has been observed, that joint Expeditions of Land and Sea Forces often miscarry, thro' Jealousies and misunderstandings between the Officers of the different Corps. This must happen, where there are little Minds, actuated more by personal Views of Profit or Honour to themselves, than by the warm and sincere Desire of Good to their Country. Knowing you both as I do and your just manner of thinking on these Occasions, I am confident nothing of the kind can happen between you, and that it is unnecessary for me to recommend to either of you that Condescension, mutual Good Will & Harmony, which contribute so much to Success in such Undertakings.

I look upon this Expedition as an Introduction only to greater Trusts, and more extensive Commands, and as a kind of Trial of both your Abilities and of your Fitness in Temper & Disposition for acting in Concert with others. I flatter myself therefore that nothing will happen that may give Impressions to the Disadvantage of either of you, when greater Affairs shall come under Consideration. As this is understood to be an American Expedition, under the Congress' Commission and Colours, the Marquis, who is a Major-General in that Service, has of course the Step in Point of Rank, and he must have the Command of the Land Forces, which are committed by the King to his Care: But the Command of the Ships will be entirely in you; in which I am persuaded, that, whatever Authority his Rank might in strictness give him, he will not have the least Desire to interfere with you. There is Honour enough to be got for both of you, if the expedition is conducted with a prudent Unanimity. The Circumstance is indeed a little Unusual; for there is not only a Junction of Land and Sea

Forces, but there is also a Junction of Frenchmen and American, which increases the Difficulty of maintaining a good Understanding. A cool, prudent Conduct in the Chiefs is, therefore, the more necessary; and I trust neither of you will in that respect be deficient. With my best Wishes for your Success, Health, and Honour, I remain, &c. B. FRANKLIN.

INSTRUCTIONS

To the honourable J. P. Jones Esquire, Commander of the American Squadron in the Service of the United States, now in the Port of L'Orient. (D. S. W.)

1. His Majesty, having been pleased to grant some Troops for a particular Expedition proposed to annoy our Common Enemy, in which the Sea-Force under your Command might have an Opportunity of distinguishing itself; you are to receive on board your Ships of War, and the other Vessels destin'd for that purpose, the Troops that shall present themselves to you, afford them such Accommodation as may be most proper for preserving their Health, and convey them to such Port or Place as their Commander shall desire to land them at.

2. When the Troops are landed you are to aid, by all means in your Power, their Operations, as they will be instructed in like manner to aid and support those you may make with your Ships, that so by this Concurrence and Union of your different forces, all that such a Compounded Strength is capable of may be effected.

3. You are during the Expedition never to depart from the Troops, so as not to be able to protect them or to secure

their retreat in Case of a Repulse; and in all Events you are to endeavour their compleat Reimbarkation on board the Ships and transports under your Command, when the Expedition shall be ended.

4. You are to bring to France all the English Seamen you may happen to take Prisoners, in order to compleat the good work you have already made such Progress in, of delivering by an Exchange the rest of our Countrymen now languishing in the goals of Great Britain.

5. As many of your Officers and People have lately escaped from English Prisons, either in Europe or America, you are to be particularly attentive to their Conduct towards the Prisoners, which the fortune of War may throw into your hands; lest resentm of the more than Barbarous Usage by the English in many Places towards the Americans should occasion a Retaliation, and an Imitation of what ought rather to be detested and avoided, for the Sake of Humanity and for the honour of our Country.

6. In the same view, altho' the English have wantonly burnt many defenceless Towns in America, you are not to follow this Example, unless where a Reasonable Ransom is refused; in which Case, your own generous feelings, as well as this Instruction, will induce you to give timely Notice of your Intention, that sick and ancient Persons, Women and Children, may be first removed.

Given at Passy, the 28th Day of April, 1779.

B. FRANKLIN,

Minister Plenipotentiary from the United

States to the Court of France.1

1 To this Jones replied in a memorable letter of May 1, 1779, beginning "Honoured and Dear Sir, the letter which I had the honour to receive from

SIR,

998. TO ARTHUR LEE

(D. S. W.)

Passy, May 3, 1779.

I did write to the Gentlemen at Nantes concern'd in fitting out the Vessels for America, offering them the Alliance as a Convoy, and order'd her to Nantes accordingly. They did not chuse to accept that offer knowing, as I suppose, her Weakness, but sail'd for Brest, to go with the French Convoy, without waiting her Arrival, and would probably have been gone long before she could have been fitted for Sea, if contrary Winds had not prevented. I wish your Information were true, that she is mann'd, and fit for such Service; it must be from some Person who is unacquainted with the facts, perhaps Mr. Ford.

I must suppose the Merchants are satisfied with the Convoy they have put their Ships under, as I do not learn that they have applied for one more suitable. I would readily have sollicited such an Application, if I had understood it to be necessary, being equally desirous with you of their arriving safe, and sensible of the Importance of it. But I have not received a line from any of them to any such purpose; and Captain Landais has assured me, that my supposition of his having Men sufficient to fight his Ship on occasion, in going home, tho' not enough to man Prizes on a Cruise, was a great Mistake in my informer; he then

your Excellency to-day, together with your liberal and noble minded instructions would make a coward brave. You have called up every sentiment of public virtue in my breast and it shall be my pride and ambition in the strict pursuit of your instructions to deserve success." — ED.

wanted 150 men, & I have not since heard of his having recruited more than 40, with the exchanged Americans from England. Mr. Ford may probably be accommodated in the same Frigate that will take Mr. Adams. I have the honour to be, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

P.S. I am glad to hear from you, that Supplies necessary for Virginia are shipt.

1 999. TO THOMAS VINY1

(L. C.)

Passy, May 4. 1779.

DEAR SIR,

I received with great Pleasure your kind Letter, as I learnt by it that my hospitable Friend still exists, and that his Friendship for me is not abated.

We have had a hard Struggle, but the Almighty has favoured the just Cause; and I join most heartily with you in your Prayers, that he may perfect his Work, and establish Freedom in the new World, as an Asylum for those of the Old, who deserve it. I find that many worthy and wealthy families of this Continent are determined to remove thither and partake of it, as soon as Peace shall make the Passage safer; for which Peace I also join your Prayers most cordially, as I think the War a detestable one, and grieve much at the Mischief and Misery it occasions to many; my only Consolation being, that I did all in my power to prevent it.

When all the Bustle is over, if my short Remainder of 1 A wheel manufacturer of Tenterden, Kent. -ED.