From Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Huntington, 1 June 1780
To Samuel Huntington
LS3 and transcript: National Archives; copy: Library of Congress
Passy 1st. June 1780.
Sir,
Commodore Jones, who by his Bravery and Conduct has done great Honour to the American Flag, desires to have that also of presenting a Line to the Hands of your Excellency.4 I chearfully comply with his Request, in recommending him to the Notice of Congress and to your Excellency’s Protection, tho’ his Actions are a more effectual Recommendation, and render any from me unnecessary. It gives me however an Opportunity of showing my Readiness to do Justice to Merit, and of professing the Esteem & Respect with which I am, Your Excellency’s most obedient & most humble Servant.
B Franklin
His Exy S. Huntington Esq.
Notation: Letter from Doctr Franklin dated June 1st: 1780 read Feby. 19. 1781.5 recommending Commodore Jones
3. In WTF’s hand.
4. See Jones’s April 20 letter. Sartine also wrote Huntington on Jones’s behalf: Mrs. Reginald de Koven, The Life and Letters of John Paul Jones (2 vols., New York, 1913), II, 79–80.
5. JCC, XIX, 174.