royal navy of France, had commanded a ship of the line, been a chief officer of the port of Brest, and was of such worth and estimation for his great abilities that he could have had any honors or advancement in his own country that he pleased to accept; but that his desire to serve Ame rica had induced him to leave his own country, and even to refuse to receive the Cross of St. Louis, that he might be at liberty to abjure the religion of his forefathers, which he did accordingly. Congress, believing M. Landais to be in high esteem at the Court of Versailles, and thinking, with reason, that it would give pleasure to His Majesty to find that one of his worthy subjects had been treated with distinction in America, appointed him captain of the Alliance." Capt. Landais was well known to the citizens of the United States, especially during the latter years of his life. He died on Long-Island, in the state of New-York. For a considerable time prior to his death, he was an annual petitioner to Congress, on whose sessions he often attended, to urge his claim for indemnity, on account of his portion of the prize-money which ought to have accrued from three prizes sent into Norway, whilst he was in command of the Alliance in Europe. His temper, even in old age, appeared to be severe; for whilst at Washington, he could not avoid betraying his irritability. A remarkable instance of this unhappy constitutional excitability is related of him with respect to a member of Congress, who had spoken rather slightingly of him. Landais dressed himself in his uniform, with a small sword by his side, and repaired to the gallery of the House of Representatives, when in session; indicating thereby, as well as in conversation with his acquaintances, that he was prepared to give any gentleman satisfaction who might be offended with him. He afterward observed, quoting a remark ascribed to Henry IV. of France, that "if there was bad blood in Congress he would draw it."He affirmed to the last, that he, and not Jones, captured the Serapis, attributing her surrender entirely to his having raked her from the Alliance ;-about which the reader has seen that his assertion was entirely void of foundation. On the 2d of August, 1780, Jones addressed the following letter to the Count de Vergennes, and a similar one to the Count de Maurepas. The contents denote the activity of his mind, his continual anxiety for the furtherance of the American cause, and his accurate views of the best method of annoying the enemy. Of the ideas or plan to which he alludes in this letter there is no written statement in possession of the author, farther than what is contained in the answer of the Count de Maurepas, which is subjoined: L'Orient, August 2d, 1780. His Excellency M. le Compte de VERGENNES, &c. MY LORD, Al I should be unworthy of the illustrious marks that I have lately received of the royal favor, if I were not constantly impressed with the most ardent zeal to merit the continuance of his Majesty's approbation, by an invariable attention to the mutual interests of France and America. though my departure for America has been protracted by unforeseen events, it is not yet too late for government to pray the Congress that I may, during the remainder of this war, be constantly employed on active and useful services, tending to distract and distress the common enemy. After having been so highly honored by the kind attentions of the King's ministers, and their approbation of my poor services, I am convinced that I shall still find such support and protection from this government, as may enable me to prove my gratitude by my future actions. Since I had the honor of laying before your Excellency, in the month of May last, my project for future expeditions, the events of the war have not so altered circumstances as to render my ideas inexpedient: on the contrary, the farther the war advances, I am the more confirmed in the utility that would result to the common cause from such services as I have therein hinted at. I was then happy in finding that your excellency approved of my ideas: It is therefore that I now enclose a copy, which I beseech your Excellency to reconsider and lay before his Majesty's privy council. If such expeditions as I wish to command were to be fitted out in America, I might be able with the greater certainty to strike the first blow by a complete surprise. Before the fleet of his Majesty sailed from Brest the first time, under Count D'Orvilliers, M. de Chaumont told me it was the desire of government to have my ideas on private expeditions in writing. I gave him with great pleasure many ideas, from my long knowledge of the enemy's trade and situation, that might have proved of great advantage to our cause, and I wish M. de Chaumont had given all my then ideas to the court, although I am told he has taken credit for some of them as his own. I am now nearly ready for the sea with His Majesty's sloop of war the Ariel, and I should be happy to carry with me to Congress the interest of this government for my promotion; but especially that I may be henceforth constantly employed in the most active and enterprising services, with such a force under my command as may enable me effectually to promote the interest of our glorious cause. This, my lord, would be my supreme ambition, actuated by no mean views of self-interest, but inspired by the purest principles of gratitude and philanthropy. It is upon this ground alone that I depend on the constant protection of the King, your Excellency, and this government. t It is absolutely necessary, my lord, to destroy the foreign commerce of the English, especially their trade to the Baltic, from whence they draw all