Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XVI.—­TO JOHN ADAMS, May 11, 1786

TO JOHN ADAMS.

Paris, May 11, 1786.

Dear Sir,

I do myself the honor of enclosing to you, letters which came to hand last night, from Mr. Lambe, Mr. Carmichael, and Mr. Barclay.  By these you will perceive, that our peace is not to be purchased at Algiers but at a price far beyond our powers.  What that would be, indeed, Mr. Lambe does not say, nor probably does he know.  But as he knew our ultimatum, we are to suppose from his letter, that it would be a price infinitely beyond that.  A reference to Congress hereon seems to be necessary.  Till that can be obtained, Mr. Lambe must be idle at Algiers, Carthagena, or elsewhere.  Would he not be better employed in going to Congress?  They would be able to draw from him and Mr. Randall, the information necessary to determine what they will do.  And if they determine to negotiate, they can re-appoint the same, or appoint a new negotiator, according to the opinion they shall form on their examination.  I suggest this to you as my first thoughts; an ultimate opinion should not be formed till we see Mr. Randall, who may be shortly expected.  In the mean time, should an opportunity occur, favor me with your ideas hereon that we may be maturing our opinions.  I shall send copies of these three letters to Mr. Jay, by the packet which sails from L’Orient the first of the next month.

*****

I have the honor to be, with great esteem, Dear Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson

LETTER XVII.—­TO LISTER ASQUITH, May 22, 1786

TO LISTER ASQUITH.

Paris, May 22, 1786.

Sir,

When I left this place for England, I had no suspicion that any thing more would be necessary on my part for your liberation.  Being but lately returned, I could not sooner acknowledge the receipt of your letters of April the 21st and May the 1st.  I this day write to M. Desbordes, to pay the charges necessary for your enlargement, to furnish you with a guinea apiece, and to take your draft on Mr. Grand for those sums, and the others which he has furnished you at my request.  This being a new case, I am unable to say whether you will be held to repay this money.  Congress will decide on that, to whom I shall send a report of the case, and to whom you should apply on your return to America, to know whether you are to repay it or not.  During the whole of this long transaction, I have never ceased soliciting your discharge.  The evidence furnished by the Farmers to the ministers, impressed them with a belief that you were guilty.  However, they obtained a remission of all which the King could remit, which was your condemnation to the galleys, and imprisonment, and the sum in which you were fined.  The confiscation