few men, and they are discontented. If you can authorise me to promise
them, at all hazards, that their property in the prizes shall be made
good, and that they shall receive the necessary clothing and bedding,
or money to buy them with, I believe I shall soon be able to bring
them again into a good humor. In the meantime, I will send a vessel or
two out to reconnoiter the offing and to bring me word. Whatever may
be the consequence of my having put into this harbor, I must observe
that it was done contrary to my opinion, and I consented to it only
because the majority of my colleagues were earnest for it.
I am under a very singular obligation to you, Sir, for your kind
letter, which you did me the honor to write to me on the 29th of last
month. It shall be my ambition to get clear of my present
embarrassment, and to merit, what I so much esteem, the good opinion
of your Excellency and of the Court, by my future service in support
of the common cause.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN PAUL JONES.
* * * * *
M. DUMAS TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON.
Helder, November 9th, 1779.
Sir,
To fulfil my promise, it is my duty by the first post to give
information to your Excellency, that in spite of the bad roads and
dark nights I arrived here this morning. I saw immediately M.
Cottineau, from whom here is a letter enclosed to your Excellency.
There was a violent storm, which prevented me from going on board the
Serapis. Nevertheless, having found means to make known my arrival to
the Commodore, he came on shore this evening for half an hour only in
order that he might reach his ship again before night. He will send
his boat tomorrow for me to breakfast with him, to converse longer on
our affairs, and it may be to make a visit together to the
Vice-Admiral.
In the meantime I have already learnt, that not only the Commodore has
not written anything at all on what has given us uneasiness, but even
that he has not said anything, of which they can make an authentic
use; that he showed to M. Riemersma, on his arrival, as well as to the
other Captains his commission, which is American, not having any
other; that he will give me a copy, with a declaration signed at the
bottom by himself, that he had shown it; and that as to the cartel
made between himself and Captain Pearson, they have had no other
surety for its basis, than the permission of this government to put on
shore the wounded prisoners, without changing in any manner their
condition, having taken upon them, besides, each one on his part, to
engage their respective sovereigns. All, therefore, that I shall be
able to do further in this respect will be to get signed by Mr Jones
the copy he sent me of this cartel. The crowded inns leave me no place
for a lodging but the house of a peasant, where I write this letter as
I can. I fear that notwithstanding the good will of the Commodore, he
will not be in condition to depart in fifteen days; and on examining
things closely, and comparing the complaints of one with those of
another, as to the delays, I find that the great and true cause is
this bad Roadstead, distant from Amsterdam twentyfive leagues by
water.
The copy of the resolution of the 21st of October, which I have sent
to the Commodore, is a paper very necessary to him.
They will not be able longer to impose on him or spread snares for
him. His way will be clear. He regrets only that it had not been
sooner.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DUMAS.
* * * * *
TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON.
On board the Serapis, November 11th, 1779.
Sir,
According to my letter of the day before yesterday, I was yesterday
morning on board the Serapis. The weather was so thick in the evening,
that there was no chance of sending anything on shore that night. The
Commodore and myself, with great difficulty, went to make a visit to
the Dutch Vice-Admiral, in which all that has been said was so well
cleared up, that nothing can (at least on our part) cause a change in
the state of things as they were after the 21st of October. The result
of the visit is, in substance, that they do not much approve the
expedient of providing two different flags in order to make use of one
in default of the other; that they rather preferred that the whole
squadron should have been entered under the flag and commission of
France, as not being liable to any difficulties; but since what had
been done could not be otherwise, they desire and expect that the
squadron shall depart with the first fair wind; as also that there
shall not be in this Roadstead any transportation of prisoners on
board the King's cutters that are here; which the Commodore promised.
Today we have been with M. Ricot on board one of the cutters, where we
found the two captains, Messrs de la Laune and de la Bourdonnoie, who
received us with all the cordiality and manifested all the good will
imaginable. They do for us what they can, and M. de la Laune will
inform your Excellency of it.
