John Paul Jones Collection of Papers mssJonesjp

Gayle Richardson
The Huntington Library
May 2020
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
reference@huntington.org


Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
Title: John Paul Jones collection of papers
Creator: Jones, John Paul, 1747-1792
Identifier/Call Number: mssJonesjp
Physical Description: 2.0 Linear Feet (1 box and 1 volume)
Date (inclusive): 1777-1789
Abstract: A collection of letters and documents related to the life and career of American naval officer, John Paul Jones.
Language of Material: Materials are in English and French.

Conditions Governing Access

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

Conditions Governing Use

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 of papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

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

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.

Scope and Contents

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.

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.

General

Individual call numbers included in the collection: HM 1589, HM 1612, HM 1614, HM 22451, HM 22530, HM 22543, HM 22546, HM 22549-22559, HM 22564, HM 22567, HM 22568, HM 22573, HM 22576, HM 22578, HM 22581, HM 22711, HM 22733, HM 22774. The material was assembled at the Library and entitled: John Paul Jones File.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Sailors -- United States -- Correspondence
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Naval operations
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Prisoners and prisons
Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 18th century
Military records -- United States -- Revolution, 1775-1783
La Vauguyon, Paul-François de Quélen de Stuer de Caussade, duc de, 1746-1828
Sartine, Antoine de, comte d'Alby, 1729-1801
Alliance (Frigate)
Bon Homme Richard (Ship)
Serapis (Ship)
Society of the Cincinnati
United States. Navy

Box 1, Folder 1-28

Correspondence and documents 1777-1789

Scope and Contents

The material includes correspondence, certificates, documents, and receipts; some of which are contemporary copies. The material is written in English and French from Holland, Russia, France, Denmark, Boston, and New Hampshire.
Volume 1

Correspondence and prints