Vergennes advised him that a treaty with the Ottoman Porte would be very expensive to negotiate, and that although the Barbary States are formally vassals of the Porte, a treaty with Turkey will have no effect on the Tripolitane demands. The sum suggested by the Tripolitane minister at London did not seem excessive to Vergennes. He felt that at least ten ships of war would be necessary to make an e ffective blockade of Barbary. Vergennes indicated a vague agreement with Jefferson that France would stand behind the United States's demands for the surrender of the posts, but his reluctance precluded Jefferson from proceeding further.
Subjects
United States--History--1783-1865; Jay, John, 1745-1829