Upvote:7
During the 18th and beginning of 19th centuries the Deys of Algiers made a series of treaties with European seafaring nations. Each of the European states would deliver yearly “gifts” in order to secure free passage of their ships. Otherwise, the corsairs of the North African states would capture whatever they could of ships: seize the cargoes and ships, and sell the crews and passengers as slaves. Sweden made treaties with Algiers in 1729, with Tunis in 1736 and with Morocco in 1763.
The treaty in question with Sweden (signed in 1729) involved the following gifts to the Dey of Algiers:
For the Dey of Algiers:
- One ring set with diamonds, value one thousand rigsdaler.
- One repeating clockwork to stand on a table, silver inlaid, on which the end of the perpendiculum was set a diamond, and on top of the clock some pictures of silver as ornament.
- One repeating gold clock with chain, engraved, on the hand between every hour a small diamond was set.
- A doglock, inlaid.
- A pair of pistols, gold inlaid.
- 4 gold and silver brocades for 4 Turkish dresses, every piece 8 Dutch ells long, all together 32 ells.
- 100 Dutch ell fine cloth, red as well as green.
- 4 fine Dutch linen.
- 6 cases of Capillar Syrup, and also wet and dry Confectionery.
For the Dey’s ministers, under which the admiral is included:
- 11 small pocket watches, each worth 60 ducats, among them were 2 somewhat richer ornamented.
- 11 silver watches.
- 11 gold and silver brocades for as many Turkish dresses, all 8 Dutch ell long, of different sorts, among which some were common.
- 2 pairs of pistols, silver inlaid.
- 200 Dutch ell fine cloth, mostly red.
- 6 chests containing capillary syrup, wet and dry confectionary.
Finally at the close of the treaty, the navy officer, signing the same, would promise the Algerian government the following ammunition:
- 40 iron cannon of 24, 18 and 12 pounds.
- 8000 cannon balls in sorts for 24-, 18- and 12-pounders.
- 900 barrels gun powder each at 100 pounds.
- 8 cables rope: 4 18 inches and 4 12 inches thick, all 100 fathoms long.
- 50 Riga mast trees.
- 800 doglock barrels.
- 800 cutlasses.
In return for these costly gifts Sweden received one freed slave, two live lions, three hyenas, and a wild cat. Source: Wandel, C.F. Danmark og Barbareskerne 1746-1845, Copenhagen 1919
One of the lions is apparently the one still preserved at Gripsholm.