21John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 30 August 1778: résumé (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; draft: National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum <Brest, August 30, 1778: My friend M. de la Porte, intendant, has now agreed to furnish a vessel and send the Ranger ’s prisoners to England, if you consent. This offer is too generous to refuse. The guard will be discontinued unless you procure an order from the minister. As for the...
22To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 14 May 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have this day received your esteemed letter of the 9th—The Alliance arrived here the 12th. and the Sensible is this day arrived at Port Louis (at the entrance of this Harbour)—There is also this day arrived here a Cutter of 18 Guns from Cherbourg—this last I hope will be added to the Armament—the Pallas with the rest of the small Vessels from Nantes have...
23To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 12 July 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum The Bowsprit of the Bon homme Richard, having been landed and examined is found not only Sprung in 2 places but in several others much decayed and Rotten:— It is therefore condemned as being Unfit for future Service.— The Old Bowsprit mentioned in my last is now Undergoing a Survey and...
24To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 8 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society With respect to the reception which I meet with here I beg leave to refer you to the Accounts which I know you will receive from Mr——— by whose hands I had the honour to receive your esteemed favor of the 7th. of September.— His Excellency —— I understand makes propositions respecting certain Commissions.— Whatever you may find Consonant with the good of...
25To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 29 November 1779 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; two copies and transcript: National Archives Previous to the appearance of your Excellency’s letter of the 8th: Current, I had forwarded thro’ the hands of M. Dumas the Certificates which you required respecting Captain Landais; And the Serapis was ready for Sea when the French Ambassador sent for me a Second time to meet him at Amsterdam.— I hope my...
26John Paul Jones: Memorandum for the American Commissioners, [3 July 1778]: résumé (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Harvard University Library <[July 3, 1778: ] I came to Paris when I learned on good authority that the minister wanted to speak with me on a matter of great utility to the United States. Permission to sell the prizes, or an exchange of prisoners, was not in immediate prospect; and something had to be done to assuage the Ranger’s crew. The minister pledged me to reveal his plan to no one,...
27To 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....
28To 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...
29To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 13 August 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society It is but this moment that the Court martial has finished the affairs of the Bonhomme Richard and the Alliance being run foul of Each other. I inclose you the Whole proceedings of that Court, Which being the only one of Consequence, it is unnecessary to trouble you With bundles of papers Where the Conclusions have only Amounted to Whipping Which has been...
30To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 1 November 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copies: National Archives, United States Naval Academy Museum The inclosed letter for M. de Chaumont will I hope have your approbation. I wish it were possible that the first plan could be pursued—or if it is postponed, it is perhaps a delicate point, but I wish I could have some assurance that the Indien will not be put under the command of another, but...