RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING ALGIERS 1 - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 6 (Correspondence 1789-1792) [1905]
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The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 6.
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RESOLUTIONS CONCERNING ALGIERS
j. mss.
[Dec. 2, 1791.]
Draught of a Secret resolution of the Senate.
Resolved by the Senate of the U.S. that if the President of the the U. S. shall think proper to enter into any treaty or convention for the purpose of ransoming the citizens of the U.S. now in captivity at Algiers at an expense not exceeding [40.000] dollars, or for the preservation of peace in future with that & with Tunis or Tripoli or both powers at an expence not exceeding [40.000] dollars to be annually paid for years the Senate will advise & consent to the ratification thereof.
Ransom.
| The ransom lately agreed on by persons unauthorised and unknown | 34.792 |
| Clothes and passages of 14. persons @ 100. D. each | 1.400 |
| Expenses of negotiator, &c. . . .suppose about | 3.000 |
| 39,192 |
| Should the attempt be made & fail it will Probably cost | 5,000 |
Peace—The Dutch, Danes, Swedes, and Venetians pay from 24,000 to 30,000 @ annually.
France as is said, besides presents, from time to time pays 100,000 annually.
England it is supposed expends one year with another 280,000
Draught of a Secret resolution of both houses.
Resolved by the Senate & House of Representatives of the U. S. in Congress assembled, that if the President of the U. S. by & with the advise & consent of the Senate shall think proper to enter into any treaty or convention for the purpose of ransoming the citizens of the U. S. now in captivity at Algiers at an expence not exceeding [40.000] dollars or for the preservation of peace in future with that power & with Tunis or Tripoli or both at an expence not exceeding [40,000] to be annually paid for years, the Congress of the U. S. will provide for the expences of any measures which he shall take for accomplishing these objects, tho’ such measures should not succeed, provided such expences exceed not [5000] dollars.
Then should follow a resolution for furnishing the money beforehand, &c.
“Dec. 2, 1791.
“Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Butler, and incloses him the rough draughts of resolutions believing Mr. Butler can better settle according to his own mind the manner of furnishing the money either from his own reflection or on consultation with the Secy of the Treasury.”
The resolutions were not adopted, however, the only action the Senate took being recorded in the Executive Journal, I, 123.
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