When Captain Jones left the United States for France he understood that he was destined eventually to take command of a frigate of the first class, which had been built for the United States in Holland. In this he was disappointed; and was for some time kept in a situation of inactivity and suspense, ill suited to his genius and disposition. He had been sent for to Paris, and had suggested a number of enterprises to the French ministry; but they were slow in their determinations, and Jones, for a time, considered himself neglected, and, in some degree, badly treated. His drafts on the American Commissioners, also, had been protested,* and he felt chagrined at the apparent indifference shown to his claims to employment, which was aggravated by an opinion which he entertained that he was regarded at Brest as an officer in disgrace. But Captain Jones was not a man to yield to adverse circumstances. He combated every difficulty, repeated and reiterated his applications to the minister of the French marine, wrote to Dr. Franklin, remonstrated with Mr. Arthur Lee, addressed himself to influential persons about the French court, and actually wrote a spirited letter to the King of France, Louis XVI., which doubtless had its effect. His feelings and thoughts under the various embarrassments which he endured, his views and reflections, from the period of his arrival at Brest after the capture of the Drake, whilst at Paris, and on his return to Brest from that capital until his appointment to the command of the Bonhomme Richard, and his return from the cruize which ended in the capture of the British frigate Serapis, are so well expressed in the subjoined letters and documents, that no apology is requisite for their insertion. No writer can so well portray the incidents of any transaction as an intelligent individual who is personally concerned in it, who originates it, and under whose control it is consummated. Captain Jones was particularly attentive in committing to paper every public event of his life, was remarkably clear in his explanations, and extremely precise in communicating his sentiments to those with whom he corresponded:

*The commissioners explained to Commodore Jones that they had neither authority nor funds to make the advances of money which he required. They, however, did all in their power, and even exceeded their instructions in assisting him.

Ranger, Brest, March 31st, 1778. M. DE SARTINE, Minister, and Secretary of

State for the Marine Department.

HONORED SIR,

As I have not the honor of being known to you, I hope you will pardon the liberty I take of enclosing the copy of a letter from the secret committee of Congress to the American commissioners in Europe. I must, however, acknowledge that the generous praise which is therein bestowed on me by Congress, far exceeds the merit of my services.

My reason for laying this letter before you is because I am destined by Congress to command a frigate of a very large construction lately built at Amsterdam, and as political reasons made it necessary for that frigate to become French property, I am now induced to hope that on her arrival in France, she will again become the property of America, and of course be put under my command.

The within extract of a letter dated 10th Feb. last, to the American commissioners, will I hope prove to you the real satisfaction with which I have anticipated the happy alliance between France and America.-I am, Sir, convinced that the capture of Lord Howe's light ships and frigates in America and the destruction of the enemy's fishery at Newfoundland, which might be easily effected this summer, would effectually destroy the sinews of their marine, for they would afterward be unable to man their fleet:-and as to their army in America that must fall of course.

I should be ungrateful did I forget to acknowledge the polite attentions and favors which I have received from Compte d'Orvilliers, M. De la Porse, M. la Motte Picquet, and every officer in this place.

The Admiral Count d'Orvilliers has, I doubt not, communicated to you a project of mine. I am, Sir, ambitious of being employed in active and enterprising services;—but my ship is of too small a force, and does not sail so fast as I could wish. If I am successful, I will return to France, and hope for your countenance and protection.

I have addressed you, Sir, with the same freedom which has ever marked my correspondence with Congress.-The interests of France and America are the same; and, as I hope to see the common enemy humbled, I shall be happy if I can furnish any hint whereby that event can be effected, meantime, I have the honor to be,

with profound respect, &c.

Brest, June 1st, 1778.

His Excellency, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

HONORED, AND DEAR SIR,

Accept my grateful thanks for your much esteemed favor of 27th ult. Such a mark of your good opinion, and approbation really affords me the most heartfelt satisfaction. It shall always be my ambition to do my duty as far as my judgment and small abilities enable me;-but you will see by the within papers, that my roses are not without thorns; and, perhaps, it will seem romance that I have succeeded, which I am sure I should not have done, had I not been my own counsellor.

Nothing would give me more pleasure than to render essential services to America, in any measure which you may find expedient. Should I be able to lead my present crew, it can be done only by the seldom failing bait for sordid minds, great views of interest.

