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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..58daf69 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52485 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52485) diff --git a/old/52485-8.txt b/old/52485-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c3de31a..0000000 --- a/old/52485-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13382 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Commodore Paul Jones, by Cyrus Townsend Brady - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Commodore Paul Jones - -Author: Cyrus Townsend Brady - -Release Date: July 3, 2016 [EBook #52485] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMMODORE PAUL JONES *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google Books (Harvard University) - - - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - 1. Page scan source: - https://books.google.com/books?id=jZxBAAAAYAAJ - (Harvard University) - 2. The diphthong oe is represented ny [oe]. - - - - - - -[Illustration: Front Cover] - - - - - - -COMMODORE PAUL JONES. - - - - - - -[Illustration: Frontispiece -Paul Jones] - - - - - - -COMMODORE -PAUL JONES - -BY -CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY - -AUTHOR OF -REUBEN JAMES, A HERO OF THE FORECASTLE; -THE GRIP OF HONOR; STEPHEN DECATUR; ETC. - - -_WITH PORTRAIT AND MAPS_ - - -NEW YORK AND LONDON -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY -1912 - - - - - - -COPYRIGHT, 1900, -BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY. - -_All rights reserved._ - - - -Printed in the United States of America - - - - - - -THIS STORY -OF THE LIFE OF ONE OF THE -GREAT FOUNDERS OF THE REPUBLIC -IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED -TO -GEORGE CLIFFORD THOMAS, -A NOBLE EXEMPLAR -OF ITS CITIZENSHIP. - - - - - - -PREFACE. - - -In preparing this work I began, I admit, with an ardent admiration for -John Paul Jones, born of long study of his career. I have endeavored, -however, so far as possible, to lay aside my preconceived opinions and -predisposition in his favor, and I have conscientiously gone over the -immense mass of material bearing upon him, _de novo_, in an attempt to -be absolutely and strictly impartial. Perhaps I have not altogether -succeeded, but if it be found that I have erred in Jones' favor, I -shall be glad that I have followed the impulses of affection rather -than those of depreciation. I have not, I trust, been blind to the -faults in the character of the great sailor, nor to the mistakes he -committed, nor to the wrongdoings in his career to which I have called -attention; but, in spite of these things, which I have most -reluctantly recorded, I am happy that renewed investigation, careful -study, and much thought have only endeared him the more to me. I lay -down the pen with a higher respect, with a more affectionate regard, -with a greater admiration for him than ever. - -In Miss Seawell's fine phrase, "It may be said of him as of the great -Condé: 'This man was born a captain.'" His place among the great sea -kings as a strategist, a tactician, and a fighter is now unquestioned -by the most calumnious of his defamers; but the wound he inflicted -upon British pride still rankles after the lapse of more than a -century, and his professional status and personal character are still -bitterly aspersed. So doth prejudice blind the eyes of truth. I have -devoted some space to the old charge that he was a pirate, which was -renewed recently in an article in the London Academy, one of the -leading journals of England, and I trust that the reader will find -that I have finally disposed of that absurd statement, and the other -slanders concerning him, in these pages. And I have tried to be fair -to the enemy as well. - -Wherever it has been possible, without clogging the narrative or -letting it assume the form of a mere collection of letters, Paul the -sailor, like Paul the Apostle, hath been permitted to speak for -himself. Contrary to some of his biographers, I have made it a rule to -accept Jones' own statements unless they were controverted by adequate -evidence. It is proper to call attention to the fact that the intent -of the series, of which this is one, which deals primarily with the -subjects of the different volumes as great commanders, naturally -emphasizes their public exploits rather than their private life. This -will account for a lack of amplification in certain directions, and -for the omission of details of certain periods of his life which, were -the circumstances other than they are, would probably be treated of at -greater length. However, it is believed that enough appears in the -pages to complete the picture and exhibit the man. - -There is a great amount of matter available for the study of his life, -in the shape of lives, essays, sketches, and general histories, and -contemporary memoirs, and an immense mass of manuscript reports and -correspondence, and Jones himself left several interesting accounts of -his career and services, which are of great value to his biographers. -I have freely used all sources of information to which I could gain -access, and they have not been few. It will be only justice, however, -if I acknowledge that among the authorities consulted I have found the -excellent life by Commodore Alexander Slidell Mackenzie, U. S. N., -published in 1841, the most useful. Mackenzie was an officer and -seaman of wide experience and fine talents, whose life covered the -period of our naval development succeeding the War of 1812, and his -comments from a sailor's point of view are instructive and invaluable. -His work is marred by an unfortunate bias against Jones, which appears -in several instances; in a desire to be accurate and just he has gone -to a censurable extreme. Two other books have been most helpful: the -life by John Henry Sherburne, sometime Register of the United States -Navy, published in 1825, with its valuable collection of reports of -participants in different actions, and statements and official -documents not otherwise preserved; and the life compiled from the -manuscript furnished by Miss Janette Taylor, a niece of the great -commodore, published in 1830. I may also add that I have found Captain -Mahan's admirable papers upon the subject, in Scribner's Magazine, of -great value. Indeed, there are facts, observations, and deductions in -these articles which appear nowhere else, so sure is the touch of a -genius for historical accuracy and investigation like his. Among other -essayists, Miss Molly Elliott Seawell, whose facile pen has done so -much to exploit our early naval heroes, has written a notable and -interesting paper which appeared in the Century Magazine; while -Professor John Knox Laughton, the English naval expert, in his -celebrated but scandalous and utterly unjustifiable attack, gives us a -modern British estimate of the commodore. I shall pay my respects to -his contribution later. No extended life has been published for fifty -years. - -My thanks are due to General Horace Porter and the Honorable -Charlemagne Tower, LL.D., ambassadors of the United States to France -and Russia respectively, for investigations in answers to inquiries, -and for suggestions; to Dr. Talcott Williams, of Philadelphia, for -valuable suggestions as to sources of possible information; to the -Rev. Dr. William Elliot Griffis, of Ithaca, New York, for much -interesting matter connected with the Baron van der Capellen, for -unpublished manuscript notes on North Holland, the Helder, and the -Texel, and for the rare copy of the old Dutch song, "Hir komt Pauwel -Jones aan," which appears in the appendix; to Lieutenant-General O. V. -Stubendorff, Chief of the Topographical Section of the Imperial -Russian General Staff, and to Major-General E. Sarantchof, of the -Russian army, for maps, reports, and other data concerning the -campaign on the Dnieper-Liman, not accessible in any American books; -to Mr. Charles T. Harbeck, of New York, for generous permission to -make use of rare books and pamphlets relating to Paul Jones in his -valuable collection of Americana; to Messrs. W. M. Cumming and Junius -Davis, of Wilmington, N. C., and Mrs. A. I. Robertson, of Columbia, -S. C., for information concerning the assumption of the name of Jones -by John Paul, not hitherto published in book form; to Mr. E. G. -McCollin and the Misses Mabel S. Meredith, Edith Lanigan, and Bertha -T. Rivailles for much important work in translation; and to Miss -Isabel Paris for invaluable assistance in transcribing the manuscript. - -Lest any of the above should be involved in possible criticisms which -may be made of the book, I beg to close this preface with the -assurance that for everything which follows I alone am responsible. - -CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY. -Philadelphia, Pa., _July, 1900_. - - - - - - -CONTENTS. - -I.--ANCESTRY--BIRTH--EARLY YEARS--PROFESSION--SUCCESS--CHANGE OF NAME -II.--COMMISSIONED IN THE NAVY--HOISTS THE FIRST FLAG--EXPEDITION TO - NEW PROVIDENCE--ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GLASGOW -III.--THE CRUISE OF THE PROVIDENCE -IV.--THE CRUISE OF THE ALFRED -V.--SUPERSEDED IN RANK--PROTESTS VAINLY AGAINST THE INJUSTICE--ORDERED - TO COMMAND THE RANGER--HOISTS FIRST AMERICAN FLAG -VI.--THE FIRST CRUISE OF THE RANGER--SALUTE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG -VII.--THE SECOND CRUISE OF THE RANGER--THE DESCENT ON WHITEHAVEN--THE - ATTEMPT ON LORD SELKIRK--THE CAPTURE OF THE DRAKE -VIII.--STANDING AND WAITING -IX.--THE CRUISE OF THE SQUADRON -X.--THE BATTLE WITH THE SERAPIS -XI.--AFTER THE BATTLE--REMARKS ON THE ACTION -XII.--UPHOLDING AMERICAN HONOR IN THE TEXEL -XIII.--THE ESCAPE OF THE ALLIANCE -XIV.--HONORS AND REWARDS--QUARREL WITH LANDAIS--RELINQUISHES THE - ALLIANCE -XV.--THE CRUISE OF THE ARIEL -XVI.--CAREER IN THE UNITED STATES TO THE CLOSE OF THE WAR -XVII.--PRIZE AGENT IN FRANCE AND DENMARK--LAST VISIT TO THE UNITED - STATES--A BLOT ON THE ESCUTCHEON--FAMOUS PASSAGE OF THE - BALTIC -XVIII.--IN THE RUSSIAN SERVICE--OTCHAKOFF AND THE CAMPAIGN IN THE - LIMAN -XIX.--SLANDERED IN RUSSIA--A SLAVONIC REWARD FOR FAITHFUL SERVICES -XX.--LAST YEARS AND DEATH -XXI.--PERSONAL APPEARANCE--CHARACTERISTICS--WAS HE A PIRATE?--FAREWELL - APPENDICES - INDEX - - - - - - -COMMODORE PAUL JONES. - - - - -CHAPTER I. -ANCESTRY--BIRTH--EARLY YEARS--PROFESSION--SUCCESS--CHANGE OF NAME. - - -Of the three great captains whose magnificent fighting has added such -glorious chapters to the history of our naval campaigns, but one, -George Dewey, the last of them all, is purely an American by birth and -generations of ancestors. Farragut, the greatest of the three, was but -one remove from a Spaniard. John Paul Jones, first of the group in -point of time and not inferior to the others in quality and -achievement, was a Scotsman. Only the limitation in means necessitated -by the narrow circumstances of his adopted country during his lifetime -prevented his surpassing them all. He remains to this day a unique -character among the mighty men who trod the deck and sailed the -ocean--a strange personality not surpassed by any in the long line of -sea fighters from Themistocles to Sampson. In spite of, nay, because -of his achievements, he was among the most calumniated of men. What -follows is an attempt to tell his story and to do him justice. - -Near the close of the fifth decade of the eighteenth century, George I -reigned in England, by the grace of God and because he had succeeded -in putting down the rebellion of 1745; Frederick the Great was -tenaciously clutching the fair province of Silesia which Maria -Theresa, with equal resolution but with faint prospect of success, was -endeavoring to retain; Louis XV (the well beloved!) was exploiting the -privileges and opportunities of a king with Madame de Pompadour and -the _Parc aux Cerfs_; and the long war of the Austrian succession was -just drawing to a close, when there was born on July 6, 1747, to a -Scots peasant, named John Paul, and to Jean MacDuff, his wife, a son, -the fifth child of a large family.[1] - -The youngster was duly christened John Paul, Junior, after his sire. -He is the hero of this history. He first saw the light on the estate -of Arbigland, in the parish of Kirkbean, in the county of -Kirkcudbright, a province once called the Royal Stewartry of -Kirkcudbright (pronounced "Kircoobree"), because it had been governed -formerly by a steward or deputy, appointed by the crown, of which the -county had been an appanage. - -The father of the subject of this memoir filled the modest situation -of a master gardener, a precursor of the modern and scientific -landscape gardener, or engineer, in a small scale, in the employ of a -Scots bonnet laird named Craik. His remote family--peasants, yeomen -always--had come from the ancient lands of the Thanes of Fife, whence -his grandfather had removed to Leith, where he kept a mail garden or -wayside inn--in short, a tavern. It is to the credit of Master John -Paul, Senior--evidently a most honest and capable man in that humble -station in life into which it had pleased God to call him--that he -forsook the tavern and clung to the garden. When he had finished his -apprenticeship as gardener he removed to Arbigland, where he married -Jean MacDuff, the daughter of a sturdy yeoman farmer of the -neighboring parish of New Abbey, whose family had been established in -their present location from time immemorial. - -The marriage was blessed with seven children, the two youngest sons -dying in infancy. The first was a boy named William; the next three -were girls, named Elizabeth, Janet, and Mary Ann; and the fifth and -last, considering the death of the infants, the boy named John, after -his father. _En passant_, there must have been something favorable to -the development of latent possibilities in gardeners' sons in that -corner of Scotland, for in the neighboring county of Ayr, a few years -later was born of similar bucolic stock the son of another tiller of -the soil, known to fame as Robbie Burns! - -The cottage in which young Paul made his first appearance was a little -stone building in a verdant glade in a thriving wood hard by the north -shore of the Solway. In front of the cottage whose whitewashed walls -were in full view of the ships which entered the Firth there was a -patch of greensward. The country of that section of bonnie Scotland in -which is the parish of Arbigland is rugged and broken. To the east and -to the west, huge, craggy mountains shut in a thickly wooded plateau, -diversified by clear, rapid streams abounding in fish. The fastnesses -in the hills even then were covered with romantic ruins of decayed -strongholds of feudal times, reminiscent of the days of the Black -Douglasses and their men. The coast line, unusually stern and bold, is -broken by many precipitous inlets, narrow and deep. At the foot of the -cliffs at low tide broad stretches of sand are exposed to view, and -the rapid rise of the tide makes these shelving beaches dangerous -places upon which to linger. The water deepens abruptly beyond the -beaches, and vessels under favorable circumstances are enabled to -approach near the shore. - -Amid such scenes as these the childhood of young Paul was passed. Like -every thrifty Scots boy of the period, he had plenty of work to do in -assisting his mother and father. The life of a Scots peasant of that -time was one of hard and incessant toil; his recreations were few, his -food meager, his opportunities limited, and the luxuries absent. Young -John Paul ate his porridge and did his work like the rest. It would -probably now be considered a sad and narrow life, which the stern and -rigid austerity of the prevailing form of Calvinism did nothing to -lighten. That gloomy religion, however, did produce men. - -It was the parish school which shaped and molded the minds of the -growing Scots, and it was the Kirk which shaped and directed the -schools, and the one was not more thorough than the other. I doubt if -anywhere on earth at that day was the standard of education among the -common people higher and more universally reached than in Scotland. -During the short school year Paul was sent religiously to the nearest -parish school, where he was well grounded in the rudiments of solid -learning with the thoroughness which made these little schools famous. -No demands of labor were allowed to interfere with the claims of -education. On Sunday he was religiously and regularly marched to the -kirk to be duly inducted into the mysteries of the catechism, and -thoroughly indoctrinated with the theory of predestination and its -rigorous concomitants. - -Of him, as of other boys, it is veraciously stated that he conceived a -great fondness for the sea, and it is related that all his plays were -of ships and sailors--a thing easily understood when it is remembered -that his most impressionable hours were spent in sight and sound of -the great deep, and that the white sails of ships upon the horizon -were quite as familiar a picture to his youthful vision as the -tree-clad hills and valleys of his native land. It is evident -that he had no fancy for the garden. A man of action he, from his -bib-and-tucker days. His chroniclers have loved to call attention to -the fact that even as a lad he manifested the spirit of one born to -rule, for in the sports and games it was his will which dominated his -little group of comrades--and the Scotsman, even when he is a child, -is not easily dominated, be it remembered. His was a healthy, vigorous -boyhood. - -His desire for the sea must have been stronger than the evanescent -feeling which finds a place sooner or later in the life of most boys, -for in 1759, with the full consent of his parents, he crossed the -Solway to Whitehaven, the principal port of the Firth, where he was -regularly bound apprentice to a merchant named Younger, who was -engaged in the American trade. He was immediately sent to sea on the -ship Friendship, Captain Benson, and at the tender age of twelve years -he made his first voyage to the new land toward whose freedom and -independence he was afterward destined to contribute so much. The -destination of the ship happened to be the Rappahannock River. As it -fortunately turned out, his elder brother, William, had some years -before migrated to Virginia, where he had married and settled at -Fredericksburg, and by his industry and thrift finally amassed a -modest fortune. Young Paul at once conceived a great liking for -America which never faltered; long afterward he stated that he had -been devoted to it from his youth. - -The ship duties in port not being arduous, the young apprentice, -through the influence of his brother, was permitted to spend the -period of the vessel's stay in America on shore under the roof of his -kinsman. There he continued his studies with that zeal for knowledge -which was one of his distinguishing characteristics, and which never -left him in after life; for it is to be noted that he was always a -student; indeed, had he not been so, his subsequent career would have -been impossible. It was largely that habit of application, early -acquired, that enabled him to advance himself beyond his original -station. He especially applied himself to the science of navigation, -the intricacies of which he speedily mastered, so that he became -subsequently one of the most expert navigators that sailed the sea. - -His natural inclination for the sea stood him in good stead, and he -finally acquired a complete knowledge of the details of his trying -profession. Upon the failure of Mr. Younger, who surrendered the -indentures of young Paul to him as the only thing he could do for him -in his present circumstances, he was sufficiently capable to receive -an appointment as third mate on the slaver King George, of Whitehaven. -A few years after, in 1766, being then but nineteen years of age, he -was appointed to the most responsible position of chief mate of the -slaver Two Friends, a brigantine of Jamaica. The contrast between the -old and the new _régime_ is brought vividly before us when we learn -that to-day a cadet midshipman--the lowest naval rank at present--of -the same age has still a year of schooling to undergo before he can -even undertake the two years' probationary cruise at sea required -before he can be commissioned in the lowest grade. - -Slave trading was a popular and common vocation in that day, not -reprehended as it would be at present. Gentlemen of substance and -station did not scruple to engage in it, either as providing money and -receiving profit, or as actually participating as master or supercargo -of ships in the traffic. It is interesting to note that young Paul, as -he grew in years and acquired character, became intensely dissatisfied -with slaving. The sense of the cruelties, iniquities, and injustice of -the trade developed in him with coming manhood, and gradually took -such possession of him that, as was stated by his relatives and -himself, he finally resolved to withdraw from it. - -This determination, scarcely to be expected from one of his birth and -circumstances, was greatly to his credit. The business itself was a -most stirring and lucrative one, and for a young man to have attained -the rank he enjoyed so early in life was evidence that he need have no -fear but that the future would bring him further advancement and -corresponding pecuniary reward. In this decision he was certainly in -advance of his time as well; but that love of liberty which had been -bred in him by the free air of the bold hills of his native land, and -which afterward became the master passion of his life, for which he -drew his sword, was undoubtedly heightened and intensified by this -close personal touch with the horrors of involuntary servitude. - -In the year 1768, therefore, giving up his position on the Two -Friends, he sailed as a passenger in the brigantine John, bound for -Kirkcudbright. It happened that the captain and mate of the vessel -both died of fever during the voyage, and at the request of the crew -Paul assumed command and brought the vessel safely to her port. -Currie, Beck & Co., the owners of the John, were so pleased with this -exploit that they appointed young Paul master and supercargo of the -vessel, in which he made two voyages to the West Indies. He was a -captain, therefore, and a merchant at the age of twenty-one. The -owners of the John dissolved partnership on the completion of his -second voyage, and disposed of the ship, giving Paul the following -honorable certificate upon his discharge from their employ: - -"These do certify to whom it may concern, that the bearer, Captain -John Paul, was two voyages master of a vessel called the John, in our -employ in the West India trade, during which time he approved himself -every way qualified both as a navigator and supercargo; but as our -present firm is dissolved, the vessel was sold, and of course he is -out of our employ, all accounts between him and the owners being -amicably adjusted. Certified at Kirkcudbright this 1st April, 1771. - - "Currie, Beck & Co." - - -One incident in his West Indian service is worthy of mention, because -it afterward crept out in a very ugly manner. On the second voyage of -the John the carpenter, a man named Mungo Maxwell, formerly of -Kirkcudbright, who had been mutinous, was severely flogged by the -order of Paul. Maxwell was discharged at the island of Tobago. He -immediately caused Paul to be summoned before the judge of the -vice-admiralty court for assault. The judge, after hearing the -testimony and statement of Captain Paul, dismissed the complaint as -frivolous. Maxwell subsequently entered on a Barcelona packet, and in -a voyage of the latter ship from Tobago to Antigua died of a fever. -Out of this was built up a calumny to the effect that Maxwell had been -so badly punished by Paul that he died from his injuries. When Paul -was in the Russian service years afterward the slander was enhanced by -the statement that Maxwell was his nephew. There was nothing whatever -in the charge. - -After his retirement from the command of the John he engaged in local -trading with the Isle of Man. It has been charged that he was a -smuggler during this period; but he specifically and vehemently denied -the allegation, and it is certain that the first entry of goods -shipped from England to the Isle of Man, after it was annexed to the -crown, stands in his name on the custom-house books of the town of -Douglas. Soon after this he commanded a ship, the Betsy, of London, in -the West India trade, in which he engaged in mercantile speculations -on his own account at Tobago and Grenada, until the year 1773, when he -went to Virginia again to take charge of the affairs of his brother -William, who had died intestate, leaving neither wife nor children. - -Very little is known of his life from this period until his entry into -the public service of the United States. From remarks in his journal -and correspondence, it is evident, in spite of his brother's property, -to which he was heir, and some other property and money which he had -amassed by trading, which was invested in the island of Tobago, West -Indies, that he continued for some time in very straitened -circumstances. He speaks of having lived for nearly two years on the -small sum of fifty pounds. It is probable that his poverty was due to -his inability to realize upon his brother's estate, and the difficulty -of getting a return of his West Indian investments, on account of the -unsettled political conditions, though they were of considerable -value. During this period, however, he took that step which has been a -puzzle to so many of his biographers, and which he never explained in -any of his correspondence that remains. He came to America under the -name of John Paul; he reappeared after this period of obscurity under -the name of John Paul Jones. - -It is claimed by the descendants of the Jones family of North Carolina -that while in Fredericksburg the young mariner made the acquaintance -of the celebrated Willie (pronounced Wylie) Jones, one of the leading -attorneys and politicians of North Carolina. Jones and his brother -Allen were people of great prominence and influence in that province. -It was Jones' influence, by the way, which in later years postponed -the ratification of the proposed Constitution of the United States by -North Carolina. Willie Jones seems to have attended to the legal side -of Paul's claims to his deceased brother's estate, and a warm -friendship sprang up between the two young men, so dissimilar in birth -and breeding, which, it is alleged, ended in an invitation to young -Paul to visit Jones and his brother on their plantations. - -The lonely, friendless little Scotsman gratefully accepted the -invitation--the society of gentle people always delighted him; he ever -loved to mingle with great folk throughout his life--and passed a long -period at "The Grove," in Northampton County, the residence of Willie, -and at "Mount Gallant," in Halifax County, the home of Allen. While -there, he was thrown much in the society of the wife of Willie Jones, -a lady noted and remembered for her graces of mind and person, and -who, by the way, made the famous answer to Tarleton's sneer--wholly -unfounded, of course--at the gallant Colonel William A. Washington for -his supposed illiteracy. Morgan and Washington had defeated Tarleton -decisively at the Cowpens, and in the course of the action Washington -and Tarleton had met in personal encounter. Washington had severely -wounded Tarleton in the hand. The Englishman had only escaped capture -by prompt flight and the speed of his horse. "Washington," said the -sneering partisan to Mrs. Jones, "why, I hear he can't even write his -name!" "No?" said the lady quietly and interrogatively, letting her -eyes fall on a livid scar across Tarleton's hand, "Well, he can make -his mark, at any rate." - -The Jones brothers were men of culture and refinement. They were Eton -boys, and had completed their education by travel and observation in -Europe. That they should have become so attached to the young sailor -as to have made him their guest for long periods, and cherished the -highest regard for him subsequently, is an evidence of the character -and quality of the man. Probably for the first time in his life Paul -was introduced to the society of refined and cultivated people. A new -horizon opened before him, and he breathed, as it were, another -atmosphere. Life for him assumed a different complexion. Always an -interesting personality, with his habits of thought, assiduous study, -coupled with the responsibilities of command, he needed but a little -contact with gentle people and polite society to add to his character -those graces of manner which are the final crown of the gentleman, and -which the best of his contemporaries have borne testimony he did not -lack. The impression made upon him by the privilege of this -association was of the deepest, and he gave to his new friends, and to -Mrs. Jones especially, a warm-hearted affection and devotion amounting -to veneration. - -It is not improbable, also, that in the society in which he found -himself--and it must be remembered that North Carolina was no less -fervidly patriotic, no less desirous of independence, than -Massachusetts: it was at Mecklenburg that the first declaration took -place--the intense love of personal liberty and independence in his -character which had made him abandon the slave trade was further -developed, and that during this period he finally determined to become -a resident of the new land; a resolution that made him cast his lot -with the other colonists when the inevitable rupture came about. - -It is stated that in view of this determination on his part to begin -life anew in this country, and as a mark of the affection and -gratitude he entertained for the family of his benefactors, he assumed -the name of Jones. It was a habit in some secluded parts of Scotland -and in Wales to take the father's Christian name as a surname also, -and this may have been in his mind at the time. He did not assume the -name of Jones, however, out of any disregard for his family or from -any desire to disguise himself from them, for, although he last saw -them in 1771, he ever continued in correspondence with them, and found -means, whatever his circumstances, to make them frequent remittances -of money during his busy life. To them he left all his property at his -death. It is certain, therefore, that for no reason for which he had -cause to be ashamed did he affix the name of Jones to his birth name, -and it may be stated that whatever name he took he honored. Henceforth -in this volume he will be known by the name which he made so -famous.[2] - -One other incident of this period is noteworthy. During his visit to -North Carolina he was introduced by the Jones brothers to Joseph -Hewes, of Edenton, one of the delegates from North Carolina to the -first and second Provincial Congresses, and a signer of the great -Declaration of Independence. In Congress Hewes was a prominent member -of the Committee on Naval Affairs, upon which devolved the work of -beginning and carrying on the navy of the Revolution. When the war -broke out Paul Jones was still living in Virginia. But when steps were -taken to organize a navy for the revolted colonies, attracted by the -opportunities presented in that field of service in which he was a -master, and glad of the chance for maintaining a cause so congenial to -his habit of life and thought, he formally tendered his services to -his adopted country. The influence of Willie Jones and Hewes was -secured, and on the 7th of December, 1775, Jones was appointed a -lieutenant in the new Continental navy. - - -_Additional note on the assumption of the name of Jones_. -Mr. Augustus C. Buell, in his exhaustive and valuable study of Paul -Jones, published since this book was written, states that the name was -assumed by him in testamentary succession to his brother, who had -added the name of Jones at the instance of a wealthy planter named -William Jones, who had adopted him. Mr. Buell's authority rests on -tradition and the statements made by Mr. Louden, a great-grandnephew -of the commodore (since dead), and of the sometime owner of the Jones -plantation. On the other hand, in addition to the letters quoted in -the Appendix, I have received many others from different sources, -tending to confirm the version given by me. Among them is one from a -Fredericksburg antiquarian, who claims that William Paul never bore -the name of Jones in Fredericksburg. General Cadwallader Jones (who -died in 1899, aged eighty-six), in a privately published biography, -also states explicitly that he heard the story from Mrs. Willie Jones -herself. Mr. Buell, in a recent letter to me, calls attention to the -fact--and it is significant--that absolutely no reference to the North -Carolina claim appears in any extant letter of the commodore, and -claims that Hewes and Jones were acquainted before John Paul settled -in America. As the official records have all been destroyed, the -matter of the name will probably never be absolutely determined. - - - - -CHAPTER II. -COMMISSIONED IN THE NAVY--HOISTS THE FIRST FLAG--EXPEDITION TO NEW -PROVIDENCE--ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GLASGOW. - - -The honor of initiative in the origin of the American navy belongs to -Rhode Island, a doughty little State which, for its area, possesses -more miles of seaboard than any other. On Tuesday, October 3, 1775, -the delegates from Rhode Island introduced in the Continental Congress -a resolution which had been passed by the General Assembly of the -province on August 26th of the same year, in which, among other -things, the said delegates were instructed to "use their whole -influence, at the ensuing Congress, for building, at the Continental -expense, a fleet of sufficient force for the protection of these -colonies, and for employing them in such manner and places as will -most effectually annoy our enemies, and contribute to the common -defense of these colonies." - -Consideration of the resolution was twice postponed, but it was -finally discussed on the 7th of October and referred to a committee. -On the 13th of October the committee reported, and Congress so far -accepted the Rhode Island suggestion that the following resolution was -passed: - -"_Resolved_, That a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns -and a proportionate number of swivels with eighty men, be fitted with -all possible dispatch for a cruise of three months, and that the -commander be instructed to cruise eastward for intercepting such -transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for -our enemies, and for such other purposes as the Congress shall -direct." Another vessel was also ordered fitted out for the same -purpose. - -Messrs. Deane, Langden, and Gadsden were appointed a committee to -carry out the instructions embodied in the resolution. When the -committee submitted a report, on the 30th of October, it was further -resolved "that the second vessel ordered to be fitted out on the 13th -inst. be of such size as to carry fourteen guns and a proportionate -number of swivels and men." Two other vessels were also ordered to be -put into service, one to carry not more than twenty and the other not -more than thirty-six guns, "for the protection and defense of the -United Colonies, as the Congress shall direct." - -This may be considered as the real and actual beginning of the -American navy. There had been numerous naval encounters between -vessels of war of the enemy and private armed vessels acting under the -authority of the various colonies; and Washington himself, with the -approval of the Congress, which passed some explicit resolutions on -the subject on October 5th, had made use of the individual colonial -naval forces, and had issued commissions to competent men empowering -them to cruise and intercept the transports and other vessels laden -with powder and supplies for the enemy, but no formal action looking -to the creation of a regular naval force had been taken heretofore. - -Congress had long clung to the hope of reconciliation with the mother -country, and had been exceedingly loath to take the radical step -involved in the establishment of a navy, for in the mind of the -Anglo-Saxon, who always claimed supremacy on the sea, a navy is -primarily for offense. To constitute a navy for defense alone is to -invite defeat. Aggression and initiative are of the essence of success -in war on the sea. Now, in the peculiar condition in which the United -Colonies found themselves, a naval force could be used for no other -purpose than offense. The capacity of any navy which the colonies -could hope to create, for defensive warfare, would be so slender as to -be not worth the outlay, and the creation of a navy to prey upon the -enemy's commerce and to take such of his armed vessels as could be -overcome would controvert the fiction that we were simply resisting -oppression. It would be making war in the most unmistakable way. - -It is a singular thing that men have been willing to do, or condone -the doing of, things on land which they have hesitated to do or -condone on the sea. The universal diffusion of such sentiments is seen -in the absurdly illogical contention on the part of the British -Government subsequently, that, although a soldier on land was a rebel, -he could be treated as a belligerent; while a man who stood in exactly -the same relation to the King of England whose field of action -happened to be the sea was of necessity a pirate. - -At any rate, by the acts of Congress enumerated, a navy was assembled, -and the plan of Rhode Island was adopted. It was Rhode Island, by the -way, which, by preamble and resolution, sundered its allegiance to -Great Britain just two months to a day before the Declaration of -Independence. To the naval committee already constituted, Stephen -Hopkins, Richard Henry Lee, John Adams, and Joseph Hewes were soon -added. The committee at once undertook the work of carrying out the -instructions they had received. On the 5th of November they selected -for the command of the proposed navy Esek Hopkins, of Rhode Island, a -brother of the famous Stephen Hopkins who was a member of the -committee and one of the most influential members of the Congress. -Other officers were commissioned from time to time as selections were -made, and commissions and orders were issued to them by the committee, -subject, of course, to the ratification or other action by the -Congress. Paul Jones' commission as a lieutenant, as has been stated, -was dated the 7th of December, 1775. - -Esek Hopkins, who was born in 1718, was therefore fifty-seven years of -age. He had been a master mariner for thirty years. He was a man of -condition and substance who had traded in his own ships in all the -then visited parts of the globe. As a commander of privateers and -letters of marque he was not without experience in arms. He had been -created a brigadier general of the Rhode Island militia on the -threatened outbreak of hostilities, a position he resigned to take -command of the navy. On the 22d of December Congress confirmed the -nomination of Hopkins as commander-in-chief, and regularly appointed -the following officers: - - -Captains: - Dudley Saltonstall, - Abraham Whipple, - Nicholas Biddle, - John Burroughs Hopkins. - -First Lieutenants: - John Paul Jones, - Rhodes Arnold, - ---- Stansbury, - Hoysted Hacker, - Jonathan Pitcher. - -Second Lieutenants: - Benjamin Seabury, - Joseph Olney, - Elisha Warner, - Thomas Weaver, - ---- McDougall. - -Third Lieutenants: - John Fanning, - Ezekiel Burroughs, - Daniel Vaughan. - - -These were, therefore, the forerunners of that long line of -distinguished naval officers who have borne the honorable commission -of the United States. - -In addition to the regular course pursued, other action bearing upon -the subject of naval affairs was had. On Saturday, November, 25th, -Congress, enraged by the burning of Falmouth, adopted radical -resolutions, looking toward the capture and confiscation of armed -British vessels and transports, directing the issuance of commissions -to the captains of cruisers and privateers, and creating admiralty -courts and prescribing a scheme for distributing prize money. On -November 28th resolutions prescribing "Regulations for the Government -of the Navy of the United Colonies" were adopted, the first appearance -of that significant phrase in the records, by the way. - -On December 5th the seizure of merchant vessels engaging in trade -between the Tories of Virginia and the West Indies under the -inspiration of Lord Dunmore, was ordered. On December 11th a special -committee to devise ways and means for "furnishing these colonies with -a naval armament" was appointed. Two days later the report of the -committee was adopted, and thirteen ships were ordered built, five of -thirty-two, five of twenty-eight, and three of twenty-four guns. They -were to be constructed one in New Hampshire, two in Massachusetts, one -in Connecticut, two in Rhode Island, two in New York, four in -Pennsylvania, and one in Maryland; the maximum cost of each of them -was sixty-six thousand six hundred and sixty-six dollars and sixty-six -and two thirds cents. They had a fine idea of accuracy in the -construction corps of that day. - -But, while Congress had been therefore preparing to build the navy, -the regular marine committee had not been idle. By strenuous effort -the committee assembled a squadron. A merchant vessel called the Black -Prince, which had lately arrived from London under the command of John -Barry (afterward a famous American commodore), was purchased and -renamed the Alfred, after King Alfred the Great, who is commonly -believed to be the founder of the British navy. She was a small, -stanch trading vessel, very heavily timbered, and with unusually stout -scantlings for a ship of her class, although of course not equal to a -properly constructed ship of war. The committee armed her with twenty -9-pounders on the main deck, and four smaller guns, possibly 6- or -4-pounders, on the forecastle and poop, and she was placed under the -command of Captain Dudley Saltonstall. Jones, whose name stood first -on the list of first lieutenants, was appointed her executive officer. -Hopkins selected her for his flagship. Jones had been offered the -command of one of the smaller vessels of the squadron, but elected to -fill his present station, as presenting more opportunities for -acquiring information and seeing service. His experience in armed -vessels had been limited; he knew but little of the requirements of a -man-of-war, and deemed he could best fit himself for that higher -command to which he aspired and determined to deserve by beginning his -service under older and more experienced officers--a wise decision. - -The next important vessel was another converted merchantman, -originally called the Sally, now named the Columbus, after the great -discoverer. She was a full-rigged ship of slightly less force and -armament than the Alfred, commanded by Captain Abraham Whipple, -already distinguished in a privateering way. In addition to these -there were two brigs called the Andrea Doria and the Cabot, commanded -by Captains Nicholas Biddle and John Burroughs Hopkins, a son of the -commander-in-chief. The Andrea Doria and Cabot carried fourteen -4-pounders each. - -Hopkins arrived at Philadelphia in December, 1775, in the brig Katy, -of the Rhode Island navy, which was at once taken into the Continental -service and renamed the Providence, after the commander's native town. -She carried twelve light guns, 4-pounders. There were also secured a -ten-gun schooner called the Hornet, and the Wasp and Fly, two -eight-gun schooners or tenders, one of which Jones had refused. The -work of outfitting these ships as generously as the meager resources -of the colonies permitted had been carried on assiduously before the -arrival of the commander-in-chief, whose first duty, when he reached -Philadelphia, was formally to assume the command. - -This assumption of command entailed the putting of the ships in -commission by publicly reading the orders appointing the commodore, -and assigning him to command, and hoisting and saluting the flags. The -officers previously appointed had been proceeding somewhat -irregularly, doubtless, by going on with their preparations prior to -this important ceremony. At any rate, in the latter part of December, -1775, or the early part of January, 1776--the date not being clear, -the authorities not only differing, but in no single case venturing -upon a definite statement--all things having been made ready, -Commodore Hopkins with his staff officers entered the commodore's -barge, lying at the foot of Walnut Street, and was rowed to the -flagship. The wharves and houses facing the river were crowded with -spectators to witness so momentous a ceremony as the commissioning of -the first American fleet. - -It has been recorded that it was a bright, cold, clear winter morning. -The barge picked its way among the floating ice cakes of the Delaware, -and finally reached the Alfred. The commodore mounted the side, -followed by his staff, and was received with due honors in the gangway -by the captain and his officers in such full dress as they could -muster. The crew and the marines were drawn up in orderly ranks in the -waist and on the quarter deck. After the reading of the commodore's -commission and the orders assigning him to the command of the fleet, -Captain Dudley Saltonstall nodded his head to John Paul Jones, his -executive officer. The young Scotsman, with, I imagine, a heart -beating rarely, stepped forward and received from the veteran -quartermaster the end of the halliards, to which, in the shape of a -neatly rolled-up ball, was bent a handsome yellow silk flag, bearing -the representation of a rattlesnake about to strike (and perhaps a -pine tree also), with the significant legend "Don't tread on me." With -his own hands the young lieutenant hauled the rolled-up ensign to the -masthead, and then, with a slight twitch, he broke the stops and there -blew out in the morning breeze, before the eyes of the commodore, his -officers, the men of the ships, and the delighted spectators on shore, -the first flag that ever flew from a regularly commissioned war ship -of the United Colonies. The grand union flag, a red and white striped -ensign with the English cross in the canton, was also hoisted. The -flags were saluted by the booming of cannon from the batteries of the -ships, and with cheers from the officers and men of the squadron and -the people on the shore, and thus the transaction was completed, and -the navy of the United States began to be. - -The ships were slight in force, their equipments meager and deficient, -and of inferior quality at best. The men had but little experience in -naval warfare, and their officers scarcely much more. There were men -of undoubted courage and capacity among them, however, and several to -whom the profession of arms was not entirely new. At least two of -them, Jones and Biddle, were to become forever famous for their -fighting. Compared with the huge and splendid navy of England, the -whole force was an unconsidered trifle, but it was a beginning, and -not a bad one at that, as the mother country was to find out. The -outfitting of the squadron was by no means complete, and, though the -commodore with the others labored hard, the work proceeded slowly and -with many hindrances and delays; it was never properly done. Then the -ships were ice-bound in Delaware Bay, and it was not until nearly two -months had elapsed that they were able to get to sea. - -The principal difficulty in the rebellious colonies, from the -standpoint of military affairs, was the scarcity of powder. There were -guns in respectable numbers, but without powder they were necessarily -useless. The powder mills of the colonies were few and far between, -and their output was inadequate to meet the demand. It is now well -known that although Washington maintained a bold front when he -invested the British army in Boston, at times his magazines did not -contain more than a round or two of powder for each of his guns. His -position was a magnificent specimen of what in modern colloquialism -would have been called a "bluff." There was, of course, but little -powder to spare for the improvised men-of-war, and most of what they -had was borrowed from the colony of Pennsylvania. To get powder was -the chief end of military men then. - -On February 17, 1776, the little squadron cleared the capes of the -Delaware, and before nightfall had disappeared from view beneath the -southeast horizon. It appears that the orders were for Hopkins to sail -along the coast toward the south, disperse Dunmore's squadron, which -was marauding in Virginia, pick up English coasting vessels, and -capture scattered English ships cruising between Pennsylvania and -Georgia to break up the colonial coasting trade and capture colonial -merchantmen. But it also appears from letters of the Marine Committee -that another object of the expedition was the seizure of large stores -of powder and munitions of warfare which had been allowed to -accumulate at New Providence, in the Bahama group, and that Hopkins -sailed with much discretion as to his undertaking and the means of -carrying it out. The Bahama project was maintained as a profound -secret between the naval committee and its commodore, the matter not -being discussed in Congress even. - -With that end in view the commander-in-chief, by orders published to -the fleet before its departure, appointed the island of Abaco, one of -the most northerly of the Bahama group, as a rendezvous for his -vessels in case they became separated by the usual vicissitudes of the -sea. The scattered ships were directed to make an anchorage off the -southern part of the island, and wait at least fourteen days for the -other vessels to join them before cruising on their own account in -such directions as in the judgment of their respective commanders -would most annoy, harass, and damage the enemy. - -Shortly after leaving the capes the squadron ran into a severe -easterly gale off Hatteras, then, as now, one of the most dangerous -points on the whole Atlantic seaboard. The ships beat up against it, -and all succeeded in weathering the cape and escaping the dreaded -perils of the lee shore. If lack of training prevented the officers -from claiming to be naval experts, there were prime seamen among them -at any rate. When the gale abated Hopkins cruised along the coast for -a short time, meeting nothing of importance in the way of a ship. -Rightly concluding that the fierce winter weather would have induced -the enemy's vessels to seek shelter in the nearest harbors, and his -cruise in that direction, if further continued, would be profitless, -he squared away for the Bahamas, to carry out the second and secret -part of his instructions. - -It was for a long time alleged that he took this action on his own -account, and one of the charges against him in the popular mind was -disobedience of orders in so doing; but he was undoubtedly within his -orders in the course which he took, and it is equally certain that the -enterprise upon which he was about to engage was one in which more -immediate profit would accrue to the colonies than in any other. He -should be held not only guiltless in the matter, but awarded praise -for his decision. On the 1st of March the squadron, with the exception -of the Hornet and the Fly, which had parted company in the gale, -reached the island of Abaco, about forty miles to the northward of New -Providence. - -No part of the western hemisphere had been longer known than the -Bahamas. Upon one of them Columbus landed. The principal island among -them, not on account of its size, which was insignificant, but because -it possessed a commodious and land-locked harbor, is the island of New -Providence. No island in the great archipelago which forms the -northeastern border of the Caribbean had enjoyed a more eventful -history. From time immemorial it had been the haunt of the buccaneer -and the pirate. From it had sailed many expeditions to ravage the -Spanish Main. It had been captured and recaptured by the successive -nationalities which had striven for domination in the Caribbean, and -in their brutal rapacity had made a hell of every verdant tropic -island which lifted itself in the gorgeous beauty peculiar to those -latitudes, above the deep blue of that lambent sea. It had come -finally and definitely under the English crown, and a civilized -government had been established by the notorious Woodes Rogers, who -was himself a sort of Jonathan Wild of the sea, but one remove--and -that not a great one--from the gentry whose nests he broke up and -whose ravages he had put down. It had been taken since then by the -Spaniards, but had been restored to the British. - -The town of Nassau, which lies upon the northern face of the island, -is situated upon the side of a hill which slopes gently down toward -the water. The harbor, which is sufficiently deep to accommodate -vessels drawing not more than twelve feet, is formed by a long island -which lies opposite the town. There are two entrances to the harbor, -only one of which was practicable for large ships, though both were -open for small vessels. At the ends of the harbor, commanding each -entrance, two forts had been erected: Fort Montague on the east and -Fort Nassau on the west. Through culpable negligence, in spite of the -quantity of military stores it contained, there was not a single -regular soldier on the island at that time, and no preparations for -defense had been made. - -It was proposed to make the descent upon the western end of the island -and then march up and take the town in the rear. Paul Jones, however, -in the council which was held on the Alfred before the debarkation, -pointed out the greater distance which the men would have to march in -that case, the alarm which would be given by the passage of the ships, -and advised that a landing be effected upon the eastern end of the -island, whence the attack could be more speedily delivered, and, as -the ships would not be compelled to advance, no previous alarm would -be given. Hopkins demurred to this plan on the ground that no safe -anchorage for the ships was afforded off the eastern end. The Alfred -had taken two pilots from some coasting vessels which had been -captured, and from them it was learned that about ten miles away was a -small key which would afford the larger vessels safe anchorage. As -Hopkins hesitated to trust the pilots, Jones, at the peril of his -commission, offered in conjunction with them to bring the ships up -himself. His suggestions were agreed to, his offer accepted, and when -the vicinity of the key was reached he took his station on the -fore-topmast crosstrees of the Alfred. He had sailed in the West -Indian waters many times, and was familiar with the look of the sea -and the indications near the shore. With the assistance of the pilots, -after a somewhat exciting passage, he succeeded in bringing all the -ships to a safe anchorage. That he was willing to take the risk, and, -having done so, successfully carry out the difficult undertaking, -gives a foretaste of his bold and decisive character, and of his -technical skill as well. - -Preparations for attack were quickly made. Commodore Hopkins, having -impressed some local schooners, loaded them with two hundred and fifty -marines from the squadron, under the command of Captain Samuel -Nichols, the ranking officer of the corps, and fifty seamen under the -command of Lieutenant Thomas Weaver of the Cabot, and on March 2d the -transports with this attacking force were dispatched to New -Providence.[3] They were convoyed by the Providence and the Wasp, and -a landing was effected under the cover of these two ships of war. -Unfortunately, however, some of the other larger vessels got under way -at the same time, and their appearance alarmed the town. - -It never seems to have occurred to any one but Jones that the west -exit from the harbor should be guarded by stationing two of the -smaller vessels off the channel to close it while the rest of the -squadron took care of the eastern end. It seems probable from his -correspondence that he ventured upon the suggestion, for he -specifically referred in condemnatory terms to the failure to do so. -At any rate, if he did suggest it, and from his known capacity it is -extremely likely that the obvious precaution would have occurred to -him, his suggestion was disregarded, and the western pass from the -harbor was left open--a fatal mistake. - -The point where the expedition landed without opposition was some four -and a half miles from Fort Montague. It was a bright Sunday morning -when the first American naval brigade took up its march under Captain -Nichols' orders. The men advanced steadily, and, though they were met -by a discharge of cannon from Fort Montague, they captured the works -by assault without loss, the militia garrison flying precipitately -before the American advance. The marines behaved with great spirit on -this occasion, as they have ever done. Instead of promptly moving down -upon the other fort, however, they contented themselves during that -day with their bloodless achievement, and not until the next morning -did they advance to complete the capture of the place. - -The inhabitants of the island were in a state of panic, and when the -marines and sailors marched up to attack Fort Nassau they found it -empty of any garrison except Governor Brown, who opened the gates and -formally surrendered it to the Americans. During the confusion of the -night Brown seems to have preserved his presence of mind, and rightly -divining that the powder would be the most precious of all the -munitions of warfare in his charge, he had caused a schooner which lay -in the harbor to be loaded with one hundred and fifty barrels, the -limit of its capacity, and before daybreak she set sail and made good -her escape through the unguarded western passage. A dreadful -misfortune that, which would not have occurred had Jones been in -command. - -[Illustration: Map of attack on New Providence in the Bahamas.] - -However, a large quantity of munitions of war of great value to the -struggling colonies fell into the hands of Hopkins' men, including -eighty-eight cannon, ranging in size from 9- to 36-pounders, fifteen -large mortars, over eleven thousand round shot, and twenty precious -casks of powder. The Americans behaved with great credit in this -conquest. None of the inhabitants of the island were harmed, nor was -their property touched. It was a noble commentary on some of the -British forays along our own coast. Hopkins impressed a sloop, -promising to pay for its use and return it when he was through with -it, which promise was faithfully kept, and the sloop was loaded with -the stores, etc., which had been captured. - -His own ships were also heavily laden with these military stores, the -Alfred in particular being so overweighted that it was almost -impossible to fight her main-deck guns, so near were they to the -waterline, except in the most favorable circumstances of wind and -weather. - -Taking Governor Brown, who was afterward exchanged for General Lord -Stirling, and one or two other officials of importance as hostages on -board his fleet, Hopkins set sail for home on the 17th of March. He -had done his work expeditiously and well, but through want of -precaution which had been suggested by Jones, he had failed in part -when his success might have been complete. Still, he was bringing -supplies of great value, and his handsome achievement was an -auspicious beginning of naval operations. The squadron pursued its way -toward the United Colonies without any adventures or happenings worthy -of chronicle until the 4th of April, when off the east end of Long -Island they captured the schooner Hawk, carrying six small guns. On -the 5th of April the bomb vessel Bolton, eight guns, forty-eight men, -filled with stores of arms and powder, was captured without loss. - -On the 6th, shortly after midnight, the night being dark, the wind -gentle, the sea smooth, and the ships very much scattered, swashing -along close-hauled on the starboard tack between Block Island and the -Rhode Island coast, they made out a large ship, under easy sail, -coming down the wind toward the squadron. It was the British sloop of -war Glasgow, twenty guns and one hundred and fifty men, commanded by -Captain Tyringham Howe. She was accompanied by a small tender, -subsequently captured. The nearest ships of the American squadron -luffed up to have a closer look at the stranger, the men being sent to -quarters in preparation for any emergency. By half after two in the -morning the brig Cabot had come within a short distance of her. The -stranger now hauled her wind, and Captain John Burroughs Hopkins, the -son of the commodore, immediately hailed her. Upon ascertaining who -and what she was he promptly poured in a broadside from his small -guns, which was at once returned by the formidable battery of the -Glasgow. The unequal conflict was kept up with great spirit for a few -moments, but the Cabot alone was no match for the heavy English -corvette, and after a loss of four killed and several wounded, -including the captain severely, the Cabot, greatly damaged in hull and -rigging, fell away, and her place was taken by the Alfred, still an -unequal match for the English vessel, but more nearly approaching her -size and capacity. - -The Andrea Doria now got within range and joined in the battle. For -some three hours in the night the ships sailed side by side, hotly -engaged. After a time the Columbus, Captain Whipple, which had been -farthest to leeward, succeeded in crossing the stern of the Glasgow, -and raked her as she was passing. The aim of the Americans was poor, -and instead of smashing her stern in and doing the damage which might -have been anticipated, the shot flew high and, beyond cutting the -Englishman up aloft, did no appreciable damage. The Providence, which -was very badly handled, managed to get in long range on the lee -quarter of the Glasgow and opened an occasional and ineffective fire -upon her. But the bulk of the fighting on the part of the Americans -was done by the Alfred. - -Captain Howe maneuvered and fought his vessel with the greatest skill. -During the course of the action a lucky shot from the Glasgow carried -away the wheel ropes of the Alfred, and before the relieving tackles -could be manned and the damage repaired the American frigate broached -to and was severely raked several times before she could be got under -command. At daybreak Captain Howe, who had fought a most gallant fight -against overwhelming odds, perceived the hopelessness of continuing -the combat, and, having easily obtained a commanding lead on the -pursuing Americans, put his helm up and ran away before the wind for -Newport. - -Hopkins followed him for a short distance, keeping up a fire from his -bow-chasers, but his deep-laden merchant vessels were no match in -speed for the swift-sailing English sloop of war, and, as with every -moment his little squadron with its precious cargo was drawing nearer -the English ships stationed at Newport, some of which had already -heard the firing and were preparing to get under way, Hopkins hauled -his wind, tacked and beat up for New London, where he arrived on the -8th of April with his entire squadron and the prizes they had taken, -with the exception of the Hawk, recaptured. - -The loss on the Glasgow was one man killed and three wounded; on the -American squadron, ten killed and fourteen wounded, the loss being -confined mainly to the Alfred and the Cabot, the Columbus having but -one man wounded. During this action Paul Jones was stationed in -command of the main battery of the Alfred. He had nothing whatever to -do with the maneuvers of the ships, and was in no way responsible for -the escape of the Glasgow and the failure of the American force to -capture her. - -The action did not reflect credit on the American arms. The Glasgow, -being a regular cruiser and of much heavier armament than any of the -American ships, was more than a match for any of them singly, though -taken together, if the personnel of the American squadron had been -equal to, or if it even approximated, that of the British ship, the -latter would have been captured without difficulty. The gun practice -of the Americans was very poor, which is not surprising. With the -exception of a very few of the officers, none of the Americans had -ever been in action, and they knew little about the fine art of -hitting a mark, especially at night. They had had no exercise in -target practice and but little in concerted fleet evolution. There -seems to have been no lack of courage except in the case of the -captain of the Providence, who was court-martialed for incapacity and -cowardice, and dismissed from the service. Hopkins' judgment in -withdrawing from the pursuit for the reasons stated can not be -questioned, neither can he be justly charged with the radical -deficiency of the squadron, though he was made to suffer for it. - -While the Glasgow escaped, she did not get off scot free. She was -badly cut up in the hull, had ten shot through her mainmast, fifty-two -through her mizzen staysail, one hundred and ten through her mainsail, -and eighty-eight through her foresail. Her royal yards were carried -away, many of her spars badly wounded, and her rigging cut to pieces. -This catalogue tells the story. The Americans in their excitement and -inexperience had fired high, and their shot had gone over their mark. -The British defense had been a most gallant one, and the first attack -between the ships of the two navies had been a decided triumph for the -English. - -Paul Jones' conduct in the main battery of the Alfred had been -entirely satisfactory to his superior officers. He, with the other -officers of that ship, was commended, and subsequent events showed -that he still held the confidence of the commodore. - - - - -CHAPTER III. -THE CRUISE OF THE PROVIDENCE. - - -The British fleet having left Newport in the interim, on the 24th of -April, 1776, the American squadron got under way from New London for -Providence, Rhode Island. The ships were in bad condition; sickness -had broken out among their crews, and no less than two hundred and two -men out of a total of perhaps eight hundred and fifty--at best an -insufficient complement--were left ill at New London. Their places -were in a measure supplied by one hundred and seventy soldiers, lent -to the squadron by General Washington, who had happened to pass -through New London, _en route_ to New York, on the day after Hopkins' -arrival. There was a pleasant interview between the two commanders, -and it was then that Jones caught his first glimpse of the great -leader. - -The voyage to New London was made without incident, except that the -unfortunate Alfred grounded off Fisher's Island, and had to lighten -ship before she could be floated. This delayed her passage so that she -did not arrive at Newport until the 28th of April. The health of the -squadron was not appreciably bettered by the change, for over one -hundred additional men fell ill. Many of the seamen had been enlisted -for the cruise only, and they now received their discharge, so that -the crews of the already undermanned ships were so depleted from these -causes that it would be impossible for them to put to sea. Washington, -who was hard pressed for men, and had troubles of his own, demanded -the immediate return to New York of the soldiers he had lent to the -fleet. The captain of the Providence being under orders for a -court-martial for his conduct, on the 10th of May Hopkins appointed -John Paul Jones to the command of the Providence. - -The appointment is an evidence of the esteem in which Jones was held -by his commanding officer, and is a testimony to the confidence which -was felt in his ability and skill; for he alone, out of all the -officers in the squadron, was chosen for important sea service at this -time. Having no blank commissions by him, Hopkins made out the new -commission on the back of Jones' original commission as first -lieutenant. It is a matter of interest to note that he was the first -officer promoted to command rank from a lieutenancy in the American -navy. His first orders directed him to take Washington's borrowed men -to New York. After spending a brief time in hurriedly overhauling the -brig and preparing her for the voyage, Jones set sail for New York, -which he reached on the 18th of May, after thirty-six hours. Having -returned the men, Jones remained at New York in accordance with his -orders until he could enlist a crew, which he presently succeeded in -doing. Thereafter, under supplemental orders, he ran over to New -London, took on board such of the men left there who were sufficiently -recovered to be able to resume their duties, and came back and -reported with them to the commander-in-chief at Providence. He had -performed his duties, routine though they were, expeditiously and -properly. - -He now received instructions thoroughly to overhaul and fit the -Providence for active cruising. She was hove down, had her bottom -scraped, and was entirely refitted and provisioned under Jones's -skillful and practical direction. Her crew was exercised constantly at -small arms and great guns, and every effort made to put her in -first-class condition. In spite of the limited means at hand, she -became a model little war vessel. On June 10th a sloop of war -belonging to the enemy appeared off the bay, and in obedience to a -signal from the commodore Jones made sail to engage. Before he caught -sight of the vessel she sought safety in flight. On the 13th of June -the Providence was ordered to Newburyport, Massachusetts, to convoy a -number of merchant vessels loaded with coal for Philadelphia. Before -entering upon this important duty, however, Jones was directed to -accompany the tender Fly, loaded with cannon, toward New York, and, -after seeing her safely into the Sound, convoy some merchant vessels -from Stonington to Newport. - -There were a number of the enemy's war vessels cruising in these -frequented waters, and the carrying out of Jones' simple orders was by -no means an easy task; but by address and skill, and that careful -watchfulness which even then formed a part of his character, he -succeeded in executing all his duties without losing a single vessel -under his charge. He had one or two exciting encounters with English -war ships, the details of which are unfortunately not preserved. In -one instance, by boldly interposing the Providence between the British -frigate Cerberus and a colonial brigantine loaded with military stores -from Hispaniola, he diverted the attention of the frigate to his own -vessel, and drew her away from the pursuit of the helpless -merchantman, which thereby effected her escape. Then the Providence, a -swift little brig admirably handled, easily succeeded in shaking off -her pursuer, although she had allowed the frigate to come within -gunshot range. The brigantine whose escape Jones had thus assured was -purchased into the naval service and renamed the Hampden. - -The coal fleet had assembled at Boston instead of Newburyport, and in -pursuance of his original orders Jones brought them safely to the -capes of the Delaware on the 1st of August. The run to Philadelphia -was soon made, and Hopkins' appointment, under which he was acting, -was ratified by the Congress, and the commission of captain was given -him, dated the 8th of August, 1776. - -Hitherto Jones, like all the others engaged in the war, had been a -subject of England, a colonist in rebellion against the crown. By the -Declaration of Independence he had become a citizen of the United -States engaged in maintaining the independence and securing the -liberty of his adopted country. The change was most agreeable to him. -It added a dignity and value to his commission which could not fail to -be acceptable to a man of his temperament. It was pleasant to him also -to have the confidence of his commander-in-chief, which had been shown -in the appointment to the command of the Providence, justified by the -government in the commission which had been issued to him. - -Jones had made choice of his course of action in the struggle between -kingdom and colony deliberately, not carried away by any enthusiasm of -the moment, but moved by the most generous sentiments of liberty and -independence. He had much at stake, and he was embarked in that -particular profession fraught with peculiar dangers not incident to -the life of a soldier. It must have been, therefore, with the greatest -satisfaction that he perceived opportunities opening before him in -that cause to which he had devoted himself, and in that service of -which he was a master. A foreigner with but scant acquaintance and -little influence in America, he had to make his way by sheer merit. -The value of what has been subsequently called "a political pull" with -the Congress was as well known then as it is now, and nearly as much -used, too. He practically had none. Nevertheless, his foot was already -upon that ladder upon which he intended to mount to the highest round -eventually. He was not destined to realize his ambition, however, -without a heartbreaking struggle against uncalled-for restraint, and a -continued protest against active injustice which tried his very soul. - -It was first proposed by the Marine Committee that he return to New -England and assume command of the Hampden, but he wisely preferred to -remain in the Providence for the time being. He thoroughly knew the -ship and the crew, over which he had gained that ascendency he always -enjoyed with those who sailed under his command. Not so much by -mistaken kindness or indulgence did he win the devotion of his -men--for he was ever a stern and severe, though by no means a -merciless, disciplinarian--but because of his undoubted courage, -brilliant seamanship, splendid audacity, and uniform success. There is -an attraction about these qualities which is exercised perhaps more -powerfully upon seamen than upon any other class. The profession of a -sailor is one in which immediate decision, address, resource, and -courage are more in evidence than in any other. The seaman in an -emergency has but little time for reflection, and in the hour of -peril, when the demand is made upon him, he must choose the right -course instantly--as it were by instinct. - -With large discretion in his orders, which were practically to cruise -at pleasure and destroy the enemy's commerce, the Providence left the -Delaware on the 21st of August. In the first week of the cruise she -captured the brigs Sea Nymph, Favorite, and Britannia; the first two -laden with rum, sugar, etc., and the last a whaler. These rich prizes -were all manned and sent in. - -On the morning of the 1st of September, being in the latitude of the -Bermudas, five vessels were sighted to leeward. The sea was moderately -smooth, with a fresh breeze blowing at the time, and the Providence -immediately ran off toward the strangers to investigate. It appeared -to the observers on Jones' brig that the largest was an East Indiaman -and the others ordinary merchant vessels. They were in error, however, -in their conclusions, for a nearer approach disclosed the fact that -the supposed East Indiaman was a frigate of twenty-eight guns, called -the Solebay. Jones immediately hauled his wind and clapped on sail. -The frigate, which had endeavored to conceal her force with the hope -of enticing the Providence under her guns, at once made sail in -pursuit. The Providence was a smart goer, and so was the Solebay. The -two vessels settled down for a long chase. On the wind it became -painfully evident that the frigate had the heels of the brig. With -burning anxiety Jones and his officers saw the latter gradually -closing with them. Shot from her bow-chasers, as she came within -range, rushed through the air at the little American sloop of war, -which now hoisted her colors and returned the fire. Seeing this, the -Solebay set an American ensign, and fired one or two guns to leeward -in token of amity, but Jones was not to be taken in by any transparent -ruse of this character. He held on, grimly determined. As the Solebay -drew nearer she ceased firing, confident in her ability to capture the -chase, for which, indeed, there appeared no escape. - -An ordinary seaman, even though a brave man, would probably have given -up the game in his mind, though his devotion to duty would have -compelled him to continue the fight until actually overhauled, but -Jones had no idea of being captured then. Already a plan of escape had -developed in his fertile brain. Communicating his intentions to his -officers, he completed his preparations, and only awaited the -favorable moment for action. The Solebay had crept up to within one -hundred yards of the lee quarter of the Providence. If the frigate -yawed and delivered a broadside the brig would be sunk or crippled and -captured. Now was the time, if ever, to put his plan in operation. If -the maneuver failed, it would be all up with the Americans. As usual, -Jones boldly staked all on the issue of the moment. As a preliminary -the helm had been put slightly a-weather, and the brig allowed to -fall off to leeward a little, so bringing the Solebay almost dead -astern--if anything, a little to windward. In anticipation of close -action, as Jones had imagined, the English captain had loaded his guns -with grape shot, which, of course, would only be effective at short -range. Should the Englishman get the Providence under his broadside, a -well-aimed discharge of grape would clear her decks and enable him to -capture the handsome brig without appreciably damaging her. - -From his knowledge of the qualities of the Providence, Jones felt sure -that going free--that is, with the wind aft, or on the quarter--he -could run away from his pursuer. The men, of course, had been sent to -their stations long since. The six 4-pounders, which constituted the -lee battery, were quietly manned, the guns being double-shotted with -grape and solid shot. The studding sails--light sails calculated to -give a great increase in the spread of canvas to augment the speed of -the ship in a light breeze, which could be used to advantage going -free and in moderate winds--were brought out and prepared for -immediate use. Everything having been made ready, and the men -cautioned to pay strict attention to orders, and to execute them with -the greatest promptitude and celerity, Jones suddenly put his helm -hard up. - -The handy Providence spun around on her heel like a top, and in a -trice was standing boldly across the forefoot of the onrushing English -frigate. When she lay squarely athwart the bows of the Solebay Jones -gave the order to fire, and the little battery of 4-pounders barked -out its gallant salute and poured its solid shot and grape into the -eyes of the frigate. In the confusion of the moment, owing to the -suddenness of the unexpected maneuver, and the raking he had received, -the English captain lost his head. Before he could realize what had -happened, the Providence, partially concealed by the smoke from her -own guns, had drawn past him, and, covered with great wide-reaching -clouds of light canvas by the nimble fingers of her anxious crew, was -ripping through the water at a great rate at a right angle to her -former direction. - -When the Solebay, rapidly forging ahead, crossed the stern of the -saucy American a few moments after, she delivered a broadside, which -at that range, as the guns were loaded with grape shot, did little -damage to the brig and harmed no one. The distance was too great and -the guns were badly aimed. By the time the Solebay had emulated the -maneuvers of the Providence and had run off, the latter had gained so -great a lead that her escape was practically effected. The English -frigate proved to be unable to outfoot the American brig on this -course, and after firing upward of a hundred shot at her the Solebay -gave over the pursuit. This escape has ever been counted one of the -most daring and subtle pieces of seamanship and skill among the many -with which the records of the American navy abound. As subsequent -events proved, the failure to capture Jones was most unfortunate on -the part of the English. - -Jones now shaped his course for the Banks of Newfoundland, to break up -the fishing industry and let the British know that ravaging the coast, -which they had begun, was a game at which two could play. On the 16th -and 17th of the month he ran into a heavy gale, so severe in character -that he was forced to strike his guns into the hold on account of the -rolling of the brig. The gale abated on the 19th, and on the 20th of -September, the day being pleasant, the Providence was hove to and the -men were preparing to enjoy a day of rest and amusement, fishing for -cod, when in the morning two sail appeared to windward. As Jones was -preparing to beat up and investigate them, they saved him that trouble -by changing their course and running down toward him. They proved to -be a merchant ship and a British frigate, the Milford, 32. - -Jones kept the Providence under easy canvas until he learned the force -of the enemy, and then made all sail to escape. Finding that he was -very much faster than his pursuer, he amused himself during one whole -day by ranging ahead and then checking his speed until the frigate -would get almost within range, when he would run off again and repeat -the performance. It was naturally most tantalizing to the officers of -the Milford, and they vented their wrath in futile broadsides whenever -there appeared the least possibility of reaching the Providence. After -causing the enemy to expend a large quantity of powder and shot, -having tired of the game, Jones contemptuously discharged a musket at -them and sailed away. - -On the 21st of September he appeared off the island of Canso, one of -the principal fishing depots of the Grand Banks. He sent his boat in -that night to gain information, and on the 22d he anchored in the -harbor. There were three fishing schooners there, one of which he -burned, one he scuttled, and the third, called the Ebenezer, he loaded -with the fish taken from the two he had destroyed, and manned as a -prize. After replenishing his wood and water, on the 23d he sailed up -to Isle Madame, having learned that the fishing fleet was lying there -dismantled for the winter. Beating to and fro with the Providence off -the island, on that same evening he sent an expedition of twenty-five -men in a shallop which he had captured at Canso, accompanied by a -fully manned boat from the Providence. Both crews were heavily armed. -The expedition captured the fishing fleet of nine vessels without -loss. The crews of most of them, numbering some three hundred men, -were ashore at the time, and the vessels were dismantled. Jones -promised that if the men ashore would help to refit the vessels he -desired to take with him as prizes, he would leave them a sufficient -number of boats to enable them to regain their homes. By his ready -address he actually persuaded them to comply with his request, and the -unfortunate Englishmen labored assiduously to get the ships ready for -sea. - -On the 25th of September their preparations were completed, but a -violent autumn gale blew up, and their situation became one of great -peril. The Providence, anchored in Great St. Peter Channel, rode it -out with two anchors down to a long scope of cable. The ship Alexander -and the schooner Sea Flower, which were heavily laden with valuable -plunder, had also reached the same channel. The Alexander succeeded in -making an anchorage under a point of rocks which sheltered her, and -enabled her to sustain the shock of the gale unharmed. The Sea Flower -was driven on the lee shore, and, being hopelessly wrecked, was -scuttled and fired the next day. The Ebenezer, loaded with fish from -Canso, was also wrecked. The gale had abated about noon, when, after -burning the ship Adventure, dismantled and in ballast, and leaving a -brig and two small schooners to enable the English seamen to reach -home, the Providence, accompanied by the Alexander and the brigs -Kingston Packet and Success, got under way for home. On the 27th the -Providence, in spite of the fact that she was now very short-handed on -account of the several prizes she had manned, chased two armed -transports apparently bound in for Quebec, which managed to make good -their escape. The little squadron resumed its course, and arrived -safely at Rhode Island without further mishap on the 7th of October. - -On this remarkable cruise Jones had captured sixteen vessels, eight of -which he manned and sent in as prizes, destroying five of the -remainder, and generously leaving three for the unfortunate fishermen -to reach their homes. He had carried out his orders to sink, burn, -destroy, and capture with characteristic thoroughness, but without -needless cruelty and oppression. He burned no dwelling houses, and -turned no non-combatants out of their homes in the middle of winter, -as Mowatt had done at Falmouth. He had entirely broken up the fishery -at Canso, had escaped by the exercise of the highest seamanship from -one British frigate, and had led another a merry dance in impotent -pursuit. Property belonging to the enemy had been destroyed to the -value of perhaps a million of dollars in round numbers, not to speak -of the effect upon their pride by the bold cruising of the little brig -of twelve 4-pound guns and seventy men. