_Thomas Jefferson to the President of the National Assembly of (p. 096)
France._

To Philadelphia, March 8th, 1791.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF FRANCE.

Sir: I have it in charge from the President of the United States
of America to communicate to the National Assembly of France the
peculiar sensibility of Congress to the tribute paid to the
memory of Benjamin Franklin, by the enlightened and free
Representatives of a great nation, in their decree of the 11th of
June, 1790.

That the loss of such a citizen should be lamented by us, among
whom he lived, whom he so long and eminently served, and who feel
their country advanced and honoured by his birth, life and
labours, was to be expected, but it remained for the National
Assembly of France to set the first example of the Representative
of one nation doing homage by a public act to the private citizen
of another, and by withdrawing arbitrary lines of separation, to
reduce into one fraternity the good and the great, wherever they
have lived or died.

That these separations may disappear between us in all times and
circumstances, and that the union of sentiment, which mingles our
sorrows on this occasion, may continue long to cement the
friendship and the interests of our two nations is our constant
prayer. With no one is it more sincere than with him, who in
being charged with the honour of conveying a public sentiment, is
permitted that of expressing the homage of profound respect and
veneration with which he is,

Sir, your most obedient and humble servant,
Th: JEFFERSON.

No. 17. (p. 097)
PLATE XVII.

_September 23, 1779._

Joanni Pavlo Jones classis praefecto. Comitia Americana. [Rx].
Hostivm navibvs captis avt fvgatis.

CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES.

[_Capture of the Serapis._]

JOANNI PAVLO JONES CLASSIS PRAEFECTO. COMITIA AMERICANA. (_The American
Congress to naval commander John Paul Jones_). Bust of Captain Jones,
in uniform, facing the right. On edge of bust, DUPRE F. (_fecit_).

HOSTIVM NAVIBVS CAPTIS AVT FVGATIS. (_The enemy's vessels taken or put
to flight._) Naval action between the United States frigate Bonhomme
Richard, of forty guns, Captain