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

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Eaton’s vehemence rose even more when he considered that “this<br />

elevated brute has seven k<strong>in</strong>gs of Europe, two republics, and a cont<strong>in</strong>ent<br />

[mean<strong>in</strong>g the United States] tributary to him, when his whole naval force is not<br />

equal to two l<strong>in</strong>e-of-battle ships.” 19 For him, that was <strong>in</strong>conceivable at a time<br />

the United States had the capacity to pay tribute <strong>in</strong> the form of ‘cannon balls’<br />

<strong>in</strong>stead of ‘money bags’. 20<br />

After a reconnaissance tour dur<strong>in</strong>g which he<br />

contemptuously noted details of fortifications and soldiery at Algiers, he<br />

reported to the Secretary of State advocat<strong>in</strong>g speedy military action aga<strong>in</strong>st<br />

Algiers and even detailed an offensive plan:<br />

All the batteries of Algiers are <strong>in</strong> a ru<strong>in</strong>ed condition, garrisoned by<br />

undiscipl<strong>in</strong>ed, half starved Turks [who] could be forced on board our<br />

vessels before the least succor could be given…. Yet to the shame of<br />

humanity they dictate terms to powerful nations!!! 21<br />

To the new secretary of state John Marshall (1800-1801) he wrote aga<strong>in</strong><br />

protest<strong>in</strong>g the payment of tribute to the ‘Barbary States’:<br />

Genius of My Country! How art thou prostrate! Hast thou not yet one<br />

son whose soul revolts, whose nerves convulse, blood vessels burst, and<br />

heart <strong>in</strong>dignant swells at thoughts of such debasement. 22<br />

Eaton’s <strong>in</strong>dignation and distaste reflected the views of many of his<br />

contemporaries regard<strong>in</strong>g payment of tribute to Algiers. 23 Consider<strong>in</strong>g that the<br />

command of God and offend common decency.” NDBW, 1:301, Letter to the Secretary of State,<br />

February 15, 1799.<br />

19 NDBW, 1:301, Letter to the Secretary of State, February 15, 1799.<br />

20 Michael Kitzen, “Money Bags or Cannon Balls: The Orig<strong>in</strong>s of the Tripolitan War, 1795-1801,”<br />

Journal of the Early Republic, 16: 4 (W<strong>in</strong>ter 1996), pp. 614, 620; Prentiss, Life of William Eaton, pp.<br />

85, 106.<br />

21 NDBW, 1:317, Letter to the Secretary of State, Mar. 30, 1799.<br />

22 Ibid., I: 397-98, Eaton to Marshall, Nov. 11, 1800.<br />

23 Cathcart and O’Brien expressed similar views <strong>in</strong> their letters and dispatches. Kitzen, “Money Bags or<br />

Cannon Balls,” pp. 601, 620, fn 44.<br />

342

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