I hope to be able to depart for Amsterdam the morning after tomorrow,
if I can without danger be put on shore tomorrow, with the
satisfaction of having by my journey hither cleared up, and much
accelerated affairs; in a word, of having been useful. I see no
possibility of being able to write to Dr Franklin. He cannot,
therefore, know anything, nor, consequently, the Minister, except what
your Excellency shall judge worthy to be communicated in your
despatches, of the contents of my letters, &c.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DUMAS.
* * * * *
THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
The Hague, November 11th, 1779.
Sir,
I have received the letter that you addressed to me the 9th of this
month, and that of M. Cottineau, which was annexed. I learn with
pleasure what you tell me relative to the object, which induced me to
urge your departure. I hope you will not delay to give me, in this
respect, details yet more satisfactory, and perfectly conformable to
the intentions I have unfolded to you.
M. Cottineau represents to me the extreme inconvenience, which results
from the impossibility of putting on shore the sick and wounded among
the prisoners.
I think it would be proper that you might see with prudence and
discretion, if it would not be possible to obtain permission of the
Admiralty; but it would be necessary, in order to ask it, to be very
sure beforehand that you will not be refused.
You know the truth of my inviolable sentiments.
THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON.
* * * * *
THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
The Hague, November 12th, 1779.
Sir,
I have just received orders from the Minister of the Marine, which I
must communicate to you, and it is necessary that you return here
immediately. You will please to say to Mr Jones, that he ought not to
set sail before I have imparted to him the instructions, which have
been sent, as it will be necessary to suspend his departure till a new
order; but not to lose an instant in hastening the repairs.
I have the honor to be, &c.
THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON.
* * * * *
TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON.
November 13th, 1779.
Sir,
Yesterday I was at the Texel with the Commodore, to adjust affairs
with a Commissioner of the Admiralty, as to the light-house dues, so
as to satisfy everybody; but this morning the Dutch Vice-Admiral
sought me in his boat, to repeat to me what he had already said to the
Commodore, that he ought to depart with the first good wind; in
consequence, I have been with Captain Ricot and the commandant of the
Scarborough on board of the French cutter to adjust things, of which I
will give a verbal account to your Excellency.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DUMAS.
* * * * *
THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON TO C. W. F. DUMAS.
Amsterdam, November 17th, 1779.
Sir,
They write me from the Hague, that the States of Holland adopted
yesterday, by a majority, a resolution to compel Mr Jones to depart. I
inform you of it, that you may lose no time in returning to the Texel
and executing the necessary arrangements.
I have the honor to be, &c.
THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The Hague, December 9th, 1779.
Gentlemen,
On the 16th and 17th of November, the French Ambassador having given
us a meeting at Amsterdam, apprized us of the intention of the King,
to wit, that the cruise should terminate at the Texel, and that the
prizes should be conducted into France by two French Captains of the
squadron. Captain Jones on his part had an order from Dr Franklin to
go on board the Alliance. On the 18th and 19th we returned to the
Texel. The following days we effected these changes. The Dutch
Vice-Admiral (a decided tory, who had succeeded the brave Captain
Riemersma, a good republican and friend to the Americans) perceived it
and disturbed us very much, particularly after having received the
resolution of the 19th of November, and the instructions of his Court
on this subject.
Every day he pressed and threatened us, though the wind was always
contrary. On the 24th of November, among others, the officer second
in command came to read to us a paper, which he afterwards put in his
pocket. I had anticipated the contents, and made, on my part, a
writing, which I likewise read to him as follows.
"The Commodore loses not a moment in providing for his departure with
the first good wind, in his vessel, the Alliance, and he will give the
signal for departure to the others, which will follow him if they can.
He thinks he cannot give a stronger proof of his respect for the
resolution of their High Mightinesses. Thus the threats of the
Vice-Admiral are superfluous and against the very terms of this
resolution of their High Mightinesses. He cannot go on board any other
vessel than the Alliance, without counteracting the designs of his
superiors.
