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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.03221 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0076] September-December 1785 |
| Title | Clement Biddle to Henry Knox about a contract and pirates |
| Date | 29 November 1785 |
| Author | Biddle, Clement (1740-1814) |
| Recipient | Knox, Henry |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Thanks him for his recent correspondence and for the "western" contract Samuel Shaw sent him. Will be glad to know when a new contract is ready. Thanks him for attending to his accounts of rations that he furnished Captain [likely David] Zeigler, as well as for procuring him money for the rations. Mentions that his "commercial friends" wanted him to ask Knox about problems with the "Algerines," or pirates. Wishes to know whether Congress has passed any measures regarding the pirates. Mentions that some friends of his own a frigate which they would be willing to donate to Congress for use as a war ship or else as a peace offering to the pirates, if appropriate. He and his wife send their regards to Mrs. Lucy Knox. |
| Subjects | Navy Pirates Revolutionary War General Military History Military Provisions Commerce Merchants and Trade Contract Finance Barbary Coast Africa Congress Law Maritime Global History and Civics Government and Civics Diplomacy |
| People | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Biddle, Clement (1740-1814) Shaw, Samuel (1754-1794) Knox, Lucy Flucker (1756-1824) Ziegler, David (1748-1811) |
| Place written | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Theme | Government & Politics; Foreign Affairs; Merchants & Commerce; Naval & Maritime |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | The United States government sometimes paid tribute to pirate states. This issue ultimately culminated in the First and Second Barbary Wars, between 1801 and 1815, in which the United States fought against several North African countries. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Related documents | Reply from Henry Knox to Clement Biddle about a contract and pirates |