would be glad to know it by instruction. My idea is, that we should not
ransom but on the footing of the nation which pays least, that it may be
as little worth their while to go in pursuit of us, as any nation. This
is cruelty to the individuals now in captivity, but kindness to the
hundreds that would soon be so, were we to make it worth the while of
those pirates to go out of the Streights, in quest of us. As soon as
money is provided, I shall put this business into train. I have taken
measures to damp, at Algiers, all expectations of our proposing to
ransom, at any price. I feel the distress which this must occasion to
our countrymen there, and their connections; but the object of it is
their ultimate good, by bringing down their holders to such a price as
we ought to pay, instead of letting them remain in such expectations as
cannot be gratified. The gazettes of France and Leyden accompany this.

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

Th: Jefferson.

[The annexed are translations of the declaration and
counter-declaration, referred to in the preceding letter.]

DECLARATION.

The events which have taken place in the republic of the United
Provinces appearing no longer to leave any subject of discussion, and
still less of dispute, between the two courts, the undersigned are
authorized to ask, if it be the intention of his Most Christian Majesty
to act in pursuance of the notification given, on the 16th of last
month, by the Minister Plenipotentiary of his Most Christian Majesty,
which, announcing his purpose of aiding Holland, has occasioned maritime
armaments on the part of his Majesty, which armaments have become
reciprocal.

If the court of Versailles is disposed to explain itself on this
subject, and on the conduct adopted towards the republic, in a manner
conformably to the desire, evinced by each party, to preserve a good
understanding between the two courts, it being also understood, at
the same time, that no hostile view is entertained, in any quarter,
in consequence of the past; his Majesty, always eager to manifest his
concurrence in the friendly sentiments of his Most Christian Majesty,
agrees forthwith that the armaments, and, in general, all preparations
for war, shall be mutually discontinued, and that the marines of the two
nations shall be placed on the footing of a peace establishment, such as
existed