"As to the prizes, the placard of 1756, and of course the designs of
their High Mightinesses, are scrupulously observed, in that they have
not disposed of or changed anything, and that when they depart they
may be recaptured. I require for the future every order or threat in
writing, in order to send copies to the General Congress and to Dr
Franklin."
_November 28th._ Having sent again to hasten us, I made him confess
with a loud voice, in presence of our crew, and of his own rowers,
that he required an impossibility; a declaration which I made the
pilot sign afterwards. Then he let us alone during ten days.
_December 8th._ The wind appearing favorable, his officer found us
ready to depart; but the wind changing, it was necessary to cast
anchor again, after it had been already weighed.
By the extract of the resolution of the 26th November you will see,
Gentlemen, that the Stadtholder had taken on himself to apply to the
Alliance only, what had been resolved in regard to the whole squadron,
and especially to the prizes; that the States-General have approved
it, and that thus they have thought they might dispense with
consulting the Province of Holland on this new case. They are not
content with this arbitrary procedure, and will make new protests,
copies of which they have promised to furnish me. The others on their
side appear to think that they have gone too far, as may be seen by
the letter of the Vice-Admiral, which certainly is not written without
order. As to the arrangement made on the 16th and 17th, I suspend my
opinion till I see where the whole will end. But I highly applauded Mr
Jones for having answered the Dutch Admiral as he did.
I have the honor to be, &c.
DUMAS.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
December 10th, 1779.
Gentlemen,
The following intelligence will show in what manner the States-General
have proceeded respecting Sir Joseph Yorke's demand for the seizure of
Paul Jones's prizes.
_Leyden, November 25th._ "The publicity of the claims, which Sir J.
Yorke, Ambassador of Great Britain, has made by order of his Court on
the occasion of the entry of Paul Jones with his prizes into the Road
of the Texel, having excited the attention of Europe to this affair,
on which subject the spirit of party on both sides has spread sundry
unfounded reports, we think ourselves under obligation to communicate
to our readers the definitive resolution, which the States-General
took in relation to it last Friday; a resolution which reconciles the
most scrupulous obligations of neutrality with the friendship which
subsists between Great Britain, and this Republic. Here is the
translation of it.
'_Wednesday, Nov. 19th, 1779._ Having deliberated by resolution on the
Memorial presented by Sir Joseph Yorke, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary of his Majesty, the King of Great Britain, to their
High Mightinesses, on the 29th of last month, to renew in pursuance of
the precise orders of his said Majesty, the most urgent instances for
the seizure and restitution of two of the King's ships, Serapis and
Countess of Scarborough, as well as for the release of their crews,
which a certain Paul Jones had seized, as is more fully related in the
registers under date of the 29th of last month, it has been resolved
and determined to answer the aforesaid Memorial of Sir Joseph Yorke;
that upon the reiterated instances which the Ambassador has made, by
order of his Court, for the seizure and restitution of the ships
Serapis and Countess of Scarborough, as well as for the release of the
crews of said vessels, which a certain Paul Jones has taken, and with
which he has entered into the Road of the Texel, their High
Mightinesses have repeatedly taken into mature consideration all the
circumstances of this affair, and they find themselves under the
necessity of requesting his Majesty to consent, that their High
Mightinesses should persist in their ancient maxim, which is, that
without interfering in any decision upon the legality or illegality of
prizes brought into their ports, they should compel them to put to
sea, their High Mightinesses judging, that this maxim itself is
founded on treaties.
'But for evident proof that they do not desire, that any supplies may
be furnished from this country to the inhabitants of his Majesty's
American Colonies, they gave orders immediately on the arrival of Paul
Jones, that he should not be furnished with any munitions of war or
other articles, except those of which he would have need in order to
put to sea, and reach the nearest port in which he might be admitted.
