HONORS AND REWARDS--QUARREL WITH LANDAIS--RELINQUISHES THE ALLIANCE.
The tremendous nervous strain which Jones had undergone, the constant
labor and exposure necessitated by the circumstances of his hard
cruising and fighting, and the recent exposure in the severe winter
weather had broken down his health. His spirit had outpaced his body,
and in a very ill and weak condition, with his eyes so inflamed that
he was almost blinded, he went on shore in search of rest. Meanwhile
preparations were made thoroughly to overhaul the Alliance and load
her with a large quantity of valuable and much-needed military
supplies which had been purchased for the army of the United States,
among them the battery which had been cast for the Bon Homme Richard,
which had arrived after her departure.
Hard by the Alliance in the harbor lay the handsome Serapis. With
perfectly natural feelings Jones longed to get possession of her
again. He wrote immediately to Franklin, detailing the repairs
necessary to put the Alliance in shape, which were very extensive and
correspondingly expensive, and asked that he might have leave to
sheath the Alliance with copper, and that the Serapis might be
purchased and turned over to him. He hoped that the repairs to the
Alliance might be made by the French Government, perhaps that they
would also give him the Serapis. As the condition of the Alliance had
been justly attributed by Jones to the negligence and incompetence of
Landais, and not to any accident of the cruise under the auspices of
France, there did not seem to be any good reason for having the ship
repaired at the expense of the French Government. Franklin stated that
the whole expense would have to fall upon him, and begged him in
touching words to be as economical as possible, as his financial
resources, as always, were limited. For the same reason it was
impossible to secure the Serapis.
He says:
"I therefore beg you would have mercy on me; put me to as little
charge as possible, and take nothing that you can possibly do without.
As to sheathing with copper, it is totally out of the question. I am
not authorized to do it if I had money; and I have not money for it if
I had orders."
As the demand in America for the military supplies which Franklin had
procured was pressing, Jones was ordered to hasten the repairs to the
Alliance. In spite of Franklin's strict injunction to economize, Jones
proceeded to overhaul, refit, and remodel entirely the frigate in
accordance with his ideas and experience. As his ideas were excellent
and his experience had been ample, when the repairs had been completed
they left nothing to be desired. But the bills were very heavy.
Franklin protested, but paid. As a matter of fact, it must be admitted
Jones did not stint himself when it came to outfitting a ship--or
anything else, for that matter. His experience with the Ranger, the
Richard, and the Alliance had naturally disgusted him with
inadequately provided ships of war. The beautiful little boat was the
superior of any of her size upon the ocean, and subsequently, under
the command of Captain John Barry, she did brilliant and noteworthy
service. If it had not been for Jones she would have been worthless.
The charge of extravagance, however, is fairly substantiated. Jones
was, in fact, as indifferent in the spending of other people's money
as he was with his own, and I have no doubt the bills, although he
paid them, almost broke the harassed commissioner's heart. Jones,
however, was in a very different position from that he had occupied
previously. He had demonstrated his capacity in the most unequivocal
manner. He was not a man to be dealt with slightingly, nor did
Franklin, who undoubtedly cherished a genuine admiration and regard
for him, which the sailor fully reciprocated by an enthusiastic
admiration amounting to veneration, wish to do anything to humiliate
him.
While the repairs were progressing the financial status of the crew
was in no way amended. There was no money forthcoming to them on the
score of wages; the sale of the prizes was delayed, and serious
differences arose between the agents of the crews, de Chaumont as
representing the king, and Jones himself. Finally, in order to further
the settlement of the matter, Jones decided to go to Paris and see
what he could do personally to hasten the sale of the prizes, and
perhaps secure some funds with which to pay the wages of the crews, in
part at least.
Early in April, therefore, he left the Alliance at L'Orient and
repaired to the capital. From one point of view it was an unwise thing
to do, for he left behind him a discontented and mutinous crew, which
only his own indomitable personality had been able to repress and
control. It is likely, however, that affairs at L'Orient would have
remained _in statu quo_ had it not been for the advent of Arthur Lee.
