States, in Holland, Mr. Lambe’s drafts were to be made on him, and I know not what their amount has been.  His drafts could not have been negotiated, if made on us both, at places so distant.  Perhaps it may be thought, that the appointment of Mr. Lambe was censurable in the moment in which it was made.  It is a piece of justice, therefore, which I owe to Mr. Adams, to declare that the proposition went first from me to him.  I take the liberty of enclosing you a copy of my letter to Mr. Adams, of September the 24th, 1785, in which that proposition was made.  It expresses the motives operating on my mind in that moment, as well as the cautions I thought it necessary to take.  To these must be added the difficulty of finding an American in Europe fit for the business, and willing to undertake it.  I knew afterwards, that Dr. Bancroft (who is named in the letter) could not, on account of his own affairs, have accepted even a primary appointment.  I think it evident, that no appointment could have succeeded without a much greater sum of money.

I am happy to find that Mr. Barclay’s mission has been attended with complete success.  For this we are indebted, unquestionably, to the influence and good offices of the court of Madrid.  Colonel Franks, the bearer of this, will have the honor to put into your hands the original of the treaty, with other papers accompanying it.  It will appear by these, that Mr. Barclay has conducted himself with a degree of intelligence and of good faith which reflects the highest honor on him.

A copy of a letter from Captain O’Bryan to Mr. Carmichael is also herewith enclosed.  The information it contains will throw farther light on the affairs of Algiers.  His observations on the difficulties which arise from the distance of Mr. Adams and myself from that place, and from one another, and the delays occasioned by this circumstance, are certainly just.  If Congress should propose to revive the negotiations, they will judge whether it will not be more expedient to send a person to Algiers, who can be trusted with full powers:  and also whether a mission to Constantinople may not be previously necessary.  Before I quit this subject, I must correct an error in the letter of Captain O’Bryan.  Mr. Lambe was not limited, as he says, to one hundred, but to two hundred dollars apiece for our prisoners.  This was the price which had been just paid for a large number of French prisoners, and this was our guide.

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

Th:  Jefferson.

LETTER XXXVIII.—­TO SAMUEL OSGOOD, January 5, 1787

TO SAMUEL OSGOOD.

Paris, January 5, 1787.

Dear Sir,