Thomas Simpson: Petition to the American
Commissioners
ADS: American Philosophical Society
<Pontaniou Gaol, Brest, May 25, 1778: I wrote you on the 8th
about a very disagreeable affair, and have had no answer. My
treatment by Capt. Jones constrains me to trouble you again.
On the 20th he ordered me (the first time he had spoken to me
since I left the Ranger) to accompany a French officer to the
Admiral’s ship. No admiral, I protested, had anything to do
with the matter. I was astonished to discover that his ship was
a prison, where I was not allowed to communicate with any
one I knew; Benjamin Hill brought me my bed but might not
speak. On the 21st I was taken to the Pontaniou, the common
gaol; there I was locked in a room and no acquaintance allowed
to see me. The gaoler carried a letter to the comte
d’Orvilliers, on whom Capt. Jones had laid responsibility for
my treatment; the comte said that he had merely permitted my
imprisonment and the Captain was responsible. On this fifth
day of my confinement I was allowed to write you.
Such oppressive actions do not become an American captain.
None in the British navy, and no other in the American,
would treat his lieutenant so. I appeal to the Ranger’s officers,
and will stand or fall by what they say. Order me to America,
where I will stand trial wherever feasible. Here I have no such
prospect, and am useless to my country; my treatment when
known will discourage naval enlistment. You are my only hope
of redress. Americans are not allowed to see me, and I speak
no French.
Capt. Jones, I forgot to mention, made no signal to speak
with me after we parted; if he thought I had misunderstood his
verbal order he should have done so. Please address your answer
as follows.>
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