This gentleman is perhaps the only member of the famous family whose
name he bore upon whose conduct and character severe judgment must be
passed. Jealous, quarrelsome, and incompetent, his blundering attempts
at diplomacy had worked more harm than good to the American nation. By
his vanity and indiscretion he had continually thwarted the wise plans
and brilliant policy of Franklin, with whom he had finally embroiled
himself to such an extent that it became necessary for him to return
home. Not only had he lost the esteem of Franklin, but through his
petty meanness he had also forfeited the confidence of Congress, which
had superseded him by John Jay at the court of Spain, to which he had
been accredited previously.
Franklin desired Jones to give him a passage home in the Alliance.
Jones had a great dislike to his proposed passenger. When his draft
upon the commissioners for twenty-four thousand livres had been
dishonored, it was largely through the influence of Lee that the money
had been refused him. Lee was fully acquainted with the circumstances
which caused Jones to apply, and he might have secured payment. At
least that was the opinion of Jones. With his usual frankness, Jones
had not hesitated to express his opinion to Lee in a very tart letter,
which had not improved the situation. In the face of the request of
Franklin, Jones had no option but to receive Lee and his suite on the
Alliance. He objected, however, most strenuously to allowing the
ex-commissioner to take his carriage and other equipage on the
frigate, stating with entire accuracy that articles of such bulk would
take up much room, which could be better devoted to other and more
important freightage. This, no doubt, further incensed Lee against
Jones. He was ever inclined to put his personal comfort before the
welfare of his country.
Landais had been summoned, as we have seen, to Paris. The
commissioners, with the documents prepared in the Texel before them,
had discussed his case, and had decided to send him to America for
trial. Franklin, who had not yet expressed any public judgment in the
premises, though his private opinion was well known, had presented
Landais with a sum of money for his voyage to the United States, and
the whole correspondence, including the charges, had been transmitted
to Congress.
Arthur Lee, with his usual captious spirit, and inspired by his hatred
of Jones and the desire to disagree with Franklin at the same time,
had dissented from the view and decision of his colleagues. He had
maintained that Landais was legally entitled to continue in the
command of the Alliance, and that Franklin had not the power to
supersede him--a contention not substantiated by the facts, nor, as
was afterward shown, supported by Congress itself.
When Jones went to Paris, therefore, Lee, realizing his opportunity,
at once began to foment additional disorder in the already demoralized
crew. Coincident with Jones' departure, Landais also made his
appearance. Had Lee summoned him? Lee did not hesitate to express the
opinion to that gentleman himself, his officers, and crew, that
Landais was legitimately entitled to the command of the Alliance, and
could not be removed therefrom except by specific direction of
Congress. Things, therefore, developed with painful rapidity at
L'Orient, until Landais addressed a note to Franklin demanding that he
be reinstated in the command of the Alliance--a curious procedure for
a man who claimed that Franklin was without power to displace him!
