peace was established with that regency, and the release of American captives obtained. This was effected through the agency of colonel Humphreys, Mr. Barlow, and Mr. Donalson. About one hundred and twenty American citizens were released from slavery; some of whom had been subjected to this ignominous state, more than ten years. As early as the summer of 1785, two American vessels were taken by the Algerines, and their crews, twenty-one in number, doomed to slavery. Many causes combined to prevent the release of these men, or those who had survived, until this time, some of which produced great distress and misery to the captives themselves. The American ministers in Europe, were authorized to make treaties with the Barbary powers; but their authority did not extend to the ransom of prisoners. They sent an agent, however, for the purpose of ransoming the crews of these vessels; but the sum he was authorized to give for their release, was far below the demands of the rapacious Dey. He was resolved to make the most of his new prisoners; and refused their release without the enormous sum of nearly sixty thousand dollars. The American government were unwilling to give a sum so much higher than had been given by other powers, and thereby establish a precedent, which would serve in future, but to increase the rapacity of this lawless freebooter, and induce him to prey upon American vessels, rather than those of any other power. The Dey believed that the United States would submit to any terms, rather than leave their citizens in slavery. It was thought best, therefore, to attempt their release secretly, and by the agency of some individuals, who should appear to act for themselves alone, and not for the United States. For this purpose, Mr. Jefferson, the American minister at Paris, with the approbation of congress, applied to a religious order in France, called Mathurins, instituted in ancient times, for the redemption of christian captives from the infidel powers. The principal of this order, readily undertook the business, and without any reward for his services.

The American prisoners had heretofore been supplied by the Spanish consul at Algiers; and his bills, for expenses thus incur

red, had been paid. The principal of the Mathurins, informed Mr. Jefferson, that these supplies, as he had understood from his agent, had been so liberal, as to convince the Dey, they came from a public source. He therefore recommended a discontinuance of this mode of supply, and that he be permitted to furnish them. That the daily allowance furnished by him, would be much less than they had heretofore received; and that being thus supported, as it would appear, by his charity, the demands of the Dey for their ransom might be lessened. To this arrangement the government assented, and agreed for a time, to appear to abandon them to their fate; and the captives themselves, and their friends, from this conduct of their government, were led to believe this to be really the case.

This belief affected the prisoners much more than slavery itself; and drew from them the most severe and bitter reproaches against their government and country. Unfortunately the exertions of the Mathurins were unsuccessful. Other individuals in Europe also attempted to ransom them, but without success. The Dey still believed their support came from the United States; and refused to reduce his demands within reasonable limits. During the interregnum which took place between the expiration of the old, and the final establishment of the new government, these poor captives seemed almost to have been forgotten. In the mean time, six of them had died. The subject of redeeming the survivors, was brought before the national legislature, under the new government, by the president, and the sum of forty thousand dollars was appropriated for their release. Admiral sir Paul Jones, and Mr. Barclay, were successively intrusted with this interesting negociation; but both of them, unfortunately, died before they reached Algiers; and thus the wretched situation of these men was prolonged. The business was then placed in the hands of colonel Humphreys, minister at Lisbon. While at Gibraltar, on his way to Algiers, in October, 1793, he met with the intelligence, that a truce, which we have before mentioned, between Portugal and Algiers, for one year, had taken place, and that an Algerine fleet had passed the straits into the Atlantic.

Within one month from this time, ten American vessels fell into the hands of these piratical freebooters, and more than one hundred American citizens were added to their fellow sufferers in slavery. Colonel Humphreys immediately sent a memorial to the Dey, requesting a passport for Algiers, for the purpose of negociating a peace, and the ransom of American prisoners. This was intrusted to the Swedish consul at that place, Mr. Skjoldebrand, who, with his brother, were friendly to America, and had generously assisted the American captives. On the presentation of this memorial, the Dey declared he would not make peace with the Americans, or any other nation, at any price. He not only refused the passport, but declared "that he would not allow any American ambassador, under any flag whatever." This conduct of the Dey precluded all hope of relief for the American captives, except from the effectual interposition of their own government. To obtain this, they sent, through the hands of colonel Humphreys, their petition to congress. The letter to him, enclosing this petition, signed by thirteen masters of vessels, for themselves and "brother snfferers,” evinced a spirit worthy of those who had been born and educated in a land of freedom.

