"Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute"

 The American delegation to the Iran War peace talks in Pakistan this weekend should take to heart the words of Congressman Samuel Sewall of Massachusetts in 1798 when he shouted out “millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.” Those words were said in response to French Foreign Minister Talleyrand’s request for a bribe before negotiations would begin to end the quaisi-naval war with France in the so-called "XYZ Affair." 

The United States was only 24 years old and was standing up to the great power of France. We can do no less today with respect to Iran. Simply put, the delegation consisting of Vice President JD Vance, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff should put the Iranians on notice that no tribute will be paid by ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.” Full stop. 

 

The delegation should also remember the first words of the Marine hymn, which begin with “from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli…”  Tripoli being the focus of the Barbary Pirate Wars of the early 1800’s. (See:https://shulmaven.blogspot.com/2026/04/the-purim-war-part-4-cease-fire-fog.html) President Thomas Jefferson had no qualms about fighting the Barbary Pirates and certainly the Trump Administration should show the same fortitude in fighting the modern-day Iranian pirates.