11John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 30 August 1778 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor of writing to you by the last Post that Monsieur De la Prevalaye, the present Commandant here, had absolutely refused to continue the Guard which Comte D’Orvilliers lent me for the security of Prisoners of War taken by the Ranger, and Confined on board the Prize Brig Patience in the Road. I then promised to use every possible means to have the Guard continued until you could...
12John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 9 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
It is my duty to forward to you the within Memorial of Facts from Gentlemen whom the fortune of War made Prisoners to the American Arms under my command. In their application to me they observe that “I am well acquainted with their situation.” The late treatment which these unfortunate Men have met with appears to me to carry with it a degree of severity which cannot be Justified by reason nor...
13John Paul Jones to Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, 9 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that this day Arrived here a Virginia Pilot boat from Boston in 23 days. The master reports—that Comte Destaing had saild from thence a fortnight before on a Secret destination—that the Summerset was lost on Cape Cod, the materials saved and the Crew Prisoners —that the Providence, Boston, and Ranger were Arrived having taken two or three Merchant Vessels—That...
14To John Adams from John Paul Jones, 13 May 1779 (Adams Papers)
You will confer on me a singular Obligation by favoring me with your Opinion and Advice respecting the unhappy misunderstanding which I am told prevails on board the Alliance. I ask your advice because, tho I am determined to preserve Order and Disciplin where I command, yet I wish to reprove with moderation and never to punish while there remains a good Alternative. It appears that there is a...
15To John Adams from John Paul Jones, 10 December 1781 (Adams Papers)
After the command of the Alliance was usurped at L’orient, I received on board the Ariel, the two packages from Mr. Moylan, containing the articles you directed him to send to your Family. On my arrival at Philadelphia, I delivered them to Mr. Lovell, agreeable to your request. I had, last Summer, the honor to be unanimously elected by Congress to the command of the America, and am now...
16To John Adams from John Paul Jones, 7 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
On the 8 th. of October last M r. Jefferson wrote me a Letter approving of a proposition I had made to him that I should deputize D r. Bancroft to sollicit the Court of Denmark, through the Danish Minister at London, for the Compensation due for the Prizes made by the Squadron I commanded in Europe and given up to the British by the Danish Government, in the year 1779 in the Port of Bergen in...
17To John Adams from John Paul Jones, 10 July 1786 (Adams Papers)
On the other side is a Copy of a Letter I had the honor to write you by M r. Bingham the 7 th. of Feb y. last. As I have long expected to see D r. Bancroft here I was led to conclude that he would have been able to give me some satisfaction respecting the application to the Court of Denmark. I find however that he is not acquainted with the effect either of your correspondence to Denmark, or...
18To John Adams from John Paul Jones, 20 December 1789 (Adams Papers)
The within documents, from my Friend the Count de Segur Minister Plenipotentiary of France at S t. Petersburg, will shew you in some degree my Reasons for leaving Russia, and the danger to which I have been exposed by the mean subterfuges and dark Intrigues of Asiatic Jealousy and Malice.— Your former Friendship for me, which I remember with particular pleasure and have always been ambitious...
19John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 3 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of acquainting you that in obedience to Orders from the Honorable the Marine and Secret Committees of Congress, bearing date the 9th ulto, I immediately repaired here in Order to proceed in the French Ship Amphitrite from hence to Charlestown South Carolina and thence to France. The intention of the Secret Committee was first to avail of...
20John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 30 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor of writing to you from hence the 3d day of June last Copy whereof is here inclosed. Congress have thought fit to put the new Sloop of War therein mentioned, now called the Ranger under my command, and have authorized Genl. Whipple, Colo. Langdon and myself to appoint the Officers. When I took this command, the middle of last month, I found...