Mr. Jefferson's plan was the conception of a statesman, and met with favor; but, unfortunately, Congress could not back him with the frigate which, under the terms of his program, it was the duty of the United States to furnish. So the plan did not materialize. Turning from historians to diplomats, and contrasting the language used in the one case and in the other, we become interested, if not edified. The Emperor of Morocco was the chief pirate of all "Barbary pirates "; and yet, when President Washington, in 1791, had occasion to send a letter to this Emperor, it was addressed "Great and magnanimous friend." It seems that the old Emperor had recently died, and that President Washington was writing to the son of the deceased-the father and son both being pirates, mind you. Washington says to the young Emperor: "The death of the late Emperor, your father, and our friend of glorious memory, etc. Receive, great and good friend, my sincere sympathy with you in that loss"! Oh, what rare pirates are these! Who wouldn't turn pirate to win such a friend as Washington, and have him pose as mourner? Let us read on: "Permit me to express the satisfaction with which I learn the accession of so worthy a successor to the imperial throne of Morocco, and offer you the homage of my sincere congratulations"!!! Angels and ministers of grace defend us! The great George Washington holding this kind of langauage to a robber! Permit me to offer the homage! Congratulations that are sincere! Read on: "May the days of your Majesty's life be many and glorious "! President Washington then proceeds to hope, earnestly and somewhat humbly, that the young pirate will treat the United States as liberally as the old dead pirate had done. And the missive winds up with an astonishing prayer that the "God whom we both adore " (we pirates) "will bless your imperial Majesty with long life, health, and success "! Blessed pirates! At the close of this amazing letter and astonishing prayer are signed the names of George Washington, President, and Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State! Verily, diplomacy has ways that are peculiar and language which is queer! And when President Washington transmitted to the Senate that treaty with Tripoli, which the Senate ratified, the introductory sentence ran in these words: "As the Government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion," etc. This to soothe the Mohammedan pirate and to keep his price within the bounds of moderation! In view of such facts as these it might be well for historical authors to discard the title of "Barbary pirates," and to put upon Washington's great friend, of "glorious memory," a name which would reflect greater credit-upon Washington. As well as another could Washington resort to the wiles of diplomacy when occasion demanded. Hence, he could court the Mussulman with meaningless blandishments, and bide the time when the sword could cut this particularly difficult knot. During his second administration, Washington believed that his country was strong enough to defy the Barbary powers, and he called upon Congress for half a dozen modest little battle-ships, to be used in the Mediterranean. After the usual lengthened debate, Congress did finally vote the vessels. Nothing further was done until Jefferson himself was President. We shall then see how this most tenacious of men carried out his original plan of bringing the Mussulman to realize that the crusades were over. This recommendation which Washington made in his message was based upon the report which Mr. Jefferson, as Secretary of State, had made to Congress. That body having applied to him in the matter of the navy, he advised the building of a sufficient number of vessels to protect our commerce in the Mediterranean. On account of suggestions like those he made in Paris and during his secretaryship, John Adams called Jefferson the father of the American navy. CHAPTER XXVII HIS SERVICES ABROAD WHAT did Mr. Jefferson do for his country while minister to France? To answer fully would certainly be tedious and would probably be useless. Whale-oil, salted fish, tobacco, rice, and salted pork are important items in commerce, having much to do with the balance of trade and the prosperity of individuals and of nations; but when the reader is assured that Mr. Jefferson struggled long, hard, and with partial success to prevail upon France to be lenient with us upon those subjects, he has perhaps learned as much as he cares to know. The grip of the protectionist, the monopolist, was almost irresistible on the France of that day, as it is on America now, and Mr. Jefferson's task was well-nigh hopeless. Yet, by great perseverance and the bringing to bear of the pressure of Lafay ette and other personal friends, he did manage to loosen the iron bands a little. Whale-oil and salt fish from New England began to have better treatment, so did rice from the South. For tobacco he was not able to do so much, that article of commerce being in the control of the Farmers-General, |