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

Appendix 5
C. John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, London, 31 July, 1786.
Dear Sir, —Your favor of the 11 th instant I have received. There are great and
weighty considerations urged in it in favor of arming against the Algerines,
and, I confess, if our States could be brought to agree in the measure, I should
be very willing to resolve upon external war with vigor, and protect our trade
and people. The resolution to fight them would raise the spirits and courage of
our countrymen immediately, and we might obtain the glory of finally breaking
up these nests of banditti. But congress will never, or at least not for years, take
any such resolution, and in the mean time our trade and honor suffers beyond
calculation. We ought not to fight them at all, unless we determine to tight
them forever.
This thought, I fear, is too rugged for our people to bear. To tight them at the
expense of millions, and make peace, after all, by giving more money and
larger presents than would now procure perpetual peace, seems not to be
economical. Did Monsieur de Massac carry his point without making the
presents? Has not France made presents ever since? Did any nation ever make
peace with any one Barbary state without making the presents? Is there an
example of it? I believe not, and fancy you will find that even Massac himself
made the presents.
I agree in opinion of the wisdom and necessity of a navy for other uses, but am
apprehensive it will make bad worse with the Algerines. I will go all lengths
with you in promoting a navy, whether to be applied to the Algerines or not.
But I think, at the same time, we should treat. Your letter, however, has made
me easier upon this point. Nevertheless, to humble the Algerines, I think you
have undercalculated the force necessary. They have now fifty gun-boats,
which, being small objects against great ships, are very formidable. None of
these existed in the time of Monsieur Massac. The harbour of Algiers, too, is
fortified all round, which it was not in M. Massac’s time, which renders it more
difficult and dangerous to attempt a blockade. I know not what dependence is
to be put upon Portugal and Naples, in case of a war with the barbarians;
perhaps they might assist us in some degree. Blocking Algiers would not obtain
peace with Morocco; so that our commerce would still be exposed.
After all, though I am glad we have exchanged a letter on the subject, I
perceive that neither force nor money will be applied. Our States are so
backward, that they will do nothing for some years. If they get money enough
to discharge the demands upon them in Europe already incurred, I shall be
agreeably disappointed. A disposition seems rather to prevail among our
citizens to give up all ideas of navigation and naval power, and lay themselves
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