While outside the scope of the Small Wars era, the War with Tripoli and the Barbary Pirates is one of the first examples of the Marine Corps use of irregular warfare to accomplish the mission. The United States did not end piracy in these waters, but the Marine Corps helped prove that the United States was willing to fight to uphold its honor. President Thomas Jefferson, outraged that two million dollars had already been paid to the pirates and that they were demanding $250,000 more, decided that no more tribute would be paid. Utterly cruel and untrustworthy, they were the scourge of the Mediterranean, pillaging ships, capturing and ransoming crews, and demanding tribute. Between the War of Independence and the War of 1812, the United States was involved in an extended skirmish with the Barbary Pirates.
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