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. -THE CRUISE OF THE ALFRED. - - -When his countrymen heard the story of this daring and successful -cruise, Jones immediately became the most famous officer of the new -navy. The _éclat_ he had gained by his brilliant voyage at once raised -him from a more or less obscure position, and gave him a great -reputation in the eyes of his countrymen, a reputation he did not -thereafter lose. But Jones was not a man to live upon a reputation. He -had scarcely arrived at Providence before he busied himself with plans -for another undertaking. He had learned from prisoners taken on his -last cruise that there were a number of American prisoners, at various -places, who were undergoing hard labor in the coal mines of Cape -Breton Island, and he conceived the bold design of freeing them if -possible. - -We are here introduced to one striking characteristic, not the least -noble among many, of this great man. The appeal of the prisoner always -profoundly touched his heart. The freedom of his nature, his own -passionate love for liberty and independence, the heritage of his -Scotch hills perhaps, ever made him anxious and solicitous about those -who languished in captivity. It was but the working out of that spirit -which compelled him to relinquish his participation in the lucrative -slave trade. In all his public actions, he kept before him as one of -his principal objects the release of such of his countrymen as were -undergoing the horrors of British prisons. - -[Illustration: Map showing the cruise of the first American squadron, -and of the Providence and the Alfred.] - -The suggested enterprise found favor in the mind of Commodore Hopkins, -who forthwith assigned Jones to the command of a squadron comprising -the Alfred, the Providence, and the brigantine Hampden. Jones hoisted -his flag on board the Alfred and hastened his preparations for -departure. He found the greatest difficulty in manning his little -squadron, and finally, in despair of getting a sufficient crew to man -them all, he determined to set sail with the Alfred and the Hampden -only, the latter vessel being commanded by Captain Hoysted Hacker. He -received his orders on the 22d of October, and on the 27th the two -vessels got under way from Providence. The wind was blowing fresh at -the time, and Hacker, who seems to have been an indifferent sailor, -ran the Hampden on a ledge of rock, where she was so badly wrecked as -to be unseaworthy. Jones put back to his anchorage, and, having -transferred the crew of the Hampden to the Providence, set sail on the -2d of November. - -Both vessels were very short-handed. The Alfred, whose proper -complement was about three hundred, which had sailed from Philadelphia -with two hundred and thirty-five, now could muster no more than one -hundred and fifty all told. The two vessels were short of water, -provisions, munitions, and everything else that goes to make up a ship -of war. Jones made up for all this deficiency by his own personality. - -On the evening of the first day out the two vessels anchored in -Tarpauling Cove, near Nantucket. There they found a Rhode Island -privateer at anchor. In accordance with the orders of the commodore, -Jones searched her for deserters, and from her took four men on board -the Alfred. He was afterward sued in the sum of ten thousand pounds -for this action, but, though the commodore, as he stated, abandoned -him in his defense, nothing came of the suit. - -On the 3d of November, by skillful and successful maneuvering, the two -ships passed through the heavy British fleet off Block Island, and -squared away for the old cruising ground on the Grand Banks. In -addition to the release of the prisoners there was another object in -the cruise. A squadron of merchant vessels loaded with coal for the -British army in New York was about to leave Louisburg under convoy. -Jones determined to intercept them if possible. - -On the 13th, off Cape Canso again, the Alfred encountered the British -armed transport Mellish, of ten guns, having on board one hundred and -fifty soldiers. After a trifling resistance she was captured. She was -loaded with arms, munitions of war, military supplies, and ten -thousand suits of winter clothing, destined for Sir Guy Carleton's -army in Canada. She was the most valuable prize which had yet fallen -into the hands of the Americans. The warm clothing, especially, would -be a godsend to the ragged, naked army of Washington. Of so much -importance was this prize that Jones determined not to lose sight of -her, and to convoy her into the harbor himself. Putting a prize crew -on board, he gave instructions that she was to be scuttled if there -appeared any danger of her recapture. - -About this time two other vessels were captured, one of which was a -large fishing vessel, from which he was able to replenish his meager -store of provisions. On the 14th of November a severe gale blew up -from the northwest, accompanied by a violent snowstorm. Captain Hacker -bore away to the southward before the storm and parted company during -the night, returning incontinently to Newport. The weather continued -execrable. Amid blinding snowstorms and fierce winter gales the Alfred -and her prizes beat up along the desolate iron-bound shore. Jones -again entered the harbor of Canso, and, finding a large English -transport laden with provisions for the army aground on a shoal near -the mouth of the harbor, sent a boat party which set her on fire. -Seeing an immense warehouse filled with oil and material for whale and -cod fisheries, the boats made a sudden dash for the shore, and, -applying a torch to the building, it was soon consumed. - -Beating off the shore, still accompanied by his prizes, he continued -up the coast of Cape Breton toward Louisburg, looking for the coal -fleet. It was his good fortune to run across it in a dense fog. It -consisted of a number of vessels under the convoy of the frigate -Flora, a ship which would have made short work of him if she could -have run across him. Favored by the impenetrable fog, with great -address and hardihood Jones succeeded in capturing no less than three -of the convoy, and escaped unnoticed with his prizes. - -Two days afterward he came across a heavily armed British privateer -from Liverpool, which he took after a slight resistance. But now, when -he attempted to make Louisburg to carry out his design of levying on -the place and releasing the prisoners, he found that the harbor was -closed by masses of ice, and that it was impossible to effect a -landing. Indeed, his ships were in a perilous condition already. He -had manned no less than six prizes, which had reduced his short crew -almost to a prohibitive degree. On board the Alfred he had over one -hundred and fifty prisoners, a number greatly in excess of his own -men; his water casks were nearly empty, and his provisions were -exhausted. He had six prizes with him, one of exceptional value. -Nothing could be gained by lingering on the coast, and he decided, -therefore, to return. - -The little squadron, under convoy of the Alfred and the armed -privateer, which he had manned and placed under the command of -Lieutenant Saunders, made its way toward the south in the fierce -winter weather. Off St. George's Bank they again encountered the -Milford. It was late in the afternoon when her topsails rose above the -horizon. The wind was blowing fresh from the northwest; the Alfred and -her prizes were on the starboard tack, the enemy was to windward. From -his previous experience Jones was able fairly to estimate the speed of -the Milford. A careful examination convinced him that it would be -impossible for the latter to close with his ships before nightfall. He -therefore placed the Alfred and the privateer between the English -frigate lasking down upon them and the rest of his ships, and -continued his course. He then signaled the prizes, with the exception -of the privateer, that they should disregard any orders or signals -which he might give in the night, and hold on as they were. - -The prizes were slow sailers, and, as the slowest necessarily set the -pace for the whole squadron, the Milford gradually overhauled them. At -the close of the short winter day, when the night fell and the -darkness rendered sight of the pursued impossible, Jones showed a set -of lantern signals, and, hanging a top light on the Alfred, right -where it would be seen by the Englishmen, at midnight, followed by the -privateer, he changed his course directly away from the prizes. The -Milford promptly altered her course and pursued the light. The prizes, -in obedience to their orders, held on as they were. At daybreak the -prizes were nowhere to be seen, and the Milford was booming along -after the privateer and the Alfred. - -To run was no part of Paul Jones' desires, and he determined to make a -closer inspection of the Milford, with a view to engaging if a -possibility of capturing her presented itself; so he bore up and -headed for the oncoming British frigate. The privateer did the same. A -nearer view, however, developed the strength of the enemy, and -convinced him that it would be madness to attempt to engage with the -Alfred and the privateer in the condition he then was, so he hauled -aboard his port tacks once more, and, signaling to the privateer, -stood off again. For some reason--Jones imagined that it was caused by -a mistaken idea of the strength of the Milford--Saunders signaled to -Jones that the Milford was of inferior force, and disregarding his -orders foolishly ran down under her lee from a position of perfect -safety, and was captured without a blow. The lack of proper -subordination in the nascent navy of the United States brought about -many disasters, and this was one of them. Jones characterized this as -an act of folly; it is difficult to dismiss it thus mildly. I would -fain do no man an injustice, but if a man wanted to be a traitor that -is the way he would act. Jones' own account of this adventure, which -follows, is of deep interest: - -"This led the Milford entirely out of the way of the prizes, and -particularly the clothing ship, Mellish, for they were all out of -sight in the morning. I had now to get out of the difficulty in the -best way I could. In the morning we again tacked, and as the Milford -did not make much appearance I was unwilling to quit her without a -certainty of her superior force. She was out of shot, on the lee -quarter, and as I could only see her bow, I ordered the letter of -marque, Lieutenant Saunders, that held a much better wind than the -Alfred, to drop slowly astern, until he could discover by a view of -the enemy's side whether she was of superior or inferior force, and to -make a signal accordingly. On seeing Mr. Saunders drop astern, the -Milford wore suddenly and crowded sail toward the northeast. This -raised in me such doubts as determined me to wear also, and give -chase. Mr. Saunders steered by the wind, while the Milford went -lasking, and the Alfred followed her with a pressed sail, so that Mr. -Saunders was soon almost hull down to windward. At last the Milford -tacked again, but I did not tack the Alfred till I had the enemy's -side fairly open, and could plainly see her force. I then tacked about -ten o'clock. The Alfred being too light to be steered by the wind, I -bore away two points, while the Milford steered close by the wind, to -gain the Alfred's wake; and by that means he dropped astern, -notwithstanding his superior sailing. The weather, too, which became -exceedingly squally, enabled me to outdo the Milford by carrying more -sail. I began to be under no apprehension from the enemy's -superiority, for there was every appearance of a severe gale, which -really took place in the night. To my great surprise, however, Mr. -Saunders, toward four o'clock, bore down on the Milford, made the -signal of her inferior force, ran under her lee, and was taken!" - - -With the exception of one small vessel, which was recaptured, the -prizes all arrived safely, the precious Mellish finally reaching the -harbor of Dartmouth. The Alfred dropped anchor at Boston, December 15, -1776. The news of the captured clothing reached Washington and -gladdened his heart--and the hearts of his troops as well--on the eve -of the battle of Trenton. - -The reward for this brilliant and successful cruise, the splendid -results of which had been brought about by the most meager means, was -an order relieving him of the command of the Alfred and assigning him -to the Providence again. When he arrived at Philadelphia the next -spring he found that by an act of Congress, on the 10th of October, -1776, which had created a number of captains in the navy, he, who had -been first on the list of lieutenants, and therefore the sixth ranking -sea officer, was now made the eighteenth captain. He was passed over -by men who had no claim whatever to superiority on the score of their -service to the Commonwealth, which had been inconsiderable or nothing -at all. Indeed, there was no man in the country who by merit or -achievement was entitled to precede him, except possibly Nicholas -Biddle. - -If the friendless Scotsman had commanded more influence, more -political prestige, so that he might have been rewarded for his -auspicious services by placing him at the head of the navy, I venture -to believe that some glorious chapters in our marine history would -have been written. - - - - -CHAPTER V. -SUPERSEDED IN RANK--PROTESTS VAINLY AGAINST THE INJUSTICE--ORDERED TO -COMMAND THE RANGER--HOISTS FIRST AMERICAN FLAG. - - -The period between the termination of his last cruise and his -assignment to his next important command was employed by Jones in -vigorous and proper protests against the arbitrary action of Congress, -which had deprived him of that position on the navy list which was his -just due, were either merit, date of commission, or quality of service -considered. To the ordinary citizen the question may appear of little -interest, but to the professional soldier or sailor it is of the first -importance. Indeed, it is impossible to conceive of properly -maintaining an army or navy without regular promotion, definitive -station, and adequate reward of merit. To feel that rank is temporary -and position is at the will of unreasonable and irresponsible -direction is to undermine service. - -The same injustice drove John Stark, of New Hampshire, to resign the -service with the pithy observation that an officer who could not -protect his own rights was unfit to be trusted with those of his -country. It did not prevent his winning the fight at Bennington, -though. The same treatment caused Daniel Morgan to seek that -retirement from which he was only drawn forth by his country's peril -to win the Battle of the Cowpens. And, lastly, it was the same -treatment which, in part at least, made Arnold a traitor. Then, as -ever, Congress was continually meddling with matters of purely -military administration, to the very great detriment of the service. - -Jones has been censured as a jealous stickler for rank, a quibbler -about petty distinctions in trying times. Such criticisms proceed from -ignorance. If there were nothing else, rank means opportunity. The -range of prospective enterprises is greater the higher the rank. The -little Scotsman was properly tenacious of his prerogatives--we could -not admire him if he were not so--and naturally exasperated by the -arbitrary course of Congress, against which he protested with -all the vehemence of his passionate, fiery, and--it must be -confessed--somewhat irritable nature. On this subject he thus wrote to -the Marine Board at Philadelphia: - - -"I am now to inform you that by a letter from Commodore Hopkins, dated -on board the Warren, January 14, 1777, which came to my hands a day or -two ago, I am superseded in the command of the Alfred, in favour of -Captain Hinman, and ordered back to the sloop in Providence River. -Whether this order doth or doth not supersede also your orders to me -of the 10th ult. you can best determine; however, as I undertook the -late expedition at his (Commodore Hopkins') request, from a principle -of humanity, I mean not now to make a difficulty about trifles, -especially when the good of the service is to be consulted. As I am -unconscious of any neglect of duty or misconduct, since my appointment -at the first as eldest lieutenant of the navy, I can not suppose that -you have intended to set me aside in favour of any man who did not at -that time bear a captain's commission, unless, indeed, that man, by -exerting his superior abilities, hath rendered or can render more -important services to America. Those who stepped forth at the first, -in ships altogether unfit for war, were generally considered as -frantic rather than wise men, for it must be remembered that almost -everything then made against them. And although the success in the -affair with the Glasgow was not equal to what it might have been, yet -the blame ought not to be general. The principal or principals in -command alone are culpable, and the other officers, while they stand -unimpeached, have their full merit. There were, it is true, divers -persons, from misrepresentation, put into commission at the beginning, -without fit qualification, and perhaps the number may have been -increased by later appointments; but it follows not that the gentleman -or man of merit should be neglected or overlooked on their account. -None other than a gentleman, as well as a seaman both in theory and -practice, is qualified to support the character of a commission -officer in the navy; nor is any man fit to command a ship of war who -is not also capable of communicating his ideas on paper, in language -that becomes his rank. If this be admitted, the foregoing operations -will be sufficiently clear; but if further proof is required it can -easily be produced. - -"When I entered into the service I was not actuated by motives of -self-interest. I stepped forth as a free citizen of the world, in -defense of the violated rights of mankind, and not in search of -riches, whereof, I thank God, I inherit a sufficiency; but I should -prove my degeneracy were I not in the highest degree tenacious of my -rank and seniority. As a gentleman I can yield this point up only to -persons of superior abilities and superior merit, and under such -persons it would be my highest ambition to learn. As this is the first -time of my having expressed the least anxiety on my own account, I -must entreat your patience until I account to you for the reason which -hath given me this freedom of sentiment. It seems that Captain -Hinman's commission is No. 1, and that, in consequence, he who was at -first my junior officer by eight, _hath expressed himself as my senior -officer_ in a manner which doth himself no honour, and which doth me -signal injury. There are also in the navy persons who have not shown -me fair play after the service I have rendered them. I have even been -blamed for the civilities which I have shown to my prisoners, at the -request of one of whom I herein inclose an appeal, which I must beg -leave to lay before Congress. Could you see the appellant's -accomplished lady, and the innocents their children, arguments in -their behalf would be unnecessary. As the base-minded only are capable -of inconsistencies, you will not blame my free soul, which can never -stoop where I can not also esteem. Could I, which I never can, bear to -be superseded, I should indeed deserve your contempt and total -neglect. I am therefore to entreat you to employ me in the most -enterprising and active service, accountable to your honourable board -only for my conduct, and connected as much as possible with gentlemen -and men of good sense." - - -The letter does credit to his head and heart alike. Matter and manner -are both admirable. In it he is at his best, and one paragraph shows -that the generous sympathy he ever felt for a prisoner could even be -extended to the enemies of his country, so that as far as he -personally was concerned they should suffer no needless hardship in -captivity. Considered as the production of a man whose life from -boyhood had been mainly spent upon the sea in trading ships and -slavers, with their limited opportunities for polite learning, and an -entire absence of that refined society without which education rarely -rises to the point of culture, the form and substance of Jones' -letters are surprising. Of this and of most of the letters hereafter -to be quoted only words of approbation may be used. A just yet modest -appreciation of his own dignity, a proper and resolute determination -to maintain it, a total failure to truckle to great men, an absence of -sycophancy and hypocrisy, a clear insight into the requirements of a -gentleman and an effortless rising to his own high standard without -unpleasant self-assertion, are found in his correspondence. -Considering the humble source from which he sprang, his words, written -and spoken, equally with his deeds, indicate his rare qualities. - -It is probable that no disposition existed in Congress to do him an -injustice--quite the reverse, in fact; but the claims of the -representatives of the several States, which were insistently put -forth in behalf of local individuals aspiring to naval station from -the various colonies in which the different ships were building, were -too strong to be disregarded. The central administration was at no -time sufficiently firm for a really strong government, and -conciliation and temporization were necessary. It was only by the very -highest quality of tact that greater difficulties were overcome, and -that more glaring acts of injustice were not perpetrated. So sensible -were the authorities of Jones' conduct, so valuable had been his -services on his last two cruises, that while they were unable at that -time, in spite of his protests, to restore him to his proper place in -the list, as a concession to his ability and merit orders were given -him assigning him to the command of the squadron consisting of the -Alfred, Columbus, Cabot, Hampden, and Providence, to operate against -Pensacola. - -This was virtually creating him commander-in-chief of the naval -forces, for outside the ships mentioned there were but few others -worthy of consideration. Natural jealousy had, however, arisen in the -mind of Hopkins, the commander-in-chief, at being thus superseded and -ignored through one of his own subordinates by Congress, with which -his relations had become so strained that he affected to disbelieve -the validity of the order assigning Jones to this duty, and, refusing -to comply therewith, retained the ships under his command. The matter -thereupon fell through. - -Finding all efforts to secure the squadron and carry out these orders -fruitless, Jones journeyed to Philadelphia for the purpose of -emphatically placing before the Marine Committee his grievances. There -a further shock awaited him. - - -"My conduct hitherto," he writes on this subject in the memorial -addressed to Congress from the Texel years after, "was so much -approved of by Congress that on the 5th of February, 1777, I was -appointed, with unlimited orders, to command a little squadron of the -Alfred, Columbus, Cabot, Hampden, and sloop Providence. Various -important services were pointed out, but I was left at free liberty to -make my election. That service, however, did not take place; for the -commodore, who had three of the squadron blocked in at Providence, -affected to disbelieve my appointment, and would not at last give me -the necessary assistance. Finding that he trifled with my applications -as well as the orders of Congress, I undertook a journey from Boston -to Philadelphia, in order to explain matters to Congress in person. I -took this step also because Captain Hinman had succeeded me in the -command of the Alfred, and, of course, the service could not suffer -through my absence. I arrived at Philadelphia in the beginning of -April. But what was my surprise to find that, by a new line of navy -rank, which had taken place on the 10th day of October, 1776, all the -officers that had stepped forth at the beginning were superseded! I -was myself superseded by thirteen men, not one of whom did (and -perhaps some of them durst not) take the sea against the British flag -at the first; for several of them who were then applied to refused to -venture, and none of them has since been very happy in proving their -superior abilities. Among these thirteen there are individuals who can -neither pretend to parts nor education, and with whom, as a private -gentleman, I would disdain to associate. - -"I leave your excellency and the Congress to judge how this must -affect a man of honour and sensibility. - -"I was told by President Hancock that what gave me so much pain had -been the effect of a multiplicity of business. He acknowledged the -injustice of that regulation, said it should make but a nominal and -temporary difference, and that in the meantime I might assure myself -that no navy officer stood higher in the opinion of Congress than -myself." - - -The complete news of his displacement and supersession in rank does -not appear to have reached him before this. His efforts to secure the -restoration of his rank proving useless, he applied for immediate sea -duty. The next attempt on the part of the Marine Committee to gratify -Jones's wish for active service, and avail themselves of his ability -at the same time, took the shape of a resolution of Congress -authorizing him to choose the best of three ships which it was -proposed to purchase in Boston, which he was to command until some -better provision could be made for him. He was ordered to that point -to fit out the ship. During this period of harassing anxiety he gave -great attention to formulating plans and making suggestions looking to -a more effective organization of the new naval establishment. - -To Robert Morris, chairman of the committee, on different occasions, -he communicated his views on this important subject in a series of -valuable letters, of which the following are pertinent extracts: - -"As the regulations of the navy are of the utmost consequence, you -will not think me presumptuous, if, with the utmost diffidence, I -venture to communicate to you such hints as, in my judgment, will -promote its honor and good government. I could heartily wish that -every commissioned officer were to be previously examined; for, to my -certain knowledge, there are persons who have already crept into -commission without abilities or fit qualifications; I am myself far -from desiring to be excused. From experience in ours, as well as from -my former intimacy with many officers of note in the British navy, I -am convinced that the parity of rank between sea and land or marine -officers is of more consequence to the harmony of the sea service than -has generally been imagined... I propose not our enemies as an example -for our general imitation; yet, as their navy is the best regulated of -any in the world, we must, in some degree, imitate them, and aim at -such further improvement as may one day make ours vie with and exceed -theirs." - -With regard to the difficulty of recruiting seamen, some of whom, -finding the merchant service or coasting trade was broken up, had -entered the army at the beginning of the war, while many more had -engaged in privateering--a much more profitable vocation than the -regular service--he says: - - -"It is to the least degree distressing to contemplate the state and -establishment of our navy. The common class of mankind are actuated by -no nobler principle than that of self-interest; this, and this alone, -determines all adventurers in privateers--the owners, as well as those -whom they employ. And while this is the case, unless the private -emolument of individuals in our navy is made superior to that in -privateers, it can never become respectable, it will never become -formidable. And without a respectable navy--alas! America. In the -present critical situation of affairs human wisdom can suggest no more -than one infallible expedient: enlist the seamen during pleasure, and -give them all the prizes. What is the paltry emolument of two thirds -of prizes to the finances of this vast continent? If so poor a -resource is essential to its independence, in sober sadness we are -involved in a woeful predicament, and our ruin is fast approaching. -The situation of America is new in the annals of mankind; her affairs -cry haste, and speed must answer them. Trifles, therefore, ought to be -wholly disregarded, as being, in the old vulgar proverb, penny wise -and pound foolish. If our enemies, with the best establishment and -most formidable navy in the universe, have found it expedient to -assign all prizes to the captors, how much more is such policy -essential to our infant fleet! But I need use no arguments to convince -you of the necessity of making the emoluments of our navy equal, if -not superior, to theirs. We have had proof that a navy may be -officered on almost any terms, but we are not so sure that these -officers are equal to their commissions; nor will the Congress ever -obtain such certainty until they in their wisdom see proper to appoint -a board of admiralty competent to determine impartially the respective -merits and abilities of their officers, and to superintend, regulate, -and point out all the motions and operations of the navy." - - -In another letter to Robert Morris he writes: - - -"There are no officers more immediately wanted in the marine -department than commissioners of dockyards, to superintend the -building and outfits of all ships of war; with power to appoint -deputies, to provide, and have in constant readiness, sufficient -quantities of provisions, stores, and slops, so that the small number -of ships we have may be constantly employed, and not continue idle, as -they do at present. Besides all the advantages that would arise from -such appointments, the saving which would accrue to the continent is -worth attending to. Had such men been appointed at the first, the new -ships might have been at sea long ago. The difficulty now lies in -finding men who are deserving, and who are fitly qualified for an -office of such importance." - - -We are surprised at the clear insight of this untrained, inexperienced -Scotsman, whom, by the way, I shall hereafter call an American. Most -of his recommendations have long since been adopted in our own navy -and other navies of the world. His conclusions are the results of his -long and thorough professional study, his habits of application, his -power of comprehension and faculty of clear and explicit statement. -His observations would do credit to the most trained observer with -large experience back of his observation. - -Another curious letter to a former friend on the island of Tobago, -written at this time, which deals with certain investments in property -with balances due him from his various trading ventures, contains the -following statement: - - -"As I hope my dear mother is still alive, I must inform you that I -wish my property in Tobago, or in England, after paying my just debts, -to be applied for her support. Your own feelings, my dear sir, make it -unnecessary for me to use arguments to prevail with you on this tender -point. Any remittances which you may be enabled to make, through the -hands of my good friend Captain John Plainer, of Cork, will be -faithfully put into her hands; she hath several orphan grandchildren -to provide for." - - -All of which plainly indicates that, though a citizen of another -country and the bearer of another name, he still retained those -natural feelings of affection which his enemies would fain persuade us -were not in his being. - -While waiting at Boston for the purchase of the ships referred to, he -was selected by Congress to command a heavy ship of war, a frigate to -be called the Indien, then building at Amsterdam, which undoubtedly -would be the most formidable vessel in the American service. This -would be not only a just tribute to his merit, but would also solve -the difficulty about relative rank, for he would be the highest -ranking officer in Continental waters, and there could be no conflict -of authority. He was directed to proceed at once to Europe to take -command of this ship. The Marine Committee sent the following letter, -addressed to the commissioners of the United States in Europe, to Paul -Jones, for him to present to them on his arrival in France: - - -"Philadelphia, _May 9, 1777_. - -"Honourable Gentlemen: This letter is intended to be delivered to you -by John Paul Jones, Esquire, an active and brave commander in our -navy, who has already performed signal services in vessels of little -force; and, in reward for his zeal, we have directed him to go on -board the Amphitrite, a French ship of twenty guns, that brought in a -valuable cargo of stores from Messrs. Hortalez & Co.,[4] and with her -to repair to France. He takes with him his commission, and some -officers and men, so that we hope he will, under that sanction, make -some good prizes with the Amphitrite; but our design of sending him -is, with the approbation of Congress, that you may purchase one of -those fine frigates that Mr. Deane writes us you can get, and invest -him with the command thereof as soon as possible. We hope you may not -delay this business one moment, but purchase, in such port or place in -Europe as it can be done with most convenience and dispatch, a fine, -fast-sailing frigate, or larger ship. Direct Captain Jones where he -must repair to, and he will take with him his officers and men toward -manning her. You will assign him some good house or agent, to supply -him with everything necessary to get the ship speedily and well -equipped and manned; somebody that will bestir himself vigorously in -the business, and never quit it until it is accomplished. - -"If you have any plan or service to be performed in Europe by such a -ship, that you think will be more for the interest and honour of the -States than sending her out directly, Captain Jones is instructed to -obey your orders; and, to save repetition, let him lay before you the -instructions we have given him, and furnish you with a copy thereof. -You can then judge what will be necessary for you to direct him in; -and whatever you do will be approved, as it will undoubtedly tend to -promote the public service of this country. - -"You see by this step how much dependence Congress places in your -advices; and you must make it a point not to disappoint Captain Jones' -wishes and expectations on this occasion." - - -At the same time the committee sent the following letter to Jones -himself: - - -"Philadelphia, _May 9, 1777_. - -"Sir: Congress have thought proper to authorize the Secret Committee -to employ you on a voyage in the Amphitrite, from Portsmouth to -Carolina and France, where it is expected you will be provided with a -fine frigate; and as your present commission is for the command of a -particular ship, we now send you a new one, whereby you are appointed -a captain in our navy, and of course may command any ship in the -service to which you are particularly ordered. You are to obey the -orders of the Secret Committee, and we are, sir, etc." - - -The Amphitrite, which was to carry out Jones and the other officers -and seamen to man the proposed frigate, was an armed merchantman. The -French commander of the Amphitrite, however, made great difficulty -with regard to surrendering his command to Jones, and even to -receiving him and his men on board the ship, and through his -persistent and vehement objections this promising arrangement likewise -fell through. Jones continued his importunities for a command, -however, his desire being then, as always, for active service. -Finally, by the following resolutions passed by Congress on the 14th -of June, he was appointed to the sloop of war Ranger, then nearing -completion at Portsmouth, New Hampshire: - - -"_Resolved_, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen -stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, -white in a blue field, representing a new constellation. - -"_Resolved_, That Captain Paul Jones be appointed to command the ship -Ranger. - -"_Resolved_, That William Whipple, Esquire, member of Congress and of -the Marine Committee, John Langdon, Esquire, Continental agent, and -the said John Paul Jones be authorized to appoint lieutenants and -other commissioned and warrant officers necessary for the said ship; -and that blank commissions and warrants be sent them, to be filled up -with the names of the persons they appoint, returns whereof to be made -to the navy board in the Eastern Department." - - -At last, having received something tangible, he hastened to Portsmouth -as soon as his orders were delivered to him, and assumed the command. -It is claimed, perhaps with justice, that his hand was the first to -hoist the new flag of the Republic, the Stars and Stripes, to the -masthead of a war ship, as it had been the first to hoist the first -flag of any sort at the masthead of the Alfred, not quite two years -before. The date of this striking event is not known. - -It is interesting to note the conjunction of Jones with the flag in -this resolution; an association justified by his past, and to be -further justified by his future, conduct, and by the curious -relationship in which he was brought to the colors of the United -States by his opportune action upon various occasions. The name of no -other man is so associated with our flag as is his. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. -THE FIRST CRUISE OF THE RANGER--SALUTE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG. - - -In spite of the most assiduous effort on the part of Jones, he was -unable to get the Ranger ready for sea before October, and the -following extract from another letter to the Marine Committee shows -the difficulties under which he labored, and the inadequate equipment -and outfit with which he finally sailed. - - -"With all my industry I could not get the single suit of sails -completed until the 20th current. Since that time the winds and -weather have laid me under the necessity of continuing in port. At -this time it blows a very heavy gale from the northeast. The ship with -difficulty rides it out, with yards and topmasts struck, and whole -cables ahead. When it clears up I expect the wind from the northwest, -and shall not fail to embrace it, although I have not a spare sail nor -materials to make one. Some of those I have are made of hissings.[5] I -never before had so disagreeable service to perform as that which I -have now accomplished, and of which another will claim the credit as -well as the profit. However, in doing my utmost, I am sensible that I -have done no more than my duty." - - -The instructions under which Jones sailed for Europe are outlined in -the following orders from the Marine Committee: - - -"As soon as these instructions get to hand you are to make immediate -application to the proper persons to get your vessel victualed and -fitted for sea with all expedition. When this is done you are to -proceed on a voyage to some convenient port in France; on your arrival -there, apply to the agent, if any, in or near said port, for such -supplies as you may stand in need of. You are at the same time to give -immediate notice, by letter, to the Honourable Benjamin Franklin, -Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, Esquires, or any of them at Paris, of -your arrival, requesting their instructions as to your further -destination, which instructions you are to obey as far as it shall be -in your power. - -"You are to take particular notice that while on the coast of France, -or in a French port, you are, as much as you conveniently can, to keep -your guns covered and concealed, and to make as little warlike -appearance as possible." - - -In the original plan the ship was heavily over-armed, being pierced -for twenty-six guns. Considering her size and slight construction, -Jones exercised his usual good judgment by refusing to take more than -eighteen guns, the ordinary complement for a ship of her class. These -were 6-pounders manufactured in the United States and ill -proportioned, being several calibres short in the length of the -barrel, according to a statement of the captain--a most serious -defect. To all these disabilities was added an inefficient and -insubordinate first lieutenant named Simpson, who probably had been -appointed to this responsible position on account of the considerable -family influence which was back of him. He was related to the Hancocks -among others. The crew was a fair one, but was spoiled eventually by -the example of Simpson and other officers. On the first of November, -1777, the imperfectly provided Ranger took her departure from -Portsmouth bound for Europe. Her captain laments the fact that she had -but thirty gallons of rum aboard for the men to drink, a serious -defect in those grog-serving days. Before sailing, Jones made large -advances from his private funds to the men, the Government being -already in his debt to the amount of fifteen hundred pounds, for -previous advances to the men of the Alfred and the Providence. None of -these advances were repaid until years after. These facts are -evidence, by the way, that he had finally realized considerable sums -of money from his brother's estate, for he had no other financial -resource save his West Indian investments, which were worth nothing to -him at this time. - -Wickes, Johnston, and Cunningham, in the Reprisal, Lexington, -Surprise, and Revenge, insignificant vessels of inferior force, had by -their brilliant and successful cruising in the English Channel -demonstrated the possibility of operations against British commerce in -that supposedly safe quarter of the ocean. Paul Jones was now to -undertake, upon a larger scale, similar operations with much more -astounding results. - -On the way over, two prizes, both brigantines, laden with wine and -fruit, were captured. Nearing the other side, the Ranger fell in with -ten sail of merchantmen from the Mediterranean, under convoy of the -line of battle ship Invincible, 74. Jones made strenuous efforts to -cut out one of the convoy, but they clung so closely to the line of -battle ship that he found it impossible to bring about his design, -though he remained in sight of the convoy during one whole day. Had -the Ranger been swifter or handier, he might have effected something, -but she was very crank and slow as well. - -On the 2d of December the sloop of war dropped anchor in the harbor of -Nantes. Jones sent his letters and instructions to the commissioners, -and had the pleasure of confirming to them the news of the surrender -of Burgoyne and his army, which was probably the most important factor -in bringing about the subsequent alliance between America and France. -While awaiting a reply to his letters he busied himself in repairing -the defects and weaknesses of his ship so far as his limited means -permitted. Her trim was altered, ballast restowed, and a large -quantity of lead taken on board; the lower masts were shortened -several feet, and every other change which his skill and experience -dictated was made on the ship. The results greatly conduced to her -efficiency. It may be stated here that Jones was a thorough and -accomplished seaman, and no man was capable of getting more out of a -ship than he. From a slow, crank, unwieldy vessel he developed the -sloop of war into a handy, amenable ship, and very much increased her -speed. - -In January, 1778, in obedience to instructions from the commissioners, -he visited them in Paris and explained to them in detail his proposed -plan of action. Alone among the naval commanders of his day does he -appear to have appreciated that commerce destroying can be best -carried on and the enemy most injured by concentrated attacks by -mobile and efficient force upon large bodies of shipping in harbors -and home ports, rather than by sporadic cruising in more or less -frequented seas. He had come across with the hope of taking command of -the fine frigate Indien, then building in Holland, and then, with the -Ranger and such other ships as might be procured, carrying out his -ideas by a series of bold descents upon the English coasts. But while -the ministers of the King of France were hesitating, or perhaps better -perfecting their plans preparatory to announcing an alliance offensive -and defensive with this country, it was deemed of the utmost -importance that no occasion should be given the British which would -enable them unduly to hasten the course of events. The suspicion of -the British Government was aroused with respect to the Indien, -however, and it was thought best, under the circumstances, to pretend -that she was being made for the Government of France, with which -England was then nominally at peace. In any event, work upon her had -been so delayed that she was very far from completion, and would not -have been available for months. - -Thus was Jones deprived of the enjoyment of this command, to his great -personal regret, to the disarrangement of his plans, and to the -detriment of the cause he was so gallantly to support. There was no -other ship nor were any smaller vessels then available for him, and he -was therefore of necessity continued in the command of the Ranger. - -This in itself was annoying, and produced a sequence of events of a -most unfortunate character. Lieutenant Simpson had been promised the -command of the Ranger when Jones took over the Indien, and the failure -to keep this promise entailed by the circumstances mentioned, -embittered Simpson to such a degree that his efficiency--never of the -first order--was greatly impaired, and so long as he remained under -the command of Jones he was a smoldering brand of discontent and -disobedience. - -On the 10th of January Jones, who had rejoined his ship, wrote at -great length to Silas Deane, one of the commissioners, suggesting a -plan whereby, in case the proposed alliance between France and the -rebellious colonies were consummated, a magnificent blow might be -struck against England, and the cause of the Revolution thereby -greatly furthered. He urged that Admiral D'Estaing should be -dispatched with a great fleet to pen up and capture Lord Howe, then -operating in the Delaware with an inferior fleet. There is no doubt -that this conception was essentially sound, and if he himself could -have been intrusted with the carrying out of the plan the results -would have been most happy; but, in order to effect anything, in peace -or war, prompt action is as necessary as careful planning and wise -decision. - -When the French did finally adopt the plan they found that their -dilatory proceedings, their failure to take immediate advantage of -past preparation, and their substitution of Toulon for Brest as a -naval point of departure, doomed the enterprise to failure. Lord Howe, -hearing of the attempt, and realizing his precarious and indefensive -position in the Delaware, made haste to return to his old anchorage in -New York. When D'Estaing, urged by Washington, arrived off the harbor, -he was deterred from attacking Lord Howe's inferior force by the -representations of the pilots, who stated that there was not enough -water on the bar for the greater ships of the line. While, therefore, -Jones' suggestion came to nothing, it is interesting and instructive -to contemplate this project of his fertile brain. Another enterprise -proposed by him involved an expedition to take the island of St. -Helena, and with it as a base of attack attempt the capture of the -numerous Indiamen which either stopped at Jamestown or passed near the -island. This too was unheeded. - -While these matters were under consideration, the Ranger sailed from -Nantes to Quiberon Bay early in February, 1778, having under convoy -several American trading ships which were desirous of joining a great -fleet of merchant vessels assembling at that point. These vessels were -to be convoyed past Cape Finisterre on their way across the Atlantic -by a heavy French squadron of five line of battle ships and several -frigates and sloops under the command of La Motte Piquet. - -On the 13th of February the Ranger hove to off the bay. The wind was -blowing furiously, as it frequently does on the rocky confines of that -bold shore, off which a few years before the great Lord Hawke had -signally defeated Conflans; but, instead of running to an anchorage -immediately, Jones sent a boat ashore, and through the American -resident agent communicated to the French commander his intention of -entering the bay the next day and saluting him; asking, as was -customary, that the salute be returned. The French admiral courteously -replied that he would return four guns less than the number he -received, his instructions being to that effect, and in accordance -with the custom of his navy when an interchange of sea courtesies took -place between the fleets of France and those of a republic. This was -not satisfactory to the doughty American, and he addressed the -following letter to the American agent for the French commander: - - -"_February 14, 1778_. - -"Dear Sir: I am extremely sorry to give you fresh trouble, but I think -the admiral's answer of yesterday requires an explanation. The haughty -English return gun for gun to foreign officers of equal rank, and two -less only to captains by flag officers. It is true, my command at -present is not important, yet, as the senior American officer at -present in Europe, it is my duty to claim an equal return of respect -to the flag of the United States that would be shown to any other flag -whatever. - -"I therefore take the liberty of inclosing an appointment, perhaps as -respectable as any which the French admiral can produce; besides -which, I have others in my possession. - -"If, however, he persists in refusing to return an equal salute, I -will accept of two guns less, as I have not the rank of admiral. - -"It is my opinion that he would return four less to a privateer or a -merchant ship; therefore, as I have been honoured oftener than once -with a chief command of ships of war, I can not in honour accept of -the same terms of respect. - -"You will singularly oblige me by waiting upon the admiral; and I -ardently hope you will succeed in the application, else I shall be -under a necessity of departing without coming into the bay. - -"I have the honour to be, etc. - -"To William Carmichael, Esq. - - -"N. B.--Though thirteen guns is your greatest salute in America, yet -if the French admiral should prefer a greater number he has his choice -_on conditions_." - - -A great stickler for his rights and for all the prerogatives of his -station was John Paul Jones. In this instance he was maintaining the -dignity of the United States by insisting upon a proper recognition of -his command. - -However, having learned afterward that the contention of the French -admiral was correct, Jones determined to accept the indicated return, -realizing with his usual keenness that the gist of the matter lay in -receiving any salute rather than in the number of guns which it -comprised; so the Ranger got under way late in the evening of the -14th, and beat in toward the harbor. It was almost dark when she drew -abreast the great French flagship. Backing his main-topsail, the -6-pounders on the main deck of the Ranger barked out their salute of -thirteen guns, which was promptly returned by the French commander -with nine heavy guns from the battle ship. - -It was the first time the Stars and Stripes had been saluted on the -high seas. It was, in fact, the first official recognition of the -existence of this new power by the authorized military representatives -of any civilized nation. A Dutch governor of St. Eustatius, a year -before, had saluted an American ensign--not the Stars and Stripes, of -course--on one of our cruisers, but the act had been disavowed and the -governor promptly recalled for his presumption. - -As this little transaction between Paul Jones and La Motte Piquet had -occurred so late at night, the American sent word to the Frenchman -that he proposed to sail through his line in broad daylight on the -morrow, with the brig Independence, a privateer temporarily attached -to his command, and salute him in the open light of day. With great -good humor and complaisance, La Motte Piquet again expressed his -intention of responding. Accordingly, the next morning, Jones repaired -on board the Independence, which had been lying to during the night -outside of signal distance, and, having made everything as smart and -as shipshape as possible on the little vessel, with the newest and -brightest of American ensigns flying from every masthead, the little -brig sailed past the towering walls of the great ships of the line, -saluting and receiving their reply. There were no doubts in any one's -mind as to the reality of the salute to the flag after that! - -It must have been a proud moment for the man who had hoisted the -pine-tree flag for the first time on the Alfred; for the man who had -been the first officer of the American navy to receive promotion; for -the man who had first flung the Stars and Stripes to the breeze from -the masthead of a ship; for the man who, in his little vessel, -trifling and inconsiderable as she was, was yet about to maintain the -honor of that flag with unexampled heroism in the home waters and in -the presence of the proudest, most splendid, and most efficient navy -of the world. That 15th of February, that bright, cold, clear winter -morning, is one of the memorable anniversaries in the history of our -nation. - -Writing to the Marine Committee on the 22d of February, 1778, he says: - - -"I am happy in having it in my power to congratulate you on my having -seen the American flag for the first time recognized in the fullest -and completest manner by the flag of France. I was off their bay the -13th instant, and sent my boat in the next day, to know if the admiral -would return my salute. He answered that he would return to me, as the -senior American Continental officer in Europe, the same salute which -he was authorized by his court to return to an admiral of Holland, or -any other republic, which was four guns less than the salute given. I -hesitated at this, for I demanded gun for gun. Therefore I anchored in -the entrance of the bay, at a distance from the French fleet; but, -after a very particular inquiry on the 14th, finding that he had -really told the truth, I was induced to accept of his offer, the more -so as it was, in fact, an acknowledgment of American independence. The -wind being contrary and blowing hard, it was after sunset before the -Ranger got near enough to salute La Motte Piquet with thirteen guns, -which he returned with nine. However, to put the matter beyond a -doubt, I did not suffer the Independence to salute till next morning, -when I sent the admiral word that I would sail through his fleet in -the brig, and would salute him in open day. He was exceedingly -pleased, and he returned the compliment also with nine guns." - - -The much-talked-of treaty of alliance between France and the United -States had been secretly signed six days before, but neither of the -participants of this interchange of sea courtesies was then aware of -this fact. Having discharged his duties by placing the merchant ships -he had convoyed under La Motte Piquet's command, Jones left Quiberon -Bay and went to Brest, where there was assembled a great French fleet -under the famous Comte D'Orvilliers. Jones had the pleasure of again -receiving, by the courtesy of that gallant officer, a reply to the -Ranger's salute from the great guns of the flagship La Bretagne. - -The Frenchman, whose acquaintance Jones promptly made, was much -attracted by his daring and ingenuous personality, and, having been -advised of the disappointment caused by the loss of the Indien, he -offered to procure him a commission as a captain in the French navy -and assign him to a heavy frigate instead of the petty sloop of war at -present under his command--an unprecedented honor. Had Jones been the -mere soldier of fortune which his enemies have endeavored to maintain -he was, this brilliant offer would have met with a ready acceptance. -The French marine, through the strenuous efforts of the king and his -ministers, was then in a most flourishing condition. The terrific -defeats at the close of the century and the beginning of the next were -still in the womb of events and had not been brought forth, and the -prospects of its success were exceedingly brilliant. With the backing -of D'Orvilliers and his own capacity, speedy promotion and advancement -might easily be predicted for the American. He refused decisively to -accept the flattering offer, and remained with the Ranger. - -On the 10th of April, having done what he could to put the ship in -efficient trim, he sailed from Brest under the following orders: - - -"Paris, _January 16, 1778_. - -"Sir: As it is not in our power to procure you such a ship as you -expected, we advise you, after equipping the Ranger in the best manner -for the cruise you propose, that you proceed with her in the manner -you shall judge best for distressing the enemies of the United States, -by sea or otherwise, consistent with the laws of war and the terms of -your commission." (Directions here follow for sending prizes taken on -the coasts of France and Spain into Bilboa or Corogne, unless the -danger was too great, in which case they were to be sent to L'Orient -or Bordeaux.) "If you make an attempt on the coast of Great Britain we -advise you not to return immediately into the ports of France, unless -forced by stress of weather or the pursuit of the enemy; and in such -case you can make the proper representation to the officers of the -port, and acquaint us with your situation. We rely on your ability, as -well as your zeal, to serve the United States, and therefore do not -give you particular instructions as to your operations. We must -caution you against giving any cause of complaint to the subjects of -France or Spain, or of other neutral powers, and recommend it to you -to show them every proper mark of respect and real civility which may -be in your power." - - -These orders had been dated and issued to him some months before, but -were not modified or revoked in the interim. He was given an -opportunity to carry out so much of his proposed plan for attacking -the English coast as was possible with his single ship. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. -THE SECOND CRUISE OF THE RANGER--THE DESCENT ON WHITEHAVEN--THE -ATTEMPT ON LORD SELKIRK--THE CAPTURE OF THE DRAKE. - - -The first few days of the cruise were uneventful. On the 14th of -April, 1778, between the Scilly Isles and Cape Clear, the Ranger -captured a brig bound for Ireland loaded with flaxseed. As the prize -and her cargo were not worth sending in, the vessel was burned at sea. -On the 17th, off St. George's Channel, they overhauled a large ship, -the Lord Chatham, loaded with porter _en route_ from London to Dublin. -The ship and cargo being of great value--one likes to think how the -porter must have appealed to the seamen, who, it is quite likely, were -permitted to regale themselves to a limited extent from the cargo--she -was manned and sent back to Brest as a prize. After this capture Jones -proceeded up the Irish Channel, heading to the northeast, and on the -18th, finding himself off the northern extremity of the Isle of Man, -and in line with Whitehaven, he attempted to carry out a preconceived -project of destroying the shipping in the port; being determined, as -he says, by one great burning of ships to put an end to the burnings -and ravagings and maraudings of the British upon the undefended coasts -of North America. - -The wind was blowing from the east, and he beat up against it toward -the town, where he hoped to find a large number of ships in the -harbor. The adverse wind delayed him, however, and it was not until -ten o'clock at night that the Ranger reached a point from which it was -practicable to dispatch the boats. Preparations were hastily made, and -the boats were called away and manned by volunteers. The boats were -already in the water when the wind suddenly shifted and blew hard on -shore, so that the Ranger was forced to beat out to sea promptly to -avoid taking ground on the shoals under her lee. The expedition, -therefore, for that time, was abandoned, the boats were swung up to -the davits, and the Ranger filled away again. - -The next morning, off the Mull of Galloway, they captured a schooner -loaded with barley and sunk her. Learning from some prisoners that ten -or twelve large ships, under the protection of a small tender, were -anchored in Lochvyau, Scotland, Jones ran for that harbor, intending -to destroy them, but the variable weather, as before, interfered with -his plans, and a sudden squall drove the Ranger into the open once -more and saved the ships. He captured and sunk a small Irish fishing -sloop, making prisoners of the fishermen, that same afternoon. The -sloop was of no value to Jones, and he would have let her go had it -not been that he feared the alarm would be given. He treated the -fishermen kindly, however, and, as we shall see, in the end they -suffered no loss from his action. - -On the 20th he captured a sloop loaded with grain, and on the 21st, -off Carrickfergus, he took another small fishing boat. Learning from -the fishermen that the British man-of-war Drake, twenty guns and a -hundred and fifty men, was lying at anchor in Belfast Lough, he -promptly determined upon a bold scheme to effect her capture. Beating -to and fro off the mouth of the Lough until the evening, as soon as it -was dark he ran for the harbor, proposing to lay his vessel athwart -the hawse of the Drake, lying unsuspiciously at anchor, drop his own -anchor over the cable of the English sloop of war, and capture her by -boarding. - -Every preparation was made to carry out this brilliant _coup de main_. -The crew were mustered at quarters, armed for boarding with pike or -cutlass and pistol, the best shots were told off to sweep the decks of -the Drake with small-arm fire, guns were loaded and primed, and so on. -It was blowing heavily as the Ranger under reduced canvas dashed -gallantly into the harbor. With masterly seamanship Jones brought her -to in exactly the right position, and gave the order to let go the -anchor. His orders were not obeyed, through the negligence of a -drunken boatswain, it was said, and the anchor was not dropped until -the Ranger had drifted down past the lee quarter of the Drake, when -she brought up. The position of the American was now one of extreme -peril. The Ranger lay under the broadside of the Drake, subjected to -her fire and unable to make reply. - -The watch kept on the British ship, however, must have been very -careless. In the darkness of the night, too, the guns of the Ranger -being run in, it is probable that if they observed her they took her -for a clumsy merchantman. Enjoining perfect silence on the part of his -crew, with the greatest coolness Jones took the necessary steps to -extricate the vessel from her dangerous position. The cable was cut, -sail made, and under a heavy press of canvas the Ranger beat out of -the harbor, barely clearing the entrance, and only escaping wreck by -the consummate ability of her captain. - -The plan was brilliantly conceived, and would have been successful but -for the mischance, or delay, in dropping the anchor. The crew -originally was only a fair one, as has been stated, and, owing to the -fact that their wages had not been paid, they were in a more or less -mutinous state by this time. Jones was covetous of glory only. A less -mercenary man never lived. To fight and conquer was his aim, but in -this he radically differed from the ideas of his officers and men. -Where he wrote honor and fame they saw plunder and prize money, and it -was sometimes difficult to get them to obey orders and properly to -work the ship. - -After leaving Belfast the Ranger ratched over to the southern coast of -Scotland to ride out the sudden and furious gale under the lee of the -land. The wind had abated by the morning of the 22d, and the sun rose -bright and clear, discovering from the of the Ranger a beautiful -prospect of the three kingdoms covered with snow as far as the eye -could see. The wind now set fair for Whitehaven, and Jones squared -away for that port to carry out his previous project. The breeze fell -during the day, however, and it was not until midnight that the boats -were called away. - -The expedition comprised two boats, carrying thirty-one officers and -men, all volunteers, Jones himself being in command of one boat, while -Lieutenant Wallingford, one of the best officers of the ship, had the -other. Simpson and the second lieutenant both pleaded indisposition -and fatigue as excuse for not going on the expedition. The tide was -ebbing, and it was not until nearly dawn, after a long, hard pull, -that the two boats reached the harbor, which was divided into two -parts at that time by a long stone pier. There were from seventy to -one hundred ships on the north side of the pier, and about twice as -many on the south side, ranging in size from two hundred to four -hundred tons. As the tide was out, the ships were all aground, lying -high and dry upon the beach, and in close touch with each other. -Directing Wallingford to set fire to the ships on the north side of -the pier, Jones and his party landed and advanced toward the fort -which protected the harbor. - -The weather was raw and cold, the fort was old and dilapidated, and -manned by a few men. The sentry, ignorant of the presence of any foe, -never dreaming of an enemy within a thousand miles of him, had calmly -retired to the sentry box. Probably he was asleep. The little party -approached the walls without being detected. Climbing upon the -shoulder of one of his men, Jones sprang over the rampart, where he -was followed by the rest of the party. The feeble garrison was -captured without striking a blow. The guns were hastily spiked. -Ordering the prisoners to be marched down to the wharf, and throwing -out a few sentries, Jones, attended by a single midshipman, then made -his way to the other fort or battery, a distance of about half a mile. -Finding it untenanted, he spiked the few guns mounted there and -returned to the landing place. - -To his very great surprise and disappointment, no evidence of a -conflagration was apparent. When he reached the wharf he was met by -Wallingford, who explained his failure to fire the shipping by -claiming that his lights had gone out. It was before the days of -lucifer matches, and the party had carried candles in lanterns with -which to kindle the fires. Wallingford excused himself by a remark -which does more credit to his heart than to his head, to the effect -that he could not see that anything was to be gained by burning poor -people's property. Inasmuch as he was sent on the expedition to obey -orders and not to philosophize, his statement gives the key to the -disposition among the officers and crew. Whether his hesitation was -dictated by charity to others or lack of possible profit to the -officers and men it is not necessary to inquire particularly now, for -Wallingford redeemed himself nobly later in the cruise. A hasty -inspection revealed the fact that the candles had also burned out, or -had been extinguished through carelessness, in Jones' own boat. - -It was now broad daylight, and considerations of safety indicated an -immediate return to the ship; but Jones was not willing to abandon his -brilliantly conceived, carefully prepared, and coolly undertaken -enterprise without some measure of success. Re-posting his sentries, -therefore, he dispatched messengers who broke into a neighboring -dwelling house and procured a light in the shape of a torch or glowing -ember. With his own hand Jones kindled a fire on one of the largest -ships in the midst of the huddle of vessels on the beach. In order to -insure a thorough conflagration, a hasty search through the other -vessels was made, and a barrel of tar was found which was poured upon -the flames now burning fiercely. - -One of the boat party, named David Freeman, happened to be an -Englishman. In the confusion attendant upon these various maneuvers he -made off, and, escaping observation, sought shelter in the town, which -he quickly alarmed. The inhabitants came swarming out of their houses -in the gray of the morning and hastened toward the wharf. Seeing that -the fire on the ship was at last blazing furiously, and realizing that -nothing more could be effected, Jones ordered his men to their boats. -Then, in order that the fire already kindled might have sufficient -time to develop, the undaunted captain stood alone on the wharf, -pistol in hand, confronting the ever-increasing crowd. Impelled by -pressure from behind, those in front finally made a movement toward -him. He gave no ground whatever. Pointing his weapons at the front -rank, he sternly bade them retire, which they did with precipitation. -I should think so. Having remained a sufficient time, as he thought, -he calmly entered the boat and was rowed to the Ranger. - -Some of the inhabitants promptly made a dash for the burning ship, and -succeeded by hard work in confining the fire to that one vessel. -Others released the prisoners which Jones left bound on the wharf, -taking, as he said, only two or three for a sample. The soldiers ran -to the fort and managed to draw the hastily applied spikes from two or -three of the guns, which they loaded and fired after the retreating -boats. Answering the harmless fusillade with a few derisive musket -shots, Jones returned to the Ranger; having had, he says, the pleasure -of neither inflicting nor receiving any loss in killed or wounded. - -The desertion and treachery of David Freeman undoubtedly saved the -shipping. The enterprise was well conceived and carried out with the -utmost coolness. Had the orders of Captain Jones been obeyed, the -shipping would have been completely destroyed. As it was, the descent -created the greatest consternation in England. No enemy had landed on -those shores for generations, and the expedition by Jones was like -slapping the face of the king on his throne. A burning wave of -indignation swept over England, as the news was carried from town to -town, from hall to hall, and from hamlet to hamlet. It was all very -well to burn property in America, but the matter had a different -aspect entirely when the burning took place in England. A universal -demand arose for the capture of this audacious seaman, who was called -many hard names by the infuriated British. - -From Whitehaven the Ranger ran over to St. Mary's Isle, a beautifully -wooded promontory at the mouth of the River Dee, which was the seat of -the Earl of Selkirk. In furtherance of his usual desire to ameliorate -the wretched condition of the Americans in British prisons, Jones -determined to seize the earl. He cherished the hope that by securing -the person of a peer of the realm, who could be either held as a -hostage or exchanged for some prominent American captive, he could -thus effect a recognition of the principle of exchange, which the -British had refused to consider. It was a wild hope, to be sure, but -not without a certain plausibility. - -Two boat crews under the command of Lieutenants Simpson and Hall, with -himself in charge of the expedition, landed on the shore. Before -moving toward the hall, Jones learned that the earl was not at home. -He proposed, therefore, to return to the ship, but the mutinous men -demurred fiercely to this suggestion, and demanded that they be -permitted to enjoy the opportunity for plunder presented. The -situation was a precarious one, and Jones finally agreed, although -very reluctantly, that they should demand the family silver from the -Countess of Selkirk, who was at home. He did this with the full -intention of purchasing the silver on his own account when the prizes -were disposed of, and returning it to the earl. A party of the men, -therefore, with Simpson and Hall, went up to the house, leaving Jones -pacing to and fro near the shore under the oaks and chestnuts of the -estate. By Jones' orders the seamen did not enter the house. Simpson -and Hall were ushered into the presence of the Lady Selkirk, made -their demand upon her ladyship, received the silver, which the butler -gathered up for them, and retired without molesting or harming any of -the inmates or endeavoring to appropriate anything except what was -given them. The men drank her ladyship's health in good Scots whisky, -which was served them by the countess' orders. The party then embarked -on the Ranger. - -One of his biographers has said that the whole transaction was an -evidence of the singular ability of Jones in creating difficulties -which it afterward required greater labor to overcome; but the -criticism is unfair. The only way in which he could satisfy the -demands of his men and maintain even that precarious authority which -the peculiar constitution of the crew and the character of his -officers enabled him to have, was by permitting them to take something -of value which could be turned into prize money. He could buy it from -the prize court, or from the prize master, as well as any other man, -and after it became his own property he could return it to its proper -owners at his pleasure. - -It was a perfectly legitimate transaction on his part, and he could -only obviate the necessity by taking the proposed value of the silver -out of his own pocket and handing it to his men, a proceeding which -would have been subversive of the last remains of discipline, and -therefore could not be considered for a moment. It would establish a -precedent which could not be carried out in the future unless he were -willing to abrogate his right of command; if he began that way he -would have to buy their acquiescence to every command--bribe them to -obey orders; so he said nothing whatever to them about his intentions -with regard to the plate at present. - -Standing away from St. Mary's Isle on the morning of the 24th, the -Ranger came in sight once more of Carrickfergus. By this time her -presence on the Irish coast had become well known, and expresses had -been sent to the Drake with information of the propinquity of the -enemy. In the afternoon the Ranger appeared in the offing easily -visible from the Drake. The commander of the Drake, Captain George -Burdon, with singular stupidity, sent a lieutenant and a boat off -toward the Ranger to investigate and report what she was, meanwhile -getting his ship under way and clearing for action. The boat foolishly -came alongside the Ranger and was captured. As Burdon weighed anchor -he was joined by Lieutenant William Dobbs, engaged on recruiting duty -in the vicinity, and a band of volunteers ranging in number, according -to different reports, from ten to forty. - -The regular complement of the Drake was one hundred and fifty officers -and men. This re-enforcement raised her crew to between one hundred -and sixty and one hundred and ninety. It was developed at the -court-martial, which was held upon the survivors some months after for -the loss of the ship, that the Drake was poorly prepared for action; -that she was short of commissioned and warrant officers and skilled -men; that her powder charges were bad, matches poor, cartridges -unfilled, and that her guns were badly mounted, so that they were -easily "overset," and so on. In short, the whole catalogue of usual -excuses for failure is given. It is true that although the Drake -carried two more guns than the Ranger, they were of smaller caliber, -being 4-pounders. Still, the two ships were well matched, and -preparedness for action has always been considered a test of naval -ability as much as capacity in maneuvering and courage in the actual -fight. - -The wind was now blowing toward the shore, and the Drake made but slow -progress in ratching toward the sea. While the Ranger awaited her, the -guns were run in and the English flag hoisted on the approach of the -Drake's boat, and the character of the American disguised as much as -possible. I presume that, save for her armament, she looked more like -a merchant vessel than anything else, and, as Jones skillfully kept -the sloop end on to the cutter, the British suspected, or at least -discovered, nothing. Indeed, so well was the deception carried out -that the Drake's officer actually boarded the Ranger and was made -prisoner with his crew before he discovered her quality. - -Meanwhile things were almost in a state of mutiny. Jones states in his -journal that he was in peril of his life from his recalcitrant crew, -who, under the leadership of Simpson, were apparently appalled at the -prospect of encountering a regular man-of-war, and therefore -manifested a great unwillingness to fight. Plunder without danger was -the end of their ambition. However, after the capture of the Drake's -boat, by putting a bold front on the situation, Jones succeeded in -restoring comparative order and getting his men to their quarters. His -power of persuasive and inspiring speech never stood him in better -stead than on this occasion, and he actually seems to have succeeded -in infusing some of his own spirit into the refractory men. - -It was late in the evening before the Drake neared the Ranger. Jones -had stood out to sea to draw his pursuer far away from the land to -prevent his escape in case of defeat, and now awaited his advance. The -Drake was accompanied by several pleasure yachts filled with people -who were desirous of seeing the English victory, which was almost -universally attendant upon single ship actions in which the British -navy participated; but, not liking the look of things in this -instance, they one by one dropped astern and returned to the land. - -Between five and six o'clock, having come within easy distance, an -officer of the Drake sprang on the rail and hailed, demanding to know -the name of the stranger. Jones, still keeping the stern of his ship -toward the bow of the enemy, seized the trumpet and replied: - -"This is the American Continental ship Ranger. We are waiting for you. -The sun is scarce an hour high. It is time to begin. Come on!" - -While he was amusing the English captain with this rather lengthy -rejoinder for the purpose of gaining time, the Stars and Stripes -supplanted the red ensign of England, the helm of the Ranger, which -was to windward of her antagonist, was suddenly put up, and by smart -handling, in the twinkling of an eye she was rushed across the bow of -the Drake, which was severely raked by a prompt broadside at short -range. As Jones shifted his helm so as not to lose the weather gauge, -the advantage of the first hard blow was clearly with the Americans. -The English captain, after an attempt to cross her stern, which was -frustrated by Jones' promptness, ran off by the side of the Ranger, -and the combat resolved itself into a fair and square yardarm to -yardarm fight, which was continued with the most determined -persistence on both sides. The two ships under the gentle breeze -sailed side by side, gradually nearing, and poured a furious fire upon -each other. The lack of preparedness on the English ship was -manifested in the slowness and inaccuracy of her gun practice. That of -the Ranger, however, was very effective. An hour and five minutes -after the first broadside the enemy called for quarter and hauled down -the flag. The Drake was a wreck. Her fore and main topsail yards were -cut adrift and lying on the caps; the fore topgallant yard and the -spanker gaff were hanging up and down their respective masts; two -ensigns had been shot away, and another one was hanging over the -quarter galley and dragging in the water. The jib was dragging under -her forefoot; her sails and rigging were entirely cut to pieces, most -of the yards wounded, and her hull very much shattered. Many of her -guns were dismounted, and she had lost, according to the statement of -the Americans, forty-two[6] men in killed and wounded (or about twenty -per cent of her force!), including her captain, who had been struck in -the head by a musket ball at the close of the action, about a minute -before the ship surrendered; the gallant first lieutenant, Dobbs, who -had bravely volunteered for service, was so severely wounded that he -survived the action only two days. Captain Burdon was still living -when Jones boarded the prize, but died a few moments after. The -Americans lost two killed, among them being poor Wallingford, whose -death has somewhat redeemed him from his failure to obey orders in the -raid on Whitehaven. There were six wounded on the Ranger, including -the gunner and a midshipman who lost his arm; one of the wounded -subsequently died. - -The action was a sharp and brilliant one. Jones had maneuvered and -fought his ship with his usual skill and courage, and had given fair -evidence of what might be expected from him with a better vessel and -better men under his command. The English captain had been -outmaneuvered when he permitted the American to rake him, and he had -been outfought in the action. Unpreparedness was the cause of the -failure of the Drake to make a better showing in the fight. This lack -must be laid at the captain's door. It is the business of a captain to -see that things are ready. The deficiencies in the Drake's equipment -were counterbalanced by equal deficiencies on the part of the Ranger. -The apparent preponderance of the latter's gun power was, in fact, -minimized by the shortening of her guns, of which Jones had previously -complained. It is probable that the Drake had a better crew, and such -officers as she had were probably better than those under Jones, with -a few exceptions. It is always the custom of the defeated party to -make excuses, and always will be; but the ships were as nearly matched -in offensive qualities as two vessels in different navies are ever -likely to be, and the difference between them, which determined the -issue of the conflict, was purely a question of the personal equation. -It was always hard to find anything to counterbalance Jones for the -other side of the equality sign. Burdon was not the man. - -The English captain was a brave but very stupid or very confident man. -Jones was more than a match for him at best, and when the mistakes of -Burdon are considered the comparison is painful. The English knew that -the Ranger was on the coast; the Drake had picked up her anchor (it -was, of course, recaptured), and an alert mind would have connected -the recovered anchor with the attempt of the night of the 20th. The -suspicious actions of the stranger--and there must have been some -indication in her maneuvers and appearance at least to inspire -caution--the failure of the boat crew either to return or to make any -signal, should have made the English captain pause and consider the -situation. But with the usual "uncircumspect gallantry" of his kind he -charged down, bull-like, on his enemy, was promptly raked, hammered to -pieces, killed, and his ship surrendered. He proved his courage in -battle--which no one would question, bravery being usual and to be -expected--and he died in the attempt to atone for his