Although the bombardment of Algiers by a naval force can scarcely be
termed a siege, as a conclusion to the above history, a mention of that
which took place under Lord Exmouth is necessary.
Exasperated by many acts of wanton cruelty and daring piracy on the
part of the dey of Algiers, the greatest naval country took into
its hands the chastisement the corsairs so richly deserved. With a
comparatively small force with what even great commanders had deemed
necessary for the undertaking, Lord Exmouth, by the most judicious
management, seconded by the skill and bravery of his officers and men,
in one short day brought these sanguinary marauders to an expression of
repentance, if not a feeling of it. A treaty of peace was signed, under
a salute of twenty-one guns, on the following conditions, which had
been dictated by the Prince Regent of England:--
“1. The abolition for ever of Christian slavery.
“2. The delivery to the admiral’s flag of all slaves in the dominions
of the dey, to whatever nation they may belong, at noon to-morrow.
“3. To deliver, also to the British admiral’s flag, all money received
by him for the redemption of slaves since the commencement of this
year, at noon also to-morrow.
“4. Reparation has been made to the British consul for all losses he
may have sustained in consequence of his confinement.
“5. The dey has made a public apology, in presence of his ministers and
officers, and begged pardon of the consul, in terms dictated by the
captain of the _Queen Charlotte_.”
The killed and wounded in this great settling-day between civilization
and barbarism, amounted to between 6,000 and 7,000 on the part of the
Algerines, and to 141 killed and 742 wounded on the side of the British
and Dutch.
The bombardment of Algiers is deemed important as a military
experiment, proving the efficacy of ship artillery against stone
fortifications; but the distance, and the nature of the sea, must never
be forgotten in such calculations: the season was the most favourable
possible as regarded the weather, and Lord Exmouth was enabled to bring
his vessels within fifty yards of the Mole, into which he poured his
destructive thunders. If Cronstadt had been as favourably circumstanced
in these respects as Algiers, we feel confident Sir Charles Napier
would not have come “bootless home.”
The operations of the French, in their war of conquest in Algiers, do
not come within the scope of our plan.