Meanwhile Jones was having a brilliant reception in France. While he
had incurred the hostility of the French naval officers, who fancied
that he had deprived them of commands to which they were better
entitled, and in the enjoyment of which he had gained distinction
through opportunities which might possibly have fallen to them and
which they might have embraced, he was everywhere received with the
highest honors, as well by the court as the people. To the populace,
indeed, he was a hero who had humbled the enemy whom they hated with
the characteristic passion of Frenchmen. Franklin took him to call
upon his old tormentor, the dilatory de Sartine, and, owing perhaps to
naval prejudice, his first reception was extremely cool; but, as it
became evident that he was a popular hero, the tone of the minister
was lowered, and his actions were modified, so that he afterward
extended him a warm welcome and professed extreme friendship for the
commodore. The king and queen accorded him the favor of an audience,
and his majesty, falling in with the popular current, was pleased to
declare his intention of presenting him with a magnificent
gold-mounted sword, to be inscribed with the following flattering
motto:
"VINDICATI MARIS LUDOVICUS XVI. REMUNERATOR STRENUO VINDICI."[34]
He also signified his royal purpose, should the Congress acquiesce
therein, of investing Jones with the cross of the Order of Military
Merit, a distinction never before accorded to any but a subject of
France, and only awarded for heroic conduct or conspicuous and
brilliant military or naval services against the enemy. Nothing could
have been more grateful to a man of Jones' temperament than the
appreciation of the French people, and these evidences of admiration
and esteem from the hand of the king. On his previous visit to Paris,
after the capture of the Drake, he had been made much of; in this
instance his reception greatly surpassed his former welcome. He became
the lion of the day, the attraction of the hour. Great men sought his
company, and held themselves honored by his friendship; while the
fairest of the ladies of the gay court were proud to receive the
attentions of the man who had so dramatically conquered the hated
English. In all these circumstances he bore himself with becoming
modesty. On one occasion he was invited to the queen's box at the
opera. When he entered the theater he was loudly cheered, and at the
close of the act a laurel wreath was suspended over his head,
whereupon he changed his seat. This natural action has been quaintly
commented upon by various biographers, and the statement is made that
for many years it was held up before the French youth as an exhibition
of extraordinary modesty!
One of the most admirable of Jones' traits was a chivalrous devotion
to women. To a natural grace of manner he added the bold directness of
a sailor, which was not without its charm to the beauties of
Versailles, sated with the usual artificial gallantry of the men of
the period. Jones spoke French rather well, and had a taste for music
and poetry. There were, therefore, many who did not disdain to draw
the "sea lion" in their train. On account of the favors he had
received he was a person of distinction at the court. Among his
voluminous correspondence which has been preserved are numbers of
letters to and from different women of rank and station, dating from
this period and from his prolonged stay in Paris after the war had
terminated. Among others, he corresponded with a lady who, after the
romantic fashion of the time, at first endeavored to hide her identity
under the name of Delia. Between Jones and Delia there seems to have
sprung up a genuine passion, for the letters on both sides breathe a
spirit of passionate, heartfelt devotion. It has been discovered that
Delia was but another name for Madame de Telison, a natural daughter
of Louis XV, with whom Jones frequently corresponded under her own
name, and who is referred to in his biographies as Madame T----, and
the identification is definite and complete. He was catholic in his
affections, however, for he by no means confined his epistolary
relations to the gentle and devoted Madame de Telison.
It is interesting to note that in all these letters there is not a
single indelicate or ill-bred allusion. That is what would be expected
to-day, but when we remember that so great an authority as Robert
Walpole suggested that everybody at his table should "talk bawdy," as
being the only subject every one could understand, the significance of
his clean letters is apparent. In his correspondence, except in the
case of Aimée Adèle de Telison, he never appears to have passed beyond
the bounds of romantic friendship. In later years, however, it is
possible to infer from his letters that Madame de Telison bore to him
a son, whose history is entirely unknown. Among others who honored him
with their friendship were three women of high rank, the Duchess de
Chartres, Madame d'Ormoy, and the Countess de Lavendahl, who painted
his portrait in miniature.
An English lady, Miss Edes, sojourning in France at this time, thus
refers to him in two letters which she wrote for publication in the
English journals:
"The famous Paul Jones dines and sups here often; he is a smart man of
thirty-six, speaks but little French, appears to be an extraordinary
genius, a poet as well as hero; a few days ago he wrote some verses
extempore, of which I send you a copy. He is greatly admired here,
especially by the ladies, who are wild for love of him; but he adores
the Countess of Lavendahl, who has honored him with every mark of
politeness and distinction.
"'Insulted freedom bled; I felt her cause,
And drew my sword to vindicate her laws
From principle, and not from vain applause.
I've done my best; self-interest far apart,
And self-reproach a stranger to my heart.
My zeal still prompts, ambitious to pursue
The foe, ye fair! of liberty and you;
Grateful for praise, spontaneous and unbought,
A generous people's love not meanly sought;
To merit this, and bend the knee to beauty,
Shall be my earliest and latest duty.'