rashness; but -professionally he was a failure, and his demise was fortunate for his -reputation and future career. His death probably prevented some very -inconvenient questions being asked him. - -Jones treated his prisoners with a kindness and consideration the more -remarkable from the fact that the contrary was the custom with the -British toward American captives. During the night and the whole of -the next day, the weather being moderate, the two ships were hove to -while the Drake was refitted as well as their resources permitted. -Late the next afternoon a large brigantine, actuated by an unfortunate -curiosity, ran down so near the two ships that she was brought to by a -shot from the Drake and taken possession of. Having repaired damages -and put the Drake in as good trim as possible, Jones first determined -to return to Brest by the South Channel, the way he had come, but the -variable wind shifted and came strongly, and he decided to run -northward before it and pass around the west coast of Ireland. In -spite of his previous insubordination Simpson was placed in command of -the Drake. - -Before they left these waters, however, something still remained to be -done. On the evening of the 25th the two ships sailed once more for -Belfast Lough. There Jones hove the Ranger to, and, having given the -poor Irish fishermen, whom he had captured on the 21st and held, one -of the Drake's boats, and having charitably bestowed upon them all the -guineas which he had left in his private purse (not many, I suppose) -to remunerate them for the loss they had sustained, he sent them -ashore. They took with them one of the Drake's sails, which would -attest the truth of their story of what had happened. The grateful -Irishmen were delighted and touched by such unusual treatment, and -they signalized their gratitude to their generous and kindhearted -captor by giving Jones three cheers from the boat as they passed the -Ranger's quarter. The Americans then bore away to the northwestward. - -The voyage around the coast of Ireland was uneventful. Lieutenant -Dobbs, of the Drake, died on the cruise, and he and Captain Burdon -were buried at sea with all possible honors, Jones himself reading the -usual Church service. The cruise was continued without incident until -the morning of the 5th of May, when the Ranger being off Ushant, and -having the Drake in tow, Jones cut the towline and bore away in chase -of a sail which had been sighted. Simpson, instead of continuing -toward Brest, as he had been directed, hauled off to the south, so -that when Jones had overtaken the chase and found her a neutral, the -Drake was almost entirely out of sight to the southward. - -The Ranger chased her and made various signals, to which no attention -was paid. Simpson changed his course aimlessly several times. During -the whole of the day the same eccentric maneuvers on the part of the -Drake continued. To Jones' great annoyance, the inexplicable actions -of the prize prevented him from chasing several large vessels which he -saw standing into the Channel, among which he would probably have made -many valuable captures. He was forced to abandon any attempt to take -them and follow the Drake, which he only overhauled late in the -evening. By Jones' orders Lieutenant Elijah Hall immediately replaced -Simpson in command of the Drake, and the latter was placed under -arrest. On the 8th of May both vessels arrived safely at Brest, from -which point Jones promptly dispatched the following remarkable letter -to the Countess of Selkirk: - - -"Ranger, Brest, _May 8, 1778_. -"_The Right Hon. the Countess of Selkirk_. - -"Madam: It can not be too much lamented that, in the profession of -arms, the officer of fine feelings and real sensibility should be -under the necessity of winking at any action of persons under his -command which his heart can not approve; but the reflection is doubly -severe when he finds himself obliged, in appearance, to countenance -such actions by his authority. This hard case was mine, when, on the -23d of April last, I landed on St. Mary's Isle. Knowing Lord Selkirk's -interest with his king, and esteeming as I do his private character, I -wished to make him the happy instrument of alleviating the horrors of -hopeless captivity, when the brave are overpowered and made prisoners -of war. It was perhaps fortunate for you, madam, that he was from -home, for it was my intention to have taken him on board the Ranger -and detained him until, through, his means, a general and fair -exchange of prisoners, as well in Europe as in America, had been -effected. - -"When I was informed, by some men whom I met at landing that his -lordship was absent, I walked back to my boat, determined to leave the -island. By the way, however, some officers who were with me could not -forbear expressing their discontent, observing that in America no -delicacy was shown by the English, who took away all sorts of movable -property, setting fire not only to towns and to the houses of the -rich, without distinction, but not even sparing the wretched hamlets -and milch cows of the poor and helpless, at the approach of an -inclement winter. That party had been with me the same morning at -Whitehaven; some complaisance, therefore, was their due. I had but a -moment to think how I might gratify them, and at the same time do your -ladyship the least injury. I charged the officers to permit none of -the seamen to enter the house, or to hurt anything about it; to treat -you, madam, with the utmost respect; to accept of the plate which was -offered, and to come away without making a search or demanding -anything else. I am induced to believe that I was punctually obeyed, -since I am informed that the plate which they brought away is far -short of the quantity expressed in the inventory which accompanied it. -I have gratified my men, and when the plate is sold I shall become the -purchaser, and will gratify my own feelings by restoring it to you by -such conveyance as you shall please to direct. - -"Had the earl been on board the Ranger the following evening he would -have seen the awful pomp and dreadful carnage of a sea engagement, -both affording ample subject for the pencil, as well as melancholy -reflection for the contemplative mind. Humanity starts back from such -scenes of horror, and can not sufficiently execrate the vile promoters -of this detestable war. - - - "'For they, 'twas they unsheathed the ruthless blade, - And Heaven shall ask the havoc it has made.' - - -"The British ship of war Drake, mounting twenty guns, with more than -her full complement of officers and men, was our opponent. The ships -met, and the advantage was disputed with great fortitude on each side -for an hour and four minutes, when the gallant commander of the Drake -fell, and victory declared in favor of the Ranger. The amiable -lieutenant lay mortally wounded, besides near forty of the inferior -officers and crew killed and wounded--a melancholy demonstration of -the uncertainty of human prospects and of the sad reverses of fortune -which an hour can produce. I buried them in a spacious grave, with the -honors due to the memory of the brave. - -"Though I have drawn my sword in the present generous struggle for the -rights of men, yet I am not in arms as an American, nor am I in -pursuit of riches. My fortune is liberal enough, having no wife and -family, and having lived long enough to know that riches can not -secure happiness. I profess myself a citizen of the world, totally -unfettered by the little mean distinctions of climates or of country, -which diminish the benevolence of the heart and set bounds to -philanthropy. Before this war was begun, I had, at an early time in -life, withdrawn from sea service in favor of 'calm contemplation and -poetic ease.' I have sacrificed not only my favorite scheme of life, -but the softer affections of the heart, and my prospects of domestic -happiness, and I am ready to sacrifice my life also with cheerfulness, -if that forfeiture could restore peace among mankind. - -"As the feelings of your gentle bosom can not but be congenial with -mine, let me entreat you, madam, to use your persuasive art with your -husband, to endeavour to stop this cruel and destructive war, in which -Britain can never succeed. Heaven can never countenance the barbarous -and unmanly practice of the Britons in America, which savages would -blush at, and which, if not discontinued, will soon be retaliated on -Britain by a justly enraged people. Should you fail in this, and I am -persuaded you will attempt it (and who can resist the power of such an -advocate?), your endeavour to effect a general exchange of prisoners -will be an act of humanity, which will afford you golden feelings on -your deathbed. - -"I hope this cruel contest will soon be closed; but, should it -continue, I wage no war with the fair. I acknowledge their force, and -bend before it with submission. Let not, therefore, the amiable -Countess of Selkirk regard me as an enemy; I am ambitious of her -esteem and friendship, and would do anything, consistent with my duty, -to merit it. The honor of a line from your hand, in answer to this, -will lay me under a singular obligation, and if I can render you any -acceptable service in France or elsewhere I hope you see into my -character so far as to command me, without the least grain of reserve. -I wish to know the exact behaviour of my people, as I am determined to -punish them if they have exceeded their liberty. - -"I have the honor to be, with much esteem and with profound respect, -madam, etc., - -"John Paul Jones." - - -The shrewd Franklin says of this extraordinary document: "It is a -gallant letter, which must give her ladyship a high and just opinion -of your generosity and nobleness of mind." But I seem to read a gentle -laugh in the tactful words of the old philosopher. I like this epistle -less than any of Jones' letters I have read, but it certainly does not -merit the severe censures which have been passed upon it. No one would -write such a letter to-day, certainly, but things were different then, -and we need not too closely criticise the form and style of the -document in view of its honest purpose and good intent. - -As might have been expected, the Countess of Selkirk made no reply to -this singular communication. To anticipate the course of events, and -obviate the necessity of further discussion of this incident, it may -be stated that more than a year after its capture Jones obtained -possession of the plate through the prize court by strenuous effort, -and by paying for it at an exorbitant valuation. The state of warfare -then existing between France and England prevented the delivery of the -silver for several years, though Jones made earnest efforts to get it -into the hands of the Selkirks whenever apparent opportunity -presented. It was not, however, until 1784, after peace had been -declared, that the plate was restored to its original owners. It is -stated that it was received by them in exactly the same condition as -when it had been taken, even to the tea leaves which were still in the -teapot! The receipt of the silver is thus acknowledged in a letter -from Lord Selkirk: - - -"London, _August 4, 1789_. -"_Monsieur le Chevalier Paul Jones, à Paris_. - -"Sir: I received the letter you wrote to me at the time you sent off -my plate, in order for restoring it. Had I known where to direct a -letter to you at the time it arrived in Scotland I would then have -wrote to you; but, not knowing it, nor finding that any of my -acquaintance at Edinburgh knew it, I was obliged to delay writing till -I came here, when, by means of a gentleman connected with America, I -was told M. le Grand was your banker at Paris, and would take proper -care of a letter for you; therefore, I inclose this to him. - -"Notwithstanding all the precautions you took for the easy and -uninterrupted conveyance of the plate, yet it met with considerable -delays: first at Calais, next at Dover, then at London; however, it at -last arrived at Dumfries, and I dare say quite safe, though as yet I -have not seen it, being then at Edinburgh. - -"I intended to have put an article in the newspapers about your having -returned it; but before I was informed of its being arrived, some of -your friends, I suppose, had put it in the Dumfries newspaper, whence -it was immediately copied into the Edinburgh papers, and thence into -the London ones. Since that time I have mentioned it to many people of -fashion; and, on all occasions, sir, both now and formerly, I have -done you the justice to tell that you made an offer of returning the -plate very soon after your return to Brest; and, although you yourself -was not at my house, but remained at the shore with your boat, that -yet you had your officers and men in such extraordinary good -discipline that your having given them the strictest orders to behave -well, to do no injury of any kind, to make no search, but only to -bring off what plate was given them; that in reality they did exactly -as ordered, and that not one man offered to stir from his post on the -outside of the house, nor entered the doors, nor said an uncivil word; -that the two officers stayed not a quarter of an hour in the parlour -and butler's pantry, while the butler got the plate together, behaved -politely, and asked for nothing but the plate, and instantly marched -their men off in regular order; and that both officers and men behaved -in all respects so well that it would have done credit to the best -disciplined troops whatever. - -"Some of the English newspapers at that time having put in confused -accounts of your expedition to Whitehaven and Scotland, I ordered a -proper one of what had happened in Scotland to be put in the London -newspapers, by a gentleman who was then at my house, by which the good -conduct and civil behaviour of your officers and men was done justice -to, and attributed to your order, and the good discipline you -maintained over your people. - -"I am, sir, your most humble servant, - -"Selkirk." - - -It is a handsome acknowledgment, but I note with great pleasure the -sailor writes better than the peer! - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. -STANDING AND WAITING. - - -The Ranger and her prizes arrived at Brest at a propitious time, both -for the fortunes of Jones and for those of his adopted country as -well. The secret treaty of alliance between the confederated colonies -and France had been signed on February 6th. The plenipotentiaries from -the United States had been publicly received at Versailles on March -23d. On the same day the French ambassador left England, and the -English ambassador, Lord Stormont, left France. The fleet of D'Estaing -put to sea from Toulon a fortnight later. In two weeks the English -fleet followed to American waters. The attempt was made on the part of -the French to execute the brilliant strategic plan which Jones had -devised, although, of course, the delay had rendered the effort -fruitless. - -The successful cruise of the Ranger, the rich captures she had made, -the daring enterprises she had undertaken, the boldness and audacity -of her commander in venturing with a little vessel of such trifling -force into the very midst of the three kingdoms, and the brilliancy of -his capture of a war vessel of nominally superior, and at least really -equal, force, in a fair and open yardarm to yardarm fight, a thing to -which the French navy was not accustomed, awakened the greatest -admiration, and Paul Jones found himself in that most congenial of -positions to him--and to almost any other man--of being the observed -of all. On this expedition, his first real opportunity, he had -demonstrated that he possessed an ability to plan, and a courage to -carry out his conceptions, which put him in the front rank of the sea -officers of his day. With one single vessel, laboring under every -disadvantage conceivable, he had done what no European power or -combination of powers had been able to accomplish in centuries, with -all their resources at command. He had terrorized the whole English -seaboard, and filled the United Kingdom with uneasiness and unrest. - -The gallant men who had gone before him and accomplished so much with -the Reprisal, the Revenge, and the others, had a worthy successor and -superior in this little Scots-American, who, as a citizen of the -world, in love with humanity, drew his sword for the cause of freedom. -The French admired him, the English hated him. The American prisoners -immediately felt the effect of his captures by the general -amelioration of their unhappy condition, and Franklin at last realized -that he had a man at hand upon whom he could depend to further his -bold designs. When the news reached America, it was received with -great joy, and the Naval Committee and the Congress generally knew -they had made no mistake in sending Jones to Europe. The young navy -looked to him with hope. His exploits were detailed and amplified in -the cafés and on the boulevards of Paris, and were related with -approbation even within the sacred confines of the court. He was the -hero of the hour. - -But there is a homely maxim exemplified by frequent experience that -"Fine words butter no parsnips." It was true in this instance -undoubtedly, and Jones learned that there was no necessary connection -between glory and bread and butter. He was unable to procure actually -necessary supplies for his crew. All the vessels of the Continental -navy went to sea undermanned, ill-provided, and inadequately -provisioned, and the ship's purser, as a rule, had no money. The -seamen had not received their wages--no money at all, in fact, except -that which Jones himself had advanced out of his own pocket. With the -sanction of the Marine Committee he had made himself responsible for -the regular payment of the wages of the men. His pocket was now empty, -the last guineas having been given to the Irish fishermen -aforementioned. His own resources were always drawn upon freely for -the good of the service and his men; now they were entirely exhausted. -His provisions had been consumed, he did not know where to get any -more. In addition to his own people he had several prizes and over two -hundred prisoners who had to be cared for, and who were a healthy and -hungry lot. - -When he arrived in France he had been authorized to draw upon the -commissioners to the extent of twelve thousand livres, with the -caution not to avail himself of the permission unless it were -imperatively necessary. With great prudence, and by the exercise of -rigid economy, he had avoided any inroad on the depleted and overtaxed -fund of the commissioners. Something, however, had to be done in this -instance, and without securing another authority, for which, indeed, -time was wanting, so pressing were his needs, he made drafts upon the -commissioners in the sum of twenty-four thousand livres, about five -thousand dollars. - -Meanwhile he subsisted his crew and prisoners through the generosity -of the French naval authorities at Brest, which he secured by the -pledge of his own private personal credit. The draft was dishonored. -Certainly the commissioners were embarrassed almost beyond endurance -by the demands upon them from every side, but this was a matter to -which they should have given attention if it were humanly possible, -for they were the only resource that Jones had. His condition was -simply desperate. He knew not what to do nor where to turn. The -following extract of a letter to the commissioners on the 27th of May -exhibits his painful position: - - -"Could I suppose that my letters of the 9th and 16th current (the -first advising you of my arrival and giving reference to the events of -my expedition; the last advising you of my draft in favour of Monsieur -Bersolle, for twenty-four thousand livres, and assigning reasons for -the demand) had not made due appearance, I would hereafter, as I do -now, inclose copies. Three posts have already arrived here from Paris -since Comte d'Orvilliers showed me the answer which he received from -the minister, to the letter which inclosed mine to you. Yet you remain -silent. M. Bersolle has this moment informed me of the fate of my -bills; the more extraordinary as I have not yet made use of your -letter of credit of the 10th of January last, whereby I then seemed -entitled to call for half the amount of my last draft, and I did not -expect to be thought extravagant when, on the 16th current, I doubled -that demand. Could this indignity be kept secret I should disregard -it; and, though it is already public in Brest and in the fleet, as it -affects only my private credit I will not complain. I can not, -however, be silent when I find the public credit involved in the same -disgrace. I conceive this might have been prevented. To make me -completely wretched, Monsieur Bersolle has now told me that he now -stops his hand, not only of the necessary articles to refit the ship, -but also of the _daily provisions_. I know not where to find -to-morrow's dinner for the great number of mouths that depend on me -for food. Are then the Continental ships of war to depend on the sale -of their prizes for a daily dinner for their men? 'Publish it not in -Gath.' - -"My officers, as well as men, want clothes, and the prizes are -precluded from being sold before farther orders arrive from the -minister. I will ask you, gentlemen, if I have deserved all this. -Whoever calls himself an American ought to be protected here. I am -unwilling to think that you have intentionally involved me in this -dilemma, at a time when I ought to expect some enjoyment. - -"Therefore I have, as formerly, the honour to be, with due esteem and -respect, gentlemen, yours, etc." - - -How he managed under such circumstances he relates in a journal which -he prepared in later years for submission to the King of France. - -"Yet during that time, by his [Jones'] personal credit with Comte -D'Orvilliers, the Duc de Chartres, and the Intendant of Brest, he fed -his people and prisoners, cured his wounded, and refitted both the -Ranger and the Drake for sea." - -He could, of course, have relieved himself of some of his burden by -turning over his prisoners to France, but, as that country was still -nominally neutral, the people he had captured would have been set -free at the demand of England. As long as he held possession of them -it was possible that the circumstance would force an exchange for -Americans--a thing the commissioners had been bent upon since their -arrival in Europe. The English Government had long since sanctioned -and carried out the exchange of soldiers, but for arbitrary and -inadequate reasons seamen stood upon a different footing apparently. -When Franklin previously wrote Lord Stormont, the British ambassador, -offering to exchange one hundred men captured by the Reprisal for an -equal number of American seamen held in English prisons, no answer was -made to his letter; a second letter brought forth the following curt -reply: - - -"The king's ambassador receives no applications from rebels, unless -they come to implore his Majesty's mercy." - - -To this insulting and inexplicable message the following apt and -dignified reply was made: - - -"In answer to a letter which concerns some of the material interests -of humanity, and of the two nations, Great Britain and the United -States of America, now at war, we received the inclosed indecent -paper, as coming from your lordship, which we return for your -lordship's more mature consideration." - - -Of course, the ostensible reason for refusing this exchange was that -the captured seamen were traitors, and as such had no belligerent -rights, yet how they differed from soldiers it is impossible to see. -Indeed, the English authorities went so far as to call them pirates, -and they could not have treated them worse--short of hanging them--if -they had actually merited the opprobrious title. The real reason, -however, lay in the hope that the Americans, having no place in France -in which to confine their prisoners, would be compelled to set them -free. This hope was frequently justified, and it was not until March, -1779, that the persistent determination of Franklin brought about a -complete general recognition of the principle of exchange for which he -had so valiantly contended, although he had been partially successful -on particular occasions before that time. Jones knew the situation -perfectly, and so with his usual grim determination he held on to his -precious prisoners. - -The prize agents were dilatory and incompetent. The seamen, lacking -food, clothes, salary, and prize money, were naturally mutinous and -discontented. But Jones repressed the crews, hurried up the sales, and -managed at last to weather all his troubles. - -The malcontent Simpson was a constant incentive to discord and mutiny, -and he was finally removed to a French guardship, called the Admiral, -where he was well treated and allowed the freedom of the deck. While -there, he behaved in such a contumacious manner that D'Orvilliers, the -French commander, sent him to the prison of the port. All his expenses -during this interval were paid by Jones himself; indeed, when he did -not pay personally, nobody did. There was nothing sordid or avaricious -in Jones' character. He was greedy for glory and fame and reputation, -but he cared nothing whatever for money. To dismiss a tiresome -subject, Jones, with extraordinary complaisance, finally accepted -Simpson's apologies and released him on his parole not to serve in the -navy until he had been regularly tried by a court-martial. He even -went further than this. He offered to relinquish the command of the -Ranger to him in order that he might take her back to the United -States and there take his trial. - -While these efforts were pending, the commissioners, misunderstanding -their tentative character, restored Simpson to the command of the -Ranger, unconditionally, much to Jones' disgust. He was quite willing -to relinquish the command of his little ship, because the King of -France had requested the commissioners to allow France to avail -herself of the services of Jones in a naval expedition which was -projected. But that such contumacy and lack of subordination as had -been exhibited by Simpson should go unpunished, and that he should -receive the absolute command of the ship as a reward for his action, -and should be allowed to return home without even an investigation, -was not only harmful to the service, but an apparent reflection upon -himself--though, of course, nothing was further from the -commissioners' thoughts, as they specifically declared. In the end -Jones acquiesced in the situation, and the matter was dropped. Simpson -was never employed in the service after he returned home. - -The famous action between the Arethusa and the Belle Poule, on June -17th, having made it clear to every observer that war between France -and England was inevitable, though the formal declaration was not -issued until the following September, the first enterprise which it -was desired Jones should undertake under the auspices of France was -proposed to him by Franklin as follows: - - -"The Jersey privateers," he says, "do us a great deal of mischief by -intercepting our supplies. It has been mentioned to me that your small -vessel, commanded by so brave an officer, might render great service -by following them where greater ships dare not venture their bottoms; -or, being accompanied and supported by some frigates from Brest, at a -proper distance, might draw them out and then take them. I wish you to -consider of this, as it comes from _high authority_." - -It was not a particularly brilliant prospect; all the hard work and -dangerous labor was to be performed by Jones, and the glory was to be -reaped by the French frigates; but, with a noble disinterestedness in -his desire to serve his country, he at once expressed his perfect -willingness to co-operate. Before anything came of it, however, -Franklin offered him the command of the Indien, in the following -letter: - - -(Private.) - -"Dear Sir: I have the pleasure of informing you that it is proposed to -give you the command of the great ship we have built at Amsterdam. By -what you wrote to us formerly, I have ventured to say in your behalf, -that this proposition would be agreeable to you. You will immediately -let me know your resolution; which, that you may be more clear in -taking, I must inform you of some circumstances. She is at present the -property of the king; but, as there is no war yet declared, you will -have the commission and flag of the States, and act under their orders -and laws. The Prince de Nassau will make the cruise with you. She is -to be brought here under cover as a French merchantman, to be equipped -and manned in France. We hope to exchange your prisoners for as many -American sailors; but, if that fails, you have your present crew to be -made up here with other nations and French. The other commissioners -are not acquainted with this proposition as yet, and you see by the -nature of it that it is necessary to be kept a secret till we have got -the vessel here, for fear of difficulties in Holland, and -interception; you will therefore direct your answer to me alone. It -being desired that the affair rest between you and me, perhaps it may -be best for you to take a trip up here to concert matters, if in -general you approve the idea. - -"I was much pleased with reading your journal, which we received -yesterday." - - -This is the first mention of the Prince of Nassau-Siegen, who will -appear prominently hereafter, and be described in his proper place. -Jones was naturally delighted with the flattering prospects, and at -once wrote to the prince, acquainting him of the pleasure he -anticipated in having him associated with him. A few days later -Franklin wrote Jones again as follows: - -"Passy, _June 10, 1778_. - -"Dear Sir: I received yours of 1st instant, with the papers inclosed, -which I have shown to the other commissioners, but have not yet had -their opinion of them; only I know that they had before (in -consideration of the disposition and uneasiness of your people) -expressed an inclination to order your ship directly back to America. -You will judge from what follows whether it will not be advisable for -you to propose their sending her back with her people, and under some -other command. In consequence of the high opinion the Minister of the -Marine has of your conduct and bravery, it is now settled (observe, -that it is to be a secret between us, I being expressly enjoined not -to communicate it to any other person), that you are to have the -frigate from Holland, which actually belongs to Government, and will -be furnished with as many good French seamen as you shall require. But -you are to act under Congress commission. As you may be likely to have -a number of Americans, and your own are homesick, it is proposed to -give you as many as you can engage out of two hundred prisoners, which -the ministry of Britain have at length agreed to give us in exchange -for those you have in your hands. They propose to make the exchange at -Calais, where they are to bring the Americans. Nothing is wanting to -this but a list of yours, containing their names and rank; immediately -on the receipt of which an equal number are to be prepared, and sent -in a ship to that port, where yours are to meet them. - -"If by this means you can get a good new crew, I think it would be -best that you are quite free of the old, for a mixture might introduce -the infection of that sickness you complain of. But this may be left -to your own discretion. Perhaps we shall join you with the Providence, -Captain Whipple, a new Continental ship of thirty guns, which, in -coming out of the river of Providence, gave the two frigates that were -posted to intercept her each of them so heavy a dose of her 18- and -12-pounders that they had not the courage or were not able to pursue -her. It seems to be desired that you will step up to Versailles (where -one will meet you), in order to such a settlement of matters and plans -with those who have the direction as can not well be done by letter. I -wish it may be convenient to you to do it immediately. - -"The project of giving you the command of this ship pleases me the -more as it is a probable opening to the higher preferment you so -justly merit." - - -In obedience to this request Jones went privately to Versailles, where -he spent some time in consultation with the commissioners and the -French ministry discussing the exchange of prisoners, and proposed -several plans of attack by which his services could be utilized. These -plans well indicate the fertility of imagination, the resourceful -genius, and the daring hardihood of the man. One of them was for -making another descent upon Whitehaven, another was to attack the Bank -of Ayr and destroy or ransom that town; another was to burn the -shipping on the Clyde. Expeditions on the coast of Ireland were -suggested. London might be distressed, he thought, by cutting off the -supplies of coal from Newcastle; but the most feasible projects were -the capture or destruction of the West Indian or Baltic fleets of -merchantmen or the Hudson Bay ships. - -The Minister of Marine, M. de Sartine, lent an attentive ear to all of -the plans which were proposed, and Jones returned to Brest with high -hopes that he should be soon employed in an expedition to carry out -one or the other of these plans with adequate means to do it well. It -is quite likely that the minister was as earnest and honest in his -intentions as the king in his desire to make use of Jones, but the -formal declaration of war rendered it possible to prosecute the -enterprises which had been suggested by Jones, if it were thought -expedient to attempt them, under the French flag and with French -officers. As France had only intended to use him under the cover of -the American flag to harass England before war was declared, and as -that could now be done openly under her own flag, they did not see the -same necessity for his services as before. - -The matter of finding employment for him was further complicated by -the fact that since a state of actual war existed the ministry was -besieged with applications from numbers of French officers for -command, and the ships which had been proposed for Jones were -naturally appropriated to the French themselves. Even if a command -could have been found for the American, there would have been a -natural disinclination, so great as to be nearly prohibitive of -success, on the part of the French officers to serving under a -foreigner. Time brought him nothing but disappointment, and the high -hopes he had cherished gradually waned. - -Always a persistent and voluminous letter writer, in his desperation -he overwhelmed everybody with correspondence. Inaction was killing to -him. Not to be employed was like death itself to a man of his -intensely energetic temperament. His pride would not permit him to -return to the United States and seek a command when he had -specifically announced, in a letter to Congress by the returning -Ranger, that the King of France asked that he might make use of his -services, and therefore no command in America need be reserved for -him; and yet he now found himself a hanger on the outskirts of a court -and a ministry which had no further use for him. - -The delicate situation of the commissioners, who had been themselves -scarcely more than on sufferance, did not permit them, in the -interests of expediency and diplomacy, to insist as strongly as they -would have liked to do, that the king and the ministry should keep -their engagement with Jones, which was, of course, an engagement with -them and with the United States. Diplomacy and persuasion were the -only weapons at their command. They certainly made good use of them. -Franklin, pending something else, procured the minister's order that -Jones should be received on the great French fleet of D'Orvilliers, -which was about to put to sea to engage the English fleet under -Keppel. He was very desirous of availing himself of this invitation, -which he himself sought, for it would give him an opportunity he could -not otherwise hope to enjoy, of perfecting himself in naval tactics -and the fine art of maneuvering and governing a great fleet. He never -allowed anything to interfere--so far as he was able to prevent -it--with his advancement in professional study. The permission, -however, to D'Orvilliers' great regret, arrived too late, for the -fleet sailed without him. The French admiral seems to have appreciated -the American captain, and to have highly esteemed him. It is stated -that the delay in transmitting the permission was intentional, and was -due to the jealousy of the French naval service. - -Jones was exasperated by all these happenings almost to the breaking -point. In one letter he says: "I think of going to L'Orient, being -heartily sick of Brest." I should think he would be! As days passed -without bringing him any nearer to the fruition of his hope, he became -more modest in his demands and propositions. One significant phrase -culled from one of his letters well indicates the bold, dashing -character of the man: "I do not wish to have command of any ship that -does not sail fast, _for I intend to go in harm's way_."[7] In the -sentence which follows this statement, we get another touch of that -entire consciousness of his own ability and high quality which, though -warranted, it were better, perhaps, for his reputation if it were not -so evident in his writing: "I know, I believe, that this is no other -person's intention. Therefore, buy a frigate that sails fast and is -sufficiently large to carry twenty-six or twenty-eight guns on one -deck." - -His state of mind may well be understood from this citation: "I have, -to show my gratitude to France, lost so much time, and with it such -opportunities as I can not regain. I have almost killed myself with -grief." - -Chafing, fretting, writing letters, the time dragged on. At last he -addressed to the Minister of Marine, M. de Sartine, this emphatic -protest and statement which he calls, and justly, an explicit letter. -It is certainly sufficiently definite and clear, and shows that rank -and position did not deter him from a free and somewhat sarcastic -expression of his grievances and wrongs: - - -"Brest, _September 13, 1778_. - -"Honoured Sir: When his excellency Doctor Franklin informed me that -you had condescended to think me worthy of your notice, I took such -pleasure in reflecting on the happy alliance between France and -America that I was really flattered, and entertained the most grateful -sense of the honour which you proposed for me, as well as the favour -which the king proposed for America, by putting so fine a ship as the -Indien under my command, and under its flag, with unlimited orders. - -"In obedience to your desire, I came to Versailles, and was taught to -believe that my intended ship was in deep water, and ready for sea; -but when the Prince [de Nassau] returned I received from him a -different account; I was told that the Indien could not be got afloat -within a shorter period than three months at the approaching equinox. - -"To employ this interval usefully, I first offered to go from Brest -with Count D'Orvilliers as a volunteer, which you thought fit to -reject. I had then the satisfaction to find that you approved in -general of a variety of hints for private enterprises which I had -drawn up for your consideration, and I was flattered with assurances -from Messieurs de Chaumont and Baudouin that three of the finest -frigates in France, with two tenders and a number of troops, would be -immediately put under my command; and that I should have unlimited -orders, and be at free liberty to pursue such of my own projects as I -thought proper. But this plan fell to nothing in the moment when I was -taught to think that nothing was wanting but the king's signature. - -"Another much inferior armament from L'Orient was proposed to be put -under my command, which was by no means equal to the services that -were expected from it; for speed and force, though both requisite, -were both wanting. Happily for me, this also failed, and I was thereby -saved from a dreadful prospect of ruin and dishonour. - -"I had so entire a reliance that you would desire nothing of me -inconsistent with my honour and rank, that the moment you required me -to come down here, in order to proceed round to St. Malo, though I had -received no written orders, and neither knew your intention respecting -my destination or command, I obeyed with such haste, that although my -curiosity led me to look at the armament at L'Orient, yet I was but -three days from Passy till I reached Brest. Here, too, I drew a blank; -but when I saw the Lively it was no disappointment, as that ship, both -in sailing and equipment, is far inferior to the Ranger. - -"My only disappointment here was my being precluded from embarking in -pursuit of marine knowledge with Count D'Orvilliers, who did not sail -till seven days after my return. He is my friend, and expressed his -wishes for my company; I accompanied him out of the road when the -fleet sailed, and he always lamented that neither himself nor any -person in authority in Brest had received from you any order that -mentioned my name. I am astonished therefore to be informed that you -attribute my not being in the fleet to my stay at L'Orient. - -"I am not a mere adventurer of fortune. Stimulated by principles of -reason and philanthropy, I laid aside my enjoyments in private life, -and embarked under the flag of America when it was first displayed. In -that line my desire of fame is infinite, and I must not now so far -forget my own honour, and what I owe to my friends and America, as to -remain inactive. - -"My rank knows no superior in the American marine. I have long since -been appointed to command an expedition with five of its ships, and I -can receive orders from no junior or inferior officer whatever. - -"I have been here in the most tormenting suspense for more than a -month since my return; and, agreeable to your desire, as mentioned to -me by Monsieur Chaumont, a lieutenant has been appointed, and is with -me, who speaks the French as well as the English. Circular letters -have been written, and sent the 8th of last month from the English -admiralty, because they expected me to pay another visit with four -ships. Therefore I trust that, if the Indien is not to be got out, you -will not, at the approaching season, substitute a force that is not at -least equal both in strength and sailing to any of the enemy's -cruising ships. - -"I do not wish to interfere with the harmony of the French marine; -but, if I am still thought worthy of your attention, I shall hope for -a separate command, with liberal orders. If, on the contrary, you -should now have no further occasion for my services, the only favour I -can ask is that you will bestow on me the Alert, with a few seamen, -and permit me to return, and carry with me your good opinion in that -small vessel, before the winter, to America." - - -His intense, burning desire for action, however, did not permit him to -degrade, as he thought, his Government and station by accepting the -command of a privateer which was tendered to him. In the command of a -speedy, smart privateer there is no limit to the plundering he might -have done and the treasure he might have gained, if that had been what -he wished. Many naval officers before and since his time have done -this and thought it not derogatory to their dignity. It is therefore -to Jones' credit that he was very jealous in this and many other -instances on the point of honor of serving in no ship, under no flag, -and with no commission save that of the United States. We shall see -this spirit again and again. The citizen of the world was beginning to -feel that the world as his country was hardly adequate to his needs; -in theory it was a very pretty proposition, but in practice it was -necessary to form and maintain a more definite and particular -relationship. As a final effort to better his condition and secure -that opportunity for which he thirsted, he prepared the following -letter to the king: - - -"Brest, _October 19, 1778_. - -"Sire: After my return to Brest in the American ship of war the -Ranger, from the Irish Channel, his excellency Doctor Franklin -informed me by letter, dated June the 1st, that M. de Sartine, having -a high opinion of my conduct and bravery, had determined, with your -Majesty's consent and approbation, to give me the command of the ship -of war the Indien, which was built at Amsterdam for America, but -afterward, for political reasons, made the property of France. - -"I was to act with unlimited orders under the commission and flag of -America; and the Prince de Nassau proposed to accompany me on the -ocean. - -"I was deeply penetrated with the sense of the honour done me by this -generous proposition, as well as of the favour your Majesty intended -thereby to confer on America. And I accepted the offer with the -greater pleasure as the Congress had sent me to Europe in the Ranger -to command the Indien before the ownership of that vessel was changed. - -"The minister desired to see me at Versailles to settle future plans -of operation, and I attended him for that purpose. I was told that the -Indien was at the Texel completely armed and fitted for sea; but the -Prince de Nassau was sent express to Holland, and returned with a very -different account. The ship was at Amsterdam, and could not be got -afloat or armed before the September equinox. The American -plenipotentiaries proposed that I should return to America; and, as I -have repeatedly been appointed to the chief command of an American -squadron to execute secret enterprises, it was not doubted but that -Congress would again show me a preference. M. de Sartine, however, -thought proper to prevent my departure, by writing to the -plenipotentiaries (without my knowledge), requesting that I might be -permitted to remain in Europe, and that the Ranger might be sent back -to America under another commander, he having special services which -he wished me to execute. This request they readily granted, and I was -flattered by the prospect of being enabled to testify, by my services, -my gratitude to your Majesty, as the first prince who has so -generously acknowledged our independence. - -"There was an interval of more than three months before the Indien -could be gotten afloat. To employ that period usefully, when your -Majesty's fleet was ordered to sail from Brest, I proposed to the -minister to embark in it as a volunteer, in pursuit of marine -knowledge. He objected to this, at the same time approved of a variety -of hints for private enterprises, which I had drawn up for his -consideration. Two gentlemen were appointed to settle with me the -plans that were to be adopted, who gave me the assurance that three of -the best frigates in France, with two tenders, and a number of troops, -should be immediately put under my command, to pursue such of my own -projects as I thought proper; but this fell to nothing, when I -believed that your Majesty's signature only was wanting. - -"Another armament, composed of cutters and small vessels, at L'Orient, -was proposed to be put under my command, to alarm the coasts of -England and check the Jersey privateers; but happily for me this also -failed, and I was saved from ruin and dishonour, as I now find that -all the vessels sailed slow, and their united force is very -insignificant. The minister then thought fit that I should return to -Brest to command the Lively, and join some frigates on an expedition -from St. Malo to the North Sea. I returned in haste for that purpose, -and found that the Lively had been bestowed at Brest before the -minister had mentioned that ship to me at Versailles. This was, -however, another fortunate disappointment, as the Lively proves, both -in sailing and equipment, much inferior to the Ranger; but, more -especially, if it be true, as I have since understood, that the -minister intended to give the chief command of an expedition to a -lieutenant, which would have occasioned a very disagreeable -misunderstanding; for, as an officer of the first rank in the American -marine, who has ever been honoured with the favour and friendship of -Congress, I can receive orders from no inferior officer whatever. My -plan was the destruction of the English Baltic fleet, of great -consequence to the enemy's marine, and then only protected by a single -frigate. I would have held myself responsible for its success had I -commanded the expedition. - -"M. de Sartine afterward sent orders to Count D'Orvilliers to receive -me on board the fleet agreeably to my former proposal; but the order -did not arrive until after the departure of the fleet the last time -from Brest, nor was I made acquainted with the circumstance before the -fleet returned here. - -"Thus have I been chained down to shameful inactivity for nearly five -months. I have lost the best season of the year, and such -opportunities of serving my country and acquiring honour as I can not -again expect this war; and, to my infinite mortification, having no -command, I am considered everywhere an officer cast off and in -disgrace for secret reasons. - -"I have written respectful letters to the minister, none of which he -has condescended to answer; I have written to the Prince de Nassau -with as little effect; and I do not understand that any apology has -been made to the great and venerable Dr. Franklin, whom the minister -has made the instrument of bringing me into such unmerited trouble. - -"Having written to Congress to reserve no command for me in America, -my sensibility is the more affected by this unworthy situation in the -sight of your Majesty's fleet. I, however, make no remark on the -treatment I have received. - -"Although I wish not to become my own panegyrist, I must beg your -Majesty's permission to observe that I am not an adventurer in search -of fortune, of which, thank God, I have a sufficiency. - -"When the American banner was first displayed I drew my sword in -support of the violated dignity and rights of human nature; and both -honour and duty prompt me steadfastly to continue the righteous -pursuit, and to sacrifice to it not only my own private enjoyments, -but even life, if necessary. I must acknowledge that the generous -praise which I have received from Congress and others exceeds the -merit of my past services, therefore I the more ardently wish for -future opportunities of testifying my gratitude by my activity. - -"As your Majesty, by espousing the cause of America, hath become the -protector of the rights of human nature, I am persuaded that you will -not disregard my situation, nor suffer me to remain any longer in this -unsupportable disgrace. - -"I am, with perfect gratitude and profound respect, Sire, your -Majesty's very obliged, very obedient, and very humble servant, - -"J. Paul Jones." - - -This letter, at once dignified, forceful, respectful, and modest, was -inclosed to Dr. Franklin with the request that it should be delivered -to the king. The deference paid to Franklin's opinion, the eager -desire to please him, the respect in which he held him, is not the -least pleasing feature of Jones' character, by the way. The letter in -question was withheld by Franklin with Jones' knowledge and -acquiescence, and the king, it is probable, never saw it. There was, -in fact, no necessity for its delivery, for the appeals, prayers, and -importunities had at last evoked a response. The minister, worn out by -the persistence of Jones, determined, since none of the French naval -vessels were available, to buy him a ship and assemble a squadron and -send him forth. - -The inquiry naturally arises why the French Government should care to -go to the trouble and expense of doing this. Before the war was -declared their action was understandable, but afterward the then -operating cause disappeared. Yet there was another reason aside from -the fact that M. de Sartine was willing to keep his promise if he -could, and that was this: - -It was not the custom to harry, plunder, and ravage the seacoasts in -the wars between France and England. Military or naval forces were the -sole objects of attack, and by a specific though unwritten law of -custom, the efforts of the rival combatants were confined to ships of -war, fortifications, and armies, and, of course, to merchant vessels -belonging to the enemy. The peaceful seashore towns were generally let -alone unless the inhabitants in exposed localities provoked -retaliation by aggression--a thing they usually took good care not to -do. To introduce the practice would be unfortunate and nothing would -be gained, by France especially. The King of France, however, was more -than willing to have the coasts of his neighbor ravaged, if no -retaliation on his own unprotected shores were provoked thereby. No -convention of any sort, expressed or understood, existed between Great -Britain and the United States which would prevent such action on the -part of the Americans. Great Britain was making a bloody ravaging -warfare on the coasts of North America, and, never dreaming of -reprisal, paid no attention whatever to this law of war, save when it -suited her to do so, on our seaboard. Franklin and the commissioners -wisely realized that the only way to stop this merciless and brutal -burning and plundering was to let the enemy experience the thing -himself. They were therefore in entire accord with the desire of the -French king. To produce the result he would furnish the squadron, they -the flag. It was a charming arrangement from the king's point of view. -Consequently the reason for the encouragement given Jones is apparent, -and the determination of the minister is therefore explained and -understood. - -Jones received word early in November through the commissioners, with -a solemn assurance from De Sartine, that a suitable ship would be -purchased for him at the expense of France and a squadron assembled -under his supreme command. Let those who would reproach Jones for his -part in this plan remember that (as in his previous cruise) he only -carried out the orders of Franklin. There was no sentimental nonsense -about the old Quaker. He knew what was the best remedy for the -deplorable conditions in America, and he grimly prepared to apply it. -He had no illusions in the premises at all; it was a pure matter of -business, and with sound policy he so treated it. Jones' appeals, be -it understood, were only for a ship or ships and an opportunity to get -into action with the enemy. His orders were outside of his control. -All he had to do as a naval officer was to carry them out to the best -of his ability when he received them. Therefore a censure of Jones is -a censure of Franklin. - -It was first designed to employ Jones and his proposed squadron for a -descent upon Liverpool, for which purpose five hundred men from -Fitzmaurice's Irish regiment were to be taken on the ships. Pending -the assembling of the squadron, and while Jones was busily engaged in -seeking for a proper vessel for himself in various French ports, -Lafayette arrived from America, and sought the command of the land -forces of the proposed expedition. His desire was a notable tribute to -the sailor, by the way. The change was most agreeable to Jones, to -whom, of course, the reputation and abilities of Lafayette were well -known, and who would naturally prefer association with such a -distinguished man in the undertaking, but, as usual, there were delays -on the part of the minister. - -Jones traveled about from port to port, looking at different ships -which it was proposed to purchase for him. The minister offered him -the Duc de Broglie, a large new ship lying at Nantes, capable of -mounting sixty-four guns. He inspected her, and would have taken her -gladly, but he felt utterly unable properly to man such a large ship, -and he was reluctantly compelled to dismiss her from consideration. -There was also at Nantes a smaller ship, the Ariel, of twenty guns, -which had been captured from the English, which he was willing to -accept if nothing better turned up. Another vessel that he looked at -was a great old-fashioned merchant ship, lying dismantled at L'Orient, -which had been some fourteen years in the India trade, and was very -much out of repair. She was called the Duc de Duras. Jones thought she -might do in default of anything else, and he so informed the minister. - -However, in spite of the promises that had been made and reiterated to -him, and the determination which had been arrived at, nothing was -done. His visits of inspection were fruitless, his propositions were -disregarded as before. Furthermore, the plan to send Lafayette with -him fell through because France was at that time projecting a grand -descent in force upon England, and Lafayette was designated to command -a regiment in the proposed undertaking. Like other similar projects, -the plan was never put in operation. Though France did enter the -Channel with sixty-six French and Spanish ships of the line, she did -not accomplish as much with this great armada as Paul Jones did with -the little squadron he finally was enabled to assemble. - -Meanwhile he was at his wits' end. The year had nearly passed and -nothing had been done. He had been put off with promises until he was -desperate. Chance, it is stated, threw in his way one day, as he sat -idle at Nantes, gloomily ruminating on the prospect, or lack of it, -and almost making up his mind to go back to the United States in the -first vessel that offered and seek such opportunity for service as -might arise there, a copy of Franklin's famous book of maxims, called -Poor Richard's Almanac. As the harassed little captain sat listlessly -turning its pages, his eyes fell upon this significant aphorism: - -"If a man wishes to have any business faithfully and expeditiously -performed, let him go on it himself; otherwise he may send." - -The truth of the saying inspired him to one final effort before he -abandoned European waters. He went to Versailles in November, 1778, -for one last visit, and there settled the matter. His determination -and persistence at last, as it had many times before, brought him -success. De Sartine directed the purchase of the Duras, which Jones, -from his love for Franklin and the circumstance just related, with the -consent of the minister, renamed the Bon Homme Richard, that being the -French equivalent for Poor Richard, or Good Man Richard, which was the -caption of the almanac. - -De Sartine appointed as the agent and commissary of the king for the -purchase and refitting of the Duras and the other vessels of the -squadron, and for the disposal of any prizes which might be taken, in -short, as his representative with entire liberty of action, Monsieur -le Ray de Chaumont. This gentleman, belonging, of course, to the -nobility of the country, was a man of considerable influence at the -court, where he had held the responsible dual position of Grand Master -of the Forests and Waters of the King. Since the arrival of the -American commissioners he had shown his devotion to the cause of -liberty and to them personally by many and conspicuous acts of -kindness. - -It was his private residence at Passy that Franklin made his -headquarters during his long tenure of office. De Chaumont had offered -him the use of this house, and with generous and splendid hospitality -had refused to accept of any remuneration by way of rental. Realizing -the pressing necessity of the struggling colonists for every dollar -they could scrape together, he positively declined to impair their -limited resources by any charge whatsoever. Franklin endeavored to -change his decision, and when John Adams replaced Deane he made the -same effort, but the generous Frenchman refused to recede from his -determination. He also placed his private purse at the disposal of -Franklin, and in every way showed himself a worthy and disinterested -friend of America. - -He was one of those romantic Frenchmen who espoused the cause of the -rights of man under the influence of the new philosophy of Rousseau -and Voltaire; somewhat, it would seem, from motives similar to those -proclaimed by Jones himself. He had nothing to gain by his action and -much to lose should the effort of the colonists result in failure. He -was a man of affairs and possessed an ample fortune. To anticipate -events, it may be stated that he spent it all in the cause to which he -had devoted himself, and eventually became bankrupt. He was not a -military man; still less was he aware of the exigencies and demands of -the naval service. For the present, however, he did his work -efficiently and well. - -The Duras was purchased immediately, as were two other merchant -vessels, the Pallas and the Vengeance, all at the cost of the -royal treasury. To these were added the Cerf, a king's cutter, a -well-appointed and efficient vessel, and the United States ship -Alliance, a new and very handsome frigate built at Salisbury, -Massachusetts, in 1778, which had arrived in Europe with Lafayette as -a passenger. Jones had specifically asked that the American frigate -should be assigned to his squadron--a most unfortunate request, as it -afterward turned out. - -The Duras was an East Indiaman of obsolete type; a large, -old-fashioned ship with a very high poop and topgallant forecastle. -She had made, during many years of service, a number of round voyages -to the East Indies. While stoutly built for a merchant ship, as -compared to a man-of-war of her size she was of light and -unsubstantial frame. In the absence of particular information I -suppose her to have been of something under eight hundred tons burden. -Neglect had allowed her to fall into such a bad condition that her -efficiency as a proposed war vessel was further impaired by her -inability to stand the necessary repairs. - -Jones, however, surveyed her and determined to make her do. Indeed, -there was no choice; it was that or nothing. He hoped to effect -something with her which would warrant him in demanding a better ship; -so, with a sigh of regret for the Indien, he set to work upon her, -doing his best to make her efficient. By his orders she was pierced -for twenty-eight guns on her main deck and six on the poop and -forecastle. In order to further increase her force, Jones, after much -deliberation, resorted to the hazardous experiment of cutting six -ports in the gun room, on the deck below the gun deck, close to the -water line; so close, in fact, that, with anything like a sea on, to -open the ports would be to invite destruction by foundering.[8] Only -under exceptionally favorable circumstances, therefore, could these -guns be used. At best the gun-room battery could only be fought in the -calmest weather and smoothest water. In this dangerous place he -mounted six old and condemned 18-pounders, which were all that he -could obtain from the French arsenals. On the main deck fourteen -12-pounders and fourteen 9-pounders were mounted.[9] Two 9-pounders -were placed aft on the quarter-deck, two in each gangway, and two on -the forecastle. All the guns were old and worn out; many of them had -been condemned by the French Government as unfit for use. The six guns -on the lower deck were mounted three on a side, but a sufficient -number of ports had been cut to admit of shifting the guns and working -the whole battery on either side. New guns had been ordered cast for -the Richard at the French gun foundries; but the usual delays -compelled Jones to take what he could, and finally sail with these old -makeshifts. The guns intended for the Bon Homme Richard arrived after -she had gone. - -The Alliance was a frigate-built ship of thirty-two guns, 9- and -6-pounders, manned by two hundred and fifty men, and commanded by -Pierre Landais. Landais was an ex-officer of the French navy, who had -been dismissed for insubordination and incapacity. Ignorant of these -facts, knowing only that he had been a navy officer, and wishing to -please their royal ally, and perhaps pay a delicate compliment also to -Lafayette, who was a passenger upon the ship on her first cruise, the -marine commissioners had appointed him to the command of this fine and -handsome little frigate. The Alliance was one of the fastest ships of -her day; indeed, she may be regarded as the precursor of that long -line of splendid frigates and sloops of war which have been the pride -of American shipbuilders and the admiration of foreign navies. -Properly re-armed and refitted, under the command of stout old John -Barry she did splendid service on several occasions later in the war. -Her swiftness and mobility, it was believed, would add greatly to the -usefulness of Jones' squadron. - -The Pallas was a fairly efficient merchant ship, frigate built, -carrying thirty 6-pounders, commanded by Captain de Cottineau de -Kloguene. The Vengeance was a twelve-gun brig of little force, and the -Cerf a sixteen-gun cutter, under the command of Captains Ricot and de -Varage respectively. - -After many difficulties and disheartening delays, chiefly overcome by -Jones' invincible determination and persistence, the squadron was at -last made ready for use. The first duty assigned to the daring -commodore was a cruise for the driving of the enemy's ships out of the -Bay of Biscay, and convoying merchant ships bound from port to port -along the coast. It was not a particularly congenial duty, but he -entered upon it zealously and without complaint. - -The squadron sailed on the 19th of June, 1779. During the night of the -20th the Alliance ran foul of the Richard, and as a result of the -collision the mizzenmast of the Alliance was carried away, while the -Richard lost her head, cutwater, jib boom, etc. The blame for the -accident mainly rested on Landais, who, it was afterward developed, -had behaved disgracefully on this occasion, showing such a lack of -presence of mind and seamanly aptitude, coupled with such timidity and -shrinking from duty, that, when the accident occurred, he not only -gave no orders, but basely ran below to load his pistols, leaving the -ship to be extricated from her critical situation by the junior -officers. Perhaps he was afraid that the infuriated Jones would attack -him for the mishandling of his ship. Jones, who had been below when -the accident occurred, immediately assumed charge of the Richard, and -by prompt action averted a more serious disaster. To do Landais -justice, however, the officer of the watch on the Richard also must -have been culpable, for he was subsequently court-martialed and broken -for his lack of conduct on this occasion. - -Refusing to return to port, and patching up the two ships as well as -possible from their present resources, Jones performed the duties -assigned to him, driving the enemy's ships out of those waters and -safely delivering his convoy. On the return voyage, Captain de Varage, -of the Cerf, had a spirited encounter with a heavily armed privateer -of greater force than his own, which lasted for an hour and ten -minutes and resulted in the privateer striking her flag. Before he -could take possession, however, other ships of the enemy appeared, and -he was forced to abandon his prize. The Richard chased several sail, -two of which were thought to be frigates, and the officers and men -manifested every disposition to get into action; but the ships sighted -were all able to run away from the cumbrous and slow-sailing American -ship. - -On the last day of June the squadron put into L'Orient again to repair -damages. During the cruise it is interesting to note that Jones -dispatched thirty pounds, in the shape of a draft, through a friend in -Dublin, to Scotland for the use of his family. He frequently made them -remittances from his scanty supplies of money, and, in fact, he never -forgot them, however busy with great undertakings he may have been. - -Instructions were received at L'Orient from Franklin intended to -govern the future movements of the squadron. They had, of course, been -prepared after consultation with De Sartine. Jones was directed to -cruise off the west coast of Ireland to intercept the West Indian -ships and then to proceed to the northward, passing the Orkneys, and -range down the coast of Scotland and endeavor to capture the Baltic -fleet--which, by the way, had been one of his original projects. After -carrying out these orders he was instructed to proceed to the Texel -about August 15th, where he would find further directions awaiting -him. Prizes were to be sent to Dunkirk or Ostend in France, or Bergen -in Norway, consigned to such agents as De Chaumont should designate. - -Jones was very much disappointed, naturally, with the Richard, and in -acknowledging the receipt of these instructions he made a last effort -to get the Indien. It was intimated that such might be the result of -his cruise when he arrived at the Texel, if it were successful, but -that no change could be made in his orders at present. Franklin -refused to attempt to have them modified by consulting with the -ministry, and, in a way gentle but sufficiently decided, he directed -Jones to finish repairing the ships with all speed and proceed to -carry out the orders he had received. The commodore, swallowing his -disappointment and dissatisfaction with a rather ill grace, it must be -confessed, hastened to get his ships in shape for the proposed -expedition. - -During the cruise in the Bay of Biscay a mutinous spirit had broken -out among the English seamen, with whom in part Jones had been forced -to man his ship in default of other men, which had become sufficiently -developed to result in an organized conspiracy to take the Richard. -The plot was discovered and the ringleaders were put in irons. When -the Richard arrived at L'Orient, these men, two quartermasters, were -court-martialed; but, instead of being sentenced to death, as they -deserved, they were severely flogged with the cat-o'-nine-tails. -Jones, who, if he erred, leaned to the side of mercy, seems to have -been greatly relieved at this termination of the affair. At this time -the lieutenant of the Richard, who had been in charge of the watch -during the collision, was also court-martialed and dismissed the -service. - -These several unfortunate happenings had given De Sartine a very low -idea of the efficiency and value of the Bon Homme Richard and the -squadron, which galled Jones extremely. Indeed, I imagine De Sartine -looked upon Jones in the light of a nuisance more than anything else. -The repairs progressed very slowly, and it was not until August that -the ships were ready to proceed. Meanwhile an event of the greatest -importance had occurred in the arrival of a cartel at Nantes with one -hundred and nineteen exchanged American prisoners. Many of them -entered on the Richard, and Jones was thus enabled to weed out a large -proportion of the mutinous and disorderly element in his crew. The -fine qualities of some of these new recruits enabled him to replace -many of his petty officers--invaluable adjuncts to an efficient -crew--with experienced seamen who could be depended upon, not merely -as sailors, but as men who, fresh from the horrors and brutalities of -English prisons, were more than ready to fight against the red flag -wherever it was planted. They leavened the whole mass. - -The re-enforcement was of the greatest value; but Jones' good fortune -did not end here, for before he sailed again he was joined by a young -American naval officer of the highest capacity and courage, named -Richard Dale, who had been captured in the Lexington and held a -prisoner in England. He had effected a most daring and romantic escape -from the Mill Prison by the assistance of an unknown woman, whose name -and the circumstances of their acquaintance remained a mystery; Dale -absolutely refused to divulge them to the day of his death. - -Jones found in him a congenial spirit and an able subordinate. He -promptly appointed him first lieutenant of the Richard, and between -the two men there speedily developed a friendship as lasting as it was -unaffected and disinterested. Next to Jones himself, in the early -records, stands the name of this young man, then scarcely twenty-three -years of age. Aside from the great commodore, it was he who -contributed more to the subsequent success of the Richard than any -other man. At the request of De Sartine, Jones also received on the -Richard a battalion of royal marines, who were all French of course, -and who had been augmented until they numbered one hundred and -thirty-seven officers and men, under Lieutenant-Colonel de Chamillard -de Warville. It was supposed by the minister that they could at least -keep order on the ship! The time limited to the expiration of the -cruise was extended to the end of the month of September. - -The total complement of the Richard, therefore, according to Jones' -statement, was about three hundred and eighty officers, men, and boys, -including the one hundred and thirty-seven marines. A roll of officers -and men is given by Sherburne in his Life of Jones. - -On this list, which purports to contain the names of those who were on -board on the date of the battle with the Serapis, are enumerated the -names of but two hundred and twenty-seven officers and men. It omits -the name of de Chamillard and another colonel of infantry, de Weibert, -who were actually on board, and gives no names of the French marines. -Adding the two hundred and twenty-seven to the one hundred and -thirty-seven, we get three hundred and sixty-four, which is as near as -we can come to Jones' figures. There may have been others whose names -were added later on, but at any rate it is safe to take Jones' -statement as practically correct. - -Assuming that the known factors fairly represented the whole crew, we -find that among the officers twenty-four were Americans, two were -Frenchmen, and six British, including Jones and two surgeon's mates. -Among the seamen fifty-five were American born, sixteen Irish, -sixty-one British, twenty-eight Portuguese, twenty who are not -described, of whom seven were probably Portuguese, and fifteen of -other nationalities, including, according to Cooper, some -Malays--possibly Filipinos learning thus early to fight for freedom -under, not against, the Stars and Stripes! Thus, scarcely more than -one fifth of the complement were native Americans. The marines, of -course, were efficiently organized and commanded, and were of the -usual character of the men in the French service. The rest of the -crew, with the exception of the Americans, who were filling the posts -of petty officers, were a hard-bitten, reckless crowd of adventurers, -mercenaries, bravos, and what not, whom only a man like Jones could -control and successfully direct. Under his iron hand they developed -into as ready a crew as ever fought a ship, and in our estimation of -his subsequent success the fact must not be lost sight of that he made -out of such a motley assemblage so efficient an organization. The -officers were fairly capable, though none of them reached the standard -of Dale, and at least one of them left the cruise with a serious cloud -upon his reputation. - -Perhaps two thirds of the crew of the Alliance were English seamen who -had been recruited from the men of the line of battle ship Somerset, -which had been wrecked in America, and a large number of her crew -captured. They enlisted on the Alliance in the hope of capturing her -and making their escape, thus avoiding a sojourn in American prisons. -On the way to France, owing to the presence of these men on the ship, -a conspiracy had developed, the successful termination of which was -only prevented by the resolution and courage of Lafayette and the -passengers with the regular officers of the ship. There were but a -small number of Americans on the Alliance, owing to the fact that she -was commanded by a Frenchman, under whom Americans generally refused -to sail. The officers, with few exceptions, were poor in quality. Her -crew had been somewhat improved before the squadron sailed, by the -enlistment of some of the prisoners from the cartel, but it was still -far from being an efficient body of men, and under such a captain as -Landais there was no hope of it ever becoming so. - -The officers and crew of the Pallas, Vengeance, and Cerf were French -_in toto_, the officers all holding French commissions. The squadron -was entirely at the charges of the French Government, although each of -the officers sailed with a supplementary American commission issued by -Franklin and his _confrères_, and all the vessels were under the -American flag. - -De Chaumont had been indefatigable in fitting out the ships as best he -could, and personally he had done everything in his power to further -the success of the enterprise. If his labors had ceased there, the -results would have been better; but, probably under the direction of -the minister, and influenced by the natural reluctance of the French -officers and men to serve under the command of an officer of another -country, de Chaumont prepared a concordat, which he suppressed until -just before the time of sailing, when it was exhibited to Jones and -the other captains and their signatures demanded. By the terms of this -singular document the officers and men and the several vessels of the -squadron, instead of being under the absolute charge of Jones himself, -as is the case with every properly organized expedition, were formed -into a species of alliance offensive and defensive; and while, of -course, the headship was necessarily under Jones while he lived, he -was so hampered and restricted by the various articles of the -agreement as to feel himself scarcely more than first among his -equals. He was left with full responsibility for success, but so shorn -of power and ability to compel obedience to his orders as to render it -necessary for him to resort to persuasion to effect his end. Any -ordinary commander would have withdrawn at the last moment, but Jones -was determined upon effecting something; so, with great reluctance and -unavailing protests, he signed the concordat, and the ill-assorted -squadron proceeded on its way.[10] - -Surely never before was such an expedition for warlike purposes put -forth upon the narrow seas! It is difficult to see what result any -sane man could have legitimately expected from it. That it -accomplished anything was due to Jones himself--commodore by virtue of -a paper agreement, just as binding and effective as any of the several -signers wished it to be! The world had long known him as a man -remarkable for audacity in conception, boldness in planning, hardihood -in carrying out, and downright courage in the supreme moment. As a -seaman and a fighter he had few equals and no masters. But the cruise -developed that he possessed other qualities of leadership which are -sometimes lost sight of in this brilliant galaxy, qualities which his -previous experience had not led us to expect him to exhibit. He was -shown to be considerate, tactful, forbearing, persuasive, holding -himself under strong restraint. Naturally of a passionate, impetuous, -uncontrollable nature, that he exhibited these qualities speaks well -for the man. He had learned to control his feelings in the bitter -school of procrastination, evasion, and disappointment of the past -year. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. -THE CRUISE OF THE SQUADRON. - - -All things being as ready as it was possible to make them, on the 14th -of August, 1779, amid the booming of cannon and the waving of flags, -the expedition set sail. Very pretty it must have looked, dropping -down the roads, as sail after sail was set on the broad yardarms -extending above the little commander on the poop deck of the Indiaman, -resolutely putting his difficulties and trials behind him, and glad to -be at last at sea and headed for the enemy. And yet he might well have -borne a heavy heart! Only a man of Jones' caliber could have faced the -possibilities with a particle of equanimity. By any rule of chance or -on any ground of probability the expedition was doomed to failure, -capture, or destruction. But the personality of Jones, his serene and -soon-to-be-justified confidence in himself, discounted chance and -overthrew probability. I have noticed it is ever the man with the -fewest resources and poorest backing who accomplishes most in the -world's battles. The man who has things made easy for him usually -"takes it easy," and accomplishes the easy thing or nothing. - -The squadron was accompanied by two heavily armed privateers, the -Monsieur and the Granvelle, raising the number of vessels to seven. -The masters of the privateers did not sign the concordat, but they -entered into voluntary association with the others and agreed to abide -by the orders of Jones--an agreement they broke without hesitation in -the face of the first prize, which was captured on the 18th of August. -The prize was a full-rigged ship, called the Verwagting, mounting -fourteen guns and loaded with brandy. The vessel, a Dutch ship, had -been captured by the English, and was therefore a lawful prize to the -squadron. The captain of the Monsieur, which was the boarding vessel, -plundered the prize of several valuable articles for his own benefit, -manned her, and attempted to dispatch her to Ostend. Jones, however, -overhauled her, replaced the prize crew by some of his own men, and -sent her in under his own orders. The Monsieur and her offended -captain thereupon promptly deserted the squadron in the night. - -On the 21st, off the southwest coast of Ireland, they captured a brig, -the Mayflower, loaded with butter, which was also manned and sent in. -On the 23d they rounded Cape Clear, the extreme southwestern point of -Ireland. The day being calm, Jones manned his boats and sent them -inshore to capture a brigantine. The ship, not having steerage way, -began to drift in toward the dangerous shore after the departure of -the boats, and it became necessary to haul her head offshore, for -which purpose the captain's barge was sent ahead with a towline. As -the shades of evening descended, the crew of the barge, who were -apparently English, took advantage of the absence of the other boats -and the opportunity presented, to cut the towline and desert. As they -made for the shore, Mr. Cutting Lunt, third lieutenant, with four -marines, jumped into a small boat remaining, and chased the fugitives -without orders; but, pursuing them too far from the ship, a fog came -down which caused him to lose his bearings, and prevented him from -joining the Richard that night. - -The crew of a commodore's barge, like the crew of a captain's gig, is -usually made up of picked men, and the character of the Richard's crew -is well indicated by this desertion. The other boats luckily managed -to rejoin the Richard, after succeeding in cutting out the brigantine. -The ships beat to and fro off the coast until the next day, when the -captains assembled on the Richard. Landais behaved outrageously on -this occasion. He reproached Jones in the most abusive manner, as if -the desertion of the barge and the loss of the two boats was due to -negligence on his part. One can imagine with what grim silence the -irate little American listened to the absurd tirade, and in what -strong control he held himself to keep from arresting Landais where he -stood. It gives us a vivid picture of the situation of the fleet to -find that Jones was actually compelled to consult with his captains -and obtain the consent of de Varage before he could order the Cerf to -reconnoiter the coast, if possible to find the two boats and their -crews. - -Thus, as Commodore Mackenzie, himself a naval officer, grimly remarks: - - -"Before giving orders of indispensable necessity, as a superior -officer, we find him taking the advice of one captain and obtaining -the consent and approbation of another." - - -But we may be sure that it was only dire necessity that required such -a course of action. Evidently the situation was not to the liking of -the commodore, but it was one that he could not remedy. - -As the Cerf approached the shore to reconnoiter, she hoisted the -English colors to disguise her nationality, and was seen by Mr. Lunt, -who had evidently overtaken the deserters. Mistaking her character, he -pulled in toward the shore to escape the fancied danger, and was -easily captured by the English with the two boats and their crews. By -this unfortunate mishap the Richard lost two of her boats, containing -an officer and twenty-two men. The Cerf, losing sight of the squadron -in the evening, turned tail and went back to France, instead of -proceeding to the first of the various rendezvous which had been -agreed upon. The Granvelle, having made a prize on her own account, -took advantage of her entirely independent position and the fact that -she was far away from the Richard to disregard signals and make off -with her capture. This reduced the squadron to the Richard, Alliance, -Pallas, and Vengeance. It was Jones' desire to cruise to and fro off -the harbor of Limerick to intercept the West Indian ships, which, to -the number of eight or ten, were daily expected. These vessels, richly -laden, were of great value, and their capture could have easily been -effected, but Landais protested vehemently against remaining in any -one spot. Among other things, the Frenchman was undoubtedly a coward, -and, of course, by remaining steadily in one place opportunities for -being overhauled were greatly increased. Jones finally succumbed to -Landais' entreaties and protestations, which were backed up by those -of Captains Cottineau and Ricot. - -Of course, it is impossible to say how far his authority would have -lasted had he peremptorily refused to accede to their demands, as -paper concordats are not very binding ties; but he might perhaps have -made a more determined effort to induce them to carry out his plans -and remain with him. To leave the position he had chosen, which -presented such opportunities, was undoubtedly an error in judgment, -and Jones tacitly admits it in the following words, written long -afterward: - - -"Nothing prevented me from pursuing my design but the reproach that -would have been cast upon my character as a man of prudence.