ast glimpse of the Bonhomme Richard. No
lives were lost with the ship, but it was impossible to save the
stores of any sort whatever. I lost even the best part of my
clothes, books, and papers; and several of my officers lost all
their clothes and effects.

Having thus endeavoured to give a clear and simple relation of
the circumstances and events that have attended the little
armament under my command, I shall freely submit my conduct
therein to the censure of my superiors and the impartial public.
I beg leave, however, to observe, that the force that was put
under my command was far from being well composed; and as the
great majority of the actors in it have appeared bent on the
pursuit of interest only, I am exceedingly sorry that they and I
have been at all concerned. I am in the highest degree sensible
of the singular attentions which I have experienced from the
court of France, which I shall remember with perfect gratitude
until the end of my life, and will always endeavour to merit,
while I can, consistent with my honour, continue in the public
service. I must speak plainly. As I have always been honoured
with the full confidence of Congress, and as I always flattered
myself with enjoying in some measure the confidence of the court
of France, I could not but be astonished at the conduct of M. de
Chaumont, when, in the moment of my departure from Groaix, he
produced a paper, a concordat, for me to sign, in common with the
officers whom I had commissioned but a few days before. Had that
paper, or even a less dishonourable one, been proposed to me at
the beginning, I would have rejected it with just contempt, and
the word _deplacement_, among others, should have been necessary.
I cannot, however, even now suppose that he was authorized by the
court to make such a bargain with me; nor can I suppose that the
minister of marine meant that M. de Chaumont should consider me
merely as a colleague with the commanders of the other ships, and
communicate to them not only all he knew, but all he thought,
respecting our destination and operations. M. de Chaumont has
made me various reproaches on account of the expense of the
Bonhomme Richard, wherewith I cannot think I have been justly
chargeable. M. de Chamillard can attest that the Bonhomme Richard