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Subject: Barbary Wars

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Political Observatory: Newspaper, January 21, 1806Political Observatory: Newspaper, January 21, 1806

Newspaper published in Walpole, New Hampshire on January 21, 1806. This folio-sized issue (4 pages) features a prominent letter from General William Eaton, commander of American forces during the Barbary Wars, to the United States Committee on Claims. The letter concerns David Valenzin, a Jewish merchant from Venice, Italy, who was captured by American forces. Valenzin's goods were confiscated and sold, leading to his suicide before restitution could be made. The newspaper includes an analysis following the letter.

Report of the Committee of Claims on the Petition of David Valenzin: Congressional Record, 1803-1804Report of the Committee of Claims on the Petition of David Valenzin: Congressional Record, 1803-1804

This document consists of two parts: a report from the Committee of Claims on the petition of David Valenzin (pages [23]-28), dated December 12, 1803, and a supplementary report on the same petition (28 pages), dated February 1, 1804. The documents were published in Washington. David Valenzin, an Italian Jewish merchant from Venice, was captured by American forces during the Barbary Wars. His goods were confiscated and sold, leading to his eventual suicide before receiving restitution. William Ray, in his "Horrors of Slavery," describes the US Navy's actions as criminal abuse.