[11] It -would have been said: 'Was he not forewarned by Captain Cottineau and -others?'" - -The excuse is as bad as, if not worse than, the decision. But this is -almost the only evidence of weakness and irresolution which appears in -Jones' conduct in all the emergencies in which he was thrown. It is -impossible to justify this action, but, in view of the circumstances, -which we can only imagine and hardly adequately comprehend, we need -not censure him too greatly for his indecision. In fact, the decision -itself was a mistake which the ablest of men might naturally make. The -weakness lay in the excuse which he himself offers, and which it pains -one to read. In this connection the noble comment of Captain Mahan is -interesting: - - -"The subordination of public enterprises to considerations of personal -consequences, even to reputation, is a declension from the noblest in -a public man. Not life only, but personal credit, is to be fairly -risked for the attainment of public ends." - - -It can not be said that Jones was altogether disinterested in his -actions. The mere common, vulgar, mercenary motives were absent from -his undertakings, but it must be admitted that he never lost sight of -the results, not only to his country and its success, but to his own -reputation as well. If Jones had proceeded in his intention, and -Landais had finally deserted him, the results would have been very -much better for the cruise--always provided that the Pallas at least -remained with the Richard. We shall see later on that all the ships -deserted him on one occasion. - -On the 26th of August a heavy gale blew up from the southwest, and -Jones scudded before it to the northward along the Irish coast. -Landais deliberately changed the course of the Alliance in the -darkness, and, the tiller of the Pallas having been carried away -during the night, Jones found himself alone with the Vengeance the -next morning. The gale having abated, these two remaining vessels -continued their course in a leisurely manner along the Irish coast. On -the 31st the Alliance hove in sight, followed by a valuable West -Indiaman called the Betsy, mounting twenty-two guns, which she had -captured--a sample of what might have resulted if the squadron had -stayed off Limerick. - -The Pallas having also joined company again, on the 1st of September -the Richard brought to the Union, a government armed ship of -twenty-two guns, bound for Halifax with valuable naval stores. Before -boats were called away and the prize taken possession of, with -unparalleled insolence Landais sent a messenger to Jones asking -whether the Alliance should man the prize, in which case he should -allow no man from the Richard to board her! With incredible -complaisance the long-suffering Jones allowed Landais to man this -capture also, while he himself received the prisoners on the Richard. -These two vessels, in violation of Jones' explicit orders, were sent -in to Bergen, Norway, where they were promptly released by the Danish -Government and returned to England on the demand of the British -minister. Their value was estimated at forty thousand pounds sterling. -The unwarranted return of the vessels was the foundation of a claim -for indemnity against Denmark, of which we shall hear later. On the -day of the capture Landais disregarded another specific signal from -the flagship to chase; instead of doing which, he wore ship and headed -directly opposite the direction in which he should have gone. The next -morning he again disregarded a signal to come within hail of the -Richard, on which occasion he did not even set an answering pennant. - -On September 3d and 4th the squadron captured a brig and two sloops -off the Shetland Islands. On the evening of this day Jones summoned -the captains to the flagship. Landais refused to go, and when de -Cottineau tried to persuade him to do so he became violently abusive, -and declared that the matters at issue between the commodore and -himself were so grave that they could only be settled by a personal -meeting on shore, at which one or the other should forfeit his life. -Fortunately for the peace of mind of the commodore, whose patience had -reached the breaking point, the Alliance immediately after parted -company, and did not rejoin the command until the 23d of September. If -Landais had stayed away altogether, or succeeded in getting himself -lost or captured, it would have been a great advantage to the country. - -Another gale blew up on the 5th, and heavy weather continued for -several days. The little squadron of three vessels labored along -through the heavy seas to the northward, passed the dangerous Orkneys, -doubled the wild Hebrides, rounded the northern extremity of Scotland, -and on the evening of the 13th approached the east coast near the -Cheviot Hills. On the 14th they arrived off the Firth of Forth, where -they were lucky enough to capture one ship and one brigantine loaded -with coal. From them they learned that the naval force in the harbor -of Leith was inconsiderable, consisting of one twenty-gun sloop of war -and three or four cutters. Jones immediately conceived the idea of -destroying this force, holding the town under his batteries, landing a -force of marines, and exacting a heavy ransom under threat of -destruction. - -[Illustration: Map showing the cruises of the Ranger and the Bon Homme -Richard, and the dash of the Alliance from the Texel.] - -Although weakened in force by the desertion of the ships, by the -number of prizes he had manned, and the large number of prisoners on -board the Richard, he still hoped, as he says, to teach English -cruisers the value of humanity on the other side of the water, and by -this bold attack to demonstrate the vulnerability of their own coasts. -He also counted upon this diversion in the north to call attention -from the expected grand invasion in the south of England by the French -and Spanish fleets. The wind was favorable for his design, but -unfortunately the Pallas and the Vengeance, which had lagged as usual, -were some distance in the offing. Jones therefore ran back to meet -them in order to advise them of his plan and concert measures for the -attack. He found that the French had but little stomach for the -enterprise; they positively refused to join him in the undertaking, a -decision which, by the terms of the concordat, they had a right to -make. After a night spent in fruitless argument between the three -captains--think of it, arguments in the place of orders!--Jones -appealed to their cupidity, probably the last thing that would have -moved him. By painting the possibilities of plunder he wrung a -reluctant consent from these two gentlemen, and proceeded rapidly to -develop the plan. - -As usual, not being able to embrace the opportunity when it was -presented, a change in the wind rendered it impossible for the -present. The design and opportunity were too good, however, to be -lost, and the squadron beat to and fro off the harbor, waiting for a -shift of wind to make practicable the effort. On the 15th they -captured another collier, a schooner, the master of which, named -Andrew Robertson, was bribed by the promised return of his vessel to -pilot them into the harbor of Leith. Robertson, a dastardly traitor, -promised to do so, and saved his collier thereby. On the morning of -the 16th an amusing little incident occurred off the coast of Fife. -The ships were, of course, sailing under English colors, and one of -the seaboard gentry, taking them for English ships in pursuit of Paul -Jones, who was believed to be on the coast, sent a shore boat off to -the Richard asking the gift of some powder and shot with which to -defend himself in case he received a visit from the dreaded pirate. -Jones, who was much amused by the situation, made a courteous reply to -the petition, and sent a barrel of powder, expressing his regret that -he had no suitable shot. He detained one of the boatmen, however, as a -pilot for one of the other ships. During the interim the following -proclamation was prepared for issuance when the town had been -captured. The document is somewhat diffuse in its wording, but the -purport of it is unmistakable: - - -"The Honorable J. Paul Jones, Commander-in-chief of the American -Squadron, now in Europe, to the Worshipful Provost of Leith, or, in -his absence, to the Chief Magistrate, who is now actually present, and -in authority there. - -"Sir: The British marine force that has been stationed here for the -protection of your city and commerce, being now taken by the American -arms under my command, I have the honour to send you this summons by -my officer, Lieutenant-Colonel de Chamillard, who commands the -vanguard of my troops. I do not wish to distress the poor inhabitants; -my intention is only to demand your contribution toward the -reimbursement which Britain owes to the much-injured citizens of the -United States; for savages would blush at the unmanly violation and -rapacity that have marked the tracks of British tyranny in America, -from which neither virgin innocence nor helpless age has been a plea -of protection or pity. - -"Leith and its port now lie at our mercy; and, did not our humanity -stay the hand of just retaliation, I should, without advertisement, -lay it in ashes. Before I proceed to that stern duty as an officer, my -duty as a man induces me to propose to you, by means of a reasonable -ransom, to prevent such a scene of horror and distress. For this -reason I have authorized Lieutenant-Colonel de Chamillard to conclude -and agree with you on the terms of ransom, allowing you exactly half -an hour's reflection before you finally accept or reject the terms -which he shall propose. If you accept the terms offered within the -time limited, you may rest assured that no further debarkation of -troops will be made, but the re-embarkation of the vanguard will -immediately follow, and the property of the citizens shall remain -unmolested." - - -On the afternoon of the 16th, the squadron was sighted from Edinburgh -Castle, slowly running in toward the Firth. The country had now been -fully alarmed. It is related that the audacity and boldness of this -cruise and his previous successes had caused Jones to be regarded -with a terror far beyond that which his force justified, and which -well-nigh paralyzed resistance. Arms were hastily distributed, -however, to the various guilds, and batteries were improvised at -Leith. On the 17th, the Richard, putting about, ran down to within a -mile of the town of Kirkaldy. As it appeared to the inhabitants that -she was about to descend upon their coast, they were filled with -consternation. There is a story told that the minister of the place, a -quaint oddity named Shirra, who was remarkable for his eccentricities, -joined his people congregated on the beach, surveying the approaching -ship in terrified apprehension, and there made the following prayer: - - -"Now, deer Lord, dinna ye think it a shame for ye to send this vile -piret to rob our folk o' Kirkaldy? for ye ken they're puir enow -already, and hae naething to spaire. The wa the ween blaws, he'll be -here in a jiffie, and wha kens what he may do? He's nae too guid for -onything. Meickle's the mischief he has dune already. He'll burn thir -hooses, tak their very claes and tirl them to the sark; and wae's me! -wha kens but the bluidy villain might take their lives! The puir -weemen are maist frightened out o' their wits, and the bairns skirling -after them. I canna thol't it! I canna thol't it! I hae been lang a -faithfu' servant to ye, Laird; but gin ye dinna turn the ween about, -and blaw the scoundrel out of our gate, I'll na staur a fit, but will -just sit here till the tide comes. Sae tak yere will o't." - - -This extraordinary petition has probably lost nothing by being handed -down. At any rate, just as that moment, a squall which had been -brewing broke violently over the ship, and Jones was compelled to bear -up and run before it. The honest people of Kirkaldy always attributed -their relief to the direct interposition of Providence as the result -of the prayer of their minister. He accepted the honors for his Lord -and himself by remarking, whenever the subject was mentioned to him, -that he had prayed but the Lord had sent the wind! - -It is an interesting tale, but its effect is somewhat marred when we -consider that Jones had no intention of ever landing at Kirkaldy or of -doing the town any harm. He was after bigger game, and in his official -account he states that he finally succeeded in getting nearly within -gunshot distance of Leith, and had made every preparation to land -there, when a gale which had been threatening blew so strongly -offshore that, after making a desperate attempt to reach an anchorage -and wait until it blew itself out, he was obliged to run before it and -get to sea. When the gale abated in the evening he was far from the -port, which had now become thoroughly alarmed. Heavy batteries were -thrown up and troops concentrated for its protection, so that he -concluded to abandon the attempt. His conception had been bold and -brilliant, and his success would have been commensurate if, when the -opportunity had presented itself, he had been seconded by men on the -other ships with but a tithe of his own resolution. - -The squadron continued its cruise to the southward and captured -several coasting brigs, schooners, and sloops, mostly laden with coal -and lumber. Baffled in the Forth, Jones next determined upon a similar -project in the Tyne or the Humber, and on the 19th of the month -endeavored to enlist the support of his captains for a descent on -Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as it was one of his favorite ideas to cut off -the London coal supply by destroying the shipping there; but -Cottineau, of the Pallas, refused to consent. The ships had been on -the coast now for nearly a week, and there was no telling when a -pursuing English squadron would make its appearance. Cottineau told de -Chamillard that unless Jones left the coast the next day the Richard -would be abandoned by the two remaining ships. Jones, therefore, -swallowing his disappointment as best he might, made sail for the -Humber and the important shipping town of Hull. - -It was growing late in September, and the time set for the return to -the Texel was approaching. As a matter of fact, however, though Jones -remained on the coast cruising up and down and capturing everything he -came in sight of, in spite of his anxiety Cottineau did not actually -desert his commodore. Cottineau was the best of the French officers. -Without the contagion of the others he might have shown himself a -faithful subordinate at all times. Having learned the English private -signals from a captured vessel, Jones, leaving the Pallas, boldly -sailed into the mouth of the Humber, just as a heavy convoy under the -protection of a frigate and a small sloop of war was getting under way -to come out of it. Though he set the English flag and the private -signals in the hope of decoying the whole force out to sea and under -his guns, to his great disappointment the ships, including the war -vessels, put back into the harbor. The Richard thereupon turned to the -northward and slowly sailed along the coast, followed by the -Vengeance. - -Early in the morning of September 23d, while it was yet dark, the -Richard chased two ships, which the daylight revealed to be the Pallas -and the long-missing Alliance, which at last rejoined. The wind was -blowing fresh from the southwest, and the two ships under easy canvas -slowly rolled along toward Flamborough Head. Late in the morning the -Richard discovered a large brigantine inshore and to windward. Jones -immediately gave chase to her, when the brigantine changed her course -and headed for Bridlington Bay, where she came to anchor. - -Bridlington Bay lies just south of Flamborough Head, which is a bold -promontory bearing a lighthouse and jutting far out into the North -Sea. Vessels from the north bound for Hull or London generally pass -close to the shore at that point, in order to make as little of a -detour as possible. For this reason Jones had selected it as a -particularly good cruising ground. Sheltered from observation from one -side or the other, he waited for opportunities, naturally abundant, to -pounce upon unsuspecting merchant ships. The Baltic fleet had not yet -appeared off the coast, though it was about due. Unless warned of his -presence, it would inevitably pass the bold headland and afford -brilliant opportunity for attack. If his unruly consorts would only -remain with him a little longer something might yet be effected. To go -back now would be to confess to a partial failure, and Jones was -determined to continue the cruise even alone, until he had -demonstrated his fitness for higher things. Fate had his opportunity -ready for him, and he made good use of it. - - - - -CHAPTER X. -THE BATTLE WITH THE SERAPIS. - - -About noon on the 23d of September, 1779, the lookouts on the Richard -became aware of the sails of a large ship which suddenly shot into -view around the headland. Before any action could be taken the first -vessel was followed by a second, a third, and others to the number of -six, all close hauled on the starboard tack, evidently intent upon -weathering the point. The English flags fluttering from their gaff -ends proclaimed a nationality, of which, indeed, there could be no -doubt. The course of the Richard was instantly changed. Dispatching a -boat under the command of Lieutenant Henry Lunt to capture the -brigantine, Jones, in high anticipation, headed the Richard for the -strangers, at the same time signaling the Alliance, the Pallas, and -the Vengeance to form line ahead on his ship--that is, get into the -wake of the Richard and follow in single file. The Alliance seems to -have been ahead and to windward of the Richard, the Pallas to windward -and abreast, and the Vengeance in the rear of the flagship. - -It had not yet been developed whether the six ships, which, even as -they gazed upon them, were followed by others until forty sail were -counted, were vessels of war or a merchant fleet under convoy; but -with characteristic audacity Jones determined to approach them -sufficiently near to settle the question. He had expressed his -intention of going in harm's way, and for that purpose had asked a -swift ship. He could hardly have had a slower, more unwieldy, -unmanageable vessel under him than the Richard, but the fact had not -altered his intention in the slightest degree, so the course of the -Richard was laid for the ships sighted. - -Captain Landais, however, was not actuated by the same motives as his -commander. He paid no attention, as usual, to the signal, but instead -ran off to the Pallas, to whose commander he communicated in a measure -some of his own indecision. In the hearing of the crews of both -vessels Landais called out to his fellow captain that if the fleet in -view were convoyed by a vessel of more than fifty guns they would have -nothing to do but run away, well knowing that in such a case the -Pallas, being the slowest sailer of the lot--slower even than the -Richard--would inevitably be taken. Therefore, with his two other -large vessels beating to and fro in a state of frightened uncertainty, -Jones with the Richard bore down alone upon the enemy. The Vengeance -remained far enough in the rear of the Richard to be safe out of -harm's way, and may be dismissed from our further consideration, as -she took no part whatever in the subsequent events. - -Closer scrutiny had satisfied the American that the vessels in sight -were the longed-for Baltic merchant fleet which was convoyed by two -vessels of war, one of which appeared to be a small ship of the line -or a heavy frigate. In spite, therefore, of the suspicious maneuvers -of his consorts, Jones flung out a signal for a general chase, crossed -his light yards and swept toward the enemy. Meanwhile all was -consternation in the English fleet off the headland. A shore boat -which had been noticed pulling hard toward the English convoying -frigate now dashed alongside, and a man ascended to her deck. -Immediately thereafter signals were broken out at the masthead of the -frigate, attention being called to them by a gun fired to windward. -All the ships but one responded by tacking or wearing in different -directions in great apparent confusion, but all finally headed for the -harbor of Scarborough, where, under the guns of the castle, they hoped -to find a secure refuge. As they put about they let fly their -topgallant sheets and fired guns to spread the alarm. - -Meanwhile the English ship, which proved to be the frigate Serapis, -also tacked and headed westward, taking a position between her convoy -and the approaching ships. Some distance to leeward of the frigate, -and farther out to sea, to the eastward, a smaller war vessel, in -obedience to orders, also assumed a similar position, and both waited -for the advancing foe. Early that morning Richard Pearson, the captain -of the Serapis, had been informed that Paul Jones was off the coast, -and he had been instructed to look out for him. The information had -been at once communicated to the convoy, to which cautionary orders -had been given, which had been in the main disregarded, as was the -invariable custom with convoys. The shore boat which the men on the -Richard had just observed speaking the Serapis contained the bailiff -of Scarborough Castle, who confirmed the previous rumors and -undoubtedly pointed out the approaching ships as Jones' squadron. - -Pearson, as we have seen, had signaled his convoy, and the latter, now -apprised of their danger beyond all reasonable doubt by the sight of -the approaching ships, had at last obeyed his orders. Then he had -cleverly placed his two ships between the oncoming American squadron -to cover the retreat of his charges and to prevent the enemy from -swooping down upon them. His position was not only proper and -seamanlike, but it was in effect a bold challenge to his approaching -antagonist--a challenge he had no wish to disregard, which he eagerly -welcomed, in fact. In obedience to Jones' signal for a general chase, -the Richard and the Pallas were headed for their two enemies. As they -drew nearer the Pallas changed her course in accordance with Jones' -directions, and headed for the smaller English ship, the Countess of -Scarborough, a twenty-four gun, 6-pounder sloop of war, by no means an -equal match for the Pallas. The Vengeance followed at a safe distance -in the rear of the commodore, while Landais disregarded all signals -and pursued an erratic course of his own devising. Sometimes it -appeared that he was about to follow the Richard, sometimes the -Pallas, sometimes the flying merchantmen attracted his attention. It -was evident that the one thing he would not do would be to fight. - -In utter disgust, Jones withdrew his attention from him and -concentrated his mind upon the task before him. He was about to engage -with his worn-out old hulk, filled with condemned guns, a splendid -English frigate of the first class. A comparison of force is -interesting. Counting the main battery of the Richard as composed of -twelves and the spar-deck guns as nines, and including the six -18-pounders in the gun room as being all fought on one side, we get a -total of forty guns throwing three hundred and three pounds of shot to -the broadside; this is the extreme estimate. Counting one half of the -main battery as 9-pounders, we get two hundred and eighty-two pounds -to the broadside, and, considering the 18-pounders as being fought -only three on a side, we reduce the weight of the broadside to two -hundred and twenty-eight pounds. As it happened, as we shall see, the -18-pounders were abandoned after the first fire, so that the effective -weight of broadside during the action amounted to either one hundred -and ninety-five or one hundred and seventy-four pounds, depending on -the composition of the main battery. Even the maximum amount is small -enough by comparison. - -The crew of the Richard had been reduced to about three hundred -officers and men, as near as can be ascertained. The desertion of the -barge, the loss of the boat under Cutting Lunt off the Irish coast, -the various details by which the several prizes had been manned, and -the absence of the boat sent that morning under the charge of Henry -Lunt, which had not, and did not come back until after the action, had -reduced the original number to these figures. A most serious feature -of the situation was the lack of capable sea officers. There were so -few of the latter on board the Richard originally that the absence of -the two mentioned seriously hampered her work. Dale himself was a -host. Those that remained, who, with the exception of the purser, -sailing master, and the officers of the French contingent, were young -and inexperienced, mostly midshipmen--boys, in fact--made up for their -deficiencies by their zeal and courage. The officers of the French -contingent proved themselves to be men of a high class, who could be -depended upon in desperate emergencies. - -The Serapis was a brand-new, double-banked frigate, of about eight -hundred tons burden--that is, she carried guns on two covered and one -uncovered decks. This was an unusual arrangement, not subsequently -considered advantageous or desirable, but it certainly enabled her to -present a formidable battery within a rather short length; her -shortness, it was believed, would greatly enhance her handiness and -mobility, qualities highly desirable in a war vessel, especially in -the narrow seas. On the lower or main deck twenty 18-pounders were -mounted; on the gun deck proper, twenty 9-pounders; and on the spar -deck, ten 6-pounders, making a total of fifty guns, twenty-five in -broadside, throwing three hundred pounds' weight of shot at each -discharge as against the Richard's one hundred and seventy-four. She -was manned by about three hundred trained and disciplined English -seamen, forming a homogeneous, efficient crew, and well they proved -their quality. Richard Pearson, her captain, was a brave, competent, -and successful officer, who had enjoyed a distinguished career, -winning his rank by gallant and daring enterprises; no ordinary man, -indeed, but one from whom much was to be expected. - -In making this comparison between the two ships it must not be -forgotten that while the difference in the number of guns--ten--was -not great, yet in their caliber and the consequent weight of broadside -the Richard was completely outclassed. Then, too, the penetrative -power of an 18-pound gun is vastly greater than that of a 12-pound -gun, a thing well understood by naval men, though scarcely appearing -of much moment on paper. Indeed, it was a maxim that a 12-pound -frigate could not successfully engage an 18-pounder, or an 18-pound -frigate cope with a 24-pound ship.[12] - -In addition to this vast preponderance in actual fighting force, there -was another great advantage to the Serapis in the original composition -of her crew as compared with the heterogeneous crowd which Jones had -been compelled to hammer into shape. Worthily, indeed, did both bodies -of men demonstrate their courage and show the effect of their -training. There was a further superiority in the English ship in that -she was built for warlike purposes, and was not a converted and -hastily adapted merchant vessel. She was of much heavier construction, -with more massive frames, stouter sides, and heavier scantling. The -last advantage Pearson's ship possessed was in her superior mobility -and speed. She should have been able to choose and maintain her -distance, so that with her longer and heavier guns she could batter -the Richard to pieces at pleasure, herself being immune from the -latter's feebler attack. - -In but one consideration was the Richard superior to the Serapis, and -that was in the personality of the man behind the men behind the guns! -Pearson was a very gallant officer. There was no blemish upon his -record, no question as to his capacity. In personal bravery he was not -inferior to any one. As a seaman he worthily upheld the high -reputation of the great navy to which he belonged; but as a man, as a -personality, he was not to be mentioned in the same breath with Jones. - -This is no discredit to that particular Englishman, for the same -disadvantageous comparison to Jones would have to be made in the case -of almost any other man that sailed the sea. There was about the -little American such Homeric audacity, such cool-headed heroism, such -unbreakable determination, such unshakable resolution, that so long as -he lived it was impossible to conquer him. They might knock mast after -mast out of the Richard; they might silence gun after gun in her -batteries; man after man might be killed upon her decks; they might -smash the ship to pieces and sink her beneath his feet, but there was -no power on earth which could compel him to strike her flag. - -Jones was the very incarnation of the indomitable _Ego_: a soul that -laughed at odds, that despised opposition, that knew but one thing -after the battle was joined--to strike and strike hard, until -opposition was battered down or the soul of the striker had fled. In -action he would be master--or dead. But his fighting was no baresark -fury; no blind, wild rage of struggle; no ungovernable lust for -battle; it was the apotheosis of cool-blooded calculation. He fought -with his head as well as with his heart, and he knew perfectly well -what he was about all the time. Pearson was highly trained matter of -first-rate composition; Jones was mind, and his superiority over -matter was inevitable. The hot-tempered spirit of the man which -involved him in so many difficulties, which made him quarrelsome, -contrary, and captious, gave place to a coolness and calmness as great -as his courage in the presence of danger, in the moment of action. By -his skill, his ability, his address, his persistence, his staying -power, his hardihood, Jones deserved that victory which his -determination absolutely wrested from overwhelming odds, disaster, and -defeat. The chief players in the grim game, therefore, were but ill -matched, and not all the superiority in the pawns upon the chessboard -could overcome the fearful odds under which the unconscious Pearson -labored. We pity Pearson; in Jones' hands he was as helpless as -Pontius Pilate. - -The crew of the Richard, having had supper and grog, had long since -gone to their stations to the music of the same grim call of the beat -to quarters which had rolled upon the decks of every warship of every -nation which had joined battle for perhaps two hundred years. Jones -was a great believer in drill and gun practice. His experience on his -first cruise in the Alfred, if nothing else, had taught him that, and -upon this ill-found ship with its motley crew probably a more thorough -regimen of control and discipline existed than could be found in any -other ship afloat. Frequent target practice was had, too, and the -result proved the value of the exercise. Had this not been the case -the approaching battle might have had a different termination. - -The great guns had been cast loose and provided; having been run in -and loaded, they were run out and a turn taken with the training -tackles to hold them steady. The magazines had been opened, and the -gunner and his mates stationed inside the wetted woolen screen, which -minimized the danger of fire, to hand out charges of powder to the -lads called powder boys, or powder "monkeys," who, with their canvas -carrying boxes, were clustered about the hatches. The gun captains saw -that the guns were properly primed, and they looked carefully after -the slow matches used to discharge the pieces, keeping them lighted -and freely burning. In the iron racks provided were laid rows of round -shot, with here and there a stand of grape. Arm chests were opened and -cutlasses and pistols distributed, and the racks filled with boarding -pikes. Many of the officers discarded their hats and put on round -steel boarding caps with dropped cheek pieces. Swords were buckled on -and the priming of pistols carefully looked to. The men in many cases -stripped off their shirts and jackets, laid aside caps and shoes, and -slipped into their stations half naked, with only a pair of trousers -and their arms upon them. Division tubs filled with water were placed -conveniently at hand, and the decks were well sanded to prevent them -from becoming slippery with blood when the action began. The pumps -were overhauled and put in good condition, and hose led along the -decks in case of fire. The carpenter and his mates, well provided with -shot plugs to stop up possible holes, were stationed in the more -vulnerable parts of the ship. The boats were wrapped with canvas to -prevent splintering under heavy shot, and heavy nettings triced up -fore and aft as a protection against boarders. Preventer braces were -rove from the more important yardarms, the heavier yards were slung -with chains, and the principal rigging, including the backstays, -stoppered to minimize the danger in case they should be carried away -by shot. Grapnels, strong iron hooks securely fastened to the ends of -stout ropes or slender iron chains, were swung from every yardarm, and -laid along the bulwarks in case it became possible or desirable to -lash the ships together. Everything which would impede the working of -the guns or hinder the fighting of the men was either stowed below or -thrown overboard. Around the masts and at the braces the sail trimmers -were clustered, some of them armed with boarding axes or hatchets, -handy for cutting away wreckage. Aft on the quarter-deck and forward -on the forecastle large bodies of French marines were drawn up, musket -in hand. - -The broad, old-fashioned tops of the Richard were filled with seamen -and marines, armed with muskets and having buckets full of small -grenades close at hand. Among these seamen were many of the more agile -and daring among the topmen--who from their stations in making and -taking in sail were designated as "light yardmen"--while the marines -stationed in the tops were selected for their skill as marksmen. The -main body of the crew was distributed at the battery of great guns on -the main deck, which were in charge of Richard Dale and a French -lieutenant colonel of infantry, named de Weibert. In the gloomy -recesses of the gun room, close to the water line, a little group of -men was told off to fight the heavy 18-pounders. Around the hatches -leading to the hold was stationed another body of seamen and marines -with the master at arms, all armed to the teeth, to guard the English -prisoners, whose number is variously stated from two to three hundred. -The relieving tackles to use in steering the ship in case the wheel -was carried away occupied the attention of another group. - -Far below the water line in the dark depths of the ship--a bloody -place familiarly known as the cockpit--the surgeon and his mates -unconcernedly spread out the foreboding array of ghastly instruments -and appliances of the rude surgery of the rude period, in anticipation -of the demands certain to be made upon them. At the break of the poop -a veteran quartermaster and several assistants stood grasping the -great wheel of the ship with sturdy fingers. Little groups of men were -congregated on the quarter-deck and forecastle and in the gangways to -man the 9-pounders, which were to play so important a part in the -action. Jones himself, a quiet, composed little figure of slender -proportions, paced steadily to and fro athwart the ship, now eagerly -peering ahead as the shades of night descended, now casting a solemn -glance aloft at the swelling canvas softly rounded out into huge -curves in the gentle breeze. Ever and anon he threw a keen glance back -toward the Alliance. When his gaze fell upon her, the compression of -his lips and the fierceness of his look boded ill for Landais when he -had time to deal with him. - -What must have been his thoughts in this momentous hour! One likes to -dwell upon him there and then; so alone and so undaunted on that old -deck in that gray twilight, resolutely proceeding to battle with a -ship which, now that it was in plain view, his practised eye easily -determined surpassed his own in every particular. At such a moment, -when every faculty of his mind naturally would be needed to fight his -own vessel, suggestions of treachery and disobedience and an utter -inability to tell what his cowardly and soon-to-be-proved traitorous -subordinate would do, made his situation indeed unbearable. But he -dismissed all these things from his mind. Confident in the justice of -his cause--in the approval of Heaven for that cause--and full of trust -in his own ability and personality, he put these things out of his -head and swept on. He was a figure to inspire confidence on the deck -of any ship. The men, who had perhaps as vivid an appreciation of -their situation and all its dangers as he had himself, looked to their -captain and took confidence in the quiet poise of the lithe figure at -the break of the poop, balancing itself so easily to the lumbering -roll of the great ship. The young midshipmen, his personal aides, -slightly withdrawn from close contact with him, respected his silence -as he paced to and fro. - -Presently another graceful active figure, belonging to the first -lieutenant of the ship, came running from below, walked rapidly along -the deck, sprang up the ladder, and stopped before the little captain, -whom he overtowered to a degree. He saluted gravely, and announced -that the Richard was clear, the men at quarters, and the ship was -ready for action. After a few moments of conversation Jones and Dale -descended to the lower deck and walked through the ship. A hearty word -of appreciation and encouragement here and there, as occasion -suggested, heartened and stimulated the reckless crew, until they had -almost risen to the captain's level. Presently he returned to the deck -alone. A few final directions, one last glance of approval at the -Pallas closing in on the Scarborough, one last regret, one last flush -of indignation as he looked toward the Alliance--a moment, and the -battle would be joined. - -It was about seven o'clock in the evening. The harvest moon had long -since risen in the eastern sky, and was flooding the pallid sea with -its glorious radiance. On the western horizon the broad, bright beacon -of Flamborough Head was sending out its bright ray of yellow light -over the trembling water. With a night glass, clusters of people could -be seen upon the shore and upon the ships anchored under the guns of -Scarborough Castle, towering grim and black against the horizon. Ahead -was the white Serapis, calmly confident, lying broadside on, port -shutters triced up, lights streaming from every opening. She lay with -her topsails to the mast, gallantly waiting. Upon her, too, like -preparations for combat had been made. Along her decks the same -beating call to battle had rolled. Men who spake the same language, -who read the same Bible, who but a few years since had loved the same -flag, who had vied with each other in loyalty to a common king, now -made ready to hurl death and destruction at each other. Presently -sharp words of command rang out; there was a sudden bustle on the deck -of the English ship. The braces were manned, the yards swung, and the -Serapis slowly gathered way and gently forged ahead. Then all was -still once more on the serene English ship. - -As the Richard drew nearer to the Serapis a deep silence settled over -the American ship. Even over the roughest and rudest among her crew -crept a feeling of awe at the terrible possibilities of the next few -moments. The magnitude of their task as they came nearer became more -apparent. Forced laughter died away; coarse words remained unspoken; -lips foreign to prayer formed words of belated and broken petition. -Thoughts went back to home: to sunny fields and vine-clad cottages in -France; to frontier huts in verdant clearings in America; to rude -houses in seaboard towns where the surf of the western ocean broke in -wild thunder upon the rocky shore. Pictures of wives, of children, of -mothers, of sweethearts, rose before the misted vision. Here and there -a younger man choked down a sob. The rude jests with which men -sometimes strive to disguise emotion fell unnoticed, or were sternly -reprehended by the older and more thoughtful. The fitful conversation -died away, and the silence was broken only by the soft sigh of the -wind through the top hamper, the gentle flap of the lighter sails as -the pitch of the ship threw the canvas back and forth, the soft splash -of the bluff bows through the water, the straining of the timbers, the -creak of the cordage through the blocks. Candle-filled battle lanterns -in long rows throughout the ship shed a dim radiance over the bodies -of the stalwart, half-naked, barefooted men. Here and there a brighter -flash told of moonlight reflected from some gleaming sword. - -And the ships drew nearer--nearer. In a moment the dogs of war would -be loose. Presently a sound broke the silence, a hail from the English -ship. A man leaped up on her rail and a cry came faintly up through a -hollowed hand against the gentle breeze: - -"What ship is that?" - -The Richard had been kept skillfully end on to the Serapis, and the -commander of the latter ship had still some lingering doubts as to her -nationality. Measuring the distance between the two ships, Jones -quickly motioned to the watchful quartermaster beneath him. With eager -hands the men began, spoke by spoke, to shift the helm to starboard. -As the American ship began to swing to port it would be but a moment -before her broadside would be revealed and concealment at an end. That -precious moment, however, Jones would have. He sprang on the taffrail -to starboard, and, catching hold of the backstay, leaned far out and -called loudly: - -"I do not understand you." - -The Richard was swinging still more now. The English caught a glimpse -of a lighted port forward. From it a huge gun thrust its muzzle out -into the night. Quick and sharp came the hail once more: - -"What ship is that? Answer at once or I fire!" - -With what breathless silence the two ships listened for the reply! - -The helm was hard over now, the quartermasters holding it down with -grim determination, sweat pouring from their foreheads, the ship -swinging broadside in to, and a little forward of, the Englishman. -Bending over toward the quarter-deck, in a clear voice heard -throughout his ship, Jones called out a sharp word of command. Even as -he spoke a line of fire lanced out into the night, followed by the -roar of one of the 12-pounders. It was an answer not to be mistaken. -Immediately the whole broadside of the Richard was let go. -Simultaneously the iron throats on the Serapis belched forth their -rain of hell and destruction, and the great battle was on! It was -perhaps a quarter after seven. Side by side the two ships, covered -with blinding smoke, sailed in the still night, broadside answering -broadside, the roar of the great guns sounding in one horrible -continuous note vibrating over the ocean. The thunderous diapason was -punctuated by the sharp staccato rattle of the small arms. - -The Richard, having more way on her, forged slightly ahead of the -Serapis, which had so lately filled away that she had scarcely yet -begun to move. Jones, watchful of his opportunity, swung the head of -his ship in toward the English frigate, hoping to cross her bows and -rake her; but the careful Pearson, presently feeling the wind, -gathered way and with his superior speed easily regained his distance. -The game was being played as he would have it, and the bolts from his -long eighteens were making havoc of the Richard. Jones now determined -to back his topsails, check the speed of his own ship, allow the -Serapis to forge ahead, and then fill away again, and rush the Richard -alongside the English frigate so that he could board and make use of -his preponderant force of soldiery. Accordingly, the way of his -frigate was checked and the Serapis drew slightly ahead, receiving the -fire of the Richard's battery as she passed, and maintaining her own -fire in the smoke and darkness for some moments, until Pearson -discovered that he had passed ahead of the Richard. The way of his -ship was immediately checked. The conflict had been maintained with -incredible fierceness for more than three quarters of an hour. - -As soon as Jones had gained sufficient distance, he smartly filled -away again and headed the clumsy Richard at the Serapis; but the slow -old vessel was not equal to the demands of her commander. The Richard -only succeeded in striking the Serapis on the port quarter very far -aft. To have attempted boarding from such a position would have been -madness. There are only two positions from which a ship can be boarded -advantageously. In one case, when two ships are laid side by side, by -massing the crew at some point of the long line of defense -necessitated by the relative position of the vessels, it may be -possible to break through and effect a lodgment on the enemy's deck. -The other case is when the ship desirous of boarding succeeds in -crossing the bows of her enemy so that the latter vessel is subjected -to a raking fire from the battery of the attacking ship, which beats -down opposition and sweeps everything before it, thus affording a -chance for favorable attack. Neither of these opportunities was -presented at this time. - -Jones, nevertheless, mustered his boarders on the forecastle at this -moment, heading them himself, but the English appeared in such force -at the point of contact that the attempt was of necessity abandoned. -The two ships hung together a moment, then separated, and, the Serapis -going ahead, the Richard backing off, they formed a line ahead, the -bow of the Richard following the stern of the Serapis. There was not a -single great gun which bore on either ship. The roar of the battle -died away, and even the crackle of the small arms ceased for a space. -At this moment Pearson hailed the Richard. Having been subjected to -the battering of his superior force for so long a time, Pearson -concluded that it was time for the Richard to surrender. He was right -in theory--in practice it was different. His own ship had suffered -severely in the yardarm to yardarm fight, and he realized that the -loss upon the Richard must have been proportionately greater. Even the -most unskilled seaman had learned by this time the difference in the -power of the two vessels. Therefore, taking advantage of the momentary -cessation of the battle, he sprang up on the rail of the Serapis in -the moonlight and called out: - -"Have you struck?" - -And to this interrogation Paul Jones returned that heroic answer, -which since his day has been the watchword of the American sailor: - -"_I have not yet begun to fight!_" he cried with gay audacity. - -The ringing tones of his voice carried his answer not only to the ears -of the English captain, but threw it far up into the high tops where -the eager seamen had so busily plied their small arms. The men on the -gun deck heard it with joy. It even penetrated to the gloomy recesses -of the gun room, which had been the scene of such misfortune and -disaster as would have determined the career of any other ship. The -wounded caught the splendid inspiration which was back of the glorious -declaration, and under the influence of it stifled their groans, -forgot their wounds, and strove to fight on. It told the dying that -their lives were not to be given in vain. Nay, those mighty words had -a carrying power which lifted them above the noise of the conflict, -which sent them ringing over the narrow seas, until they reverberated -in the Houses of Parliament on the one side and the Court of -Versailles on the other. They had a force which threw them across the -thousand leagues of ocean until they were heard in every patriot camp, -and repeated from the deck of every American ship, until they became a -part of the common heritage of the nation as eternal as are its -Stripes and Stars! The dauntless phrase of that dauntless man: - -"_I have not yet begun to fight!_" - -It was no new message. The British had heard it as they tramped again -and again up the bullet-swept slopes of Bunker Hill; Washington rang -it in the ears of the Hessians on the snowy Christmas morning at -Trenton; the hoof beats of Arnold's horse kept time to it in the wild -charge at Saratoga; it cracked with the whip of the old wagoner Morgan -at the Cowpens; the Maryland troops drove it home in the hearts of -their enemies with Greene at Guilford Courthouse, and the drums of -France and England beat it into Cornwallis' ears when the end came at -Yorktown. There, that night in that darkness, in that still moment of -battle, Paul Jones declared the determination of a great people. His -was the expression of an inspiration on the part of a new nation. From -this man came a statement of an unshakable determination at whatever -cost to be free! A new Declaration of Independence, this famous word -of warning to the British king. Give up the contest now, O monarch! A -greater majesty than thine is there! - -I imagine a roar of wild exultation quivering from truck to keelson, -a gigantic Homeric laugh rising from the dry throats of the rough men -as yet unharmed on the Richard as they caught the significance of -their captain's reply. "It was a joke, the character of which those -blood-stained ruffians could well appreciate; but the captain was in -no mood for joking. He was serious, and in the simplicity of the -answer lay its greatness. Strike! Not now, nor never! Beaten! The -fighting is but just begun! The preposterous possibility of surrender -can not even be considered. What manner of man this, with whom you -battle in the moonlight, brave Pearson! An unfamiliar kind to you and -to most; such as hath not been before, nor shall be again. Yet all the -world shall see and understand at this time. - -"'_I have not yet begun to fight!_' - -"Surprising answer! On a ship shattered beyond repair, her best guns -exploded and useless, her crew decimated, ringed about with dead and -dying, the captain had not yet begun to fight! But there was no delay -after the answer, no philosophizing, no heroics. The man of action was -there. He meant business. Every moment when the guns were silent -wasted one."[13] - -The Richard was in a dreadful condition, especially below. At the -first fire two of the 18-pounders in the gun room had exploded, -killing most of the officers and men of their crews, blowing out the -side of the ship, shattering the stanchions, blowing up the deck above -them, and inflicting injuries of so serious a character that they -virtually settled the fate of the ship. The other guns there were -immediately abandoned, and the men left alive in the division, who -were not required to guard the prisoners, were sent to the gun deck to -report to Dale and de Weibert. The battery which had been the main -dependence of Jones had proved worse than useless. Indeed, it had done -more harm than had the guns of the Serapis. I know of no action -between two ships in which a similar, or even a less frightful, -happening did not cause the ship suffering it to surrender at once. - -The two ships hung in line for a moment, then Jones put his helm hard -a-starboard again and swung off to port, perhaps hoping to rake the -Serapis; but the English captain, anticipating his maneuver, backed -his own topsails, and the two ships passed by each other once more, -the batteries reopening their fire at close range. The combat at once -recommenced with the most heroic determination. Fortunately, however, -the captain of the Serapis miscalculated either the speed at which his -own ship backed or the speed with which the Richard drew ahead, for, -before Pearson filled away again, Jones had drawn so far ahead that by -consummate seamanship and quick, desperate work he managed to swing -the Richard across the path of the Serapis, an astonishing feat for -the slower and more unwieldy American frigate. It was his one -opportunity and he embraced it--one was enough for Jones. Pearson had -just succeeded in checking the stern board of his own ship, and was -going ahead slowly, when the bow of his frigate ran aboard the -starboard quarter of the American, thrusting her jib boom through the -mizzen rigging far across the quarter-deck of the Richard. Pouring a -raking fire upon the English frigate from his starboard battery, -Jones, with his own hand, sprang to lash the two ships together. The -sailing master, Mr. Stacy, leaped to assist him. As the officer strove -to overhaul the gear lying in a tangled mass upon the deck, he broke -into the natural oath of a sailor at the delay. - -"Don't swear, Mr. Stacy," Jones is reported to have said quietly, -although he was working with feverish energy to the same end--"in -another moment we may all be in the presence of our Maker--but let us -do our duty." - -The lashing was soon passed, and passed well. The American boarders -were called away again, but they could do nothing in the face of the -sharp fire of the English repelling force. Meanwhile, the pressure of -the wind upon the after-sails of the Serapis had broken off her -bowsprit and forced her stern around until she lay broadside to the -American ship. A spare anchor on the Serapis caught in the mizzen -chains of the Richard, and with it and the grapnels which were hastily -flung the two ships were firmly bound together, the bow of one ship by -the stern of the other, heading in different ways, their starboard -sides touching. Pearson at once dropped his port anchor, hoping that, -his ship being anchored and the Richard under way, the American would -drag clear, when his superiority in gun power would enable him to -continue the process of knocking her to pieces at long range; but, -fortunately for the Richard, the wind had gradually decreased until it -was now nearly killed, or so light that it did not prevent the ships -from swinging to the Serapis' anchor with the tidal current then -setting strongly to the northward. - -[Illustration: Plan: Showing maneuvers of Bon Homme Richard and -Serapis, September 23, 1779; showing also course and conduct of -Alliance. After a drawing by Captain A. T. Mahan, U. S. N., by -permission of Charles Scribner's Sons.] - -It was some time after eight o'clock now, and the battle at once -recommenced with the utmost fury. As the Serapis had not hitherto been -engaged on the starboard side,[14] it was necessary for her men to -blow off the port lids of their own ship at the first discharge of her -battery. They were so close together that the conflict resolved itself -into a hand-to-hand encounter with great guns. As Dale said, the -sponges and rammers had to be extended through the ports of the enemy -in order to serve the guns. Though the American batteries were fought -with the utmost resolution, they were, of course, no match whatever -for those of the English ship, which had two tiers of heavier guns to -oppose to one of the American. Below decks, therefore, the Americans -were at a fearful disadvantage. Above, however, the number of soldiers -and marines, constantly re-enforced by a stream of men sent from below -as their guns were put out of action, gave them a compensating factor, -and by degrees the concentrated fire of the Americans cleared the deck -of the Serapis. The two ships lying side by side, slowly grinding -together in the gentle sea, the yardarms were interlaced and the -American topmen, again outnumbering their English antagonists, ran -along the yards, and a dizzy fight in midair ensued, as the result of -which, after suffering severe loss, the Americans gained possession of -the British maintop. Turning their fire forward and aft, aided by -attacking parties from the fore and crossjack yards, they finally -cleared the English entirely out of the upper works of their ship. -From this lofty point of vantage they poured such a rain of fire -upon the Serapis that Pearson was left practically alone on the -quarter-deck. To a chivalrous admiration for his courage he is said to -owe his immunity. He, too, should have his meed of praise for the -undaunted heroism with which he stood alone on the bullet-swept, -blood-stained planks, maintained his position, and fought his ship. - -Now, to go back a little. Shortly after the two ships were lashed -together, the Alliance, apparently having recovered from her -hesitation, came sweeping toward the combatants, and deliberately -poured a broadside into the Richard, which did not a little damage and -killed several men. In spite of all signals, Landais repeated his -treacherous performance, but before the Richard's men could fairly -realize the astonishing situation he sailed away from them and ran -over before the wind toward the Pallas, which had been for some time -hotly engaged with the Countess of Scarborough, where he is said to -have done the same thing.[15] This strange action of the Alliance had -but little effect upon the battle at this time, which was continued -with unremitting fury. - -One by one the small guns on the main deck of the Richard were -silenced. The crews were swept away, guns were dismounted, carriages -broken and shattered, and finally the whole side of the Richard from -the mainmast aft was beaten in; so much so, that during the latter -part of the action the shot of the Serapis passed completely through -the Richard, and, meeting no opposition, fell harmlessly into the sea -far on the other side. In the excitement the English never thought of -depressing their guns and tearing the bottom out of the Richard. As it -was, transoms were beaten out, stern frames were cut to pieces, and a -few stanchions alone supported the decks above. Why they did not -collapse and fall into the hull beneath it, with the guns and men on -them, is a mystery. In addition to all this, the ship was on fire -repeatedly, and men were continually called away from their stations -to fight the flames. - -Dale and de Weibert had just fired their last shots from the remaining -guns of the main battery which were serviceable when a new -complication was added to the scene. The men guarding the prisoners -had been gradually picked off by the shot of the enemy. The Richard -was leaking rapidly, and when the carpenter sounded the well a little -after nine o'clock, late in the action, he discovered several feet of -water in it. In great alarm he shrieked out that they were sinking. -The few remaining men in the gun room ran for the hatchways. The -master at arms, thinking that all was over, unlocked the hatches and -released the prisoners, crying out at the same time, "On deck, -everybody; the ship is sinking!" The Englishmen in panic terror -scrambled up through the narrow hatchways, and fought desperately with -each other in their wild hurry to reach the deck, where the carpenter -had preceded them, still shouting that the ship was sinking, and now -crying loudly, "Quarter! Quarter!" - -As the carpenter ran aft, shouting his message of fear and alarm, he -was followed by some of the forward officers, who, catching the -contagion of his terror, repeated his words. Reaching the poop deck, -the carpenter fumbled in the darkness for the halliards to haul down -the flag, calling out to Jones that all was lost, the ship sinking, -and that he must surrender. Other officers and men joined in the cry. -It was another critical moment. Pearson, hearing the commotion, again -hailed, asking if the Richard had struck. Jones, unable to stop the -outcry of the terrified carpenter, smashed his skull with the butt of -his pistol, and answered the second request of Pearson with, as he -says, a most determined negative. We can imagine it. By his presence -of mind in silencing the carpenter, and a supreme exertion of his -indomitable will power, Jones soon succeeded in checking the incipient -panic on the spar deck. At this period of the fight some accounts say -that Pearson called his boarders from below and attempted to board. -The advance was met by Jones at the head of a few men, pike in hand, -with such firmness that it was not pressed home, and the men returned -to their stations at the guns and resumed the fight. - -Meanwhile, Richard Dale, seconded by his midshipmen, with rare and -never-to-be-undervalued presence of mind, had stopped the oncoming -rush of frightened English prisoners, who now greatly outnumbered the -broken crew of the Richard. He sprang among them, beating them down, -driving them back, menacing them with the point of the sword, at the -same time telling them that the English ship was sinking, and that -they were in the same condition, and unless they went to the pumps -immediately all hands would be inevitably lost. The audacity of this -statement was worthy of Jones himself. It was a rare action on the -part of a boy of twenty-three years of age. Such a young man under -present conditions in the United States Navy probably would be filling -the responsible station of a naval cadet afloat![16] Instantly -divining this new peril, the commodore himself sprang to the hatchway -and seconded Dale's effort. Incredible as it seems, the two men -actually forced the panic-stricken, bewildered, and terrified English -prisoners to man the pumps, thus relieving a number of the crew of the -Richard; and the singular spectacle was presented of an American ship -kept afloat by the efforts of Englishmen, and thus enabled to continue -an almost hopeless combat. Dale, with imperturbable audacity, remained -below in command of them. - -The Richard was a wreck. She had been fought to a standstill. Her -battery was silenced, her decks were filled with released prisoners, -she was making water fast, she was on fire in two or three places; -numbers of her crew had been killed and wounded, the water had -overflowed the cockpit, and the frightened surgeon had been driven to -the deck, where, in conjunction with some of the French officers, he -counseled surrender. - -"What!" cried Paul Jones, smiling at the surgeon, "What, doctor! Would -you have me strike to a drop of water? Help me to get this gun over!" - -But the doctor, liking the looks of things on deck even less than -below, ran down the hatchway, and, his station untenable, wandered to -and fro and ministered to the wounded on every side as best he could. -Meanwhile Jones had taken the place of the purser, Mr. Mease, -commanding the upper battery, who had been severely wounded and forced -to leave his station. The commodore was personally directing the fire -of the upper deck guns left serviceable on the Richard, the two -9-pounders on the quarter-deck. With great exertion another gun was -dragged over from the port side, Jones lending a hand with the rest, -and the fire of the three was concentrated upon the mainmast of the -Serapis. - -About this time, between half after nine and ten o'clock, a huge black -shadow came darting between the moonlight and the two frigates -grinding against each other. It was the Alliance once more entering -the fray. After running away from the Richard toward the Scarborough -and the Pallas, she hovered about until she found that the former had -capitulated after a gallant defense against the overwhelming -superiority of the French ship. Then Landais headed once more for the -Richard and the Serapis. To reach them, he was forced to make two -tacks. As he approached, a burning anxiety filled the minds of Jones -and the officers who were left on deck with him, as to what Landais -would do. They were soon enlightened. - -Sailing across the bow of the Serapis, the Alliance drew past the -stern of the Richard, and when she had reached a position slightly on -the quarter of the latter ship, she poured in a broadside. There could -be no misapprehension on the part of Landais as to which ship he was -firing into. The Richard was a black ship with a high poop, and the -Serapis was painted a creamy white with much lower stern. The moon was -filling the sky with brilliant light. Things were as plain as if it -were daytime. In addition to all this, Jones had caused the private -night signals to be hung upon the port side of the Richard. Shouts and -cries warned the Alliance that she was firing upon her own people. -These were disregarded. It was the opinion of the Americans that the -English had taken the ship and were endeavoring to compass the -destruction of the Richard. They could not otherwise explain the -astonishing action. Sailing slowly along the starboard side of the -Richard, the Alliance poured in another broadside. Then she circled -the bows of the American ship, and from some distance away raked her -with a discharge of grape which killed and wounded many, including -Midshipman Caswell, in charge of the forecastle. It was just before -ten o'clock when this happened. Some of the shot from these several -broadsides may have reached the Serapis and possibly have done some -damage, but the brunt of the severe attack fell upon the Richard. Her -men, in the face of this awful stab in the back from a friend, -naturally flinched from their guns and ran from their stations. - -All seemed hopeless; but Jones was still left, and while he was alive -he would fight. He and his officers drove the men back to their guns, -and as the Alliance sailed away, for the time being, they forgot her. -The fight went on! - -It is greatly to the credit of the men that under such circumstances -they could be induced to continue the contest. But the men had -actually grown reckless of consequences: filled with the lust of -battle, the brute in them was uppermost. They fought where they stood, -with what they had. When the American guns were silenced, the seamen -struck at their British foes over their silent muzzles with ramrods -and sponges. Some endeavored to subdue the flames which broke out on -every side. Others joined the English prisoners at the pumps. Many ran -to the upper deck to replace the decimated crews of the 9-pounders. -Some seized the muskets of the dead French soldiers and poured in a -small-arm fire. They had grown careless of the fire, indifferent to -the progress of the battle, ignorant of the results of the action. -There was but one spirit among them, one idea possessed them--to fight -and to fight on. Both crews had done their best; both had fought as -men rarely had fought before; the battle was still undecided. The -issue lay between Jones and Pearson. What was it to be? - -Things on the Richard were hopeless, but things on the Serapis had not -gone much better. She, too, was on fire--in no less than twelve places -at once. The fearful musketry fire from the quarter-deck and -forecastle of the Richard, and from the tops, had practically cleared -her decks of all but Pearson. By Jones' orders the men in the American -tops had made a free use of their hand grenades. A daring sailor, sent -by Midshipman Fanning from the maintop, ran out upon the main yardarm, -which hung over the after hatch of the Serapis, and began to throw -grenades down the hatchway. On the lower deck of that ship a large -pile of powder cartridges had been allowed to accumulate, for which, -on account of the silencing of a large number of guns, there had been -no demand. With reckless improvidence, in their haste, the powder boys -continued to pile up these unused charges on the deck of the ship -between the batteries. Nobody cautioned them, perhaps nobody noticed -them in the heat of the action. At last a hand grenade struck the -hatch combing, bounded aft, and fell into the midst of the pile of -cartridges. There was a detonating crash, a terrific explosion, which -absolutely silenced the roar of the battle for a moment. The two ships -rolled and rocked from the shock of it. When the smoke cleared away, -the decks were filled with dead and dying. Some twenty-eight men were -killed or desperately wounded by the discharge; many others on the -decks were stunned, blinded, and thrown in every direction by the -concussion. Clothes were ripped from them, and many of them were -severely burned. Lieutenant Stanhope, in charge of that gun division, -his clothing on fire, actually leaped into the sea to get relief from -his agony. Afterward, though frightfully burned, he regained his -station and fought on. - -It was this last shock that determined Pearson to surrender. He had -beaten his antagonist a half dozen times, but his antagonist did not -seem to realize it. In the face of such implacable determination his -own nerve gave way. He was surrounded by dead and dying, no human soul -apparently fit for duty on his decks but himself, the roar of his own -guns silenced by this terrific explosion. He had fought through many -desperate battles--never one like this. The other American frigate -might come back. His consort had been captured. His nerve was broken. -He turned and walked aft to the flagstaff raking from the taffrail. To -this staff, with his own hand before the action, he had nailed the -English flag.[17] With the same hand he seized the drooping folds of -bunting, and with a breaking heart tore it from the staff. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. -AFTER THE BATTLE REMARKS ON THE ACTION. - - -"They have struck their flag!" cried Jones, who had witnessed the -action. "Cease firing!" His powerful voice rang through the two -ships with such a note of triumph as has rarely been heard in the -fought-over confines of the narrow seas. - -As the little scene transpired above, from the decks beneath them came -the roar of the Serapis' guns. She had resumed her fire. Her men, too, -were of heroic breed! A British ship captain among the English -prisoners, recovering from his panic and noting the desperate -condition of the Richard, had slipped away from the pumps, and, -eluding the observation of Dale and his men, had crawled through the -gaping openings in the sides of the Richard and the Serapis at the -risk of his life--for the first Englishman who saw him moved to cut -him down--and had announced the dreadful plight of the Richard to the -first lieutenant of the Serapis, who had succeeded in rallying his men -and forcing them once more back to the guns. - -But the cry of the American was taken up by the men on the different -ships until Dale came bounding up the hatchway, when Jones ordered him -to board the English frigate and take possession. Followed by -Midshipman Mayrant and a party of boarders with drawn swords, Dale -leaped up on the rail of the Richard, seized the end of the main brace -pennant, swung himself to the lower Serapis, and jumped down upon her -quarter-deck. As Mayrant followed he was met by an English seaman -coming from the waist, pike in hand. The sailor, ignorant of or -disbelieving the surrender, thrust violently at Mayrant, inflicting a -serious wound in the thigh before he could be stopped. - -Aft upon the lee side of the deck, Pearson was standing alone with -bowed head, leaning against the rail, the flag in one hand, his face -being covered by the other. As the Americans clambered over the rail -he raised his head--his hand fell to the breast of his coat. There was -the look of defeat, the saddest aspect humanity can bear, upon his -face. As Dale approached him, the English first lieutenant, not -believing that the ship had struck, also came bounding from below. - -"Have you struck?" cried Dale, stepping before the English captain. - -"Yes, sir," was the reply. The anguish of the broken-hearted sailor -was apparent in his face and in his voice. - -"Sir, I have orders to send you on board the ship alongside," replied -the American. - -"Very good, sir," answered Pearson, reaching for his sword and -dropping the flag. Just at this moment his subordinate interrupted -them. - -"Has the enemy struck to you, sir?" he asked. - -"No, sir; on the contrary, he has struck to us," interposed Dale. But -the English lieutenant refused to believe him. - -"A few more broadsides, sir, and they are ours," he persisted. "Their -prisoners have escaped. They are sinking!" - -"The ship has struck, sir," Dale burst out hurriedly, scarcely giving -the miserable Pearson an opportunity of replying, "and you are my -prisoner!" Very properly, however, the English officer would take such -news from no one but his own captain. - -"Sir!" he cried in astonishment to Pearson, "have you struck?" - -"Yes, sir," at last answered Pearson reluctantly. - -There was a deadly little pause. - -"I have nothing more to say, sir," replied the officer at last, -turning to go below. As Dale interposed, he added, "If you will permit -me to go below I will silence the firing of the lower deck guns." - -"No, sir," answered Dale, "you will accompany your captain on board -our ship at once, by the orders of Commodore Jones. Pass the word to -cease firing. Your ship has surrendered!" - -Dale was fearful lest the lieutenant should go below and, refusing to -accept the captain's decision, attempt to resume the conflict. So, -with his usual presence of mind, he sternly insisted upon both -officers proceeding on board the Richard at once. In the face of the -swarming crowd of the Richard's men on the Serapis' quarter-deck they -had, of course, no option but to obey. By the aid of the dangling -ropes they climbed up to the rail of the Indiaman and thence dropped -to the quarter-deck of the American ship. They found themselves in the -presence of a little man in a blue uniform which was rent and torn -from the labors he had undergone during the action. He was hatless, -and his dark face was grimed with the smoke and soil of battle. Blood -spattering from a slight wound upon his forehead was coagulated upon -his cheek. In the lurid illumination of the fire roaring fiercely -forward, which, with the moon's pallid irradiation, threw a ghastly -light over the scene of horror, he looked a hideous spectacle--a -picture of demoniac war. Nothing but the fierce black eyes still -burning with the awful passions of the past few hours and gleaming out -of the darkness, with the exultant light of the present conquest -proclaimed the high humanity of the man. In his hand he held a drawn -sword. As the English officers stepped upon the deck he advanced -toward them and bowed gracefully. - -"You are----" began Pearson interrogatively. - -"Commodore John Paul Jones, of the American Continental squadron, and -the ship Bon Homme Richard, at your service, gentlemen; and you -are----" - -"Captain Richard Pearson, of His Britannic Majesty's ship Serapis," -responded the other, bowing haughtily, as he tendered his sword. - -Pearson is reputed to have said on this occasion, "I regret at being -compelled to strike to a man who has fought with a halter around his -neck," or words to that effect. He did not utter the remark at that -time, according to Jones' specific statement made long afterward. The -substance of the statement was used, however, in Pearson's testimony -before a court martial subsequently for the loss of his ship. And the -story probably arose from that circumstance. Jones retained the sword, -which was customary at that period, though different customs obtained -later. - -As he received the proffered sword the American replied, with a -magnanimity as great as his valor: - -"Sir, you have fought like a hero, and I make no doubt that your -sovereign will reward you in the most ample manner." - -His countrymen have ever loved Paul Jones for the chivalrous nobility -of this gracious answer. But he wasted no further time in discussion. -There was too much to be done; not a moment could be lost. It was half -after ten o'clock at night; the battle was over, but their tasks were -not yet completed. Both ships were burning furiously. Their decks were -filled with desperately wounded men, whose agonies demanded immediate -attention. Their screams and groans rose above the sound of the -crackling, roaring flames. With but half a single crew Jones had to -man both ships, put out the fires, force the escaped English prisoners -back into the hold, secure the additional prisoners, and care for the -wounded on the Serapis. From the actions of the Alliance, too, there -was no telling what Landais might take it into his head to do. He had -fired twice upon them; he might do it again, and possibly it might be -necessary for Jones to defend the flagship and her prize from a more -determined attack by Landais than any to which they had yet been -subjected. - -He turned over the command of the Serapis to Dale, sending him, as -usual, a generous contingent for a prize crew, and then, as a -preliminary to further work, the lashings which had held the two -vessels in their death grapple were cut asunder. The Richard slowly -began to draw past her beaten antagonist. Dale immediately filled his -head sail and shifted his helm to wear ship and carry out his orders. -He was much surprised to find that the Serapis lay still and did not -obey the helm. Fearing that the wheel ropes had been shot away, he -sent a quartermaster to examine them, who reported that they were -intact. At this moment the master of the Serapis, coming aft and -observing Dale's surprise, informed him that the English ship was -anchored, which was the first intimation of that fact the Americans -had received. Dale ordered the cable cut, whereupon the ship paid off -and began to shove through the water, which fortunately still -continued calm. As he spoke, he rose from the binnacle upon which he -had been seated, and immediately fell prone to the deck. He discovered -at that moment, by his inability to stand, that he had been severely -wounded in the leg by a splinter, a thing which he had not noticed in -the heat of the action. As he lay upon the deck, Mr. Henry Lunt, the -second lieutenant of the Richard, came on board the Serapis at this -juncture. This officer had been dispatched in the afternoon to pursue -the brigantine, and had caused his boat's crew to lay on their oars at -a safe distance from the two ships during the whole of the desperate -battle, because, as he states, he "thought it not prudent to go -alongside in time of action." Mr. Lunt no doubt lived to regret the -pusillanimous "prudence" of his conduct on this occasion, although, if -that conduct be an index to his character, his services would not be -of great value in the battle. Dale turned over the command of the -Serapis to Lunt, and was assisted on board the Richard. - -As the Richard cleared the Serapis, the tottering mainmast of that -ship, which had been subjected to a continual battering from the -9-pounders and which had only been sustained by the interlocking -yards, came crashing down, just above the deck, carrying with it the -mizzen topmast, doing much damage as it fell, and adding an element of -shipwreck to the other evidence of disaster. The frigate was also on -fire, and the flames, unchecked in the confusion of the surrender, -were gaining great headway. Moved by a sense of their common peril and -necessity, the English crew joined with the Americans in clearing away -the wreck and subduing the fire. They did not effect this without a -hard struggle, but they finally succeeded in saving the ship and -following the Richard. - -The situation on that ship was precarious in the extreme. She was very -low in the water and leaking like a sieve. She was still on fire in -several places, and the flames were blazing more furiously than ever. -There was not a minute's respite allowed her crew. Having conquered -the English, they turned to fight the fire and water. The prisoners -were forced to continue their exhausting toil at the pumps. Pressing -every man of the crew into service, including the English officers, -except those so badly wounded as to be incapable of anything, Jones -and his men turned their attention to the fire. They had a hard -struggle to get it under control. At one time the flames approached so -near to the magazine that, fearful lest they should be blown up, Jones -caused the powder to be removed and stowed upon the deck preparatory -to throwing it overboard. For some time they despaired of saving the -ship. Toward daybreak, however, they managed to extinguish the flames -and were saved that danger. In the morning a careful inspection of the -ship was made. A fearful situation was revealed. She had been torn to -pieces. It was hardly safe for the officers and men to remain on the -after part of the ship. Everything that supported the upper deck -except a few stanchions had been torn away. Her rotten timbers had -offered no resistance to the Serapis' searching shot. Jones writes: - - -"With respect to the situation of the Bon Homme Richard, the rudder -was cut entirely off, the stern frame and the transoms were almost -entirely cut away; the timbers, by the lower deck especially, from the -mainmast to the stern, being greatly decayed with age, were mangled -beyond my power of description, and a person must have been an -eyewitness to form a just idea of the tremendous scene of carnage, -wreck, and ruin that everywhere appeared. Humanity can not but recoil -from the prospect of such finished horror, and lament that war should -produce such fatal consequences." - - -It was evident that nothing less than a miracle could keep her afloat -even in the calmest weather. With a perfectly natural feeling Jones -determined to try it. - -A large detail from the Pallas was set to work pumping her out. Every -effort, meanwhile, was made to patch her up so that she could be -brought into the harbor. The efforts were in vain. Owing to the -decayed condition of her timbers, even the poor remnants of her frames -that were left standing aft could not bear the slightest repairing. -She settled lower and lower in the water, until, having been surveyed -by the carpenters and various men of experience, including Captain de -Cottineau, about five o'clock in the evening it was determined to -abandon her. It was time. She threatened to sink at any moment--would -surely have sunk, indeed, if the pumps had stopped. She was filled -with helpless wounded and prisoners. They had to be taken off before -she went down. - -During the night everybody worked desperately transferring the wounded -to the other ships, further details of men from the Pallas being told -off to man the frigate and keep her afloat. Such was the haste with -which they worked that they barely succeeded in trans-shipping the -last of the wounded just before daybreak on the 25th. Although the sea -fortunately continued smooth, the poor wounded suffered frightfully -from the rough handling necessitated by the rapid transfer. - -The removal of the prisoners from the Richard was now begun; -naturally, these men, expecting the ship to sink at any moment, were -frantic with terror. They had only been kept down by the most rigorous -measures. As day broke, the light revealed to them the nearness of the -approaching end of the ship. They also realized that they greatly -outnumbered the Americans remaining on the Richard. There was a -hurried consultation among them: a quick rush, and they made a -desperate attempt to take the ship. Some endeavored to overpower the -Americans, others ran to the braces and wheel and got the head of the -ship toward the land. A brief struggle ensued. The Americans were all -heavily armed, the English had few weapons, and after two of them had -been shot dead, many wounded, and others thrown overboard, they were -subdued once more and the ship regained. In the confusion some -thirteen of them got possession of a boat and escaped in the gray of -the morning to the shore. By close, quick work during the early -morning all the men alive, prisoners and crew, were embarked in the -boats of the squadron before the Richard finally disappeared.