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By that time, "Cezâyir Ocağı" (The Algerian Order -verbal translation) had become practically independent, under self elected and automatically approved Dayıs. (Dayı later evolved into Dey.) They were the "Barbary Corsairs" only nominally attached to the porte. After the destruction of the Janissaries, the Dayıs (of Janissary origin) were overthrown by local corsairs.

So, the tribute was paid to the Barbary Corsairs, only nominally subjects of the empire, which didn't earn a penny from it.
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