Copy of Letter Addressed by Jones to John Wendell, Esqr., Portsmouth,
N. H.
Ranger, Nantes 11th Decr. 1777.
_My dear Sir_,
The Ranger was wafted by the Pinions of the gentlest, and most
friendly Gales, along the Surface of the Blue profound of Neptune;
and not the swelling bosom of a Friend's nor even of an _Enemis
Sail_, appeared within our placid Horizon, untill after we had passed
the Everlasting Mountains of the Sea, (called Azores) whoe's Tops
are in the Cloud's, and whoe's Foundations are in the Center. When
lo! this Italeyon Season was interrupted! the "gathering Fleets
o'erspread the Sea" and Wars alarms began! nor ceased day or night
untill, aided by the mighty Boreus, we cast anchor in this Asylum
the 2d Currt. but since I am not certain that my Poetry will be
understood, it may not be amiss to add, _by way of marginal note_,
that after leaving Portsmouth nothing remarkable happened untill I
got to the Eastward of the Western Islands; and that from that time
untill my arrival here, I fell in with Ships every day sometimes
every Hour; within Eighty Leagues of Ushant, I met with an Enemies
fleet of Ten Sail bound up Channel, but notwithstanding my best
endeavours, I was unable to detach any of them from the strong
Convoy under which they sailed, I met with and brought too a variety
of other Ships, none whereof proved British Property, except two
Brigantines from Malaga with Fruit for London, which became Prizes,
the one is arrived here, the other I am told in Quiberon Bay; as I
have met with and brought too several Ships in the Night, I had the
most agreeable Proofs of the Active Spirit of my Officers and Men.
I have forwarded my dispatches to Paris, by Express, and determine
not to go myself unless I am sent for. I understand that in Obedience
to Orders from the Secret Committee the Commissioners had, some
time ago, provided One of the finest Frigates for me that can be
imagined, calculated for Thirty-two, Twenty four Pounders, on one
deck, and longer than any Ship in the Enemies Fleet; but that
it has been found necessary to give her up, on account of some
difficulties which they have met with at Court. My Heart glows with
the most fervent Gratitude for this, and every other unsolicited and
unexpected instance of the favo'r and Approbation of Congress; and if
a Life of Services devoted to the Interests of America, can be made
Instrumental in securing its Independance; I shall be the happiest
of Men, and regard the continuance of such Approbation, as an Honor
far superiour to the empty Peagantry, which Kings ever had Power to
bestow.
I esteem your Son as a promising and deserving young Man, I have
just now had some Conversation with him, and am much Pleased
with his diffidence and Modesty, he would not he says accept of a
Commission untill he thinks himself equal to the duty of the office
of Lieutenant; there I think he shows a true Spirit; in the mean
time, he tells me that he is perfectly satisfy'd with his present
Situation, anything within my Power to render his Situation happy and
Instructive, shall not be wanting.
I must rely on you to make my best Compliments receptable to the fair
Miss Wendell, and to the other agreeable Ladies of my acquaintance
in Portsmouth. The Captain of the Raleigh I understand is well, and
has lately been figuring it away at Paris, whereof please to acquaint
my _Sister_ Officer. I should be exceedingly happy to hear from
you, but as my destination depends on what I am to hear from the
Commissioners, I cannot at Present give you my Address, but will drop
you another, How do you do, shortly.