4140. JONES (John Paul), Russian services.—[continued].
Paul Jones is invited into the service of the Empress[of Russia], with the
rank of rear admiral, and to have a separate
command. I wish it corresponded with the
views of Congress to give him that rank from
the taking of the Serapis. I look to this officer
as our great future dependence on the sea,
where alone we should think of ever having
a force. He is young enough to see the day
when we shall be more populous than the whole
British dominions, and able to fight them ship
to ship. We should procure him, then, every
possible opportunity of acquiring experience.—
To E. Carrington. Washington ed. ii, 405.
Ford ed., v, 22.
(P.
1788)
