ALGERIAN SLAVERY ENDED. 



539 



both now commodores. The former captured, in June, an 

 Algerine frigate of forty-four guns and a brig of twenty-two. 

 He then sailed for Algiers. The American navy had earned 

 an enviable distinction in the war with England, and the sight 

 of our gallant fleet inspired the dey with a salutary terror. He 

 consented to the terms imposed by Decatur, which were to give 

 up all captured men and property, to pay six million dollars 

 for previous exactions, and to exempt our commerce from tribute 

 for all time to come. A treaty was signed on the 4th of July, 

 — an auspicious date for so honorable an achievement. 



The proud position thus attained by the United States 

 attracted the attention of Europe. Our Government had ex- 

 torted expressions of submission from the corsairs such as no 

 other power had ever obtained. The Congress of Vienna dis- 

 cussed the subject, and it was resolved that from that time for^ 

 ward Christian slavery in Algiers was suppressed. The English 

 sent Lord Exmouth to bombard that city, and compelled the 

 dey to submit to conditions like those imposed by Decatur. 

 The Algerines were not yet broken, however. They placed 

 their city in a formidable state of defence, and then proceeded 

 to intercept the trade of the French. The French Government 

 declared war, — a measure which resulted in the capture of 

 Algiers in 1830 and in the seizure of Abd-el-Kader in the 

 winter of 1847-48. These events have led to the colonization 

 of the territory by the French and to the partial extinction 

 of the Algerine people. Piracy in the Mediterranean may 

 safely be said to be at an end forever. 



