To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 28 March 1780
From John Paul Jones
ALS: American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and transcript: National Archives
L’Orient March 28th. 1780.
Honored and dear Sir,
I have received your Orders of the 18th. and have written to Nantes for particular information respecting the Anchorage off Noirmontier that I may take measures accordingly.—1 I am very glad that Doctor Bancroft who has been an Eye and Ear witness to the Situation of Affairs onboard the Alliance can explain to you every Circumstance. In the meantime I shall do my utmost either to go or send for the Bales of Cloth.— The Cannon are all on board;2 and you may depend on my best endeavours to fulfil your final Directions.
I beg leave in particular to refer you to Doctor Bancroft for a representation of some Circumstances that respect myself you will I am persuaded soon see the necessity that Obliged me to take the Steps I did in Holland—and I am afraid you will find the Busy Body C—— less worthy3 than you had formerly imagined.—
With the most sincere and affectionate Esteem and respect I am Dear Sir, Your most Obliged and most Obedt. Servt.
Jno P Jones
N.B. I understand there is a Quantity of Sheathing Copper belonging to the Continent at Nantes.4 I wish it could be Ordered to be Ship’d with the Shott for the Alliance.—
His Excellency B. Franklin Esqr. &c: &c:
Notation: J.P. Jones. L’orient March 28. 80
1. Jones to John Ross, March 23, 1780, Bradford, Jones Papers, reel 5, no. 1026.
2. See BF to Jones, March 8.
3. Deleted in the draft: “of confidence”; he is referring to Chaumont.
4. This may be the copper that BF told Schweighauser to ship in September, 1779: XXX, 324.