the supplies for their marine. It is equally necessary to alarm their coasts, not only in the colonies abroad, but even in their islands at home. These things would distress and distract the enemy much more than many battles between fleets of equal force. England has carried on the war against America in a far more barbarous form than she durst have adopted against any power of Europe. America has a right to retaliate; and by our hav ing the same language and customs with the enemy, we are in a situation to surprise their coasts and take such advantage of their unguarded situation, under the flag of America, as can never be done under the flag of France. This is not theory, for I have proved it by my experience; and if I have opportunity I will yet prove it more fully. I shall be happy, my lord, to be honored with your Excellency's determination as soon as possible, as I purpose to proceed with the utmost expedition to Philadelphia, and as there is no time to lose in preparing for the operations of the next campaign. I am, my lord, your Excellency's most obliged, Com. PAUL JONES. SIR, Versailles, August 15th, 1780. I have received with great pleasure, and read with attention the letter wrote me the 2d instant from L'Orient. I have remarked therein the continuation of your zeal for the common cause. I have examined and communicated to M. de Sartine the project annexed to your letter, and we have no manner of doubt of the good effect that would result, were it entrusted to you. But at present it could not be said what number of frigates might be employed, they being all actually armed on account of the King, and the plan of the approaching campaign is not yet sufficiently determined, positively to say how many frigates may be given to you. But this need not prevent, if you have the consent of Congress, the execution of the first part of your scheme, to come here as you propose with the Alliance, and the other vessels which you may have, and with a sufficient American crew to arm the frigates which may join you. I will endeavour here to secure some for you, or to substitute privateers in their place. This is all I can inform you of for the present. The conduct you have observed, and the zeal you have shown for the service, must assure you of the readiness with which I shall always aid any enterprise in which you may be concerned. Be assured, Sir, of the desire I have of rendering you any service, and convincing you of the sentiments with which, I am, &c. MAUREPAS. On the 21st of September the Commodore replied to the Count de Maurepas evincing the same resolute spirit of perseverance in the cause of American Independence, for which, from his first entrance into the service, he had been remarkable: Ariel, Groaix, September 21st, 1780. His Excellency M. le Compte de? MAUREPAS, &c. MY LORD, I received in its due course, the letter that your Excellency condescended to write me from Versailles the 15th ult., I having been detained in this road by contrary and stormy winds ever since the 4th current. I have postponed writing to you until I could tell you at the same time, the wind being fair, that I was immediately about to depart. The prospect is become promising this evening, and I hope to set sail to-morrow. My lord, I want words to express my thanks for your very kind letter; but it shall be the ambition of my life to merit your Excellency's protection, and to exert all my abilities, such as they are, with double ardor, to prove Ee my grateful attachment and zeal for the glory and interest of the King, his ministers, and this generous minded nation. By the four late ships that are arrived at L'Orient from Philadelphia, I learn that the Congress and all America were warmly my friends. This cannot but afford me real satisfaction as a citizen of America; and more especially, because I shall be the better able to accomplish the first part of my project, agreeable to your Excellency's proposal,-by providing the frigates and men in question in America, which will I fondly hope enable me effectually to promote the glory and success of the common cause. With the most lively sentiments of esteem, and respect, I am, My lord, &c. Commodore Jones proceeded from L'Orient to Groaix, on the 4th of September, and was detained in that road, by storms and contrary winds, until the 7th of October 1780, when he put to sea in the Ariel the first time. She had the misfortune to be dismasted, which occasioned his return. To the dangers he escaped, he alludes in a letter to Dr. E. Bancroft, of the 17th of October: E. BANCROFT, Esq. DEAR SIR, L'Orient, October 17th, 1780. I am, my dear Sir, returned to France without laurels, and which is worse without having been able to render service to our cause. I must refer you to Count de Vauban, the bearer of this letter, for a description of the late storm. I shall only say,, it far exceeded all my former ideas of tempest. We must console ourselves that no lives were lost,-an event remarkably fortunate under such circumstances. You have no doubt received news from America. I have seen some of the papers, but find nothing very agreeable, except the address of the assembly of Rhode Island to the Count de Rochambeau and the answer. Mr. Wharton and myself would be glad to hear from you any thing you find interesting. Lee had reached Philadelphia the night before one of Captain Hall's passengers left it; but we know nothing farther, except that no guns were fired, no bells were rung, nor bonfires made in consequence of so great an event! Your affairs are dry and safe, though many of our things are damaged, I mean our clothing, and books &c. Part of the powder, arms, and bread, &c. are wet. Count de Vauban |