In addition to the horrors of slavery, they were threatened with the plague, then in the vicinity of Algiers. Crowded as they were, during the night, in slave prisons, with hundreds of captives of other nations, they deemed it next to impossible they should escape the contagion, should it enter the city. They requested, therefore, that a separate house might be obtained for their residence. They added, however, "at the same time, honored sir, and friend, be you assured, that we the American captives in this city of bondage, will bear our sufferings with fortitude and resignation, as becoming a race of men, endowed with superior souls, in adversity."

Unable to go to Algiers with safety, colonel Humphreys went back to Lisbon, and afterwards returned to the United States. Congress appropriated about a million of dollars, to be applied under the direction of the president, to procure their release.

The money was borrowed of the bank of the United States, and was to be furnished in London, principally by the sale of public stock. Colonel Humphreys was empowered to conclude a treaty of peace with the Dey of Algiers, and for this purpose he left the United States in April, 1795. He was accompanied by Joseph Donaldson, consul for Tunis and Tripoli; who was to be employed to negociate the treaty, while colonel Humphreys himself went to France, to obtain the aid of the French gov

ernment.

In the mean time, Mr. Donaldson proceeded to Algiers, and on the 5th of September concluded a treaty with the Dey. He engaged that the money for the ransom should be paid in three or four months, presuming it would be ready in London before that time. Joel Barlow was employed by colonel Humphreys to go from France, to assist in the negociation, but the treaty was concluded before his arrival at Algiers.

The failure in the payment of the money by the time stipulated, greatly incensed the Dey, and he threatened to abandon the treaty; and it was with great difficulty that Mr. Barlow and Mr. Donaldson procured a delay until the 8th of April, and the Dey then declared, that unless the money was paid within thirty days, he never would be at peace with America. In this situation the American captives were thrown into a state of despair; and the agents were only able to save the treaty and procure their release by a promise to present him a frigate of thirty six guns.

By this they obtained a delay of three months, and in the mean time the money negociations were arranged, and the poor captives finally released. This was not done, however, but at the expense and sacrifice of about one million of dollars.*

* American State Papers, vol. 10, p. 452.

VOL. II.

56

CHAPTER XXIV.

Mr. Jay concludes a treaty with Great Britain in November, 1794-Outlines of the treaty-The senate advise its ratification, with the exception of one article -Treaty made public soon after-Creates great dissatisfaction-Meetings of the citizens held and resolutions of disapprobation adopted-Addresses presented to the president requesting him not to sanction it-Views of the president on the subject of the treaty, and of the opposition to it-Ratifies it the 14th of August— Congress meet in December-President's speech at the opening of the session— Adet presents the colors of France to the president-Speeches on this occasionPetitions against the British treaty circulated and signed by the people-Presented to the house of representatives-Copy of the treaty laid before the house-Resolution submitted to the house calling on the president for Mr. Jay's instructions, with his correspondence-Long debates on this resolution-Finally adopted-President refuses the papers-His reasons for this refusal-House pass a resolution declaratory of their rights respecting treaties-Resolution submitted to the house, declaring it expedient to make provision for carrying the treaty into effect-Occasions long debates---Finally carried by a small majority.

MR. JAY arrived in Great Britain, on the 15th of June, 1794, and on the 19th of November following, concluded and signed with lord Grenville, "a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation between his Britannic majesty and the United States." It was received by the president on the 7th of March, 1795, and on the 8th of June, was submitted to the senate, and on the 24th of the same month, that body advised its ratification, with the exception of the 12th article, relating to the West India trade. This interesting subject occasioned violent debates in the senate, and the treaty itself was finally sanctioned in that body, (excluding the article relating to the West India trade,) by a bare constitutional majority, twenty against ten.

The preamble stated that the two governments "being desirous, by a treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, to terminate their differences in such a manner, as, without reference to the merits of their respective complaints and pretensions, may be the best calculated to produce mutual satisfaction and good understanding," &c.