[18] At -ten o'clock in the morning of the 25th she plunged forward and went -down bow foremost. The great battle flag under which she had been -fought, which had been shot away during the action, had been picked up -and reset. It fluttered above her as she slowly sank beneath the -sea.[19] - -So filled had been the busy hours, and so many had been the demands -made upon him in every direction, that Jones, ever careless of himself -in others' needs, lost all of his personal wardrobe, papers, and other -property. They went down with the ship. From the deck of the Serapis, -Jones, with longing eyes and mingled feelings, watched the great old -Indiaman, which had earned everlasting immortality because for three -brief hours he and his men had battled upon her worn-out decks, sink -beneath the sea. Most of those who had given their lives in defense of -her in the battle lay still and silent upon her decks. There had been -no time to spare to the dead. Like the Vikings of old, they found -their coffin in her riven sides, and sleep to-day in the quiet of the -great deep on the scene of their glory. During the interval after the -action, a jury rig had been improvised on the Serapis, which had not -been severely cut up below by the light guns of the Richard, and was -therefore entirely seaworthy, and the squadron bore away by Jones' -orders for Dunkirk, France. - -Before we pass to a consideration of the subsequent movements of the -squadron, a further comparison between the Richard and the Serapis, -with some statement of the losses sustained and the various factors -which were calculated to bring about the end, will be in order, and -will reveal much that is interesting. The accounts of the losses upon -the two ships widely differ. Jones reported for the Richard forty-nine -killed and sixty-seven wounded; total, one hundred and sixteen out of -three hundred; but the number is confessedly incomplete. Pearson, for -the Serapis, reported the same number of killed and sixty-eight -wounded, out of a crew of three hundred and twenty; but it is highly -probable that the loss in both cases was much greater. The records, as -we have seen, were badly kept on the Richard, and most of them were -lost when the ship went down. The books of the Serapis seemed to have -fared equally ill in the confusion. The crews of both ships were -scattered throughout the several ships of the American squadron, and -accurate information was practically unobtainable. Jones, who was in a -better position than Pearson for ascertaining the facts, reports the -loss of the Serapis as over two hundred men, which is probably nearly -correct, and the loss of the Richard was probably not far from one -hundred and fifty men. The Countess of Scarborough lost four killed -and twenty wounded. The loss of the Pallas was slight, and that of the -Alliance and Vengeance nothing. - -However this may be, the battle was one of the most sanguinary and -desperate ever fought upon the sea. It was unique in that the beaten -ship, which was finally sunk by the guns of her antagonist, actually -compelled that antagonist to surrender. It was remarkable for the -heroism manifested by both crews. It is invidious, perhaps, to make a -comparison on that score, yet, if the contrast can be legitimately -drawn, the result is decidedly in favor of the Richard's men, for they -had not only the enemy to occupy their attention, but they sustained -and did not succumb to the treacherous attack of the Alliance in the -rear. The men of the Serapis were, of course, disheartened and their -nerves shattered by the explosion which occurred at the close of the -action, but a similar and equally dreadful misfortune had occurred at -the commencement of the engagement on the Richard, in the blowing up -of the two 18-pounders. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred either -of these two terrible incidents would have caused a prompt surrender -of the ship on which they occurred; but the Richard's men rallied from -the former, and it must not be forgotten that the Serapis' men did the -like from the latter, for they had recommenced the fire of their guns -just as Pearson hauled down his flag. - -The officers on the two ships appear to have done their whole duty, -and the difference, as I have said, lay in the relative qualities of -the two captains. Jones could not be beaten, Pearson could. When -humanity enters into a conflict with a man like Jones, it must make up -its mind to eventually discontinue the fight or else remove the man. -Fortunately, Jones, though slightly wounded, was not removed; -therefore Pearson had to surrender. Next to Jones, the most unique -personality which was produced by the action was Richard Dale. I do -not refer to his personal courage--he was no braver than Pearson; -neither was Jones, for that matter; in fact, the bravery of all three -was of the highest order--but to his astonishing presence of mind and -resource at that crucial moment which was the third principal incident -of the battle, when the English prisoners were released. The more one -thinks of the prompt, ready way in which he cajoled, commanded, and -coerced these prisoners into manning the pumps so that his own men -could continue the battle, the result of which, if they succeeded -would be to retain the English still as prisoners, the more one -marvels at it. The fame of Dale has been somewhat obscured in the -greater fame of Jones, but he deserves the very highest praise for his -astonishing action. And in every possible public way Jones freely -accorded the greatest credit to him. - -There is one other fact in connection with the battle which must be -mentioned. The English have always claimed that the presence of the -Alliance decided Pearson to surrender. In justice, I have no doubt -that it did exercise a moral influence upon the English captain. In -the confusion of the fight, what damage, whether little or great, had -been done to the Serapis by the fire of the Alliance could not be -definitely ascertained. Again, it would never enter the head of an -ordinary commander that the Alliance was deliberately firing into her -consort. So far as can be determined now, no damage worthy of account -had been done to the English ship by the Alliance; but Pearson knew -she was there, and he had a right to believe that she would return at -any time. When she returned, if she should take position on the -starboard side of the Serapis, the unengaged side, he would have to -strike at once. - -Something of this sort may have been in his mind, and it would -undoubtedly contribute to decide him to surrender; but, admitting all -this, he should have delayed the formal surrender until the possible -contingency had developed into a reality, until he actually saw the -Alliance alongside of him again. As a matter of fact, he did not -strike until about thirty minutes after the Alliance had fired the -last broadside and sailed away. The American frigate was out of -gunshot when he surrendered, and going farther from him with every -minute. - -Imagine what Jones would have done under similar circumstances! -Indeed, we do not have to imagine what he would have done, for as it -happened the Alliance had on two occasions fired full upon him, and he -was actually in the dilemma which Pearson imagined he might fall into, -and yet it only re-enforced his already resolute determination to -continue the fight more fiercely than ever. A nice point this: with -Pearson the Alliance was an imaginary danger, with Jones a real one! -While the presence of the Alliance, therefore, explains in a measure -Pearson's surrender, it does not enhance his reputation for dogged -determination. The unheard-of resistance which he had met from the -Richard, the persistence with which the attack was carried on, the -apparently utterly unconquerable nature of his antagonist--of whose -difficulties on the Richard he was not aware, for there was no -evidence of faltering in the battle--the frightful attack he had -received, and his isolation upon the deck filled with dead and dying -men, broke his own power of resistance. There were two things beaten -on that day--the Richard and Pearson; one might almost say three -things: both ships and the captain of one. It is generally admitted, -even by the English, that the result would have been the same if the -Alliance had never appeared on the scene. No, it was a fair and square -stand-up fight, and a fair and square defeat.[20] - -The conduct of Landais has presented a problem difficult of solution. -It has been surmised, and upon the warrant of his own statement, that -he would have thought it no harm if the Richard had struck to the -Serapis, and he could have had the glory of recapturing her and then -forcing the surrender of the English frigate; but whether he really -meant by his dastardly conduct to compel this situation from which he -trusted he could reap so much honor, is another story. Most of the -historians have been unable to see anything in his actions but -jealousy and treachery. The most eminent critic, however, who has -treated of the battle[21] has thought his actions arose from an -incapacity, coupled with a timidity amounting to cowardice, which -utterly blinded his judgment; that he was desirous of doing something, -and felt it incumbent upon him to take some part in the action and -that his firing into the Richard was due to incompetency rather than -to anything else. With all deference, it is difficult to agree with -this proposition. The officers of the squadron, in a paper which was -prepared less than a month after the action, bore conclusive testimony -that while it is true that he was an incapable coward, he was, in -addition, either a jealous traitor, or--and this is the only other -supposition which will account for his action--that he was -irresponsible, in short, insane. This is a conclusion to which his own -officers afterward arrived, and which his subsequent career seems to -bear out. At any rate, this is the most charitable explanation of his -conduct which can be adopted. If he had been simply cowardly, he could -have done some service by attacking the unprotected convoy, which was -entirely at his mercy, and among which he could have easily taken some -valuable prizes. It is stated to their credit that some of the -officers of the Alliance remonstrated with Landais, and pointed out to -him that he was attacking the wrong ship, and that some of his men -refused to obey his orders to fire. - -There is but one other circumstance to which it is necessary to refer. -All the plans of the battle which are extant, and all the descriptions -which have been made, from Cooper to Maclay and Spears, show that the -Richard passed ahead of the Serapis and was raked; and that the -Serapis then ranged alongside to windward of the American and -presently succeeded in crossing the Richard's bow and raking her a -second time. Richard Dale's account, in Sherburne's Life of Paul -Jones, written some forty-six years after the action, seems to bear -out this idea. Jones himself, whose report is condensed and -unfortunately wanting in detail, says: "Every method was practiced on -both sides to gain an advantage and rake each other, and I must -confess that the enemy's ship, being much more manageable than the Bon -Homme Richard, gained thereby several times an advantageous situation, -in spite of my best endeavors to prevent it." Nathaniel Fanning, -midshipman of the maintop in the action, stated in his narrative, -published in 1806, twenty-seven years later, that the Serapis raked -the Richard several times. - -Notwithstanding this weight of apparent testimony, I must agree with -Captain Mahan in his conclusion that the Serapis, until the ships were -lashed together, engaged the Richard with her port battery only, and -that the plan as given above is correct. In the first place, Jones' -statement is too indefinite to base a conclusion upon unless clearly -corroborated by other evidence. Dale, being in the batteries, where he -could hardly see the maneuvers, and writing from memory after a lapse -of many years, may well have been mistaken. Fanning's narrative is -contradicted by the articles which he signed concerning the conduct of -Landais, in October, 1779, in the Texel, so that his earliest -statement is at variance with his final recollection, and Fanning is -not very reliable at best. - -However, we might accept the statements of these men as decisive were -it not for the fact that Pearson, whose report is very explicit -indeed, makes no claim whatever to having succeeded in raking the -Richard, though it would be so greatly to his credit if he had done so -that it is hardly probable he would fail to state it. His account of -the battle accords with the plan of the present work. Again, when the -Serapis engaged the Richard in the final grapple, she had to blow off -her starboard port shutters, which were therefore tightly closed. If -she had been engaged to starboard (which would necessarily follow if -she had been on the port side of the Richard at any time), the ports -would have been opened.[22] This is not absolutely conclusive, -because, of course, it would be possible that the ports might have -been closed when the men were shifted to the other battery, but in the -heat of the action such a measure would be so improbable as to be -worthy of little consideration. But the most conclusive testimony to -the fact that the Serapis was not on the port side of the Richard at -any time is found in the charges which were signed by the officers -concerning the conduct of Landais. Article 19 reads: "As the most -dangerous shot which the Bon Homme Richard received under the water -were under the larboard bow and quarter, they must have come from the -Alliance, _for the Serapis was on the other side_."[23] - -Captain Mahan well sums it up: "As Landais' honor, if not his life, -was at stake in these charges, it is not to be supposed that six -officers (besides two French marine officers), four of whom were -specially well situated for seeing, would have made this statement if -the Serapis had at any time been in position to fire those shots." - -This consideration, therefore, seems to settle the question. Again, -the maneuvers as they have been described in this volume are the -simple and natural evolutions which, under the existing conditions of -wind and weather and the relative positions of the two ships, would -have been in all human probability carried out. The attempt to put the -ships in the different positions of the commonly accepted plans -involves a series of highly complicated and unnecessary evolutions -(scarcely possible, in fact, in the very light breeze), which no -commander would be apt to attempt in the heat of action unless most -serious contingencies rendered them inevitable. - - - - -CHAPTER XII. -UPHOLDING AMERICAN HONOR IN THE TEXEL. - - -After the sinking of the Richard, Jones turned his attention to the -squadron. Those ships which had been in action were now ready for sea, -so far, at least, as it was possible to make them, and it was -necessary to make a safe port as soon as possible. He had now some -five hundred English prisoners, including Captains Pearson and Piercy -and their officers, in his possession. These equaled all the American -seamen held captive by the English, and, with one of the main objects -of his expedition in view, Jones earnestly desired to make a French -port, in which case his prizes would be secure and he would be able to -effect a proper exchange of prisoners. But the original destination of -the squadron had been the Texel. It is evident that in sending the -squadron into the Zuyder Zee Franklin shrewdly contemplated the -possibility of so compromising Holland by the presence of the ships as -to force a recognition from that important maritime and commercial -power of the belligerency of the United States. This was the real -purport of the orders. There was an ostensible reason, however, in the -presence of a large fleet of merchant vessels in the Texel, which -would be ready for sailing for France in October, and Jones' squadron -could give them a safe convoy. - -The events of the cruise had brought about a somewhat different -situation from that contemplated in the original orders, and Jones was -undoubtedly within his rights in determining to enter Dunkirk, the -most available French port; in which event the difficulties which -afterward arose concerning the exchange of prisoners and the -disposition of the prizes would never have presented themselves. In -the latter case, however, the hand of Holland might not have been so -promptly forced, and the recognition accorded this country would -probably have been much longer delayed, although in the end it would -have come. But the balance of advantage lay with Jones' choice of -Dunkirk. - -For a week the ships beat up against contrary winds, endeavoring to -make that port. Their position was most precarious. Sixteen sail, -including several ships of the line, were seeking the audacious -invaders, and they were likely to overhaul them at any time. The -Frenchmen naturally grew nervous over the prospect. Finally, the -captains, who had been remonstrating daily with Jones, refused to obey -his orders any longer; and, the wind continuing unfavorable for -France, they actually deserted the Serapis, running off to leeward in -a mass and heading for the Texel. - -The officers of the American squadron were fully aware of the assigned -destination, although the deep reasons for Franklin's subtle policy -had probably not been communicated to them. In view of this -unprecedented situation, which may be traced distinctly to the -concordat, there was nothing left to Jones but to swallow the affront -as best he might, and follow his unruly squadron. - -Landais had not yet been deposed from the command of the Alliance, -because it would have probably required force to arrest him on the -deck of his own ship, and an internecine conflict might have been -precipitated in his command. On the 3d of October, having made a quick -run of it, the squadron entered the Texel. - -From the mainland of the Dutch Republic, now the Kingdom of the -Netherlands, the state of North Holland thrusts a bold wedge of land -far to the northward, between the foaming surges of the German Ocean -on the one hand, and the tempest-tossed waters of the Zuyder Zee on -the other. Opposite the present mighty fortifications of Helder, -justly considered the Gibraltar of the North, which terminate the -peninsula, lies a deep and splendid channel, bounded on the north side -by the island of Texel, from which the famous passage gets its name. -Through this ocean gateway, from time immemorial, a splendid -procession of gallant ships and hardy men have gone forth to discover -new worlds, to found new countries, to open up new avenues of trade -with distant empires, and to uphold the honor of the Orange flag in -desperate battles on the sea. Through the pass sailed the first great -Christian foreign missionary expedition of modern times, when in 1624 -the Dutchmen carried the Gospel to the distant island of Formosa, the -beautiful. - -Brederode and the wild beggars of the sea; Tromp, De Ruyter, van -Heemskerk, De Winter, leading their fleets to battles which made their -names famous, had plowed through the deep channel with their lumbering -keels. Of smaller ships from these familiar shores, the little Half -Moon, of Henry Hudson, and the pilgrim-laden Mayflower had taken their -departure. But no bolder officer nor better seaman had ever made the -passage than the little man on the deck of the battered Serapis on -that raw October morning. It is a rather interesting coincidence that -among the prizes of this cruise was one which bore the name of the -Mayflower. - -As the cables of the ships tore through the hawse pipes when they -dropped anchor, Jones may have imagined that his troubles were over. -As a matter of fact, they had just begun, and his stay in the Texel -was not the least arduous nor the least brilliant period in his life. -His conduct in the trying circumstances in which he found himself was -beyond reproach. The instant that he appeared, Sir Joseph Yorke, the -able and influential Minister of England at The Hague, demanded that -the States-General deliver the Serapis and the Scarborough to him and -compel the return of the English prisoners held by Jones, and that the -American "Pirate" should be ordered to leave the Texel immediately, -which would, of course, result in the certain capture of his ships, -for the English pursuing squadron appeared off the mouth of the -channel almost immediately after Jones' entrance. - -Sir Joseph made the point--and it was a pretty one--that by the terms -of past treaties prizes taken by ships whose commanders bore the -commission of no recognized power or sovereign were to be returned to -the English whenever they fell into the hands of Holland. This placed -the States-General in a dilemma. Paul Jones would show no commission -except that of America; indeed, he had no other. In Sir Joseph's mind -the situation was this: The States-General would comply with the terms -of the treaty or it would not. If it did, he would get possession of -the ships and of Jones as well. If it did not, the logic of events -would indicate that the States-General considered the commission which -Paul Jones bore as being valid, in that it was issued by a sovereign -power. This would be in effect a recognition of belligerency. In other -words, the shrewd British diplomatist was endeavoring to force the -hand of the States-General. To determine the position of Holland with -regard to the revolted colonies of Great Britain was a matter of -greater moment than to secure Paul Jones or to receive the two ships, -the loss of which, except so far as it affronted the pride of England, -was of no consequence whatever. The States-General, however, -endeavored to evade the issue and postpone the decision, for, while -their "High Mightinesses" refused to cause the ships to be given up, -they ordered Jones to leave the harbor at once, and they earnestly -disclaimed any intention of recognizing the revolted colonies. - -As a matter of fact, since there were two parties in the government of -Holland, and two opinions on the subject, they could come to no more -definite conclusion. Jones was intensely popular with the people, and -the democratic opinion favored the immediate recognition of American -independence, and protested against any arbitrary action toward him -and his ships. The Prince of Orange and the aristocratic party took -the contrary view, and they pressed it upon him as far as they dared. -Realizing the precarious nature of his stay in Holland, Jones -immediately set to work with his usual energy to refit the ships, -especially the Serapis. Dispatching a full account of his cruise and -his expedition to Franklin, he went in person to Amsterdam to -facilitate his desire. A contemporary account states that he was -dressed in an American naval uniform,[24] wearing on his head, instead -of the usual cocked hat, a Scotch bonnet edged with gold lace. - -When he appeared in the exchange he received a popular ovation, which -naturally greatly pleased him. However, he modestly strove to escape -the overwhelming demonstrations of admiration and approval with which -he was greeted, by retiring to a coffee room, but he was compelled to -show himself again and again at the window in response to repeated -demands from crowds of people assembled in the street who desired a -sight of him. He was made the hero of song and story, and one of the -ballads of the time, a rude, rollicking, drinking song, very popular -among sailors, which celebrates his exploits, is sung to this day in -the streets of Amsterdam.[25] So delighted were the Dutch with the -humiliation he had inflicted upon their ancient enemy that some of the -principal men of the nation, including the celebrated Baron van der -Capellen, subsequently noted for his friendship for America (evidently -not in harmony with the aristocratic party), entered into a -correspondence with him, which must have been highly flattering to -him, from the expressions of admiration and approval with which every -letter of the baron's abounds. They desired to receive at first hand -an account of his exploits. In response to this request Jones had his -report to Dr. Franklin copied and sent to van der Capellen, together -with other documents illustrative of his career, accompanied by the -following letter: - - -"On Board the Serapis at the Texel, - "_October 19, 1779_. - -"My Lord: Human nature and America are under a very singular -obligation to you for your patriotism and friendship, and I feel every -grateful sentiment for your generous and polite letter. - -"Agreeable to your request I have the honour to inclose a copy of my -letter to his Excellency Doctor Franklin, containing a particular -account of my late expedition on the coasts of Britain and Ireland, by -which you will see that I have already been praised far more than I -have deserved; but I must at the same time beg leave to observe that -by the other papers which I take the liberty to inclose (particularly -the copy of my letter to the Countess of Selkirk, dated the day of my -arrival at Brest from the Irish Sea), I hope you will be convinced -that in the British prints I have been censured unjustly. I was, -indeed, born in Britain, but I do not inherit the degenerate spirit of -that fallen nation, which I at once lament and despise. It is far -beneath me to reply to their hireling invectives. They are strangers -to the inward approbation that greatly animates and rewards the man -who draws his sword only in support of the dignity of freedom. - -"_America has been the country of my fond election from the age of -thirteen, when I first saw it_.[26] I had the honour to hoist, with my -own hands, the flag of freedom, the first time that it was displayed -on the Delaware, and I have attended it with veneration ever since on -the Ocean; I see it respected even here, in spite of the pitiful Sir -Joseph, and I ardently wish and hope very soon to exchange a salute -with the flag of this Republick. Let but the two Republicks join -hands, and they will give Peace to the World." - - -Among the documents transmitted was the famous letter to Lady Selkirk, -of which sententious epistle he evidently remained inordinately proud. -In acknowledging this courtesy van der Capellen wrote as follows: - - -"The perusal of the letters with which you have favoured me has done -the very same effect upon me that his Excell. Dr. Franklin expected -they would do on the Countess of Selkirk, as you are represented in -some of our Newspapers as a rough, unpolished sailor, not only, but -even as a man of little understanding and no morals and sensibility, -and as I think the 4 papers extremely fit to destroy these malicious -aspersions, I must take the liberty of asking your permission to -publish them in our gazettes. The public will soon make this very just -conclusion that the man honoured by the friendship and intimacy of a -Franklin can not be such as you have been represented.[27] There are -three points on which you will oblige me by giving some elucidation, -1st. whether you have any obligations to Lord Selkirk? 2d. whether -Lady Selkirk has accepted your generous offer? 3d. whether you have a -commission of France besides that of the Congress? 'Tis not a vain -curiosity that incites me to be so importunate; no, sir, the two first -questions are often repeated to me by your enemies, or, at least, by -prejudiced people; and as to the last, a relative of mine, a known -friend of America, has addressed himself to me for information on that -subject, which he will be glad to have before the States of his -province, of which he is a member (but not yet, as I am, expelled the -house), be assembled. - -"You will greatly oblige me by sending me as soon as possible such -information as you will think proper to grant. - -"You may rely on our discretion; we can keep a secret, too. I am in a -great hurry, with the most perfect esteem ..." - - -The baron's statement gives us a contemporary opinion--one of entire -approbation, by the way--of the letter to Lady Selkirk, and it shows -us that our great-grandfathers looked at things with different eyes -from ours. - -In reply, Jones dispatched the following letter a month later: - - -"Alliance, Texel, _November 29, 1779_. - -"My Lord: Since I had the honour to receive your second esteemed -letter I have unexpectedly had occasion to revisit Amsterdam; and, -having changed ships since my return to the Texel, I have by some -accident or neglect lost or mislaid your letter. I remember, however, -the questions it contained: 1st, whether I ever had any obligation to -Lord Selkirk? 2dly, whether he accepted my offer? and 3dly, whether I -have a French commission? I answer: I have never had any obligation to -Lord Selkirk, except for his good opinion, nor does know me nor mine -except by character. Lord Selkirk wrote me an answer to my letter to -the Countess, but the Ministry detained it in the general post office -in London for a long time, and then returned it to the author, who -afterward wrote to a friend of his (M. Alexander), an acquaintance of -Doctor Franklin's then at Paris, giving him an account of the fate of -his letter to me & desiring him to acquaint his Excellency and myself -that if the plate was restored by Congress or by any public Body he -would accept it, but that he would not think of accepting it from my -private generosity. The plate has, however, been bought, agreeable to -my letter to the Countess, and now lays in France at her disposal. As -to the 3rd article, _I never bore nor acted under any other commission -than what I have received from the Congress of the United States of -America_.[28] - -"I am much obliged to you, my Lord, for the honour you do me by -proposing to publish the papers I sent you in my last, but it is an -honour which I must decline, because I can not publish my letter to a -lady without asking and obtaining the lady's consent, and because I -have a very modest opinion of my writings, being conscious that they -are not of sufficient value to claim the notice of the public. I -assure you, my Lord, it has given me much concern to see an extract of -my rough journal in print, and that, too, under the disadvantage of a -translation. That mistaken kindness of a friend will make me cautious -how I communicate my papers. - -"I have the honour to be, my Lord, with great esteem and respect, - - "Your most obliged, - - "And very humble servant." - - -The nice delicacy of his conduct in refusing to permit the publication -of a letter to a lady without her consent goes very far toward -redeeming the absurdity of the letter itself. While this interesting -correspondence was going on, events of great moment were transpiring. -In the first place, Captain Pearson was protesting against his -detention as a prisoner in the most vehement way, and otherwise -behaving in a very ill-bred manner. When the commodore offered to -return him his plate, linen, and other property, which had been taken -from the Serapis, he refused to accept it from Jones; but he intimated -that he would receive it from the hand of Captain de Cottineau! Jones -had the magnanimity to overlook this petty quibbling, and returned the -property through the desired channel. Pearson, like Jones, was of -humble origin; but, unlike Jones, he never seems to have risen above -it. On October 19th he addressed the following note to Jones: - - -"Pallas, Tuesday Evening, _October 19, 1779_. -"_Captain Jones, Serapis_. - -"Captain Pearson presents his compliments to Captain Jones, and is -sorry to find himself so little attended to in his present situation -as not to have been favoured with either a _Call_ or a line from -Captain Jones since his return from Amsterdam. Captain P ... is sorry -to say that he can not look upon such behaviour in any other light -than as a breach of that _Civility_, which his Rank, as well as -behaviour on all occasions entitles to, he at the same time wishes to -be informed by Captain Jones whether any _Steps has_ been taken toward -the enlargement or exchange of him, his officers and people, or what -is intended to be done with them. As he can not help thinking it a -very unprecedented circumstance their being _keeped_ here as prisoners -on board of ship, being so long in a neutral port." - -He received in return this decided and definite reply: - - -"Serapis, Wednesday, _October 20, 1779_. -"_Captain Pearson_. - -"Sir: As you have not been prevented from corresponding with your -friends, and particularly with the English ambassador at The Hague, I -could not suppose you to be unacquainted with his memorial, of the -8th, to the States-General, and therefore I thought it fruitless to -pursue the negotiation for the exchange of the prisoners of war now in -our hands. - -"I wished to avoid any painful altercation with you on that subject; I -was persuaded that you had been in the highest degree sensible that my -behaviour 'toward you had been far from a breach of civility.' This -charge is not, Sir, a civil return for the polite hospitality and -disinterested attentions which you have hitherto experienced. - -"I know not what difference of respect is due to 'Rank,' between your -service and ours; I suppose, however, the difference must be thought -_very great_ in England, since I am informed that Captain Cunningham, -of equal denomination, and who bears a senior rank in the service of -America, than yours in the service of England, is now confined at -Plymouth _in a dungeon, and in fetters_. - -"Humanity, which hath hitherto superseded the plea of retaliation in -American breasts, has induced me (notwithstanding the procedure of Sir -Joseph Yorke) to seek after permission to land the dangerously -wounded, as well prisoners as Americans, to be supported and cured at -the expense of our Continent. The permission of the Government has -been obtained, but the magistrates continue to make objections. I -shall not discontinue my application. I am ready to adopt any means -that you may propose for their preservation and recovery, and in the -meantime we shall continue to treat them with the utmost care and -attention, equally, as you know, to the treatment of our people of the -same rank. - -"As it is possible that you have not yet seen the memorial of your -ambassador to the States-General, I enclose a paper which contains a -copy, and I believe he has since written what, in the opinion of good -men, will do still less honour to his pen. - -"I can not conclude without informing you that unless Captain -Cunningham is immediately better treated in England, I expect orders -in consequence from His Excellency Dr. Franklin; therefore, I beseech -you, Sir, to interfere." - - -The States-General having refused to consent to the restoration of the -ships and the surrender of the prisoners, Paul Jones went to The Hague -for the purpose of pleading his own cause; and there, through the -representations of the French ambassador, the Duc de la Vauguyon, -received permission from their High Mightinesses to land the more -dangerously wounded among his prisoners and crew as well, numbering -over one hundred, in order that he might better care for them and -establish them in more comfortable quarters than the crowded ships -permitted. - -From motives of humanity, in view of the condition of the prisoners, -Sir Joseph Yorke acquiesced in this arrangement. It was first proposed -that Jones should land them and establish a hospital at Helder; but -the magistrates of that town objecting to the proposition, a fort on -the Texel was assigned to him, of which the entire charge was -committed to him. Colonel de Weibert, with a sufficient force to -garrison the works, was placed in command of the fort. - -Meanwhile, the charges against Landais, having been formulated and -signed, were dispatched to Franklin, who, with the consent of the -French Government, ordered him to resign the command of the Alliance -and repair immediately to Paris. Before he left the Texel the erratic -Frenchman compelled Captain de Cottineau to accord him the honor of a -duel. As Landais was an expert swordsman, he succeeded in severely -wounding his less skillful but far more worthy antagonist. Elated by -this exploit, the mad Frenchman sent Jones a challenge also. In reply -to Landais' note, the commodore, Marius-like, promptly dispatched men -to arrest him; but Landais got wind of the attempt and hastened to -escape, taking up his departure for Paris. During the stay in the -Texel Jones succeeded in effecting the exchange of Captain Pearson for -Captain Gustavus Cunningham, whom he had at last the pleasure of -receiving upon his own ship.[29] Meanwhile, with true British -persistence, Sir Joseph kept at the States-General, and it in turn -pressed upon Jones, who imperturbably passed the matter on to the -French ambassador and Dr. Franklin. - -On the 12th of November, to relieve a situation which had become -well-nigh insupportable, the French Government, with the consent of -Franklin, directed that the command of the Serapis should be given to -Captain de Cottineau, and that all the other vessels, except the -Alliance, to which the French had no claim, should hoist the French -flag, and that the Americans should be sent on board the Alliance, -which should be turned over to Paul Jones. To his everlasting regret, -Jones had to obey the heartbreaking order, and in one moment found -himself deprived of his command and his prizes taken from him. It was -a crushing blow, but he had no option save to bear it as best he -could. The exchange was effected at night, and the next morning, when -the Dutch admiral sent his flag captain on board the Serapis to -attempt his usual bullying, he was surprised to see the French flag -flying from her gaff end, and to be informed that she was now the -property of France, as were all the other ships except the Alliance. -Proceedings at once, therefore, fell to the ground as regarded all the -ships but the American frigate. There was no possible reason for -giving up the ships of the French king to the British Government, so -Sir Joseph Yorke necessarily, although with a very bad grace, dropped -the matter, and a short time after the French ships and the prizes -sailed with the merchant fleet under a strong Dutch convoy for France, -where they all arrived safely. Yorke persisted, however, in attempting -to secure the person of Jones, it is gravely alleged, through the -efforts of private individuals, kidnappers or bravos. At any rate, he -redoubled his representations regarding the Alliance, and his efforts -to force the departure of the ship that she might fall into the hands -of the waiting English. - -The Serapis had been thoroughly overhauled and refitted, and the other -ships, with the exception of the Alliance, were in good shape. By his -unsailorly antics and foolish arrangements Landais had almost -destroyed the qualities of that noble frigate. She was in a dreadful -condition. Thirteen Dutch men-of-war, all of them two-deckers, or line -of battle ships, had assembled in the Texel to enforce the orders of -the States-General, which, on the 17th of November, by a specific -resolution directed the Admiralty Board at Amsterdam to command Jones -to let no opportunity escape to put to sea, as the approach of winter -might make his departure inconvenient or impossible if he delayed -longer. Vice-Admiral Rhynst, who had succeeded Captain Rimersina (like -van der Capellen, another friend of the United States) in the command -of the Dutch fleet, was peremptorily ordered to permit no delay which -was not unavoidable in the carrying out of these orders. He was -instructed and empowered to use force if necessary. Outside the harbor -there was a constantly increasing number of English ships, so that -Jones found himself "between the devil and the deep sea." He was not -to be intimidated, however, and he absolutely refused to go out at all -until he was ready, sending Admiral Rhynst a rather boastful letter to -the effect that he could not engage more than three times his force -with any hope of success, but were the odds any less he should go out -at once. M. Dumas, the French commissary and the agent of the United -States at The Hague, had been directed to proceed to the Texel and do -what he could for Jones, and an interesting correspondence was carried -on between them and the French ambassador on the subject of Jones' -departure. With clear-eyed diplomacy and stubborn resolution the -American held on; go he would not until he was ready! It was, no -doubt, very exasperating to the Dutch, and they did everything -possible save using force to get rid of their unwelcome visitor. - -The Alliance, as has been stated, was in an unseaworthy condition. An -old-fashioned sailing vessel was as complex and delicate a thing as a -woman; rude, brutal, and unskillful handling had the same effect on -both of them--it spoiled them. Jones at once began the weary work of -refitting her so far as his limited resources provided. The powder -which had been saved from the wreck of the Richard replaced the -spoiled ammunition of the Alliance. Two cables had been borrowed from -the Serapis, and such other steps taken as were possible. When the -squadron was turned over to France the prisoners, except those already -exchanged by agreement between Jones and Pearson, also were directed -to be surrendered to the French Government, who immediately exchanged -them with the English for an equal number of French prisoners, -promising Franklin that they would presently exchange a corresponding -number of French prisoners for the Americans. But Jones resolutely -refused to give up all of his prisoners. In spite of protests and -orders he re-embarked the hundred men who had been recovering from -their wounds in the fort on the Texel, and taking all the Americans of -the squadron, so that the Alliance was heavily overmanned, he made his -preparations to get away. - -At this time the Duc de la Vauguyon, by the direction of De Sartine, -made Jones the offer of a French naval letter of marque, which might -have protected the captain of the Alliance on her proposed homeward -passage, and have removed all legal cause of objection as to her stay -in the Texel. To this proposition, which he considered insulting, -Jones made the following characteristic answer: - - -"My Lord: Perhaps there are many men in the world who would esteem as -an honour the commission that I have this day refused. My rank from -the beginning knew no superior in the marine of America; how then must -I be humbled were I to accept a letter of marque! I should, my lord, -esteem myself inexcusable were I to accept even a commission of equal -or superior denomination to that I bear, unless I were previously -authorised by Congress, or some other competent authority in Europe. -And I must tell you that, on my arrival at Brest from the Irish -Channel, Count D'Orvilliers offered to procure for me from court a -commission of '_Capitaine de Vaisseau_,' which I did not then accept -for the same reason, although the war between France and England was -not then begun, and of course the commission of France would have -protected me from an enemy of superior force. - -"It is a matter of the highest astonishment to me that, after so many -compliments and fair professions, the court should offer the present -insult to my understanding, and suppose me capable of disgracing my -present commission. I confess that I never merited all the praise -bestowed on my past conduct, but I also feel that I have far less -merited such a reward. Where profession and practice are so opposite I -am no longer weak enough to form a wrong conclusion. _They may think -as they please of me; for where I can not continue my esteem, praise -or censure from any man is to me a matter of indifference_.[30] - -"I am much obliged to them, however, for having at last fairly opened -my eyes, and enabled me to discover truth from falsehood. - -"The prisoners shall be delivered agreeable to the orders which you -have done me the honour to send me from his excellency the American -ambassador in France. - -"I will also with great pleasure not only permit a part of my seamen -to go on board the ships under your excellency's orders, but I will -also do my utmost to prevail with them to embark freely; and if I can -now or hereafter, by any other honourable means, facilitate the -success or the honour of his Majesty's arms, I pledge myself to you as -his ambassador, that none of his own subjects would bleed in his cause -with greater freedom than myself, an American. - -"It gives me the more pain, my lord, to write this letter, because the -court has enjoined you to prepare what would destroy my peace of mind, -and my future veracity in the opinion of the world. - -"When, _with the consent of the court_, and by order of the American -ambassador, I gave American commissions to French officers, I did not -fill up those commissions to command privateers, nor even for a rank -_equal_ to that of their commissions in the marine of France. They -were promoted to rank _far superior_. And why? Not from personal -friendship, nor from my knowledge of their services and abilities (the -men and their characters being entire strangers to me), but from the -respect which I believed America would wish to show for the service of -France. - -"While I remained eight months seemingly forgot by the court at Brest, -many commissions, such as that in question, were offered to me; and I -believe (when I am in pursuit of _plunder_) I can still obtain such an -one without application to court. - -"I hope, my lord, that my behaviour through life will ever entitle me -to the continuance of your good wishes and opinion, and that you will -take occasion to make mention of the warm and personal affection with -which my heart is impressed toward his Majesty." - - -In no other letter among the many which I have examined does Jones -appear in so brilliant and successful a light. His high-souled -decision, and his dignified but explicit way of conveying it, alike do -him the greatest credit. In the hands of such a man, not only his own -honor but that of his country would be perfectly safe always. As -usual, on the 16th of December, he inclosed a copy of his letter to -Franklin with the following original comment: - - -"I hope," he said, "that the within copy of my letter to the Duc de la -Vauguyon will meet your approbation, for I am persuaded that it never -could be your intention or wish that I should be made the tool of any -great r---- whatever; or that the commission of America should be -overlaid by the dirty piece of parchment which I have thus rejected! -They have played upon my good humour too long already, but the spell -is at last dissolved. They would play me off with assurance of the -personal and particular esteem of the king, to induce me to do what -would render me contemptible even in the eyes of my own servants! -Accustomed to speak untruths themselves, they would also have me to -give under my hand that I am a liar and a scoundrel. They are -mistaken, and I would tell them what you did to your naughty servant. -'We have too contemptible an opinion of one another's understanding to -live together.' I could tell them, too, that if M---- de C---- had not -taken such safe precautions to keep me honest by means of his famous -_concordat_, and to support me by so many able colleagues, these great -men would not have been reduced to such mean shifts; for the prisoners -could have been landed at Dunkirk the day that I entered the Texel, -and I could have brought in double the numbers." - - -After annoying him with daily injunctions and commands, on the 16th of -December Vice Admiral Rhynst finally commanded Jones to come on board -his flagship and report his intentions. Jones promptly refused to obey -this astonishing order, telling the Dutchman that he had no right to -order him anywhere. Whereupon the vice admiral wrote to him as -follows: - - -"I desire you by this present letter to inform me how I must consider -the Alliance which you are on board of: whether as a French or -American vessel. If the first, I expect you to cause his Majesty's -commission to be shown to me, and that you display the French flag and -pendant, announcing it by discharging a gun. If the second, I expect -you to omit no occasion of departing, according to the orders of their -High Mightinesses." - - -Jones had passed beyond the arguing point, and treated this -communication with contempt. He rightly judged that the Dutch would -not resort to force in the end, and he refused to go out to certain -capture; indeed, he would not move until he was ready and a fair -chance of escape presented itself. - -When the French Commissary of Marine at Amsterdam, the Chevalier de -Lironcourt, saw Rhynst's communication, which Jones sent to him, he -suggested that Jones might waive the point and display French colors -on his ship, disclaiming, at the same time, any ulterior motive not in -consonance with the dignity of the commander, on the part of himself -or his government, in this proposition. But Jones was not to be moved -from the stand he had taken. The man of the world was becoming the -dauntless citizen of the United States at last. He curtly told the -Dutch admiral that he had no orders to hoist any other flag than the -American, and that it only should fly from the gaff of his ship. He -also told him that as soon as a pilot would undertake to carry out his -ship he would leave. But his most significant action was to state -emphatically to the vice admiral's flag captain, who came aboard the -Alliance for an answer to his note of the 16th, that he was tired of -the annoyances, insults, and threats which had been directed at him -daily, and that they must be stopped in future, as he would receive no -more communications from the vice admiral. He also requested the flag -captain to say to his superior officer that, although the Dutch -flagship mounted sixty-four guns, if she and the Alliance were at sea -together the vice admiral's conduct toward him would not have been -tolerated for a moment. I have no doubt that Jones meant exactly what -he said, and I think the vice admiral was lucky in not being required -to test the declaration. From this time until his departure no -communications of any sort were received by Jones from his baffled and -silenced tormentor. - -He had done all that mortal man could do to retain his prizes, to -protract his stay in Dutch waters, to commit Holland to the side of -the United States, to effect an exchange of prisoners, and to maintain -the honor of the American flag. In doing this, on all sides he had -been harassed and insulted beyond measure. It was therefore some -consolation to him to receive on the 21st the following note of -explanation and apology from De la Vauguyon: - - -"_December 21, 1779_. - -"I perceive with pain, my dear commodore, that you do not view your -situation in the right light; and I can assure you that the ministers -of the king have no intention to cause you the least disagreeable -feeling, as the honourable testimonials of the esteem of his majesty, -which I send you, ought to convince you. I hope you will not doubt the -sincere desire with which you have inspired me to procure you every -satisfaction you may merit. It can not fail to incite you to give new -proofs of your zeal for the common cause of France and America. I -flatter myself to renew, before long, the occasion and to procure you -the means to increase still more the glory you have already acquired. -I am already occupied with all the interest I promised you; and if my -views are realized, as I have every reason to believe, you will be at -all events perfectly content; but I must pray you not to hinder any -project by delivering yourself to the expressions of those strong -sensations to which you appear to give way, and for which there is -really no foundation. You appear to possess full confidence in the -justice and kindness of the king; rely also upon the same sentiments -on the part of his ministers." - - -To this letter Jones sent the following reply; he was a generous man, -who bore no malice: - - -"Alliance, Texel, _December 25, 1779_. -"_The Duke de Vauguyon_. - -"My Lord: I have not a heart of stone, but I am duly sensible of the -obligations conferred on me by the very kind and affectionate letter -that you have done me the honour to write me the 21st current. - -"Were I to form my opinion of the ministry from the treatment that I -experienced while at Brest, or from their want of confidence in me -afterward, exclusive of what has taken place since I had the -misfortune to enter this port, I will appeal to your Excellency as a -man of candour and ingenuousness, whether I ought to desire to prolong -a connection that has made me so unhappy, and wherein I have given so -little satisfaction? M. de Chev. de Lironcourt has lately made me -reproaches on account of the expense that he says France has been at -_to give me reputation_, in preference to twenty captains of the royal -navy, better qualified than myself, and who, each of them, solicited -for the command that was lately given to me! This, I confess, is quite -new and indeed surprising to me, and had I known it before I left -France I certainly should have resigned in favour of the twenty men of -superior merit. I do not, however, think that his first assertion is -true, for the ministry must be unworthy of their places were they -capable of squandering the public money merely to give an individual -reputation! and as to the second, I fancy the court will not thank him -for having given me this information, whether true or false. I may add -here that, with a force so ill-composed, and with powers so limited, I -ran ten chances of ruin and dishonour for one of gaining reputation; -and had not the plea of humanity in favour of the unfortunate -Americans in English dungeons superseded all considerations of self, I -faithfully assure you, my lord, that I would not have proceeded under -such circumstances from Groix. I do not imbibe hasty prejudices -against any individual, but when many and repeated circumstances, -conspiring in one point, have inspired me with disesteem toward any -person, I must see very convincing proofs of reformation in such -person before my heart can beat again with affection in his favour; -for the mind is free, and can be bound only by kind treatment. - -"You do me great honour, as well as justice, my lord, by observing -that no satisfaction can be more precious to me than by giving new -proofs of my zeal for the common cause of France and America; and the -interest that you take to facilitate the means of my giving such -proofs by essential services, claims my best thanks. _I hope I shall -not, through any imprudence of mine, render ineffectual any noble -design that may be in contemplation for the general good._[31] -Whenever that object is mentioned, my private concerns are out of the -question, and where I can not speak exactly what I could wish with -respect to my private satisfaction, I promise you in the meantime to -observe a prudent silence. - -"With a deep sense of your generous sentiments of personal regard -toward me, and with the most sincere wishes to merit that regard by my -conduct through life." - - -The following extract from a letter to Robert Morris well indicates -how his treatment by the French ambassador rankled: - - -"By the within despatches for Congress I am persuaded you will observe -with pleasure that my connection with a court is at an end, and that -my prospect of returning to America approaches. The great seem to wish -only to be concerned with tools, who dare not speak or write truth. I -am not sorry that my connection with them is at an end. In the course -of that connection I ran ten chances of ruin and dishonour for one of -reputation; and all the honours or profit that France could bestow -should not tempt me again to undertake the same service with an -armament, equally ill composed, and with powers equally limited. It -affords me the most exalted pleasure to reflect that, when I return to -America, I can say that _I have served in Europe at my own expense, -and without the fee or reward of a court_,[32] When the prisoners we -have taken are safely lodged in France I shall have no further -business in Europe, as the liberty of our fellow citizens who now -suffer in English prisons will then be secured; and I shall hope -hereafter to be usefully employed under the immediate direction of the -Congress." - - -It is a remarkable thing that, during the perplexities and harassing -incidents of his stay in the Texel, with the constant demands made -upon him in every direction, the difficulties with which he had to -cope, the responsibilities he assumed, the problems he had to solve, -and the dangers grappled with, he found time to carry on such a -voluminous and extraordinary correspondence as has been preserved. -Among other documents he drew up a long memorial to Congress -recounting his career and public services to date, which is of much -service to those who strive to solve the enigma of his complex life -and character. The tendency to lionize a hero was as prevalent then as -now, and Jones was compelled by the exigencies of his situation to -refuse many invitations of a social nature at Amsterdam and The Hague. -"Duty," he says, "must take precedence of pleasure. I must wait a more -favourable opportunity to kiss the hands of the fair." Certain young -impressionable misses, after the custom of the day, indited poetical -effusions to him. In the hurry and rush of business he could only find -time in his replies to deplore the fact that so much was expected from -him that he could not respond in rhyme to these metrical -communications. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. -THE ESCAPE OF THE ALLIANCE. - - -Christmas day passed gloomily enough, I imagine, for the Americans on -the Alliance. There had been opportunities, of course, when it would -have been possible for Jones to have made the mouth of the harbor, but -his capture would have been inevitable. So, on one pretext or another, -he delayed until the night of the 27th of December, when he weighed -anchor and dropped down to the mouth of the Texel. Early the next -morning in a howling gale he dashed for the sea. On the same day he -sent the following note back to Dumas, and merrily proceeded on his -way: - - -"I am here, my dear sir, with a good wind at east, and under my best -American colours; so far you have your wish. What may be the event of -this critical moment I know not; I am not, however, without good -hopes. Through the ignorance or drunkenness of the old pilot the -Alliance last night got foul of a Dutch merchant ship, and I believe -the Dutchmen cut our cable. We lost the best bower anchor, and the -ship was brought up with the sheet anchor so near the shore that this -morning I have been obliged to cut the cable in order to get clear of -the shore, and that I might not lose this opportunity of escaping from -purgatory." - - -Though he had escaped from the Texel, his situation was one of extreme -peril. It is claimed that no less than forty sail were on the lookout -for him in the English Channel; and, besides those specifically -detailed for the purpose, there were a number of ships and at least -two great fleets at anchor in these narrow waters, which he would have -to pass. I suppose that never before had so many vessels been on the -lookout for a single ship as in this instance. It never seems to have -occurred to the blockading ships that Jones would attempt to pass down -the Channel; his safest course from the point of view of the ordinary -man would have been through the North Sea and around Scotland and -Ireland. But Jones was not an ordinary man, though the English refused -to see the fact. Consequently, his bold course took them by surprise, -and, as usual, by choosing apparently the most dangerous way he -escaped. And the way of it was this: By the exercise of his usual -seamanship Jones managed to hug the Flemish banks so closely that he -passed to windward of the British blockading ships, which were driven -to the northward by the same gale of which he had taken advantage. - -The wind came strongly from the east, and under a great press of -canvas the Alliance staggered away toward the south, keeping as close -as possible to the weather shore until all danger from the immediate -blockading fleet was avoided. Then Jones ran for the middle of the -Channel, and the next day the Alliance passed through the straits of -Dover and ran close to the Goodwin Sands, passing in full view of a -large English fleet anchored in the Downs only three miles to leeward. -On the day after, the 29th, the Alliance flew by the Isle of Wight, -running near enough to take a good look at another fleet at Spithead. - -On the 1st of January Jones was out of the Channel, having passed in -sight of, and almost in range, at different times in this bold dash -for freedom, of several British ships of the line, just out of gunshot -to leeward. During all this time he had not ceased to fly the American -flag. I do not know of a more splendid piece of sea bravado than this -dash of the Alliance from the Texel. The daring and gallantry of the -man at first seemed to have led him into injudicious and dangerous -situations when he took the Alliance so close to the English coast and -the British fleets; but his effrontery was governed by that sound and -practical sense which ever distinguished his conduct from mere -unthinking recklessness, for no one would ever imagine that the -escaping ship would take such a course, and those vessels on the -lookout for him would probably be found where a less subtle commander -would have endeavored to pass--off the Flemish coast and near the -French shore, for instance. Be that as it may, the little Alliance, -with her Stars and Stripes flapping defiantly in the great breeze in -the face of the overmastering English ships, running the gantlet of -her enemies, is a picture we love to think upon. - -The ship was in a critical condition. Damages which she had incurred -in her voyage from Boston to France were still unrepaired. Her trim -had been altered for the worse by Landais' blunders, and the improper -stowage of the ballast had dangerously strained her and greatly -diminished her speed, which had originally been very high. There was -no way these things could have been temporarily repaired in the Texel; -in fact, but little could be done until the vessel reached France. -Owing to the unsanitary regimen of Landais, disease had broken out at -different times, and the ship had become so dirty that nothing short -of a thorough disinfection would render her safe for her crew. She was -much overcrowded with men, all actually or professedly American, and -carried a hundred prisoners as well. There were two sets of officers -on board--those originally attached to her and the officers of the -Richard. Jealousy and bickerings between the two crews were prevalent. -Naturally, they had no love for each other. The officers and men of -the Richard could not forget the conduct of those on the Alliance, and -they looked upon them with hatred and contempt. Sailorlike, the men of -the Alliance reciprocated that feeling. It was the desire of every -one, except Jones and a few others, to get to France at once, but the -commodore wished to return with more prizes; so he bore away to the -south and west, seeking for ships, impressing upon his discontented -men that the Alliance was equal to anything under a fifty-gun ship! He -was not fortunate on this occasion, however, and finally, to avoid a -threatened gale, he ran into the port of Corunna in Spain, on the 16th -of January, 1780, where he was kindly received and hospitably -entertained. During this cruise, in spite of the responsibilities of -his position, he found time to compose the following verses in reply -to a similar communication which he had received from the daughter of -M. Dumas (it will be remembered that he deplored his inability in the -Texel to find time for his present occupation): - - "Were I, Paul Jones, dear maid, 'the king of sea,' - I find such merit in thy virgin song, - A coral crown with bays I'd give to thee, - A car which on the waves should smoothly glide along; - The Nereides all about thy side should wait, - And gladly sing in triumph of thy state, - 'Vivat! vivat! the happy virgin Muse! - Of liberty the friend, who tyrant power pursues!' - - "Or, happier lot! Were fair Columbia free - From British tyranny, and youth still mine, - I'd tell a tender tale to one like thee - With artless looks and breast as pure as thine. - If she approved my flame, distrust apart, - Like faithful turtles, we'd have but one heart; - Together, then, we'd tune the silver lyre, - As love or sacred freedom should our lays inspire. - - "But since, alas! the rage of war prevails, - And cruel Britons desolate our land, - For freedom still I spread my willing sails, - My unsheath'd sword my injured country shall command. - Go on, bright maid! the Muses all attend - Genius like thine, and wish to be its friend. - Trust me, although conveyed through this poor shift, - My New Year's thoughts are grateful for thy gift." - - -I have read worse poetry than this, also better, but it is very -creditable to the sailor. If the reader has a low opinion of it, let -him essay some verse-writing himself.[33] - -While at Corunna, the ship was careened and her bottom scraped as far -as possible without docking her, and, having procured an anchor to -take the place of the two lost in the Texel, Jones prepared to set -forth once more. The 28th of January was fixed for his departure, but -the discontent among the crew reached such a pitch that they -positively refused to weigh anchor unless they received at least a -portion of their pay or prize money. Nothing had been paid them from -the time the ships had been put in commission until they reached the -Texel. There Jones had received from Amsterdam a small sum of money, -from which he advanced five ducats to each of the officers and one to -each of the men. The amount, compared to their dues and needs, was so -insignificant that many of the men threw the money into the sea in -disgust--a very foolish but extremely sailorlike action. - -There were many patriotic men on these ships who merit the approbation -and deserve the gratitude of their country. They had shown, especially -those belonging to the Richard, a most desperate courage in most -trying scenes. They had performed services upon which no monetary -value could be placed, and had subjected themselves to dangers which -no mere pecuniary consideration could have tempted them to face. It -may at first, therefore, seem surprising that they should have so -resolutely demanded their pay and prize money, even to the extent of -mutinying for it; but it is a common experience that men who will -freely offer themselves for the most dangerous undertakings, and who -really are actuated by the strongest kind of patriotism, will quarrel -and rebel, and even fight, for the petty amounts promised them by way -of wages, which in themselves neither could tempt them to, nor repay -them for, the sacrifices they had cheerfully undergone. Frankly, I -have the greatest sympathy with the point of view of the unpaid -soldiers or sailors of the past, and I quite understand their demands -and complaints under such circumstances. - -Perhaps there is an association of ideas between fighting for the -liberties of one's country and demanding one's dues. Both are a revolt -against injustice and oppression. The mind of the common sailor, -especially of that day, was not calculated to draw nice distinctions, -and he could see little difference between fighting for liberty and -demanding that the country whose independence he periled his life to -establish should show the small appreciation of his devotion involved -in paying his scanty wages and not withholding his lawful prize money. -Jones struggled for rank, station, reputation, opportunity; these men -could aspire to no higher station than they already filled, and their -corresponding effort was for the money justly due them. - -The Richard's men had lost practically everything except the clothes -they stood in when their ship went down, and their personal needs were -necessarily very great. The original crew of the Alliance were under -the impression that Jones had reserved from the small sum he had -received at Amsterdam a considerable portion for himself. There is not -the slightest evidence to warrant this supposition. The commodore was -the most prodigal and generous of men, and his whole career evidences -his entire willingness to devote his own personal property to the -welfare and wages of his men. He finally persuaded the crew to get -under way by promising to run direct to L'Orient, where he hoped they -would undoubtedly receive their prize money. With this understanding -the crew consented to work the ship to that point, and their departure -was accordingly taken on the 28th. - -When the vessel was fairly at sea, however, Jones summoned the -officers to the cabin and proposed that they should cruise two or -three weeks in those waters before making their promised port. I am -afraid that the commodore allowed the possibility of taking some -valuable prizes and perhaps another British frigate to incline him to -break his promise to his men. His interview in his cabin with his -officers was an interesting one. With all the eloquence of which he -was a master--and he was able to speak convincingly and well on -congenial subjects--he placed before them the possibilities presented, -appealed to their patriotism, their love of fame, and as a last -resort pointed out the further monetary advantage of another rich -prize--Iago's argument! If they were successful in taking another -frigate they would shed still greater luster upon their names, and put -money in their pockets. The officers, however, bluntly refused to be -persuaded. They emphasized the mutinous and discontented state of the -crews, who had only sailed under Jones' positive promise to take them -immediately to L'Orient; pointed out that many of the men had not -proper clothing with which to endure the severe winter weather, and -that they themselves were in a destitute condition. - -Their natural reluctance to fall in with his plans infuriated Jones. -Rising from the chair upon which he had been sitting, with an emphatic -stamp of his foot he dismissed them with a sneering contempt in the -following words: - - -"I do not want your advice, neither did I send for you to comply with -your wishes, but only by way of paying you a compliment, which was -more than you deserve by your opposition. Therefore, you know my mind; -go to your duty, each one of you, and let me hear no more grumbling!" - - -The Alliance cruised for some days to the westward of Cape Finisterre, -but, as the quarreling between the two crews ran higher than ever, and -as Jones had failed to keep his promise, thus adding to their -discontent, when they fell in with the American ship Livingstone, -laden with a valuable cargo of tobacco, Jones gave over his attempt, -and decided to convoy her to L'Orient, where he arrived on the 10th of -February, 1780. That he should gravely have contemplated action with a -British frigate with his ill-conditioned ship and mutinous crew shows -the confidence he felt in his own ability. I have no doubt that, -unprepared as she was, if the Alliance had fallen in with an English -ship Jones would have been able to persuade his men to action, and -with anything like an equal force the results would have been -satisfactory. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. -HONORS AND REWARDS--QUARREL WITH LANDAIS--RELINQUISHES THE ALLIANCE. - - -The tremendous nervous strain which Jones had undergone, the constant -labor and exposure necessitated by the circumstances of his hard -cruising and fighting, and the recent exposure in the severe winter -weather had broken down his health. His spirit had outpaced his body, -and in a very ill and weak condition, with his eyes so inflamed that -he was almost blinded, he went on shore in search of rest. Meanwhile -preparations were made thoroughly to overhaul the Alliance and load -her with a large quantity of valuable and much-needed military -supplies which had been purchased for the army of the United States, -among them the battery which had been cast for the Bon Homme Richard, -which had arrived after her departure. - -Hard by the Alliance in the harbor lay the handsome Serapis. With -perfectly natural feelings Jones longed to get possession of her -again. He wrote immediately to Franklin, detailing the repairs -necessary to put the Alliance in shape, which were very extensive and -correspondingly expensive, and asked that he might have leave to -sheath the Alliance with copper, and that the Serapis might be -purchased and turned over to him. He hoped that the repairs to the -Alliance might be made by the French Government, perhaps that they -would also give him the Serapis. As the condition of the Alliance had -been justly attributed by Jones to the negligence and incompetence of -Landais, and not to any accident of the cruise under the auspices of -France, there did not seem to be any good reason for having the ship -repaired at the expense of the French Government. Franklin stated that -the whole expense would have to fall upon him, and begged him in -touching words to be as economical as possible, as his financial -resources, as always, were limited. For the same reason it was -impossible to secure the Serapis. - -He says: - - -"I therefore beg you would have mercy on me; put me to as little -charge as possible, and take nothing that you can possibly do without. -As to sheathing with copper, it is totally out of the question. I am -not authorized to do it if I had money; and I have not money for it if -I had orders." - - -As the demand in America for the military supplies which Franklin had -procured was pressing, Jones was ordered to hasten the repairs to the -Alliance. In spite of Franklin's strict injunction to economize, Jones -proceeded to overhaul, refit, and remodel entirely the frigate in -accordance with his ideas and experience. As his ideas were excellent -and his experience had been ample, when the repairs had been completed -they left nothing to be desired. But the bills were very heavy. -Franklin protested, but paid. As a matter of fact, it must be admitted -Jones did not stint himself when it came to outfitting a ship--or -anything else, for that matter. His experience with the Ranger, the -Richard, and the Alliance had naturally disgusted him with -inadequately provided ships of war. The beautiful little boat was the -superior of any of her size upon the ocean, and subsequently, under -the command of Captain John Barry, she did brilliant and noteworthy -service. If it had not been for Jones she would have been worthless. - -The charge of extravagance, however, is fairly substantiated. Jones -was, in fact, as indifferent in the spending of other people's money -as he was with his own, and I have no doubt the bills, although he -paid them, almost broke the harassed commissioner's heart. Jones, -however, was in a very different position from that he had occupied -previously. He had demonstrated his capacity in the most unequivocal -manner. He was not a man to be dealt with slightingly, nor did -Franklin, who undoubtedly cherished a genuine admiration and regard -for him, which the sailor fully reciprocated by an enthusiastic -admiration amounting to veneration, wish to do anything to humiliate -him. - -While the repairs were progressing the financial status of the crew -was in no way amended. There was no money forthcoming to them on the -score of wages; the sale of the prizes was delayed, and serious -differences arose between the agents of the crews, de Chaumont as -representing the king, and Jones himself. Finally, in order to further -the settlement of the matter, Jones decided to go to Paris and see -what he could do personally to hasten the sale of the prizes, and -perhaps secure some funds with which to pay the wages of the crews, in -part at least. - -Early in April, therefore, he left the Alliance at L'Orient and -repaired to the capital. From one point of view it was an unwise thing -to do, for he left behind him a discontented and mutinous crew, which -only his own indomitable personality had been able to repress and -control. It is likely, however, that affairs at L'Orient would have -remained _in statu quo_ had it not been for the advent of Arthur Lee. -This gentleman is perhaps the only member of the famous family whose -name he bore upon whose conduct and character severe judgment must be -passed. Jealous, quarrelsome, and incompetent, his blundering attempts -at diplomacy had worked more harm than good to the American nation. By -his vanity and indiscretion he had continually thwarted the wise plans -and brilliant policy of Franklin, with whom he had finally embroiled -himself to such an extent that it became necessary for him to return -home. Not only had he lost the esteem of Franklin, but through his -petty meanness he had also forfeited the confidence of Congress, which -had superseded him by John Jay at the court of Spain, to which he had -been accredited previously. - -Franklin desired Jones to give him a passage home in the Alliance. -Jones had a great dislike to his proposed passenger. When his draft -upon the commissioners for twenty-four thousand livres had been -dishonored, it was largely through the influence of Lee that the money -had been refused him. Lee was fully acquainted with the circumstances -which caused Jones to apply, and he might have secured payment. At -least that was the opinion of Jones. With his usual frankness, Jones -had not hesitated to express his opinion to Lee in a very tart letter, -which had not improved the situation. In the face of the request of -Franklin, Jones had no option but to receive Lee and his suite on the -Alliance. He objected, however, most strenuously to allowing the -ex-commissioner to take his carriage and other equipage on the -frigate, stating with entire accuracy that articles of such bulk would -take up much room, which could be better devoted to other and more -important freightage. This, no doubt, further incensed Lee against -Jones. He was ever inclined to put his personal comfort before the -welfare of his country. - -Landais had been summoned, as we have seen, to Paris. The -commissioners, with the documents prepared in the Texel before them, -had discussed his case, and had decided to send him to America for -trial. Franklin, who had not yet expressed any public judgment in the -premises, though his private opinion was well known, had presented -Landais with a sum of money for his voyage to the United States, and -the whole correspondence, including the charges, had been transmitted -to Congress. - -Arthur Lee, with his usual captious spirit, and inspired by his hatred -of Jones and the desire to disagree with Franklin at the same time, -had dissented from the view and decision of his colleagues. He had -maintained that Landais was legally entitled to continue in the -command of the Alliance, and that Franklin had not the power to -supersede him--a contention not substantiated by the facts, nor, as -was afterward shown, supported by Congress itself. - -When Jones went to Paris, therefore, Lee, realizing his opportunity, -at once began to foment additional disorder in the already demoralized -crew. Coincident with Jones' departure, Landais also made his -appearance. Had Lee summoned him? Lee did not hesitate to express the -opinion to that gentleman himself, his officers, and crew, that -Landais was legitimately entitled to the command of the Alliance, and -could not be removed therefrom except by specific direction of -Congress. Things, therefore, developed with painful rapidity at -L'Orient, until Landais addressed a note to Franklin demanding that he -be reinstated in the command of the Alliance--a curious procedure for -a man who claimed that Franklin was without power to displace him! - -Meanwhile Jones was having a brilliant reception in France. While he -had incurred the hostility of the French naval officers, who fancied -that he had deprived them of commands to which they were better -entitled, and in the enjoyment of which he had gained distinction -through opportunities which might possibly have fallen to them and -which they might have embraced, he was everywhere received with the -highest honors, as well by the court as the people. To the populace, -indeed, he was a hero who had humbled the enemy whom they hated with -the characteristic passion of Frenchmen. Franklin took him to call -upon his old tormentor, the dilatory de Sartine, and, owing perhaps to -naval prejudice, his first reception was extremely cool; but, as it -became evident that he was a popular hero, the tone of the minister -was lowered, and his actions were modified, so that he afterward -extended him a warm welcome and professed extreme friendship for the -commodore. The king and queen accorded him the favor of an audience, -and his majesty, falling in with the popular current, was pleased to -declare his intention of presenting him with a magnificent -gold-mounted sword, to be inscribed with the following flattering -motto: - - -"VINDICATI MARIS LUDOVICUS XVI. REMUNERATOR STRENUO VINDICI."