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

stores, as stipulated by treaty.” 61 Besides, the Dey was apparently dissatisfied
because the agreed on amount “has been repeatedly offered in cash instead of
naval stores.” 62 The problem of captures, however, was short-lived. 63 In the
same letter Lear explained that he had arranged for payments and that the
American prisoners were released after forty days and that they had been
treated “very well.”
In the United States, the House of Representatives set a committee to
examine papers “relative to the rupture and amicable settlement with the Dey
of Algiers” which the executive referred to it in February 1808. After
consideration, the committee asked the executive for further information about
the nature of payments to Algiers and causes of delays. 64
A report from
Secretary of State Madison to that congressional committee admitted that
various causes had “occasionally delayed the payment of the annuity in naval
stores” and that some of those causes “readily suggest themselves to the
committee.” 65 He explained that the loss on payments made in the form of
stores amounted from 50 to 100% because “the estimate of the stores is made
by officers of the Algerine government, without any reference to their cost.” 66
Madison justified delays in delivery of naval stores on the ground of “the
precarious state of our foreign relations” in general and “a hope that Colonel
61 ASP/FA, 3:33, From Tobias Lear to William Kirkpatrick, Consul of the United States of America,
Malaga, December I6, 1807.
62 Ibid.
63 SPPD, 6:70, Message from the President of the United States to Congress, Feb. 5, 1808.
64 ASP/FA, 3:33, Report on the Message of the President of the United States Relative to the Rupture
and Amicable Settlement with the Dey of Algiers, April 25, 1808.
65 Ibid., Report of the Secretary of State, April 12, 1808.
66 Ibid.
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