Gus, Gus, Gus...you're going soft on us after all the trouble we had with the Rancette/Shaq thing.  I'm pleased as punch with my scrimshaws, so I'll sit this one out...tempting as it is...

Was it Thomas Jefferson.  In general, Jefferson had favored a strict interpretation of the Constitution, and he knew that as President he was limited to defensive measures without having approval from Congress to act offensively against the Pirates. He was bound by the "chains of the Constitution." Surprisingly, however, these thoughts did not stop Jefferson from dispatching Robert Dale to the Mediterranean, with orders to find out if any or all of the Barbary powers had declared war on the United States. If only the Bey of Tripoli had declared war, Dale was to blockade Tripoli's port. If any other of the Barbary states had declared war, then Dale was to deploy his troops as he saw fit in order to "protect our commerce and chastise their insolence-by sinking, burning or destroying their ships and Vessels wherever (he should) find them." This order by President Jefferson authorized actions that clearly were beyond the line of "defensive" actions authorized by the Constitution

thomas jefferson against the barbary pirates

he sent naval vessels to the mediterranean and broke up the alliance of countries paying ransom to the barbary pirates.

or something like that.

man. flarq makes me feel dumb. i can never answer his questions.  now not only will i never get a scrimshaw, but i'm losing serious self-esteem points too!

jen i've been trying forever!!!  i still cant get one....