To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, [ca. 19 December 1787]
From John Paul Jones
[ca. 19 Dec. 1787]
Sir
I am just arrived here from England. I left New York the 11th. Novr. and have brought public dispatches and a number of private Letters for you. I would have waited on you immediately instead of writing, but I have several strong reasons for desiring that no person should know of my being here till I have seen you and been favored with your advice on the steps I ought to pursue. I have a Letter from Congress for the King, and perhaps you will think it advisable not to present it at this moment. I shall not go out till I hear from or see you. And as the People in this Hôtel do not know my Name, you will please to ask for the Gentleman just arrived, who is lodged in No. 1.
I am with great esteem & respect Sir Your most Obedient and most humble Servant,
JPaul Jones
Hotel de Beauvais ruë des vieux Augustines
RC (DLC: John Paul Jones Papers); at head of text: “Private.” Undated and not recorded in SJL but probably written ca. 19 Dec. because on that day TJ recorded in SJL a number of letters brought from America by Jones and James Jarvis; the latter transmitted his letters by John Trumbull and it is impossible to tell from the record in sjl which letters were delivered by Jones and which by Trumbull (see Jarvis to TJ, 10 Dec. 1787; Adams to TJ, 18 Dec. 1787).