Page:Dramatic Moments in American Diplomacy (1918).djvu/127

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IN AMERICAN DIPLOMACY
107

hospitality. He was very attentive and agreeable. He opened the conversation by saying that he had followed with interest the exploits of their illustrious countryman, General Washington, and felt a great admiration of his conduct. That since he never expected to see him, if Congress would do him the favour to send him a full-length portrait of that celebrated person, he would hang it in a good light in his palace at Algiers.

In regard to the captives, the Dey was as cordial as any good merchant to a valuable customer. He allowed that captives were becoming more and more expensive to get, but that he would make a special discount for the sake of new trade, and concluded with a magnanimous schedule of prices, as follows:

3 Captains, $6,000 each $18,000
2 Mates, $4,000 each 8,000
2 Passengers, $4,000 each 8,000
14 Seamen, $1,400 each (a bargain) 19,600

$53,600