for some time, but seeing we were prepared to receive them, they hauled their wind, and by carrying a press of sail got clear, in spite of our utmost endeavours to bring them to action. On the 26th, we lost company of the Alliance and Pallas. I am unable to say where the blame lays. I gave the ships a rendezvous off Penmark-rocks, but did not meet them there. I anchored here yesterday at noon, having had a rencontre the night before with two of the enemy's ships of war in the offing, in the sight of this island and of Belle-Isle.— Previous to this, I had given the Vengeance leave to make the best of her way to this road, so that the enemy found me alone in a place where I had no expectation of a hostile visit. They appeared at first earnest to engage, but their courage failed, and they fled with precipitation, and to my mortification out-sailed the Bon homme Richard and got clear. I had, however, a flattering proof of the martial spirit of my crew, and I am confident, that had I been able to get between the two, which was my intention, we should have beaten them both together. In the course of this short cruize I have endeavoured to meet the views of the King. I have traversed the Golf de Gascogne over and over-I have fallen in with and chased various vessels. I am ready to enter with cheerfulness upon any plan or service that is consonant with the common interest, and meets with your approbation; and if I fail, it shall not be for want of attempting to succeed where an opportunity appears. I am, with sentiments of grateful esteem and affection, P. S. Please give the above information to M. de Sartine and M. de Chaumont. Passy, July 8th, 1779. Honorable J. P. JONES. DEAR SIR, I received your favors of the 2d and 4th inst. I am sorry for the accidents that have obliged your little squadron to return and refit; but hope all may be for the best. Some days since, Mr. Chaumont handed to me the substance of a letter in French, which contained heads of the instructions that M. de Sartine wished me to give you. I had them translated and put into the form of a letter to you, which I signed and gave back to Mr. C., who I suppose has sent it to you. I have no other orders to give; for, as the Court is at the chief expense, I think they have the best right to direct. I observe what you write about a change of the destination; but when a thing has been once considered and determined on in council, they do not care to resume the consideration of it, having much business on hand, and there is not now time to obtain a reconsideration. It has been hinted to me, that the intention of ordering your cruize to finish at the Texel, is with a view of getting out that ship; but this should be kept a secret. I can say nothing about Capt. Landais' prize. I suppose the minister has an account of it, but I have heard nothing from him about it. If he reclaims it on account of his passport, we must then consider what is to be done. I approve of the careenage proposed for the Alliance, as a thing necessary. As she is said to be a remarkable swift sailer, I should hope you might by her means take some privateers and a number of prisoners, so as to continue the cartel, and redeem all our poor countrymen. My best wishes attend you, being ever, with great esteem, Dear Sir, Your affectionate friend, and most obedient servant, B. FRANKLIN. P. S. If it should fall in your way, remember that the Hudson's Bay ships are very valuable. B. F. L'Orient, July 12th, 1779. Extract to Dr. FRANKLIN. I have inspected the Bon homme Richard, and it is the constructor's opinion that the ship is too old to admit of the necessary alterations. Thus circumstanced I wish to have an opportunity of attempting an essential service to render myself worthy a better and faster sailing ship. L'Orient, July 26th, 1779. His Excellency BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. DEAR SIR, I have received advice that the Jamaica fleet will sail homewards, escorted by a 50 gun ship, and two strong fri gates. Should we fall in with that force, we will certainly engage, and I hope overcome it. We shall probably be so much cut up, as to be unable to prevent the escape of the convoy. If the ship Monsieur could be added to my force, it would give us a superiority, and perhaps enable us to take and destroy the Jamaica fleet. I submit this idea, however, to your superior wisdom. Hon. Capt. JONES. DEAR SIR, I have the honor, &c. Passy, July 28th, 1779. I have just received yours of the 25th. I was yesterday with M. de Sartine, at Versailles, who appeared uneasy at some accounts he had received of a mutinous disposition in your crew. He desired me to acquaint M. de Chaumont that he wished to see him that evening. This morning M. de Chaumont sent me a note, of which I enclose a copy: I understand he goes down with a view to provide you a better set of hands. You must have heard that 119 American prisoners are arrived in a cartel at Nantes perhaps out of them you may pick some very good seamen. But if this affair should be likely to take time, the Alliance will have my orders to make a cruise alone, agreeable to the minister's desire. But I hope the reports of your crew are not founded, and that your joint cruise will still take place, and be successful. I have the honor to be, with sincere esteem, Dear Sir, Your most obedient, and BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. The Honorable JOHN P. JONES, commander in chief of the American ships of war now in Europe. sea. To You are hereby directed and required forthwith, to hold yourself in readiness to proceed in company with me to You are to show careful attention to every signal that shall be made on board here for your government, as well as to all future orders that you may from time to time receive from me. To prevent separation or surprise, you are to endeavour always to keep in your station; and you are hever to chase so as to lose company with the squadron. On board the Bon homme Richard, at anchor His Ex. Monsieur DE SARtine. MY LORD, The moment I returned from the late cruise to this road, I wrote the history of my proceedings to his excellency Dr. Franklin, and requested him to communicate the whole to you. I have also rendered to him an exact account of every thing that has affected this ship, and every other vessel under my command, while at L'Orient; all which, I conclude, has been submitted to your inspection. I am now, however, sorry that I did not address letters to your Excellency on the same subject, especially as Dr. Franklin has lately acquainted me that you were uneasy at some accounts of a mutinous disposition in my crew. I did not at the beginning advise it as a prudent measure, to take on board so great a proportion of English seamen. But M. de Chaumont can inform you that he thought it expedient, and that it would be attended with no risque, after the embarkation of the troops under the orders of the Marquis de la Fayette. When that expedition was laid aside, and I was forbidden to enlist French seamen, I had no means to replace the English, and they remained on board from neces sity, not from choice. When they saw that I had observed their mutinous disposition, and taken measures to prevent its bad consequences, I must do them the justice to say that they manifested a true martial spirit, when, being alone in this ship off Belle-Isle, in the evening of the 29th of June, I met with, and chased two large frigates that were in company, and durst not wait for our approach, but fled notwithstanding their great superiority both in force and sailing. I have the satisfaction to assure your excellency that this second journey of M. de Chaumont was altogether unnecessary; as I had before his arrival at L'Orient sent officers to Nantes, to enlist Americans, and had also enlisted as many of the strangers as were willing to embark at L'Orient. My crew now in this ship consists of 380 officers, men, and boys, inclusive of 137 marine soldiers. I expect to sail this evening, or to-morrow morning, and I hope the Monsieur will go in company. I have also reason to expect the Gen. Mifflin, having sent the Vengeance to Belle-Isle, with a letter to the captain of that privateer, to invite him to join this little squadron. When I depart I hope to be able to do my duty, thereby to testify to his Majesty and to your excellency the high sense which I shall ever entertain of the honorable attentions which have been shewn towards me in France; and to prevent future misrepresentations, I will myself transmit to your excellency from time to time, an account of my proceedings and situation. I am, with the highest sentiments of esteem and respect, My Lord, Your Excellency's very obliged, very obedient, and most humble servant. N. B. I have seen with surprise, various letters in the hands of persons here, on the subject of my destination! Ship Bon homme Richard, at anchor in the Road of Groaix, August 13th, 1779. The Hon. Major General, the Marquis de LAFAYETTE, at Havre de Grace. S Although, my dear Marquis, I have not lately written to you, yet there is no man for whom I entertain a greater share of esteem and respect. By what I have felt myself since our |