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

American diplomatic relations because it was in the crucible of European
diplomacy that those relations were given their early shape.
2. 1. Algiers in American-French Diplomacy
With regard to Algerian matters, the first step in American diplomatic
undertakings with France was opportunistic and selfish—to say the least.
Because peace treaties with Algiers particularly, and the North African states in
general, were reputed to be expensive, the Americans judged them to be
beyond their reach despite the enormous profits they were making from their
Mediterranean trade. So, Congress instructed its envoys to France to negotiate
a treaty that would include a protective clause for trade in the Mediterranean. In
that way, the Americans would continue to enjoy their lucrative trade without
having to negotiate with the North African states that after all share in the
Mediterranean and were even in control of its southern flank.
Initially in the model treaty of 1776, Congress sought no less than the
boundless task of protecting the people of the United States, “their vessels and
effects, against all such attacks, assaults, violences [sic], injuries, depredations
and plunderings [sic]” of the state of Algiers “in the same manner, and as
effectually and fully” as the King of Great Britain did “before the
commencement of the present war [of independence].” 44 As France would not
agree to such unconditional and sweeping guarantees, Congress, instead of
jeopardizing the whole negotiations, instructed the Joint-Commission to “relax
44 SJ, 2:6, 10, Plan of a Treaty with France, September 17, 1776.
218