[34] - - -He also signified his royal purpose, should the Congress acquiesce -therein, of investing Jones with the cross of the Order of Military -Merit, a distinction never before accorded to any but a subject of -France, and only awarded for heroic conduct or conspicuous and -brilliant military or naval services against the enemy. Nothing could -have been more grateful to a man of Jones' temperament than the -appreciation of the French people, and these evidences of admiration -and esteem from the hand of the king. On his previous visit to Paris, -after the capture of the Drake, he had been made much of; in this -instance his reception greatly surpassed his former welcome. He became -the lion of the day, the attraction of the hour. Great men sought his -company, and held themselves honored by his friendship; while the -fairest of the ladies of the gay court were proud to receive the -attentions of the man who had so dramatically conquered the hated -English. In all these circumstances he bore himself with becoming -modesty. On one occasion he was invited to the queen's box at the -opera. When he entered the theater he was loudly cheered, and at the -close of the act a laurel wreath was suspended over his head, -whereupon he changed his seat. This natural action has been quaintly -commented upon by various biographers, and the statement is made that -for many years it was held up before the French youth as an exhibition -of extraordinary modesty! - -One of the most admirable of Jones' traits was a chivalrous devotion -to women. To a natural grace of manner he added the bold directness of -a sailor, which was not without its charm to the beauties of -Versailles, sated with the usual artificial gallantry of the men of -the period. Jones spoke French rather well, and had a taste for music -and poetry. There were, therefore, many who did not disdain to draw -the "sea lion" in their train. On account of the favors he had -received he was a person of distinction at the court. Among his -voluminous correspondence which has been preserved are numbers of -letters to and from different women of rank and station, dating from -this period and from his prolonged stay in Paris after the war had -terminated. Among others, he corresponded with a lady who, after the -romantic fashion of the time, at first endeavored to hide her identity -under the name of Delia. Between Jones and Delia there seems to have -sprung up a genuine passion, for the letters on both sides breathe a -spirit of passionate, heartfelt devotion. It has been discovered that -Delia was but another name for Madame de Telison, a natural daughter -of Louis XV, with whom Jones frequently corresponded under her own -name, and who is referred to in his biographies as Madame T----, and -the identification is definite and complete. He was catholic in his -affections, however, for he by no means confined his epistolary -relations to the gentle and devoted Madame de Telison. - -It is interesting to note that in all these letters there is not a -single indelicate or ill-bred allusion. That is what would be expected -to-day, but when we remember that so great an authority as Robert -Walpole suggested that everybody at his table should "talk bawdy," as -being the only subject every one could understand, the significance of -his clean letters is apparent. In his correspondence, except in the -case of Aimée Adèle de Telison, he never appears to have passed beyond -the bounds of romantic friendship. In later years, however, it is -possible to infer from his letters that Madame de Telison bore to him -a son, whose history is entirely unknown. Among others who honored him -with their friendship were three women of high rank, the Duchess de -Chartres, Madame d'Ormoy, and the Countess de Lavendahl, who painted -his portrait in miniature. - -An English lady, Miss Edes, sojourning in France at this time, thus -refers to him in two letters which she wrote for publication in the -English journals: - - -"The famous Paul Jones dines and sups here often; he is a smart man of -thirty-six, speaks but little French, appears to be an extraordinary -genius, a poet as well as hero; a few days ago he wrote some verses -extempore, of which I send you a copy. He is greatly admired here, -especially by the ladies, who are wild for love of him; but he adores -the Countess of Lavendahl, who has honored him with every mark of -politeness and distinction. - - "'Insulted freedom bled; I felt her cause, - And drew my sword to vindicate her laws - From principle, and not from vain applause. - I've done my best; self-interest far apart, - And self-reproach a stranger to my heart. - My zeal still prompts, ambitious to pursue - The foe, ye fair! of liberty and you; - Grateful for praise, spontaneous and unbought, - A generous people's love not meanly sought; - To merit this, and bend the knee to beauty, - Shall be my earliest and latest duty.' - - -"Since my last, Paul Jones drank tea and supped here. If I am in love -for him, for love I may die. I have as many rivals as there are -ladies, but the most formidable is still Lady Lavendahl, who possesses -all his heart. This lady is of high rank and virtue, very sensible, -good-natured, and affable. Besides this, she is possessed of youth, -beauty, and wit, and every other form of female accomplishment. He is -gone, I suppose, for America. They correspond, and his letters are -replete with elegance, sentiment, and delicacy. She drew his picture, -a striking likeness, and wrote some lines under it which are much -admired, and presented it to him. Since he received it he is, like a -second Narcissus, in love with his own resemblance; to be sure, he is -the most agreeable sea wolf one would wish to meet with." - - -In all this, however, Jones did not for a moment neglect the business -which had called him to Paris. He moved heaven and earth to effect the -sale of the prizes, bringing to bear all his personal popularity and -making use of his new-found friends, both men and women, to accomplish -the desired results. In all his attempts he was zealously supported by -Franklin, who, I have no doubt, greatly enjoyed the popularity of his -_protégé_. - -Finally, on the last day of May, having received positive assurance -that the prizes would be sold and distribution made immediately, he -set out for L'Orient. On leaving Paris he carried with him a personal -commendation from Franklin and a letter from de Sartine to the -President of Congress, as follows: - - -"Passy, _June 1, 1780_. -"_Samuel Huntington, Esq., President of Congress_. - -"Sir: Commodore Jones, who by his bravery and conduct has done great -honour to the American flag, desires to have that also of presenting a -line to the hands of your Excellency. I cheerfully comply with his -request, in recommending him to the notice of Congress, and to your -Excellency's protection, though his actions are more effectual -recommendations, and render any from me unnecessary. It gives me, -however, an opportunity of shewing my readiness to do justice to -merit, and of professing the esteem and respect with which I am, etc. -B. Franklin." - - -From M. de Sartine to Mr. Huntington, President of the Congress of the -United States: - - -"Versailles, _May 30, 1780_. - -"Commodore Paul Jones, after having shown to all Europe, and -particularly to the enemies of France and the United States, the most -unquestionable proofs of his valor and talents, is about returning to -America to give an account to Congress of the success of his military -operations. I am convinced, Sir, that the reputation he has so justly -acquired will precede him, and that the recital of his actions alone -will suffice to prove to his fellow citizens that his abilities are -equal to his courage. But the king has thought proper to add his -suffrage and attention to the public opinion. He has expressly charged -me to inform you how perfectly he is satisfied with the services of -the Commodore, persuaded that Congress will render him the same -justice. He has offered, as a proof of his esteem, to present him with -a sword, which can not be placed in better hands, and likewise -proposed to Congress to decorate this brave officer with the cross of -Military Merit. His Majesty conceives that this particular -distinction, by holding forth the same honours to the two nations, -united by the same interests, will be looked upon as one tie more that -connects them, and will support that emulation which is so precious to -the common cause. If, after having approved the conduct of the -Commodore, it should be thought proper to give him the command of any -new expedition to Europe, His Majesty will receive him again with -pleasure, and presumes that Congress will oppose nothing that may be -judged expedient to secure the success of his enterprises. My personal -esteem for him induces me to recommend him very particularly to you, -Sir, and I dare flatter myself that the welcome he will receive from -Congress and you will warrant the sentiments with which he has -inspired me." - - -While all this had been going on, however, Franklin had been having -serious trouble with the men of the Alliance. On the 12th of April the -officers dispatched a letter to Franklin demanding their prize money -and wages. Franklin had previously advanced them twenty-four thousand -livres, and he wrote them that everything was being done to hasten the -sale of the prizes, and that they would have to be content with what -he had given them, and receive the balance when they reached the -United States. On the 29th of May Landais wrote, repeating his -application of the 17th of March, and inclosing a mutinous letter -signed by one hundred and fifteen of the crew of the Alliance, -declaring that they would not raise an anchor nor sail from L'Orient -till they had six months' wages paid to them, and the utmost farthing -of their prize money, including that for the ships sent into Norway, -and until their legal captain, Pierre Landais, was restored to them. - -Landais had added the phrase "until their legal captain, P. Landais, -is restored to us," himself. With this letter was another -communication from fourteen of the original officers of the Alliance, -to the effect that the crew were in favor of Landais, who was a -capable officer, whose conduct had been misrepresented, and whom they -considered themselves bound to obey as their legal captain. These -officers can not be relieved of a large share of the odium attaching -to the conduct of the Alliance during the battle between the Richard -and the Serapis. The reason for their dislike of Jones is therefore -apparent. To carry out their designs they had circulated among the -crew statements to the effect that Jones had received the prize money -and was enjoying himself at their expense. The fine Italian hand of -Mr. Lee is to be seen in the documents they forwarded to Franklin. -Franklin's reply to this disgracefully insubordinate batch of letters -was remarkable for its tact, acumen, and good sense. After keenly -expressing his surprise that the very officers who had testified -against Landais a short time before, and whom Landais had stated were -all leagued against him, were now desirous of being placed again under -his command, he writes as follows: - - -"I have related exactly to Congress the manner of his [Landais'] -leaving the ship, and though I declined any judgment of his maneuvers -in the fight, I have given it as my opinion, after examining the -affair, that it was not at all likely either that he should have given -orders to fire into the Bon Homme Richard, or that his officers should -have obeyed such an order should it have been given them. Thus I have -taken what care I could of your honour in that particular. You will, -therefore, excuse me if I am a little concerned for it in another. If -it should come to be publicly known that you had the strongest -aversion to Captain Landais, who has used you basely, and that it is -only since the last year's cruise, and the appointment of Commodore -Jones to the command, that you request to be again under your old -captain, I fear suspicions and reflections may be thrown upon you by -the world, as if this change of sentiment may have arisen from your -observation during the cruise, that _Captain Jones loved close -fighting_,[35] but that Captain Landais was skilful in keeping out of -harm's way; and that you, therefore, thought yourself safer with the -latter. For myself, I believe you to be brave men and lovers of your -country and its glorious cause; and I am persuaded you have only been -ill-advised and misled by the artful and malicious representations of -some persons I guess at. Take in good part this 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 recommend yourselves to the future favours -of Congress and of your country." - - -At the same time he specifically directed Landais to refrain from -meddling with the men or creating any disturbance on the Alliance at -his peril. To this letter Landais paid no attention. This was the -situation when Jones reached L'Orient. Franklin wrote him concerning -the letters and batch of documents from Landais and the crew, which -had arrived after his departure, and advised him what had been done in -consequence. The commissioner had procured an imperative order to the -authorities at L'Orient for the arrest of Landais, who was to be tried -for his life as an emigrant without the king's permission. Franklin -also directed Jones to withhold from the signers of the mutinous -letter any portion of the money he had advanced on account of the -prizes, and he added the firm and decided injunction that if any one -was not willing to trust his country to see justice done him he should -be put ashore at his own charges to await the sale of the prizes. - -The situation was most critical, and that Franklin appreciated it -fully is shown by the following citation from one of his letters to -Jones: - - -"... You are likely to have great trouble. I wish you well through it. -You have shown your abilities in fighting; you have now an opportunity -of showing the other necessary part in the character of a great chief, -your abilities in policy." - - -Before this letter was received, however, matters had risen to a -climax, which resulted in the ejection of Jones and the assumption of -the command by Landais. Immediately he arrived at L'Orient, Jones -hastened to get ready for leaving. The Ariel, a small ship of twenty -guns, had been loaned by the French Government to carry such supplies -as could not be taken on the Alliance. Several American vessels with -valuable cargoes were awaiting his departure also, to sail under his -convoy. - -Jones had gone on board the Alliance as usual, as his duty demanded, -and had been received respectfully and his orders promptly obeyed. On -the morning of the 13th of June, being now for the first time informed -of the mutinous action of the crew and the letters to Franklin, he -mustered the crew and caused his commission and Franklin's first order -to him to take command of the ship in the Texel, and his last one, to -carry her to Philadelphia, to be read to the men. He then addressed -the seamen, pointing out to them the obligations they had assumed, the -consequences of a refusal to obey him on their part, and urged them to -a faithful performance of their duty. He asked them, if any one had -any complaints to make against him, that they be made now. No reply -was made to this address, and no complaints were brought forward. The -men were then dismissed to their stations. - -Shortly after this incident Jones went ashore. Landais was advised of -the whole situation immediately, and sent a letter to Degges, the -first lieutenant, ordering him to assume the command of the ship and -retain it in the face of Jones or any one else until Landais should -receive an answer to his demand to Franklin to be replaced in the -command of the Alliance. When he received this order, Landais stated -that he would at once come on board and take over the ship. Degges -mustered the crew again and read this letter. The adroit suggestions -of Mr. Lee and the insinuations as to Jones' alleged betrayal of their -interests by making off with the prize money had so worked on the -feelings of the men that they at once declared for Landais, who, on -being notified, promptly repaired to the ship and formally assumed -command. - -Dale and the officers of the Richard on the Alliance, who had not been -aware of these last proceedings, for they had been adroitly timed for -their dinner hour when they were below, were apprised of Landais' -arrival by the cheering on deck. They protested against his assuming -command, and were all sent ashore without ceremony. Mr. Lee seems to -have suggested and approved of the action of Landais; indeed, without -his sanction the latter would never have dared to take command of the -ship. - -On the afternoon of the same day Jones dispatched a letter to Franklin -by express, relating the circumstances, and then immediately followed -in person, which was an unnecessary thing to do. On his arrival at -Paris he found that peremptory orders had already been sent post haste -to L'Orient to detain forcibly the Alliance, and reiterating the -command to arrest Landais. Franklin, appreciating the meddling of Lee, -withdrew his request to Jones to receive him as a passenger, and -stated that he might return to America in some of the other ships -going home under the convoy of the Alliance. Finding nothing more to -be done, after staying but two days, Jones returned to L'Orient as -quickly as possible. He arrived on the morning of the 20th of June, -having been absent six days. - -During this time the Alliance had been warped out of the inner roads -into the narrow strait called Port Louis, which was inclosed by rocks -and commanded by batteries, which she would have to pass before she -could reach the outer roads of Groix. The peremptory orders to stop -the ship had not arrived, but the commander of the port under his -previous orders had caused a barrier to be drawn across the narrow -strait of Port Louis, and had ordered the forts to sink the frigate if -she attempted to pass out. When Jones arrived, a boat was sent off to -the ship by the port officer, carrying the king's order for the arrest -of Landais. He positively refused to surrender himself. Franklin's -latest orders to Landais and the officers and men were then delivered, -and were treated with equal contempt. - -All this was another evidence of Landais' folly, for the Alliance was -completely in Jones' power. He had but to give the word to have caused -the batteries to open fire and sink her. She could neither have -escaped nor made adequate reply. Indeed, it is probable, from the -character of her captain, officers, and crew, that she would have made -little or no fight. But, according to Jones' specific statement, for -France, the avowed ally of America, to have opened fire upon an -American ship, and to have killed and wounded American sailors, would -have been a terrible misfortune, a thing greatly to be deplored, and -to be avoided if possible, lest the present friendly relations between -the two countries should be impaired by this action. The aid of France -was vital to the American cause at this juncture, and it was patent -that every effort should be made to promote harmony rather than sow -discord; therefore Jones reluctantly requested the commander to secure -his batteries, open the barrier, and allow the Alliance to get through -the strait. The French officers accordingly, in the absence of other -orders, stopped the preparations they had made to detain the frigate, -and expressed their admiration for the magnanimity of Jones in -allowing the Alliance to go free. As soon as he received permission, -Landais warped the Alliance through the passage between the rocks and -anchored in Groix roads. Safe out of harm's way, he had reached a -position from which he really could defy Jones and France at last, and -defy them he did, more boldly than ever. - -It is impossible entirely to approve of Jones' conduct in this -complicated affair. He might have gone on board the Alliance the day -of the outbreak and confronted Landais. His own personality was so -strong that it seems probable he could have regained possession of the -ship in despite of anything the weak Landais could say or do. However, -if the spirit of the men had been so turned against him that in his -judgment this would have been impracticable, he certainly had the -situation entirely in his own hands when the Alliance lay under the -guns of the batteries. It was not necessary for the batteries to open -fire. If he had simply kept the pass closed Landais would have been -unable to get away, and it is difficult to see how he could have -avoided surrendering himself and yielding up his ship eventually. All -that would have been necessary for Jones to do would be to have -patience; that was a thing, however, of which he had but little -throughout his life. If he did not desire to wait, he could have -opened fire upon the ship, taking the risk of a rupture, or allowing -the blame, if any arose, to fall upon those who had put him in command -of the Alliance originally, and had continued him therein. I venture -to surmise that the first broadside would have brought down the flag -of the Alliance. In this action he would have been entirely within his -rights. If Jones really wanted her, he could have easily secured -possession of the ship. - -Instead of doing any of these things, he let Landais and the Alliance -go. For this he is distinctly censurable. It is, perhaps, not -difficult to see why he permitted her to escape. I have no doubt he -loathed the officers and men upon her. He was probably sick of the -sight of her. He could contemplate with no satisfaction whatever a -cruise upon her, especially with Arthur Lee as a passenger, and he was -a gentleman whom it would have been difficult to dispose of. - -There was, it has been surmised, still another and more pertinent -reason. The Serapis was still in the harbor. She had just been -purchased by the king. Jones' desire for her was as strong as -ever--stronger, if anything. Upward of five hundred tons of public -stores and munitions of war still remained to be taken to America. The -Ariel could not begin to carry it all. His dream was to beg or borrow -the Serapis, which, in conjunction with the Ariel, should transport -the stores to the United States, and then be refitted for warlike -cruising under his command. If he retained the Alliance this hope -would vanish. When the Alliance was warped out of the harbor he -promptly wrote to Franklin suggesting this plan. Meanwhile, he kept up -a hot fire of orders and letters upon Landais, who, being now out of -his power, treated his communications with silent contempt. When Jones -directed that his personal baggage be sent off from the Alliance, -Landais sent it to him in disgraceful condition, trunks broken open, -papers scattered, and much of his private property missing. - -On the 28th he wrote to Landais ordering him not to sail without his -permission, and directing him to send eighty of his best seamen -riggers to assist in equipping the Ariel. Landais sent him twenty-two -people, of whom he wished to be rid, with an insolent note. When Jones -wrote to him for the balance of the men he had ordered, Landais would -not allow the officer carrying the order to come on board. A few days -after this he sailed for America, with many of the men of the Bon -Homme Richard, who still adhered to Jones, and who refused to assist -him in getting the ship under way, in irons in the hold. - -To close a troublesome subject, it may be stated that the Alliance -reached Boston in August. The peculiar conduct of Landais on this -cruise so alarmed the officers and jeopardized the safety of the ship, -that by the advice of the meddlesome Lee--who was in this single -instance justified in his suggestions--he was summarily deprived of -the command of the ship on the plea of insanity, and kept closely -confined till they reached Boston. No one was more incensed against -him than his whilom upholder and defender, Lee. Landais was formally -tried by court-martial when he arrived in the United States and -dismissed the service. He got off lightly. He should have been hanged -from the yardarm of his own ship as an example and a warning to -mutinous traitors. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. -THE CRUISE OF THE ARIEL. - - -Early in the month of July Jones received the sword which had been -bestowed upon him by the king. He commented enthusiastically upon its -beauty and its value, saying that it had cost twenty-four hundred -dollars--a large sum for that day. The month was passed in preparing -the Ariel for departure, and in a vigorous correspondence with -Franklin and his friends, feminine and otherwise. On the 2d of August, -in a note to the Prime Minister, the Count de Vergennes, Jones -informed him that he was nearly ready to sail. The last of July -Franklin had sent him his final dispatches with the Count de Vauban, -who expected to sail with him, but for unexplained reasons Jones did -not take his departure until the 4th of September, when the Ariel was -warped out to the open roads of Groix. From the 4th of September to -the 7th of October he was detained, partly by contrary winds and -partly by a rumor, to which, perhaps, he should not have given -credence, that further dispatches were to be sent to him. On the 7th -of October, at two o'clock in the afternoon, he weighed anchor and put -to sea, convoying three merchant ships. The wind, being from the -north-northwest, blew fair for their departure, and the weather was -mild and pleasant. - -The next morning the wind shifted and came in violent squalls from the -southward. The ship was not yet clear of the land. The island of Groix -lay about fifteen miles to the northeastward, and, as the weather -became very thick and the wind increased until it was blowing a -tremendous gale, they soon lost sight of the shore to the leeward. In -spite of their efforts, they were unable to make any headway against -the storm, and were accordingly carried down toward the Penmarque -Rocks, a series of sharp, low reefs, jagged needles of the sea, -terminating the southeastern extremity of the peninsula of Brittany, -among the most dangerous in the world. The ship was in that position -above all others dreaded by the mariner--drifting upon a lee shore in -a gale of wind. The Ariel had been put under close-reefed fore and -main sails, and her head laid to the northwest in the hope that she -might stretch along and clear the reefs; but the wind, increasing to a -perfect hurricane, in the language of Mackenzie, "smothered" the ship, -at last obliging Jones to furl the courses and prevented him from -showing even a storm staysail. - -In the report of the officers it is stated that the storm had become -so violent that "the lee fore yardarm was frequently under water; the -lee gangway was laid entirely under water, and the lee side of the -waist was full." The water in the hold flowed into the cockpit, -notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the chain pumps. The ship was -very heavy laden, and lay deep in the water, dipping her yardarms with -every roll. As the tempest rose in violence it became impossible to -tell just where they were, as the murky darkness of the storm hid -every landmark. It was evident, however, from an inspection of the -compass that they were still drifting toward the shore. This fact was -confirmed by the rapid shoaling of the water, a fact Jones established -by personally taking successive casts with the hand lead. There was no -room to veer and get the ship headed the other way. If there had been, -the result would probably have been no different. In the face of such -a storm she would have continued to drift toward the reef. Their -progress to leeward was frightfully rapid. The ship was leaking badly, -and one of the chain pumps had become choked and refused to work. -Destruction seemed inevitable. In all his varied experiences Jones had -seen nothing like the storm. In his report he says that never before -did he fully conceive the awful majesty of a shipwreck. In their -distress, as a last resort, he determined to anchor. - -A hasty consultation was had among the officers on the quarter-deck, -and this desperate resort was agreed upon. At eleven o'clock in the -morning the best bower anchor was let go with thirty fathoms of cable. -The effect was not perceptible. The ship was not brought to, and -continued to drift broadside on toward the land in the trough of the -sea. She dragged her anchor as if it had been a straw. Two other -cables were spliced on and veered out. Still she drove on. The -pressure of the gale upon the bare spars was tremendous. The wind -roared through the top-hamper with amazing velocity. The masts -quivered and buckled under the awful strain to which they were -subjected; the standing rigging to windward stood out as taut and -rigid as if it had been cut from bars of steel. As the frigate lay in -the trough of the sea the mighty waves tossed her about like a -cockboat. Broad sheets of foam swept over the deck, washing away -everything not tightly secured. To relieve the pressure and get the -ship to ride to her anchor, Jones now ordered the weather shrouds of -the foremast to be cut, and the wind instantly snapped off the mast -above the deck; with all its weight of spars and rigging it fell to -leeward and carried away the other bower anchor and a kedge anchor, -and smashed up the head badly. - -This afforded some relief, for immediately after the anchor took hold -and the ship gradually swung head to the wind at last. Her drift -toward the rocks was not entirely checked, but while they were -hesitating as to what to do next, the mainmast, the heel of which had -been jerked out of its step by the violent motion of the ship, so that -it had been vibrating to and fro like a smitten reed, parted just -where it entered the main deck. The wind hurled the immense mass of -timber and cordage aft, where it fell across the decks, carrying with -it the mizzenmast, smashing the lee quarter gallery, and generally -wrecking the after part of the vessel. The ship was thus stripped of -her spars except the bowsprit, and they could do no more. If she did -not bring to her anchor and cease her drag toward the rocks, over -which the breakers could now be seen crashing with terrible force, and -with a roar heard above the mad noises of the tempest, they were lost. -They hastily cleared the wreck as they were able, letting it drift to -leeward, and waited with still hearts and bated breaths for the next -happening. No mere seamanship, no human skill could save them now. -They were in God's hands. Since their other anchor had been lost by -the fall of the foremast, if their present anchor gave way they were -helpless. Fortunately the stripped ship, relieved of the tremendous -pressure of the wind upon her top-hamper, at last rode to her anchor, -and her drift on the rocks was stopped. For the present they were -saved. They could do nothing now but wait and trust to the strength of -the iron fluke and the hempen cable. Fortunately, both held. - -For two days and three nights the Ariel swung to that single anchor, -and passively endured the tremendous buffeting of wind and waves -within a short distance of the mighty reefs upon which, if she had -struck, every soul on board must have perished. For the greater part -of this time the motion of the mastless ship was so violent that the -most experienced seaman could not keep his legs upon the deck. On the -12th the gale had sufficiently moderated to permit the crew to erect -jury masts under which they could regain the harbor. The cable was -hove short, but the anchor could not be weighed, as it was probably -caught upon a rock. Indeed, nothing but a rock hold would have saved -them; so the cable was cut, and the battered Ariel limped back to -L'Orient, which she reached on the 13th of October. The gale was one -of the most severe with which that storm-bound coast had ever been -visited within the memory of man. The whole shore was strewed with -wrecks and the bodies of drowned men. The merchant ships of the convoy -were lost, with hundreds of other vessels. That the Ariel, in the most -dangerous position which could possibly have been imagined even, -escaped without loss of life was due to the Providence of God and the -brilliant seamanship of her captain. Long afterward Richard Dale wrote -thus of his commander's conduct in these trying circumstances: - - -"Never saw I such coolness and readiness in such frightful -circumstances as Paul Jones showed in the nights and days when we lay -off the Penmarques, expecting every moment to be our last; and the -danger was greater even than we were in when the Bon Homme Richard -fought the Serapis." - - -Two months were required to put the Ariel in shape for sea once more. -All the arms which she was carrying out for the use of the army had -been so damaged by water as to be useless. They were left behind and -their place supplied by other cargo. During this interval, when not -occupied in superintending the repairs to the ship, Jones amused -himself with his usual prolific correspondence. He had also a spirited -encounter with one Thomas Truxtun, afterward the distinguished naval -officer, at that time master of a privateer called the Independence. -Truxtun entered the harbor of L'Orient flying a pennant, the use of -which was restricted by act of Congress to regularly commissioned -vessels of war, except in the case of privateers cruising alone. A -sharp correspondence was carried on between Jones and Truxtun, who was -a mere boy at the time. Truxtun at first refused to haul down the -offending pennant, but was finally induced to do so by Richard Dale -and two heavily armed boats' crews from the Ariel. Jones was not to be -trifled with, and Truxtun received a good lesson in subordination and -obedience to law--always of value to a privateer.[36] - -While the Ariel was being refitted, Jones, with his usual longing for -a first-class ship of war--a thing he never enjoyed during the whole -course of his life--through some influential friends made an attempt -to get the French Government to lend him the new and handsome frigate -Terpsichore, but his request, as usual, was not complied with. Just -before the Ariel sailed, Jones gave a grand entertainment on board of -her, to which he invited all his friends, which closed with an -exercise at general quarters, followed by a representation of battle, -which greatly alarmed his fair visitors. - -On the 18th of December he took his departure once more. His last -letters to Madame d'Ormoy are very characteristic of Jones in his -capacity as a squire of dames, and well indicate his feelings at this -time: - - -"I can not leave France without expressing how much I feel myself -honoured and obliged by the generous attention that you have shown to -my reputation in your journal. I will ever have the most ardent desire -to merit the spontaneous praise of beauty and her pen; and it is -impossible to be more grateful than I am for the very polite -attentions I received at Paris and Versailles. My particular thanks -are due to you, madam, for the personal proofs I have received of your -esteem and friendship, and for the happiness you procured me in the -society of the charming countess, and other ladies and gentlemen of -your circle. But I have a favour to ask of you, madam, which I hope -you will grant me. You tell me in your letter that the inkstand I had -the honour to present to you, as a small token of my esteem, shall be -reserved for the purpose of writing what concerns me; now I wish you -to see my idea in a more expanded light, and would have you make use -of that inkstand to instruct mankind, and support the dignity and -rights of human nature." - - -In another letter to the same lady he says: - - -"It is impossible to be more sensible than I am of the obligation -conferred on me by your attentions and kind remembrance, joined to -that of the belle comtesse, your fair daughters, and the amiable -ladies and gentlemen of your society. I have returned without laurels -and, what is worse, without having been able to render service to the -glorious cause of liberty. I know not why Neptune was in such anger, -unless he thought it was an affront in me to repair on his ocean with -so insignificant a force. It is certain that till the night of the 8th -I did not fully conceive the awful majesty of tempest and shipwreck. I -can give you no just idea of the tremendous scene that Nature then -presented, which surpassed the reach even of poetic fancy and the -pencil. I believe no ship was ever before saved from an equal danger -off the point of the Penmarque rocks. I am extremely sorry that the -young English lady you mention should have imbibed the national hatred -against me. I have had proofs that many of the first and finest ladies -of that nation are my friends. Indeed, I can not imagine why any fair -lady should be my enemy, since, upon the large scale of universal -philanthropy, I feel, acknowledge, and bend before the sovereign power -of beauty. The English may hate me, but _I will force them to esteem -me too_."[37] - - -The voyage was uneventful. Jones chose the southern passage, which was -less frequented by ships than the more direct route; the value of his -cargo being so great and the force of his vessel so small, he did not -wish to run any risk of being captured on this cruise. When they had -reached a point about twelve hundred miles east of Florida and nine -hundred miles north of Barbadoes, in latitude 26° N., longitude 60° -W., they were chased by a sail, which appeared to be a large frigate. -Jones, for the reasons mentioned, endeavored by crowding sail on the -Ariel to escape--his reputation for courage and intrepidity was -sufficiently high to allow him to run away without any imputation -being warranted by this action--but the stranger had the heels of the -Ariel, and gradually overhauled her. Night came on before she came -within range, and Jones hoped to run away from her in the darkness; -but his efforts to elude his pursuer were unavailing, and when day -dawned she was still close at hand. - -The wind fell during the morning, and the two ships maintained their -relative positions all day. Toward evening the breeze became stronger -again, and the stranger began to draw up on the Ariel. As she came -nearer, Jones discovered that she was not so formidable a vessel as he -had imagined, and he determined to effect her capture. Making a great -show of endeavoring to escape, therefore, he cleared ship for action, -sent his men to quarters, and permitted his pursuer to overhaul him. -She ranged alongside the lee beam just at nightfall. Both ships were -flying the English flag. Jones was ready for action, the other ship -was not. The quartermaster of the Ariel, whose duty it was to hoist -the flags, had unfortunately allowed one end of the halliards to -escape him. Jones had intended, as the stranger ranged alongside, to -haul down the English flag and substitute the American colors, then, -crossing the enemy's bows, pour in a broadside and capture her by -boarding; but this petty neglect, or trifling accident, on the part of -the quartermaster made it impossible to haul down the flag at the -appointed time, so the opportunity was lost and the project had to be -given over. Vessels of war, when maneuvering for position, frequently -sail under strange colors, but it is a point of honor, invariably -observed, which, so far as my knowledge goes, has not been disregarded -in civilized warfare--if that phrase be permissible--to fight under -one's own flag. - -Having lost his opportunity from this unfortunate mischance, Jones -necessarily entered into a conversation with the other ship, while he -made preparations for further maneuvering. What is known in sea -parlance as "a regular gam" ensued. The conversation lasted for some -time, during which he discovered that their pursuer was the Triumph, -an American-built ship of twenty guns, Captain John Pindar, an equal -match for the Ariel. She was a British privateer, though Jones and his -men considered her a man-of-war. Pindar probably told them so to -increase his prestige. After learning all that he could about English -affairs in America from the garrulous captain of the privateer, who -must have been extraordinarily stupid, Jones directed him to lower a -boat and come on board with his commission to prove that he was really -an Englishman. Pindar refused to do this, and Jones, watch in hand, -said he would allow him just five minutes for reflection as to the -disastrous consequences of a refusal to comply with this request. -During this interval the Englishman endeavored to clear ship for -action, his men not having gone to quarters before--a great piece of -carelessness and neglect. - -At the expiration of the appointed time, Pindar still proving -obdurate, Jones backed his ship on the weather quarter of the Triumph, -put his helm up, crossed her stern, and poured in a broadside which -raked her at short range and naturally did much execution. He then -ranged alongside the lee beam of the privateer, and for ten minutes -poured in a vigorous fire. The resistance of the enemy, at first -spirited, had grown more feeble, until at the end of that time Pindar -hauled down his flag and begged for quarter, saying when he -surrendered that half his crew were killed or wounded. The Ariel's men -left their stations and gave three cheers, but the erstwhile stupid -Pindar proved to be a more wily antagonist than they imagined. His -ship had gradually moved ahead of the Ariel during the contest, and -now, suddenly putting up his helm and throwing out his studding sails, -he ran off dead before the wind, with all his killed and wounded. The -unsuspecting and astonished Americans on the Ariel endeavored to -follow the man who had so cleverly eluded them, but their overloaded -ship was no match in sailing for the swift privateer, which soon made -good her escape in the night. - -Jones was naturally much disgusted at the outcome of this engagement, -and in his journal he properly comments upon Pindar's action as -follows: - - -"The English captain may properly be called a knave, because, after he -surrendered his ship, begged for and obtained quarter, he basely ran -away, contrary to the laws of naval war and the practice of civilized -nations." - - -Jones stated that he never had seen a ship better fought by a crew -than the Ariel had been in this instance. However, the usual -conspiracy to rise and take the ship was discovered among the English -members of the crew later on. It was thwarted by his vigorous -measures, and on the 17th of February, 1781, the Ariel dropped anchor -in the harbor of Philadelphia, just three years, three months, and -sixteen days from the departure of the Ranger at Portsmouth. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. -CAREER IN THE UNITED STATES TO THE CLOSE OF THE WAR. - - -When Jones arrived at Philadelphia, the Board of Admiralty was engaged -in investigating the delay in bringing the stores from France. -Franklin, Jones, and Landais were under discussion. For his share in -the performance, and for other actions mentioned, Landais had already -been punished, as we have seen. Jones, therefore, was at once summoned -before the board, but before he reported to them they dismissed the -summons and instead requested him to answer in writing an exhaustive -series of questions covering his actions from the time of his arrival -at L'Orient the year before. Jones immediately set about preparing his -replies, meanwhile sending Franklin's note and De Sartine's letter to -the President to Congress, which, on the 27th of February, adopted the -following resolutions: - - -"_Resolved_, That the Congress entertain a high sense of the -distinguished bravery and military conduct of John Paul Jones, Esq., -captain in the navy of the United States, and particularly in his -victory over the British frigate Serapis on the coast of England, -which was attended with circumstances so brilliant as to excite -general applause and admiration. - -"That the Minister Plenipotentiary of these United States, at the -Court of Versailles, communicate to his Most Christian Majesty, the -high satisfaction Congress has 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." - - -In accordance with the permission conveyed by these flattering -resolutions, the French Minister, M. de la Luzerne, gave a splendid -entertainment, to which the members of Congress and the principal -citizens of Philadelphia were invited. Before this distinguished -company, in the name of the king, the commodore, wearing his beautiful -sword, was invested with the cross of a Knight of the Order of -Military Merit. It is stated that Jones habitually wore this -decoration thereafter, and referred to himself, and desired to be -addressed, by the title of Chevalier, which was conferred with it. - -On the 28th of March, having carefully considered his answers to the -questions, the board declared itself as fully satisfied that the delay -had not been owing to Jones or Franklin, and stated to Congress in an -enthusiastic document that the conduct of Jones merited some -distinguished mark of approbation. In accordance with this -recommendation, on the 14th of April the following resolution was -passed: - - -"That the thanks of the United States, in Congress assembled, be given -to Captain John Paul Jones, for the zeal, prudence, and intrepidity -with which he hath supported the honour of the American flag; for his -bold and successful enterprises, to redeem from captivity the citizens -of these States, who had fallen under the power of the enemy; and, in -general, for the good conduct and eminent services by which he has -added lustre to his character and to the American arms. - -"That the thanks of the United States, in Congress assembled, be also -given to the officers and men who have faithfully served under him -from time to time, for their steady affection to the cause of their -country, and the bravery and perseverance they have manifested -therein." - - -The thanks of Congress, the highest honor an officer can receive, were -given to but five other officers during the Revolution--viz., to -Washington, for the capture of Boston; to Gates, for taking Burgoyne; -to Wayne, for the storming of Stony Point; to Morgan, for the victory -at the Cowpens; and to Greene, for his success at Eutaw Springs. -Jones, therefore, stood in distinguished company. - -On the 19th of May, to all of these honors was added a further -evidence of esteem, which was perhaps as valuable as any that he had -received. It came in the shape of the following letter from -Washington: - - -"Sir: My partial acquaintance with either our naval or commercial -affairs makes it altogether impossible for me to account for the -unfortunate delay of those articles of military stores and clothing -which have been so long provided in France. Had I any particular -reasons to have suspected you of being accessory to that delay, which -I assure you has not been the case, my suspicions would have been -removed by the very full and satisfactory answers, which you have, to -the best of my judgment, made to the questions proposed to you by the -Board of Admiralty, and upon which that board have, in their report to -Congress, testified the high sense which they entertain of your merit -and services. - -"Whether our naval affairs have, in general, been well or ill -conducted it would be presumptuous for me to determine. Instances of -bravery and good conduct in several of our officers have not, however, -been wanting. Delicacy forbids me to mention _that particular one_ -which has attracted the admiration of all the world, and which has -influenced a most illustrious monarch to confer a mark of his favour -which can only be obtained by a long and honourable service, or by the -performance of some brilliant action. - -"That you may long enjoy the reputation you have so justly acquired is -the sincere wish of, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant, - -"George Washington." - - -An attempt was made in Congress to promote him to the grade of rear -admiral--which he certainly deserved--and a resolution to that effect -was introduced. Owing, however, to jealousy among certain other -officers whom he would have superseded, the effort fell through. This -would have settled the long and tiresome contention on the question of -relative rank, and naturally would have been most agreeable to Jones. -However, the matter was settled in a more indirect but perhaps equally -satisfactory way. - -On the 23d of June, Robert Morris became Minister of Marine in -succession to the Board of Admiralty, which was abolished, and on that -same day Congress resolved to take a ballot three days later to -designate the commander of the America, a magnificent ship of the -line, building at Portsmouth, which was then believed to be nearly -ready for launching. On the 26th of June, the ballot being taken, it -was found that Paul Jones had been unanimously chosen for the -position. Since the act of Congress on the 15th of November, 1776, -made a captain of a ship of from twenty to forty guns equal to a -lieutenant colonel, while a captain of a ship of forty guns and upward -was made equal to a colonel, and as he was the only officer intrusted -with so large a command, Jones was thus in effect placed at the head -of the navy list. He certainly belonged there. With his usual good -sense he notes in his journal his satisfaction, as follows: - - -"Thus Congress took a delicate method to avoid cabal and to do -justice. It was more agreeable to Captain Jones to be so honourably -elected captain of the line than to have been, as was proposed by the -committee, raised at once to the rank of rear admiral, because -Congress had not then the means of giving a command suitable to that -rank." - - -By direction of Robert Morris, at this time he presented his accounts -to Congress. He had received no pay and but little prize money since -his entry into the service, and, as has been stated, had advanced -large sums of money from his private funds for the payment of officers -and crew. The Government indebtedness to him amounted to some -twenty-seven thousand dollars, but no money was forthcoming, -consequently on the 28th of July he was actually compelled to ask for -an advance of four hundred pounds to pay current expenses and small -debts in Philadelphia, and enable him to proceed to New Hampshire and -enter upon his duties. This he appears to have received. He stopped -_en route_ at New Rochelle, where he was handsomely entertained by -Washington and de Rochambeau, both of whom he had great pleasure in -meeting. As he received a hint at the army headquarters that his -decoration and title might be obnoxious to the sturdy New Englanders, -he thereafter discontinued wearing the cross for a space. He reached -Portsmouth toward the last of August, and found that the America was -still on the ways and would not be ready to put to sea for months. -This was a great disappointment to him, but he set to work with his -usual zeal to further the work of getting the ship ready for -launching. - -During his wanderings he had collected a most valuable professional -library, and he now found leisure to devote a good part of his time to -study, some of the results of which appeared in the improvements which -he carried out on the America. As usual, he also resumed his -correspondence. In his letters of this period are many excellent -suggestions looking to the welfare and future development of the naval -service. Many of these suggestions were subsequently adopted in the -service. The following letter, dated August 12, 1782, which he -received from John Adams, then minister at The Hague, is pleasant -reading: - - -"The command of the America could not have been more judiciously -bestowed; and it is with impatience that I wish her at sea, where she -will do honour to her name. Nothing gives me so much surprise, or so -much regret, as the inattention of my countrymen to their navy; it is -a bulwark as essential to us as it is to Great Britain.[38] It is less -costly than armies, and more easily removed from one end of the United -States to the other. - -"Rodney's victory has intoxicated Britain again to such a degree that -I think there will be no peace for some time. Indeed, if I could see a -prospect of half a dozen line of battle ships under the American flag, -commanded by Commodore John Paul Jones, engaged with an equal British -force, I apprehend the event would be so glorious for the United -States, and ay, so sure a foundation for their prosperity, that it -would be a rich compensation for a continuance of the war." - - -When Jones heard of the movement which resulted in the surrender of -Cornwallis at Yorktown, he had expressed a desire to serve as a -volunteer in the army for the campaign under Lafayette. He pined for -action always. On this subject he received the following affectionate -letter from that gallant Frenchman: - - -"_December 22, 1781_. - -"I have been honoured with your polite favour, my dear Paul Jones, but -before it reached me I was already on board the Alliance, and every -minute expecting to put to sea. It would have afforded me great -satisfaction to pay my respects to the inhabitants of Portsmouth, and -the State in which you are for the present. 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 of my best thanks for the kind expressions in your letter. His -Lordship's [Lord Cornwallis] downfall 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 honour 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 [_troupes de mer_] as might cut a good figure ashore, and then -give you plenty of provisions and _carte blanche_." - - -It would appear from the letters that both Adams and Lafayette held a -similar opinion of the capacity of the great commodore. - -On the occasion of the rejoicings at Portsmouth over the surrender of -Cornwallis he ventured to assume his cross of knighthood again, and, -finding that no objections were made, he continued to wear it on all -occasions, and he also resumed the title of Chevalier. The fall, the -winter, and the following summer passed quietly and pleasantly for the -little captain, busily engaged in writing, waiting, working, planning, -and drawing. On the whole I think this must have been, after Paris, -the happiest period of his life. He made many friends, and was much -looked up to by the people of Portsmouth and vicinity. There was a -spice of excitement about his work as well, which relieved the -monotony, for the enemy conceived various projects to destroy the -America, which could not be put in operation owing to the vigorous -watchfulness of Jones, who armed and drilled and exercised his workmen -for guarding the ship. The birth of the French Dauphin was celebrated -elaborately in the summer of 1782. - -Toward the last of August the ship was about ready for launching, and -Jones cherished high hopes of soon getting to sea in her. -Unfortunately, however, a squadron of French ships of the line, under -the Marquis de Vaudreuil, entered the harbor of Boston at this time, -and one of them, named the Magnifique, was stranded on a rock and -lost. Congress, by a resolution dated the 3d of September, presented -the America to the French king as a recompense for the loss of the -Magnifique, and on the 4th of September Morris sadly acquainted Jones -with the decision. To be compelled to turn over the great ship, in -which he had hoped to do such brilliant service, to the French was a -tremendous disappointment to the commodore, but he wrote in so noble -and magnanimous a manner to Morris on the subject that the latter at -once said to him that the sentiments which he had expressed would -always reflect the highest honor upon his character. In fact, Jones' -words made so strong an impression upon the mind of Morris that he -immediately submitted his letter to Congress. - -The America was launched on the 5th of November. The operation of -getting her into the water was a difficult one on account of the -peculiar lay of the land opposite the ways, but Jones accomplished it -with his usual skill and address. When the ship was safely moored he -turned her over to the Chevalier de Martigne, the former captain of -the Magnifique, and on the next day he started for Philadelphia. The -America was reputed to be one of the most beautiful and effective -ships afloat. - -Morris, who was a great admirer and an old friend of Jones, now -desired to place him in command of that vessel which had been the -object of his desire for so many years, the frigate Indien, which, by -a queer combination of circumstances, had finally been brought to -Philadelphia. The King of France, having no use for the ship, had lent -her to the Chevalier de Luxembourg, who had entered into a business -arrangement with a certain sea captain named Gillon, who was employed -by the State of South Carolina to command a small naval force which -had been equipped for the protection of her coasts, Gillon assuming -the title of commodore. - -The Indien, now called the South Carolina, had been a rather fortunate -cruiser. Gillon had captured a number of merchantmen, and had joined -in another successful expedition to New Providence. He had then -proceeded to Philadelphia. As he was indebted to the United States for -advances of large sums of money, and as he had made no accounting to -the Chevalier de Luxembourg for his share of the prizes, it was -thought by Robert Morris and Luzerne, the French Minister, who -represented Luxembourg, that if they could get control of this -frigate, by placing it under Jones' command with other ships, they -could create a formidable force to cruise against the enemy. - -But Gillon contrived to evade the legal process by which the claimants -sought to insure the payment of their dues, and, in spite of the -efforts made to detain him, he succeeded in carrying the Indien to -sea, where she was promptly captured just as she cleared the capes of -the Delaware by the Diomede, the Astrea, and the Quebec, three English -frigates stationed particularly to intercept her. - -Disappointed again in his hope of getting a command by these untoward -circumstances, Jones requested permission to embark as a volunteer in -the squadron of De Vaudreuil, which was destined to take part in a -proposed grand expedition to France and Spain against Jamaica. Morris -forwarded Jones' request to Congress with a strong recommendation, and -that body at once passed the following resolutions: - - -"_Resolved_, That the agent of marine be informed that Congress, -having a high sense of the merit and services of Captain J. P. Jones, -and being disposed to favor the zeal manifested by him to acquire -improvement in the line of his profession, do grant the permission -which he requests, and that the said agent be instructed to recommend -him accordingly to the countenance of his Excellency, the Marquis de -Vaudreuil." - - -Admiral de Vaudreuil was graciously pleased to receive the chevalier -on his flagship, the Triomphante, where he treated him with the -highest consideration, even sharing his cabin with him. The expedition -came to nothing, and though Jones probably enjoyed ample opportunity -for observing the handling of the fleet, he saw no actual service, to -his great disappointment; instead of which he became seriously ill -with intermittent fever. At Porto Cabello, on the 4th of April, 1783, -he received the news of the signing of the treaty of peace, and this -stern warrior, who was supposed to live only for fighting, thus -expressed himself concerning the subject: - - -"The most brilliant success, and the most instructive experience in -war, could not have given me a pleasure comparable with that which I -received when I learned that Great Britain had, after so long a -contest, been forced to acknowledge the independence and sovereignty -of the United States of America." - - -Jones shortly thereafter left the French fleet and returned to -Philadelphia, where he arrived on the 18th of May, 1783. He was still -very ill. He carried with him the two following letters to the French -Minister from de Vaudreuil and the Baron de Viomenil, who commanded -the land forces on board the fleet. - -From the Marquis de Vaudreuil: - - -"M. Paul Jones, who embarked with me, returns to his beloved country. -I was very glad to have him. His well-deserved reputation caused me to -accept his company with much pleasure, and I had no doubt that we -should meet with some occasions in which his talents might be -displayed. But peace, for which I can not but rejoice, interposes an -obstacle which renders our separation necessary. Permit me, sir, to -pray you to recommend him to his chiefs. The particular acquaintance I -have formed with him since he has been on board the Triomphante makes -me take a lively interest in his fortunes, and I shall feel much -obliged if you find means of doing him services." - - -From the Baron de Viomenil: - - -"M. Paul Jones, who will have the honour of delivering to you, sir, -this letter, has for five months deported himself among us with such -wisdom and modesty as add infinitely to the reputation gained by his -courage and exploits. I have reason to believe that he has preserved -as much the feeling of gratitude and attachment toward France as of -patriotism and devotion to the cause of America. Such being his titles -to attention, I take the liberty of recommending to you his interests, -near the President and Congress." - - -He was in some doubt as to his future career, but for the present the -state of his health rendered it necessary for him to abstain from -active duty. As a matter of fact, there was practically no American -navy in existence at the close of the war, and no duty for him to -undertake. The commodore's constitution was much shattered, and the -wasting fever still clung to him. He removed, therefore, by the advice -of his physician, to the village of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he -passed the summer in rest and retirement, and his health gradually -improved under the careful treatment he received. He seems to have had -in mind the project of settling down and forming an establishment -somewhere, and marrying "some fair daughter of liberty," and he wrote -to some friends in regard to an estate he desired to purchase near -Newark, New Jersey. However, the design fell through, mainly because -he was unable to realize upon his resources, as his expense account -had not been paid by Congress, and no prize money was yet forthcoming. -While awaiting the complete restoration of his health he prepared -several plans for organizing a navy for the new country, all of which -are distinguished by his usual insight and skill. Many of the plans, -including the germ of a proposed naval academy in the shape of a -school-ship filled with cadets, were adopted with profit to the naval -service and the country in after years. But the new nation was too -poor and the central government too weak at that time to accept any of -these suggestions. Finally, by an act of Congress, dated November 1, -1783, in accordance with the report of a committee of which Mr. Arthur -Lee was a member--singular revolution of time which put him in the -position of upholding Jones!--he was appointed a special commissioner -to solicit and receive the money due from France for the prizes taken -by the Bon Homme Richard and his squadron. He was, of course, to act -under the direction of the American Minister, Franklin, and was -required to give bond to the amount of two hundred thousand dollars -for the faithful performance of his duty. It is an evidence of his -high reputation for probity and honor that he found no difficulty in -securing signers to his bond. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII. -PRIZE AGENT IN FRANCE AND DENMARK--LAST VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES--A -BLOT ON THE ESCUTCHEON--FAMOUS PASSAGE OF THE BALTIC. - - -On the 10th of November Jones sailed from Philadelphia to Havre in the -packet Washington. Being detained by contrary winds, however, he put -into Plymouth on the 30th of November, his first visit to England, -save as an enemy, for many years. He there left the ship and went to -London for a conference with Adams, the minister, who informed him -that his dispatches for Franklin probably contained instructions for -concluding the commercial treaty with England, and advised him to -hasten. He therefore repaired immediately to Paris, where he arrived -on the 4th of December. He was most kindly received by the Maréchal de -Castries, the new Minister of Marine, and by the king and queen. -Society, too, welcomed him with open arms. He immediately set about -the task which had been allotted to him, with his characteristic -energy. For a year and a half he successfully combated the various -efforts of the French Government to make deductions from the amount -realized from the sale of the prizes on one pretext or another, and on -the 23d of October, 1784, de Castries at last approved of the account. - -There were further delays, as usual, and the matter dragged until -January, 1785, when he wrote to de Castries as follows: - - -"From the great number of affairs more important that engage your -attention, I presume this little matter which concerns me, in a small -degree personally, but chiefly as the agent of the brave men who -served under my orders in Europe, may have escaped your memory. My -long silence is a proof that nothing but necessity could have -prevailed on me to take the liberty of reminding your Excellency of -your promise." - - -As usual, his persistence at last received its reward in the shape of -an order on the Royal Auditor at L'Orient for the money. He set out -for L'Orient in July, and there stirred up a further nest of troubles, -which, however, he managed to triumph over by the display of his usual -qualities, and at the end of September, 1785, the account, amounting -to one hundred and eighty-one thousand livres, etc., was paid to -him.[39] He charged no commission for collecting this money, but his -expenses for the period of his sojourn in France were placed at the -large sum of forty-eight thousand livres; to this was added thirteen -thousand livres as his share of the prize money, making a total of -sixty-one thousand livres, which he appropriated to himself. After -paying certain persons then living in France who were entitled to -share in the prize money, he turned over to Thomas Jefferson, who had -succeeded Franklin, the sum of one hundred and twelve thousand livres, -to be returned to the United States for the use of the officers and -men entitled to participate in the distribution. - -The charges that he made for his personal expenses were certainly very -large, but there is not the slightest reason to infer, as has been -insinuated, that he falsified the account--every reason to think the -contrary, in fact. I have no doubt that he actually spent all that he -claimed to have done--probably more, for he was as apt to spend as he -was to fight--but the amount is greatly in excess of what should have -been properly expended, or at least charged against the total for -legitimate living expenses. As I have stated, however, he was -supremely indifferent to money, his own or other people's, and it -passed easily through his hands; although, so far as is known, he -avoided debts and promptly paid his bills. He had great ideas as to -the exalted nature of his position and the dignity of the country he -represented, and he did not stint himself in anything. It was an -expensive court, and he ruffled it royally with the best. He moved as -an equal in an extravagant and gay society, and he allowed no -considerations as to economy to restrain him from standing among the -freest and highest. We need not censure him too severely in the -premises, for the account was afterward investigated by Congress and -his expenditures approved. - -During his long stay in France the fertile mind of the chevalier was -busied with various projects to advance his fortunes, among which was -a design which he conceived in conjunction with the famous navigator -and explorer Ledyard, who had gone around the world with the more -famous Captain Cook. The two men proposed to engage in the fur trade -in the then comparatively unexplored and unknown waters of the Pacific -Ocean. The affair assumed a considerable state of forwardness, but was -finally dropped on account of lack of necessary funds, the expenses -proving much greater than either of the projectors had imagined they -would be. In view of the vast fortunes which have been made -subsequently in pursuance of this very idea, the conception throws an -interesting light upon the keen business quality of the commodore's -mind.[40] As a light relaxation he had his bust made by the celebrated -sculptor Houdon, copies of which he presented, with wide generosity, -to a number of his friends. The bust was made at the instance of the -French Masonic lodge of Three Sisters, of which he was an honored -member. - -Early in 1787, upon the advice of Jefferson, he determined to repair -to Denmark to see what he could do to further the payment of the claim -for indemnity, amounting to forty thousand pounds, caused by the -delivery of the prizes of his famous squadron to the English at -Bergen. He had reached Brussels on his journey to Copenhagen when he -decided to return to America for two reasons: In the first place, -Jefferson had no authority to approve the account of the commodore in -the matter of prize money recently received from France. He had simply -acted as a medium of transmittal of the balance handed him to the -United States. The Treasury Board of Audit, to which the account and -the accompanying balance had been submitted, strongly disapproved of -the large item covering personal expenses, and Jones, when he heard -their views, felt it incumbent upon him to return to America -immediately to insure the acceptance of his statement and the -adjustment of the account. In the second place, another motive for his -return was on account of lack of funds. He had expected to receive at -Brussels remittances from some investments in bank stock in the United -States to enable him to proceed to Copenhagen, but they were not -forthcoming. It would appear that he had spent all of his prize money, -etc., which indicates his careless extravagance in monetary -matters.[41] Accordingly, he abandoned his Danish trip for the time, -and returned to the United States in the spring of 1787. - -His explanations of his personal expenditures, while they may not have -convinced the auditors, were apparently satisfactory to Congress, to -which the matter had been referred, for his accounts were soon -approved, and Congress did him a singular honor in passing the -following resolutions, which certainly could never have been adopted -if there had been in the minds of any of the members the least cloud -upon his financial reputation: - - -"_Resolved_, That a medal of gold be struck, and presented to the -Chevalier Paul Jones in commemoration of the valor and brilliant -service of that officer in the command of a squadron of American and -French ships under the flag and commission of the United States, off -the coast of Great Britain, in the late war; and that the Honourable -Mr. Jefferson, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the -court of Versailles, have the same executed with the proper devices." - - -The fact that eight years had elapsed since the event commemorated -shows that this action of Congress was not the result of any sudden -enthusiasm, but was deliberate and therefore more valuable. In -addition to this unique tribute to his worth and services, the same -august body addressed the following personal letter to the king, Louis -XVI: - - -"Great and beloved Friend: We, the United States, in Congress -assembled, in consideration of the distinguished mark of approbation -with which your Majesty has been pleased to honour the Chevalier John -Paul Jones, as 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 knowledge in his profession, -we cannot forbear requesting your Majesty to permit him to embark in -your fleets of evolution, where only it will be probably in his power -to acquire that knowledge, which may hereafter render him most -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 sixteenth day of October, in the -year of our Lord 1787, and of our sovereignty and independence the -twelfth." - - -This was presumably a reply to the official communication of De -Sartine which has been cited before. So far as I know, Jones remains -to this day the only officer so commended. Before this action of -Congress he had written the following letter to Jay, the Secretary of -State, which may have suggested the official letter to the French -king: - - -"... My private business here being already finished, I shall in a few -days re-embark for Europe, in order to proceed to the court of -Denmark. It is my intention to go by the way of Paris, in order to -obtain a letter to the French Minister at Copenhagen, from the Count -de Montmorin, as the one I obtained is from the Count de Vergennes. It -would be highly flattering to me if I could carry a letter with me -from Congress to his most Christian Majesty, thanking him for the -squadron he did us the honour to support under our flag. And on this -occasion, sir, permit me, with becoming diffidence, to recall the -attention of my sovereign to the letter of recommendation I brought -with me from the court of France dated 30th of May, 1780. It would be -pleasing to me if that letter should be found to merit a place on the -journals of Congress. Permit me also to entreat that Congress will be -pleased to read the letter I received from the Minister of Marine, -when his Majesty deigned to bestow on me a golden-hilted sword, -emblematical of the happy alliance, an honour which his Majesty never -conferred on any other foreign officer. . . . - -"It is certain that I am much flattered by receiving a gold sword from -the most illustrious monarch now living; but I had refused to accept -his commission on two occasions before that time, when some firmness -was necessary to resist the temptation; he was not my sovereign. I -served the cause of freedom, and honours from my sovereign would be -more pleasing. Since the year 1775, when I displayed the American flag -for the first time with my own hands, I have been constantly devoted -to the interests of America. Foreigners have, perhaps, given me too -much credit, and this may have raised my ideas of my services above -their real value; but my zeal can never be overrated. - -"I should act inconsistently if I omitted to mention the dreadful -situation of our unhappy fellow citizens in slavery at Algiers. Their -almost hopeless fate is a deep reflection on our national character in -Europe. I beg leave to influence the humanity of Congress in their -behalf, and to propose that some expedient may be adopted for their -redemption. A fund might be raised for that purpose by a duty of a -shilling per month from seamen's wages throughout the continent, and I -am persuaded that no difficulty would be made to that requisition." - - -This is the first mention of a matter which had recently come to his -notice, and ever after engaged his attention--the dreadful situation -of the Americans held captive in the Barbary States. The first public -agitation for the amelioration of their unfortunate condition came -from him, and the glorious little struggle by which the United States, -a few years after his death, broke the power of these pirates, and -alone among the nations of the world made them respect a national -flag, had its origin in the love and sympathy of Paul Jones for the -prisoner wherever he might be--a significant fact generally forgotten. - -On the 25th of October Congress passed some strong resolutions on the -subject of the failure of Denmark to pay the claim referred to above, -and instructed Jefferson to dispatch the Chevalier Paul Jones to -prosecute the claim at the Danish court, stating, however, that no -final settlement or adjustment must be made without the approval of -the minister. There was a decided difference between the two -commissions with which Congress honored Jones. - -In the first instance, in France, he was simply to obtain what had -been actually received by the French Government from the sale of -certain prizes; the amount in question was not in negotiation save for -some allowances or deductions which did not greatly affect the total -one way or the other. In other words, he was simply to collect, if he -could, a just and admitted debt, and, after deducting expenses, divide -it in accordance with a certain recognized principle so far as his own -share, or the share of any one in Europe, was concerned, and remit the -balance to Congress for action. In the second instance, he was charged -with the more delicate and responsible work of pressing a claim for -heavy damages based on the estimated value of prizes which the Danish -Government had illegally returned to their original owners, the whole -transaction on their part constituting an unfriendly and unlawful act, -which could easily be magnified into a _casus belli_. In the first -case he was to collect a bill for forty thousand dollars; in the -second, to secure an admittance of obligation, establish the justice -of a claim for five times the first amount, and force a payment. The -second commission was the more honorable because the more responsible, -and is another proof of the continued and, in fact, increased -confidence in him which was felt by Congress. - -The propriety, therefore, of associating him with Thomas Jefferson, by -requiring the approval of the latter to any final settlements, can not -be questioned. It can not be considered in any sense as a reflection -upon Jones. It was the usual and common practice under such important -circumstances to associate several negotiators to conduct the affair. -The action was unfortunate, however, as it was made a pretext by the -Danish Government for delaying the settlement. They had already -compromised their contention of the legality of their action in giving -up the ships by offering to settle with Franklin for ten thousand -pounds, which offer had been refused. - -One other incident of his stay in his country--the last visit he was -destined to pay to it, by the way--brings upon the scene for the last -time one of the principal actors in the drama of Jones' life. During -his stay in New York, in the month of October, he was conversing with -a friend while standing on Water Street, when Captain Landais, who had -made his home in Brooklyn since his dismissal from the navy, -approached them. Jones' back was turned, and when Mr. Milligan, his -friend, told him of the advent of the Frenchman, he continued his -conversation without turning around. Landais approached slowly, -wearing a vindictive smile. When a few yards away from the two -gentlemen, he halted, spat upon the pavement, remarked, "I spit in his -face," and passed on. Mr. Milligan asked Jones if he had heard -Landais' remark, and he replied that he had not. Nothing further was -said about the incident at that time. Landais, however, circulated -reports of the meeting derogatory to Jones' character, and in reply -the chevalier published a statement of the occurrence signed by Mr. -Milligan, and added that his respect for the public had induced him to -establish the falsity of Landais' report by the testimony of the only -witness present; he also stated that he should not condescend to take -notice of anything further which might be said or done by his -antagonist. From this circumstance arose the rumor that he had been -publicly insulted--caned, in fact--without resenting it![42] - -During this period Jones, as usual, kept up his correspondence, -especially with Madame de Telison, with whom his relations had -evidently reached that intimate point to which I have referred on page -276. On June 23d she advised him of the death of her friend and -protectress at court, the Marquise de Marsan. He wrote immediately, -commending her to Jefferson, and at once dispatched the following -letter to the lady herself: - - -"New York, _September 4, 1787_. - -"No language can convey to my fair mourner the tender sorrow I feel on -her account! The loss of our worthy friend is indeed a fatal stroke! -It is an irreparable misfortune, which can only be alleviated by this -one reflection, that it is the will of God, whose providence has, I -hope, other blessings in store for us. She was a tried friend, and -more than a mother to you! She would have been a mother to me also had -she lived. We have lost her! Let us cherish her memory, and send up -grateful thanks to the Almighty that we once had such a friend. I can -not but flatter myself that you have yourself gone to the king in -July, as he had appointed. I am sure your loss will be a new -inducement for him to protect you, and render you justice. He will -hear you, I am sure; and you may safely unbosom yourself to him and -ask his advice, which can not but be flattering to him to give you. -Tell him you must look on him as your father and protector. If it were -necessary, I think, too, that the Count d'A----, his brother, would, -on your personal application, render you good services by speaking in -your favour. I should like it better, however, if you can do without -him. Mr. Jefferson will show you my letter of this date to him. You -will see by it how disgracefully I have been detained here by the -Board of Treasury. It is impossible for me to stir from this place -till I obtain their settlement on the business I have already -performed; and, as the season is already far advanced, I expect to be -ordered to embark directly for the place of my destination in the -north. Mr. Jefferson will forward me your letters. I am almost without -money, and much puzzled to obtain a supply. I have written to Dr. -Bancroft to endeavour to assist me. I mention this with infinite -regret, and for no other reason than because it is impossible for me -to transmit you a supply under my present circumstances. This is my -fifth letter to you since I left Paris. The two last were from France, -and I sent them by duplicates. But you say nothing of having received -any letters from me! Summon, my dear friend, all your resolution! -Exert yourself, and plead your own cause. You can not fail of success; -your cause would move a heart of flint! Present my best respects to -your sister. You did not mention her in your letter, but I persuade -myself she will continue her tender care of her sweet godson, and that -you will cover him all over with kisses from me; they come warm to -_you both_ from the heart!" - - -The Count d'A---- referred to was the Count d'Artois, subsequently -King Charles X. Madame de Telison was his natural aunt, and that Jones -should fear any evil consequence to her from her speaking to him is a -hideous commentary on the morals of the times. Mackenzie infers the -possibility that the Marchioness de Marsan was really the mother of -Madame de Telison, and from the assurance that she would have been a -mother to him also, had she lived, he thinks it possible that Jones -might have contemplated marrying his correspondent. The godson was -possibly Jones' own child. Shortly after this, correspondence with -Madame de Telison ceased temporarily. But when Jones finally returned -to France their relations were resumed. Before he died he provided for -her, and she was with him to the end. - -On the 11th of November Jones left America for the last time, taking -passage at New York on a vessel bound for Holland. He was landed in -England, however, and after another interview with Adams at London, he -repaired to Paris on the 11th of December, and presented his -dispatches to Jefferson. Jefferson now communicated to him a project -which had been under discussion between himself and de Simolin, the -Russian ambassador at Versailles, looking to a demand for the services -of Jones by the Empress Catherine II of Russia. Some recent disasters -to the Russian fleet in the Black Sea in the war which she had been -waging against the Turks had caused the minister to consider the -possibility of securing the services of the distinguished sea captain. -No definite action was taken by either party at that time, although -Jones, after some persuasion, expressed his willingness at least to -consider the situation. Indeed, the prospects were sufficiently -brilliant to have dazzled any man; but nothing came of the matter -then. Jones had other business to attend to. At the close of January, -1788, he received his credentials from Jefferson, and on the morning -of the 2d of February, the day of his departure for Denmark, he -breakfasted with a Mr. Littlepage, chamberlain to the King of Poland, -and the Russian Minister, who informed him that he had seriously -proposed to his sovereign that Jones be intrusted with the command of -the Black Sea fleet. He had, in fact, written to her as follows: - - -"That if her Imperial Majesty should confide to Jones the chief -command of her fleet on the Black Sea, with _carte blanche_, he would -answer for it that in less than a year Jones would make Constantinople -tremble." - - -He also informed the commodore that the empress had been much -impressed with the proposition, and was disposed to look favorably -upon it. - -Jones in reply said that he would undertake the command, under certain -conditions, if the empress continued in the same mind, and set out -with high hopes for Copenhagen. He reached that city on the 4th of -March, and was royally received by the king and queen and principal -people of the country; but in spite of every effort he found it -utterly impossible to procure a satisfactory settlement of the claim. -The shuffling Danish Government seized upon the flimsy pretext that he -was not a plenipotentiary, since his powers were limited by the clause -referred to above, and that since Congress had required that -everything be referred to Paris, and final action should be taken at -that point, there was no use negotiating with an agent. Completely -thwarted in his attempts by this unfortunate clause, and having -received a definite summons through Baron Krudner, the Russian -ambassador at Copenhagen, to repair to Russia, Jones transferred the -negotiations to Jefferson at Paris, which was, in fact, all he could -do under the circumstances, and prepared to assume his new -command.