f their sentence should be unfavorable to the original
owners, you will certainly agree that a third, or even a half, of the
value of the vessel ought to be deposited in the hands of a public
officer appointed for that purpose, until the two nations shall agree
upon some reciprocal regulations concerning vessels recaptured from
the common enemy.

I have the honor to be, &c.

DE SARTINE.

* * * * *

M. DE SARTINE TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.

Translation.

Versailles, September 21st, 1778.

Sir,

I have had the honor to receive your note of the 5th instant,
informing me of the wish of the Commissioners of the United States of
North America to engage your good offices with the king, that the
necessary measures may be taken to fulfil his Majesty's engagements,
under the 8th article of the treaty of February 6th of the present
year, in reference to the Barbary Powers. I have examined the article,
and find that the king promised to employ his mediation, with the
Emperor of Morocco, and the other Barbary Powers, in order to provide
as fully as possible for the interest and security of the citizens of
the United States, and the protection of their vessels and effects
against all violence, insult, attacks, or depredations by the said
Barbary Powers or their subjects.

From the nature of this engagement, it appears to me proper to use all
means to comply with it, notwithstanding any difficulties which seem
to lie in the way; but before presenting any plan to his Majesty, it
seems to me necessary to inform him of the actual dispositions of the
United States, and of the measures they may deem desirable on the part
of France.

Do the United States wish to conclude treaties with the Barbary
Powers, or do they wish merely that our influence should be exerted to
make their flag respected by those powers? In the latter case we
should never succeed, or if we should obtain liberty of commerce for
the United States from some of them, it would be an illusory,
temporary, and precarious permission, and would infallibly expose us,
without being of the least benefit to the citizens of the United
States. The Algerines, in particular, would never acknowledge the flag
of the United States, unless it were made for their interests to do
so.

You know too well, Sir, th