Enclosure II: 28 March 1786
Enclosure II
Algiers March 28th. 1786
Mr. Randall for his Justification requests Mr. Lamb to declare that it was his particular Desire for him to embark from Algiers, and at this Juncture on board a Spanish Brigantine, and in departing from thence to take Madrid in his Way to Paris and London, that he is perfectly satisfied in the Manner Mr. Randall has kept an account of the Monies expended by them both in the publick Service, and with his Conduct in general by doing every Thing in his Power to forward the Business they set out upon.
Signed by Mr. Lamb in this manner | Approvd of By Your Humble servt. | |
John Lamb |
Tr (DLC); in Randall’s hand. Tr (PCC, No. 87, i); in Short’s hand and attested by him as an accurate copy. PrC of preceding (DNA: PCC, No. 84). Tr (DNA: PCC, No. 107).
Long before the events recorded in this and the two preceding documents had come to the attention of Congress, Charles Pinckney of South Carolina had declared “That the sum of 80,000 dol’s heretofore appropriated to the purchasing peace with those States was insufficient—that it was necessary to send a larger Sum, that Congress aught to address the States and let them know our Situation that they might provide—that we ought to send a sufficient sum and a person of Talents and Integrity to negotiate a Treaty—that Mr. Lamb the person now there is not a sober Man but of a Loose Caracter unfit for that purpose, that he was surprised Congress appointed such a person etc.” Thomas Rodney recorded in his diary that “Almost every Member in Congress rose on this occasion, and the general Sentiment respect’g this matter Singlely was to the same purpose” (viii, No. 380). This debate occurred on 2 May 1786; not more than twenty members were in attendance.
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