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Primary sourceDocument1796-1797

Treaty of Tripoli

Joel Barlow · 1796-1797

A 1796-97 peace treaty between the United States and Tripoli, signed and proclaimed by President John Adams after unanimous Senate ratification.

Adams signed and proclaimed this treaty as president, showing his role in early American diplomacy and foreign policy.

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Printed page of a congressional communication, No. 122, 5th Congress 1st Session, titled Tripoli, dated May 26, 1797, containing the text of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Tripoli in articles and signature blocks.
Treaty of Peace and Friendship with Tripoli, printed communication to Congress, 1797. American State Papers.

About this source

What it is

This is a treaty of peace and friendship between the United States and Tripoli, negotiated by diplomat Joel Barlow and signed in Tripoli in 1796. It was ratified unanimously by the Senate and signed into law by President John Adams in 1797.

Why it matters

The treaty aimed to protect American shipping from Barbary corsairs who had been capturing and enslaving sailors. It is often discussed because Article 11, in the English version approved by the Senate and signed by Adams, states the U.S. government is not founded on the Christian religion. This clause is central to debates about the separation of church and state. The treaty also shows how the young United States, without a strong navy, had to negotiate and pay for peace with Barbary rulers.

Look closer

  • Why might a new nation without a navy choose negotiation over war?
  • What does Article 11 suggest about how the founders viewed religion and government?
  • Why is it important that the Arabic original and English translation may differ?

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