美国学生历史 第101期:1812年战争的原因(1)

 　　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 westward¹ 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 Christian² 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 cargoes³ of the captured vessels⁴ they sold at good prices, and the seamen⁵ 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 decided⁶ 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 naval⁷ officers gained much useful experience and did many glorious deeds. Especially Decatur and Somers won renown⁸. 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。

1 westward   

n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西

参考例句：

• We live on the westward slope of the hill.我们住在这座山的西山坡。
• Explore westward or wherever.向西或到什么别的地方去勘探。

2 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

3 cargoes   

n.（船或飞机装载的）货物( cargo的名词复数 )；大量，重负

参考例句：

• This ship embarked cargoes. 这艘船装载货物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The crew lashed cargoes of timber down. 全体船员将木材绑牢。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 seamen   

n.海员

参考例句：

• Experienced seamen will advise you about sailing in this weather. 有经验的海员会告诉你在这种天气下的航行情况。
• In the storm, many seamen wished they were on shore. 在暴风雨中，许多海员想，要是他们在陆地上就好了。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

8 renown   

n.声誉，名望

参考例句：

• His renown has spread throughout the country.他的名声已传遍全国。
• She used to be a singer of some renown.她曾是位小有名气的歌手。