To The Shores of Tripoli

More fodder for the church and state debacle: A Treaty of Perpetual Peace and Friendship between the United States of America and the Bey and Subjects of Tripoli, of Barbary:

Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.

(The borders of Tripoli at that time stretched from modern-day Tunisia to eastern Libya, but was primarily coastal.) Additionally, an interesting mutual defense pact:

Art. 12. In case of any dispute, arising from a violation of any of the articles of this treaty, no appeal shall be made to arms; nor shall war be declared on any pretext whatever. But if the Consul, residing at the place where the dispute shall happen, shall not be able to settle the same, an amicable referrence shall be made to the mutual friend of the parties, the Dey of Algiers; the parties hereby engaging to abide by his decision. And he, by virtue of his signature to this treaty, engages for himself and successors to declare the justice of the case, according to the true interpretation of the treaty, and to use all the means in his power to enforce the observance of the same.

The treaty was unanimously approved by the Senate but only lasted for four years before Thomas Jefferson went to war with Libya. Seriously: freelance American imperialist William Eaton successfully invaded Libya with 500 men and captured Derna. (This Wikipedia article includes a great account of the war.)