That their High Mightinesses will also give orders, that he set sail
as soon as his vessels can put to sea, and when wind and weather will
permit, and even will compel him in case it should be required. That
their High Mightinesses are assured, that it will be evident thereby,
that they persist invariably in the declaration made to his Majesty,
"that they desire to do nothing from which it might lawfully be
inferred, that they recognize the independence of the Colonies of his
Majesty in America," and that they grant to Paul Jones neither
supplies nor harbor, but that following solely the treatment which
they have at all times been accustomed to give to those, who come into
their Roads to obtain for a time shelter against the disasters of the
sea, they do not concern themselves with what passes on the sea, and
without taking cognizance of it, they leave and cause to be restored
everything to the state in which it was a short time before the
vessels came into the country. That their High Mightinesses flatter
themselves, that his Majesty and the English nation, for whom their
High Mightinesses have all possible respect, will be satisfied with
these dispositions, without insisting further on the claim they have
made; that an extract from the resolution of their High Mightinesses
will be sent to Sir Joseph Yorke, by the agent, Vander Burch de
Spierinxhoek.
'That, moreover, directions shall be given to the College of Admiralty
at Amsterdam, to cause it to be signified and made known to Paul
Jones, that their High Mightinesses are assured, that having only put
in to place his injured vessels in shelter from the dangers of the
sea, there has been sufficient time to put them in condition for sea,
and that consequently they desire that he should make sail as soon as
possible, when the wind and weather shall be favorable, and withdraw
from this country; forasmuch as their High Mightinesses cannot permit
him to continue here, and as the season of winter which is approaching
may create greater inconveniences in this respect; so that to avoid
them it is necessary that he allow no favorable opportunity to escape
of putting to sea. That this is the serious intention of their High
Mightinesses, and that they cannot delay; but if he should not comply,
it would oblige them to take measures that would not be agreeable to
him.
'That, however, to allow no mistake on this point, and to prevent
delays, his Serene Highness will be required, and he is hereby
required, to give orders to Vice-Admiral Reynst, or to the officer
commanding in the Roadstead of the Texel to effect with all possible
discretion that the aforesaid Paul Jones depart with his prizes as
soon as wind and weather will permit; not to admit any delay in this
respect, that the nature of the case does not require, and to provide,
if need be, by all suitable means, not excepting force, that the
orders of their High Mightinesses be executed in the Roadstead.'"
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN PAUL JONES.
* * * * *
TO THE COMMITTEE OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
The Hague, December 11th, 1779.
Gentlemen,
I send you the following intelligence relating to further proceedings
in regard to Captain Paul Jones.
"Circumstances having changed in regard to the squadron of Paul Jones
in the Texel, the States-General have thought proper to suspend the
effect of their resolution of the 19th of November, by another, which
their High Mightinesses adopted on the 26th of the same month. It
appears that on the 4th inst. they received a letter from the Prince
Stadtholder, in which his Serene Highness informs them 'that,
conformably to their said resolution of the 19th of November, he had
sent the necessary orders to Vice-Admiral Reynst, commanding in the
Road of the Texel, that he would conduct with all possible discretion,
and that he would effect by all suitable means, not excepting even
force, that Paul Jones should put to sea with the vessels under his
command and with his prizes. But that after Paul Jones had declared he
was ready to obey the orders of their High Mightinesses, and that as
soon as he should be in condition he would profit by the first
occasion to take the sea, it happened on the 25th of November, that
Vice-Admiral Reynst having sent Captain Van Overmeer on board the
Serapis, to notify again, in the most formal manner the commanding
officer, that he must be provided with a pilot, and depart with the
first favorable wind; he was answered, that this vessel was no longer
commanded by Paul Jones, but by the French Captain, Cottineau de
Cosgelin, who had taken possession in the name of the King of France.'
