The warm-hearted Marquis de Lafayette wrote, in much more glowing terms, to his old friend. He was just on the point of sailing for France. His letter was dated on the Alliance, off Boston, December 22d, 1781.
“I have been honored with your polite favor, my dear Paul Jones, but before it reached me I was already on board the Alliance, and was every minute expecting to put to sea. As to the pleasure to take you by the hand, my dear Paul Jones, you know my affectionate sentiments, and my very great regard for you, so that I need not add anything on that subject.
“Accept my best thanks for the kind expressions in your letter. The downfall of Cornwallis is a great event; and the greater as it was equally and amicably shared by the two allied nations. Your coming to the army I had the honor to command, would have been considered as a very flattering compliment to one who loves you and knows your worth. I am impatient to hear that you are ready to sail. And I am of opinion that we ought to unite, under you, every Continental ship we can muster, with such a body of well-appointed marines as might cut a good figure ashore and then give you plenty of provisions, and carte blanche. I am sorry I cannot see you. I have also many things to tell you.”
Honorable John Adams wrote him, from the Hague. In this letter he said: “Could I see a prospect of half-a-dozen line-of-battle ships, under the American flag, commanded by Commodore Paul Jones, engaged with an equal British force, I apprehend the event would be so glorious for the United States, and lay so sure a foundation for their prosperity, that it would be a rich compensation for the continuance of the war.”
Commodore Jones was summoned to appear before Congress to answer a large number of questions, which had been carefully drawn up, in reference to the delay of the stores in Europe, and the many other difficulties in the marine which had occurred there. His answers were so full and satisfactory as to draw from Congress the most cordial approval of his course. In the complimentary resolves it was added:
“That the Minister Plenipotentiary of these United States, at the Court of Versailles, communicated to his most Christian Majesty the high satisfaction Congress has received from the conduct and gallant behavior of Captain John Paul Jones, which have merited the attention and approbation of his most Christian Majesty; and that his majesty’s offer of adorning Captain Jones with a Cross of Military Merit, is highly acceptable to Congress.”
Congress at that time held its sessions in Philadelphia. The French minister, M. de la Luzerne, gave a very brilliant fête to all the members of Congress. In the presence of that august body, with imposing ceremonials, he conferred upon Jones, in the name of the King of France, the honor he so richly merited.
Congress commenced building, under the supervision of Commodore Jones, a very splendid seventy-four-gun ship, to be called the America. By unanimous vote of Congress, Captain Jones was intrusted with the command. For sixteen months he devoted his tireless energies to building this ship, with which he could bid defiance to any single ship in the British navy, and which would enable him to render really efficient service to his country.
While abroad he had collected copies of all the important treatises upon naval tactics; upon the construction of ships, the police of fleets and dockyards, and every other branch of his noble profession. Every moment of leisure was devoted to these studies. He became an enthusiastic student, resolved to make himself as perfect as possible in all the accomplishments of his noble profession. And it is safe to say that there was not, in our navy, any officer more thoroughly instructed.
On the birth of the Dauphin, the unfortunate son of Louis XVI. and Maria Antoinette, Commodore Jones mounted, on the deck of the unfinished ship America, a battery, at his own expense. The flag of France was unfurled from the mast-head, and salutes were fired at repeated hours during the day. At night the ship was illuminated, and there was a brilliant display of fireworks.