JOHN ADAMS.

* * * * *

JOHN PAUL JONES TO ABRAHAM WHIPPLE.

Brest, August 18th, 1778.

Sir,

I request that you will summon a court martial for the trial of
Lieutenant Thomas Simpson, with whose conduct I have been and am
unsatisfied, and who is now under suspension for disobedience of my
written orders.

I am, Sir, with due regard, your most humble servant,

JOHN PAUL JONES.

* * * * *

ABRAHAM WHIPPLE TO JOHN PAUL JONES.

Brest, August 19, 1778.

Sir,

I am honored with your letter of this day, requesting that I will
summon a Court Martial for the trial of Lieutenant Thomas Simpson,
with whose conduct you have been and are unsatisfied, and who, you
say, is under suspension for disobedience to your written orders.
Having maturely considered the contents of your letter, and with as
much accuracy as possible attended to every particular, I return for
answer the subjoined reasons, which will at once explain the
impossibility of calling a Court Martial, and fully acquaint you with
my sentiments on that subject.

You are sensible that the Continental regulations have expressly
ordered, that a Court Martial shall consist of at least three
Captains, which is impossible, as Captain Hinman declines to sit, he
expecting a Court of Inquiry upon his own conduct on his arrival in
America, and having assigned a reason of so forcible a nature, I think
he is acting a part at once prudent and becoming.

You will permit the remark, that by Lieutenant Simpson's parole, taken
by yourself June 10th, 1778, Lieutenant Simpson engaged on his parole
of honor to consider himself as under suspension till he shall be
called upon to meet you face to face before a Court Martial, unless
you should, in the meantime, release him from his parole, which I
conceive that you have done by your letter of the 16th of July to the
honorable Commissioners, where you mention that you are willing to let
the dispute drop forever, by giving up that parole, which would
entitle Lieutenant Simpson to the command of the Ranger; that this, as
you bore no malice, would be making him all the present satisfaction
in your power, provided that you had injured him, and that you will
trust to