Letters to Benjamin Franklin 71 



From Jno. P[aul] Jones. 1779. May i. L'Orient. 



Acknowledging Franklin's letter of the same date, whose contents 

 " would make a coward brave " ; enthusiasm with which he will welcome 

 an opportunity of rendering some acceptable service to the common 

 cause; returns thanks to Franklin for his delicate friendship, favor and 

 affection ; encloses the memoir of a young gentleman whom he should 

 be glad to take with him ; can find no one so proper to discipline the 

 volunteer soldiers he has enlisted. L. S. 2 p. XIV, 77. 



From Le Ray de Chaumont. 1779. May 2. L'Orient. 



Has the honor to remit Capt. Jones's answer; begs him to send the 

 enclosed despatch to the Marquis de la Fayette, by some one, ignorant 

 of its source. A. L. S. i p. (In French.) XIV, 78. 



From Jno. P[aul] Jones. 1779. May 2. L'Orient. 



Is so indisposed as to be obliged to write in bed. Pleads for the 

 unfortunate men who were made prisoners when the gallant Mont- 

 gomery fell in his attack on Quebec; by an application to Court, 

 thinks their release might be obtained; encloses their appeal. A. L. S. 

 I p. XIV, 79. 



From Arthur Lee. 1779. May 2. Paris. 



Is informed that the " Alliance " is manned and ready to sail, also that 

 the French convoy will have to leave the American fleet before they 

 reach the coast; danger of leaving the fleet unprotected, which, among 

 other things, carries all the supplies necessary to Virginia's defense, 

 articles, which, if lost, cannot be replaced; urges the advisability of 

 ordering the " Alliance " to accompany the fleet all the way across. A. 

 L. S. 2 p. XIV, 80. 



From Nicholas Davis. 1779. May 3. Amsterdam. 



Concerning the capture of the vessel, " La Seine," with all his goods 

 on board, by an English man-of-war; had she got safe into Boston, he 

 would have avoided many distresses and reaped some glory and re- 

 ward; his movements since this unfortunate capture; desires to get 

 to France and go out as Captain of Marines on board some French 

 or American privateer; hopes thus to pay his debt to Congress; begs 

 Franklin's aid. A. L. S. 4 p. XIV, 81. 



