An early U.S. diplomatic treaty with a Barbary State, notable for its religious language and post-Senate presidential renegotiation of key articles.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- August 28, 1797
- Parties
- United States of America and Beylik of Tunis
- Articles altered post-Senate
- Articles 11, 12, and 14
- Duty rate change (Art. 14)
- Reduced from 10% to 6%
- Religious reference
- President described as professing 'religion of the Messiah'
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The United States sought to protect its merchant shipping in the Mediterranean from Barbary State interference. Following earlier agreements with other Barbary powers, negotiations with Tunis were pursued to secure safe passage for American vessels and citizens operating in the region.
The Treaty with Tunis was signed on August 28, 1797, establishing perpetual peace between the United States and the Bey of Tunis. Three articles (11, 12, and 14) were subsequently altered, with the President and Secretary of State intervening even after Senate action to revise terms regarding salutes, duties, and other provisions.
The treaty secured American commercial interests in Tunisian waters at a cost higher than the Treaty of Tripoli. It set an early precedent for presidential involvement in treaty renegotiation after Senate action, and its religious phrasing sparked later scholarly debate about the religious character of U.S. foreign instruments.
Political Outcome
Perpetual peace established between the United States and Tunis; three articles renegotiated with presidential involvement after Senate ratification.