11To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 19 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am by this day’s Post, honored with yours of the 13th Currt. which appears to have been intended to have been forwarded by Mr. Carnes. I esteem myself particularly obliged by that mark of your attention; but, as there is no mention made of my Letter to you of the 31st. Ult. I presume it has miscarryed, and it is therefore that I have now written the foregoing Copy. The 6th. of this month,...
12To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 26 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having wrote you fully respecting the Denmark business by Mr. Littlepage, with the papers necessary to finish it, I now have the honor to transmit you the extract of my journal that you wish to communicate to the Academy of Inscriptions and Belles-Lettres, on the subject of the medal with which I am honored by Congress. I have only at present to inform you that I returned here from the Black...
13To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 3 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copies: Algemeen Rijksarchief, Library of Congress, National Archives This letter is of considerable historiographical interest because it forms the basis for most subsequent accounts of Jones’s cruise and his battle with H.M.S. Serapis . Central to these accounts is the premise here expounded by Jones that the Bonhomme Richard had to overcome the fire not only of his...
14To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 13 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I had the pleasure of writing to your Excellency on my arrival at Corogne.— Having refreshed my people and shunned a Gale of Wind in that Port I Sailed again the 28th. Ulto.— I took a turn to the Westward of Cape Finistre in hopes of intercepting some of the Enemies Ships, but without Success, and meeting with Mr. Haywood in...
15To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 18 September 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum The Fleet hath this day returned here, having been absent a Month and done nothing; for I call taking a small Tender and a small Privateer Nothing. A Frigate, the Juno, of 32 Guns 12 pounders is also Arrived and has brought in the English Frigate the Fox that was formerly taken by our...
16To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 11 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I had the honor to write your Excellency a line from the Hague on the 8th.— His Excellency the French Ambassador and the Agent have no doubt marked the situation of Affairs with respect to the Squadron, as concerned with this Government and with the Enemy.— I am doing every thing in my Power towards fulfiling the Advice which I...
17To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 9 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum I should have acknowledged sooner the receipt of Your Orders dated the 30th. Ulto. which I recd. the 7th. Curr. but waited for the letter which yours alludes to from M. de Chaumont which has but this moment appeared and except the Name of a Merchant contains nothing New. I have had...
18John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 28 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft: National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum <Brest, August 28, 1778: M. de la Prévalaye, who commands here in the absence of the comte d’Orvilliers, has just told me that he can no longer furnish a guard for the Ranger prisoners detained aboard the Patience . Unable to depend on the Ranger ’s officers, I had arranged for a guard with...
19To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 5 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The following is the best Information I am able to give you in Compliance with the Letter dated at Paris the 3d. of August 1785 which you did me the Honor to address to me at L’orient. The Boussole and the Astrolabe, two Gaberts [gabares] of 600 Tons each, sheathed with Copper, and equipped in the best Manner, sailed from Brest the 1st. of August 1785, under the Command of Messrs. de la...
20To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 24 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to address you a confidential Letter the 4th. Ult. enclosing one for Madame T. I here enclose another Letter for that worthy Lady, of which I request your particular care. I should have embarked in the Packet that will sail for Havre to morrow morning. But an account having arrived here, that the English Fleet is out and was seen steering to the Westward, and that a British...
21To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 13 October 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): National Archives When I had the honor of writing to your Excellency the 23. Ult. I hoped about the end of this Month to have set foot on the Continent beyond the Atlantic. The prospect changed however, immediately after I had sent away my dispatches, and Prudence bid me again drop Anchor at Groix.— The within Declaration of my Officers...
22To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 28 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the kind Note you wrote me this morning, on the occasion of receiving my Bust. I offered it to you as a mark of my esteem and respect, for your virtues and talents. It has been remarked by professed judges, that it does no discredit to the talents of Mr. Houdon; but it receives its value from your acceptance of it, with the assurance you give me of your particular esteem; which...
23To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 30 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum Since my last the Irish Brigantine the Three Friends from Bordeaux taken by the Alliance has sunk at her Anchors in this Road. This unfortunate Accident happened about Eleven in the fore noon the Day before yesterday, and the Prize Master and People declare that the Vessel made no...
24To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 September 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and transcript: National Archives I return you enclosed the Letter addressed to you by John Jackson Pilot of Hull, dated at Hull the 16th. of October 1780. The Certificate joined with that Letter is (at least in substance) a Copy of the one I gave him at the Texel after his Arm had been amputated and he had recovered. It does not however I observe take notice that a second Pilot Boat came...
25To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 3 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the honor of hearing from you last, my health has not permitted me to set out for Denmark. From the information I took at the Hotel of the Baron de Blome, I understood he was to arrive from the waters the 30th ult., so that I thought it better to wait till I could see him than to forward your letter. His servants arrived at the time that he was himself expected, and informed that...
