Islamic and Comparative Mosaic-Jewish and Christian Law & Ethics in American Historical-Geographical, Naval-Merchant and Diplomatic Accounts, 1795–1830

This chapter picks up the storyline of Section II by tracing out the understandings of and views toward Islamic-Sharia and comparative Mosaic-Jewish as well as Christian legal-ethical traditions which are expressed in some of the most important American historical-geographical, navalmerchant, and diplomatic accounts published between 1795 and 1830. As the impact of Sale’s Preliminary Discourse slowly extended its reach across the eighteenth into the nineteenth century, references to Islamic-Sharia Law within various American writings, theological and otherwise, would become more commonplace from the end of the eighteenth century onward. In parallel, as reflected in William Tate’s letter to George Washington, there were “reports of the latest Travellers” about “the Mahometan Nations” which were circulating on both sides of the Atlantic. Given that Tate passed off the scene by 1781, it reflects a travel literature which was already in production as George Sale was producing his magnus opus on Islamic law and history. Tate thus opens the way to further research on this topic as a compliment to the rich history of American engagement with Islamic-Sharia Law reflected in the previous and present chapters. Tate’s reference provides a historical link into a genealogy of American travel accounts which, drawing from the work of Sale as well as their own experiences, helped inform both American political, military and other officials, along with the broader American public, about Islamic-Sharia Law situated within its wider context of Islamic faith and practice as lived out within Islamic lands.