FO-From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 1 June 1778.md

FO-From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 1 June 1778

4 reprints from 1778-06-01 to 1899-10-01

FO-From Benjamin Franklin to John Paul Jones, 1 June 1778

by Franklin, Benjamin

From unknown source

1778-06-01

June 1. 1778 I have the Pleasure of informing you that it is propos’d to give you the Command of the great Ship we have built at Amsterdam. By what you wrote to us formerly, I have ventur’d to say in your Behalf, that this Proposition would be agreable to you. You will immediately let me know your Resolution: which that you may be more clear in taking, I must inform you of some Circumstances. She is at present the Property of the King, but as there is no War yet declar’d, you will have the Commission and Flag of the States, and act under their Orders and Laws. The Prince de Nassau will make the cruize with you. She is to be brought here under Cover as a French Merchantman; to be equipp’d and mann’d in France. We hope to exchange your Prisoners for as many American Sailors: but if that fails, you have your present Crew, to be made up here with other Nations and French. The other Commissioners are not acquainted with this Proposition as yet, and you see by the Nature of it that it is necessary to be kept a Secret till we have got the Vessel here, for fear of Difficulties in Holland, and Interception

---

The Alabama Question.

From The Times

1869-12-17 · London, England

[This text is not available under an open license.]

---

From Memphis daily appeal.

1870-01-25 · Memphis, Tenn.

land une i is. "Dear Sir. I have the pleasure of informing you that it is proposed to give you the command of the great ship we have built at Amsterdam (a neutral port). She is at present the property of the King (of France); but as there is yet no war declared, you ped and manned in France. Th er Commissioners are not aquainted with this proposition as yet, and you see by the nature of it that it is neces­ sary to be kept a secret till we have got the vessel here, for fear of difficul­ ties in Holland and interruption

---

From Century Illustrated Magazine (1881-1906)

1899-10-01 · New York

sioners, and again and again, in granting aids, stipulated to him that Lee and Adams should know nothing; and so Franklin was forced repeatedly, in writing to Con- gress, to tell them that “the other com- missioners are not acquainted with this proposition as yet .

---