So to begin our story frankly the Sultan of Morocco Mohammed III was going through some rough shit. When he came into power he had to deal with rebelling tribes, the Black Guard trying to proclaim his son as Sultan, famines, droughts, and wars against the French, Dutch and Spanish with Algerian mercenaries taking his cash and deserting and the destruction of two of Moroccos best ships. All the while slowly strengthening the authority of the Sultanate.
After the Dutch-Moroccan War in 1777 led to a serious weakening of the Moroccan Navy it was clear to the Sultan that he needed to diversify his economy and improve their international reputation and began focusing on trade. The Sultan would begin sending letters to pretty much every European nation with boats and a flag offering free passage into Moroccan ports under similar conditions enjoyed by countries who Morocco had treaties with. This would include the US who was two years into the Revolutionary War alongside Hungary, Russia, Malta, Sardinia, Prussia, Naples and Genoa.
Some will argue that ‘of course the Moroccans recognized the US they had to do it in order to attack US shipping!’ to which I say bull. Again to reiterate the Sultan declared that ships flying an American flag were free to enter Moroccan ports once again under conditions enjoyed by nations who had treaties. The Sultan would be disappointed though when he got no reply but he kept trying to contact US officials.
In 1780 the US would finally respond to the Sultans requests and finally responded writing
Congress would then proceed to ignore the entire thing due to the American Revolution still ongoing and focusing on getting support from France, Spain and the Dutch. 1783 a random American merchant who without anybodys knowledge began promising a treaty to the Sultans represenative without the permission of Congress. In 1784 the US sprang into action giving three ministers permission to sign commerce treaties with almost two dozens powers putting Morocco pretty far down the list.
However in late 1784 the Sultan was tired of waiting almost 8 years for somebody to accept his friend request and ordered the capture of an American merchant ship called the Betsey. The Sultan announced however that the ship, crew and cargo would be held safely and released when the US gets around to finally signing a treaty with him. In July 1785 the Sultan released the Betsey, its crew and cargo to show his good will and desire to sign a friendship treaty (Which STILL has not been signed). However around that same time Algerian pirates had captured and enslaved two American ships finally waking up the US who sprang into action! And finally in January 1786 the US sent a represenative off to Morocco who got around to arriving in June and after not even a week of negotiations the treaty was signed on June 23, 1786! Eventually begin ratified by Congress July 18, 1787
Later on Thomas Barclay the US consul who negotiated the treaty was asked about tribute and stated that he “had to offer to His Majesty the Friendship of the United States and to receive his in Return, to form a Treaty with him on liberal and equal Terms. But if any engagements for future presents or Tributes were necessary, I must return without any Treaty.” while the Sultan accepted the offer of friendship without any gifts or tribute. The Sultan however promised to put in a good word with the Ottoman Empire, Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli for later treaties.
The treaty would honestly be a steal for the US. Neither side would accept commissions from another during war, in the event the US and Morocco ever went to war a 9 month grace period would be given for nationals to pack up and leave with prisoners being exchanged no longer than 1 year after a war would be concluded and a promise to not be enslaved during said time. In addition any American slaves captured by say Algerian pirates and brought into a Moroccan port they would be freed immediately and given protection by the Sultan.
unrealjoe32 on
Nothing but respect and love for our Moroccan friends :’)
5 Comments
So to begin our story frankly the Sultan of Morocco Mohammed III was going through some rough shit. When he came into power he had to deal with rebelling tribes, the Black Guard trying to proclaim his son as Sultan, famines, droughts, and wars against the French, Dutch and Spanish with Algerian mercenaries taking his cash and deserting and the destruction of two of Moroccos best ships. All the while slowly strengthening the authority of the Sultanate.
After the Dutch-Moroccan War in 1777 led to a serious weakening of the Moroccan Navy it was clear to the Sultan that he needed to diversify his economy and improve their international reputation and began focusing on trade. The Sultan would begin sending letters to pretty much every European nation with boats and a flag offering free passage into Moroccan ports under similar conditions enjoyed by countries who Morocco had treaties with. This would include the US who was two years into the Revolutionary War alongside Hungary, Russia, Malta, Sardinia, Prussia, Naples and Genoa.
Some will argue that ‘of course the Moroccans recognized the US they had to do it in order to attack US shipping!’ to which I say bull. Again to reiterate the Sultan declared that ships flying an American flag were free to enter Moroccan ports once again under conditions enjoyed by nations who had treaties. The Sultan would be disappointed though when he got no reply but he kept trying to contact US officials.
In 1780 the US would finally respond to the Sultans requests and finally responded writing
“We the Congress of the 13 United States of North America, have been informed of your majesty’s favorable regard to the interests of the people we represent, which has been communicated by Monsieur Etienne d’Audibert Caillé of Salé, consul of foreign nations unrepresented in your majesty’s states. We assure you of our earnest desire to cultivate a sincere and firm peace and friendship with your majesty and to make it lasting to all posterity…should any of the subjects of our states come within the ports of your majesty’s territories, we flatter ourselves they will receive the benefit of your protection and benevolence. You may assure yourself of every protection and assistance to your subjects from the people of these states whenever and wherever they may have it in their power. We pray your majesty may enjoy long life and uninterrupted prosperity.”
Congress would then proceed to ignore the entire thing due to the American Revolution still ongoing and focusing on getting support from France, Spain and the Dutch. 1783 a random American merchant who without anybodys knowledge began promising a treaty to the Sultans represenative without the permission of Congress. In 1784 the US sprang into action giving three ministers permission to sign commerce treaties with almost two dozens powers putting Morocco pretty far down the list.
However in late 1784 the Sultan was tired of waiting almost 8 years for somebody to accept his friend request and ordered the capture of an American merchant ship called the Betsey. The Sultan announced however that the ship, crew and cargo would be held safely and released when the US gets around to finally signing a treaty with him. In July 1785 the Sultan released the Betsey, its crew and cargo to show his good will and desire to sign a friendship treaty (Which STILL has not been signed). However around that same time Algerian pirates had captured and enslaved two American ships finally waking up the US who sprang into action! And finally in January 1786 the US sent a represenative off to Morocco who got around to arriving in June and after not even a week of negotiations the treaty was signed on June 23, 1786! Eventually begin ratified by Congress July 18, 1787
Later on Thomas Barclay the US consul who negotiated the treaty was asked about tribute and stated that he “had to offer to His Majesty the Friendship of the United States and to receive his in Return, to form a Treaty with him on liberal and equal Terms. But if any engagements for future presents or Tributes were necessary, I must return without any Treaty.” while the Sultan accepted the offer of friendship without any gifts or tribute. The Sultan however promised to put in a good word with the Ottoman Empire, Tunis, Algiers and Tripoli for later treaties.
The treaty would honestly be a steal for the US. Neither side would accept commissions from another during war, in the event the US and Morocco ever went to war a 9 month grace period would be given for nationals to pack up and leave with prisoners being exchanged no longer than 1 year after a war would be concluded and a promise to not be enslaved during said time. In addition any American slaves captured by say Algerian pirates and brought into a Moroccan port they would be freed immediately and given protection by the Sultan.
Nothing but respect and love for our Moroccan friends :’)
Dude just wanted to be friends man.
Who does he think he is, Haiti?
Morocco was the first US ally