Captain John Paul Jones to George Washington, 7 May 1781
From Captain John Paul Jones
Philadelphia May 7th 1781.
Sir
As I understand it has been insinuated to your Excellency that I have been to blame for the detention in France of the military Stores and Clothing for the American Armies under your Command;1 I beg leave to refer you to Mr Duane, who carries with him a copy of my Examination for your Perusal. My conduct from the first has been strictly examined, and meets with the Unanimous approbation and Thanks of the United States in Congress assembled.2 Since my examination I have at the request of some particular Friends written a concise narrative of my proceedings since the beginning of the War. Mr Duane has expressed a desire to take with him a Copy of that narrative for your satisfaction. There is not sufficient Time to make out a Copy before Mr Duane leaves this City; but if it will afford you any gratification, I will forward you a copy with great pleasure.3 Our Navy has been badly conducted: It has ever been without a Head; and is now almost entirely lost, though its Operations have done little for the cause and less for the flag. I have pointed out many desirable operations that promised Success, and would have taught the barbarous Britons Humanity; but my Voice has been as a cry in the Desert. The importance & necessity of a Marine establishment does not appear Sufficiently impressed on the Minds of our Legislature. In this moment, Unemployed in actual Service, I should be happy if supported by your influence, I could be instrumental to put the Naval force that remains on a more Useful and honorable footing; so as soon to employ it to distract & distress the Enemy.4 With the most ardent desire to merit your esteem and approbation, to imitate your Virtues, and to catch from your example the Wise Enthusiasm that marks the character of the true Hero,5 I am, Your Excellencies most respectful and most Obedient Servant
The Chevr Paul-Jones
ALS, DLC:GW. Brig. Gen. Anthony Wayne’s name is written on the cover, but he did not proceed to GW’s headquarters (see Wayne to GW, this date).
1. A command dispute between Jones and Capt. Pierre Landais had resulted in the Continental frigate Alliance departing France in June 1780 with only a fraction of her intended cargo of arms, ammunition, and clothing (see Rochambeau to GW, 21 Aug. 1780, n.2). For GW’s disappointment, see his letter to Samuel Huntington, 9 Sept. 1780. Jones later arrived in the Continental frigate Ariel with some arms and ammunition but no clothing (see Edward Hand to GW, 18 Feb. 1781; see also Joseph Jones to GW, 21 Feb., and Lafayette to GW, 23 Feb.).
2. The enclosed “Examination” consisted of two documents: the Board of Admiralty’s forty-seven questions posed to Jones regarding his conduct while in command of warships in European waters, dated 20 Feb., and his responses, dated 13 March (both DLC:GW).
The board on 28 March delivered to Congress a favorable report on Jones’s activities in Europe (see , 19:316–20). Congress then commended Jones on 14 April for his “zeal, prudence, and intrepidity” (, 19:390–91).
3. This work may have served as the basis for Jones’s autobiography. The original manuscript has been lost, but bound French translations, dated 1 Jan. 1786, are in FrPNA and in the John Paul Jones Papers at DLC. A French translation was printed in 1798, and an English version, taken from the French, appeared serially in Nile’s Weekly Register for 1812 (see , 432).
4. On 26 June, Congress ordered Jones to take command of the ship of the line America, then under construction at Portsmouth, N.H. (see , 20:692, 698). Congress gave the ship to France in 1782 before Jones could take her to sea (see , 23:543; see also , 314–30).