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

Conclusion
A chaotic diplomacy, a mule trader, and an avaricious Confederation, all
blinded by selfishness, combined to deal with a centuries old corsairing
diplomacy that was respectful of the laws and usage of nations. Eventually, that
led to the failure of the first round of negotiations between Algiers and the
United States. For almost a decade, negotiations stalemated during which much
damage was done: the Americans literally shattered the image of Algiers and
used it to save their country from dislocation. At Algiers distrust of American
negotiators and doubt about the capability of the United States to respect its
own commitments dominated. Meanwhile, while engaged in peace
negotiations, the Americans did not hesitate to envisage using force against
Algiers either unilaterally or in concert with other European countries. In the
role of aggressive commercial agents, America’s leading politicians made all
possible and imaginable calculations about what would cost them less: peace or
war? As showed by the triangular correspondence between Adams, Jefferson
and Jay two different approaches as how to make American commerce
penetrate in the Mediterranean prevailed. The first one advocated negotiating
for a treaty peace in accordance with existing diplomatic usage—even if they
abhorred payment of tribute which they considered humiliating; the second
rather favored making war and for which different alternatives were devised.
Both approaches, however, shared an excessive concern about expenditure. By
the end it became evident to the Americans that both courses of action needed
funds; funds which Congress was either unable or unwilling to provide. But
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