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

those people is ineffectual, I urge a single fact to prove the contrary, where
there is any management. About forty years ago, the Algerines having broke
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. I fit be admitted, however, that war,
on the fairest prospects, is still exposed to uncertainties, I weigh against this,
the greater uncertainty of the duration of a peace bought with money, from
such a people, from a Dey eighty years old, and by a nation who, on the
hypothesis of buying peace, is to have no power on the sea, to enforce an
observance of it.
So far, I have gone on the supposition that the whole weight of this war would
rest on us. But, 1. Naples will join us. The character of their naval minister
(Acton), his known sentiments with respect to the peace Spain is officiously
trying to make for them, and his dispositions against the Algerines, give the
best grounds to believe it. 2. Every principle of reason assures us that Portugal
will join us. I state this as taking for granted, what all seem to believe, that they
will not be at peace with Algiers. I suppose, then, that a convention might be
formed between Portugal, Naples and the United States, by which the burthen
of the war might be quota-ed on them, according to their respective wealth; and
the term of it should be, when Algiers should subscribe to a peace with all
three, on equal terms. This might be left open for other nations to accede to,
and many, if not most of the powers of Europe, (except France, England,
Holland, and Spain, if her peace be made) would sooner or later enter into the
confederacy, for the sake of having their peace with the piratical States
guaranteed by the whole. I suppose, that, in this case, our proportion of force
would not be the half of what I first calculated on.
These are the reasons which have influenced my judgment on this question. I
give them to you, to show you that I am imposed on by a semblance of reason,
at least; and not with an expectation of their changing your opinion. You have
viewed the subject, I am sure, in all its bearings. You have weighed both
questions, with all their circumstances. You make the result different from
what I do. The same facts impress us differently. This is enough to make me
suspect an error in my process of reasoning, though I am not able to detect it. It
is of no consequence; as I have nothing to say in the decision, and am ready to
proceed heartily on any other plan which may be adopted, if my agency should
be thought useful. With respect to the dispositions of the State, I am utterly
uninformed. I cannot help thinking, however, that on a view of all the
circumstances, they might be united in either of the plans….
Source: Jefferson, Memoir, 2:36-38.
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