The fleet then appeared off Algiers on the 20th of "June, 1815. A flag of truce was hoisted on hoard the Gueriere, with the Swedish flag* at the main. A boat soon came off with Mr. Norderling, Swedish consul, and the captain of the port, to whom we communicated the intelligence of the capture of the frigate and brig, which greatly surprised him; and he expressed to Mr. Norderling much anxiety for the other ships of their squadron, from whom nothing had been heard for some time. The captain of the port was also informed that a very large addition to our fleet was daily expected, consisting of several line of battle ships, and four frigates. The captain of the port requested a statement of the conditions on which we would make peace, when the following letter was then handed him: " The American Commissioners to the I)ey of Algiers: The undersigned have the honor to inform His Highness, the Hey of Algiers, that they have been appointed by the President of the United States of America, Commissioners Plenipotentiary to treat for peace witli His Highness.
And that pursuant to their instruction, they are ready to open a negotiation for the restoration of peace and harmony between the two countries, on terms just and honorable to both parties; and they feel it incumbent on them to state explicitly to His Highness, that they are instructed to treat upon no other principle than that of perfect equality, and on the terms of the most favored nations. No stipulation for paying anv tribute to Algiers, under any form whatever, will be agreed to. The undersigned have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the treaty, from the President of the "United States of America, and avail themselves of this occasion to ass are His Highness of their high consideration and profound respect." The captain of the port then requested that hostilities should cease, pending the negotiation, and that persons authorized to treat should go on shore, he and Mr.
Norderling both affirming that the minister of marines had pledged himself for their security and return to the ships, when they pleased. Both these propositions were rejected, and they were explicitly informed that the negotiations must be carried on on board the fleet, and that hostilities, as far as they respected vessels, could not cease. They returned on shore, and on the following day the same persons returned and informed us that they were commissioned by the Dey to treat with us on the proposed basis, and they appeared extremely anxious to conclude the peace immediately. The treaty was then brought forward, which the Commissioners declared would not be departed from in substance, at the same time declaring that although the United States would never stipulate for paying tribute under any form whatever; yet, that they were a magnanimous and generous nation, who would, upon the presentation of consuls, do what was customary with other great nations, in their friendly intercourse withAlgiers.
The treaty was then examined, and they were of opinion that it would not be agreed to in its present form, and particularly requested that the article requiring the restitution of the property they had captured, and which had been distributed, might be expunged, alleging that such a demand had never before been made upon Algiers. To this it was answered that the claim was just, and would be adhered to. They then asked, whether, if the treaty should be signed by the Dey, we would engage to restore the captured vessels, which was refused. They then represented that it was not the present Dey, Omar Pacha, who had declared the war which they acknowledged, to be unjust, conceding that they were wholly in the wrong, and had no excuse, and requested us to take the case of the Dey into consideration, and upon his asreeino; to terms with us more favorable than had ever before been made with any other nation, to restore the ships, which thev stated would be of little or no value to us, but would be great of importance to him, as they would satisfy the people with the conditions of peace we were going to conclude with him.
The commissioners consulted upon this question, and determined that, considering the state of those vessels, the sums that would he required to fit them for a passage to the United States and the little probability of selling them in this part of the world, they would make a compliment of them to His Highness in the state they then were, the commodore engaging to furnish them with an escort to this port. This however would depend upon their signing the treaty as presented to them, and could not appear as an article of it, must be considered as a favor conferred on the Dey by the United States. They then requested a truce to deliberate upon the terms of the proposed treaty, which was refused.