[43] On the 8th of April, 1788, he wrote to Jefferson as -follows: - - -"Sir: By my letters to the Count de Bernstorf, and his excellency's -answer, you see that my business here is at an end. If I have not -finally concluded the object of my mission, it is neither your fault -nor mine; the powers I received are found insufficient, and you could -not act otherwise than was prescribed in your instructions. Thus it -frequently happens that good opportunities are lost when the supreme -power does not place a sufficient confidence in the distant operations -of public officers, whether civil or military. I have, however, the -melancholy satisfaction to reflect that I have been received and -treated here with a distinction far above the pretensions of my public -mission, and I felicitate myself sincerely on being, at my own expense -(and even at the peril of my life, for my sufferings from the -inclemency of the weather, and my want of proper means to guard -against it on the journey, were inexpressible; and I believe, from -what I yet feel, will continue to affect my constitution), the -instrument to renew the negotiation between this country and the -United States; the more so as the honour is now reserved for you to -display your great abilities and integrity by the completion and -improvement of what Dr. Franklin had wisely begun. I have done, then, -what perhaps no other person would have undertaken under the same -circumstances; and while I have the consolation to hope that the -United States will derive solid advantages from my journey and efforts -here, I rest perfectly satisfied that the interests of the brave men I -commanded will experience in you parental attention, and that the -American flag can lose none of its lustre, but the contrary, while its -honour is confided to you. America being a young nation, with an -increasing commerce, which will naturally produce a navy, I please -myself with the hope that in the treaty you are about to conclude with -Denmark you will find it easy and highly advantageous to include -certain articles for admitting America into the armed neutrality. I -persuade myself beforehand that this would afford pleasure to the -Empress of Russia, who is at the head of that noble and humane -combination; and as I shall now set out immediately for St. -Petersburg, I will mention the idea to her Imperial Majesty and let -you know her answer. - -"If Congress should think I deserve the promotion that was proposed -when I was last in America, and should condescend to confer on me the -grade of rear admiral from the day I took the Serapis (23d of -September, 1779), I am persuaded it would be very agreeable to the -empress, who now deigns to offer me an equal rank in her service, -although I never yet had the honour to draw my sword in her cause, nor -to do any other act that could directly merit her imperial -benevolence. While I express, in the warm effusion of a grateful -heart, the deep sense I feel of my eternal obligation to you as the -author of the honourable prospect that is now before me, I must rely -on your friendship to justify to the United States the important step -I now take, conformable to your advice. You know I had no idea of this -new fortune when I found that you had put it in train, before my last -return to Paris from America. I have not forsaken a country that has -had many disinterested and difficult proofs of my steady affection, -and I can never renounce the glorious title of _a citizen of the -United States!_ - -"It is true I have not the express permission of the sovereignty to -accept the offer of her Imperial Majesty; yet America is independent, -is in perfect peace, has no public employment for my military talents; -but why should I excuse a conduct which I should rather hope would -meet with general approbation? In the latter part of the year 1782 -Congress passed an act for my embarkation in the fleet of his most -Christian Majesty; and when, a few months ago, I left America to -return to Europe, I was made the bearer of a letter to his most -Christian Majesty requesting me to be permitted to embark in the -fleets of evolution. Why did Congress pass those acts? To facilitate -my improvement in the art of conducting fleets and military -operations. I am, then, conforming myself to the views of Congress; -but the role allotted me is infinitely more high and difficult than -Congress intended. Instead of receiving lessons from able masters in -the theory of war, I am called to immediate practice, where I must -command in chief, conduct the most difficult operations, be my own -preceptor, and instruct others. Congress will allow me some merit in -daring to encounter such multiplied difficulties. The mark I mentioned -of the approbation of that honourable body would be extremely -flattering to me in the career I am now to pursue, and would stimulate -all my ambition to acquire the necessary talents to merit that, and -even greater favours, at a future day. I pray you, sir, to explain the -circumstances of my situation, and be the interpreter of my sentiments -to the United States in Congress. I ask for nothing; and beg leave to -be understood only as having hinted, what is natural to conceive, that -the mark of approbation I mentioned could not fail to be infinitely -serviceable to my views and success in the country where I am going. - -"The prince royal sent me a messenger, requesting me to come to his -apartment. His royal highness said a great many civil things to -me--told me the king thanked me for my attention and civil behaviour -to the Danish flag while I commanded in the European seas, and that -his Majesty wished for occasions to testify to me his personal esteem, -etc. I was alone with the prince half an hour. I am, with perfect -esteem, etc." - - -It is a quaint letter, but not conspicuous for modesty on the part of -the writer. But it is memorable for its passionate and determined -assertion of citizenship, and evidence that his entry into the Russian -service, temporarily, was due not to his own motion, but to the -suggestion of Thomas Jefferson, who highly approved of his acceptance -of the offer of Catherine. Inasmuch as his action has been called in -question, such approbation as that of Jefferson is of great value. -Congress did not confer upon him the desired rank, as should have been -done, and, besides, his statement was not quite correct. - -Krudner had offered him the rank of captain commandant, equal to that -of major general in the army, and placed at his disposal one thousand -ducats for the expenses of his journey. He promptly demurred at the -proposed rank of captain commandant, or major general, and refused to -accept the sum offered for his traveling expenses. It was forced upon -him by the insistence of Krudner, however, and he finally received it. -He made no use of it at that time, keeping the money intact, and -intending to return it in case he should find it necessary on his -arrival in Russia to decline the proffered station. He made but few -stipulations with her Majesty's agent before entering upon the journey -to St. Petersburg, and these were that in the service of the empress -he should never be compelled to bear arms against either the United -States or France; that he should be at all times subject to recall by -Congress; and, as we have seen in his letter to Jefferson, he was -particular to assert that under no circumstances would he renounce -"the glorious title of a citizen of the United States." The man of the -world and the disinterested lover of human liberty had long since come -to a local habitation and name, and henceforth he never failed to -assert his citizenship in America. - -As he left the court of Denmark and entered upon his journey to Russia -he carried in his pocket a patent for a pension issued to him by the -Danish Government for the sum of fifteen hundred crowns a year, which -was presented to him as an acknowledgment of the "respect he had shown -to the Danish flag while he commanded in the North Sea," etc.! -Curiously enough, the pension is dated the day it was decided to -transfer to Paris the negotiations which he had come to further. The -transaction is a most peculiar one. The coincidence of dates is, to -say the least, unfortunate. The reasons assigned are inadequate, and -the statement of cause is puerile. For a negotiator to accept -pecuniary reward from the person against whom he presses a claim is a -very remarkable thing to do. - -It has been urged in justification of his acceptance: First, that he -never received any money from it, for the pension was never paid; -that, however, was a fact which, while it was potential, was not then -actual, and has no bearing upon his acceptance. Second, it has also -been claimed that the pension was given because the Danish Government -supposed such an evidence of appreciation of the qualities of her -appointee would be acceptable to the empress; but if a nice sense of -honor would dictate a refusal of the pension, the bestowal could not -be considered a compliment, therefore the acceptance could not enhance -his reputation. Third, it has been ingeniously surmised that his -acceptance of the pension was for the purpose of committing the Danish -Government to the payment of the claim; but if that were true, he -should have communicated his acceptance and his reasons to Jefferson -at once. The fact that the government absolutely refused to conclude -negotiations with him, and that he was of necessity obliged to permit -the transfer of the negotiations to Paris, takes away some of the -odium which attaches to his action, yet it does not completely clear -him. As the Russian prospect had matured he was more and more desirous -of quitting Denmark, and the transfer of the claim to Paris quite -accorded with his wishes. - -This is the most painful incident in his career, and I am extremely -sorry that it occurred. I do not suppose that he realized the -situation quite as it is presented in these pages, or that he imagined -it would have so damaging an effect upon his reputation when it became -known. His valuation of his own services was so high that it was not -difficult to persuade him--or for him to persuade himself--that he was -entitled to a pension, or at least that it was not out of keeping with -his merits. Though how he had ever shown any particular respect for -the Danish flag when he commanded the Bon Homme Richard is a question. - -Two circumstances incline me to believe that he was ashamed of it, -however, and that he had no primary intention of making use of it. His -vanity might lead him to treasure it as an evidence of appreciation, -where his sense of honor would restrain him from enjoying it. Of these -two circumstances, the first is that he never mentioned it to anybody -for three years, and he was never chary of letting the news of -evidences of appreciation be disseminated; the second is that he made -no attempt to draw anything on it until he was a sick, worn-out, -broken man, some years after, when he looked at life under different -circumstances and with different eyes. His letter to Jefferson, when -he finally did communicate the news to him three years after, is as -follows: - - -"The day before I left Copenhagen the Prince Royal had desired to -speak with me in his apartment. His Royal Highness was extremely -polite, and after saying many civil things remarked he hoped I was -satisfied with the attention that had been shown to me since my -arrival, and that the king would wish to give me some mark of his -esteem. 'I have never had the happiness to render any service to his -Majesty!' 'That is nothing; a man like you ought to be excepted from -ordinary rules. You could not have shown yourself more delicate as -regards our flag, and every person here loves you.' I took leave -without further explanation. I have felt myself in an embarrassing -situation with regard to the king's patent, and I have not yet made -use of it, though three years have nearly elapsed since I received -it." - - -It is all that he could say for himself. I am glad he had the grace at -last to be ashamed. That is the best defense that I can make for him, -and I can only close the reference to this unpleasant incident by -saying again that I am very sorry indeed that it occurred. - -About the middle of April, 1788, he set forth for Stockholm, where, on -account of his desire to reach St. Petersburg without delay, he -remained but a few hours, and then pressed on to Grislehamn -(Gresholm), Sweden, the nearest port to the Aland Islands, _via_ which -he hoped to cross the Gulf of Bothnia and reach Russia. The ice, -however, was so thick that he found it impossible to cross the gulf or -even to reach the islands, so he determined to pass through the open -Baltic Sea to the southward. He hired an open boat about thirty feet -long, and, taking a smaller boat in tow, to be used in case of -emergency, he started upon a journey which proved to be one of the -most romantic and adventurous of his whole career. Realizing that in -the severe winter weather prevailing it would be impossible to get -boatmen to attempt the passage, he carefully concealed his destination -from the men whom he had employed to ferry him over. - -Having first attempted once more to reach the Aland Islands, and -thence proceed to the Gulf of Finland, and being balked as before by -heavy masses of drifting ice, he started to the southward between the -Swedish shore and the ice floes, which, being driven toward Sweden by -a strong east wind, scarcely left him a sufficient channel to pass in -safety. By nightfall he was nearly opposite Stockholm, and the water -seemed clear enough to seaward for him to attempt to cross. The men, -by this time alarmed for their safety, determined, in defiance of his -orders, to put into Stockholm; but Jones, seizing the helm himself and -drawing his pistols, resolutely commanded them to beat out to sea and -obey his orders under pain of instant death. He was not a man to be -trifled with by a few Swedish boatmen, and by his directions the -terrified men headed the boat offshore. The wind fortunately shifted -to the westward, and during the whole of the long night, in the midst -of a driving snowstorm, they threaded their way through the floating -ice, steering for the Gulf of Finland. - -Jones had a pocket compass, and the lantern from his traveling -carriage enabled him to choose the course. He naturally took command -of the boats himself. The next day, baffled again by the ice in an -attempt to land on the north shore of the Gulf of Finland, they -continued to the westward and southward under circumstances of extreme -danger and hardship. The second night was worse than the first. The -wind came in violent squalls, and the cold was intense. The second -boat was crushed in the ice floes, and the men in it rescued with -great difficulty. Their own boat narrowly escaped being crushed -between the huge pieces of ice or swamped in the squalls on several -occasions. Only by Jones' seamanship and rare skill did they avoid one -or the other danger. The men were so terrified as to be helpless -between the storm, the cold, and the thought of the incarnate little -demon who sat grimly in the stern sheets, pistol in hand, and neither -slept nor took rest apparently, and who handled the boat with as much -dexterity as if it had been a toy. One thinks instinctively of the -little bark which could not sink because it carried Cæsar and his -fortunes. - -At any rate, after four days of incredible difficulties the passage -was made, and the boat landed at Reval, a Russian port on the southern -shore of the Gulf of Finland. They had sailed in one way and another -about five hundred miles. Those who had known of his departure from -Sweden had no thought but that he and all with him had perished in the -attempt. He was, as he stated to Jefferson, in wretched health, and -the exposure alone might have killed him. That he went on is highly -characteristic of him, and exhibits his entire indifference to -personal hardships. The passage presents a fine evidence of his -audacity. When he determined to do a thing, he never allowed anything -to stop him. Having paid the boatmen for the loss of their boat, and -remunerated them handsomely for their labors, he dismissed them to -return at their leisure, and proceeded to the Russian court, where he -arrived on the fourth day of May. His great reputation, his -adventurous passage, his strange and attractive personality, and the -fact that he stood high in the good graces and enjoyed the favor of -the empress, rendered him an object of universal interest and -attraction. - -On the 6th of May he was presented to the empress, who immediately -conferred upon him the rank he coveted, of rear admiral. Catherine -treated him with such distinction that he states in his journal that -"I was overcome by her courtesies (_je me laissai seduire_), and put -myself into her hands without making any stipulation for my personal -advantage. I demanded but one favor, that I should never be condemned -unheard." Poor fellow! It was the one right--not favor, but rights -went by favor then in Russia--which was not accorded him. He little -knew what the future that looked so promising had in store for him, -but for the present everything was most delightful. He remained, -recuperating and preparing for his command, for two weeks, during -which period he was magnificently entertained by the highest nobility -of Russia and the distinguished foreigners in attendance at the court. -Among his papers the cards of many of them are still preserved. There -was one exception to his welcome. The English officers in the service -of Catherine, and they were many in number and high in quality, -affected to describe him as a pirate and a smuggler, and are said to -have threatened to resign in a body rather than serve under his -command. While I have no doubt as to their feelings, I think it -improbable that the threat was ever seriously meant, or that it -reached the ears of the empress, for two reasons: first, it was -apparently never contemplated that Jones should command the Cronstadt -fleet, in which those Englishmen who were highest in rank and -reputation were stationed--he had been designated for the Black Sea -fleet, and specifically called into service to war against the Turks; -and second, it is extremely unlikely that they should have carried -such a threat to the throne, for Catherine was not one whom it was -safe to threaten for a moment. Such an action in all probability would -have resulted in an apology and retraction, or a call for a -resignation. It is most improbable that the English protesters would -have relinquished the honorable and lucrative positions to which they -had attained in the Russian service, with the great opportunities of -advancement and pecuniary reward presented, for such a cause. As a -matter of fact, Englishmen did serve with credit under Jones' command -in the Black Sea, and we hear of no resignations from his squadron -there. The story may have gained currency by the gossipy repetition of -indiscreet remarks about the court, and from the fact that thirty of -the English-Russian officers signed a memorial addressed to Admiral -Grieg, their senior in rank, threatening various things if they were -associated with Jones. It is hardly possible, however, that Catherine -ever saw or heard the petition. At any rate, nothing came of it. Jones -enjoyed the anger of the English--he would not have been human if he -had not--but as for the rest, he snapped his fingers at them. He could -afford to defy them at that hour. He was then in the "high topgallant -of his fortunes." In a letter to Lafayette he writes, apropos of this -feeling: - - -"The empress received me with a distinction the most flattering that -perhaps any stranger can boast of. On entering into the Russian -service her Majesty conferred on me immediately the grade of rear -admiral. I was detained against my will a fortnight, and continually -feasted at court, and in the first society. This was a cruel grief to -the English, and I own that their vexation, which I believe was -general in and about St. Petersburg, gave me no pain." - - -As I have said, I have no doubt as to the feelings of the English -officers. - -On the 18th of May the admiral left St. Petersburg for Elizabethgrad, -the headquarters of Patiomkine. In addition to the sum recently -received from Krudner, he was provided with an other purse of two -thousand ducats for the expenses of his journey, and his salary was -fixed at eighteen hundred roubles a year.[44] As he started for the -Black Sea, Catherine handed him this letter: - - -"Sir: A courier from Paris has just brought from my envoy in France, -M. de Simolin, the inclosed letter to Count Besborodko. As I believe -that this letter may help to confirm to you what I have already told -you verbally, I have sent it, and beg you to return it, as I have not -even had it copied, so anxious am I that you should see it. I hope -that it will efface all doubts from your mind, and prove to you that -you are to be connected only with those who are most favorably -disposed toward you. I have no doubt that, on your side, you will -fully justify the opinion which we have formed of you, and apply -yourself with zeal to support the reputation you have acquired, for -valor and skill, on the element on which you are to serve. - -"Adieu! I wish you happiness and health. - -"Catherine." - - -The letter to Besborodko referred to by Catherine was a request from -Patiomkine that Jones might be induced to come immediately to his -headquarters, that his talents might be employed in the approaching -campaign. Patiomkine promised to to do all in his power to give him an -opportunity for displaying his ability and courage,[45] Jones had -protested against being under anybody; Catherine refused to consider -his protest, hence the reason for her farewell epistle and her -inclosure of Patiomkine's promise to be all that he should be to -Jones. He arrived at Elizabethgrad on the 30th of May and was most -kindly received. But before entering upon the story of his campaign it -will be well to consider the situation of the country in which he -found himself, and the characters of those with whom he was to be -associated in service. - - -_Note with reference to the Danish pension_. - -The most recent biographer of Paul Jones, whose book was issued -simultaneously with this one, makes no mention of the Danish pension, -and states that his reasons for omitting any reference to it were -"because it was never accepted, never paid, and never was intended to -be paid." I am forced to disagree with this statement. Certainly, it -never was paid, though what the Danish government may have intended it -is impossible to say. Probably if Jones had continued in favor in -Russia the pension would have been paid. Certainly the commodore -accepted the pension, and he endeavored to procure its payment, and -estimated it as an asset in the schedule of property which accompanied -his will. See Appendix V, page 473. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII. -IN THE RUSSIAN SERVICE--OTCHAKOFF AND THE CAMPAIGN IN THE LIMAN. - - -Far to the north is Russia. Extending through no less than one hundred -and seventy-three degrees of longitude, and covering forty parallels -of latitude, from the Baltic to the Pacific, and from the Black Sea to -the Arctic Ocean, with an area of eight and a half million square -miles, lies this great lone land. This gigantic empire, touching on -the one hand the ice-bound shores of Nova Zembla, and on the other the -caravan trails of Bokhara, stretches from the Gulf of Finland in the -west to Kamtchatka on the east. Within its boundaries are comprised -bleak deserts and fertile plains. Verdant valleys, unscalable -mountains, and vast steppes break the monotony of the landscape, and -diversify a surface watered by great rivers from the arctic Yenisei to -the Oriental Oxus. Great among the powers is this mysterious Colossus, -her head white with the snows of eternal winter and her feet laved in -the sunlight of tropic streams. The land of the seafarers--so its name -indicates--developing enormously and steadily in power, wealth, and -civilization, in the nine hundred years which have elapsed since Rurik -the Viking first stepped upon its shores, has not yet reached its -zenith. It is to-day the home of more diverse nationalities than any -other existent country, and foreshadowings of unlimited predominance -are apparent. Its sway extends over more races and peoples than any -other power has governed since the days of Augustus Cæsar, and the end -is not yet. Well do its rulers arrogate to themselves the imperial -title of the ancient head of the Roman Empire. Holy Russia, the home -of the Orthodox Church, the country of the White Czar, the land of the -once despised Slav, yet contains within its borders, in Lithuania, the -focal point of that Aryan race which has filled Europe with its -splendor. This Russia, the land of the Tartar, the Mongol, the -Samoyede, the Cossack, the Finn, and the Pole; this Russia, the land -of Ivan the Terrible, of Peter the Great, was now in the hands of a -woman--of Catherine II. - -The little maiden, born on the 2d of May, 1729, in the quaint old town -of Stettin, and of the insignificant house of Anhalt-Zerbst, -christened Sophia, was received into the Greek Church on her marriage -with Peter of Holstein, grandson of the Romanoff Peter the Great, -under the name of Catherine. She had assumed the reins of government -after the murder of her wretched impotent husband, against whom she -had conspired in conjunction with the Orloffs. When she had deposed -and imprisoned him, unable to strike a blow for himself, he had -stipulated that in his confinement he might have the undisputed -enjoyment of his mistress, his monkey, and his violin! Even these -kingly pleasures were soon of little use to him, for on the 18th of -July, 1762, but a few days after the revolution which had hurled him -from his throne, Peter lay dead in the palace with some ominous and -ineffaceable black marks around his throat, telling of the manner of -his death from the giant hands of the terrible Orloffs--and his wife -was privy to the murder and consenting to it! That her husband had -been a knave and a fool--almost a madman--does not excuse her. -Catherine was then immediately proclaimed empress in her own right. As -the Neapolitan Caraccioli said, the Russian throne was neither -hereditary nor elective, but occupative! Catherine occupied it, and as -long as she lived Russia knew no other master. The world marveled at -her audacity, and trembled for the consequences of her usurpation, but -men soon found that, gigantic as had been her assurance, and -tremendous as was her task, she was entirely equal to the undertaking. -She had a genius for reigning as great as had been exhibited by -Elizabeth Tudor--good Queen Bess! In spite of her bad qualities and -evil beginning, Russia never progressed more than while under her -sway. She fairly divides honor as a sovereign, in Slavonic history, -with Peter the Great. True it is that Catherine had "woven out of the -bloody vestments of Peter III the most magnificent imperial mantle -that a woman had ever worn." - -Some one wrote to Madame Vigée le Brun, who essayed to paint her -picture: - - -"Take the map of the empire of Russia for canvas, the darkness of -ignorance for background, the spoils of Poland for drapery, human -blood for coloring, the monuments of her reign for the cartoon, and -for the shadow six months of her son's reign." - - -A singular and complex character was that of this famous despot, this -"Semiramis of the North." Never more than a half-educated woman--and -in that she corresponded with her empire--she learned her politics -from Montesquieu, drew her philosophy of life from Voltaire, and -shaped her morals after Brantôme! A creature of singular -contradictions, she loved liberty, favored the struggle of the United -States, and ruled an absolute despot; she wrote charming fairy tales -for children and rode horseback astride like a man; she was one of the -greatest sticklers for morals--in other people--the world has ever -known, and yet was herself one of the most colossal examples of -unblushing and shameless professional sensuality that ever sat upon a -throne. Other rulers and sovereigns have had their favorites, she -alone made favoritism a state institution. "What has ruined the -country," she naïvely writes, "is that the people fall into vice and -drunkenness, and the comic opera has corrupted the whole nation!" As a -corrupter by example she surpassed all the comic operas ever written. -The morals of Russia, in her day, were rotten from the head downward. -Yet in spite of all this she was a great princess. She was allowed to -occupy that throne because she made Russia greater with each -successive year; not alone by force of arms either, and the Russian -destiny makers loved her. Education, the arts, and sciences, all felt -the stimulus of her interest and responded to her efforts. Progress -was the word of this imperious woman. She had a faculty for ruling as -remarkable as her exploitation of favoritism. Yet she governed her -empire with a sublime indifference to public opinion, and squandered -its revenues in a shameless prostitution of her own person, which -ceased only with her death, in 1794, at the age of sixty-five! The -fact that Catherine made an official business out of favoritism, and -that she was so utterly oblivious to the moral inconsistency of -it--for she was a faithful member of the Holy Orthodox Church--seems -to lift it upon a plane of its own, so simple and brazen was it. - -Upon the chief of her favorites alone she had bestowed more than fifty -million roubles, vast estates carrying with them nearly one hundred -thousand serfs, and in addition orders, titles, privileges, and -decorations innumerable. The name of this favorite was Gregory -Alexandrovitch Patiomkine, commonly called Potemkin. He was the second -of the great _Vremienchtchick_, as the favorites were called, the word -meaning "men of the moment!" He succeeded the gigantic Orloff, whose -term as the favorite was longer than that of any successor, for he had -enjoyed a tenure of almost ten years--the usual period being about -two. Patiomkine's personal association with the empress was only for -that short time, when he was supplanted by another object of royal -regard. Unlike all the other favorites, Patiomkine was not relegated -to prompt obscurity, and he continued to be the power behind the -throne for practically the remainder of his life. He was greater than -all the others--too great to be done away with, in fact. If he could -not be the favorite, he would, like Warwick the kingmaker, make the -favorite, and for fifteen years he continued to do so. During this -period he swayed the destinies of the empire as a sort of mayor of the -palace. - -The analogy is not altogether accurate, for Catherine was no supine -Merovingian to commit the administration of the state to others while -she passed hours of dalliance in the secret chambers of the palace; -she was too strong and too great for that, and she always retained her -grasp upon the helm; but it is certain that none of her favorites had -ever enjoyed such power and wielded it so openly as this princely -pander. - -As to Patiomkine himself, the world did not know whether he was a -genius or a madman. At times he seems to have passed over that slender -line which divides these two antitheses of character, and appears now -on one side, now on the other. Personally he was a man of huge bulk -and great strength, with the natural instincts of an animal and a -veneer, more or less strong on occasion, of refinement. He, too, -typified Russia, a giant rising through barbarism into the -civilization of the century--and not yet arrived, either--now -inclining to the one side or the other. Catherine usually chose her -favorites among men of great physical vigor. Patiomkine was a giant in -size. His vast frame was capable of sustaining the most tremendous -hardships. He was a black-haired, swarthy, hot-tempered man, not -pleasant to look upon, for he had lost an eye in a fist fight after a -drunken revel with the Orloffs. He squinted with the other, and even -had not a figure to redeem him, for he was markedly knock-kneed. He, -like his mistress and his country, was a creature of contradictions. -In his palace in St. Petersburg we find him trifling with the most -delicate creations of the most skilled _chef_, and on his journeys -eating rapaciously of anything that came to hand. He sent his -adjutants thousands of miles for perfumes which caught his fancy, and -galloped madly himself across half Europe without rest or sleep for -days in pursuance of duty, and then spent weeks in dalliance with his -harem. - -With the one hand he wrote poetic letters that quiver and thrill with -tenderness and beauty, pathos and passion, and with the other he -calmly consigned thousands of people to death. One day we find him -raging because his soldiers are not better cared for, and on the next -day remarking cynically, when the absence of ambulances was brought to -his notice, that so much the better--they would not have to bother -with the wounded! Sometimes cowardly, sometimes bold to the point of -recklessness; atheist and devotee, debauchee and ascetic, coarse and -refined, imperious and cringing, brutal and gentle, king and slave, -Christian and pagan--his life remains a mystery. - -After he died of a frightful attack of indigestion, brought on by -gorging himself with coarse food, Catherine's son, upon succeeding to -the throne, treated his body with great indignity; and it was not -until seventy years later that his remains were discovered and -interred in the Cathedral of Kherson. Prince of Taurida, the conqueror -of the Crimea, and under Catherine the originator of that tremendous -and irresistible Russian policy which will some day replace the Greek -cross upon the temple of Justinian in Constantinople, Patiomkine is -one of the most remarkable figures in the history of the world. - -In the service of the first of these two personages, and under the -specific orders of the last, Paul Jones was to make a campaign. It was -foredoomed to failure. Jones was not a good subordinate to any one. -His temper, his lack of self-control, his pride, and his vanity -rendered any ultimate successful association with a man like -Patiomkine impossible. Patiomkine had all Jones' faults and a thousand -more. They harmonized like flint and steel. To further complicate -matters, Jones was to be associated in his command, with the limits of -authority not clearly defined between them--always a prolific source -of trouble, and certain to cause failure--with Prince Otto of -Nassau-Siegen, of whom we have heard before. He had asked to serve -under Jones in the Indien, and when that project fell through he had -failed to answer Jones' letters, and had treated him with discourtesy -and indifference. In Catherine's army and navy thousands of soldiers -of fortune found a congenial atmosphere and a golden opportunity. They -were all made welcome, and, with anything like success to warrant -them, they generally achieved a handsome reward in her generous -service. The most noted among them, and one of the most worthless, is -this man, whom Waliszewski calls "the last notable _condottierre_ of -Europe; a soldier without country, without home, and almost without -family, his very name is the first of his conquests." His father was -the illegitimate son of a princeling, but the Parliament of Paris, in -1756, gave the young Otto, then eleven years of age, the right, so far -as they had the power, to bear the name of his ancestors, to which he -had no legitimate claim. They could not, however, do anything for his -patrimony. He had been a lieutenant of infantry, a captain of -dragoons, and finally a sailor under Bougainville when he made his -famous voyage around the world. Later he appears as an unsuccessful -explorer in Africa. In fact, he was not successful at anything. Unlike -Crichton, he did everything equally ill. - -In 1779, as a colonel of French infantry, he made an unsuccessful -attempt upon the island of Jersey. The next year, in the Spanish -service, he commanded, unsuccessfully as usual, some floating -batteries before Gibraltar. Among other exploits--and it was his one -triumph--he seduced the Queen of Tahiti, so he said, and the -reputation of the unfortunate lady found no defenders in Europe. He -married a homely Polish countess with a great fortune, and after -meddling (unsuccessfully) with all sorts of things got himself -appointed to the command of a flotilla of Russian gunboats operating -against the Turks. - -But to return to the story; the long distance--seven hundred and fifty -miles as the crow flies and probably twice that by road--between St. -Petersburg and Elizabethgrad, was covered by Jones in twelve days. He -was in a hurry, as always, to get to sea. The object of the Prince -Marshal's attack was the fortified town of Otchakoff, commonly spelled -in contemporary manuscripts Oczakow. This important place was situated -on the Russo-Turkish frontier of that day, on the Black Sea, not far -from the present city of Odessa, and occupied a commanding position at -the confluence of the great river Dnieper and the smaller river Bug. -Southward of the mainland the peninsula of Kinburn, a narrow, indented -point of land, projects for perhaps twenty miles to the westward, -forming a narrow estuary of the Black Sea about fifty miles long and -from five to ten miles wide, into which the two rivers pour their vast -floods. This estuary is sometimes called the Dnieper Bay, but more -commonly the Liman, and the undertaking hereafter described is -referred to as the campaign in the Liman. The bay or inlet is very -shallow. Sand banks and shoals leave but a narrow, tortuous channel, -which is of no great depth at best. The end of the peninsula of -Kinburn terminates in a long and very narrow strip of land, a point -which reaches up toward the northward and almost closes the opening of -the estuary; the distance between the point and Fort Hassan, the -southernmost fortification of Otchakoff, is possibly two miles. This -narrow entrance is further diminished by a long shoal which extends -south from Fort Hassan toward the point, so that, except for one -contracted channel, the passage is practicable for vessels of very -light draught only. - -Otchakoff lies between the Bug and a smaller river called the Beresan, -deep enough near its mouth for navigation by small vessels. It was -strongly fortified and garrisoned by ten thousand men. While it -remained in the hands of the Turks it menaced the Russian -communications and rendered it difficult for them to hold the great -peninsula of Taurida, now known as the Crimea, which Patiomkine had -conquered previously, and from which he had taken the name of -Taurichevsky, or Tauricien, or Taurida, with his dukedom. Patiomkine, -therefore, decided to besiege and capture this place. - -To prevent this, the Turks had re-enforced it by one hundred and -twenty armed vessels, ranging from ships of the line to gunboats, -under the command of one of the ablest of their admirals, a -distinguished old sailor, who had been recalled from service in Egypt, -which had been brilliantly successful, to conduct this operation. So -long as they could keep open communication by sea with Otchakoff its -power of resistance would be prolonged and its capture a matter of -extreme difficulty. The object of Jones' campaign was to hold the -Liman till Patiomkine could invest Otchakoff, then to defeat the -Turkish naval forces in the bay, and to blockade the town. -Incidentally he was required to cover the Russian towns on the Dnieper -and prevent any descent upon them by the Turks; a hard task for any -man with the force available and likely to be placed under his -command. - -Having stayed but one day at Elizabethgrad, Jones, accompanied by one -of the staff officers of Patiomkine, set out for Kherson, which is -located near the point where the Dnieper enters the Liman, and is the -principal Russian naval depot in that section of the country. The two -officers spent but one day at Kherson, but the time was sufficient to -develop the fact, as Jones said, that he had entered "on a delicate -and disagreeable service." - -Mordwinoff, the Russian Chief of Admiralty, treated him with the -utmost coolness and indifference, and, though he had been ordered by -Patiomkine to give Jones full information as to the situation, he told -him nothing of importance, and even failed to provide him with a rear -admiral's flag, to which he was entitled. However, the day after his -arrival at Kherson, Jones repaired to the town of Gluboca, off which, -in one of the deeps of the river between the Dnieper and the mouth of -the Bug called Schiroque Roads, his command was anchored. It comprised -a single line of battle ship, the Wolodimer--which, on account of its -great draught and the shoal water of the Liman, could only mount -twenty-six guns--five frigates, five sloops of war, and four smaller -vessels, making a total of fifteen sail.[46] The ships were badly -constructed, "drew too much water for the navigation of the Black Sea, -were too crank to carry the heavy guns that were mounted on them, and -sailed badly." They were makeshift craft constructed by people who -since Rurik's advent have exhibited surprisingly little aptitude for -the sea. I can imagine Jones' disgust and disappointment as he -inspected his squadron with a seaman's quick and comprehensive glance. -In addition to this force, there was a large flotilla of light-draught -gunboats, each carrying a single heavy gun, and sometimes smaller -pieces, manned by from thirty to forty men each, and propelled mainly -by oars. - -The command of the flotilla had been committed to the Prince of -Nassau-Siegen, and, although Jones had been repeatedly assured that he -was to have supreme charge of all naval operations in the Liman, he -found that Nassau exercised an independent command, and instead of -being subordinate to him, had only been requested to co-operate with -him. Jones' command will be called the squadron, Nassau's the -flotilla, hereafter in these pages, to prevent confusion. The squadron -had been hitherto under the command of a cowardly Greek corsair named -Alexiano, reputed a Turkish subject, who had attained the rank of -captain commandant, or brigadier, equivalent to commodore. He was a -man of little capacity, great timidity, and was tricky and unreliable -in his disposition. - -Jones immediately proceeded on board the Wolodimer and exhibited his -orders. He found that Alexiano had assembled all the commanders of the -ships, and endeavored to persuade them to rebel against his authority. -The attempted cabal came to nothing, however, and on receiving a -letter from Patiomkine Alexiano relinquished the command to Jones, and -with a very ill grace consented to serve as his subordinate--he had -to. On the same day in which he arrived, in order to ascertain the -topography of the situation, Jones left the Wolodimer and rode over to -Kinburn Point, opposite Otchakoff. After a careful examination of the -water which he was to defend and the town he was to blockade, so far -as he could make it from the shore, he returned to the Wolodimer, and -finding, as he says, "all the officers contented," he hoisted his rear -admiral's flag on that ship on the evening of the 6th of June, -1788.[47] The Prince of Nassau-Siegen called upon him promptly, and -apparently recognized his superiority in rank, if not his right to -command. He had an immediate foretaste of the character of his new -associates when the prince informed him that if they gained any -advantage over the Turks it would be necessary to exaggerate it to the -utmost! Jones replied that he had never adopted that method of -heightening his personal merits. He might have added that a true -recital of his exploits was sufficiently dazzling to need no -embellishment by the wildest imagination. - -The celebrated General Suvorof was in command of the strong fortress -of Kinburn, which was supposed to command the entrance of the Liman, -but it was too far inland to menace Otchakoff, or, indeed, to command -anything effectively. It is an evidence of Jones' quick perception and -fine military instinct that as soon as he inspected the position he -discovered the advantage of placing a battery on Kinburn Point, -opposite the shoal to which I have referred: and his first act upon -assuming the command was to point out to Suvorof, who was perhaps the -greatest of all Russian soldiers, the absolute necessity for a battery -there. Realizing the fact, Suvorof immediately mounted a formidable -battery on the point, and he magnanimously credited Jones with the -idea, in spite of the fact that the previous neglect to fortify the -point was a reflection on his military skill. Before the guns were in -position the capitan pasha as the Turkish admiral was styled, with -twenty-one frigates and sloops of war, and several smaller vessels, -entered the Liman and anchored before Otchakoff. He was followed by a -flotilla of gunboats about equal in number and individual efficiency -to the Russian flotilla. The ships of the line and heavier frigates of -the Turks, unable to approach near the town, remained at anchor in the -open roads to the westward, and as they took no part in the subsequent -actions they may be dismissed from further notice. Even as it was, -however, the Turkish force greatly overmatched the Russian. - -Jones had fifteen ships, the Turks twenty-one, and ship for ship the -advantage was entirely in favor of the Turks. In number the two -flotillas of gunboats were about the same, and there was not much -choice in their quality. The poor quality of Nassau's leadership could -hardly be surpassed by any Turk, however incompetent, but the capitan -pasha in critical moments led his own flotilla, and, as Jones -practically did the same for the Russian gunboats, Nassau's -incompetency did not matter so much as it might. - -On the 9th of June, having meanwhile received re-enforcements of -soldiers to complete the crews, the squadron, followed by the -flotilla, got under way and stood toward the entrance of the Liman. -The combined force anchored in two lines, the squadron forming an -obtuse angle in the channel with the opening toward Otchakoff, so as -to be able to pour a cross fire upon any approaching ships. On the -right and left flanks in the shallow water divisions of gunboats were -stationed, with another division immediately in the rear of the -squadron, and a reserve division at hand to re-enforce any threatened -point of the line. The station was just in front of the mouth of the -Bug, and commanded the entrance to that river and the Dnieper as well, -thus protecting Kherson from any attack by the Turks, and affording -Patiomkine's troops a free and unimpeded passage of the Bug when they -marched to invest the town. The position was most advantageously -chosen by Jones. His force was too weak to attack the Turks with any -hope of success at present, and he had been ordered by Patiomkine not -to enter upon any operation until the Russian army arrived. Absolutely -no fault can be found either with his location or his dispositions. - -The Turks made no movement to attack them, and Nassau, who was good at -proposing aggressive movements when no dangers threatened, suggested -that they abandon their position and move forward nearer the town. -Nothing would be gained by this maneuver, and opportunities for a -successful attack by the Turks would have been greater than in their -present position. Jones realized that the Turks must of necessity -attack them sooner or later; that no commander could afford to throw -away such advantage in force as the Turks enjoyed, when any hour might -bring re-enforcements to the Russians, and the battery which Suvorof -had completed would prevent further re-enforcements being received by -the Turks. So Jones grimly held to his position in spite of Nassau's -remonstrances, which were seconded by those of Alexiano, and waited. -To wait is sometimes braver than to advance. - -Finally one of the reasons for Nassau's desire to advance transpired. -He wished to remove from his position near the Turkish shore, upon -which batteries were being erected in the absence of any Russian land -force to prevent them, which would subject the right wing of his -flotilla to a land fire; and he desired to take a position where he -would be protected by the new fort at Kinburn Point and by the ships -of the squadron. Suvorof had made Jones responsible for the safety of -the fort on Kinburn Point, by the way, while awaiting the advance of -the army. Having received no orders from Patiomkine, Jones assembled a -council of war on the Wolodimer, at which Nassau was present. Jones' -supremacy was fully recognized by Nassau. The council approved of the -position in which Jones had placed his squadron, and commended his -resolution to maintain that position, and in obedience to urgent -pleadings from Jones the officers of the flotilla and squadron agreed -to co-operate and work together for the common good in the event of -being attacked. They did not have long to wait for the inevitable -encounter. - -On the afternoon of the 18th of June, the Turkish flotilla in two -divisions made a dash at the Russian gunboats on the right flank, and -a sharp engagement began. The Russians, greatly outnumbered, began to -give ground, and, though the reserve was immediately sent to support -the right wing, before the dashing attacks of the Turkish gunboats the -retreat was not stayed. A battery of artillery which had been unmasked -on the adjacent shore also seriously annoyed the extreme flank of the -Russians. On account of the shoal water the ships of the squadron -could not enter the engagement. Jones, therefore, with his instinctive -desire to get into a fight, left the Wolodimer and embarked in -Nassau's galley. That commander had entirely lost his head. He could -think of nothing to do of value, but implored Jones to send him a -frigate--which was impossible, for all the frigates drew too much -water; failing this, he threatened to withdraw his right wing, in -which case the Turkish gunboats probably would have taken the squadron -in reverse, and might have inflicted serious damage. Jones convinced -him that a return attack was not only necessary but inevitable, and, -as Nassau made no objection, he assumed the direction of the vessels -himself. Summoning the unengaged center and left divisions, he brought -them up through the squadron to attack the approaching Turkish galleys -on the flank. The diversion they caused so inspirited the broken right -and reserve divisions that they made a determined stand and stopped -their retreat. The capitan pasha, seeing himself in danger of being -taken between two fires and his retreat cut off, withdrew -precipitately before the center and the left fairly came into action. -Had Jones been in command of the flotilla from the beginning, a most -disastrous defeat would have been inflicted upon the Turks. As it was, -they retreated in confusion, leaving two gunboats in the hands of the -enemy. - -As the affair had been conducted entirely between the different -flotillas, Nassau claimed all the credit for the brilliant maneuvers -of the Russians. Jones contemptuously allowed him to make any claims -he pleased in his report to Patiomkine, and gave Nassau credit for at -least having taken his advice. It would have been better for Nassau's -fame if he had continued to take Jones' advice. Having obtained this -slight success, Nassau, who knew how well his urgency would look in -the reports, again proposed to Jones that they should advance and -attack. The Russian army had not yet invested the place, and the -success they had gained was so slight that circumstances had not -changed. Jones still refused to be moved from the position he had -assumed, which the experience of the 18th of June had justified, and -calmly awaited the further pleasure of the enemy. It takes a high -quality of moral courage for a stranger, who has a reputation for -audacity and intrepidity, absolutely to refuse to do that thing to -which a subordinate urges him, and which has the appearance of courage -and daring; and I count this refusal, in the interests of sound -strategic principles, not an unimportant manifestation of Jones' -qualities as an officer. - -Meanwhile, the Russian army, having passed the Bug, invested the city -on the 28th of June, and the Turkish fleet was forced to attack or -withdraw. The capitan pasha elected to do the former. Having -re-enforced his crews by some two thousand picked men from the great -fleet outside the Liman, he advanced down the bay to attack the -Russians. The wind was free, and the Turkish fleet came on in grand -style, the capitan pasha leading in the largest ship, with the -flotilla of gunboats massed on his left flank, making a brilliant -showing. Nassau's desire to advance suddenly vanished, and he clamored -for a retreat. Jones paid no attention to him, but weighed anchor, -and, as it was impossible for him to advance on account of the wind, -he waited for the enemy. Fortunately for the Russians, at one o'clock -in the afternoon the Turkish flagship, which had been headed for the -Wolodimer, took ground on the shoals near the south shore of the -Liman. The advance of the fleet was immediately stopped, and the -Turkish vessels came to anchor about the flagship. - -A council of war was at once convened on the Wolodimer, and Jones at -last persuaded the Russians, although inferior in force, to attack the -Turks as soon as the wind permitted. During the night the wind -fortunately shifted to the north-northeast, and at daylight on the -29th the squadron stood for the Turkish fleet. The Wolodimer led the -advance. By hard work the Turkish admiral had succeeded in floating -his flagship, but his ships were huddled together without order. Jones -immediately dashed at him, opening fire from his bow guns as he came -within range. The squadron was formed in echelon by bringing the van -forward on the center, making another obtuse angle, with the opening -toward the crowd of Turkish ships--in fact, Jones was attempting with -his smaller force to surround them. In the confusion caused by the -bold attack, the Turks, who seem to have been taken completely by -surprise, again permitted the ships of the admiral and of his second -in command to take ground. Jones' prompt approach and the heavy fire -poured upon them made it impossible to float the stranded ships. They -both of them keeled over on the shoal and could make no defense. Their -flags were struck, and they were abandoned by their crews. The other -Turkish ships were so discouraged by this mishap that they withdrew -toward Otchakoff, their flight being accelerated by the tremendous -fire poured upon them by the Wolodimer and the other Russian ships. -Just as the Wolodimer reached the stranded ship of the capitan pasha, -Alexiano, who found himself sufficiently near to the enemy, ordered -the anchor of the Wolodimer to be let go without informing Jones. As -the order was given in Russian, Jones knew nothing about it until the -motion of the ship was stopped. - -There was plenty of fight in the Turkish admiral, who seems to have -been a very gallant old fellow, for after the loss of the flagship he -hoisted his flag on one of the gunboats and brought up the flotilla, -which poured a furious fire from its heavy guns upon the right -division of Jones' squadron, to which the lighter guns of the ships -could make but little reply. The situation became dangerous for the -squadron. One of the Russian frigates, the Little Alexander, was set -on fire and blown up by the Turkish shot, and the fortune of the day -trembled in the balance. - -The light-draught gunboats each carried a large gun, heavier, and -therefore of greater range, than any on the ships. The shallow water -would not permit the ships to draw near enough to the flotilla to make -effective use of their greater number of guns. Hence, under the -circumstances, the squadron was always at the mercy of the flotilla -unless by some means they could get into close action, in which case -the ships would have made short work of the gunboats. Jones' position -was therefore one of extreme peril--untenable, in fact, without the -help of his own flotilla. The Russian flotilla had followed the -squadron in a very leisurely and disorderly manner, so slowly that -Jones had twice checked the way of his ships to allow them to come -within hailing distance. He now dispatched a request to Nassau to -bring up his gunboats on the right flank and drive off the Turkish -gunboats, thus enabling him to take possession of the two frigates, -which had been abandoned by their crews, and continue the pursuit of -the flying Turkish ships. - -No attention was paid to this and repeated requests, and Jones finally -took his boat and went himself in search of Nassau's galley to entreat -him to attack the Turkish flotilla. He found Nassau in the rear of the -left flank, far from the scene of action, and bent only upon attacking -the two ships which were incapable of defense. Unable to persuade him -to act, Jones at last appealed to Nassau's second, Brigadier -Corsacoff, who finally moved against the Turks and drove them off with -great loss after a hard fight. Jones meanwhile returned to the -Wolodimer--both journeys having been made under a furious fire, -in the midst of a general action, in which upward of thirty-six ships -of considerable size and possibly a hundred gunboats were -participating--but before he could get under way Nassau, with some of -his flotilla, surrounded the two abandoned ships and set fire to them -by means of a peculiar kind of a bomb shell called _brandkugels_ -(hollow spheres, filled with combustibles and perforated with holes, -which were fired from a piece called a _licorne_). The Turkish fleet -and flotilla, very much shattered, retreated to a safe position under -the walls of Otchakoff, thus ending the fighting for that day. -Nassau's action was inexcusable. The two ships he so wantonly -destroyed would have been a valuable addition to the Russian navy, -and, as they were commanded by the Wolodimer and the rest of the -squadron, they could not have been recaptured, and could easily have -been removed from the shoals. - -The Turkish defeat had been a severe one, but the only trophy which -remained in the hands of the Russians was the flag of the capitan -pasha. A shot from one of the gunboats having carried it away, it fell -into the water, whence it was picked up by some Zaporojian boatmen, -who brought it to the Prince of Nassau's boat. Jones happened to be on -board of it at the time. The flag certainly belonged to him, but he -magnanimously yielded it to Nassau in the hope of pacifying that -worthless individual. It was by this time late in the afternoon, but -Jones gave orders to get under way toward Otchakoff. Now was the -proper time to advance and deliver a return blow upon the broken -enemy, but now Nassau desired to remain where he was. Jones was -inflexible as usual, and determined to finish the job so auspiciously -begun. Accordingly, the anchor of the Wolodimer was lifted and she got -under way, followed by the remaining ships of the squadron. Having -approached as near to Otchakoff as the shoal water permitted, Jones -anchored his vessels across the channel in such a position as to cover -the passage to the sea. If the Turkish vessels attempted to escape, -they would have to pass under the guns of the squadron, and would find -themselves within easy range of the formidable battery at Kinburn -Point. Nassau's flotilla at last following, the squadron was massed on -the right flank. - -[Illustration: Map of the Russian Campaign on the Liman.] - -The Turkish fleet and flotilla were drawn up in line parallel to the -Russians, under cover of the Otchakoff batteries; they still presented -a threatening appearance, but the severe handling they had received -during the day had taken much of the fight out of them. Having -disposed his squadron and flotilla to the best advantage, and being -unable to proceed further without coming under the fire of the heavy -Otchakoff batteries, there was nothing left for Jones but to hold his -position and wait another attack. - -In order, however, to familiarize himself with the field of future -operations, and see if he had properly placed his force, just before -sunset he took soundings in a small boat all along the Turkish line -within range of case shot from the Otchakoff batteries, and from the -Turkish ships as well. His action was a part of his impudent -hardihood. His dashing attack had so discouraged the Turks, and his -success of the morning had so disheartened them, that not a single gun -was fired upon him. Having completed his investigations to his -satisfaction, he returned to the flagship. - -That night the Turkish admiral attempted to escape with his remaining -ships and rejoin his main fleet on the Black Sea outside of Kinburn -Point. In an endeavor to avoid Jones' squadron on the one hand, and -the battery on the point on the other, nine of his largest ships ran -on a shoal. The attempt to escape was made under the fire of the fort -and ships, in which the flotillas and Fort Hassan joined. A few of the -ships succeeded in getting to sea; the rest were forced to return to -their position of safety under the walls of Otchakoff. - -When morning came, the plight of the nine ships aground was plainly -visible. Suvorof, who had commanded the Kinburn battery in person that -night, immediately signaled Jones to send vessels to take possession -of the Turkish ships. Jones decided to send the light frigates of his -squadron, but it being represented to him by Brigadier Alexiano that -the place where the Turks had grounded was dangerous and the current -running like a mill stream with the ebb tide, upon the advice of his -captains he turned over the duty of taking possession of the Turkish -ships to the flotilla. Alexiano, having received permission, went with -the Prince of Nassau. - -The boats of the flotilla soon reached the Turkish ships. When they -came within range of them they opened a furious fire, to which the -latter made no reply. In their helpless position, heeling every way -upon the shoal, it was impossible for them to make any defense. They -struck their flags and surrendered their ships. The Russian gunboats -paid no attention whatever to this circumstance, but continued to fire -upon them, drawing nearer and nearer as they realized the helplessness -of the Turks. Resorting to _brandkugels_ again, they at last set the -ships on fire. The hapless Turks in vain implored mercy, kneeling upon -the decks and even making the sign of the cross in the hope of -touching the hearts of their ruthless and bloodthirsty antagonists. -Seven frigates and corvettes were burned to the water's edge with all -their crews. It is estimated that about three thousand Turks perished -in this brutal and frightful butchery. Nassau and Alexiano enjoyed the -situation from a galley at a safe distance in the rear of the -attacking force. By chance two of the vessels were not consumed, and -were hauled off later and added to the squadron. - -Jones viewed the dreadful slaughter of the Turks with unmitigated -horror and surprise. A man of merciful disposition and kindly heart, -who never inflicted unnecessary suffering, he was shocked and revolted -at the ferocity of his new associates. He protested against their -action with all his energy, and laid the foundation thereby of an -utter breakdown of the relations between Nassau and himself. Besides -being horribly cruel, the whole performance was unnecessary. Like the -two ships burned the day before, it was possible to have saved them, -and they could have been added to Jones' command and would have -doubled his effective force. After the destruction of the Turkish -vessels Nassau and Alexiano immediately dispatched a report of the -operations to Patiomkine. They claimed that the flotilla had captured -two and burned nine ships of the line! - -Patiomkine, who was at this time extremely fond of Nassau, forwarded -this preposterous statement to the empress, with strong expressions of -approbation of Nassau's conduct. He gave him the whole credit of the -victory, which was entirely due to Jones, and suppressed the fact of -his ruthless and reckless destruction of the surrendered ships, which -would have been so valuable a re-enforcement to the government. In -this report Patiomkine also spoke favorably of the rear admiral, -saying that he had done his duty, but that the particular glory of and -credit for the success was due to the princeling who had hung on the -outskirts and lagged behind when there was any real fighting to be -done. - -For some ten days the naval force remained inactive, waiting for -Patiomkine to complete his investment of the town. On the night of the -8th of July the marshal sent orders to Nassau to advance with his -flotilla and destroy the Turkish flotilla under the walls of -Otchakoff. Jones was commanded to give him every assistance possible. -The weather prevented the carrying out of the orders for a few days. -On the night of the 12th of July, however, at one o'clock in the -morning, the advance began. The plan of attack had been arranged by -the marshal himself, but circumstances prevented its being followed. -But that did not matter; Patiomkine was not a military genius, and -Jones knew very much better than he what could or should be done in a -naval engagement. As it was impossible to use the ships of the -squadron, Jones manned all his boats, and led them to tow the -gunboats. - -As day broke on the 12th of July, the flotilla, having advanced within -gunshot distance of the walls, began firing upon the Turkish boats and -on Otchakoff itself. After assisting in placing the Russian gunboats -in an advantageous position, Jones, with the boats of the Wolodimer, -made for five of the enemy's galleys which lay within easy range of -the heavy guns of Fort Hassan. These galleys were subjected to a cross -fire from the Russian flotilla on one side and Fort Hassan on the -other. They were also covered by the guns of the Turkish flotilla and -the citadel of Otchakoff. Their position made the attack a most -hazardous one. Jones was far in advance of the gunboats, which, under -the supine leadership of Nassau, did not manifest a burning anxiety to -get into close action. In spite of a furious fire which was poured -upon them, Jones dashed gallantly at the nearest galley. It was taken -by boarding after a fierce hand-to-hand fight. Turning the command of -the galley over to Lieutenant Fabricien with instructions for him to -tow her out of action, Jones then assaulted the next galley, which -happened to be that of the capitan pasha. This boat lay nearer the -fort and was much better defended, but the Russians, under the -inspiring leadership of their admiral, would not be denied, and the -galley was presently his prize. The cable of this boat was cut without -order, and she immediately drifted toward the shore and took ground -near Fort Hassan, where she was subjected to a smashing fire from the -Turkish batteries close at hand. Jones was determined to bring out the -boat as a prize if possible. He caused the galley to be lightened by -throwing everything movable overboard, and meanwhile dispatched -Lieutenant Fox to the Wolodimer to fetch a kedge and line, by which he -could warp her into the channel. - -While waiting for the return of this officer he again manned his boats -and endeavored to bring up the Russian flotilla. He was partially -successful in this attempt, for they succeeded in compelling the three -other galleys of the group with which he had been engaged to strike -their flags and in forcing the other gunboats to retreat with severe -loss. When Fox returned from the Wolodimer a line was run from the -galley to the burned wreck of a Turkish ship, but, before the galley -could be moved, Jones, who had re-entered his barge, was intensely -surprised and annoyed to see fire break out on the two vessels he had -captured. They had been deliberately set on fire by the orders of -Alexiano. The other three Turkish galleys were also burned by the use -of the deadly _brandkugels_. It was brutal cruelty again. Not one was -saved from the five galleys except fifty-two prisoners whom Jones -personally brought off in his boats from the two which he had captured -by hard hand-to-hand fighting. These galleys appear to have been -propelled by oars which were driven by slaves on benches, in the -well-known manner of the middle ages. As they were Turkish galleys, -the slaves were probably captive Christians. They perished with the -Turks left on board. Two more ships belonging to the squadron which -had endeavored to escape the week previous, were set on fire and -burned under the walls of Fort Hassan. The rest of the flotilla -effected nothing, and under the orders of Nassau withdrew to their -former position. - -This action ended the general naval maneuvers which were undertaken. -In this short and brilliant campaign of three weeks Jones had fought -four general actions, all of which he personally directed. With -fifteen vessels against twenty-one he had so maneuvered that the enemy -lost many galleys and no less than thirteen of his ships; a few had -escaped, and a few were locked up in the harbor, so that the Turkish -naval force in the Liman was not only defeated but practically -annihilated by Jones' brilliant and successful leadership and -fighting. Eleven ships might have been prizes had it not been -for the cruelty and criminal folly of Nassau. Jones had captured by -hand-to-hand fighting two of the largest of the enemy's galleys. He -had shown himself a strategist in his disposition of the fleet at the -mouth of the Bug, and later, when he had placed it to command the -mouth of the Liman. He had demonstrated his qualities as a tactician -in the two boat attacks, and had shown his usual impetuous courage at -all times. Nassau had done nothing that was wise or that was gallant. -When Jones was not with him his tendency was always to retreat. The -orders which brought the flotilla into action which made the brilliant -combination on the first day's fight, by which the Turks were -outflanked, were issued by Jones himself. - -Nassau, like Landais, was "skilled in keeping out of harm's way," and -he did not personally get into action at any time. His services -consisted in the useless burning of the nine ships and the five -galleys, but he had a ready tongue, and he still enjoyed the full -favor and confidence of Patiomkine. As soon as the flotilla had -retired from the last conflict, he and Alexiano hastened to the army -headquarters to report their conquests and exploits. They lost nothing -in the telling. In accordance with Nassau's previous statement to -Jones, they were very much exaggerated, and the actions of the rear -admiral were accorded scant notice. - -Patiomkine received the two cowards graciously, and, as usual, -forwarded their reports. Jones was not accustomed to this performance, -and in ignorance of their actions took no steps to establish the value -of his services beyond making a report of what he had done in the -usual way--a report quietly suppressed. Two days after Alexiano -returned on board the Wolodimer in the throes of a malignant fever, of -which he died on the 19th of July. It had been asserted that every -Greek in the squadron would immediately resign upon the death of -Alexiano, but nothing of the kind took place. The Greeks, like the -English and the Russians, remained contentedly under the command of -the rear admiral. On the day he died Catherine granted Alexiano a fine -estate in White Russia. At the same time Nassau received a valuable -estate with several thousand serfs in White Russia, and the military -order of St. George. The empress also directed him to hoist the flag -of a vice admiral when Otchakoff surrendered. Jones received the minor -order of St. Anne, an order with which he would have been perfectly -satisfied if the other officers had been awarded nothing more. - -All the officers of the flotilla were promoted one step, and received -a year's pay with a gold-mounted sword. They were most of them -soldiers. The officers of the squadron, who were all sailors, and who -had conducted themselves gallantly and well, obtained no promotion, -received no pecuniary reward, and no mark of distinction was conferred -upon them. They were naturally indignant at being so slighted, but -when Jones promised them that he would demand justice for them at the -close of the campaign, they stifled their vexation and continued their -service. - -It is evident that the failure to ascribe the victory to Jones was due -to Patiomkine, and his action in giving the credit to Nassau was -deliberate. Jones and Nassau had seriously disagreed. The scorn which -ability and courage feel for inefficiency and cowardice had not been -concealed by the admiral; he had been outspoken in his censure, and -not reserved in his strictures upon Nassau's conduct. He had treated -the ideas and suggestions of that foolish commander with the -indifference they merited, and had allowed no opportunity to pass of -exhibiting his contempt--which was natural, but impolitic. - -He seems to have made the effort in the beginning to get along -pleasantly with Nassau, and to work with him for the good of the -service; but, after the demonstration of Nassau's lack of character -and capacity in the first action, and after the repeated failure of -the prince to maneuver the flotilla in the most ordinary manner, Jones -lost all patience with him. Patiomkine had endeavored to establish -harmony and good feeling between the two, not only by letters, -but by a personal visit which he paid the rear admiral on the -Wolodimer on the 29th of June. He did everything on that occasion -to persuade Nassau to make an apology for some remarks he had -addressed to Jones previously, and, having done so, effected -some kind of a reconciliation, but the differences between them were -so wide--Nassau was so worthless and Jones so capable, while both were -hot-tempered--that the breach between them was greater than before. - -Between the two Patiomkine, while not at first unfriendly to Jones, -much preferred Nassau. Hence his action. Not only did Patiomkine -enjoin harmony, but Littlepage, the American, whom we have seen before -as the chamberlain of the King of Poland, who had accepted the command -of one of the ships under Jones, also wrote him to the same effect. - -Jones received his letter in the spirit in which it was written, and -assured the writer that he had borne more from Nassau than he would -have done from any other than a madman, and he promised to continue to -try to do so. The effort was a failure. Littlepage himself, unable to -endure the animosities engendered between the squadron and the -flotilla, threw up his command and returned to Warsaw. His parting -counsel to Jones showed that he well understood the situation. - - -"Farewell, my dear admiral; take care of yourself, and look to whom -you trust. Remember that you have rather to play the part of a -politician than a warrior--more of a courtier than a soldier." - - -Jones indorsed upon this note the following remark: - - -"I was not skilled in playing such a part. I never neglected my duty." - - -To resume the narrative: After the defeat in the Liman, the grand -Turkish fleet sailed away from Otchakoff, which was then strictly -blockaded by Jones' squadron, assisted by thirty-five armed boats -which had been placed under his command. At the end of July the -Turkish fleet, having had an indecisive engagement with the Russians -at Sebastopol, returned to Otchakoff. Preparations were made by Jones -to receive an attack, but none was delivered. Three ships attempted to -run the blockade: one was sunk, and the others got in with difficulty. -Nothing of importance happened during the months of August and -September, in which Jones continued an effective blockade, although he -undertook some minor operations at the request of the marshal. - -Patiomkine carried on the siege in a very desultory manner. In -accordance with his contradictory nature he sometimes pressed -operations vigorously, and then for weeks did nothing. He seems to -have had a harem in his camp, which perhaps accounts for his dawdling. -Nassau, with his usual boastfulness, sent word to Patiomkine that if -he had permission he would take the boats of the flotilla and knock a -breach in the walls of Otchakoff big enough to admit two regiments; -whereupon Patiomkine asked him wittily how many breaches he had made -in Gibraltar, and removed him from his command. He was sent northward, -where he still managed to hold the favor of the empress. This did not -greatly improve Jones' situation, however, for the relations between -him and Patiomkine had become so strained as to be impossible. - -On the 24th of October Patiomkine sent him the following order: - - -"As it is seen that the capitan pasha comes in his kirlangich from the -grand fleet to the smaller vessels, and as before quitting this he may -attempt something, I request your excellence, the capitan pasha having -actually a greater number of vessels, to hold yourself in readiness to -receive him courageously, and drive him back. I require that this be -done without loss of time; if not, you will be made answerable for -every neglect." - - -Indorsing this insulting document as follows: "A warrior is always -ready, and I had not come there an apprentice," Jones immediately -returned a spirited answer, part of which is quoted: - - -"Monseigneur: I have the honour to transmit to your highness a plan of -the position in which I placed the squadron under my command this -morning, in conformity to your orders of yesterday. . . . I have -always conformed myself immediately, without murmuring, and most -exactly, to the commands of your highness; and on occasions when you -have deigned to leave anything to my own discretion I have been -exceedingly flattered, and believe you have had no occasion to repent. -At present, in case the capitan pacha does resolve on attempting -anything before his departure, I can give assurance beforehand that -the brave officers and crews I have the honour to command will do -their duty 'courageously,' though they have not yet been rewarded for -the important services they have already performed for the empire -under my eyes. I answer with my honour to explain myself fairly on -this delicate point at the end of the campaign. In the meantime I may -merely say that it is upon the sacred promise I have given them of -demanding justice from your highness in their behalf that they have -consented to stifle their grievances and keep silent." - - -This provoked a reply from Patiomkine and another tart rejoinder -from Jones. The correspondence, in which on one occasion Jones had -stated that "every man who thinks is master of his own opinion, and -this is mine"--good doctrine for the United States, impossible in -Russia--terminated by another order from Patiomkine, which closed as -follows: - - -"Should the enemy attempt to pass Oczakow, prevent him by every means -and defend yourself courageously." - - -Jones' indorsement on this document was as follows: - - -"It will be hard to believe that Prince Potemkin addressed such words -to Paul Jones!" - - -But the patience of the prince had reached its limit, and on the 28th -he summarily relieved Jones of his command, and replaced him by -Vice-Admiral Mordwinoff, who had received him so coldly when he -arrived at Kherson six months before. - -The order relieving him is as follows: - - -"According to the special desire of her Imperial Majesty, your service -is fixed in the northern seas; and as this squadron and the flotilla -are placed by me under the orders of the vice admiral and the -Chevalier de Mordwinoff, your excellency may in consequence proceed on -the voyage directed; principally, as the squadron in the Liman, on -account of the season being so far advanced, can not now be united -with that of Sevastopol." - - -The northern sea service was only a pretext, but on the 30th Jones -replied with the following brief note: - - -"I am much flattered that her Majesty yet deigns to interest herself -about me; but what I shall ever regret is the loss of your regard. I -will not say that it is not difficult to find more skilful sea -officers than myself--I know well that it is a very possible thing; -but I feel emboldened to say that you will never find a man more -susceptible of a faithful attachment or more zealous in the discharge -of his duty. I forgive my enemies who are near you for the painful -blow aimed at me; but if there is a just God, it will be difficult for -Him to do as much." - - -Patiomkine was intensely angered by this note, and he took serious -exception to the implication that he had been influenced against Jones -by any one. Jones states in one of his letters that when he took leave -of Patiomkine a few days afterward, the prince remarked with much -anger: - -"Don't believe that anyone leads me. No one leads me!" he shouted, -rising and stamping his foot, "not even the Empress!"