The National tribune., 1898-04-28

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Jones now saw fitful glimpses of iig I
ahead. Finally, in October, 1878, he laid
the whole matter before the Duchesse de
ChartreS and said to her that, if she saw
no objection, he would appeal to the King
in person, and asked her if she woul
hand petition from him to Louis XVI.
He said it was evident that DR.. Franklin
had exhausted his resources, that the
cabal of French Captains still had power to
! block every project in the Ministry of
Marine, and that, therefore, unless the
King himself could be persuaded to act,
the whole affair might as well be given up.
The Duchess at once approved the
scheme and said she would lay his peti-
ton before the King.
AN APPEAL TO THE KING.
Paul Jones then wrote a letter to Louis
XVI Such proceeding was quite out of
the usual order of things. 1t was almost a
breach OF Court etiquett. In fact, the
only way in which the King could receive
such a communication direct from a sub
lect or citizen of a foreign power was in the
form OF petition for redress of extreme
grievance, and then only by ROYAL grace
This remarkable document was dated
Oct. 10, 1873, and addressed:
His Most Christian Majesty Louis, King
of France and Navarro
Sire: Alter my return to Brest i'm the
American ship OF war, the Ranger, from
the Irish Channel, his ExceIlency DR.
Franklin, informed me by letter, dated
June i, that Nj. de Sartine French Minis
ter of Marine), having a good opinion Of
my conduct, had determined, with your
MaJesty's consent and appreciation, TO
give me the command Of the ship of war,
the lndien, which was built at Amsterdam,
for America, but afterwards, for political
reasons, made the property of France |
was to act with unlimited orders under the
commission and flag Of America
L was deeply affected with "a sense of the
honor Gone me by this proposition as well
as OF the favor which your Majesty intended
thereby to confer on America and | ac-
cepted the order with the greater pleasure.
as the Congress had sent me To Europe
IN the Hanger to command the Indien be- |
fore the ownership Of that vessel was
changed"
The letter, which is quite voluminous. |
then goes on to recite all the different /
schemes suggested from time TO time after
1t was found impossible to get the Indien
out OF Holland as an American ship. and
refers with much force to the repeated dis
appointments he had met with 1t con-
cl' des as follows:
mus l have been chained down tn |
shameful inactivity for nearly five months,
nave Iost the best season OF the year and
such opportunities OF serving my country |
and acquiring honor as | cannot again |
speakable notification having no COM
mand, / am considered everywhere as an |
oIiicef cast Oil and in disgrace for secret |
reasons. |
AS your Majesty, by espousing the
cause Of America has become the nro |
tector OF the rights Of human nature. am
persuaded that you will not disregard my
situation nor permit me longer To Writhe in
this InsupportabIe disgrace.
am, with perfect gratitude and pro-
found respect,
Your Maiesty's very obliged, very obedi
ent, and very humble servant,
Paul Joncs.'
he then wrote a letter to the Duchesse
de Charities, lnclosing his letter to the
king and formally requesting her to place
~ IN ms hands. In this letter he reviews
the reasons why he appeals TO the King,
and concludes:
. i have written the inclosed letter to the /
Sovereign, which / beseech your ROYAL
fiIghness to present to his Majesty. You
VIII therepy add singular obligation to
descending attentions am Kindness
shall be extremely happy TO succeed
through the influence OF so amiable p
'finceSS and so powerful an advocate.
whom l devoutly esteem and respect:
being truly and always in the artIcss sin
;erity of my heart, Madame,
Your Royal Highness's very obedient
md very humble servant.
Paul Jones'"
Punctilious not to attempt anything over
Dr.. franklin's head, or without his knowl-
'dge and consent, Jones wrote TO him |
Inder the same date as follows. incIosinp
copies OF both the foregoing letters:
Il hope you will find the within letter
to the King entirely free from asperity or
Immature. 1t cannot. | think do
larm, and unless you disapprove it, ] beg
hat it may take its course. The Duchesse
lie Chartres will undertake to deliver il
nto the Kings hands," =.
HIS DISTINGUISHED PRECEPTRESS.
Jones wrote his letter to the King i'm
french, and submitted it to the Duchess
or revision. He says quantity in his
ournal:
Her Royal Highness made many amend
nents, but teit hattered by the fact that