If in bringing about the plan you propose, I may take the liberty to assure them of the protection of the French flag, in the channel, against enemies of superior force, with the free liberty to attack, and take under that sanction, such of the enemy's ships of war, or merchantmen as may be met with of equal or inferior force, perhaps I may succeed and gain them over by that means, nor will it be necessary to tell them our real object.

If I am not at liberty to give them such assurances, and their home-sickness should continue, I could wish that such officers as may appear dangerously ill, might have liberty to lay down their commissions and warrants,-and that others may be given to men of stronger nerves, who would be too proud to think themselves servants by the year. I believe many such may be found among American subjects in France.

If it should be consistent to order the Boston frigate here from Bourdeaux, perhaps such exchanges might be made, as would be for the interest and harmony of the service; and we might perhaps be able to assemble a sufficient number of officers to form a court.

The Duc de Chartres has shown me sundry attentions, and expressed his inclination to facilitate my obtaining the ship built at Amsterdam. I believe I could easily obtain letters to the same effect, from the principal people here, but shall take no step without your approbation. If the

prisoners should be exchanged in Europe, I believe it would be possible to man that ship with Americans. I could have manned two such with French volunteers since I arrived.

The Ranger is crank, sails slow, and is of a trifling force. Most of the enemy's cruizers are more than a match, yet I mean not to complain.-I demand nothing; and although I know that it was the intention of Congress to give me that ship, I am now ready to go wherever the service calls me.

If two or three fast sailing ships could be collected, there is a great choice of private enterprises, some of which might succeed, and add more to the interest and honor of America, than cruizing with twice the force. It appears to me to be the province of our infant navy to surprise, and spread alarms with fast sailing ships.-When we grow stronger, we can meet their fleets, and dispute with them the sovereignty of the ocean. These are my private sentiments, and are therefore submitted with the utmost diffidence to your superior understanding.

I have the honor to be, &c.

Extract of a letter from Com. John Paul Jones to the American commissioners at the Court of France, dated Brest, June 3d, 1778.

"I hope you do not mean to impute to me a desire to receive presents of the public money, or even to touch a dollar of it for my own private use; on the contrary, I need not now assert, that I stepped forth at the beginning, from nobler motives.

My accounts, before I left America, testify that I am more than 15007. in advance for the public service, exclusive of any concern with the sloop of war Ranger; and as for wages, I have never received any.

The Rules whereby Congress have been pleased to command me to regulate my conduct in the navy, authorize me to issue my warrant to the agent, &c., and I humbly conceive that it is his province to furnish me with an estimate of the amount of expenses. A space of sixteen months is now elapsed, since Congress thought of me, and placed under my command seven times my present force, leaving me at full liberty, how, and where to apply it.-And if I am not now capable of supporting the internal government of a single sloop of war, I wish that some person more deserving had my place, and in America to answer for my miscon

duct. I have "well considered," and yet shall persist in justifying the steps which I have taken, and to which you allude.

I am happy in having it in my power to furnish you with the enclosed resolution of Congress, respecting the capture of the enemy's ships of war, agreeably to your desire, and if you are in possession of any resolution of Congress, which will authorise me to **** send to America, I should be obliged to you for a copy of it."

Passy, June 5th, 1778. Plan for expeditions submitted by Com. Jones to the American Plenipotentiaries, and to the French minister of Marine.

As the first proposed will be impeded for some time, in the interval a great variety of projects present themselves, some of which might prove of great utility to France and America by distressing the common enemy at a small expense.

Three very fast sailing frigates, with one or two tenders, might enter the Irish channel and burn at Whitehaven from two to three hundred ships, besides the town, which contains 50,000 inhabitants; this would render it difficult, if not impossible to supply Ireland with coal the ensuing winter.

The same force would be sufficient to take the bank of Ayr in Scotland, and to destroy the town:-or perhaps, the whole shipping in the Clyde, with the towns and stores of Greenock and Port-Glasgow, provided no alarm was first given at other places. The fishery at Cambletown is an object worthy attention, and in some of the ports of Ireland ships may perhaps be found worth from 150,000 to 200,000%, sterling each.

It might, perhaps, be equally expedient to alarm Britain on the east side, which might be effected with equal and perhaps inferior force, by destroying the coal shipping of Newcastle &c. which would occasion the utmost distress for fuel in London: and there are many towns of consequence on the east and north coasts of England and Scotland which are defenceless, and might be either burnt or laid under contribution.

The success of either of these, or the like enterprises, will depend on surprising well, and on despatch both in the attack and in the retreat, therefore it is necessary the ships should sail fast, and that their force should be sufficient to