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    • Jones, John Paul
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    • Franklin, Benjamin
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ALS : American Philosophical Society I cannot, my dear & honored friend, better employ a part of this Day, of public Thanksgiving, than in writing to you. In the overflowing of my heart I congratulate you, on the glorious capture of Lord Cornwallis and his whole Army. That conquest sets the Friendship of our illustrious Ally in the noblest light, endears France to every true American, does the...
ALS : American Philosophical Society Though I have nothing to communicate to your Excellency of a Public nature, yet I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of repeating to you the grateful Sense I shall ever retain of the kind attention you shewed me while I remained in Europe.— Mr. Barclay, whom Congress have appointed Consul General for the United States in France, will have the honor of...
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I have duly received your Excellencies dispatches of the 4th and 9th Current.— The Wind is Fair, the Pilot on Board, and the Ship will be under Sail at day Break.— Mr. Gourlade nor M. de La Grave have not yet appeared.— I will Steer as directly as possible for our Ports.— Enclosed is a receipt from Messrs. Gourlade and Moylan...
AL (draft): National Archives I am this day honored with your Dispatches of the 4. of which I will be particularly careful. I had the honor to Write you the 4. that M. Gourlade had informed me by Letter of your having confided three Large Packets of Publick dispatches to his care to remit to me; and I am very Sorry & Surprised that he has neither yet appeared here nor sent me these...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL : National Archives The 30 Ult. I recd. a Letter from M. Gourlade, in which he says “l’honorable M. Franklin m’a remis ses depeches en trois Paquets que Je vous remetrai”— I have Understood he is on the Road, and his People expect him here every hour.— For these Five Days past I have been ready for Sea, notwithstanding the preceeding Rains, and have...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives I this day received a Letter from M. Gourlade of which the enclosed is an Extract. In consequence I have written the within Letters to the new Minister of the Marine and to M. de Chaumont reclaiming Payment of Prize Money &c. for the Ships Bon Homme Richard and Alliance, while Under my Command last Year.— If you think these Letters...
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives Since my unfortunate return here I have not been honored with any Letter from your Excellency which gives me very great concern as I impute your silence to the Bad State of your Health.— Mr. Gourlade has written me two Letters representing that you have blamed me on account of three Articles, the Slops, Shot, and Medicines...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives It being represented to me by Saml. Wharton Esqr. & Captain Hall of Philadelphia, Mr. Robt. Mease Merchant of Virginia and Mr. Mathew Mease Purser of the Ariel that Five persons lately arrived here directly from Maryland and Pensylvania were Under the following circumstances Vizt. Mr. Cheston from Maryland confesses he has...
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library; AL (draft): National Archives When I had the honor of writing to your Excellency the 23. Ult. I hoped about the end of this Month to have set foot on the Continent beyond the Atlantic. The prospect changed however, immediately after I had sent away my dispatches, and Prudence bid me again drop Anchor at Groix.— The within Declaration of my Officers...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I duely received your Excellencies Letter, Orders, and Publick dispatches by Count De Vauban. I received also the Letter you did me the honor to write me the 21st. Ult. containing a list of Men who had Served in the Privateer Madame &c.; Upon receipt of which, I immediately made a proper inquiry, and found that my Officer...
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and transcript: National Archives I am honored in due Course with your esteemed favor of the 22d. Ult.— I send this by an Express that has given me no warning, but sets out immediately; so that I have not time to be very particular— The Ariel is in the Road, nearly ready for the Sea— I have taken on Board 146 Chests of Arms and 400 Barrels of...
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress Your Letter of the 5th Currt. gives me more pleasure than any other I have had the Honor to receive from you; because it affords me the Strongest proof of your affection. I observe however with regret that my Letter to Doctor Bancroft has given you offence: It was a private Letter, and as far as I can remember, is the only...
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since the 23d. ult. I have been doing my best to bring our Affairs here back again to Order; or at least to be able to proceed for Philadelphia with the Ariel. The enclosed papers will best explain the circumstances of Landais’ beheaviour and of my endeavours to counteract him and his Advisers in thier schemes to defeat the Plan that you had Adopted in...
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum I by the last post gave you an account of the events here respecting Captain Landais and the Alliance, and inclosed all the necessary papers to explain circumstances.— Yesterday the Serapis was publicly sold for I think 240,000 livres.— Mr. Williams and myself have been looking after a...
