The writings of James Madison, comprising his public papers and his private correspondence, including numerous letters and documents now for the first time printed. |
 |
TO JAMES MONROE. |
 | The writings of James Madison, |  |
TO JAMES MONROE.
Dear Sir
I have just recd. yours of the 3d. and return without
delay the several letters inclosed in it. The
apprehensions of Mr Shaler, are instigated at least
by the recent occurrence, if true, at Oran, and
its probable effect on the relations of G. B. & Algiers.[114]
Mr. Adams's idea of making his country
is very heroic, but is not in perfect harmony with
the sober spirit which tempers its zeal & interprize.
If we can maintain an elevated position in the
Mediterranean for ourselves, and afford that example
for others, it will, for the present at least, best
reconcile all our duties.
Under date of May 18, 1816, Adams reported that Shaler, the
Consul at Algiers, had informed him that Lord Exmouth had arrived
in the Bay of Algiers and that immediately peace between Algiers and
the Kingdoms of Naples and Sardinia had ensued; and that difficulties
between the Dey and the United States had begun as soon as Lord
Exmouth departed. Adams went on to say that Lord Castlereagh
had sent for him and assured him Lord Exmouth had not been engaged
in any operations against the United States. Adams urged Lord
Castlereagh to compel Algiers to cease the practice of making slaves
of Christian prisoners of war, and promised that the United States
would help him. "Lord Castlereagh declared that it was the earnest
wish of the British Government, that all the Barbary Powers should
abandon altogether this mode of warfare; but he thought that mild
and moderate measures, and persuasion would be better calculated
to produce this effect, than force . . . that Great Britain, with all
her exertions had not been able to obtain the abolition of the African
Slave trade by Spain and Portugal, and as she would not have felt
justified in resorting to War, to compel them to it, so she could not
make War upon the Barbary States to force them to renounce the
practice of making slaves of Christians, so long as they never applied
it to her Subjects, or had given her any cause of offence. . . . She
had for herself no complaint against the Barbary States to make.
She had often found them useful friends; and especially during the
late War in the Peninsula, which it would have been impossible for
her to have carried through, successfully, without the supplies, which
her troops had received from the Coast of Barbary, from which they
had almost all their fresh provisions." Adams rejoined: "If, however
Great Britain should not incline to assume the task of putting an end
to Barbary Piracy, if she should leave them in our hands, I believed
we should be able to give a good account of them. The experience
of last year had proved that they were not very formidable antagonists
upon the Ocean, and if we had to deal with them alone, I had no doubt
that our navy would be competent to the protection of our Commerce
against them."—D. of S. MSS. Despatches.
| The writings of James Madison, | |