1To 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...
2To John Adams from John Paul Jones, 7 January 1786 (Adams Papers)
On the 8 th. of October last M r. Jefferson wrote me a Letter approving of a proposition I had made to him that I should deputize D r. Bancroft to sollicit the Court of Denmark, through the Danish Minister at London, for the Compensation due for the Prizes made by the Squadron I commanded in Europe and given up to the British by the Danish Government, in the year 1779 in the Port of Bergen in...
3To 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...
4To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 2 August 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : University of Pennsylvania Library Mr Paul Jones has the Honor to accept Doctor Franklin’s kind Invitation for Dinner on Wednesday the 4th. Instant Addressed: A son Excellence / Monsieur Franklin Ministre / Plenipotentiere des Etâts-Unis / en son Hotêl à Passy / près Paris. The Duke of Dorset was also among the “grande Compagnie” dining with BF on this date: BFB ’s journal, entry of Aug....
5To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 23 March 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The Marquis de la Fayette was so obliging as to translate and enforce my two last Letters, which I had the honor to communicate to you of the 6th. and 13th. Current, to the Marechal de Castries, on the subject of the Prize-money due to the Officers and Men who served in the Squadron I commanded in Europe. But, from a Letter written the 29th. of May 1780...
6To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 20 December 1783 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Captain Paul Jones returns his respectful Compliments to Doctor Franklin and has the honor to accept his kind Invitation for Dinner on Thursday the 25th. Instant. Addressed: His Excellency / B. Franklin Esquire &c &c / Passy This is the first of several responses to BF ’S invitation to dinner on Dec. 25. None of the actual invitations has been located.
7To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 26 January 1784 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to transmit you herewith a peice written in America against the Cincinnati and a News Paper containing the Institution of that Society.— I pray you when you write on that Subject to Monsieur Gerard to present to him my respectful Compliments. I am affectionately Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servant Notation: Paul Jones, Jany. 26....
8To John Jay from John Paul Jones, 6 August 1785 (Jay Papers)
I came down here from Paris about a Fortnight ago, on the Business of the Prize Money belonging to the Subjects of the United States, who served in the Squadron I commanded in Europe. The enclosed Copy of a Letter from Mons r . Soulanges the Commandant at Toulon to the Juges et Consuls at Nantes, dated at Toulon the 14 th . of last Month, announcing that the Algerines have declared War against...
9To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, with Enclosure, 9 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I wrote you last from Copenhagen, the 8th of April, I have been very much hurried; but my greatest difficulty has not been want of time, but want of a private opportunity to write to you. Mr. Littlepage is now on the point of leaving the army of the Prince Maréchal de Potemkin, and talks of being at Paris in the month of October. I avail myself, therefore, of the opportunity he offers,...
10To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 4 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time after your departure for the South of France I set out to go to Copenhagen; expecting to receive, at Bruxelles, the necessary Funds for my Journey and transactions in the North. I had the mortification to be disappointed; which induced me to turn about and embark in the Packet at Havre de Grace, as the method the most sure and expeditious to procure the necessary supply. I should...
11To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, with Enclosure, 29 August–9 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Some of my Friends in America did me the honor to ask for my Bust. I inclose the Names of eight Gentlemen, to each of whom I promis’d to send one. You will oblige me much, by desiring Mr. Houdan to have them prepared and pack’d up two and two; and if Mr. Short, to whom I present my Respects, will take the trouble to forward them by good Opportunities via Havre de Grace, writing, at the same...
12To 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,...
13To 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...
14To 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...
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To 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...
19To 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...
20To 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...
21To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 20 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I embrace the occasion of a young Gentleman, just arrived here Express from St. Petersburg, and who sets out immediately Express for Paris , to transmit you the foregoing Copy of my last of the 18th. I have written to Norway and expect a satisfactory Answer. The minister of France is surprised to have had no object from Versailles respecting me . I pray you and so does he to push that point...
22To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, with Enclosure, 7 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose and submit to your consideration the account I have stated of the prize money in my hands, with sundry papers that regard the charges. I cannot bring myself to lessen the dividend of the American captors by making any charge either for my time or trouble. I lament that it has not yet been in my power to procure for them advantages as solid and extensive as the merit...
23To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 6 [January] 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the Letter you did me the honor to write me yesterday, enclosing a Letter to you from his Excellency the Marechal de Castries, with a Memorial of a certain François Rippert; who claims to be paid 675₶ out of the portions of Prize-money due to one Robinson Garde-marine and John Frankfort Pilot of the Squadron that was under my Command. In compliance with your request I have...
24To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 24 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday received the Letter you did me the honor to write me the 17th. mentioning the difficulty made by the Marechal de Castries in his Letter to you of the 12th. and that you had removed that difficulty by your Answer. I am exceedingly Sensible of the favor you do me by your attention to my situation here; and it gives me great concern that it is not in my Power, at present, to send you...
25To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 25 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Copenhagen, 25 Mch. 1788 . Is sending the present letter in care of the Van Staphorsts at Amsterdam. “My mission here is not yet at an end, but the minister has promised to determine soon and I have wrote to claim that promise.” Before receiving this letter TJ will have been informed by Simolin that TJ’s “proposal to him, and his application on that Idea, have been well received.” Jones has...
26To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 23 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
After the War, I made application to Congress, for authority to return to Europe, to settle with and receive from the Court of France, the Prize-Money due to the Citizens and Subjects of the United-States, who had served under my Orders on board the Squadron which his most Christian Majesty was pleased to equip and support under the Flag of America. Congress passed the enclosed Act for that...
27To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 10 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
After what you mentioned to me before your favor of this date, respecting the imperfect powers you have received from the Board of Treasury, I did not expect you to make a settlement with me that should be final for the prize money I have recovered. But as I have produced, and still offer you proofs to support the charges I have made, I naturally flattered myself and I still hope you will do...
