To Benjamin Franklin from Samuel Huntington, 2 March 1781
From Samuel Huntington
LS: University of Pennsylvania Library, Franklin Bache Huntington (Washington, D.C., 1938); copy: National Archives
Philadelphia, March 2. 1781
Sir,
You will receive herewith enclosed, the Copy of a Resolve of Congress of the 27th Ulto, expressing the high Sense that they entertain of the distinguished Bravery and military Conduct of Captain John Paul Jones.6
Conformable to the enclosed Resolve, you will please to communicate to his most Christian Majesty, the high Satisfaction Congress have received from the Information of Mr de Sartine, that the Conduct & gallant Behavior of Captain Jones have merited the Attention of his most Christian Majesty, and that his Majesty’s Offer of adorning Captain Jones with the Cross of military Merit7 is highly acceptable to Congress—
I have the Honor to be, with very high Respect & Esteem sir Your most obedient & most humble Servant
Sam. Huntington President
The Honorable Benjamin Franklin Esqr
(Duplicate)
Endorsed: Letter from President of Congress Mar. 2, 1781 Approbation of the Honour conferr’d on J.P. Jones—
6. JCC, XIX, 200, which shows revisions to the resolution before final passage. The enclosure, also at the University of Pa. Library, is endorsed, “Resolution of Congress Ap. 27. 1781 Compensation to John Paul Jones.”
7. For Jones’s reception of the Ordre de Mérite Militaire see Jones to Robert Morris, June 27, 1780 (Bradford, Jones Papers, reel 5, no. 1124); Morison, Jones, p. 278. Jones had been eager for French recognition: XXXII, 273–4.