Benjamin Franklin Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-30-02-0105

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.

[Note numbering follows the Franklin Papers source.]

4In WTF’s hand.

5Thévenard had reported to Sartine on Jones’s problems with his crew: Morison, Jones, p. 196.

6Chaumont’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.

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