John Paul Jones collection, 1777-1789

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Summary

Creators:
Jones, John Paul, 1747-1792
Abstract:
A collection of letters and documents related to the life and career of American naval officer, John Paul Jones.
Extent:
2.0 Linear Feet (1 box, 1 volume)
Language:
Materials are in English and French.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. John Paul Jones collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

A collection of 40 miscellaneous letters, documents and one volume related to John Paul Jones. The collection includes correspondence and documents in English and French which deal with the disposition of the prisoners of war and refitting American ships of war, and Jones's career as U.S. agent in Europe. Also included are Jones's application to the Society of Cincinnati (1783), and a deposition of the officers of the Alliance defending their actions in the engagement between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis (1779). Other correspondents include Paul Francois de Quelen duc de La Vauguyon and Antoine Raymond Jean Sartine, comte d'Alby. The volume, bound in red morocco leather, is titled "Unpublished Autograph Letters / JNO Paul Jones" and includes letters by Jones, with some prints and transcriptions; the volume also includes five letters to William Bixby from George H. Richmond, Bookseller, concerning the Jones' letters.

Biographical / historical:

John Paul Jones (1747-1792), American naval officer. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the U. S. Navy in 1775, and captain in 1776. In 1778 he began raiding the English coast; a year later he commanded the Bon Homme Richard in its victory over the Serapis. After the American Revolution, he went to Europe, where he acted as an agent for the U. S. government and as a naval mercenary.

Acquisition information:
Purchased before 1927 from the Anderson Galleries, William K. Bixby, Grenville Kane, and Maggs Brothers.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library Staff, circa 1935. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from legacy in-house summary report.

Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. John Paul Jones collection, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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