26To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 25 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I am honored with your Excellencies letter of the 19th.— I feel your reasons for Urging frugallity, and as I have not hitherto been among the most extravagant Servants of America so you may depend on it my regard for you will make me particularly Nice in my present situation. It will give me very great pleasure to be able to...
27To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 18 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I have duly received your Excellencies dispatches of the 4th and 9th Current.— The Wind is Fair, the Pilot on Board, and the Ship will be under Sail at day Break.— Mr. Gourlade nor M. de La Grave have not yet appeared.— I will Steer as directly as possible for our Ports.— Enclosed is a receipt from Messrs. Gourlade and Moylan...
28John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 16 May 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : University of Virginia Library; AL : United States Naval Academy Museum; copy: National Archives <Brest, May 16, 1778: The local admiralty will apparently delay the sale of the Ranger ’s prizes; I therefore have to draw on you through M. Bersolle for 24,000 l.t. to distribute among my officers and men. They need to provide for their families in America, who will expect clothing, etc., by...
29To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 6 March 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The mystery which you so delicately mention in your much esteemed favor of the 24th. Ulto.— it has been my intention for more than Twelve Months past to communicate to you; which however I have put off from time to time on reflecting that the Account must give you more pain than pleasure:—yet had I not, on my sudden departure from hence for Paris,...
30John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 3 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Being informed from good authority that the Minister desired much to converse with me on a subject of great utility to the United States of America —as there was then no prospect of obtaining permission to sell the prizes—or of getting the prisoners exchanged soon, I thought it for the interest of the Service that I shoud come myself to Paris. It was necessary too that some measure shoud be...
31To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 14 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you herewith the Rolls of the Bon-Homme-Richard and Alliance; with Copys of the other Papers in French respecting the Prize-Money of the Squadron I commanded. They are numbered from 1 to 23, and I have left them open for your inspection. I rely on the good effect of your Observations that will accompany them, with the Papers in your Hands, to Congress, and have no doubt but that my...
32To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 18 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Copenhagen, 18 Mch. 1788 . Was presented at court the previous day by the French minister, La Houze, and had a “polite and distinguished reception”; talked with the queen, who has “a dignity of Person and deportment, which becomes her well, and which she has the secret to reconcile with great affability and ease”; the princess royal commands “that homage which artless Beauty and good nature...
33John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 15 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives (two), United States Naval Academy Museum <Brest, August 15, 1778: I have been here five days and have neither seen nor heard from Lt. Simpson; but Mr. Hill reports the general rumor that I have been turned out of the service, that Simpson has replaced me with a captain’s commission, and that my letter to you of July 16 was only...
34To 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...
35To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 19 October 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: Library of Congress, United States Naval Academy Museum I hope you will find the within letters entirely free from asperity or ill Nature. I have been and am, in the Eyes of Brest and of the French Fleet, considered as having incurred your Displeasure and being consequently in Disgrace. The Commissioners’ refusal of my Bill, my Journey to Paris...
36John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 30 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft: National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum <Brest, August 30, 1778: My friend M. de la Porte, intendant, has now agreed to furnish a vessel and send the Ranger ’s prisoners to England, if you consent. This offer is too generous to refuse. The guard will be discontinued unless you procure an order from the minister. As for the...
37To George Washington from John Paul Jones, 7 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
As I understand it has been insinuated to your Excellency that I have been to blame for the detention in France of the military Stores and Clothing for the American Armies under your Command; I beg leave to refer you to Mr Duane, who carries with him a copy of my Examination for your Perusal. My conduct from the first has been strictly examined, and meets with the Unanimous approbation and...
38To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 31 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to write you a line the 26th from this place, where I am arrived a short time ago from the Black sea. I send enclosed an extract of the journal of my campaign in 1779, as you desired; and I now enclose an extract of a letter I wrote you by Mr. Littlepage . I have heard nothing from him since he left me. I know only that he arrived at Warsaw, but am quite uncertain about his...
39To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 14 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day received your esteemed letter of the 9th—The Alliance arrived here the 12th. and the Sensible is this day arrived at Port Louis (at the entrance of this Harbour)—There is also this day arrived here a Cutter of 18 Guns from Cherbourg—this last I hope will be added to the Armament—the Pallas with the rest of the small Vessels from Nantes have...
40To George Washington from John Paul Jones, 9 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
Accounts having arrived and being credited here, that the British Fleet was out, and had been seen steering to the Westward, and that a British Squadron was cruising in the north Sea, I was advised by my Friends not to embark in the French Packet that sailed hence the 25. Ult. I am sorry to have lost that opportunity as those accounts are now contradicted. I shall embark to morrow, in an...