Having communicated to Mr. Adams the information received, at different times, from yourself, from Mr. Randall, and Mr. Carmichael, we find that the sum likely to be demanded by Algiers for the ransom of our prisoners, as well as for peace, is so infinitely beyond our powers, and the expectations of Congress, that it has become our duty to refer the whole matter back to them.  Whether they will choose to buy a peace, to force one, or to do nothing, will rest in their pleasure.  But that they may have all the information possible to guide them in their deliberations, we think it important that you should return to them.  No time will be lost by this, and perhaps time maybe gained.  It is, therefore, our joint desire, that you repair immediately to New York, for the purpose of giving to Congress all the information on this subject, which your journey has enabled you to acquire.  You will consider this request as coming from Mr. Adams as well as myself, as it is by express authority from him, that I join him in it.  I am of opinion, it will be better for you to come to Marseilles and by Paris:  because there is a possibility that fresh orders to us, from Congress, might render it useful that we, also, should have received from you all possible information on this subject.  And perhaps no time may be lost by this, as it might be long before you would set a passage from Alicant to America.

I am, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XXI.—­TO MONSIEUR DE REYNEVAL, June 25, 1786

TO MONSIEUR DE REYNEVAL.

Paris, June 25, 1786.

Sir,

I have received letters from two citizens of the United States, of the names of Geary and Arnold, informing me, that having for some time past exercised commerce in London, and having failed, they were obliged to leave that country; that they came over to Dunkirk, and from thence to Brest, where, one of them having changed his name, the more effectually to elude the search of his creditors, they were both imprisoned by order of the commandant; whether at the suit of their creditors, or because one of them changed his name, they are uninformed.  But they are told, that the commandant has sent information of his proceedings to your office.  I have some reason to suppose, their creditors are endeavoring to obtain leave to remove them to England, where their imprisonment would be perpetual.  Unable to procure information elsewhere, I take the liberty of asking you, whether you know the cause of their imprisonment, and of soliciting your attention to them, so far as that nothing may take place against them by surprise, and out of the ordinary course of the law.

I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble; servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XXII.—­TO THE PREVOT DES MARCHANDS, September 27, 1786