"Since my last, Paul Jones drank tea and supped here. If I am in love
for him, for love I may die. I have as many rivals as there are
ladies, but the most formidable is still Lady Lavendahl, who possesses
all his heart. This lady is of high rank and virtue, very sensible,
good-natured, and affable. Besides this, she is possessed of youth,
beauty, and wit, and every other form of female accomplishment. He is
gone, I suppose, for America. They correspond, and his letters are
replete with elegance, sentiment, and delicacy. She drew his picture,
a striking likeness, and wrote some lines under it which are much
admired, and presented it to him. Since he received it he is, like a
second Narcissus, in love with his own resemblance; to be sure, he is
the most agreeable sea wolf one would wish to meet with."
In all this, however, Jones did not for a moment neglect the business
which had called him to Paris. He moved heaven and earth to effect the
sale of the prizes, bringing to bear all his personal popularity and
making use of his new-found friends, both men and women, to accomplish
the desired results. In all his attempts he was zealously supported by
Franklin, who, I have no doubt, greatly enjoyed the popularity of his
_protégé_.
Finally, on the last day of May, having received positive assurance
that the prizes would be sold and distribution made immediately, he
set out for L'Orient. On leaving Paris he carried with him a personal
commendation from Franklin and a letter from de Sartine to the
President of Congress, as follows:
"Passy, _June 1, 1780_.
"_Samuel Huntington, Esq., President of Congress_.
"Sir: Commodore Jones, who by his bravery and conduct has done great
honour to the American flag, desires to have that also of presenting a
line to the hands of your Excellency. I cheerfully comply with his
request, in recommending him to the notice of Congress, and to your
Excellency's protection, though his actions are more effectual
recommendations, and render any from me unnecessary. It gives me,
however, an opportunity of shewing my readiness to do justice to
merit, and of professing the esteem and respect with which I am, etc.
B. Franklin."
From M. de Sartine to Mr. Huntington, President of the Congress of the
United States:
"Versailles, _May 30, 1780_.
"Commodore Paul Jones, after having shown to all Europe, and
particularly to the enemies of France and the United States, the most
unquestionable proofs of his valor and talents, is about returning to
America to give an account to Congress of the success of his military
operations. I am convinced, Sir, that the reputation he has so justly
acquired will precede him, and that the recital of his actions alone
will suffice to prove to his fellow citizens that his abilities are
equal to his courage. But the king has thought proper to add his
suffrage and attention to the public opinion. He has expressly charged
me to inform you how perfectly he is satisfied with the services of
the Commodore, persuaded that Congress will render him the same
justice. He has offered, as a proof of his esteem, to present him with
a sword, which can not be placed in better hands, and likewise
proposed to Congress to decorate this brave officer with the cross of
Military Merit. His Majesty conceives that this particular
distinction, by holding forth the same honours to the two nations,
united by the same interests, will be looked upon as one tie more that
connects them, and will support that emulation which is so precious to
the common cause. If, after having approved the conduct of the
Commodore, it should be thought proper to give him the command of any
new expedition to Europe, His Majesty will receive him again with
pleasure, and presumes that Congress will oppose nothing that may be
judged expedient to secure the success of his enterprises. My personal
esteem for him induces me to recommend him very particularly to you,
Sir, and I dare flatter myself that the welcome he will receive from
Congress and you will warrant the sentiments with which he has
inspired me."
While all this had been going on, however, Franklin had been having
serious trouble with the men of the Alliance. On the 12th of April the
officers dispatched a letter to Franklin demanding their prize money
and wages. Franklin had previously advanced them twenty-four thousand
livres, and he wrote them that everything was being done to hasten the
sale of the prizes, and that they would have to be content with what
he had given them, and receive the balance when they reached the
United States. On the 29th of May Landais wrote, repeating his
application of the 17th of March, and inclosing a mutinous letter
signed by one hundred and fifteen of the crew of the Alliance,
declaring that they would not raise an anchor nor sail from L'Orient
till they had six months' wages paid to them, and the utmost farthing
of their prize money, including that for the ships sent into Norway,
and until their legal captain, Pierre Landais, was restored to them.
