Protection from Piracy - 1

From Exhibition: A More Perfect Union: April 2010 - September 2011 April 2010 - September 2011
Category:
Common Defense

Barbary pirates preyed on ships off Africa's western and Mediterranean coasts for centuries. After U.S. independence, Britain withdrew protections for American ships formerly stipulated in treaties with the Barbary States. In the 1780s and 1790s, pirates captured and enslaved many American sailors, demanding exorbitant ransom payments. After diplomatic means failed, Congress authorized the creation of the U.S. Navy to prevent further raids on American commerce.

Message from President George Washington to Congress, December 30, 1790

Message from President George Washington to Congress, December 30, 1790

Message from President George Washington to Congress, December 30, 1790

In 1785 Algerian pirates seized two American merchant ships—the Dolphin and the Mary. The crews were still held captive five years later when President George Washington sent this letter to Congress, enclosing Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson’s report on negotiations with Algiers. Washington requested that Congress provide whatever it considered “most expedient” to free the men.

 

Records of the U.S. Senate, National Archives and Records Administration
Report of Secretary of State on American captives at Algiers, December 28, 1790

Report of Secretary of State on American captives at Algiers, December 28, 1790

Thomas Jefferson’s report on the status of the negotiations with Algiers included this list of Dolphin and Mary crew members with ransom fees indicated. Jefferson was very familiar with the hostages’ plight—as the Secretary of State, and previously as Minister to France under the Articles of Confederation, Jefferson advised Congress on how to secure peace with Algiers.

 

Records of the U.S. Senate, National Archives and Records Administration
Petition from Captain Richard O'Bryen to Congress, April 28, 1791

Petition from Captain Richard O'Bryen to Congress, April 28, 1791

Richard O’Bryen, captain of the Dolphin, repeatedly petitioned Congress while languishing in captivity for eleven years. In this petition—sent six years after his capture—O’Bryen described the high prices other nations paid to free hostages and outlined means U.S. officials could pursue to win American sailors’ freedom. After his release O’Bryen served as U.S. Consul to Algiers.

Click here to view an excerpt.

Most Honoured Sirs we hope you will Consider what our Sufferings must have been in this Country Dureing that Trying Period of Nearly Six years Captivity

Records of the U.S. Senate, National Archives and Records Administration