fme_1048678 - ALGERIA - LOUIS PHILIPPE Médaille, Notre-Dame de Staouëli, Souvenir de la Trappe d’Afrique

ALGERIA - LOUIS PHILIPPE

(1830-1848)

Two Algerian Jewish merchants who had the privilege of selling grain negotiated with the French Republic, under the Directory, the sale of a cargo for a total of 24 million francs, or three times the normal price. The cargo is delivered to France, but the sum will never be paid. The dey of Algiers (1773-1838) claimed in 1818 from Louis XVIII, this sum of which he was a creditor. The debt was reduced to 7 million francs in 1819. He received 4 the following year. The dey wrote to Charles X in 1826 to claim payment of the other three million. On April 29, the dey, not receiving a royal response, struck with his fly swatter, Pierre Deval, French consul in Algiers. Apologies are requested, the dey refuses and diplomatic relations are broken. On May 25, a fleet of 103 warships and 572 merchant ships left Marseilles with 37,500 men. Marshal de Bourmont is commander-in-chief. The landing took place on June 14, 1830 in Sidi-Ferruch. Algiers is taken on July 5, the dey leaves the city for exile. The conquest of Algeria begins.