Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Richard O’Bryen, 12 December 1789

From Richard O’Bryen

Algiers, 12 Dec. 1789. “In December 1789, There are
in Algiers 2 Masters at the Dey’s Price 12,000 Dollars
2 Mates at 4,000 Dollars each 8,000
11 Marines at 1500 Dollars each 16,500
Dollars 36,500
20 p.Ct. [i.e., 5%] a Duty on Slaves 1,825
agreeable to the Dey’s price in 1786, the cost is 38,325

A Mr: Joseph Cowen Bockerie the principal Jew merchant of Algiers assures me that he will engage, and well knows that he could obtain the Americans release from Slavery on the following Terms, Vizt.

for 2 Masters at 2,000 Sequins each 8,000 Dollrs.
  2 Mates at 3,000 Dollars each 6,000
 11 Marines at 1,300 Dollars each 14,300
First Cost 28,300
Fees and Duties to the Regency amounting to 20 p.Ct. 1,415
Spanish Dollars 29,715

Mr. Bockerie says that at the very furthest he would procure us at 2,000 Dollars each, which would be in all 30,000 Dollars, or 6750 pounds sterling, and the Dutch and Spanish Consul are of the same Opinion.”

Tr (DNA: RG 59, MLR); 1 p.; in clerk’s hand, having at head of text: “Extract of a Letter from Richard O’Brien to the Honble. Thos. Jefferson, dated Algiers, December 12. 1789” and, in TJ’s hand “No.7.” PrC (DLC). Tr (DNA: RG 59, Reports); this copy is incorporated into TJ’s report on the Algerine captives, 28 Dec. 1790. Recorded in SJL as received 20 Nov. 1790.

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