Along the northern coast of Africa there were four countries—Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, and Tripoli (Libya)—that made up what was known as the Barbary Coast. These Moslem nations harbored and sent out notorious pirates who raided coastal towns and attacked merchant ships. Terror was their most dangerous weapon. Preying on weak enemies, they made slaves of those they captured.

For centuries the nations of Europe purchased a weak, never-lasting peace, by paying tribute to the Barbary Coast. Regrettably the pirates never honored their treaties and continued their appalling acts. This was the established custom of handling the affairs in the Mediterranean when the United States gained her independence. Since America was no longer protected by England, the Barbary countries began to attack ships from the United States. In 1796, America negotiated a treaty with Algeria that promised the initial amount of $642,500 and an annual tribute of naval stores equaling $21,600. This treaty released American sailors being held as slaves. Similar treaties were signed with Tunis, Morocco, and Tripoli. Scarcely was the treaty signed, however, when the four Barbary countries began complaining that their neighbors received better gifts than they did. Relations became so strained that on May 14, 1801, the Bashaw of Tripoli declared war against the United States.

Grimly America entered another war knowing they must protect their citizens and commerce. In 1798, the United States created the Navy Department. After Thomas Jefferson was elected President he named Richard Dale as Commodore. News of Tripoli’s declaration of war had not reached America when Dale’s squadron departed for the Mediterranean. They were merely a "squadron of observation." Once the fleet reached the Mediterranean, however, Dale learned that America was at war. Passing through Gibraltar, Dale sailed for Tripoli, the capital city of Tripoli, to set up a blockage of the harbor. During Dale’s command, the American ship Enterprise defeated the Tripoli. This victory gave the U.S. sailors the confidence they needed to face the Tripoli pirates whom everyone thought invincible. In 1802, Dale resigned when another man was promoted to the rank above him.

The navy’s second Commodore was Captain Richard Valentine Morris. Lacking leadership, Morris unfortunately accomplished very little during his command. Bringing along his wife and young son, Morris gave the impression of going on a pleasure cruise instead of visiting a war zone. Lazily Morris and his fleet sailed in the Mediterranean. In February 1803, Morris visited the America consul at Tunis where he showed his incompetence by allowing himself to be captured and held for ransom. When the Bey of Tunis received $22,000 he released the Commodore. Although his fleet had been in the Mediterranean for over a year, Morris did not reach the harbor of Tripoli until May 1803. Displeased with Morris’ actions, the United States recalled and court-martialed him.