water. The Alliance killed one man only on board the Serapis. As
Captain de Cottineau charged himself with manning and securing
the prisoners of the Countess of Scarborough, I think the escape
of the Baltic fleet cannot so well be charged to his account.

I should have mentioned that the main-mast and mizzen topmast of
the Serapis fell overboard soon after the captain had come on
board the Bonhomme Richard.

Upon the whole, the captain of the Alliance has behaved so very
ill in every respect that I must complain loudly of his conduct.
He pretends that he is authorized to act independent of my
command. I have been taught the contrary; but, supposing it to be
so, his conduct has been base and unpardonable. M. de Chamillard
will explain the particulars. Either Captain Landais or myself is
highly criminal, and one or the other must be punished. I forbear
to take any steps with him until I have the advice and
approbation of Your Excellency. I have been advised by all the
officers of the squadron to put M. Landais under arrest; but, as
I have postponed it so long, I will bear with him a little
longer, until the return of my express.

We this day anchored here, having since the action been tossed to
and fro by contrary winds. I wished to have gained the road of
Dunkirk on account of our prisoners, but was overruled by the
majority of _my colleagues_. I shall hasten up to Amsterdam, and
there, if I meet with no orders from my government, I will take
the advice of the French ambassador. It is my present intention
to have the Countess of Scarborough ready to transport the
prisoners from hence to Dunkirk, unless it should be found more
expedient to deliver them to the English ambassador, taking his
obligation to send to Dunkirk, &c., immediately an equal number
of American prisoners. I am under strong apprehensions that our
object here will fail, and that through the imprudence of (p. 109)
M. de Chaumont, who has communicated everything he knew or
thought on the matter to persons who cannot help talking of it at
a full table. This is the way he keeps state secrets, though he
never mentioned the affair to me.

I am ever, &c.,
John P. JONES.

_____

_M. de