Landais had added the phrase "until their legal captain, P. Landais,
is restored to us," himself. With this letter was another
communication from fourteen of the original officers of the Alliance,
to the effect that the crew were in favor of Landais, who was a
capable officer, whose conduct had been misrepresented, and whom they
considered themselves bound to obey as their legal captain. These
officers can not be relieved of a large share of the odium attaching
to the conduct of the Alliance during the battle between the Richard
and the Serapis. The reason for their dislike of Jones is therefore
apparent. To carry out their designs they had circulated among the
crew statements to the effect that Jones had received the prize money
and was enjoying himself at their expense. The fine Italian hand of
Mr. Lee is to be seen in the documents they forwarded to Franklin.
Franklin's reply to this disgracefully insubordinate batch of letters
was remarkable for its tact, acumen, and good sense. After keenly
expressing his surprise that the very officers who had testified
against Landais a short time before, and whom Landais had stated were
all leagued against him, were now desirous of being placed again under
his command, he writes as follows:
"I have related exactly to Congress the manner of his [Landais']
leaving the ship, and though I declined any judgment of his maneuvers
in the fight, I have given it as my opinion, after examining the
affair, that it was not at all likely either that he should have given
orders to fire into the Bon Homme Richard, or that his officers should
have obeyed such an order should it have been given them. Thus I have
taken what care I could of your honour in that particular. You will,
therefore, excuse me if I am a little concerned for it in another. If
it should come to be publicly known that you had the strongest
aversion to Captain Landais, who has used you basely, and that it is
only since the last year's cruise, and the appointment of Commodore
Jones to the command, that you request to be again under your old
captain, I fear suspicions and reflections may be thrown upon you by
the world, as if this change of sentiment may have arisen from your
observation during the cruise, that _Captain Jones loved close
fighting_,[35] but that Captain Landais was skilful in keeping out of
harm's way; and that you, therefore, thought yourself safer with the
latter. For myself, I believe you to be brave men and lovers of your
country and its glorious cause; and I am persuaded you have only been
ill-advised and misled by the artful and malicious representations of
some persons I guess at. Take in good part this counsel from an old
man who is your friend. Go home peaceably with your ship. Do your duty
faithfully and cheerfully. Behave respectfully to your commander, and
I am persuaded he will do the same to you. Thus you will not only be
happier in your voyage, but recommend yourselves to the future favours
of Congress and of your country."
At the same time he specifically directed Landais to refrain from
meddling with the men or creating any disturbance on the Alliance at
his peril. To this letter Landais paid no attention. This was the
situation when Jones reached L'Orient. Franklin wrote him concerning
the letters and batch of documents from Landais and the crew, which
had arrived after his departure, and advised him what had been done in
consequence. The commissioner had procured an imperative order to the
authorities at L'Orient for the arrest of Landais, who was to be tried
for his life as an emigrant without the king's permission. Franklin
also directed Jones to withhold from the signers of the mutinous
letter any portion of the money he had advanced on account of the
prizes, and he added the firm and decided injunction that if any one
was not willing to trust his country to see justice done him he should
be put ashore at his own charges to await the sale of the prizes.
The situation was most critical, and that Franklin appreciated it
fully is shown by the following citation from one of his letters to
Jones:
"... You are likely to have great trouble. I wish you well through it.
You have shown your abilities in fighting; you have now an opportunity
of showing the other necessary part in the character of a great chief,
your abilities in policy."
Before this letter was received, however, matters had risen to a
climax, which resulted in the ejection of Jones and the assumption of
the command by Landais. Immediately he arrived at L'Orient, Jones
hastened to get ready for leaving. The Ariel, a small ship of twenty
guns, had been loaned by the French Government to carry such supplies
as could not be taken on the Alliance. Several American vessels with
valuable cargoes were awaiting his departure also, to sail under his
convoy.
