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

the states warning against travel to and from Europe. Even Jefferson got the
virus and wrote home insisting that his daughter must be sent to Europe in a
French or English vessel! 58
Even more hysterical were the news that the Algerines were on their
way to invade the United States. The alarm was triggered by the visit of three
strangers, probably from North African origins, who landed at Norfolk,
Virginia in November 1785. 59 Soon, they were jailed, interrogated, and then
deported on mere speculation from the Governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry,
that they were spies sent by the Dey of Algiers. 60 James Madison (1751-1836),
prominent member of the Virginia legislature, was critical of the measures
adopted by the Governor against the strangers. Because they “have no apparent
object,” he wrote Jefferson, “they were suspected of an unfriendly one.” 61
More, Governor Henry seized the occasion and passed legislation which
empowered him to “confine or send away suspicious aliens.” 62 In Virginia, the
incident fortified Henry’s detractors and culminated in the passage of The
Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom (1786). 63 That statute was originally
58 Peskin, “Lessons of Independence,” pp. 298-99.
59 Robert J. Allison, “The United States and the Specter of Islam,” Council on Middle East Studies, 3: 1
(2005), pp. 1-2; Allison, The Crescent Obscured, pp. 1-7, Peskin, “Lessons of Independence,” p. 300.
60 The three strangers (2 men and a woman) embarked from England. They spoke only French, carried
papers written in Hebrew (?) and were interrogated by one Dr Foushee who could only speak and read
English! So, historians are not even sure that papers were in Hebrew; but the assumption today is that
they were Moroccan Jews. For details see ibid.
61 James Madison, The Writings of James Madison Comprising his Public Papers and his Private
Correspondence, including Numerous Letters and Documents, edited by Gaillard Hunt, 9 vol. (New
York/London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1908), 2:217, To Thomas Jefferson, Jan. 22d, 1786. (Hereafter
cited as WJM).
62 Ibid.
63 The Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom is one of three achievements, in addition to the
Declaration of Independence and University of Virginia, Jefferson suggested inscribing on his
tombstone. Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson Containing his Autobiography, Notes
on Virginia, Parliamentary Manual, Official Papers, Messages and Addresses, and other Writings,
262