Miscellaneous Papers 275 



From Jno. P[aul] Jones to Louis XVI. 1778. October 19. Brest. 



Informed by Dr. Franklin that M. [Antoine Raymond Jean Gualbert 

 Gabriel] de Sartine, with his approbation, determined to give him com- 

 mand of the " Indien." Was to have taken command immediately but 

 found that the ship would not be ready until the September Equinox. 

 The American Plenipotentiaries proposed that he go home, but M. de 

 Sartine requested that he remain in Europe. Proposed various plans and 

 had several armaments assigned to him but everyone has fallen to nothing. 

 Informed Congress to reserve no command for him. Is regarded every- 

 where as a disgraced officer. Wrote to M. de Sartine and Prince de 

 Nassau but received no replies. Is persuaded that His Majesty will not 

 disregard his situation nor suffer him to remain any longer in that in- 

 supportable disgrace. A. L. S. 4 p. XLVII, 134. 



FroTH Jno. P[aul] Jones to La Duchesse de Chartres. 

 1778. October 19. Brest. 



Informs her that M. [Antoine Raymond Jean Gualbert Gabriel] de 

 Sartine proposed to bestow on him a very honorable command and that 

 he requested the American Plenipotentiaries that he be permitted to 

 remain in Europe, Furnished the Minister with a number of plans 

 which he approved, for private expeditions, but though various arma- 

 ments were proposed to be put under his command, yet everyone has 

 fallen to nothing. Has been trifled with for five months and valuable 

 opportunities are lost. He wrote to Congress to reserve no command 

 for him in America, and having no command in Europe he is regarded 

 everywhere as an officer in disgrace. Reason for taking any command. 

 Has written the enclosed letter to His Majesty which he asks her to 

 present. Would be extremely happy to succeed through her influence. 

 A. L. S. 2 p. XLVII, 133. 



By The Continental Congress. 1778. October 21. 



Giving leave of absence and the thanks of Congress to the Marquis 

 de la Fayette and directing that the Minister Plenipotentiary at the 

 Court of Versailles present him, in the name of the United States, with 

 a sword with proper devices. A. D. S. Cha[rle]s Thomson, Sec [re- 

 tar] y. I p. LXXV, 69. 



Printed in the Journals of Congress, Philadelpliia [1779], IV, 612. 



