Captain John Paul Jones to American Commissiones in France, July 16, 1778

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Transcription

Passy July 16^th. 1778

Gentlemen,

At the time when I took Lieutenant Simpsons parole I did not expect to have been long absent from America—but as circumstances have not rendered the time of my return less certain, I am willing to let the dispute between us drop forever by giving up that parole+ —which will entitle him to command the Ranger.

I bear no Malice, and if I have done him an Injury, this will be making him all the present Satisfaction in my Power—if on the contrary he hath injured me; I will trust to himself for an Acknowledgement. I have the Honor [&c.]

Sign’d Jn^o P. Jones

+ The parole, not having been demanded, was not given up.¹

Copy, NHpR, Naval History Collection, Correspondence Regarding Naval-Maritime Matters, 1775–1783. There is also a copy of this letter at PPAmP that includes a copy of Thomas Simpson’s parole of 10 June 1778 and the following notation, which precedes the letter: “Copy of a letter from Captain Jones of the American Navy to the Commissioners at the Court of France dated at Passy the 16^th. day of July in the moment when they were about to give Mr. Livingston a Commission and appointment to Command the Ranger.” Musco Livingston had been the second lieutenant of the frigate Boston but was forced to resign his commission because of ill health. For more on Livingston, see Samuel Tucker to John Adams, 4 July 1778, above.

1. This sentence is written vertically along the left margin of the letter.

Document Information

Date

1778 July 16

Volume

Volume 13

Series

European Theater, June 1 to August 15, 1778