30. This day we embarked on board the Alliance.[[1]]
May 16. This day we sailed for L’Orient.[[2]]
June 19. This day we sailed from L’Orient, on a cruize in company with Captain Jones, a French frigate, a brig and a cutter.[[3]]
June 20. Last night, precisely at 12 o’clock, just as the starboard watch was going on deck, it was very pleasant weather, and we were lying to, with our topsails back to the masts. Captain Jones came down before the wind and run us down upon our starboard quarter, carrying away our mizen-mast, and doing us much damage, and himself more, by springing his bowsprit, carrying away his head and cut-water, but fortunately no one was killed on board either of the ships.
July 2. We arrived at L’Orient, after a cruize of thirteen days; likewise, the prize brig, which we took on the 28th of June, from Bordeaux bound to Dublin, with five hundred and sixty casks of wine and brandy on board.[[4]]
August 14. Having repaired our ships, and got a clean bottom, we sailed this day for L’Orient on a cruise with Captain Jones, two French frigates, two brigs, and a cutter. With this fleet we made the best of our way to Ireland. On our passage, we took in company a ship; soon after, Captain Jones took a brig laden with provisions. A few days after, we made Ireland. Upon making land, Captain Jones took a brig from Newfoundland, laden with oil and blubber, and after cruizing a few days along shore, we parted from the fleet in a gale of wind.
[Here some pages of the journal are lost, but the journal of Captain Jones will supply its place.]
[From Paul Jones to Dr. Franklin.]
On board the ship Serapis, at anchor without
the Texel, in Holland, Oct. 3d, 1779.