From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 28 July 1779
To John Paul Jones
LS:4 National Archives; copies: Library of Congress (two)
Passy July 28. 1779.
Dear Sir,
I have just received yours of the 25th. I was Yesterday with M. De Sartine at Versailles who appear’d uneasy at some Accts. he had received of a mutinous Disposition in your Crew.5 He desired me to acquaint M. De Chaumont that he wished to see him that Evening. This Morning M. De Chaumont sent me a Note, of which I enclose a Copy: I understand he goes down with a View to provide you a better set of Hands.6 You must have heard that 119 American Prisoners are arrived in a Cartel at Nantes: Perhaps out of them you may pick some very good Seamen. But if this Affair should be likely to take Time, the Alliance will have my Orders to make a Cruise alone, agreable to the Ministers Desire. But I hope the Reports of your Crew are not founded, & that your joint Cruise will still take Place, and be successful.
I have the honour to be, with sincere Esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedient & most humble Servant
B Franklin
Honble Capt. Jones.
Endorsed: From Doctr: Franklin inclosing One from M. de Chaumont—July 28. 1779. No. 11.
4. In WTF’s hand.
5. Thévenard had reported to Sartine on Jones’s problems with his crew: Morison, Jones, p. 196.
6. Chaumont’s note is printed immediately above. He must have left soon for Lorient as he wrote BF from there on Aug. 2, below. Jones wrote a marginal note on the present letter, keyed to a sign after “View,” that is too faint to reconstruct.