BAKRI, JACOB COHEN:

French consul at Algiers before its conquest by France; born in Algiers in 1763; died at Paris Nov. 23, 1836. Immensely rich, and highly esteemed for his abilities and character, he was appointed consul under the Restoration. In 1827, under Charles X., he negotiated with the dey, Hasan, in reference to a claim made by the French government. In the course of this negotiation, Bakri, defending with vehemence the French interests, was insulted by the dey. The French government regarded this as a national affront, and declared war, the result of which was the conquest of Algiers and the banishment of the dey.

Leaving Algiers at the outbreak of the war, Bakri settled in Paris, where he was continually annoyed by his creditors, by reason of his inability to avail himself of a debt due to him from the Spanish government, amounting to 35,000,000 francs.

Bibliography:
  • Jost, Neuere Gesch. der Israeliten, ii. 210;
  • Allg. Zeit. des Jud. 1838, p. 216.
  • See Algiers.
S. I. Br.
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