From George Washington to John Paul Jones, 22 July 1787
To John Paul Jones
Philadelphia 22d July 1787.
Sir,
I avail myself of the liberty you have been so obliging as to give me, to trouble you with the care of the enclosed packet.1 It was my intention to have added to this trouble by encreasing the number of my letters, but business has prevented; let me pray therefore that you will do me the honor to present me, in affectionate terms to the Marqs de la Fayette, and assure him, that though hurried, I should not have slipped so favourable an opportunity of writing to him, if the business of the Convention (for I have nothing else new, to offer him) could have been communicated in the present unfinished state of it. To the Count de Rochambeau, Marqs de Chastellux & others, with whom I have the honor of a particular acquaintance, I tender my best regards—I wish you a pleast Voyage, & the attainment of the objects of it.2 I have the honor to be Sir Yr Most Obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALS (photocopy), Maggs Bros. Catalog no. 565 (Autumn 1931); LB, DLC:GW.
1. The letters for France were held up by Jones’s delays in sailing. See Jones to GW, 25 July and 9 September. On 9 Nov. Jones wrote from New York: “I shall embark to morrow . . . . I shall go directly to Paris, and deliver the two Packets you sent to my care immediately on my arrival, with two others from you that have been since put into my Hands for Mr Jefferson and the Marquis de la Fayette.” GW wrote to Lafayette on 15 Aug. and sent the letter to Jones on 2 September. He wrote to Lafayette again on 18 Sept. and to Thomas Jefferson on 18 and 26 Sept., enclosing for each a copy of the new Constitution.
2. This was sent under cover of his letter to John Jay, dated “July 1787”: “Will you permit me to give you the trouble of the inclosed for Commodore Jones—It is at his request I do it—I offer best wish to Mrs Jay and with every sentiments of esteem and regard. I have the honor to be Dr Sir Yr very Affe. Serva[n]t G. Washington” (LB, DLC:GW).