Jones had gone on board the Alliance as usual, as his duty demanded,
and had been received respectfully and his orders promptly obeyed. On
the morning of the 13th of June, being now for the first time informed
of the mutinous action of the crew and the letters to Franklin, he
mustered the crew and caused his commission and Franklin's first order
to him to take command of the ship in the Texel, and his last one, to
carry her to Philadelphia, to be read to the men. He then addressed
the seamen, pointing out to them the obligations they had assumed, the
consequences of a refusal to obey him on their part, and urged them to
a faithful performance of their duty. He asked them, if any one had
any complaints to make against him, that they be made now. No reply
was made to this address, and no complaints were brought forward. The
men were then dismissed to their stations.
Shortly after this incident Jones went ashore. Landais was advised of
the whole situation immediately, and sent a letter to Degges, the
first lieutenant, ordering him to assume the command of the ship and
retain it in the face of Jones or any one else until Landais should
receive an answer to his demand to Franklin to be replaced in the
command of the Alliance. When he received this order, Landais stated
that he would at once come on board and take over the ship. Degges
mustered the crew again and read this letter. The adroit suggestions
of Mr. Lee and the insinuations as to Jones' alleged betrayal of their
interests by making off with the prize money had so worked on the
feelings of the men that they at once declared for Landais, who, on
being notified, promptly repaired to the ship and formally assumed
command.
Dale and the officers of the Richard on the Alliance, who had not been
aware of these last proceedings, for they had been adroitly timed for
their dinner hour when they were below, were apprised of Landais'
arrival by the cheering on deck. They protested against his assuming
command, and were all sent ashore without ceremony. Mr. Lee seems to
have suggested and approved of the action of Landais; indeed, without
his sanction the latter would never have dared to take command of the
ship.
On the afternoon of the same day Jones dispatched a letter to Franklin
by express, relating the circumstances, and then immediately followed
in person, which was an unnecessary thing to do. On his arrival at
Paris he found that peremptory orders had already been sent post haste
to L'Orient to detain forcibly the Alliance, and reiterating the
command to arrest Landais. Franklin, appreciating the meddling of Lee,
withdrew his request to Jones to receive him as a passenger, and
stated that he might return to America in some of the other ships
going home under the convoy of the Alliance. Finding nothing more to
be done, after staying but two days, Jones returned to L'Orient as
quickly as possible. He arrived on the morning of the 20th of June,
having been absent six days.
During this time the Alliance had been warped out of the inner roads
into the narrow strait called Port Louis, which was inclosed by rocks
and commanded by batteries, which she would have to pass before she
could reach the outer roads of Groix. The peremptory orders to stop
the ship had not arrived, but the commander of the port under his
previous orders had caused a barrier to be drawn across the narrow
strait of Port Louis, and had ordered the forts to sink the frigate if
she attempted to pass out. When Jones arrived, a boat was sent off to
the ship by the port officer, carrying the king's order for the arrest
of Landais. He positively refused to surrender himself. Franklin's
latest orders to Landais and the officers and men were then delivered,
and were treated with equal contempt.
All this was another evidence of Landais' folly, for the Alliance was
completely in Jones' power. He had but to give the word to have caused
the batteries to open fire and sink her. She could neither have
escaped nor made adequate reply. Indeed, it is probable, from the
character of her captain, officers, and crew, that she would have made
little or no fight. But, according to Jones' specific statement, for
France, the avowed ally of America, to have opened fire upon an
American ship, and to have killed and wounded American sailors, would
have been a terrible misfortune, a thing greatly to be deplored, and
to be avoided if possible, lest the present friendly relations between
the two countries should be impaired by this action. The aid of France
was vital to the American cause at this juncture, and it was patent
that every effort should be made to promote harmony rather than sow
discord; therefore Jones reluctantly requested the commander to secure
his batteries, open the barrier, and allow the Alliance to get through
the strait. The French officers accordingly, in the absence of other
orders, stopped the preparations they had made to detain the frigate,
and expressed their admiration for the magnanimity of Jones in
allowing the Alliance to go free. As soon as he received permission,
Landais warped the Alliance through the passage between the rocks and
anchored in Groix roads. Safe out of harm's way, he had reached a
position from which he really could defy Jones and France at last, and
defy them he did, more boldly than ever.
