John Paul Jones: Memorandum
Copy: Library of Congress
<Passy, June 5 [i.e. July 4-5], 1778: “Plan for expeditions submitted
to the American Plenipotentiaries and to the french
minister of Marine by Com. Jones.”
Three fast frigates with tenders might burn Whitehaven and
its fleet, rendering it nearly impossible to supply Ireland with
coal next winter.
The same force could take the bank of Ayr, in Scotland,
destroy the town and perhaps the shipping at Clyde, along
with Greenock and Port-Glasgow. The fishery at Campbeltown
and some Irish ports are also worthy targets.
It might be equally expedient to alarm Britain’s east side by
destroying the coal shipping of Newcastle. Many important
towns on the east and north coasts of England and Scotland
could be burnt or captured.
The success of these enterprises will depend on surprise
and dispatch; it is therefore necessary that the ships sail fast,
and carry sufficient force to repel the enemy. If successful, any
one of these projects would occasion almost inconceivable
panic in England. It would convince the world of her vulnerability,
and hurt her public credit.
Other projects might be to intercept Britain’s West India or
Baltic fleets, her Hudson Bay ships, or destroy her Greenland
fishery.>
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