Brest May 11. 1778.
Your Excellencies are before this Time informed of the Gallant Action performed by Capt Jones, who has no doubt also informed you of his Intentions relative to the Drake Sloop of War.1 I happened to be at Morlaix when this News reached me, and as I thought my presence would be of Service I came immediately hither. Capt Jones informs me that he has immediate occasion for about £2000 Sterling, to equip the Drake in which he means to send the Prisoners to America, and that directly least the french Court should prevent him. I know of no other Method of procuring this Money than by drawing on you, in which case I doubt not the Bills will be honoured.2 I shall next post inform you if anything new occurs in the mean time have the honour to be [&c.]
Jona Williams J
L, PPAmP, Benjamin Franklin Papers, vol. 37, fol. 153. Addressed: “amessieurs/Messrs./Les Ministres Plenipotentiares/des Etats Unis.” Docketed: “Mr J. Williams. Brest/May 11. 1778.”
1. See Capt. John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners in France, 9 May, above.
2. For more on Jones’s draft on the commissioners and the controversy arising from it, see Jones to the American Commissioners in France, 16 May, below.
