show you how much the
difficulties of ransom are increased since the Spanish negotiations.
The Russian captives have cost about eight thousand livres apiece, on
an average. I certainly have no idea that we should give any such sum;
and, therefore, if it should be the sense of Congress to give such a
price, I 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 cut of the Straits 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.

[_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 t