tain Jones would, in the evening of that day, on board of his ship exhibit to them a sham sea fight; and that it should in part represent his battle with the Serapis; particularly her tops. To go through with a minute detail of all and every circumstance that related to this scene would, I fear, tire the patience of the reader; I shall therefore be as concise as possible in my relation of this exhibition.

First then, all the boats belonging to our ship were busily employed with their respective crews from the time the approaching scene was known on board (which was the day before it was to take place) at ten o'clock in the morning till about twelve at night of the day on which the company were to dine, in passing to, and coming from the shore, bringing off from thence all the articles wanted. And the reader may rest assured that neither cash nor pains were spared in order that the scene every way should appear magnificent. In a short time, our quarterdeck had the appearance of a lady of qualities' drawing-room. Overhead was suspended an elegant awning, the edgings of which were cut in scallops, and decorated with a variety of silk roses, tassils, &c. from a little below the awning: at the sides were hung thin canvass lined with pink coloured silk, and which fell down so as to reach the quarterdeck. These sides were hung with a great variety of French pictures and lookingglasses; some of the first had been drawn by one of the most finished artists in France, and many of which were quite indecent, especially to meet the eyes of a virtuous woman. However in these days they were a part of French etiquette on such an occasion. The quarterdeck of our ship was covered with the most elegant carpet: the plate alone which was made use of on this singular occasion was estimated to be worth two thousand guineas. (For my own part I believe it might have been rated at double that sum.) French cooks and waiters or servants were brought from the shore to assist

in this business, and for nearly twenty hours preceding the serving up of dinner, we were almost suffocated with garlick and onions, besides a great many other stinking vegetables. A French lady (who was said to be a great connosieur in the art of cookery, and in hanging and arranging pictures in a room where the first companies went to dine) was gallanted on board by Captain Jones the evening before the day on which the company were to dine, and was by him directed to take upon herself the superintendence of the approaching feast. The next day was ushered in by thirteen guns, and the dressing of the ship with the thirteen stripes, and the colours of all nations who were friendly to the United States. Captain Jones and his officers were all dressed in uniform, with their best bib and band on, and we were directed by Captain Jones to conduct ourselves with propriety and to pay implicit obedience to my lady superintendent of the ceremonies. At a quarter before 3 o'clock in the afternoon the ship's boats (three in number, each having a midshipman who acted for this time as coxswain, and the men who rowed the boats were all neatly dressed in blew broadcloth, with the American and French cockades in their hats) were despatched on shore to bring on board the company. Jones received them as they came up the ship's side, and conducted them to their seats on the quarterdeck with a great deal of ease, politeness and good nature.* Dinner was served up at half past 3 P.M. The company did not rise from table till a little after the sun set, when Captain Jones ordered his first lieutenant to cause all hands to be called to quarters which was done just as the moon was rising. I of course mounted into the main top, which had always been my station as long as I had served under Jones (of which and the men at quarters there, I had the command). Orders were given before we mounted

*The company was superbly dressed, and the prince was distinguished from the rest by a brilliant star which he wore upon his left breast.

into the tops that we must be well supplied with ammunition, blunderbusses, muskets, cowhorns, hand grenadoes, &c., the same as if we were now to engage with an enemy: and when the signal was given (which was to be a cannon fired upon the forecastle, and as soon as the gun was fired the sham fight was to commence). At 8 o'clock it began, and lasted about an hour and a quarter without any intermission. Such a cracking of great gun, swivels, small arms, cowhorns, blunderbusses, &c.; such a hissing and popping of hand grenadoes, stink pots, powder flasks, was now heard as they fell into the water alongside, as was never the like in the harbour of L'Orient, seen or heard. Some of the ladies were much frightened and the sham fight would have continued longer had it not been that some of them intreated Captain Jones to command the firing to cease. The fight over, a band of music, which had been ordered on board by the commandant, and who had been paraded upon the fore part of the quarterdeck, now played their part, and all was glee and harmony. At about twelve at night the company took their leave of Captain Jones, and the boats set them safe on shore, in the same order and regularity as they came on board, excepting a few who were landed half seas over; these the midshipmen assisted along to their lodgings, and returned on board to give an account to Captain Jones that we saw all the company safe at their respective places of abode. For several days after this, nothing of any note was to be heard in conversation among the French at L'Orient, in their coffee houses and private dwellings, but Captain Jones's feast and sham fight. Upon the whole, I believe it must have cost himself, as well as the United States, a vast sum of money. There was certainly a great quantity of powder burnt, and an abundance of wine (besides other liquors) drank. The cost of the whole of this entertainment, including the powder, amounted (by an estimate made by the American agent's first clerk, and who it seems paid the

cash for sundry bills relative to this business, to 3,027 crowns at 6s. 8d. each Massachusetts currency). Whether Captain Jones charged the whole or any part of the expense of this business to the United States I never learned.

An order at this time arrived from Paris, signed by the American ambassador resident at that place, directing Captain Jones to set the petty officers belonging to his ship, whom he had caused to be committed to prison, for asking him for prize money, at liberty, which was immediately done, and they were restored to their different stations on board the Ariel. The Ariel was now ready for sea, excepting that she wanted a number of seamen to complete her crew or complement of men. Captain Jones and his officers endeavored to ship men by keeping a rendezvous open on shore, but could not engage any. The former made this known to the commandant, and requested of him to give liberty to Captain Jones to press a few hands. The former would not absolutely give him permission, but told him he should not interfere, provided he pressed none but Americans. However it was said that the commanding officer of the marine department granted Jones's request on that score. Accordingly, a number of American sailors belonging to several letters of marque then laying in the harbour, and who were found on shore, were forced on board of the Ariel and there obliged to do duty. In fine, Captain Jones's conduct had been such for a long time past, that some of his officers and men were disgusted at it, and intended to leave him, and who before his last behavior in regard to the American seamen, were determined to go to America with him. I, for one, was among those who now quit him, and which I had an undoubted right so to do, never having signed the ship's articles, and having obtained of Captain Jones, a certificate for my prize money, &c. The Ariel set sail for America the second

time, on or about the 15th of December, 1780, having under convoy several American vessels.*

I remained in L'Orient some days after the Ariel sailed, every day of which I was at Mr. Moylan's to get my wages and prize money; and after several fruitless applications, I obtained twentyeight crowns of him, in part for my wages on board the Good Man Richard, the Serapis, the Alliance and the Ariel which was but little more than enough to pay my board and lodging. I had by this time made a number of acquaintances in L'Orient, among them was a merchant by the name of Bellimont, who was interested in a privateer then fitting out at Morlaix; and he appeared to be anxious to have me proceed to that place and take upon me the command of her. However, I then declined accepting his offer, as I had an expectation of commanding one from L'Orient.*******

*Out of the number which this ship had under her convoy for America, the first time she sailed from thence, only two were saved.