The Prince Stadtholder referred, besides, to the letter itself of
Vice-Admiral Reynst, as well as to the pieces thereto annexed; and his
Serene Highness added, 'that in awaiting the final orders of their
High Mightinesses he had provisionally written to Vice-Admiral Reynst
not to use force till further orders, in regard to those vessels whose
commanders should prove, that they were provided with a commission
from the King of France; the preceding orders remaining nevertheless
in their full force in regard to the Alliance, actually commanded by
Paul Jones;' and that he at the same time charged the above named
Vice-Admiral 'to take care that conformably to the Placard of their
High Mightinesses of the 3d of November, 1756, none of the prisoners,
who were not brought into the Road on board said ship Alliance, should
be carried away in this ship;' his Serene Highness flattering himself
that their High Mightinesses would approve his proceedings in this
business. Upon which their High Mightinesses having deliberated,
immediately thanked the Prince Stadtholder for the communication that
his Serene Highness had made, and approved in all respects his
procedure in the affair of which he had written them, reserving to
themselves a further deliberation on the part to be taken on this
occasion."
I have the honor to be, &c.
DUMAS.
* * * * *
JOHN PAUL JONES TO THE DUC DE LA VAUGUYON.
Alliance, Texel, December 13th, 1779.
Sir,
Perhaps there are many men in the world, who would esteem as an honor
the commission, that I have this day refused. My rank from the
beginning knew no superior in the marine of America; how then must I
be humbled, were I to accept a letter of marque! I should, Sir, esteem
myself inexcusable were I to accept, even a commission of equal or
superior denomination with that I bear, unless I were previously
authorised either by Congress or some other competent authority in
Europe, and I must tell you that on my arrival at Brest from my
expedition, in the Irish Channel, Count d'Orvilliers offered to
procure for me from Court a commission of Captain des Vaisseaux, which
I did not then accept for the same reason, although the war between
France and England was not then begun, and of course the commission of
France would have protected me from an enemy of superior force.
It is matter of the highest astonishment to me, that after so many
compliments and fair professions, the Court should offer the present
insult to my understanding, and suppose me capable of disgracing my
present commission! I confess that I have not merited all the praise,
that has been bestowed on my past conduct; but I also feel that I have
far less merited such a reward! Where profession and practice are so
opposite, I am no longer weak enough to form a wrong conclusion. They
may think as they please of me; for when I cannot continue my esteem,
praise or censure from any man is to me a matter of indifference.
I am much obliged to them, however, for having at least fairly opened
my eyes and enabled me to discover truth from falsehood.
The prisoners shall be delivered, agreeably to the orders which you
have done me the honor to send me from his Excellency the American
Ambassador in France.
I will also, with great pleasure, not only permit a part of my seamen
to go on board the ships under your Excellency's orders, but I will
also do my utmost to prevail with them to embark freely; and if I can
now or hereafter, by any other honorable means facilitate the success
or the honor of his Majesty's arms, I pledge myself to you as his
Ambassador, that none of his own subjects would bleed in his cause
with greater freedom than myself, an American.
It gives me the more pain, Sir, to write this letter, as the Court has
enjoined you to propose what would destroy my peace of mind, and my
future veracity in the opinion of the world.
When _with the consent of Court_, and by order of the American
Ambassador, I gave American commissions to French officers, I did not
fill up those commissions to command privateers! nor even for a rank
_equal_ to that of their commissions in the marine of France. They
were promoted to a rank _far superior_; and why! not from personal
friendship, nor from my knowledge of their personal abilities, the men
and their characters being entire strangers to me, but from the
respect which I believed America would wish to show for the service of
France. While I remained eight months at Brest, seemingly forgotten by
the Court, many commissions, such as that in question, were offered to
me; and I believe, (when I am in pursuit of plunder,) I can still
obtain such a one without application to Court.
I hope, Sir, that my behavior through life will ever entitle me to the
continuance of your good wishes and opinion, and that you will take
occasion to make mention of the warm and personal affection, with
which my heart is impressed towards his Majesty.
I have the honor to be, &c.
JOHN PAUL JONES.
* * * * *
JOHN PAUL JONES TO B. FRANKLIN.
Alliance, Texel, December 13th, 1779.
Sir,