http://rxpaul.townhall.com/g/96b20542-307e-4450-8aeb-793a7b609ff0

Of course the war is unconstitutional.  It should be noted that it is often said that the Barbary Pirates were are first run in with the barbaric (no affiliation it should be noted) Muslims.  Within the confines of the Constitution, Jefferson acted.  He then went to Congress, and said anymore then that, and you guys have to declare war.  Perhaps we should study our own history a little further.

Jefferson used the Navy bequeathed to him by Adams to fight the First Barbary War.  This Navy was built during the time of the Quasi-War with France, and should have been maintained.  
 
A powerful Navy is the first and best deterrent against foreign aggression.

Quote from LadyLawyer   on Aug 12^th, 2007, 2:41am:

 
Actually Jefferson also greenlighted a secret mission to overthrow one of the Barbary governments (Tripoli I think).... it involved an American diplomat, a handful of Marines (that's where the "to the shores of Tripoli" line in the Marine hymn comes from) a Muslim noble and his supporters and some mercenaries.... there was a military solution before the mission was carried through though. A few months ago I read a book about it but I can't recall the name at the moment..... it kind of presented Jefferson in a bad light especially in how after promising the Muslim noble who we were going to put on the throne support the Jefferson admin abandoned him.  

It is my understanding that the Marines were always under Presidential authority, not Congress.  Perhaps I am mistaken.  That would explain a "secret mission".  It should be noted that in his annual address to Congress, he says there are problems with Tunis that need to be settled and he will keep them informed, so it was not exactly "secret".