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I was detained at Versailles forty hours from the time of my arrival, and was then informed by M de Genet that an express had been sent from Court with the necessary orders to the Kings Officers at L’Orient respecting Captain Landais and the Alliance. I found myself here early yesterday morning fifty four hours after leaving...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives On my arrival here I found that Captain Landais, encouraged as I believe by Mr. Lee & Mr. Gillan, had raised a party Spirit on board the Alliance:— I have been however on board a considerable part of the time since my return and have always been well received and duely Obeyed.— As I found that my Commission and Authority had been...
Copy: American Philosophical Society In the Letter that I wrote you from Corogna, in Spain, I remember to have been particular respecting the Brigantine that I had met with off Cape finistere Under Dutch Colours. She appeared to be from Liverpool, having been taken from the Subjects of America by a Liverpool Privater, and sent in a short time before.— The Alliance has very much the appearance...
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: American Philosophical Society It is now near two Years since I was honored by an invitation from the Court of Versailles to continue in Europe, accompanied with a promise of being thereby the more usefully employed against the common Enemy. This invitation I accepted with your and your Colleagues approbation, and my best endeavours...
ALS : University of Pennsylvania Library Before I sailed from the Isle of Groa on my late expedition I gave written Orders to every Captain under my command, with proper signals of Reconnoissance and three points of Rendezvous in letters sealed up one within another, to be Opened only in case of necessity.— After every necessary arrangement had been made for the departure of my proper...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives I have received yesterday yours of the 1st by Express from Versailles and went immediately down to Port Louis where I was told that the powder is ready but that a considerable part of the Small Arms are not expected there before the 15th.— The necessary Arrangement to receive them will in the meantime be made on board the...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and transcript: National Archives I have received your Orders of the 18th. and have written to Nantes for particular information respecting the Anchorage off Noirmontier that I may take measures accordingly.— I am very glad that Doctor Bancroft who has been an Eye and Ear witness to the Situation of Affairs onboard the Alliance can explain to...
(I) ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress; (II) ALS : New Hampshire Historical Society Inclosed is a Copy of the Only Bill of Ransom with which I have ever been concerned. I have this day given Mr. Dryburugh a letter for you and I believe he embarks this Evening in the dilligence for Paris.— That Poor Man was of Singular Use to me as a Pilot on the British Coast...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and transcript: National Archives I am honored with your letter of the 8th.— I hope to send on board some of the Cannon tomorrow.— As we have no Assistance from the Port our repairs do not advance as fast as I could wish: In making the new Sails we are much at a loss for hands.— Mr: Lee arrived here the Evening before last, and Mr: Lockyer...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I inclose for your Excellencies approbation an extract of a letter that I have received from Sir R Finlay respecting an invention of Bombs that are Calculated to set fire to any Object against which they are discharged from a Cannon.— If they answer the description that I have had they will be an Acquisition of some...
AL : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and transcript: National Archives I had the Honor to write to your Excellency the 21st: & 25th: Ulto.— We have hitherto had no Assistance from the Port and I now hope to get the Alliance ready with out them.— The Arms for the Continent if I am to take them on board the Alliance will be wanted soon as they cannot so well be Stowed after we begin...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I am honored with your Excellencies letter of the 19th.— I feel your reasons for Urging frugallity, and as I have not hitherto been among the most extravagant Servants of America so you may depend on it my regard for you will make me particularly Nice in my present situation. It will give me very great pleasure to be able to...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; transcript: National Archives I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that I this day had M. Secondat the Kings Constructor to examine the Situation of the Alliance, and find him of Opinion that the Head and Cutwater can be Secured without bringing the Ship into port.— I shall not therefore think of heaving down, and...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I have received your Excellencies letter of the 16th.— I am exceedingly Sorry that the Alliance is not in the readiness that you Imagined.— I was in hopes to have sent for your Satisfaction the Certificate of the Master Builder here respecting the repairs that are indispensably necessary to render the Ship fit for Service;...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I had the pleasure of writing to your Excellency on my arrival at Corogne.— Having refreshed my people and shunned a Gale of Wind in that Port I Sailed again the 28th. Ulto.— I took a turn to the Westward of Cape Finistre in hopes of intercepting some of the Enemies Ships, but without Success, and meeting with Mr. Haywood in...
AL (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Archives de la Marine On the 23d. day of September 1779 in Sight of Flamborough Head on the East Coast of England I discovered a Fleet under British Colours and made the Signal for Chase with the necessary preparation for Battle.— The Bon Homme Richard of 40 Guns which I then commanded in Person came up with and Hailed the largest Ship of the fleet. The...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft) and transcript: National Archives I wrote to you from the Texel the 29th of Novr: and the 13th of December— I left the Texel in such haste that I had but time to write a Line to Mr De Neufville with another of which the inclosed is a Copy to Mr: Dumas who I trust has agreeable to his promise transmitted to you every necessary information...
