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The History of The Treaty of Marrakesh.
Morocco first nation to recognize U.S. Independence in 1787
The following is the Treaty of Marrakesh
1787- In the name of God, the merciful. There exists strength and power only by God. From the Servant of God,
Mohammed Ibn ’Abd Allah - may God help him - to the President of the United States of America. Salvation be upon him who follows the Righteous Path. We received your letter in which you propose a peace treaty. (We are informing you that) our intention is also to maintain peaceful relations with you. We have also contacted Tunis and Tripoli regarding what you solicited from Our Majesty and all your requests will materialize, God willing. Written on the 15th Dhu al-Qa’da 1202 (July 18,1787)
The United States and Morocco share an uninterrupted period of friendship starting with Morocco being the first nation to recognize the independence of the United States and to have signed in 1787 a treaty of friendship and cooperation, the first of its kind concluded by the young republic. The American treaty of friendship with Morocco known as the "Treaty of Marrakesh", was signed in 1786, and had been drafted by Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.
This was while Great Britain was turning its back on the young republic, ending its protection of all American trade ships sailing in the Mediterranean Sea. As a result, Americans were suffering heavy losses from the vicious pirate attacks in the area. Great Britain had even encouraged acts of piracy of vessels flying the American flag. With no friends in the region and no navy to protect its ships, the United States was left defenseless and, according to Thomas Jefferson, incapable of exporting almost one third if its wheat and one fourth of other items produced by the seven states of the union. Attempts made by the United States to solicit protection and support from France, however, failed since Britain had a stronger position than France in the area. Another attempt was made, and again failed, by turning to the Netherlands in 1782. On February 20, 1778, Sultan Sidi Muhammad bin Abdullah issued a declaration notifying all consuls and European merchants in Tangir, Sale, and Mogador that, "henceforth all vessels flying the American flag might freely enter the Moroccan ports and enjoy in them the same privileges and immunities with those of the other nations with whom the Morocco maintains peace."
In response to the Moroccan Sultan’s initiative, the United States Congress established a committee to write the draft of the agreement that took a few years to enact. When Benjamin Franklin left Paris in 1785, Thomas Jefferson became the U.S. minister to France. Thereafter, negotiations began between John Adams in London and Jefferson in Paris to form the final form of the "Treaty of Marrakesh" that ultimately was ratified on July 18, 1787.
Later, in 1820, the sultan gave further evidence of his friendship with America by presenting the United States with a palace in Tangier. The building is still used by the American consul in that city, and America is the only country to ever receive such an honor from the government of Morocco.
Source: The Arab-American Almanac, 5th edition
