1From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 9 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I wrote to you per last Post, under Cover to M. Moylan. With this you will receive another letter or two for America. I have just received yours of the 4th. I am sorry you waited for the Pacquets by Mr Gourlade as they only contained News Papers; but you could not know that. A Gentleman who says he is to sail with you sets off tomorrow, and...
2From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 4 December 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : United States Naval Academy Museum; copy: Library of Congress I am honoured with yours of the 24th. past. I have delivered your Letters to the M. de Castries & M. de Chaumont, and shall strongly sollicit the Payment of the Prize money, which I understand is not yet received from the King. I hope soon to see an End of that Affair, which has met with so many unaccountable Obstructions.— I...
3From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 25 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I received the honour of yours of the 17th. Instant. I was dissatisfied with Mr. Moylan’s Proceedings in going on with so great & unexpected an Expence for the Ariel, & never giving me the last Notice of it, till he drew upon me for the Amount, near 100,000 Livres, drawing too before sending the Account; and when the Account on my demanding it...
4From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 1 November 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received duly yours of Oct. 13 & 20th. I am extreamly sorry for your Misfortune. The Storm was a terrible one, it was well you escaped with your Lives. Since your Departure I have received the Acct. of Messrs. Gourlade & Moylan, and I am astonished to find that I am charged with so heavy a Sum as near 100,000 Livres for the Expences of the Ariel. After having twice...
5From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 21 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received a few Days since a Letter from M. De Sartine which I have mislaid, or would send you a Copy you have however the answer enclosed, by which you will perceive the purport of it. This Day the Captain of the Madame has been with me, and left an account of the Advances, which appeard to me very high, and I proposed to return the Men; but he seem’d not to desire...
6From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones: Two Letters, 12 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
(I) ALS : National Archives; (II) LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress You are hereby directed to proceed as soon as possible with the Ship under your Command, to the Port you can best make in North America, and deliver the Arms, Powder & other Stores, to such Officers of Congress as are appointed to take Care of such Matters, for which this shall be your Order. I am, Sir, Your...
7From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 22 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of the 12th. and one preceding. I am glad you took mine of the 5th as it was intended in friendship— It had appeared to me, that you hurt your own Views, and weaken’d your own hands by a censorious [quarellous?] Disposition that obstructed your Acquisition of … … at your Request and to prevent Mischief, the orders were not caried into Execution, I...
8From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 5 July 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I received yours of June 21. with the Papers it inclosed from M. Genet, who had kept them a Day or Two to translate them for the Minister. I approve much of your humanity and Prudence. But am sorry in the Letter to Dr. Bancroft, you Complain of your friends who are in no fault. They spare you, and have not even hinted that if you had staid on board where your Duty lay...
9From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 27 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
LS : National Archives; copy: Library of Congress I have this Minute received yours of the 23d. The Letter you mention having sent me by the last Post, inclosing the necessary Papers to explain Circumstances, is not come to Hand; so that I am much in the dark about your present Situation. I only learn by other means, that the Alliance is gone out of the Port, and that you are not likely to...
10From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 17 June 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : National Archives; two copies: Library of Congress Having been informed by several Gentlemen of & from L’Orient, that it is there generally understood the Mutiny on board your Ship has been advised or promoted by the honourable Arthur Lee Esqe, whom I had ordered you to receive as a Passenger; I hereby withdraw that Order, so far as to leave the Execution of it to your Discretion; that...