certain whether I have done right in this, but I am persuaded some of them would have perished without this advance; I, therefore, thought it one of those cases where citizens, being under unexpected calamity, have a right to call for the patronage of the public servants. All the disinterested testimony I have ever been able to get, has been in favor of the innocence of these men. Count de Vergennes, however, believed them guilty; and I was assured, the depositions regularly taken, were much against them. I enclose, herewith, the state of their case, as it appeared to me in the beginning, and as I communicated it by letter to the Minister.

Having been lately desired by the Swedish Ambassador, to state to him, what I thought the best measure for rendering the Island of St. Bartholomew useful to the commerce of Sweden and the United States, I did it in a letter, of which I enclose a copy; my view in doing it is, that, if any further or better measure should occur to Congress, on its being communicated to me, I can still suggest it to the Ambassador, probably before any final decision. It being material that the reduction of the duties on whale oil, which would expire with the close of this year, should be revived in time for the whale men to take measures in consequence; we have applied for a continuance of the reduction, and even for an abolition of all duties. The committee, the creation of which I informed you in my letter of May 27th, and of which the Marquis de la Fayette is a member, were in favor of the abolition; but there is little prospect, perhaps none at all, of obtaining a confirmation of their sentence. I have no doubt of the continuance of the abatement of the duties, on the footing stated in that letter, the term of three

years will probably be adopted. The Gazettes of Leyden and of France, from the former to the present date, accompany this.

I have the honor to be, &c.

TH: JEFFERSON.

FROM THOMAS BARCLAY TO MESSRS. ADAMS AND JEF

Gentlemen,

FERSON.

Cadiz, May 23, 1786.

Since my arrival here, the ninth, nothing has occurred worth your attention, I am waiting for a vessel that is bound to Mogadore, and expect to sail in a few days. You have probably as late accounts from Mr. Lamb as I can give you, yet it may not be improper to inform you of his arrival at Alicant, the 24th of last month, where doubtless his quarantine has delayed his proceeding to Madrid. The enclosed is a copy of a letter from the Count d'Espilly to Mr. Carmichael, dated at Algiers the 20th past. Whether it will convey any thing new or not, I cannot say, nor whether Mr. Carmichael may not already have transmitted to you its contents.

I hope to have the pleasure of soon hearing from you, and of being informed whether you have any commands for me further than Morocco. I have long been anxious to see the trade of our country to these parts, put on a safe and respectable footing, as I am well acquainted with the importance of the object, and if I can, while I am in the neighborhood of Africa, in the smallest degree contribute towards the doing it, no care or attention on

my part shall be wanting. If my going to Constantinople will be thought by you useful, you have only to command me, and I offer you my services there, or any where else, without limitations. As soon as I have exe

cuted the business in which I am engaged, I intend to return to America for a few months, having already procured permission from Congress to go there to settle some of my affairs, that require my presence. I send you herewith enclosed an extract of a letter, written from Morocco to the Consul of the Emperor of Germany at this place, from whom I received it, but it is the only intelligence here of the Emperor of Morocco having made such a declaration, and probably is no more than a sudden gust of passion, which has blown over with the circumstance that occasioned it. It is however certain, that the British are not at present a favored people in Morocco, and that a letter from his Catholic Majesty is likely to have greater weight in that country, than one from any other potentate on earth. I have had some conversation with the Marquis de Vialli, who is well known to the Emperor of Morocco, and who says he has frequently talked with him, on the subject of America. His opinion is that the Emperor will demand a tribute of 18,000 dollars per annum. This gentleman, to whom I was made known by Gen. O'Reily, the late Governor of Andelusia and Cadiz, has given me a good deal of useful information and advice; but to what purposes I shall be able to apply either remains to be tried. Indeed I much fear the Emperor's ideas will exceed those of my constituents. Immediately on my arrival here I wrote to him, that I would embark for Mogadore, as soon as possible, which I did to cut short any delays, that might occur

there, by waiting his permission to go to Morocco, where he is at present, and I expect by the time I get to Mogadore, orders will be lodged for my getting forward. I beg you will believe me, gentlemen, &c.

THOS. BARCLAY.

FROM JOHN LAMB TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

Madrid, May 20, 1786.

After my little disappointments, I arrived at Algiers the 25th March, and within the term of three or four days, I found that the whole amount of the money in my hands, belonging to the public, would not purchase the unfortunate captives; in consequence of which, I despatched Mr. Randall, so that your Excellencies might have the earliest notice of our matters in that quarter. In a short letter to your Excellencies, I stated our affairs. Accordingly, Mr. Randall sailed the 29th or 30th March, with my desire to him to proceed with all possible despatch, to give the earliest notice that was in my power; but when I came here, I found Mr. Randall was in Aranjuez. I received a line from him at nine the next evening, in consequence of which I wrote him, and desired him to proceed; he answered my letter, the three letters I herein enclose, so that your Excellencies will naturally excuse me for the detention.

On the 3rd day of April, I was admitted to an audience with the Dey, but he would not speak of peace, set the slaves at most exorbitant prices, far beyond my limits. The 7th I had a second interview, but still he was of the same mind. About the 17th, I had the third and last inVOL. III.-11

terview, he fell something of his first price, and I here enclose the last price, which is enormous, as your Excellencies will see. My next views were to have an acquaintance with their principal Minister, which I soon brought to pass, by some presents to this Minister's confidant, and he was our interpreter. He told me that it was his greatest desire, that our peace might be made with their Regency, and that, for his part, he would use his utmost endeavors for the purpose; but until the affairs of Spain were settled, little could be done on our matter; and further told me, not to mind the little put offs by the Dey, nor the enormous price asked for our slaves; that the price that was set on our people was only to put a more modest face on the price which they intend to make the Spaniards pay for their people, and advised me to go to Spain and wait until they had done with Spain, and that I might rest assured that he would, at all opportunities, write to me. I begged him to write to Mr. Carmichael, he did; I begged him to give me a free pass to come to Algiers and go when I pleased, he likewise did, but told me that if the letter was exposed that he had written Mr. Carmichael, he should lose his life, and when I returned that I might expect the same. I had several interviews with this Minister, and the above is the purport and substance, excepting that they had an entire right to make peace or war, without the voice of the Grand Seignior, and that they were under no control by the Ottoman Porte. He told me, that it would not be long, after my arrival in Spain, before he should let me know what steps it would be best to take, and when for me to return if I was ordered back. and as I found it was of no consequence to tarry longer than until I had further orders, I took his advice and return