Mine of the 13th informed you that I had written to the M. de Castries on the subject of Puchilberg’s interference.  Yesterday I received his answer dated the 12th.  In that, he says that he is informed by the Ordonnateur, that he has not been able to get an authentic roll of the crew of the Alliance, and that, in the probable case of there having been some French subjects among them, it will be just that you should give security to repay their portions.  I wrote to him this morning, that as you have obliged yourself to transmit the money to the treasury of the United States, it does not seem just to require you to be answerable for money which will be no longer within your power; that the repayment of such portions will be incumbent on Congress; that I will immediately solicit their orders to have all such claims paid by their banker here:  and that should any be presented before I receive their orders, I will undertake to direct the banker of the United States to pay them, that there may be no delay.  I trust that this will remove the difficulty, and that it is the last which will be offered.  The ultimate answer shall be communicated the moment I receive it.  Having pledged myself for the claims which may be offered, before I receive the orders of Congress, it is necessary to arm myself with the proper checks.  Can you give me a roll of the crew, pointing out the French subjects?  If not, can you recollect personally the French subjects, and name them to me, and the sums they are entitled to? it there were none such, yet the roll will be material, because I have no doubt that Puchilberg will excite claims upon me, either true or false,

I am, with much respect, Sir,

your most obedient, humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XCIV.—­TO WILLIAM CARMICHAEL, August 18, 1785

TO WILLIAM CARMICHAEL.

Pads, August 18, 1785.

Dear Sir,

My last to you was of June the 22nd, with a postscript of July the 14th.  Yours of June the 27th came to hand the 23rd of July, and that of July the 28th came to hand the 10th instant.  The papers enclosed in the last shall be communicated to Mr. Adams.  I see with extreme satisfaction and gratitude, the friendly interposition of the court of Spain with the Emperor of Morocco, on the subject of the brig Betsy, and I am persuaded it will produce the happiest effects in America.  Those who are entrusted with the public affairs there, are sufficiently sensible how essentially it is for our interest to cultivate peace with Spain, and they will be pleased to see a corresponding disposition in that court.  The late good office of emancipating a number of our countrymen from slavery is peculiarly calculated to produce a sensation among our people, and to dispose them to relish and adopt the pacific and friendly views of their leaders towards Spain.  We hear nothing yet of Mr. Lambe.