The National tribune., 1898-04-21

Coast OF Ireland bound for Brest, or any
other convenient French port, with his
prize.
During the afternoon of the 25th. crippled
as the Ranger was, he chased and took a
large English brigantine bound from Nor
way TO Whitehaven with good cargo. This
prize he sent into BTeSt where she arrived
day or two ahead of the Ranger. She
proved an opportune prize.
After Jones got into Brest, on the 5th of
May, he needed money TO reHt and find
his own ship and her prize, the Drake,
and drew on the Commissioners in accord
ance with his letter of credit from Con-
gress. The Commissioners could not
honor this draft for want of funds; but they
also questioned Jones's authority 10 draw
it.
This impelled him to write to Dr. Frank
lin under date of May q, 1878:
Il conceive that this might have been
prevented. To make me completely
wretched, NJ. Bersolle who was supplying
Jones'S ship and prizes on credit now
stops his hand, not only of the neces-
sary articles TO refit the ships, but also of
the daily proviSionsi / know not where
to find to-morrow's dinner for the great
number Of mouths that depend on me for
food n1S OF his own crew and 121 prisoners).
Are then the Continental ships of war to
depend OH the sale of their prizes for a
daily dinner for their mem"
The original of this remarkable letter as
given in Jones's journal for the informa-
ton OF the King. contains also the follow
ing, which seems to have been expunged
from the official text as printed in the ar
chives of our State Department:
HAS 1t come TO this that | and my truly
poor, brave men must not only fight with
out pay, but also compel the enemy to
feed 5? Is our cause then become so
mendicant that men who defend il must
take not only the chances of battle, but
also of begeary and even starvation after
they have conquered" This burst of in
dignant eloquence may not have been in
strict form for an official document but for
the sake of the whole truth Of history it 10
pity that il was expunged.
A SHREWD LEGAL MOVE.
However, Jones was not a man to be
left in the lurch in this way. Though he
had no authority 10 dispose of prizes, he
took the bits IN his teeth. He offered 10
hypothecate the bricantine and cargo to
Bersalle for the supplies he needed.
The latter reminded him that he could
not make a good title TO the ship and
cargo for lack of authority; and that he,
Bersalle, could not accept such an ar
rangement without the approval of the
American Commissioners.
In this emergency Jones proved himself
as acute a lawyer as he was desperate
fighter:
ID the lack OF authority and =
with the Commissioners What are COM
missioners or lack of authority TO starry
ing mem Deliver the supplies TO the
prize; render your bills against the prize;
then attach or libel her in the Marine
Court here for non payment. ] will give
you possession. Then the Commissioners
can redeem her if they wish, at their good
leisure"
The prize with her cargo was worth about
10000 louis d'ors (say S76 ,000)-the cargo
being largely naval stores, much wanted
in ta of 10
after advising with his lawyer, adopted
Jones's scheme for eyading his lack of
authority, and agreed to advance sup
plies TO the amount OF 1000 louis d'ors
(S5S, o00)
The whole transaction was carried out
inside of a week. Jones got not only the
supplies he needed, but also cash enough
To divide about $40, 600 among his i'm
poSerished officers and crew. The Com
ml'ssioners never attempted to interfere,
anG the prize was not redeemed
The cash capital required TO effect this
deal was secretly furnished through
Belsolie by the Due de Chartres and
o'nt d Orvilliers. Besides this the Count,
who was Commander-in-C Chief of the Brest
or French Channel Fleet authorized Jones
TO draw military stores from the ROYAL
Arsenal, and to draw whatever material
ant labor he might need for repairs and
rep from the Brest Dockyard, while the
Due and Ducheses de Charities advanced
iarge sum OF money 10 him personally on
pirate account.
N his journal to the King Jones says,
ailfr outlining the main features of this
affair
ffour Majesty will perceive that this
u@hsaction was irregular, at least evasive
Oh the strict letter of law and of my in
sRucnons. But your Ma;esty's perfect
Knowledge of affairs will enable you also !
Is perceive that | was under the duress of
cshditions tantamount TO distress at sea;
conditions which, as all the received au,