PARIS, January 21, 1788.
SIR,--I am instructed by the United States of America, in Congress
assembled, to bring again under the consideration of his Majesty, the
King of Denmark, and of his ministers, the case of the three prizes
taken from the English during the late war, by an American squadron
under the command of Commodore Paul Jones, put into Bergen in distress,
there rescued from our possession by orders from the court of Denmark,
and delivered back to the English. Dr. Franklin, then Minister
Plenipotentiary from the United States at the court of Versailles, had
the honor of making applications to the court of Denmark, for a just
indemnification to the persons interested, and particularly by a letter
of the 22d of December, 1779, a copy of which I have now the honor of
enclosing to your Excellency. In consequence of this, a sum of ten
thousand pounds was proposed to him, as an indemnification, through the
Baron de Waltersdorff, then at Paris. The departure of both those
gentlemen from this place, soon after, occasioned an intermission in
the correspondence on this subject. But the United States continue to
be very sensibly affected by this delivery of their prizes to Great
Britain, and the more so, as no part of their conduct had forfeited
their claim to those rights of hospitality which civilized nations
extend to each other. Not only a sense of justice due to the
individuals interested in those prizes, but also an earnest desire that
no subject of discontent may check the cultivation and progress of that
friendship which they wish may subsist and increase between the two
countries, prompt them to remind his Majesty of the transaction in
question; and they flatter themselves that his Majesty will concur with
them in thinking, that as restitution of the prizes is not practicable,
it is reasonable and just that he should render, and that they should
accept, a compensation equivalent to the value of them. And the same
principles of justice towards the parties, and of amity to the United
States, which influenced the breast of his Majesty to make, through the
Baron de Waltersdorff, the proposition of a particular sum, will surely
lead him to restore their full value, if that were greater, as is
believed, than the sum proposed. In order to obtain, therefore, a final
arrangement of this demand, Congress have authorized me to depute a
special agent to Copenhagen, to attend the pleasure of his Majesty. No
agent could be so adequate to this business, as the Commodore Paul
Jones, who commanded the squadron which took the prizes. He will,
therefore, have the honor of delivering this letter to your Excellency,
in person; of giving such information as may be material, relative to
the whole transaction; of entering into conferences for its final
adjustment, and, being himself principally interested, not only in his
own right, but as the natural patron of those who fought under him,
whatever shall be satisfactory to him, will have a great right to that
ultimate approbation, which Congress have been pleased to confide to
me.
I beg your Excellency to accept the homage of that respect which your
exalted station, talents, and merit impress, as well as those
sentiments of esteem and regard with which I have the honor to be, your
Excellency's most obedient, and most humble servant.