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.” ----- Footnote C: He doubtless refers to Commissioner Lee. ----- 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. Jones immediately, upon his arrival at L’Orient, made preparations for his departure, with the two armed ships, the Alliance and the Ariel, which were to convoy several American vessels, with cargoes amounting to four hundred thousand dollars in value. Having heard that his authority had been called in question, he, on the morning of the 13th of June, mustered the crew of the Alliance on the quarter-deck, and caused his commission from Congress to be read to them, together with the order from Dr. Franklin for him to take command of the Alliance, and a subsequent order to take her to Philadelphia. When he asked if any of the crew had any complaint to make against him, not one stepped forward. All seemed to be satisfied.