Shipping magnate Naphtali Busnash, the temporal leader…

1804 CE to 1815 CE

Shipping magnate Naphtali Busnash, the temporal leader of the Jewish community in Algiers, has a monopoly on much of the trade and extensive influence on the treasury.

He is engaged—initially alone, and later with the firm Bakri Brothers—in the grain trade, of which the Dey Ḥasan, with whom Busnash is on friendly terms, had granted him a monopoly.

The financial abilities of David ben Joseph Coen Bakri had placed him early at the head of Bakri Brothers, founded by his father.

In 1797 David had married Aziza, a niece of the powerful Naphtali Busnash, who at that time became a partner in the firm, which then assumed the name "Bakri Busnash".

The firm had soon attained a wide reputation, and Busnash had become (according to some) the most influential man in Algeria.

Bushnash had in 1800 been appointed by the dey Mustapha—whom he had helped to attain to power—chief of the Algerian Jews, a post to which is attached the office of broker to the dey, and the consul-generalship of Ragusa.

Supported by the regency, a tool in the hands of Busnash, and skillfully managed by David, the company had expanded its business at sea, and many European governments entrust them with the management of their Algerian money affairs.

On several occasions, they defy the British government in purchasing from French privateers the vessels that they had captured from the allies.

During the dearth of food in France, they supply the latter with a considerable quantity of wheat on credit; and in 1797, on their advice, the Dey authorizes a loan to the French Directory of five million francs, the credit for which is eventually transferred to them.

Thirty years later, the settlement of this loan will bring about the definitive rupture between the regency and France, and, finally, the conquest of Algeria by the French.

Busnash has displayed so much ability that he has won the entire confidence of the dey, who has practically left the government in his hands.

It is he who receives the consuls and settles differences between Algeria and foreign countries.

His power does not, however, last.

The janissaries and Muslim extremists had reluctantly submitted to the domination of a Jew; but in 1805, the Turkish garrison, jealous of his power, blames him for the shortage of wheat.

After having escaped several attempts on his life, Busnash is at last shot dead by a janissary at the gate of the dey's palace on June 29, 1805.

Following the assassination, hundreds of Jews are killed in rioting in Algiers. ("Naphtali Busnash". Jewish Encyclopedia. 1901–1906.)

The firm Bakri & Busnash becomes insolvent; and David himself is thrown into prison under the pretext that the firm owes the regency a sum of five million francs.

Set free on a promise to pay the alleged debt, he soon builds up the firm "Bakri," owing to the help he receives from several European governments for the services he has rendered them.

He even succeeds in winning the confidence of the new Dey, who appoints him in 1806 chief of the Algerian Jews.

This post proves fatal to him.

His irreconcilable enemy, David Duran, who covets this office and represents the opposing families, is thought to have undermined Bakri's position.

The latter is accused of high treason and decapitated in 1811.

Duran is in his turn put to death by the dey during the same year, and Joseph Bacri assumes the title of muqaddam (head of the community).

The rabbi of Algiers, Rav Isaac Abulker, involved against his will in disputes between the Jewish families, is dragged to the stake with seven other notables of the town in 1815.