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

“superior order of beings,” therefore the exchange might be feasible. 7 Then
linking prisoners to expansion of American commerce in the Mediterranean, he
offered Congress two options: “war, or tribute and ransom.” If war, he argued,
the United States had to consider building a navy and co-operating with other
powers; if peace, it could purchase it as was the practice with the nations of
Europe. 8 He was, however, confident as to the first option.
A Senate committee discussed those reports and agreed with Jefferson
that American trade in the Mediterranean “cannot be protected but by a naval
force” and that it should be provided “as soon as the state of the public finances
will admit.” 9 Consequently, there was no immediate change in policy and the
new government pursued a conduct somewhat similar to that of the
Confederation. Except for an unsuccessful attempt initiated by Jefferson in July
1791 to secure Dutch cooperation for a “combined naval squadron” to wage
war against Algiers, Congress rather engaged in a debate for the creation of a
U. S. navy. 10
1. 1. Peace Negotiations Reconsidered
In May 1792, the Senate answered in the affirmative three questions of
the President: whether it would approve the conclusion of a convention or a
treaty with the government of Algiers at an expense not exceeding $40,000,
7 ASP/FA, 1:101, American prisoners, December 30, 1790.
8 Ibid., 1:105, Mediterranean Trade, December 30, 1790.
9 Ibid., 1:108, Report of a Committee on the Trade of the Mediterranean, January 6, 1791.
10 Howard P. Nash, The Forgotten Wars: The Role of the U. S. Navy in the Quasi War with France and
the Barbary Wars 1798-1805 (South Brunswick, NJ/New York, A. S. Barnes/London : Thomas
Yoseloff, Ltd., 1968), pp. 32-33; Irwin, Diplomatic Relations, p. 44. John Paul Jones was charged with
the job but did not find any support from the Dutch.
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