likely to perpetuate that trouble, of which you have already had too much, and to which I am sorry to be obliged to add, by asking a peremptory order for the execution of what you were before pleased to decide on this subject. I have the honor to be, &c. FROM CAPTAIN J. PAUL JONES TO THOMAS JEFFERSON. Sir, L'Orient, July 31, 1785. I had the honor to write you the the 29th of this month, praying you to address the Court, to prevent Mr. Puchelberg, a French merchant here, from receiving the prize money due to the subjects of the United States, who served on board the squadron I commanded in Europe. I have done my duty, and with great trouble and expense both of time and money, obtained a settlement in their favor from government. But if Mr. Puchelberg, who has taken no trouble and been at no expense to obtain a settlement, should receive the money, the greatest part of it, will never reach America, nor find its way into the pockets of the captors, were Mr. Puchelberg the honestest man in the world, he cannot at this distance from America, and being ignorant of the laws of the American flag, do justice to the concerned. Besides a preference is due to the application of one government to another, for what regards the interests of its subjects, especially where it is clear, that every caution has been observed, for obtaining justice to each individual. The enclosed copy of a letter, which has just now been communicated to me from Monsieur de Soulanges a M. M. les Juges Consul, dated at Toulon, the 14th of this month, announcing that the Algerines have declared war against the United States, is of too serious a nature not to be sent immediately to you. This event may, I believe, surprise some of our fellow citizens, but for my part, I am rather surprised that it did not take place sooner. It will produce a good effect if it unites the people of America in measures consistent with their national honor and interest, and rouses them from that ill-judged security, which the intoxication of success has produced since the revolution. My best wishes will always attend that land of freedom, and my pride will be always gratified when such measures are adopted, as will make us respected as a great people, who deserve to be free. I am, Sir, &c. J. PAUL JONES. FROM LE MARESCHAL DE CASTRIES TO THOMAS JEF FERSON. Translation. Versailles, August 12, 1785. Sir, I have received, with the letter which you did me the honor to write to me the 3d of this month, the observations of Mr. Jones on the insufficiency of the powers, with which the Sieur Puchelberg is vested for taking charge of the shares of prizes due to the subjects of the United States. From your assertion, and our reflections, I should not hesitate to confirm the orders, which I have given for remitting to Mr. Jones, all that is due to the Americans, but another difficulty presents itself. The Commissary ordonnateur, at L'Orient, observes to me, that notwithstanding the search which has been made, it has proved impracticable to procure an exact roll of the crew of the American frigate Alliance, and that on the very probable supposition that some Frenchmen may have served on board of that frigate, it results, that from the remission of the whole of the funds to Mr. Jones, the shares coming to the subjects of the King should be lodged in the Treasury of Congress. From this circumstance, I presume that you will see the justice of requiring of Mr. Jones, security to ensure the payment of what may be coming to them, should any of them have embarked in the Alliance frigate. I request the favor of you to honor me with an answer on this subject, and I have that of being with a very sincere attachment, &c. LE M. DE CASTRIES. FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON TO THE MARESCHAL DE CASTRIES. Paris, August 17, 1785. Sir, I was honored yesterday with the receipt of your Excellency's letter of the 12th instant. I have ever understood that the whole crew of the Alliance was of American citizens. But, should there have been among them any subjects of his Majesty, it is but just that the repayment of their portions of the prize money should be secured; but captain Jones being already bound to pay what he shall receive into the Treasury of the United States, I submit to your Excellency, whether it will be right to require him to be answerable for moneys, after they shall be put out of his power. And whether, as Congress have secured the receipt at their Treasury, it will not be shorter for them to order repayment to any subjects of his Majesty, who may shew themselves justly entitled. I will immediately ask their pleasure on this subject, and solicit such orders, as that every such claimant, proving his title here in the usual way, may receive immediate payment of their banker here, and that no individual may, in the meantime be delayed, should any such present their proofs before the orders are received, I will undertake to direct payment by the banker of the United States in Paris, being assured that in so doing I shall forward those views of perfect justice, which Congress will carry into the distribution of this money. Should any instances arise of payment to be demanded here, I think they will be few, and the sums will of course be small. I shall be happy if your Excellency shall think that the justice due to this part of the claimants, is so sufficiently secured by those assurances, as that it need not stand in the way of that which is due to the great mass of claimants, who are already so much indebted for your attention to their interests. I will take the liberty of asking that I may be furnished, by the proper officer, with copies of captain Jones' receipts for the moneys, which shall be paid him, that by transmitting them to the Treasury Board of the United States, they may know the precise sums which they are to receive through his hands. I pray you to accept my acknowledgments for your attention to this troublesome business, and assurances of the high respect and esteem, with which I have the honor to be, &c. TH: JEFFERSON. 04140 FROM THE MARESCHAL DE CASTRIES TO THOMAS JEF FERSON (IN ANSWER.) Translation. Versailles, August 26, 1785. Sir, The offer which you make in the letter you have done me the honor to write the 17th instant, smoothes away every difficulty. Since you have been pleased to engage to have paid, by the banker of the United States at Paris, whatever may be due to the French, who should have served on board the American frigate Alliance, I now give orders to the Commissary at L'Orient, to remit to Mr. Jones the whole sum, which shall be coming to the American vessels, and to transmit to me copies of the receipts, which he may take from that officer. I have the honor to be, &c. LE M. DE CASTRIES. My letter of the 30th August, acknowledged the receipt of yours of July 13th, since that I have received your letter of August 13th, enclosing a correspondence |