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

was due to the despotic character of the Deys who became less tolerant of the
lies and duplicity of the petty consuls and their countries.
By late 18 th and early 19 th centuries, however, tribute acquired another
meaning: it became synonymous of extortion or protection money. 68 While the
Deys saw that it was the duty of consuls and their countries to present gifts, the
Europeans “stress[ed] that gifts were not regular tributes” therefore they were
“not expressive of European obedience.” 69 Undoubtedly, this ambiguity about
the nature of tribute and consular practice attached to it resulted more from
difference in cultural background and legal traditions than from any particular
insatiability on the part of the Deys. It is also illustrative of the complexity of
diplomatic relations between Algiers and the European countries.
2. 4. Slavery and Redemption
By the end of the 18 th century, the question of captives was already
settled even though irregularities persisted. The different treaties between
Algiers and the European countries incorporated the principle of ransom or
exchange of captives and the practice was largely accepted. A whole system of
government or private institutions, procedures, and regulations was developed
for the purpose. While el-fekkak or redeemer acted on the part of Algiers for
68 This view was expressed early in American history by Benjamin Franklin and echoed widely by
American writers who largely disprove of the practice. The Diplomatic Correspondence of the
American Revolution, being the Letters of Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, John Adams, John Jay, and
others, edited by Jared Sparks (Boston, MA: N. Hale and Gray & Bowen, 1829-1830), 4:184, Franklin
to the President of Congress, December 25, 1783. (Hereafter cited as DCAR); also see James A. Field,
Jr. “Trade, Skills, and Sympathy: The First Century and a Half of Commerce with the Near East,”
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, vol. 401, America and the Middle
East, (May, 1972), p. 2; Frothingham, “The Armed Merchantman,” p. 465; Oren, Power, Faith, and
Fantasy, p. 19-20.
69 Muller, Consuls, Corsairs, and Commerce, p. 59.
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