That the Minister Plenipotentiary of these United States at the Court of Versailles, communicate to His Most Christian Majesty the high satisfaction Congress have received from the conduct and gallant behaviour 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. February 27, 1781. _____ _The United States to the King of France._ IN CONGRESS, October 19, 1787. The Secretary for Foreign Affairs reports that agreeably to the order of the 16th, he hath prepared the following letter to His Most Christian Majesty, which having been duly signed and countersigned, was delivered to the Chevalier John Paul Jones. GREAT AND BELOVED FRIEND: We, the United States in Congress assembled, in consideration of the distinguished marks of approbation with which Your Majesty has been pleased to honour the Chevalier John Paul Jones, as (p. 111) well as from a sense of his merit, have unanimously directed a medal of gold to be struck and presented to him, in commemoration of his valour and brilliant services, while commanding a squadron of French and American ships under our flag and commission, off the coast of Great Britain, in the late war. As it is his earnest desire to acquire greater knowledge in his profession, we cannot forbear requesting of Your Majesty to permit him to embark in your fleets of evolution, where only it will be probably in his power to acquire that degree of knowledge which may hereafter render him more extensively useful. Permit us to repeat to Your Majesty our sincere assurances that the various and important benefits for which we are indebted to your friendship will never cease to interest us in whatever may concern the happiness of Your Majesty, your family, and people. We pray God to keep you, our great and beloved friend, under his holy protection. Done at the city of New York, the nineteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord 1787, and of our sovereignty and independence the 12th. _____ _Thomas Jefferson to General Washington._ To General WASHINGTON. Paris, May 2, 1788.