From Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones, 24 June 1785
To John Paul Jones
June 24. 1785.
Sir
I had prepared a letter for you to the Count de Vergennes but I think it rather better before we resort to him that the Marechal de Castries should be again applied to and the resolution of Congress and certificate of Mr. Morris presented to his view. I therefore return you the papers left with me yesterday, and your draught of a letter inclosed this morning which is perfectly proper in all it’s parts. Should this endeavor be unsuccesful I shall be ready to make an official application for you. I am with much esteem Sir your most obedt. humble servt
Th: Jefferson
RC (Richard C. Aldrich Family, Barrytown, New York, 1967); unaddressed, but obviously a reply to Jones to TJ, 23 June 1785. Not recorded in SJL. Enclosure: presumably Jones to Charles Eugène Gabriel de La Croix, Marquis de Castries, [ca. 24 June 1785], reminding him of his promise in a 13 May 1785 letter to pay the prize money as soon as he received the liquidation from Chandon, which was then expected without delay, and expressing hope that payment would soon be made, this being a matter he had been trying to settle in France since 1783, much to his financial cost and the prejudice of his other concerns (FC in DLC: Jones Papers; in Jones’s hand; badly faded). For other enclosures, see note to preceding document.
The draft letter to French foreign minister Vergennes was never sent and has not been found. TJ subsequently applied on Jones’s behalf to the French naval minister (TJ to Castries, 10 July 1785).