91John Paul Jones to the Commissioners, 9 December 1778 (Adams Papers)
It is my duty to forward to you the within Memorial of Facts from Gentlemen whom the fortune of War made Prisoners to the American Arms under my command. In their application to me they observe that “I am well acquainted with their situation.” The late treatment which these unfortunate Men have met with appears to me to carry with it a degree of severity which cannot be Justified by reason nor...
92John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners, 3 June 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I take the Liberty of acquainting you that in obedience to Orders from the Honorable the Marine and Secret Committees of Congress, bearing date the 9th ulto, I immediately repaired here in Order to proceed in the French Ship Amphitrite from hence to Charlestown South Carolina and thence to France. The intention of the Secret Committee was first to avail of...
93To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 3 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
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...