“From documents exhibited to me, it is clear, beyond a possibility of doubt, that Captain Landais commands the Alliance, under the full, direct, and express order of Congress; and that no such authority appears to dismiss him from the command. In this situation Captain Landais must answer at his peril for the frigate intrusted to him, till he receives an order of Congress to deliver her to another. If such order exists, those who have it do infinite wrong to the service, in not producing it. If there is no such order, the subjects of the United States, who attempt to divest Captain Landais of the command he holds from the sovereign power, or to disturb him by violence in the exercise of it, commit a high crime against the laws and sovereignity[sovereignity] of the United States, and subject themselves to a proportionable punishment.”
Mr. Lee knew full well the views of Dr. Franklin upon this all-important subject. Rather defiantly he wrote: “This is my opinion, founded on a cool and candid consideration of the authorities on both sides. You are at liberty to show this letter to whom you please, or to send it to Dr. Franklin.”
Landais had abandoned the Alliance at the Texel, and had run away, to avoid arrest for challenging his superior officer to a duel. For seven months he had not stepped on board the ship, during which time Jones had been in undisputed command. He was now virtually under arrest, to be sent back to America to be tried for one of the most atrocious crimes which could be committed. Dr. Franklin, learning that Landais was still at L’Orient, and that he had written to some one, “I am waiting for Franklin’s orders to take command of the Alliance,” addressed a letter to him, expressing his astonishment that he was not long before on his way to America for trial, for which voyage Franklin had provided him with funds. And he added, “I waive any further dispute with you. But I charge you not to meddle with the command of the Alliance, or to create any disturbance on board her, as you will answer to the contrary at your peril.”
Landais succeeded in having a paper drawn up, and signed by one hundred and sixteen of the more than four hundred sailors of the Alliance, which was addressed to Dr. Franklin, and which stated that they would not raise the anchor, to leave L’Orient, until they had received six months’ wages, the utmost farthing of the prize money due, including the ships sent to Norway, and until their legal captain, Pierre Landais, was restored to them.
Dr. Franklin immediately went to the court at Versailles, which is but twelve miles from Paris, and entered a complaint against Landais as a fomenter of mutiny. The proof of Landais’ guilt was manifest, and orders were immediately sent for his arrest and imprisonment. In the meantime Jones had obtained, from the court, orders for a fine copper-bottomed French ship, the Ariel, to sail to America in company with the Alliance. He had made all his arrangements to spread his sails a week after his return to L’Orient from Paris.
Franklin wrote to the mutinous crew of the Alliance, expressing his surprise that they could have any confidence in one who had behaved as they all knew Landais to have done. He closed his letter with the following conciliatory words:
“For myself, I believe you to be brave men and lovers of your country and its glorious cause. And I am persuaded that you have only been ill advised and misled by the artful and malicious representations of some persons I guess at.[[C]] Take in good part this friendly counsel from an old man, who is your friend. Go home peaceably with your ship. Do your duty faithfully and cheerfully. Behave respectfully to your commander, and I am persuaded he will do the same to you. Thus you will not only be happier in your voyage, but will recommend yourselves to the future favors of Congress and your country.”
To Commodore Jones he wrote. “You are liable to have great trouble. I wish you well through it. You have shown your abilities in fighting. You have now the opportunity of showing the other necessary part in the character of a great chief—your abilities in policy.”
CHAPTER IX.
The Mutiny of Landais.
The Visit of Jones to Versailles.—Intrigues of Landais.—The Alliance Wrested from Jones.—Complicity of Arthur Lee.—Magnanimity of Jones.—Strong Support of Dr. Johnson.—Honors Conferred upon Jones.—Strange Career of Landais.—His Life in America, and Death.—Continued Labors and Embarrassments of Jones.—His Correspondence.