John Paul Jones to the American Commissioners
ALS: American Philosophical Society; copy: National Archives
<Lorient, December 9, 1778: I forward the enclosed memorial
from gentlemen who were taken prisoner under my command.
They observe that “I am well acquainted with their
situation.” Their present treatment is incompatible with reason,
law, and humanity. Of the two hundred prisoners on
board the Patience, only one hundred thirty remain. I cannot
believe that you have ordered any of them back home, or set
them at liberty without parole, when others of their rank are
still imprisoned and you are awaiting the exchange with London.
Rïou, who is in charge of the prisoners, menaces them if
they dare complain; he is the scoundrel who sowed discord on
the Ranger.
If the exchange of prisoners does not occur immediately, I
recommend transferring the men ashore. They ask that you
return an answer through Rev. Father John, professor of English
and chaplain to comte d’Orvilliers.>
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