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Our History: Jefferson’s words apply today as they did then

By Joan Brown Wettingfeld

Sometimes in a nation’s history there are “unavoidable wars” — times when it seems avoidance might create conditions that are worse than warfare itself. This seems to be a time again when our enemies have left us no choice.

There is a very interesting chapter in our country’s story that illustrates the pendulum swing of history and seems to be based on this premise. Early in our history, during the administration of Thomas Jefferson, the new nation was already involved in two quasi-wars. In 1798 we participated in an undeclared war with France involving naval battles along our Atlantic Coast and in the waters surrounding the West Indies. Again in 1801 we were in a naval war with Tripoli (now Libya) and the Barbary States of North Africa. The conflict stemmed from incidents involving our merchant shipping along that coast.

Long before our existence, piracy had been the main source of income for the North African Barbary States. The Barbary Coast of North Africa was home to Moors who had been expelled from Spain and to Turkish corsairs who were perpetrators of large-scale piracy which provided revenue for local rulers for centuries.. The pirates for centuries had preyed on Mediterranean shipping and it was common practice for Europeans to pay tribute to avoid pirate raids on their mercantile shipping.

In our own nation’s infancy Presidents Washington and Adams adopted the European policy, following the example of British tradition as well. But during the administration of Jefferson, complications arose, and when the Pasha of Tripoli demanded more tribute and we refused payment, Jefferson ordered a naval blockade along the Barbary Coast. After several incidents a settlement was thought to have been reached in 1805, and United States prisoners were ransomed and Tripoli renounced all rights to levy tribute on American ships.

However, though the agreement appeared to be favorable, the threat of piracy was not alleviated and raids were resumed throughout the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812. Algiers at that time declared war on the United States.

It was during the battles on the shores of Tripoli that the Marine Corps distinguished itself. A corps of maritime soldiers had been established as early as 1664 by the British because of the need for skilled riflemen aboard military vessels. During the Revolutionary War Congress established the Continental Marines, but the organization was disbanded at the end of the War. In 1798, however, Congress created its successor, the present Marine Corps.

When in 1815 Stephen Decatur and his squadron forced the Dey of Algiers to sign a treaty renouncing United States tribute to pirates, the “Algerine War” as it was called, came to an end. By 1815 the United States no longer was forced to pay tribute to any Barbary state.

During his administration Jefferson made many statements in speeches and letters relating to “unavoidable” wars which have bearing as we wrestle with our current situation . The quotes below are only a small sampling of his numerous statements during his lifetime which throw light on his thoughts on an issue which has continued to be tantamount throughout our history, as the nature of war continues to change and challenge us again today.

“Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it. But the temper and folly of our enemies may not leave this in our choice.”