Chapter 24
第24章
Causes of the War of 1812
1812年战争的原因
247. The North Africa Pirates.
247．北非的海盗
Stretching along the northern shores of Africa from Egypt westward to the Atlantic were four states.
沿着非洲北部海岸从埃及向西到大西洋共有四个国家，
These states were named Tunis, Tripoli, Algiers, and Morocco.
这些国家是突尼斯、的黎波里、阿尔及尔和摩洛哥，
Their people were Mohammedans, and were ruled over by persons called Deys or Beys, or Pachas.
这些国家的人都是伊斯兰教徒，他们用Deys、Beys或巴夏称呼统治者。
These rulers found it profitable and pleasant to attack and capture Christian ships.
这些统治者发现攻击和夺取基督徒的船只不仅有收获颇丰，而且颇有快感，
The cargoes of the captured vessels they sold at good prices, and the seamen and passengers they sold at good prices too-as slaves.
他们高价卖出掠来船只上的货物，并以高价将船上的人当做奴隶卖掉。
The leading powers of Europe, instead of destroying these pirates, found it easier to pay them to let their ships alone.
欧洲的统治者没有去摧毁这些海盗，反而觉得花些钱让自己的船只通过很划算，
Washington and Adams also paid them to allow American ships to sail unharmed.
华盛顿和亚当斯也付给他们钱以保证美国的船只安全通行，
But the pirates were never satisfied with what was paid them.
但是，海盗们从来都不满意支付给他们的钱。
Jefferson decided to put an end to this tribute paying.
杰斐逊决定终止向海盗们的"进贡"，
He sent a few ships to seize the pirates and shut up their harbors.
他派一些军舰去缉捕海盗并关闭他们的港口。
More and more vessels were sent, until at last the Deys and Beys and Pachas thought it would be cheaper to behave themselves properly.
美国不断增加军舰参与缉捕海盗，直到那些Deys，Beys和巴夏们觉得收敛他们的行为为上策为止，
So they agreed to release their American prisoners and not to capture any more American ships (1805).
于是，这些人同意释放他们抓获的美国人并不再掠夺美国的船只（1850年）。
In these little wars American naval officers gained much useful experience and did many glorious deeds. Especially Decatur and Somers won renown.
美国海军在这些小规模的战争中获得大量实战经验并且打了很多漂亮仗，特别是迪卡特和萨莫斯从中获得不少美誉。