James Moylan to the American Commissioners, 11 May 1778
James Moylan to the American Commissioners
ALS: American Philosophical Society
L’Orient 11th. May 1778
Honorable Gentlemen
I am this moment informed by a Gentleman from Brest, that the Ranger Frigate Cap: J. Jones arrived in that port with a prize of 16 Guns the 8th. Instant after laying a Town on the Coast of Ireland under contribution.7 I have not yet learned any further particulars of his Voyage, but I suppose Cap: Jones will inform you of them when he gets ashore. I have the honor to remain respectfully Honorable Gentlemen your assurd humble Servant
James Moylan
The Honorable Plenipotentiary Ministers of the United States of America
Addressed: The Honorable Plenipotentiary / Ministers of the United States / of America
Endorsed by John Adams: James Moylan 11 May 1778
7. An inaccurate report. Jones had made a hit-and-run raid on Whitehaven in Cumberland and then had tried to abduct the Earl of Selkirk from St. Mary’s Isle on the Scottish coast. He had no time to put Whitehaven “under contribution,” and did so with the Selkirks only in the sense that his men purloined the family silver: Morison, Jones, pp. 140–7.