Extract from a Letter by Jonathan Williams Esqr. to Lieutenant Simpson dated Passy July 14th: 1778.—
“You observed to me when I saw you at Brest that you were so much disposed to have a good understanding with Captain Jones that were any Concession ask’d of you, or did you know that sort of one would be acceptable you would readily make it—I have so much the wellfare of the Service at Heart-and Harmony among its Servants is so essential a Point that I have endeavoured to promote it as Often as I have had opportunity;- and it is now with particular pleasure that I find reason to believe that if you would write a Letter to Captain Jones telling him that you did not intentionally disobey his Orders, and in any Instance where it might be construed so in Fact, it was error in Judgment only which you wish had never happened and promising to bury the matter in Oblivion if he will return your Parole—you will probably not only receive the Parole but be appointed to Command the Ranger—I mention this with the more Certainty as I know Captain Jones has recommended that Step to the Commissioners in preference to appointing a new Captain, which was thought of by them.—1 I have no motive in this but friendship to all Sides—and it would be well to consider the importance of the Hint when it is impossible you should act in a Naval in public Service, while under suspension—and the event of a Court Martial, which cannot take place until Captain Jones and you meet in America, may not be such as though conscious of your Intentional Innocence you may expect.
“You will determine on this matter as you think proper, but if you Consider my Advice of any Consequence you will not hesitate to return an Answer as soon as possible.—
“I did not tell Captain Jones what passed between us when at Brest—because I did not then choose to interfere in what did not Concern me.— this was perhaps being too Cautious—and I am now sorry for it, as on mentioning it to him he tells me that had he known it he would then have accepted a Reasonable Concession.”—
