Jones, John Paul

Autograph letter signed ("Jn^oP. Jones") 2 1/2 pages with integral address leaf (14 3/4 x 9 1/4 in.; 370 x 232 mm), on board the sloop Providence, New York, 19 May 1776, to Secretary of the Navy Joseph Hewes at  Philadelphia, commenting on the aftermath of the Glasgow-Alfred engagement and requesting a vindication of his conduct during the battle, detailing his conception of the qualities of a good naval officer, and discussing the outfitting of the first ship under his command; fold separations neatly repaired and strengthened, 3 folds with minor losses, silked.

John Gilliam Wood (sale, Christies, 22 April 1983)

Autograph letter signed ("JnoP. Jones") 2 1/2 pages with integral address leaf (14 3/4 x 9 1/4 in.; 370 x 232 mm), On board the sloop Providence, New York, 19 May 1776, to Secretary of the Navy Joseph Hewes at Philadelphia, commenting on the aftermath of the Glasgow-Alfred engagement and requesting a vindication of his conduct during the battle, detailing his conception of the qualities of a good naval officer, and discussing the outfitting of the first ship under his command; fold separations neatly repaired and strengthened, 3 folds with minor losses, silked.
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A very fine and important letter to the Secretary of the Navy, Joseph Hewes, commenting on the first naval battle between the Continental and British navies (the Glasgow-Alfred engagement off Block Island, 6 April 1776), requesting vindication of his conduct  and that of other officers during the encounter, detailing his thoughts on the qualities of a good naval officer, and discussing the outfitting of the first ship under his command. "I had the honour of writing you the history of our Cruise in the fleet from the Cape of Delaware 'till our arrival at N. London the 14th ult^e inclosing an inventory of all the stores taken at N. Providence [in the Bahamas; a British garrison raided in March for powder] ... The letter contained a particular account of the action with the Glascow in an Extract from the Alfred's Log Book. ... It ... by ill luck fell into the hands not the most agreeable on its way to the Post Office from which circumstance I must fear it hath miscarried.

"I now inclose you the minutes of two Court Martials held on board the Alfred ... these minutes have not yet been seen in print. — in consequence of the last Trial [that of Captain Hazard in command of the Providence] I was ordered to take the command of this Vessel the 10th Inst. ... I left the A [ndrew] Doria and Cabot at Rhode Island ready to sail together ... what will become of the Alfred & Columbia  heaven only knows.... The Unfortunate Engagement with the Glascow seems to be a general reflection on the officers of the Fleet — but a little reflection will set the matter in a new light — for no officer who acts under the Eye of a Superiour and who doth not stand charged by that Superiour for Cowardice or Misconduct can be blamed ...

"I may be wrong but in my Opinion a Captain of the Navy ought to be a man of Strong and well connected Sense with a tolerable Education. ... I have been led into this subject on feeling myself hurt as an Individual by the Censures that have been indiscriminately thrown out — for altho' my station confined me to the Alfreds lower gun Deck when I commanded during the action — and tho' the commodores letter which hath been published says 'all the officers in the Alfred behaved well' — yet still the Publick blames me among others for not taking the Enemy."

The Second Continental Congress had established the Navy in late 1775. By February 1776, the first ships of the fleet were ready for their maiden voyage. After its successful raid for military stores in the Bahamas which also included two captured prize ships, the Continental fleet of seven ships led by Commodore Esek Hopkins sailed north for the Block Island channel; one ship was dispatched to Philadelphia en route. By 4 April the fleet had reached the waters off Long Island and took a prize, the HMS Hawk, and another the next day.  In hopes of seizing more prizes, Hopkins continued to cruise off Block Island. Between a and 2 am on 6 April, the fleet encountered the HMS Glasgow, a formidible 20-gun frigate, which first engaged the Cabot, a lightly armed brig, and disabled her steering. As she drifted away, the Alfred ( a ship of 24 guns) came up but a shot from the Glasgow early in the action broke the lines to the Alfred's tiller. With now both the Cabot and Alfred adrift, it was difficult for the Andrew Doria to join the action. The Providence held back altogether while the Columbus joined the action late. Captain Howe of the Glasgow managed to escape, suffering only one killed and three wounded—a casualty count which demonstrated the inferiority of the Continental fleet's gunnery.

Although the president of the Congress John Hancock praised Hopkins for the fleet's performance, its failure to take the Glasgow gave opponents of the Navy both in and out of Congress opportunities for criticism, as Jones has pointed out in his letter. Abraham Whipple, captain of the Columbus, was accused of cowardice but his name was cleared in a court-martial. John Hazard, captain of the Providence, was charged with a variety of offenses by his subordinate officers. He was convicted of neglect of duty during the action and forced to surrender his commission, at which point Jones assumed command of the sloop with the temporary rank of captain.

Jones then expresses his frustration and humiliation of  having been given command of a less important vessel without even  the benefit of a permanent commission. "I [cannot] suppose that my own conduct will in the Esteem of the Congress subject me to be superceded in favour of a younger officer, especially one who is said not to understand Navigation ... I was then told that no new Commission would be given ... but on my appointment to the Providence I was indeed astonished to find my seniority Questioned — the commodore told me he must refer to the Congress — I have recd no new Commission — I wish the matter in dispute may first be cleared up."  Hewes was a personal friend of Jones and had been instrumental in providing him with his first command as a 1st Lieutenant of the Alfred. Jones was officially made captain of the Providence on 7 August 1776, and by October of that year he was appointed commander of the Alfred.