From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 8 March 1780
To John Paul Jones
LS7 and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress
Passy March. 8. 1780
Dear Sir,
I received your Favour of the 3d Inst. I find the Arms are to be sent in one of the Kings Ships.8 I inclose an Order for the Cannon which you say You can take as Ballast. The other Particulars of your Letter I shall endeavour to answer to morrow. With great Esteem I am, Dear Sir, your most obedient & most humble Servant.
B Franklin
A muster Roll of the Bonhomme Richard will be wanted, I understand, in order to divide the Produce of the Prizes.
Mr. Ross having wrote me word that he shall go in the Luzerne,9 I request you to take in his Stead Capt. Hutchins a very worthy American, who has suffered much for his Attachment to our Cause—1
Honble Comme Jones—
Addressed: A Monsieur / Monsieur le Capitaine / Jones chez M. Gourlade / Negt / à L’Orient
Endorsed: From his Excellency Dr. Franklin Passy March 8th 1780
Notation: an order for the Cannon &c The BH: Richards muster Rolls wanted
7. In WTF’s hand, except for the paragraph beginning “Mr Ross,” which is in BF’s.
8. Sartine wrote Lafayette on March 6 that all the uniforms, arms, and other effects that BF delivered would be received without difficulty aboard the warships or transports taking Rochambeau’s expeditionary corps to America: Idzerda, Lafayette Papers, II, 371. Presumably he told BF the same thing.
9. Ross had told WTF on Jan. 25 that he planned to sail to America on this ship (the Chevalier de La Luzerne, Capt. Bell): XXXI, 501n. He must have recently reconfirmed his decision, although ultimately he chose instead to travel on the brig Duke of Leinster. This vessel sailed on Oct. 7 in the company of Jones’s new command, the Ariel: Jones to BF, Oct. 13, 1780, Bradford, Jones Papers, reel 6, no. 1231; Morison, Jones, p. 304.
1. On March 6 Hutchins took an oath of allegiance to the U.S. A signed copy of that oath, certified by BF, is at the APS; a copy of the certification, signed by BF but lacking the oath itself, is at the Hist. Soc. of Pa.