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John Paul Jones Autograph Letter Signed....
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Description
"Father of the American Navy," John Paul Jones, writes to his friend and confidant Edward Bancroft who was later proven to be a British double agent
John Paul Jones Autograph Letter Signed. One page on a
bifolium, 8.875 x 7.25 inches (224 x 186 mm). Paris, February 26,
1787. With additional holograph address on the overleaf.Jones here writes to his longtime friend and confidant, Edward Bancroft, a most intriguing figure of the American Revolution who, long after his death, was proven to have been a British double agent revealing American secrets to his contact in London. At the writing of this letter, Jones was in Paris attempting to negotiate payment from the Danish government for three ships he gave them in 1779. Such negotiations would be typical of the later part of Jones's life and career, though he would be denied at almost every turn. After failing to make any progress, Jones appointed Bancroft as his personal agent to the courts in Denmark.
He writes, in full: "My dear Friend, Yesterday on receiving yours of the 20. an express was immediately dispatched to Versailles. The Notary (Mr. Arnouts) who has engaged to furnish the 24,000 livres to the Mise. de Marssan had gone to Versailles in the Morning. I send you the Answer just received from Madame La Marquise. There is not time to see the Notary before the Post. The Act will surely be executed before the next Post. Any disappointment in that respect would determine Madame T-- to set off immediately for London, and in that Case, instead of my sending you a Bill of 12,000 livres, you will receive from her, for my account, on her arrival, one thousand pounds Sterling. If you blame me for any thing, you wrong my Friendship; which can bear proof. You will make what use you please of this letter, and the inclosed [sic], till I write you by the next Post, or by the Lady above mentioned. Yours affectionately, J. Paul Jones."
Though the reason for providing Bancroft funds is unspecified, "Madame T--" is certainly one Therese Townsend, the French widow of an Englishman who persuaded Jones that she was, in reality, an illegitimate child of the late Louis XV and the charge of Marquise de Marsan, the former governess of Louis XVI. Jones ultimately failed in his venture and returned home to the United States in April 1787.
Condition: Period folds with some splitting, scattered foxing, tears to fore-edge of final leaf where seal was broken. Both halves of the seal present, contemporary postal stamp to overleaf. Very good.
Auction Info
2023 July 8 Historical Platinum Signature® Auction #6275 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
July, 2023
8th
Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
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