As your Separation from the Ranger, and the Appointment of Lieutenant Simpson to the Command of her, will be liable to Misinterpretations and Misrepresentations by Persons who are unacquainted with the real Causes of those Facts. We hereby certify, that your leaving the Ranger was by our Consent, at the express Request of his Excellency Monsieur De Sartine, who informed Us that he had occasion...
2From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 19 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I have before me your Letters of the 5th. 9th. & 12th of this Month. I received all the Papers relating to Capt. Landais Prize. That Matter is now under Consideration. I am sorry for the Communication of Plans that you mention, but hope no ill Consequences will attend it. I think the Instruction of Congress which you mention should be observed;...
3From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 6 December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress; transcript: National Archives As the Arrangements that M. Le Duc de la Vauguyon, Ambassador of the King in Holland, must make with the States General, for the free Departure from the Texel of the French and American Vessels assembled there, may require that the English Prisoners taken in Merchant Ships, and at present on board the Alliance,...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 5 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of June 21. with the Papers it inclosed from M. Genet, who had kept them a Day or Two to translate them for the Minister. I approve much of your humanity and Prudence. But am sorry in the Letter to Dr. Bancroft, you Complain of your friends who are in no fault. They spare you, and have not even hinted that if you had staid on board where your Duty lay...
5The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 17 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress We received your several Letters from Nantes and Portsmouth. We shall be glad to see you here, as soon as is consistent with your Affairs, in order to consult with you on the Matters mention’d in your Instructions from the Congress, &c. We are, with Esteem Sir, Your most obedient and most humble Servants Addressed: To / John Paul Jones Esqr / Nantes Endorsed: Paris...
6From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 1 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; two copies: Library of Congress I received the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me the 25. & 28th past. I am glad to learn that you can take a Quantity of the Cloathing and Arms: and that you can accommodate the 4 Gentlemen I had mentiond to you. M. De Sartine desires also a Place for a Passenger that goes on some Business from him: I make no doubt of your...
7From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 8 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Library of Congress (two) I received your Favours of the second and 4th Inst. I am sorry for the Accidents that have obliged your little Squadron to return & refit; but hope all may be for the best. Some Days since, Mr Chaumont handed to me the Substance of a Letter in French, which contained heads of the Instructions that M. De Sartine wish’d me to give you. I...
8From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 1 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS and copy: National Archives; two copies: Library of Congress I have received a Letter from the Board of Admiralty, containing their Orders for the Return of the Alliance, a Copy of which is annex’d for your Government; and I hereby direct that you carry the same into Execution with all possible Expedition. With great Regard, I am, Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Sert. Notation: From...
9From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 3 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Yale University Library This is to authorize & require you to receive & accomodate in your Ship as Passengers the honourable Arthur Lee & Ralph Izard, Esquires, late Ministers of the Congress at the Courts of France & Toscany. I am, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant Notations in different hands: Dr. Franklin’s order for our Passage / March 3d. 1780 Two weeks earlier BF had agreed to...
10The American Commissioners to John Paul Jones, 23 May 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; AL (draft): Massachusetts Historical Society; copy: National Archives A pilote being wanted to conduct an Advice Boat to America, if you have in your Ship a suitable Person that can be spared, the Commissioners request, that you would permit him to go on that Service. We have the Honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servants. Endorsed: from the American...