Jones, John Paul, as Continental Naval Officer

Letter signed ("Jno P Jones"), text written in a neat clerical hand and marked "(2d Copy)," 2 pages (12 3/4 x 7 5/8 in.; 324 x 193 mm) on a bifolium (watermarked Britannia | gr), Ranger, Portsmouth, 31 October 1777, to John Brown, Secretary of the Congressional Marine Committee (at Philadelphia), autograph address and reception docket on integral blank; expertly repaired at folds, seal tear and repair. Half blue morocco folding-case gilt.

John Paul Jones and the Ranger (1994), ed. Sawtelle, p. 53 (text of the autograph letter, now in the Pierpont Morgan Library, and differing from the present in only a few minor incidentals)

Leaving port with his new command, the sloop Ranger. In mid-June 1777, John Paul Jones was ordered by the Marine Committee, Continental Congress, to take command of the newly built ship of war Ranger at Portsmouth, and to "get the Ranger equipped, Officered and Manned as well and soon as possible, and ... then proceed on a Cruize against the enemies of these United States conforming to the Orders and regulations of Congress made for the Government of their Navy, and in conformity thereto Take, Sink, Burn or destroy all such of the enemies Ships, Vessels, goods and effects as you may be able" (Letters of Delegates 7:216). Though a lesser command than he had hoped for, Jones worked tirelessly to prepare the 18-gun Ranger for the sea. He here expresses to the Secretary of the Marine Committee his frustration with the delays in fitting out the Ranger and taking her to sea.

"A more early reply was due to your esteemed favor of 6th Aug.—but my departure hath been protracted so far beyond my expectation for want of Canvis and materials that I have been half ... distracted and have deferred writing as I had it not in my power to do anything to the purpose.—the outfit of this small ship (for I found no difficulting in Manning her) hath given me more anxiety and Uneasiness than all the other duty which I have performed in the Service."

John Langdon, New Hampshire's agent for continental prizes and the ostensible supervisor of the Ranger's building, receives particular censure from Jones: "instead of meeting with the necessary assistance from the Agent, he thinks himself my master—and he, who was bred in a shop and hath been in but a Voyage or two at Sea under a Nurse, had once the assurance to tell me that he knew as well as myself how to fit out, Govern, and Fight a Ship of War!—I am this day going to Sea with less than 30 Gallons of Rum for the Use of the Whole Crew, and yet this article is to be purchased here—had I not the best disposed Crew in the World this alone were enough to cause a Mutiny.—I will mention another article which, tho' a triffle, is highly necessary, and yet all my arguments could not prevail with this great Man to procure it—I mean a Boatswain Call—you may grasp the rest.—I have not been particular in mentioning these and many other matters to the Committee—I wish if possible to avoid dispute."

In closing, Jones explicitly requests that Brown keep him apprised of appropriate marine and political developments and implicitly asks his assistance in redressing his complaints about lack of pay and inappropriate precedence of rank. "I will with much pleasure write to you from France—and in return will expect the News of the Day and any information you can give me respecting the Navy or anything that concerns me.—I have received neither Pay nor Rations since my first Embarkation in the Service the 7th Day of December 1775 [when he was given command of the Alfred with the rank of first lieutenant], and I am Superseded by thirteen Persons who durst not or at least did not then step forth. All publications and resolves respecting the Navy will be highly Acceptable—together with the Journal of Congress from the beginning."

On her maiden voyage, the Ranger carried news of Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga to Benjamin Franklin in Paris. Jones's daring raids with the Ranger along the coasts of England and Scotland greatly enhanced his reputation and led to his command, not quite two years later, of the Bonhomme Richard, a frigate carrying 42 guns.