Letters to Benjamin Franklin 123 



Fro w Jno. P[aul] Jones. 1779. July 30. L'Orient. 



The Irish brigantine, the " Three Friends," taken by the " Alliance," 

 has sunk at her anchors; if the accident arose from carelessness, a court- 

 martial shall determine what punishment to inflict; in case it is death, 

 he will execute the sentence at sea. The " Bon Homme Richard " only 

 lacks one hundred men to be completely ready for sea. A. L. S. i p. 



XV, 91. 

 From P[ierre] Landais. 1779. July 30. L'Orient. 



The prize, "The Three Friends," has lately sunk in the harbor; 

 they have obtained permission from the Admiralty to unload her cargo ; 

 cause of the accident not yet discovered. A. L. S. i p. XV, 92. 



From J[onatlian] Williams, Jr. 1779. July 31. Nantes. 



Arrival of Capt. Thompson from Boston with the following news: 

 Battle in Carolina on May 17th; the English put to flight; number of 

 dead and wounded ; return to New York of the English who had been 

 ravaging Virginia; the American frigates, "Ranger," "Providence," 

 and " Queen of France " sailed the beginning of June to cruise off the 

 entrance to the Chesapeake. A. L. S. 3 p. XXXVIII, 50. 



From Abbe Le Breton, de la Loutiere. 1779. July 31. Paris. 



Asking permission to present Franklin with his little work on the 

 present war. A. L. S. 2 p. (In French.) XV, 94. 



From Henry Lucas. 1779. July — . Cherbourg. 



Is a Virginian by birth and was serving as officer on board the brig 

 "Betsey" from Baltimore, when she was taken by the English; his 

 subsequent escape and arrival in France, where, through the kindness of 

 a M. Drouet, he embarked on board a French privateer; M. Drouet 

 ofifers to join him in the purchase of a privateer, to be called the 

 " Happy Alliance " ; waits only for a commission from Franklin to take 

 command of it under the American flag and proceed against the enemy. 

 Enclosing an account of the proposed transaction, written in French 

 by M. Drouet. A. L S. 2 p. XV, 93. 



From [Louis Guillaume Le Veillard. 1779. July ?]. 

 Inquiring if it is true that Franklin has parted with M. Gellee, his 

 secretary, and if he requires one to replace him. A. N. I p. LXXI, 8oa. 



