Letters to Benjamin Franklin 39 



From Jacques de Roberdeau. 1779. March 6. Haguenau. 



In February of the preceding year, sent Franklin a letter to for- 

 ward to General Daniel Roberdeau, Member of Congress in the 

 United States; having received no answer, encloses another, which he 

 begs may be sent by a safe conveyance. A. L. S, 2 p. (In French.) 



XIII, 175. 

 i^rom Jno. P[aul] Jones. 1779. March 6. L'Orient. 



The mystery so delicately mentioned in Franklin's favor of the 24th, 

 he intended to explain much earlier; encloses a copy of the original 

 paper; the subject was communicated to sundry members of Congress 

 at the beginning of the war; after this misfortune of his life, was 

 advised to retire incognito to America until the Admiralty Commis- 

 sion should arrive on the Island ; everything changed by the revolution 

 in America; appointments he received in the navy of the Colonies; his 

 summary of his own character. Explains the affair of the pillage of 

 Lord Selkirk's plate ;^ his intention to restore it; believes Mr. Alexander 

 to be his enemy; his indifference to spies. Congratulates Franklin on 

 his appointment. Concerning the outfit of the " Poor Richard." 



[Enclosure.] Account of the accidental killing of a mutinous sailor, 

 by the master of a West India ship [evidently John Paul Jones him- 

 self] ; his actions, subsequent to this melancholy accident; reasons why 

 he did not surrender himself for trial. A. L. S. 10 p. XIII, 176. 



Printed in The Independent, April 12, 1906, p. 833. 



^ See also "John Paul Jones Commemoration at Annapolis, April 24, 1906." 

 Washington, 1907, p. 123 et seq. 



From John Bondfield. 1779. March 6. Bordeaux. 



News of the arrival of various ships from America. South Carolina 

 perfectly secure from any attempt of the enemy. The ships at Nantes 

 loaded and ready to sail. A. L. S. 2 p. XIII, 177. 



From . March 6. \_Circa 1 779.] 



Glad to hear of his welfare; neither of the drafts mentioned have 

 appeared. Wishes they may live to meet when swords and spears are 

 beat into plough shares and pruning hooks. L. i p. XLIV, 103. 



From Brissot de Warville. [1779.] March 7. Paris. 



Has seen him at M. Marat's experiments; admired him from afar; 



sent him a prospectus of his work on Penal Laws, with a letter to 



which he has received no answer; asks his acceptance of a little work 



on the same subject. A. L. S. i p. XL, 82. 



