John Paul Jones to Benjamin Franklin, November 29, 1779

Alliance Texel Novr: 29th: 1779.

Honoured and dear Sir,

Previous to the appearance of your Excellency’s letter of the 8th: Current, I had forwarded thro’ the hands of M. Dumas the Certificates which you required respecting Captain Landais; And the Serapis was ready for Sea when the French Ambassador sent for me a Second time to meet him at Amsterdam.— I hope my Conduct in that interview will met with your Approbation.— I do not well understand the reasons of this alteration; but Mr Dumas who was present can inform you that I have done everything in my power to secure the Prisoners without a quarrel with the Ambassador.— I have an hundred Prisoners on board here among whom are all that were landed & Guarded for three Weeks by our People in the Fort on the Texel.— I shall with this Ship embrace the first fair Wind for L’Orient. I hope to take some good Prizes by the way and on my Arrival there, to meet with your further Orders.— I should have come on board here on the departure of Captain Landais agreeable to your letter of the 18th Ulto: 1 had it not been from a delicacy, as that mistaken Man had said that I had made interest with you to Supercede him in the Command of this Frigate! If he has any sensibility it will be a Sufficient punishment for him to know that ’till the Engagement with the Serapis I was his friend and had never written his Name to you without Saying Something in his favor.— I inclose Copies of the Ambassadors letters in consequence of the late arrangement to the Minister and to yourself together with my letter of thanks. 2

It is natural for me to wish that the Serapis should become the property of America. It is the best Ship I ever saw of the Kind and would Cost the Continent less than any Frigate that has yet been under our Flagg.— I wish to embrace you once more before I leave Europe—but my private feelings I hope shall never divert my Attention from my Duty.—

With great and Affectionate esteem I am your Excellency’s most obliged and most humble Servant

Jno P Jones

I wrote from Amsterdam the 11th Octor: a letter to you which I fear has miscarried. 3 I have the pleasure to inform you that Captn. Cunningham is now here with me.

His Excellency Benja: Franklin Esqr: &c &c—.