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

the weak finances of the Confederation. It was also a phase which
corresponded with a total absence of a United States navy. Leading policy
makers like John Jay, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson were divided over
the prospect of having a peace treaty with Algiers based on corsairing
diplomacy principles; throughout that phase, debate centered round financial
aspects of the treaty rather than principle. What was in debate was not the
conclusion of a peace treaty based on the above mentioned principles as it was
customary at that time but the amount of expenses needed towards the
conclusion of that treaty.
This research work has also identified a second phase which started with
the establishment of the federal system of government in 1790 and extended up
to 1812. It was a transitory period during which a treaty of peace stipulating
annual payment of naval materials was concluded with Algiers in 1795.
Meanwhile, the United Stated started building a navy which grew stronger and
more experienced after three wars fought against France, Tripoli, and Great
Britain. By 1815, America’s naval might was established and American trade
encompassed large markets in the Mediterranean. Characteristic of that phase
were the repeated failures of the United States to honor its engagements under
the treaty of 1795 with Algiers. Due payments accumulated for years and naval
stores were rarely delivered at due time. Obviously the Deys, true to their
principles of corsairing diplomacy, resorted to the practice of repudiation of the
treaty and seizure of American ships to force compliance with the treaty. Two
incidents occurred in this sense. In 1807, two American vessels were seized
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