It is impossible entirely to approve of Jones' conduct in this
complicated affair. He might have gone on board the Alliance the day
of the outbreak and confronted Landais. His own personality was so
strong that it seems probable he could have regained possession of the
ship in despite of anything the weak Landais could say or do. However,
if the spirit of the men had been so turned against him that in his
judgment this would have been impracticable, he certainly had the
situation entirely in his own hands when the Alliance lay under the
guns of the batteries. It was not necessary for the batteries to open
fire. If he had simply kept the pass closed Landais would have been
unable to get away, and it is difficult to see how he could have
avoided surrendering himself and yielding up his ship eventually. All
that would have been necessary for Jones to do would be to have
patience; that was a thing, however, of which he had but little
throughout his life. If he did not desire to wait, he could have
opened fire upon the ship, taking the risk of a rupture, or allowing
the blame, if any arose, to fall upon those who had put him in command
of the Alliance originally, and had continued him therein. I venture
to surmise that the first broadside would have brought down the flag
of the Alliance. In this action he would have been entirely within his
rights. If Jones really wanted her, he could have easily secured
possession of the ship.
Instead of doing any of these things, he let Landais and the Alliance
go. For this he is distinctly censurable. It is, perhaps, not
difficult to see why he permitted her to escape. I have no doubt he
loathed the officers and men upon her. He was probably sick of the
sight of her. He could contemplate with no satisfaction whatever a
cruise upon her, especially with Arthur Lee as a passenger, and he was
a gentleman whom it would have been difficult to dispose of.
There was, it has been surmised, still another and more pertinent
reason. The Serapis was still in the harbor. She had just been
purchased by the king. Jones' desire for her was as strong as
ever--stronger, if anything. Upward of five hundred tons of public
stores and munitions of war still remained to be taken to America. The
Ariel could not begin to carry it all. His dream was to beg or borrow
the Serapis, which, in conjunction with the Ariel, should transport
the stores to the United States, and then be refitted for warlike
cruising under his command. If he retained the Alliance this hope
would vanish. When the Alliance was warped out of the harbor he
promptly wrote to Franklin suggesting this plan. Meanwhile, he kept up
a hot fire of orders and letters upon Landais, who, being now out of
his power, treated his communications with silent contempt. When Jones
directed that his personal baggage be sent off from the Alliance,
Landais sent it to him in disgraceful condition, trunks broken open,
papers scattered, and much of his private property missing.
On the 28th he wrote to Landais ordering him not to sail without his
permission, and directing him to send eighty of his best seamen
riggers to assist in equipping the Ariel. Landais sent him twenty-two
people, of whom he wished to be rid, with an insolent note. When Jones
wrote to him for the balance of the men he had ordered, Landais would
not allow the officer carrying the order to come on board. A few days
after this he sailed for America, with many of the men of the Bon
Homme Richard, who still adhered to Jones, and who refused to assist
him in getting the ship under way, in irons in the hold.
To close a troublesome subject, it may be stated that the Alliance
reached Boston in August. The peculiar conduct of Landais on this
cruise so alarmed the officers and jeopardized the safety of the ship,
that by the advice of the meddlesome Lee--who was in this single
instance justified in his suggestions--he was summarily deprived of
the command of the ship on the plea of insanity, and kept closely
confined till they reached Boston. No one was more incensed against
him than his whilom upholder and defender, Lee. Landais was formally
tried by court-martial when he arrived in the United States and
dismissed the service. He got off lightly. He should have been hanged
from the yardarm of his own ship as an example and a warning to
mutinous traitors.