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.