28To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 21 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by the letter you sent me from the Count de Vergennes to Baron de la Houze, with your own to the Baron de Blome. An indisposition, that has confined me close for three days, has prevented me from observing to you sooner, that Dr. Franklin, in the letter he wrote me from Havre , says, the offer made by the Baron de Waltersdorff was ten thousand pounds sterling. As you have...
29To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, [ca. 19 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
I am just arrived here from England. I left New York the 11th. Novr. and have brought public dispatches and a number of private Letters for you. I would have waited on you immediately instead of writing, but I have several strong reasons for desiring that no person should know of my being here till I have seen you and been favored with your advice on the steps I ought to pursue. I have a...
30To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 8 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
As The Baron de Waltersdorff does not return here, as was expected, and I wish to apply, without farther loss of time to the Court of Denmark, for a compensation for the prizes taken by the squadron I commanded in Europe, and given up to the British, by the people in authority at Bergen in Norway; if you approve it, I will assign the powers I received, for that business from Congress, to my...
31To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 8 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
By my Letters to the Count de Bernstorff, and his Excellency’s Answer, you see that my Business here is at an end.—If I have not finally concluded the Object of my Mission, it is neither your fault nor mine: The Powers I received are found insufficient, and you could not Act otherwise than was prescribed in your Instructions. Thus it frequently happens, that good Opportunities are lost, when...
32To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 29 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been with Mr. Clouet, the ordonnateur here, to whom the Marechal de Castries sent Orders the 15th. of this Month to pay into my hands the Money arising to the subjects of the United States from the Prizes taken by the Squadron I commanded in Europe. I find that a French Merchant, Mr. Puchilberg of this place, who opposed Dr. Franklin and did all in his power to promote the Revolt that...
33To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 9 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
As it now appears by the reply I have just received from Mr. Adams, dated London the 17th of last month, which I had the honor to communicate to you, that his letter to the Baron de Waltersdorff, respecting my prizes delivered up to the English at Bergen in Norway, in the year 1779, by the court of Denmark, has not been answered; and as the Baron de Waltersdorff is now gone to the West Indies,...
34To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 4 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose for your examination the documents of my proceedings with those of this government, in the settlement I have obtained of the prize-money belonging to the officers and crews of the squadron I commanded in the late war in Europe, at the expense of His Most Christian Majesty, but under the flag of the United States. By these documents I presume you will be convinced...
35To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 16 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having no Roll of the Ariel in my Possession, I am unable to determine the legality of the claim expressed in the Paper you did me the Honor to send for my opinion. The Papers of that Frigate were deposited in the Admiralty at Philadelphia, I think, in April or May 1781, and I remember that some arrangement with Mr. Holker was spoke of by the Board, for the Wages due to the Marines; who being...
36[To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 24 December 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 24 Dec. 1787 . Recorded in SJL as received 24 Dec. 1787. Not found.]
37To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 31 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to write you the 29th. of this Month, praying you to address the Court, to prevent Mr. Puchilberg, a French Merchant here, from receiving the Prize-money due to the Subjects of the United-States who served on board the Squadron I commanded in Europe. I have done my Duty, and with great trouble and expence, both of time and money, obtained a settlement in their favor from...
38To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 5 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just returned here from Brest, where I have passed several days. I have received your letter of the 29th. ult. with the copy of that written to you by the Marechal de Castries, the 26th, and I have reason to expect in consequence, that my affairs here will be finished as soon as the formalities of the bureau will permit. I shall obtain a roll of the Alliance, conformable to the...
39To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 17 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am still waiting for a decision respecting the claim of M. Puchilberg. But I think it my duty to inform you that one or two of the common sailors that served on board the Alliance, when that frigate was under my orders, are now here in a merchant vessel, and, as I am this moment informed, they have been persuaded to write to M. Puchilberg, desiring that their share in the prizes may not be...
40Enclosure: John Paul Jones to Lafayette, 15–26 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The kind Letter you did me the Honor to write me the 20th April was delivered to me at St. Elisabeth, on my way here from St. Petersburg. It was very flattering for me to receive such a letter from a Man whom I so much love and respect as I do, and have long done the Marquis de la Fayette. You will yourself do justice to my Sensibility for all your good Offices and good intentions, so I need...
41Enclosure: John Paul Jones to William Short, 15–26 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
2. { General St. Clair } of Philadelphia Mr. Ross 2. { Mr. John Jay } New York Genl. Irvine 2 { Mr. Secy. Thomson } New York Colonel Wadsworth 2 {
42To 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...
43To George Washington from John Paul Jones, 25 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jonathan Nesbitt, the bearer of this Letter, will deliver to your order the Bust you do me the Honor to accept. I am impressed with a deep sense of the favor you thereby confer on me, and it will be my ambition through the remainder of my Life to merit that mark of your esteem. As Congress has not yet determined some things that regard my return to Europe, I am prevented from embarking in...
44To George Washington from John Paul Jones, 18 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I avail myself of the departure of Mr Houdon to transmit to your Hands two sets of Certificats in favor of Captain Stack and Captain McCarty, who in consequence of their Service under my Orders pray to be admitted as Members of the Society of Cincinnatus. Although Count de Rochambeau has made difficulties about giving those Officers his Certificate to support their pretentions, I am persuaded...
45To George Washington from John Paul Jones, 9 September 1787 (Washington Papers)
It gives me pain to inform you that the same cause that prevented me from returning to France in the July Packet, precludes me from embarking in the one that is to sail to Morrow. I have been every day expecting my Business here to be concluded; and, if Congress had met any day since the beginning of last Month, my matters would have been immediately determined. As Mr Jay does not think it...