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

prepare to support such of the frigates as should give chase.” 144 Regardless of
the military value of this stratagem, it nonetheless remains an exhibition of
American bare belligerence as well as prejudices towards Algiers. The least
that could be said is that it conveys a picture in which the population of Algiers
was equated to fierce animals that should remain caged behind heavy iron
chains! Worse, as late as 1792, Jefferson was still contemplating the blockade
of Algiers according to French naval ingenuity. 145
More, what is striking in Jefferson’s aggressive conduct was his
extraordinary skills of distortion. Seemingly quite knowledgeable in military as
well as historical matters relating to Algiers, he wrote Adams shortly after that:
About forty years ago the Algerines having broken their treaty with
France, this Court sent Monsieur de Massiac with one large and two
small frigates. He blockaded the harbor of Algiers three months, and
they subscribed to the terms he proposed. 146
As depicted from French sources, the events of 1741-42 were primarily
diplomatic and no naval hostilities between Algiers and France were noted.
Briefly, the problem developed as follows: two Algerian chebecks were
cruising near the coast of France when they were driven by a storm to Toulon.
There, they were retained for two weeks before they were allowed to leave.
The French cruiser which was escorting them (commanded by de Massiac)
allowed an ambushed Spanish squadron to seize one of them within 30 miles
distance from the French coast, a distance which was guaranteed reciprocal
144 USDC, 1:753.
145 WTJ2, 17:320, Considerations on the Subjects of Ransom, and Peace with the Algerines, April 1 st ,
1792.
146 Ibid., 5:366, To John Adams, July 11, 1786.
288