George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, 29 May 1794

To Alexander Hamilton

Philada 29. May 1794

Sir,

As the million of dollars, granted by the Act of the 20th of march, last, was certainly for the objects in Algiers,1 I was anxious that some steps should be taken concerning the money. But as you represent in your letter of the 27th instant,2 that this cannot be done yet, you will inform me when you shall find that it can be done; and in the mean time, I wish to know, whether some provisions could not be made for borrowing it if an opening should hereafter appear for a treaty with Algiers, and for the redemption of our unhappy fellow citizens there.

Geo. Washington

LB, DLC:GW.

1GW was referring to "An Act making further provision for the expenses attending the intercourse of the United States with foreign nations; and further to continue in force the act intituled ’An act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations’" (Stat description begins Richard Peters, ed. The Public Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from the Organization of the Government in 1789, to March 3, 1845 . . .. 8 vols. Boston, 1845-67. description ends . 1:345). For a summary of U.S. efforts to ransom American captives at Algiers and obtain a treaty with that state, see Thomas Jefferson’s report on Morocco and Algiers, 14 Dec. 1793, enclosed in GW to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, 16 Dec. 1793 (second letter).

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