YUSUF KARAMANLI

This letter to the Pasha (ruler) of Tripoli was contained in the original Arabic text of the American treaty with Tripoli in 1796. The letter was found between articles 10 and 12 with the eleventh article, as it appears in the English version by Joel Barlow, not included. Interestingly, the eleventh article of the Treaty of Tripoli has been the subject of attention in the debate over the separation of Church and State in America, see Barlow. The article’s lack of inclusion in the original version of the treaty is still a mystery.

Nearly two years after Tripoli had declared war against the United States, the U.S., after much deliberation, decided to stop negotiating a tribute settlement with Tripoli. The U.S. launched their attack on June 11, 1803 in what would be the first amphibious operation on the Barbary Coast. After witnessing the operation, the Pasha was unmoved. Piracy and war was a way of life for the Barbary states.

Response to an offer by Commodore Preble to exchange prisoners.

Nearly two years after Tripoli had declared war against the United States, the U.S., after much deliberation, decided to stop negotiating a tribute settlement with Tripoli. The U.S. launched their attack on June 11, 1803 in what would be the first amphibious operation on the Barbary Coast. After witnessing the operation, the Pasha was unmoved. Piracy and war was a way of life for the Barbary states.

Response to an offer by Commodore Preble to exchange prisoners.