA, 1:414, Brother of the Swedish Consul to D. Humphreys, Esq. Nov. 13, 1793.<br />

21 Ibid.<br />

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