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

particular, would never acknowledge the flag of the United States, unless it
were made for their interests to do so.” 51
Well knowledgeable about the particularities of diplomatic relations
between Algiers and France, de Sartine, nevertheless, pointed out that “it would
probably be less difficult to induce them [Deys] to acknowledge the
independence of the United States, and to conclude treaties with this new
Power.” 52
He clearly indicated to Vergennes that it was easier for the
Americans to conclude a treaty directly with Algiers than to seek a treacherous
deal with France against Algiers. What de Sartine did not say, however, was
that the treaties of France with Algiers did not guarantee other than the French
flag and Algiers was extremely demanding about the respect of those treaties. 53
Many a time by the past hostilities broke between the two countries particularly
because France did not respect its treaties with Algiers.
By inclosing de Sartine’s clarifications in his answer to the
Commissioners, Vergennes was clearly signifying that France would not go
fighting in the Mediterranean for the American flag but offered mediation only
in case the Americans wanted to negotiate a treaty of peace. 54
The
Commissioners, however, would not let go of—a trait of ignorant and illmannered
‘militia diplomacy’—and insisted on “obtain[ing] passes for vessels
of the United States and their subjects” from Algiers. 55 But conversely to their
51 DCAR, 1:331, de Sartine to Count de Vergennes, September 21, 1778.
52 Ibid.
53 See different treaties in Card, Traités de la France, pp. 3-99.
54 DCAR, 1:337, Count de Vergennes to Commissioners, September 27, 1778.
55 Ibid., 1:339-40, Commissioners to Count de Vergennes, October 1, 1778.
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