Jefferson's Navy - No Arguing With Success
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While ambassador in Europe, Thomas Jefferson had met with the ambassador of Tripoli. The topic was the treatment of American sailors in the Mediterranean. The ambassador offered "temporary peace" for one price, "perpetual peace" of another, higher, price (Hitchens, 128). Jefferson was angry, to say the least, and personally vowed to do something to stop the Muslim powers slaving activities (Hitchens, 128).
In 1800, the ruler of Tripoli threatened war on the United States if his demands weren't met. Jefferson's response now that he was president? He dispatched a squadron to the Mediterranean interests. He didn't bother to tell Congress. Over four years, the US pacified the region and, during incursions into the harbor at Tripoli, retrieved American hostages and fired captured shipping (Hitchens, 134). Finally, the Marines captured the town and raised the flag providing the words for the Marine anthem "From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli (Hitchens, 134)."
So why rehash a story we all know about already? Hitchens call all this "an unalloyed triumph for peace, and the freedom of trade from blackmail, through the exercise of planned force (Hitchens, 135)." It also enhanced our reputation (Hitchens, 135).
We can't say this wasn't planned. Jefferson had been bothered for years by the ambassador's attitude years before. When president, he did something about it. He took action. Given today's environment, taking action without telling Congress would be problematic. So, the test becomes, "What's right in the current situation?" Then you try to do right. That's what Jefferson did.
Reference
Hitchens, Christopher. Thomas Jefferson. Author of America. Atlas Books. 2005.