Benjamin Franklin Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Adams, John" AND Recipient="Jones, John Paul" AND Period="Revolutionary War" AND Correspondent="Adams, John"
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-25-02-0378

The American Commissioners to [John Paul Jones], 15 January 1778

The American Commissioners to [John Paul Jones]

ALS:8 National Archives

Paris Jan. 15. 1778

Whereas we understand that Capt. Jones has in View to strike a Stroke upon the Enemy that may be greatly to their Damage, but in its nature not probably profitable to his Ship’s Company, unless some Reward be received from the Congress adequate to the Service done,9 And we being of Opinion that Rewards in such Cases are not only necessary for Encouragement, but are really Acts of Justice: do hereby promise that in Case of the good and gallant Behaviour of the People under his Command, and their punctual Obedience to Orders, so as to obtain Success in the Undertaking as far as depends on them, we will warmly recommend them to the Congress for a generous Gratification proportion’d to their Merit.

B. Franklin
Silas Deane
Arthur Lee

Endorsed: From the American Commissioners Passy Paris Jany 15th. 16th. 17th. & 18th. 1778 Recd. Paris Jany 16th & 19th. 17781

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

8In BF’s hand.

9Jones had in mind a raid on some British port, to destroy shipping rather than take prizes: Morison, Jones, p. 126.

1The endorsement was clearly meant to cover three documents: this statement, the commissioners’ letter below of Jan. 16–18, and Lee’s dissent of the 17th, which must have been enclosed in that letter.

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