“I will proceed to take measures for the ransom of our citizens
in captivity at Algiers, in conformity with your resolution of
advice of the first instant, so soon as the moneys necessary
shall be appropriated by the Legislature, and shall be in
readiness.”[252]
The same subject was presented again to the Senate by President
Washington, in the following inquiry, May 8, 1792.
“If the President of the United States should conclude a
convention or treaty with the Government of Algiers for the
ransom of the thirteen Americans in captivity there, for a sum
not exceeding forty thousand dollars, all expenses included,
will the Senate approve the same? Or is there any, and what,
greater or lesser sum which they would fix on as the limit
beyond which they would not approve the ransom?”[253]
The Senate promptly replied by a resolution declaring it would approve
such treaty of ransom.[254] And Congress, by Act of May 8, 1792,
appropriated a sum of fifty thousand dollars for this purpose.[255]
Commodore Paul Jones was intrusted with the mission to Algiers, charged
with the double duty of making peace and of securing the redemption
of our citizens. In his letter of instructions, June 1, 1792, Mr.
Jefferson considers the rate of ransom.
“It has been a fixed principle with Congress to establish the
rate of ransom of American captives with the Barbary States at
as low a point as possible, that it may not be the interest of
those States to go in quest of our citizens in preference to
those of other countries. Had it not been for the danger it
would have brought on the residue of our seamen, by exciting
the cupidity of these rovers against them, our citizens now in
Algiers would have been long ago redeemed, without regard to
price. The mere money for this particular redemption neither
has been nor is an object with anybody here.”[256]