English translation
The Turkish text of the original treaty which is reproduced above has been examined by Dr. J. H. Kramers, of Leiden, in collaboration with Dr. C. Snouck Hurgronje. The new translation of the Turkish made by Doctor Kramers, with his notes thereon, is printed below, following this general comment of Doctor Kramers on the text:
As the 1795 English translation of nearly all the articles of this treaty discloses considerable difference from the Turkish text, a complete new English translation has been given.
The treaty is written in excellent Turkish and does not show any sign of being a translation from an Arabic original.
It seems that the last page of Turkish text of the document was originally the beginning of the treaty, for it contains the preambulary stipulations to the articles of the treaty, as is also the case in the treaty with Algiers of 1816 (Document 37). Accordingly the translation begins with those introductory clauses.
Translation of treaty
Reason for the Drawing Up of the Peace Treaty with the American People
The reason for the drawing up of this treaty and the motive for the writing of this convention of good omen, is that on Saturday, the twenty-first day of the month of Safar of this year 1210, (1) there have been negotiations for a treaty of peace between the ruler and commander of the American people, living in the island called America among the isles of the ocean, and the frontier post of the holy war, the garrison (2) of Algiers. To this purpose has been appointed as his Ambassador, (3) Joseph Donaldson, who has, in confirmation of the articles and paragraphs of the present treaty, strengthened the mutual friendship and good understanding in the exalted presence of His Excellency the noble Vizier and powerful Marshal who sits on the throne of lordship, the destructor of tyranny and injustice and the protector of the country, Hassan Pasha-may God grant to him what he wishes; and in the presence of all the members of the Divan, of the chiefs of the victorious garrison, and of the victorious soldiers. This peace treaty has been concluded, together with the contractual promise to give annually to the garrison of Algiers 12,000 Algerian gold pieces, provided that, in equivalence of these 12,000 gold pieces, being the price of the peace, there may be ordered and imported for our garrison and our arsenal, powder, lead, iron, bullets, bombshells, bomb stones, gun stones, masts, poles, yards, anchor chains, cables, sailcloth, tar, pitch, boards, beams, laths, and other necessaries, provided that the price of all the ordered articles shall be accounted for, so that, if this is equal to 12,000 gold pieces, it shall be all right, but if the price of the articles is higher, it shall be paid to them, (4) and if there remains something to our credit, they promise to complete it. If, before the conclusion of our peace, our vessels of war have captured vessels of the said nation, these shall not be restored and shall remain our prizes, but if our war vessels capture one of their ships after the date of the conclusion of the peace treaty, it is promised that this ship shall be given back.
All this has been put down in the present document, which shall be consulted whenever needed and according to which both parties shall act.
21 Safar, 1210. [Tughra (5) of HASSAN PASHA] [Seal of HASSAN PASHA] ARTICLE 1.
The statements of the first article are that in this year 1210 an agreement has been reached between the ruler of America, George Washington, President, our friend and actually the Governor of the States of the island of America, and the lord of our well-preserved garrison of Algiers, His Highness Hassan Pasha-may God grant to him what he wishes-the Dey, together with the Agha of his victorious army, his minister, all the members of the Divan, and all his victorious soldiers, and equally between the subjects of both parties. According to this agreement our peace and friendship shall be steady and has been confirmed. After this date nothing has been left that is contrary to our peace or that may disturb it. (6)
21 Safar, 1210. ARTICLE 2.