[Cheburashka]

Did Jefferson ask congress for permission to send the marines to Tripoli?

Nope.

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Actually, Jefferson did get Congress's permission. Both Congress and the President probably didn't not see the necessity of actually using the two magic words “declare war”, since the Pasha of Tripoli had already declared war in the traditional Barbary Coast manner: he had the flagpole in front of the American consulate chopped down.

If Jefferson had not had Congress's permission, he would have been very embarrassed in 1805 when he had to get Congress to appropriate $60,000 to pay to the Pasha as part of the peace treaty.

[Crim]

“act for the Protection of Commerce and seamen of the United States against the Tripolitan cruisers” Passed February 6, 1802

The schooner USS Enterprise defeated the 14-gun Tripolitan corsair Tripoli after a fierce but one-sided battle on August 1, 1801.

Perhaps you can tell this ignorant soul which happend first?

Thanks.