University of Virginia Library

1137. CAPTIVES, Attempts at Ransom.—

If Congress decide to redeem our captives,
* * * it is of great importance that
the first redemption be made at as low a price
as possible, because it will form the future
tariff. If these pirates find that they can have
a very great price for Americans, they will
abandon proportionally their pursuits against
other nations to direct them towards ours.—
To John Jay. Washington ed. ii, 113.
(P. 1787)