LS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, National Archives (two), South Carolina Historical Society; transcript: National Archives I have this day had the honor to receive your Excellency’s Orders of the 6th: Current respecting the Prisoners taken in Merchant Ships and at present on board the Alliance— and I hope that the within Copy of...
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...
ALS : American Philosophical Society His Excellency the French Ambassador at the Hague appeared to me to think so ill of sending letters by Post that I durst not venture to forward the within evidence against Captain Landais by that insecure conveyance, and I was unwilling to be at the expence of sending an Express, especially as I am not sure whether Captain Landais has or has not yet left...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; copy: Library of Congress I had the honor to write your Excellency a line from the Hague on the 8th.— His Excellency the French Ambassador and the Agent have no doubt marked the situation of Affairs with respect to the Squadron, as concerned with this Government and with the Enemy.— I am doing every thing in my Power towards fulfiling the Advice which I...
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...
LS : National Archives; copies: Algemeen Rijksarchief, Library of Congress, National Archives This letter is of considerable historiographical interest because it forms the basis for most subsequent accounts of Jones’s cruise and his battle with H.M.S. Serapis . Central to these accounts is the premise here expounded by Jones that the Bonhomme Richard had to overcome the fire not only of his...
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...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum Since my last the Irish Brigantine the Three Friends from Bordeaux taken by the Alliance has sunk at her Anchors in this Road. This unfortunate Accident happened about Eleven in the fore noon the Day before yesterday, and the Prize Master and People declare that the Vessel made no...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum The Court Martial that has been held on board here for the last two Days past has not yet come to a determination respecting the Bon homme Richard and Alliance being run foul of one another—and as the health of Lieutenant Robinson, who commanded the Bon homme Richard Deck, did not...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum Since I wrote to you last night I have received advice that the Jamaica Fleet will sail homewards escorted by a Fifty Gun Ship and two Strong Frigates.— Should we fall in with that Force we will certainly Engage and I hope Overcome it; but in all probability our Ships will be so much...
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have had the pleasure to receive your esteemed Letters down to the 19th. and you may be sure that I will pay due Attention to your Orders.— It gives me pleasure to find my Authority enlarged because it will enable me to attempt whatever enterprise may present itself and afford a prospect of Success.— And because I shall endeavour to make my Cruise a busy...
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...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum I should have acknowledged sooner the receipt of Your Orders dated the 30th. Ulto. which I recd. the 7th. Curr. but waited for the letter which yours alludes to from M. de Chaumont which has but this moment appeared and except the Name of a Merchant contains nothing New. I have had...
ALS : Princeton University Library I embraced the Opportunity which presented itself to write to you by the Captain of the Epervier who arrived here the day before, it is believed, from Martinico and as he went off express Undertook to deliver my letter to you at Passy on his way to Paris.— I have now the honor to forward a letter from Captn. Landais with Copies of the Papers that respect the...
ALS : American Philosophical Society I had the honor to write you the 2d. an account of the arrival of the Alliance & Pallas with an Irish Brigantine which they brought in as a Prize.— Captain Landais has reported that Vessel as being destined for America, so that I shall suffer no further step to be taken without your approbation. I have the satisfaction to inform you that the damage of the...
ALS : American Philosophical Society I have the honor to acquaint you that this day arrived the Alliance & Pallas and joined me in the Road of Groa with a Brigantine belonging to Dublin and bound homewards from Bordeaux with a Cargo of Wine & Brandy.— About noon the Wind changed and we have availed ourselves of the Opportunity to enter the Port. The Bon homme Richard & the Alliance are now at...
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): National Archives; copies: Library of Congress, United States Naval Academy On the 19th. Ulto. the American Squadron under my command, consisting of the Bon homme Richard of 42 Guns, the Alliance of 36 Guns, the Pallas of 30 Guns, the Cerf of 18 Guns and the Vengeance of 12 Guns, sailed from hence with a Convoy of Merchant Ships and Transports...
AL (draft): National Archives; copy: United States Naval Academy Museum I have this moment Anchored here. M. de Chaumont will communicate to you the Object of my present destenation as well as inform you where I mean to anchor about Ten days hence to receive your final Orders.— I have had a most disagreeable Task to compose Affairs on board the Alliance— The two principal Officers Lieutenants...
ALS : American Philosophical Society Since I had the honor to receive your kind and polite letter of the 19th. I have waited with impatient expectation of seeing the Marquis here.— The Bon homme Richard the Alliance, the Pallas, the Scerf & the Vengeance are now ready in the Road for the Embarkation of the Troops— I have sent Officers and Men to Brest for the Leveller and I expect the...