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

Algiers, and for other reasons, was unaware about the developments that
altered British-American relations until a new British consul, Charles Logie,
reached Algiers in May 1785. 5 Whether incited by Logie or just routine control,
in all events two Americans ships, the first not having a passport at all and the
other carrying an old British pass were captured and declared legal prize in July
1785. 6 The crews, according to custom, joined the other Christian captives at
Algiers to wait for the usual procedure: redemption or other options to regain
freedom. 7 Soon afterwards, the captives informed Jefferson about their new
condition as slaves of the “Dey of Algiers, King of Cruelties” and invoked
“sufferings … beyond our expressing, or your conception” in the hope that
Congress “will take such measures as tend to our speedy redemption.” 8 Capture
caused the distress of captives but for Jay it was a matter for rejoice; already
critical about the Confederation he considered that:
It does not strike me as a great evil. The more we are ill-treated abroad
the more we shall unite and consolidate at home. Besides, as it may
become a nursery for seamen, and lay the foundation for a respectable
navy, it may eventually prove more beneficial than otherwise. 9
The capture of the two ships had the effect of speeding up diplomatic moves
but those would not materialize until almost one year later. Once negotiations
5 A Scot, Charles Logie was moved from Morocco to Algiers to occupy the post of Consul which
remained vacant since the death of the previous consul Benton in 1778. Logie served as British consul
at Algiers from 1785 to 1793. Barnby, Prisoners of Algiers, p. 34, 71; Parker, Uncle Sam in Barbary, p.
61. Cathcart wrote that it was “by no means incumbent on the Agents of France or Holland to give him
[the Dey] information either of those differences or the result of the war.” Cathcart, The Captives, p. 3.
6 Cathcart, The Captives, p. 5, 17; USDC, 1:655, From Richard O’Bryen to Thomas Jefferson, August
24, 1785.
7 John M. Bassett, The Principles of American Diplomacy, 2 nd ed. (New York/London: Harper &
Brothers Publishers, 1918), p. 106.
8 USDC, 1:655, From Richard O’Bryen to Thomas Jefferson, August 24, 1785.
9 CPPJJ, 3:171, Jay to the President of Congress, 13 th October, 1785.
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