To John Jay from John Paul Jones, 6 August 1785
From John Paul Jones
L’Orient August 6th. 1785.
Sir
I came down here from Paris about a Fortnight ago, on the Business of the Prize Money belonging to the Subjects of the United States, who served in the Squadron I commanded in Europe.1
The enclosed Copy of a Letter from Monsr. Soulanges the Commandant at Toulon to the Juges et Consuls at Nantes, dated at Toulon the 14th. of last Month, announcing that the Algerines have declared War against the United States, was communicated to me the 31st. Ult. and I immediately sent it to Mr. Jefferson at Paris.2
The Information of Monsr. Soulanges is believed here, altho’ there is, as yet, no official account of the Algerine War arrived from Court.—It is of too serious a nature not to be sent immediately to Congress, and I therefore do not wait for the Packet, but send this Letter by a Merchant Ship, that will Sail the first fair Wind for Philadelphia.
This event may I believe, surprise some of our fellow Citizens; but for my part, I am rather surprised that it did not take place sooner. It will produce a good Effect, if it unites the People of America in measures consistent with their national Honor and Interest, and rouses them from that illjudged security which the intoxication of success has produced since the Revolution.
The Regency of Alger is a powerful State, that can put 200,000 Troops into the Field, and has a Navy consisting (as I have been assured by the commandant here, and by many other Gentlemen with whom I have conversed on the Subject) of several Ships of two Batteries, and Frigates of 44 Guns and downwards. And there is no doubt but that they will strengthen their Navy and employ it’s whole Force against us; because they have just made Peace with Spain.
My best Wishes will always attend America, and my Pride will be always gratified when such measures are adopted as will make her respected as a great Nation that deserves to be Free. I am Sir, with great esteem & respect Your most obedient and most humble Servant3
Paul Jones
The Honorable John Jay Esquire, Minister of foreign Affairs &c. New-York.
ALS, with enclosure and translation by John Pintard, DNA: PCC, item 168, 2: 331–33, 321–29; LbkC, with enclosure and translation, , 1: 501–4 (EJ: 1799); LbkC (Resolve book), DNA: PCC, item 123, 42–43. JJ forwarded copies of Jones’s letter and its enclosures to the governors of the states under cover of a circular of 14 Oct. LS, RPB (EJ: 5266); De-Ar (EJ: 5297); MWA (EJ: 3712); and NjTSA (EJ: 4395). LbkC, , 1: 505.
1. The French government during the Revolution had provided funds to outfit Jones’s expeditions in the waters off the British Isles, and, consequently, insisted upon controlling the disposition of moneys realized from the sale of English ships taken as prizes of war. Jones was commissioned by Congress in November 1783 to return to France in order to negotiate with the government there for the distribution of prize money yet due the officers and men of the ships he had commanded. Negotiations lasted for two years until finally completed. See 3: 502n4; and : 630n6; 32: 383–84; 33: 514n, 555–69.
2. Jones to TJ, 31 July 1785, LbkC, DNA: PCC, item 87, 1: 111; 8: 334. Algerians began to cruise against American shipping, but there was no formal declaration of war.
3. JJ enclosed Jones’s letter in his letter to the President of Congress of 13 Oct. in which he noted that Soulanges’s letter had been published in the Philadelphia paper of 11 Oct. See LS, DNA: PCC, item 80, 37–39 (EJ: 157). Endorsed by CT: “… Read 13th. / Algiers / Ordered That this be / referred back to the Secy / ^for foreign affairs^ Referred back for report / That he transmit to the / several states copies of the / letters enclosed and report / with all convenient speed”. Dft, NNC (EJ: 5776); C, DNA: PCC, item 78, 13: 355 (EJ: 5152); LbkC, , 1: 498–99 (EJ: 1796);
29: 831–34; and Pennsylvania Packet, and Daily Advertiser, 11 Oct. 1785. JJ drafted a reply to Jones on this same date. Dft, NNC (EJ: 90229).