--which was -correct. The jesting interrogation with which Catherine closes one of -her letters to Patiomkine by saying, "Have I done well, my master?" -contained much truth. However, he moderated his tone somewhat in the -face of the sturdy dignity of Jones, and, before the admiral started -for St. Petersburg, Patiomkine gave him the following letter to the -empress: - - -"Madam: In sending to the high throne of your Imperial Majesty -Rear-Admiral M. Paul Jones, I take, with submission, the liberty of -certifying the eagerness and zeal which he has ever shown for the -service of your Imperial Majesty, and to render himself worthy of the -high favour of your Imperial Majesty." - - -Having given the officers he commanded, who seem to have become much -attached to him, testimonials as to the high value of their services, -Jones embarked in a small open galley on the 1st of December for -Kherson. He was three days and three nights on the way, and suffered -greatly from the extreme cold. He arrived at Kherson dangerously ill, -and was unable to proceed upon his journey until the 17th of December. -When he reached Elizabethgrad he received word that Otchakoff had been -taken by storm the day he had departed from Kherson; over twenty -thousand Turks were put to the sword on that occasion. He arrived at -St. Petersburg on the 8th of January, 1789, and was ordered to appear -at court on the 11th, when the empress awarded him a private -interview, at which he presented the letter of Patiomkine. A few days -afterward Catherine sent him word that she would wait the arrival of -the prince before deciding what to do with him. - - - - -CHAPTER XIX. -SLANDERED IN RUSSIA--A SLAVONIC REWARD FOR FAITHFUL SERVICES. - - -Patiomkine did not reach St. Petersburg until the middle of February, -and while waiting for him Jones busied himself with formulating -suggestions for a political and commercial alliance between Russia and -the United States, one feature of which involved an attack upon -Algiers. In addition to holding a large number of American prisoners -in captivity, the Algerines had made common cause with the Turks, and -had been present in large numbers before Otchakoff. When Patiomkine -did arrive, the project was submitted to him, but it was not thought -expedient to attempt it at the time, lest it should result in the -irritation of England. During this time the commodore wrote to -Jefferson and learned for the first time that all the letters he had -written since he entered the Russian service had been intercepted. -When he examined the official reports concerning his actions, which -had been forwarded from the Liman, he found that he had been grossly -misrepresented, and the reports were false even to the most trifling -details. - -His situation was very different from what it had been when he entered -St. Petersburg before. Antagonized secretly by Patiomkine, and openly -by Nassau and the English at court, his favor appreciably waned. The -old story about the insubordinate carpenter whom he had punished in -the West Indies was revived, and in its new version the carpenter -became his nephew, and it was stated that he had flogged him to death. -This was the precursor of a more deadly scandal. His occasional -invitations to court functions became less and less frequent, and the -coldness in official circles more and more marked. Finally, in the -month of April, when he appeared at the palace to pay his respects to -the empress, he was refused admittance, and unceremoniously ordered to -leave the precincts. - -This deadly insult, this public disgrace, which of course at once -became a matter of general knowledge, was due to a most degrading -accusation made against his character. To discover the origin of this -slander is difficult indeed. In the first flush of his anger Jones -specifically charged that his English enemies, whose animosities were -not softened by time, were the authors of the calumny. It is -impossible to believe that any English officer could descend to such -depths, nor is it necessary to credit the report that his disgrace was -due to them. The Russian court was as full of intrigue as that of an -Oriental despot. Jones was out of favor. He had succeeded in creating -powerful enemies for himself in Nassau and Patiomkine. The latter -gentleman had negatived a promising plan in the hope of thereby -pleasing England, with whom Russia was now coquetting. If he were the -instigator of the cabal against Jones, he might have thought the -disgrace of the man they hated would gratify the English people. If he -could bring this about without compromising himself he would not -hesitate to take the required action. Nassau had very strong reasons -for hating Jones, who made no secret of his contempt for that pseudo -princeling. At any rate, whatever the source or origin, there is no -doubt as to the situation. - -Jones was accused of having outraged a young girl of menial station, -who was only ten years old! The charge was false from beginning to -end. It had absolutely no foundation, but with the peculiar methods in -vogue in Russia, it was not easy to establish his innocence. He was -not only presumed, but was declared guilty, without investigation. The -advocate he employed was ordered to abandon his case, and he found -himself in the position of one condemned beyond hope with no -opportunity for justification. He was ever jealous on the point of his -personal honor, and to see himself thus cruelly stigmatized at the -close of a long, honorable, and brilliant career nearly drove him -frantic. After exhausting unavailingly every means to force a -consideration of his case and an examination of evidence which he -succeeded in securing with great difficulty, he fell into despair and -seriously contemplated suicide. He was not the man that he had been. -Already within a few years of his death, although only forty-one, his -constitution was so broken that his strength was seriously undermined. - -Providence raised up for him a friend in the person of de Ségur, the -French ambassador at Catherine's court. This man should be held in -eternal gratitude by all Americans--nay, by all who love honor and -fair play--for he did not permit himself to be influenced, as is the -wont of courtiers, by the withdrawal of royal favor from the -chevalier, whom he had known in happier days and under more favorable -circumstances. He had been Jones' friend when he had been in the -zenith of his career, and he remained his friend in this nadir of his -misfortunes. The part that he played in the transaction can be best -understood by his own statement, confirmed by two letters written by -Jones. The first letter is addressed to Patiomkine. It had been -written before the visit of de Ségur: - - -"St. Petersburg, _April 13, 1789_. - -"My Lord: Having had the advantage to serve under your orders and in -your sight, I remember, with particular satisfaction, the kind -promises and testimonies of your friendship with which you have -honoured me. As I served all my life for honour, I had no other motive -for accepting the flattering invitation of her Imperial Majesty than a -laudable ambition to distinguish myself in the service of a sovereign -so magnanimous and illustrious; for I never yet have bent the knee to -self-interest, nor drawn my sword for hire. . . . - -"A bad woman has accused me of violating her daughter! If she had told -the truth I should have had candour enough to own it, and would trust -my honour, which is a thousand times dearer to me than my life, to the -mercy of the empress. I declare, with an assurance becoming a military -character, that I am innocent. Till that unhappy moment I have enjoyed -the public esteem, and the affection of all who knew me. Shall it be -said that in Russia a wretched woman, who _eloped_ from her _husband_ -and _family_ in the country, _stole away her daughter_, lives here in -a house of bad fame, and leads a debauched and adulterous life, has -found credit enough on a simple complaint, unsupported by _any proof_, -to affect the honour of a general officer of reputation, who has -merited and received the decorations of America, of France, and of -this empire? - -"If I had been favoured with the least intimation of a complaint of -that nature having found its way to the sovereign, I know too well -what belongs to delicacy to have presented myself in the presence of -the empress before my justification. - -"My servant was kept prisoner by the officers of police for several -hours, two days successively, and threatened with the knout. - -"After the examination of my people before the police, I sent for and -employed Monsieur Crimpin as my advocate. As the mother had addressed -herself to him before to plead her cause, she naturally spoke to him -without reserve, and he learned from her a number of important facts, -among others, that she was counselled and supported by a distinguished -man of the court. - -"By the certificate of the father, attested by the pastor of the -colony, the daughter is several years older than is expressed in the -complaint. And the complaint contains various other points equally -false and easy to be refuted. For instance, there is a conversation I -am said to have held with the daughter in the Russian language, of -which no person ever heard me pronounce two words together; it is -unknown to me. - -"I thought that in every country a man accused had a right to employ -advocates, and to avail himself of his friends for his justification. -Judge, my prince, of my astonishment and distress of mind, when I -yesterday was informed that the day before the governor of the city -had sent for my advocate, and forbidden _him_, at his peril, _or any -other person_, to meddle with _my cause!_ - -"I am innocent before God, and my conscience knows no reproach. The -complaint brought against me is an infamous lie, and there is no -circumstance that gives it even an air of probability. - -"I address myself to you with confidence, my prince, and am assured -that the friendship you have so kindly promised me will be immediately -exerted in my favour; and that you will not suffer the illustrious -sovereign of this great empire to be misled by the false insinuations -and secret cabals of my hidden enemies. Your mind will find more true -pleasure in pleading the cause of an innocent man whom you honour with -your friendship than can result from other victories equally glorious -with that of Oczakow, which will always rank among the most brilliant -of military achievements. If your highness will condescend to question -Monsieur Crimpin (for he dare not now _even speak to me_), he can tell -you many circumstances which will elucidate my innocence. I am, with -profound respect, my lord, your highness's devoted and most obedient -servant," etc. - -This letter was accompanied by certificates which fully established -the character of the wretched woman by whose agency his ruin had been -sought. The letter is dignified and touching. It is the passionate -protest of an innocent man against an accusation concerning that which -he had ever held dearer than life--his honor. It carries conviction -with it. Incidentally it throws much light upon the Russian legal -methods of that day. Never does Jones appear in a better light. But it -was sent to an utterly unresponsive man. Honor, justice, innocence, -were idle words to Patiomkine. No reply was made to the note, and -Jones abandoned himself to despair. The narrative of de Ségur is taken -from his memoirs, and, excepting in some minor details, is -substantially correct: - - -"The American rear admiral was favourably welcomed at court; often -invited to dinner by the empress, and received with distinction into -the best society in the city; on a sudden Catherine commanded him to -appear no more in her presence. - -"He was informed that he was accused of an infamous crime: of -assaulting a young girl of fourteen, of grossly violating her; and -that probably, after some preliminary information, he would be tried -by the courts of admiralty, in which there were many English officers, -who were strongly prejudiced against him. - -"As soon as this order was known every one abandoned the unhappy -American; no one spoke to him, people avoided saluting him, and every -door was shut against him. All those by whom but yesterday he had been -eagerly welcomed now fled from him as if he had been infected with a -plague; besides, no advocate would take charge of his cause, and no -public man would consent to listen to him; at last even his servants -would not continue in his service; and Paul Jones, whose exploits -every one had so recently been ready to proclaim, and whose friendship -had been sought after, found himself alone in the midst of an immense -population; Petersburg, a great capital, became to him a desert. - -"I went to see him; he was moved even to tears by my visit. 'I was -unwilling,' he said to me, shaking me by the hand, 'to knock at your -door and to expose myself to a fresh affront, which would have been -more cutting than all the rest. I have braved death a thousand -times--now I wish for it.' His appearance, his arms being laid upon -the table, made me suspect some desperate intention. - -"'Resume,' I said to him, 'your composure and your courage. Do you not -know that human life, like the sea, has its storms, and that fortune -is even more capricious than the winds? If, as I hope, you are -innocent, brave this sudden tempest; if, unhappily, you are guilty, -confess it to me with unreserved frankness, and I will do everything I -can to snatch you, by a sudden flight, from the danger which threatens -you.' - -"'I swear to you upon my honour,' said he, 'that I am innocent, and a -victim of the most infamous calumny. This is the truth. Some days -since a young girl came to me in the morning, to ask me if I could -give her some linen or lace to mend. She then indulged in some rather -earnest and indecent allurements. Astonished at so much boldness in -one of such few years, I felt compassion for her; I advised her not to -enter upon so vile a career, gave her some money, and dismissed her; -but she was determined to remain. - -"'Impatient at this resistance, I took her by the hand and led her to -the door; but, at the instant when the door was opened, the little -profligate tore her sleeves and her neck-kerchief, raised great cries, -complained that I had assaulted her, and threw herself into the arms -of an old woman, whom she called her mother, and who certainly was not -brought there by chance. The mother and the daughter raised the house -with their cries, went out, and denounced me; and now you know all.' - -"'Very well,' said I, 'but can not you learn the names of those -adventurers?' 'The porter knows them,' he replied. 'Here are their -names written down, but I do not know where they live. I was desirous -of immediately presenting a memorial about this ridiculous affair, -first to the minister and then to the empress; but I have been -interdicted from access to both of them.' 'Give me the paper,' I said; -'resume your accustomed firmness; be comforted; let me undertake it; -in a short time we shall meet again.' - -"As soon as I returned home I directed some sharp and intelligent -agents, who were devoted to me, to get information respecting these -suspected females, and to find out what was their mode of life. I was -not long in learning that the old woman was in the habit of carrying -on a vile traffic in young girls, whom she passed off as her -daughters. - -"When I was furnished with all the documents and attestations for -which I had occasion, I hastened to show them to Paul Jones. 'You have -nothing more to fear,' said I; 'the wretches are unmasked. It is only -necessary to open the eyes of the empress, and let her see how -unworthily she has been deceived; but this is not so very easy; truth -encounters a multitude of people at the doors of a palace, who are -very clever in arresting its progress; and sealed letters are, of all -others, those which are intercepted with the greatest art and care. -Nevertheless, I know that the empress, who is not ignorant of this, -has directed under very heavy penalties that no one shall detain on -the way any letters which are addressed to her personally, and which -may be sent to her by post; therefore, here is a very long letter -which I have written to her in your name; nothing of the detail is -omitted, although it contains some rough expressions. I am sorry for -the empress; but since she heard and gave credit to a calumny, it is -but right that she should read the justification with patience. Copy -this letter, sign it, and I will take charge of it; I will send some -one to put it in the post at the nearest town. Take courage; believe -me, your triumph is not doubtful.'" - - -The contents of the letter which Jones was advised to copy and send -are not now ascertainable, but the following letter was written to the -empress; and, while it is so evidently in Jones' own peculiar and -characteristic style as to admit of no doubt as to its authorship, he -probably embodied in it the suggestions of de Ségur and substituted it -for the copy proposed: - -"St. Petersburg, _May 17, 1789_. - -"Madam: I have never served but for honour; I have never sought but -glory; and I believed I was in the way of obtaining both when I -accepted the offers made me on the part of your Majesty, of entering -into your service.... I sacrificed my dearest interests to accept an -invitation so flattering, and I would have reached you instantly if -the United States had not entrusted me with a special commission to -Denmark. Of this I acquitted myself faithfully and promptly.... The -distinguished reception which your Majesty deigned to grant me, the -kindness with which you loaded me, indemnified me for the dangers to -which I had exposed myself for your service, and inspired me with the -most ardent desire to encounter more.... I besought your Majesty never -to condemn me unheard. You condescended to give me that promise, and I -set out with a mind as tranquil as my heart was satisfied.... - -"At the close of the campaign I received orders to return to court, as -your Majesty intended to employ me in the North Seas, and M. le Comte -de Besborodko acquainted me that a command of greater importance than -that of the Black Sea ... was intended for me. Such was my situation, -when, upon the mere accusation of a crime, the very idea of which -wounds my delicacy, I found myself driven from court, deprived of the -good opinion of your Majesty, and forced to employ the time which I -wish to devote to the defence of your empire in cleansing from myself -the stains with which calumny has covered me. - -"Condescend to believe, madam, that if I had received the slightest -hint that a complaint of such a nature had been made against me, and -still more, that it had come to your Majesty's knowledge, I know too -well what is owing to delicacy to have ventured before you till I was -completely exculpated. - -"Understanding neither the laws, the language, nor the forms of -justice in this country, I needed an advocate, and obtained one; but, -whether from terror or intimidation, he stopped short all at once, and -durst not undertake my defence, though convinced of the justice of my -cause. But truth may always venture to show itself alone and -unsupported at the foot of the throne of your Majesty. I have not -hesitated to labour unaided for my own vindication; I have collected -proofs; and if such details might appear under the eyes of your -Majesty I would present them; but if your Majesty will deign to order -some person to examine them, it will be seen by the report which will -be made that my crime is a fiction, invented by the cupidity of a -wretched woman, whose avarice has been countenanced, perhaps incited, -by the malice of my numerous enemies. Her husband has himself -certified and attested to her infamous conduct. His signature is in my -hands, and the pastor, Braun, of the district, has assured me that if -the College of Justice will give him an order to this effect he will -obtain an attestation from the country people that the mother of the -girl referred to is known among them as a wretch absolutely unworthy -of belief. - -"Take a soldier's word, madam; believe an officer whom two great -nations esteem, and who has been honoured with flattering marks of -their approbation.... I am innocent; and if I were guilty I would not -hesitate to make a candid avowal of my fault, and to commit my honour, -which is a thousand times dearer to me than my life, to the hands of -your Majesty. - -"If you deign, madam, to give heed to this declaration, proceeding -from a heart the most frank and loyal, I venture from your justice to -expect that my zeal will not remain longer in shameful and humiliating -inaction. It has been useful to your Majesty, and may again be so, -especially in the Mediterranean, where, with insignificant means, I -will undertake to execute most important operations, the plans for -which I have meditated long and deeply. But if circumstances, of which -I am ignorant, do not admit the possibility of my being employed -during the campaign, I hope your Majesty will give me permission to -return to France or America, granting, as the sole reward of the -services I have had the happiness to render, the hope of renewing them -at some future day...." - - -Catherine, to her credit be it stated, took the "soldier's word," -examined the convincing proofs, and, being satisfied of his innocence, -publicly received him at court again and thus openly vindicated him. -New projects immediately began to take shape in his fertile brain. No -bodily weakness could apparently impair his mental activity. With a -half dozen East Indiamen armed for warlike purposes he offered to cut -off the food traffic between Egypt and Constantinople; an idea as old -as the days of the Cæsars, when upon the arrival of the corn ships -from Alexandria depended the control of the Roman plebeians; but the -idea was as good now as it was then, and if he had been intrusted with -the meager force he requested he would have compelled the Turks to -detach ships from the Black Sea fleet, and thus relieve the pressure -on the Crimea. - -Count Besborodko was pleased with the project, and promised to submit -it to the empress, proposing, at the same time, if this plan fell -through, to give him another command in the Black Sea, with an -adequate fleet, by which he might force his way into the -Mediterranean. About the middle of June, on his applying to this -minister again, he was promised an answer in two days as to the -pleasure of the empress concerning him. Besborodko stated that -Catherine would either give him a command or grant the leave of -absence which he had asked in his letter of the 17th. The minister had -a court memory, however, and not two days, but many, passed without -the information. On the 5th of July Jones wrote again to the minister -in the usual direct way he employed when he was irritated, and asked -for an immediate declaration of intentions regarding him. It was a -high-handed way to address the Russian court, but it brought an -immediate reply. On the 8th of July he was officially informed that -his request for a leave of absence was granted for two years, with -permission to go outside the limits of the empire. His salary was to -be continued during that time. - -On the 18th of July he had a farewell audience with the empress, who -treated him very nicely on this occasion. As he kissed her hand in -good-by she wished him _bon voyage_, which was politic but -unsubstantial. He did not leave St. Petersburg immediately, and it was -not until the last of August that he took his final leave of the -Russian capital. During this interval he was detained partly by the -difficulty in collecting his arrears in pay and allowances, and partly -for the reason that he undertook, in spite of the rebuffs he had -received, again to lay before Besborodko and others a project for a -war against the Barbary States, which, of course, came to nothing. He -left Russia a bitterly disappointed man. - -The disinterested friendship of de Ségur had not been exhausted by his -previous actions, and he gave additional proofs of his affection by -supplying Jones with letters of introduction to the representatives of -the French Government at the different courts of Europe which he -proposed to visit, and the two following statements addressed to the -French Minister of Foreign Affairs: - - -"St. Petersburg, _July 21, 1789_. - -"The enemies of the Vice-Admiral[48] Paul Jones having caused to be -circulated reports entirely destitute of foundation concerning the -journey which this general officer is about to undertake, I would wish -the inclosed article, the authenticity of which I guarantee, should be -inserted in the _Gazette de France_, and in the other public papers -which are submitted to the inspection of your department. This article -will undeceive those who have believed the calumny, and will prove to -the friends and to the compatriots of the vice admiral that he has -sustained the reputation acquired by his bravery and his talents -during the last war; that the empress desires to retain him in her -service; and that if he absents himself at this moment it is with his -own free will, and for particular reasons, which can not leave any -stain on his honour. - -"The glorious marks of the satisfaction and bounty of the king toward -M. Paul Jones, his attachment to France, which he has served so -usefully in the common cause, his rights as a subject, and as an -admiral of the United States, the protection of the ministers of the -king, and my personal friendship for this distinguished officer, with -whom I made a campaign in America, are so many reasons which appear to -me to justify the interest which I took in all that concerned him -during his stay in Russia." - - -"_Article to be inserted in the Public Prints, and particularly in the -Gazette de France_. - -"St. Petersburg, _July 21, 1789_. - -"The Vice-Admiral Paul Jones, being at the point of returning to -France, where private affairs require his presence, had the honour to -take leave of the empress, the 7th[49] of this month, and to be -admitted to kiss the hand of her Imperial Majesty, who confided to him -the command of her vessels of war stationed on the Liman during the -campaign of 1788. As a mark of favour for his conduct during this -campaign the empress has decorated him with the insignia of the order -of St. Anne; and her Imperial Majesty, satisfied with his services, -only grants him permission to absent himself for a limited time, and -still preserves for him his emoluments and his rank." - - -Jones did not lack other friends either, for M. Genet, Secretary of -the French Legation at St. Petersburg, and subsequently Minister from -France to the United States--his extraordinary conduct while he -enjoyed that office will be remembered--whose father had been an old -friend of the commodore's, gave him a most cordial and gratifying -letter of introduction to the celebrated Madame Campan, in which he -specifically states the unfounded nature of the charges which had been -made, and, describing the circumstances in which Jones left Russia, -authorized her to correct any rumors to his disadvantage which might -be put in circulation at Versailles. He also consented to act as -Jones' financial representative, and transmitted to him from time to -time such amounts on his pay as he could wrest from the Russian -Government. - - - - -CHAPTER XX. -LAST YEARS AND DEATH. - - -The next year of his life the commodore passed in travel. His -destination when he left Russia was Copenhagen; perhaps he had in mind -the possibility of resuming the negotiations with the Danish -Government on the old claim, and it is possible that his deferred -pension may have had something to do with this intention. He had no -especial place to go; one city was as good as another to him. In his -busy wandering life he had never made a home for himself, and, while -his mind and heart turned with ever more intensity of affection to the -United States, yet he loved America in an abstract rather than a -concrete way. The principles for which the United States stood, and -upon which they were constituted and organized, appealed to him, but -those personal ties which he had formed in his brief sojourn before -the Revolution were weakened by absence or had been sundered by death. -There was no employment for him there, for his country had absolutely -no navy. Besides, he needed rest. He who had fought throughout a long -life for liberty and freedom, for honor and fame, was doomed to -struggle for that last desire for the few remaining years left him. - -He traveled leisurely from St. Petersburg to Warsaw, where he was -kindly received at the court of Poland, and where he busied himself -preparing journals of his American service and of the Liman campaign, -copies of which he sent to Catherine. There, too, he met the great -Pole, Kosciusko, and the acquaintance between the veteran sailor and -the old soldier of the Revolution speedily ripened into intimacy. -Sweden had declared war against Russia. Kosciusko, who was the -inveterate enemy of this gigantic empire which finally wrote _finis -Poloniæ_ across the story of his country, would have been most happy -if he could have seen the fleets of Sweden led by so redoubtable a -warrior as Jones. But of course such a proposition was not, and could -not be, entertained by Jones.[50] - -On leaving Warsaw for Vienna, it is suggested that he made the detour -necessitated by visiting that point, rather than proceeding directly -to Copenhagen via Berlin, at the instigation of Catherine, who desired -to remove him from the vicinity of the Swedes. She might not use him -herself, but she could not contemplate with any degree of equanimity -the possibility of his serving against her. There is not the slightest -evidence that he ever thought of entering the service of Sweden. He -repels the idea with indignation, and the sole foundation for it arose -from Kosciusko's ardent desire. Jones' conduct in the affair is beyond -criticism; indeed, he was too ill at that time, although he did not -realize it, to be employed by any one. In his papers the following -declaration is found. It is undated, and the documents to which it was -attached give no clew as to when it was written, or whether it was -ever published, but from its contents it must have been prepared while -he was on this leave of absence from Russia. It is a notable little -document, for it repeats his assertion of American citizenship, -expresses his intention of never warring against the United States or -France, and clearly defines the tenure of his connection with the -Russians: - - -"NOTICE. - -"The Rear-Admiral Paul Jones, desirous of making known unequivocally -his manner of thinking in relation to his military connection with -Russia, declares: - -"1st. That he has at all times expressed to her Imperial Majesty of -Russia his vow to preserve the condition of an American citizen and -officer. - -"2d. That, having been honoured by his most Christian Majesty with a -gold sword, he has made a like vow never to draw it on any occasion -where war might be waged against his Majesty's interest. - -"3d. That circumstances which the rear admiral could not foresee when -he wrote on the last occasion make him feel a presentiment that, in -spite of his attachment and gratitude to her Imperial Majesty, and -notwithstanding the advantageous propositions which may be made to -him, he will probably renounce the service of that power, even before -the expiration of the leave of absence which he now enjoys." - - -To return to his trip. After staying some time in Vienna, where he -seems to have been received with favor in high social circles, though -the illness of the emperor prevented his being presented, he went to -Amsterdam via Hamburg. Here he remained for some time, engaged, as -usual, in correspondence. He still seems to have cherished the -sailor's dream of buying a farm and passing his remaining years -thereon, for we find among his letters an inquiry addressed to Mr. -Charles Thompson, the Secretary of Congress, about an estate near -Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which he thought of purchasing from funds -invested in the United States. But in view of his anomalous connection -with Russia he thought it well to remain in Europe until it had either -ceased or been renewed. This was the time, being in need of funds, -that he wrote to his old friend Krudner to endeavor to secure payment -of the Danish pension. - -Krudner readily undertook Jones' commission, and the Danish Government -promised to pay the pension at Copenhagen to any one whom Jones would -authorize to receive it. They never paid it. Krudner always retained -his friendship for Jones, and one of his letters closes with these -words: - - -"At all events, I flatter myself, as a good Russian, that your arm is -still reserved for us." - - -At the end of April, 1790, he crossed over to London on some financial -business, which he settled to his satisfaction. He remained but a -brief time in England--his visits there were always brief and devoid -of publicity; he seems to have felt keenly the hatred with which the -English regarded him, and under such circumstances his action was -wise. - -Toward the close of May he returned to Paris, which was perhaps the -place where his happiest hours had been spent, and at Paris he -continued to reside until the last scene in his eventful history. It -was no longer the gay and pleasure-seeking resort of his earlier and -happier years. The grim shadow of the Revolution, as yet no larger -than a man's hand, was already lowering on the horizon. A year before -his arrival the States-General had been summoned for the first time in -a hundred and seventy-five years. On the 14th of July, eight months -before his coming, the drums of the sections rolled the knell of the -Bastile, and a little later still the old feudal constitution, which -had endured the vicissitudes of a thousand years of change, was -abrogated, and the rule of the people began. Louis XVI, poor puppet of -fortune, "imponderous rag of circumstance," was driven hither and -thither by the furious blasts of liberated passion charged with -centuries of animosity, for a few aimless, pitiful years, and -then--the guillotine! - -For two years Jones lived in quiet retirement. He made but one other -public appearance, in July, 1790, in connection with the first -anniversary of the taking of the Bastile. Paris, inspirited with the -first breath of freedom, drawn from the first labor pains of the -Revolution, determined to celebrate in fitting style this grand -anniversary. Different groups of foreigners residing in France sent -delegates to appear before the National Assembly and ask permission to -take part in the national _fête_. Paul Jones headed the Americans, and -made an address to the Assembly. Thenceforward he did nothing of a -public character. - -His traveling had brought him neither surcease of care nor restoration -to health. His hardy constitution, shattered by constant exposure in -all weathers and every climate, and worn out by the chafings of his -ardent and impatient temperament throughout the course of a career -checkered by periods of alternate exaltation and depression, and -filled with hopes and disappointments in equal measure, was rapidly -yielding to the pains and ailments which were ushering in the fatal -moment which should put an end to all his dreams and aspirations. His -time, however, was not passed unhappily, and returns from investments -provided him with enough for his simple needs. During the stirring -hours of the beginning of the Revolution he busied himself in writing -his journals, arranging the great mass of papers he had accumulated, -and in his never-failing correspondence. Sometimes he attended the -Sorbonne, and held discussion with philosophers. Madame de Telison was -with him. - -He was drawn in two ways by the condition of France. His sympathies -were ever with humanity struggling for freedom; but he had received so -many marks of favor from the French king, to whom he owed his great -opportunities for achievement and advancement, that he could scarcely -view with equanimity the dangers and harassments of that unhappy -monarch. He was a republican through and through in principle, but by -instinct and association, if not by birth, he was one of the proudest -and most thoroughgoing of aristocrats--as Washington was an -aristocrat. Like many other people, his theory of life and government -was different from his practice. Besides, the liberty which the French -were striving to establish was already perilously verging on that -unbounded license into which it soon degenerated, and that his -disciplined soul abhorred. His associates in France were mainly among -the Girondists, with whom he was more nearly affiliated than with -other political parties. - -He did not realize that he was so broken in health, for he still clung -to his tenuous connection with Russia, sending repeated letters to -Catherine and Patiomkine, with demands, requests, and suggestions of -various plans for service. Patiomkine, as usual, took no notice, but -the last letter to Catherine having been forwarded through Baron -Grimm, she directed him, rather curtly by the way, to inform Jones -that if she had service for him she would let him know. After that -Jones seems to have discontinued his letters to Russia. He found, -however, two new outlets for his restless zeal. Early in 1792, -chancing to meet an Algerian corsair, who had captured many Americans -now held for ransom in Algiers, he learned much of the unfortunate -condition of those unhappy sailors, to whose fate their country was -apparently oblivious. The corsair informed him that if these captives -were not ransomed promptly they would be sold into slavery. Jones -wrote immediately to Jefferson, then Secretary of State, and with all -his power urged that something be done for them, either by sending a -force to compel restitution or by means of ransom. The letter, as we -shall see, was not without result. - -The second object of interest was a claim which he entertained against -the French Government for salary due him while in command of the Bon -Homme Richard and the squadron. The United States had paid him his -salary as an officer during that period, but he felt that since his -services had been asked by France, and the squadron had been at the -charge of the French Government, a further amount was due him from the -French, and he wrote to de Bertrand, Minister of Marine, demanding the -balance due. The claim was the subject of acrid correspondence, and -the matter was pending when he died.[51] From the letters written -during the last years of his life I quote portions of three--the first -two to his sister, Mrs. Taylor, and the last one to Lafayette: - -"Amsterdam, _March 26, 1790_. - -"I wrote you, my dear friend, from Paris, by Mr. Kennedy, who -delivered me the kind letter you wrote me by him. Circumstances -obliged me to return soon afterward to America, and on my arrival at -New York Mr. Thomson delivered me a letter that had been intrusted to -his care by Mrs. Loudon. It would be superfluous to mention the great -satisfaction I received in hearing from two persons I so much love and -esteem, and whose worthy conduct as wives and mothers is so -respectable in my eyes. Since my return to Europe a train of -circumstances and changes of residence have combined to keep me -silent. This has given me more pain than I can express; for I have a -tender regard for you both, and nothing can be indifferent to me that -regards your happiness and the welfare of your children. I wish for a -particular detail of their age, respective talents, characters, and -education. I do not desire this information merely from curiosity. It -would afford me real satisfaction to be useful to their establishment -in life. We must study the genius and inclination of the boys, and try -to fit them, by a suitable education, for the pursuits we may be able -to adopt for their advantage. When their education shall be advanced -to a proper stage, at the school of Dumfries for instance, it must -then be determined whether it may be most economical and advantageous -for them to go to Edinburgh or France to finish their studies. All -this is supposing them to have great natural genius and goodness of -disposition; for without these they can never become eminent. For the -females, they require an education suited to the delicacy of character -that is becoming in their sex. I wish I had a fortune to offer to each -of them; but though this is not the case, I may yet be useful to them. -And I desire particularly to be useful to the two young women, who -have a double claim to my regard, as they have lost their father. -Present my kind compliments to Mrs. Loudon, her husband, to Mr. -Taylor, and your two families, and depend on my affectionate -attachment...." - - -"Paris, _December 27, 1790_. - -"I duly received, my dear Mrs. Taylor, your letter of the 16th August, -but ever since that time I have been unable to answer it, not having -been capable to go out of my chamber, and having been for the most -part obliged to keep my bed. I have now no doubt but that I am in a -fair way to perfect recovery, though it will require time and -patience. - -"I shall not conceal from you that your family discord aggravates -infinitely all my pains. My grief is inexpressible that two sisters, -whose happiness is so interesting to me, do not live together in that -_mutual tenderness and affection_ which would do so much honour to -themselves and to the memory of their worthy relations. Permit me to -recommend to your serious _study_ and _application_ Pope's Universal -Prayer. You will find more morality in that little piece than in many -volumes that have been written by great divines: - - - "'Teach me to feel another's woe, - _To hide the fault I see;_ - That mercy I to others show, - _Such mercy show to me_.' - - -"This is not the language of a weak, superstitious mind, but the -spontaneous offspring of true religion, springing from a heart -sincerely inspired by charity, and deeply impressed with a sense of -the calamities and _frailties_ of human nature. If the sphere in which -Providence has placed us as members of society requires the exercise -of brotherly kindness and charity toward our neighbour in general, how -much more is this our duty with respect to individuals with whom we -are connected by the near and tender ties of nature as well as moral -obligation. Every lesser virtue may pass away, but _charity_ comes -from Heaven, and is immortal. Though I wish to be the instrument of -making family peace, which I flatter myself would tend to promote the -happiness of you all, yet I by no means desire you to do violence to -your own feelings by taking any step that is contrary to your own -judgment and inclination. Your reconciliation must come free from your -heart, otherwise it will not last, and therefore it will be better not -to attempt it. Should a reconciliation take place, I recommend it of -all things, that you never mention past grievances, nor show, by -_word, look, or action_, that you have not forgot them." - - -"Paris, _December 7, 1791_. - -"Dear General: My ill health for some time past has prevented me from -the pleasure of paying you my personal respects, but I hope shortly to -indulge myself with that satisfaction. - -"I hope you approve the quality of the fur linings I brought from -Russia for the King and yourself. I flatter myself that his Majesty -will accept from your hand that little mark of the sincere attachment -I feel for his person; and be assured that I shall be always ready to -draw the sword with which he honoured me for the service of the -virtuous and illustrious 'Protector of the Rights of Human Nature.' - -"When my health shall be established, M. Simolin will do me the honour -to present me to his Majesty as a Russian admiral. Afterward it will -be my duty, as an American officer, to wait on his Majesty with the -letter which I am directed to present to him from the United States." - - -Jones appears in a very pleasant light in all of these letters, and I -am glad to read the evidences of gentleness and of affection and -kindly feeling which they present. In March, 1792, his disease, which -had developed into a lingering form of dropsy, became complicated with -a disorder of the liver. He grew much worse, lost his appetite, became -very jaundiced, and was confined to his bedroom for two months. Under -treatment he grew temporarily better, until the beginning of July, -when he became suddenly worse again and the dropsy began to manifest -itself once more. The disease attacked his chest. His legs became much -swollen, and the enlargement extended upward so that he could not -button his waistcoat and had great difficulty in breathing. - -He was not, as has been asserted, in poverty and want, deserted by his -friends. He lived in a comfortable apartment in the second story of -No. 42 Tournon Street, and enjoyed the services of one of the best -physicians in France, who was, in fact, physician to the queen. -Gouverneur Morris, the American Minister, was a warm friend of his, -and paid him many visits during his dying hours. He had no lack of -other friends either, for he was attended by two gentlemen, -ex-American army officers, Colonels Swan and Blackden, and by a French -officer, M. Beaupoil. They all seem to have been fond of the little -commodore, and to have visited him constantly. They did everything -possible to lighten his dying hours. His symptoms became so alarming -about the middle of July that Colonel Blackden took upon himself the -duty of advising him to make his will and settle his affairs. He put -off this action until the 18th of the month. On the afternoon of that -day Morris drew up a schedule of his property from Jones' own -dictation, and his friends having sent for a notary, he made his will, -which was drawn in English by Morris, and transcribed in French by the -notary. The will was witnessed by Swan, Blackden, and Beaupoil.[52] In -this document--the last of all his writings--dictated in those solemn -hours when he looked Death in the face in final glance, the real value -of earthly honors and titles became apparent to him; he describes -himself with touching simplicity, not as Commodore, Chevalier, or -Admiral--titles he had loved--but in greater words as "_John Paul -Jones, a citizen of the United States_." - -At eight o'clock in the evening his friends bade him good by, and -perhaps "Good night" were the last words any one heard him speak. They -left him seated in his armchair in his parlor in the second story. A -short time after their departure the physician arrived to pay his -regular evening visit. The armchair was empty, and the door of the -chamber adjoining the parlor was open. He walked over toward it and -stopped in the entrance, and this is what he saw: the figure of the -great commodore lying prone upon the bed, his feet touching the floor -and his hands outstretched before him. There was no sound in the still -room. The physician stepped softly to the bedside, turned him over, -and laid his hand upon his heart. He felt no responsive throb. The -little captain of the Bon Homme Richard was dead, worn out, fretted -away, broken down, at the age of forty-five! "The hand of a conqueror -whom no human power can resist had been laid upon his shoulder, and -for the first time in his life the face of Paul Jones was turned away -from the enemy."[53] Fitting, indeed, would it have been if from the -deck of the war ship the soul of the sea king had taken its flight; -but, after all, he was at rest at last--"in peace after so many -storms, in honor after so much obloquy." - -The peculiar position in which he was found, as I have thought upon -it, has suggested to me the possibility that, when he felt the last -crisis coming upon him, he may have attempted to sink down by his -bedside, that the call of his Maker might find him--as years after it -found David Livingstone in the heart of dark Africa--on his knees in -prayer. And then sometimes I think--and this is perhaps more -likely--that he may have risen to his feet to face death, as was his -wont, and have fallen forward when it came. No one can tell. A century -has fled away since they found him there, but the sorrow of it all is -still present with me as I write. An exile from his native land, far -from the country of his adoption, in the prime of life, he dies. There -was not a woman with him to whisper words of comfort, to give him that -last touch of tenderness that comes from a woman's hand. Alone he had -lived--alone he died. Oh, the pity of it! The man of the world, become -the citizen of the new republic, had found another country--let us -hope a heavenly one. He did much and he suffered much, and for such we -may be sure there is much charity, much forgiveness. - -By the terms of his will all his property, amounting to some thirty -thousand dollars, was left to his two surviving sisters and their -children--the same to whom he had sent those sweet words counseling -forbearance and consideration. The fact that he had shown but little -of the one and had received but little of the other in his life only -accentuates his sense of their need. One other honor his country had -in store for him, but it arrived too late. He had been long buried -when a commission appointing him to negotiate the release of the -prisoners in Algiers arrived in France. It was an honor he would have -appreciated, and in carrying it out he would have found a congenial -task. - -The National Assembly honored his memory by sending a deputation, -headed by its president, to represent them at his funeral, which took -place on the second day after his death, at eight o'clock in the -evening. All his friends, including the Americans, were there as well. -A French Protestant clergyman named Marron conducted the services and -delivered a eulogy, but one sentence of which is worthy of quotation: -"The fame of the brave outlives him; his portion is immortality." - -It has been determined recently that the interment was made in the -little cemetery reserved for those who died in the Protestant faith, -situated at the corner of the Rue de la Grange aux Belles and Rue des -Écluses Saint Martin--then in the suburbs, now in the heart of the -city. The cemetery was officially closed on January 1, 1793. A canal -was afterward cut through it and buildings erected upon the other, -lots. The exact location of Jones' grave is unknown, and, as there -were at least ten thousand people buried there, it would probably be a -matter of great difficulty to find it, should the effort be made; and -the expense would be considerable. The body, clad in an American -uniform, was incased in a leaden coffin, with sword,[54] etc., and -unless all the elements have been dissipated by the action of the -water it might be possible to identify his remains. Certainly there is -no question, if satisfactory settlement could be had, that his remains -should be brought to the United States, with all naval honors, here to -be suitably interred and his grave marked by an appropriate monument. -So far as I know, there has not even been so much as a memorial tablet -erected to his memory in any part of the great country toward whose -independence he contributed so much. A serious and ungrateful omission -this, and, whether his remains be found or not, it is to be hoped that -it may be soon rectified.[55] - - - - -CHAPTER XXI. -PERSONAL APPEARANCE--CHARACTERISTICS--WAS HE A PIRATE?--FAREWELL. - - -Paul Jones was a small, slender man, somewhat under the middle -stature, or about five feet five inches in height. As is frequently -the custom with seamen, who pass much of their lives between decks, -his shoulders were slightly rounded, and at first glance he seemed -smaller than he was. In physique he was active and graceful, well -proportioned and strong. Many portraits of him exist, some of them -gross caricatures, representing him as the proverbial pirate of early -days clad in fantastic costume, his belt bristling with pistols and -knives, and depicting him in the act of slaying some terrified and -helpless sailor; but it is from such representations as the painting -by Peale,[56] the bust by Houdon, the naval medal, and the miniature -by the Countess de Lavendahl, that we get a correct idea of his -appearance. His features were regular; his nose was straight, -prominent, and slightly enlarged at the tip; his lips were elegantly -curved. His head was well proportioned, and set firmly upon his -shoulders; in spite of his stoop he held it erect, which gave him an -intent, eager expression. His large black eyes were set deep in their -sockets under heavy, arched eyebrows; in moments of action they -sparkled with fire and passion. His hair was black and plentiful, and -the darkness of his complexion had been intensified by years of -exposure to wind and weather. His hands and feet were small and of -good shape. He was always particular in his dress, which was of -material as rich and in cut as elegant as his means permitted. Without -being handsome, therefore, he was a man of distinctly striking and -notable appearance in any society. - -His habitual expression was thoughtful and meditative. His face was -the face of a student rather than that of a fighter. As it looks out -at us from the canvas of the past in Peale's portrait, there is a -little touch of wonder and surprise in the soft, reflective eyes. The -mystery of life is there. We feel that the man is speculating upon us, -measuring us, wondering who and what we are. There is a gentle gravity -about the face which is most attractive. In the profile on the medal -and in the Houdon bust other qualities predominate. You catch a -glimpse of the proud, imperious, dashing sailor in the uplifted poise -of the head, the tense, straight line of the lips, and the firm, -resolute chin; and there is a suggestion of humor, grim enough, in the -whole face. The Countess de Lavendahl apparently depicts him in the -role of a lover, fashionably attired and arrayed for conquest. In each -of these representations we have the broad, splendid brow which -typifies the mind that was in him. It is probable that these different -portraits were each good likenesses, and that each artist, in -accordance with his insight, wrought into his presentment what he saw -in the man. - -A man of abundant self-confidence, he was not easily embarrassed, and -we find him at home as well in the refined and cultivated colonial -society of North Carolina as upon the decks of a ship manned by the -rudest and roughest of men. He bears himself with easy dignity at -the courts of Russia and France, and is not discomfited in the -presence of king, queen, or empress. His manners were easy and polite. -There was a touch of the directness of the sailor and the fighter in -his address, I doubt not, but his behavior was certainly that of a -gentleman--quiet, dignified, somewhat haughty, but pleasing. This is -established by the testimony of those who knew him, including the -Englishwoman mentioned above; by traditions which have come down to -us; by the fact that he was admitted into the most exclusive circles -in various courts of Europe, and that he retained the place which had -been accorded him through years of acquaintanceship. He has been -called low, brutal, common, and vulgar, but such accusations are -incompatible with the position he occupied. He might have been -received, of course, but he never would have been not merely -tolerated, but admired and sought after, if the charges were correct. - -In saying this, I do not wish to be understood as being oblivious of -his faults. As occasion has demanded, I have not hesitated to call -attention to them. He was irritable and impatient, captious and -quarrelsome, at times variable and inconsistent. We find him -addressing a superior at one time in terms that are almost too -respectful, and in his next communication writing with a blunt -frankness of a superior to an inferior. This frequently caused him -trouble, inasmuch as he usually had to deal with men who were his -superiors in birth and station, though not to be compared with him in -talents and education. The limitations of his humble origin account -for this variant attitude to the world's so-called great. - -His great fault was his vanity. It was a weakness, like some of his -other qualities, colossal. It manifested itself in every way that -vanity can manifest itself. No defense can be uttered. We recognize -the fact and note it with pain, but in the presence of his great -qualities pass it by, after calling attention to the strange fact that -other and more famous sailors, including the greatest man who ever -fought a ship or squadron, Lord Nelson, were under the spell of the -same weakness--and other greater weaknesses. No character in history -is without weakness. There was but One who manifested no weakness, not -even on a cross. - -His mind was a well-furnished one. From boyhood he had cultivated the -studious habit with which he was endowed in large degree, with the -assiduity and perseverance of a Scotsman. He was thoroughness itself; -whatever he attempted he did so well that he usually left nothing -further to be desired. His brain was alert and active. He was -quick-witted, and not devoid of humor, although there is always a -touch of sternness in his persiflage. His letters fall into two -classes. When he wrote under pressure of strong emotion or excitement, -he expressed his personality with his pen as adequately as he did in -his actions; his remarks were short, sharp, direct, logical, and in -good taste; his style was vigorous and perspicuous. On the other hand, -he frequently descended, especially when addressing women, into -verbosity, and verbosity of that most intolerable species known as -fine writing--witness his letter to Lady Selkirk. As a phrase maker -many of his sentences ring with his spirit. "I do not wish to have -command of any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in -harm's way"; "I have not yet begun to fight"; "I have ever looked out -for the honor of the American flag"; "I can never renounce the -glorious title of a citizen of the United States," are some of his -sayings which have passed into history, and might appropriately serve -for inscriptions on the four sides of his monument, when a too tardy -people pay him the honor of erecting one.[57] - -He spoke French well and wrote it better. He found no difficulty in -making himself understood in France, and that language was used -entirely in his Russian campaign. In an age when everybody scribbled -verse he wrote poetry which is creditable to him. It has been remarked -that it was much better verse than Nelson wrote. Like many other naval -officers of that day, he played the flute and had a taste for music. -He was undoubtedly a member of the Presbyterian Church by baptism in -infancy, and although, so far as is known, he was not actively in -communion with any religious organization during his life, he was in -no sense an irreligious man. "They that go down to the sea in ships -that do business in great waters," who see "the works of the Lord, and -his wonders in the deep," are rarely ultimately indifferent to -religion. They are superficially careless, perhaps, but they are -neither skeptics nor atheists.[58] Nothing could be sweeter and more -gentle than his letters to his sisters with their unequivocal -recognition of the Power above which shapes our ends. - -In a day when seamen--and no less the naval officer than the -merchantman--considered a capacity for picturesque and plentiful -profanity a mark of professional aptitude, he was distinguished by -refraining from oaths and curses. Mark the words: "Do not swear, Mr. -Stacy--in another moment we may all be in eternity--but let us do our -duty." Uttered in the heat of action, and in a critical moment, the -sentence is as rare as it is beautiful, and it somehow reminds me of -the dying words of Nelson in the cockpit of the Victory. He was -clean-mouthed and clean-hearted. I do not wish to say that he was -immaculate, a saint, or anything of that sort, but there is no man of -similar upbringing, who lived in his day, and under such -circumstances, whose life appears to be cleaner. There is a total -absence of sensuality in his career. In over thirteen hundred letters -which have been examined, there is not a coarse or indelicate -allusion; no _double entendre_ ever sullies his pages, and the name of -no woman is mentioned save in terms of respect. It is probable that -his amour with Madame de Telison passed the bounds of Platonic -friendship or romantic admiration, and it is possible that they did -have a child; but even this is by no means certain, and the conclusion -may do him an injustice. - -When one remembers that from a tender age he was deprived of those -gentle restraints imposed by pious and loving family ties, his -character is remarkable. I have observed in much experience with men -that when the check put upon humanity by the Church, by association -with good women, and by keeping in touch with law-abiding society is -removed, and men are assembled far from these things in camps or -ships, where the principal requirement is a stern obedience to law, -and the atmosphere strictly masculine, they are apt to think, say, and -do things to which they would never descend under ordinary -circumstances. Jones had been a sailor--an apprentice boy at that--at -twelve years of age; for sixteen years thereafter he had never been -off blue water for more than a few months. Five years of that time he -had been on a slaver, beginning as third mate at sixteen and quitting -as chief mate at twenty-one, and of all the degrading, brutal -influences to which humanity could be subjected there was nothing that -equaled the horrors of a ship in the slave trade. The tough moral -fiber of the Scotsman stood him in good stead here, for the thing -which with a boy's indifference he could countenance, he could not -endure as a man. - -And this brings us to another of his qualities, which awakens our -interest--his intense love of liberty. Probably it began with the -slave trade; at any rate, it was always and everywhere present with -him. Practically his first military effort was an attempt to set free -American prisoners, and his last commission from the United States was -the appointment to effect the release of the unfortunate Americans -held by the Barbary States. Thus he fought not merely for the -establishment of civil liberty and national independence, but with an -eye single to the individual prisoner, and his spirit was sufficiently -catholic to make him kindly disposed even when the prisoners were -trophies of his prowess. His pleading at L'Orient, when he was left -with the dishonored draft, mutinous crew, and over one hundred -prisoners, was as much for those Englishmen whom the fortune of war -had thrown into his power as for his own people. - -Like most men of fierce passions and quick temper, he did not long -cherish animosities. He was not a good hater, and this very quality -sometimes led him into mistaken kindness. He was a humane man, in no -sense the cruel and bloodthirsty warrior of popular imagination. He is -thankful, for instance, after the descent on Whitehaven, that there -was no loss of life on either side, and we have no reason to doubt the -genuineness of his outburst of gratitude when peace was declared, -although it left him without occupation. - - -He had a good head for business also. In spite of his roving life he -succeeded in amassing considerable property, and his success as a -trader before he entered the naval service had been better than the -average. In fact, his merchant services resulted in an unbroken line -of testimonials not only to his capacity but to his probity and -trustworthiness as well. As a negotiator or diplomatist he was open, -straightforward, persistent, and unusually successful. A solid -foundation of good qualities must have been laid by his homespun -mother in those twelve years in which she watched over and shaped the -future character of the boy. - -While he was too much of a wanderer ever to form those deep and -abiding social ties which are the delight of old age and -reflection--though to youth matters of indifference--yet his various -duties brought him into intimate association with great men all over -the world, and there is a universal testimony from them as to his -worth. They were not blind to his faults, but they saw the worthiness -of the man beneath them. Franklin, the keen philosopher and diplomat, -who knew him best, esteemed him most; but Robert Morris, the -incorruptible financier; Thomas Jefferson, the great Democrat; -Gouverneur Morris, the accomplished man of the world; John Adams, the -shrewd statesman; and Washington, the first of them all, esteemed and -admired him, and considered themselves honored in his friendship. -Richard Dale, his great subordinate, who had been with him in times -that tried men's souls, entertained the most devoted feelings of -attachment toward him, and Cooper, who knew Dale personally, tells us -that to the day of his death he never lost his affectionate regard for -his old captain. The terms of their intimacy when not on duty -permitted Dale to address Jones by the friendly name of Paul, and -Cooper chronicles the peculiar tenderness with which he uttered the -word in his old age. - -Among the French who respected and admired him, the gallant and -impetuous Lafayette is pre-eminent. That warm-hearted representative -of the haute noblesse of France sought opportunities for service with -the commodore, and never failed to express his affection for him in -the most unequivocal words. Among others were Rochambeau, the soldier; -Malesherbes, the great advocate, defender of his king; the Baron de -Viomenil, who led the French assaulting column at Yorktown; and -Admirals d'Orvilliers, de Vaudreuil, and d'Estaing. Among other -foreign friends were van der Capellen, the Dutch statesman and -diplomat and friend of America; of Russians, Krudner and Grimm; and -the immortal Kosciusko, of Poland. His acquaintance with these men was -no mere passing contact, but was intimate and personal; and his -relations in most instances were not temporary and casual, but lasting -and permanent. Laughton, the English authority in naval history, in -his famous sketch entitled "Paul Jones, 'the Pirate'"[59] says that -Jones' moral character may be summed up in one word--detestable! He -calls him a renegade and a calculating liar, incapable of friendship -or of love, and says that, "Whenever his private actions can be -examined, they must be pronounced to be discreditable; and as to many -others that appear to be so, there is no evidence in favor except his -own unsubstantial and worthless testimony." It is not an indictment -against Jones alone that Professor Laughton so lightly writes, but -against the great men who, with infinitely better opportunities for -observation than any of his biographers have enjoyed, have not been -slow to call him their friend. Is it to be conceived for a single -moment that Franklin, Jefferson, Lafayette, the Morrises, or any of -the others, would have associated with, corresponded with, and -publicly praised a vulgar blackguard? Would such a man, however -successful, have been admitted to any society whatsoever? Or, having -in the first flush of joy at the news of his tremendous victory been -so admitted, could such a man have retained his position for thirteen -years--until he died, in fact? Nonsense! He looked like a gentleman; -he wrote like a gentleman; whenever his words have been recorded we -find he spoke like a gentleman, and he certainly fought like one. - -Never was a man so calumniated. His actions were so great that intense -interest was felt in his career from the day of his arrival in Europe, -and after his death quantities of sketches of him appeared, many of -which are still extant. They are of the chap-book order--the dime -novel of the day--and usually contain an awe-inspiring picture, and -relate a tale in which smuggling, gambling, falsehood, theft, rape, -murder, and everything else that is vile, are included. Laughton seems -to have arrived at his estimation of Jones by accepting these -scandalous tales as authentic, and building his biography of material -culled from these disgraceful and discredited sources. No man can -conceal his real character for any great length of time, especially a -man in official station, who lives in the white light of public -criticism. If Jones were the creature that Laughton describes him, it -would appear somewhere in some serious page of his own. He was a most -voluminous correspondent--Philip II was not a more indefatigable -letter writer than he--and he spoke of the subjects under discussion -with a sailor's frankness. Why is it that none of these things are -evident? He was foolish sometimes, but never base. It is too late to -write down in a few careless words the great men who entertained so -high an opinion of the commodore. But Professor Laughton is not alone -in his opinions. Indeed, his conclusions appear to represent a general -English sentiment. So great a novelist as the gentle Thackeray calls -Jones a traitor, and the popular opinion even in this day does not -seem to have changed. In the current number of the London Academy[60] -he is again called a "pirate." Let us settle this question at least. - -What is a pirate? Says President Woolsey: "Piracy is robbery on the -sea, or by descent from the sea upon the coast, committed by persons -not holding a commission from, or at the time pertaining to, any -established state. It is the act (1) of persons forming an -organization for the purpose of plunder, or with malicious intent; but -who, inasmuch as such a body is not constituted for political -purposes, can not be said to be a body politic; (2) of persons who, -having in defiance of law seized possession of a chartered vessel, use -it for the purpose of robbery; (3) of persons taking a commission from -two belligerent adversaries. The reason for ranking these latter among -pirates is that the _animus furandi_ is shown by acting under two -repugnant authorities. It has been held by some that a vessel which -takes commissions even from two allies is guilty of piracy, but others -regard such an act only as illegal and irregular."[61] - -Chancellor Kent calls piracy "robbery, forceful plunder, or murder by -marauders on the high seas _in the spirit and intent of universal -hostility_." The Century Dictionary defines it as follows: -"Specifically in the law of nations, the crime of depredations or -willful and aggressive destruction of life and property, committed on -the seas by persons having no commission or authority from any -established state. As commonly used, it implies something more than a -simple theft with violence at sea, and includes something of the idea -of general hostility to law." - -By any of these definitions can Paul Jones be called a pirate? It will -be readily seen that the charge hangs upon the question as to whether -Jones held a commission from an established state. In fact, the -determination of that point settles the matter. He was regularly -commissioned a captain in the navy of the United States, as we have -seen.[62] Was the United States an established power, a sovereign -state? The United States began to be with the Declaration of -Independence. To quote Woolsey again: "The sovereignty of a state -dates from its _de facto_ existence, and does not depend upon its -recognition by foreign powers. Thus the sovereignty of the United -States was complete from July 4, 1776, not 1782, when the English -Government recognized, not granted, its independence." If the United -States had not a legal existence as a sovereign power competent to -wage war, and therefore to issue commissions to naval officers, until -the treaty of peace, England would have granted independence thereby, -instead of which she recognized a long-accomplished fact. Moreover, -the British Government, long before peace was declared, had conceded -belligerent rights to the revolted colonies, after much protestation. -But necessary privileges of belligerency are those of raising forces -and commissioning officers whose status as individual belligerents is -determined by the recognition. None of the American prisoners taken -from time to time were hanged as rebels or traitors, nor would such -action have been permitted by the British people, if it had been -seriously entertained by the king. Even if they had captured Paul -Jones, the English, in all their fury, would not have dared to treat -him as a pirate. Upon the point of law there is no justification for -the charge. Paul Jones' commission was as valid a document as any -under which a naval officer ever sailed. The sovereignty of the United -States had been recognized long before the termination of the war by -France, Spain, and Holland, and Frederick the Great, by opening the -port of Dantzic to American ships, had practically committed himself -to that side; although the failure of any or all of these to do so -would not have abrogated our _de facto_ existence as a nation. - -But, turning from the subject of the commission as established, let us -examine the other phases involved in the charge. Piracy consists of -murder and robbery in a spirit of universal hostility toward humanity -(the _animus furandi_ of Woolsey's paragraph). Jones directed his -attacks at England alone. There was no killing unless in open combat; -no robbery except by taking ships and property in open warfare, and -surely Jones' conduct with regard to Selkirk's plate was not that of a -robber or a pirate! By the law of nations a pirate, whatever his -nationality, is subject to the jurisdiction of any country. Thus, an -English pirate caught by the French Government, or a French pirate -caught by the English Government, would be summarily dealt with -without the slightest reference to the country of his nationality. If -Jones had been a pirate France would either have made short work of -him, or else have incurred the odium of humanity as an abettor of -piracy. - -His acts were not those of an irresponsible person or a body of people -who sent him forth with malicious intent, but were undertaken for -distinctly political purposes at the instance of an undoubted body -politic. These purposes were: (1) The protection of our coasts by -showing the vulnerability of the coasts of England. (2) The stoppage -of the ravages on our seaboard, by demonstrating some of their horrors -in the land of the ravagers. (3) The securing of prisoners by which -the principle of exchange should be established, and thus our citizens -released from a captivity in which they were treated with scant regard -to the laws of humanity. (4) The breaking up of the enemy's commerce -and the impairment of his material resources, so that the burden of -consequences would induce him to end the war and recognize our -independence. (5) The making of a diversion in the north which would -facilitate the proposed grand operations of the French and Spanish -fleets in the south. These are legitimate motives in the highest -sense. They are of the deepest importance, and they constitute a brief -catalogue of his accomplishments. Add to the list the shattering of -British prestige by his hard and successful fighting, and mention the -way he contrived to force the Netherlands finally to declare for the -United States, and we have a catalogue of achievements of which any -one might be proud.[63] - -There was no thought in Jones' mind of private gain. Prize money had -accrued from captures from time immemorial, but Jones was ambitious of -distinction, and as anxious to worthily serve his country as Farragut -or Sampson, and the question of prize money was purely a minor one -with him. If gain had been his object, a privateering commission which -he was urged to accept in France--and which he could undoubtedly have -received in America--but which he rejected with disdain, would have -given him greater opportunity than he ever enjoyed of acquiring -wealth. His whole career, in fact, shows him to have been absolutely -indifferent to money. He never hoarded or amassed it, and, though he -received large sums from time to time, he usually spent it in generous -profusion as fast as it came in. Had professional advancement been his -sole desire, he would have accepted the rank of _Capitaine de -Vaisseau_--that is, a captain of a ship of the line--which -d'Orvilliers had offered to procure for him, from which he might have -progressed to the highest naval rank, instead of which he chose to -remain in command of the petty little Ranger. How Laughton can deny -his enthusiasm for America when, with but little hope of reward, he -periled his liberty and his life in her service, and absolutely -refused under any circumstances to withdraw from that service, I fail -to understand.[64] - -He did not, in defiance of law, charter a vessel for the purpose of -waging private war. On the contrary, his ship was provided by the -French king, and commissions for those officers who had not been -commissioned directly by Congress, as had Jones himself, were issued -by Franklin, who possessed the unquestioned power to do this by the -specific action of Congress. Indeed, such was Franklin's power, that -when he displaced Landais from his command he did not hesitate to -overrule a commission issued by Congress under circumstances of -peculiar importance, and he was upheld by that body when his action -was called in question. - -Nor did Jones take a commission from two belligerent adversaries--that -is, he had no commission from England which he threw up to accept that -of the United States. He had never served in the English navy in any -capacity. There were officers in the United States land service who -had held English commissions and yet accepted American commands, but -Jones was not one of them. He had never, until he entered the Russian -service, sailed under any commission save that of the United States, -and one of the noblest acts of his life was his indignant repudiation -of a French letter of marque when his acceptance of it was considered -the only way of saving his head. Nothing could induce him to declare -the Alliance a French ship in those hazardous moments in the Texel -when he was menaced by the Dutch fleet on one side and the English -fleet on the other, nor would he even temporarily hoist the French -flag on that ship. He did not even commit the so-called illegal and -irregular act of accepting a commission from two allies, for he -refused a French commission again and again. This certainly -constitutes a clear and overwhelming refutation of the charge of -piracy. Indeed, on the question of piracy, Jones' own ingenious -comment is not without interest. Laughton has called attention to it -in the following words: - - -"Paul Jones strongly objected to the word as applied to himself; he -had, he said, looked in the dictionary and found the definition of -pirate to be 'an enemy against mankind.' Now, he was not the enemy of -mankind, but only the enemy of England. With a _tu quoque_ argument, -not wanting in ingenuity, he urged that, as England was then at war -with the whole of America, the greater part of Europe, and much of -Asia, not to speak of a part of Africa, she, in point of fact, came as -near being the enemy of mankind as could well be conceived--that -England was therefore the pirate, not Paul Jones." - -Why was it that the English called him a pirate, put a price on his -head, and attempted to compass his death or capture by private hands? -Why was it that he evoked such widespread animosity, and became the -object of a hatred which has not exhausted itself to this day? Surely -not because he had been a British subject! All who fought on the -American side had been British subjects. Jones had removed to America -and had determined to settle there before the war broke out. Why -should any one attempt to insinuate that the same feelings which -actuated Adams, Washington, and Patrick Henry did not operate to make -him espouse the colonial cause? He was as fond of freedom as they, and -as anxious to promote it. - -Many of the most distinguished colonists were not only British -subjects, but they had worn the king's uniform, fought under the -king's flag, and eaten the king's bread; as, for instance, the great -Washington. Richard Montgomery, an Irishman, who laid down a life -valuable to his adopted country when he fell in the assault on Quebec, -had been a British officer; and there were many others, some of whom, -like the traitor Charles Lee and the worthless Gates, were actually -half-pay officers in the British army when they entered the American -service! - -Among the naval officers, the heroic Biddle, who matched the little -Randolph, of thirty-two small guns, against the huge line of battle -ship Yarmouth, and fought until his ship was blown to pieces, and he -and all his crew were lost except four men, had been a midshipman in -the British navy with Nelson. Stout old John Barry, who commanded the -Alliance when he captured the Atlanta and the Trepassy, and fought the -last action of the war by beating the frigate Sibylle, of superior -force, was an Irishman.[65] The most bigoted Englishmen to-day speak -of those men with respect which they will not accord to Jones. Why is -this? - -The reason for the strange exception lies in the brilliant success -with which he cruised and fought. The English claimed and exercised an -absolute and practically undisputed supremacy on the high seas. Their -arrogant navy for more than a hundred years had been invincible. In -single ship actions they had always conquered. No enemy had landed on -their shores for over a century. They could stand being beaten on -land--they were accustomed to it. With few notable exceptions England -does not produce great soldiers--Carlyle feelingly refers to the -average English commander as a "wooden hoop pole wearing a cocked -hat"[66]--but such a line of sailors as had sprung from their shores -has never been equaled in the history of the world. Such sea -leadership and such sea fighting has never been exceeded, or even -equaled, by any nation.[67] - -The capture of the Serapis was a trifling circumstance; it did not -impair the naval efficiency or abridge the maritime supremacy of -England an appreciable degree; but it had a moral significance -that could not be misunderstood by the nations of the world. They saw -and approved.[68] English ships had been beaten in fair fight, in one -instance by a ship of equal, and in the other instance of inferior, -force. The English coasts, in spite of swarms of great ships of the -line, had been shown to be as vulnerable as any other.[69] The affront -had been to her pride, and never since the days that brave old -Tromp--gallant Dutchman, for whose character I have the greatest -admiration--swept the narrow seas with a broom at his masthead, and -actually entered the Thames under that same provoking emblem, had -England suffered such naval humiliation. The English cheek tingles -still from the blow dealt upon it by the hot-handed sailor. Naturally, -they did not love Paul Jones. The hatred, which after a hundred years -still rankles, is evidence of what they feel--and what he did! As for -us, we love the bold little captain for the enemies he has made. - -It has been stated by unthinking people that the Bon Homme Richard was -a privateer or a letter of marque: in one case an armed vessel owned -by private individuals and authorized, under certain restrictions, to -cruise at private expense to prey upon the commerce of the enemy; in -the other case, an armed vessel engaged in trade, but possessing the -right to capture ships of the enemy should she happen to fall in with -them. There is nothing disgraceful about either of these commissions, -though, to be sure, their essence consists in making war for -individual gain. The Bon Homme Richard was purchased and converted -into a man-of-war by the French Government, and then loaned to the -American Government for the time being. De Chaumont acted only as the -representative of the king--that is, of the Government. There was no -question of individual gain in the matter. The money for the sale of -the prizes was received, and the share of Jones was paid, by the -French Government. Therefore it was a Government ship, not a private -vessel. France and the United States were allies in a war against -England when she was commissioned, and the transaction was customary -and legitimate. The Bon Homme Richard was as bona fide an American -man-of-war as the Constitution. Of course, there could be no exception -to the status of the Ranger or any of the earlier ships in which Paul -Jones sailed. - -I have considered the personal character and professional status of -Paul Jones, now let me say a few words as to his qualities as an -officer. Here at last we reach a field in which there is practically -little disagreement. First of all, he was a thorough and accomplished -seaman. His experiences had been many and varied. His handling of the -Providence in the Gut of Canso, of the Alfred along the coast of Cape -Breton, his splendid seamanship in the Ariel in the terrific gale off -the Penmarques, his daring passage of the Baltic amid the winter gales -and ice, not to speak of the way he maneuvered the Richard in the -battle with the Serapis, all tell the same story of skill and address. -Not only did he understand the sailing of ships, but he acquired no -small familiarity with the principles of naval architecture. Witness -his remodeling of the Alliance, the improvements he introduced in the -America, and the skillful way he managed the launching of that ship. -Some of his suggestions were radical, and some of the principles he -laid down were embodied in shipbuilding by naval architects until the -advent of the ironclad age. - -He was a stern disciplinarian, and usually managed to work his very -indifferent crews into something like fair shape. In none of his -commands did he have a first-class crew of American seamen, such as -the 1812 frigates exhibited. His sway on his ships was absolute. His -officers were generally creatures of his own making (Simpson being an -exception), and completely under his domination; with few exceptions, -like Dale, whom he loved and respected, they were poor enough. In his -passionate impatience with their stupidity or inefficiency, he -sometimes treated them with great indignity, even going to the length -of kicking them out of the cabin when they displeased him.[70] He was -a fierce commander, who brooked no interference, needed no -suggestions, and had no tolerance for ignorance and incapacity. -Notwithstanding all this, he was a merciful captain in an age in which -the gospel of force, punctuated by the cat-o'-nine-tails, was the only -one in vogue on ships of war. He resorted but rarely to the practice -of flogging, and in comparison with most commanders of the period his -rule was not intolerable. He did not, however, inspire affection in -his crews; they respected his talents, trusted to his skill, and -admired his courage, but nothing more. His men were drilled and -exercised incessantly, and target practice was had as frequently as -the poverty of his supplies permitted. His ships were all notably -clean and orderly. - -As a commander we may consider his achievements from three points of -view: as a strategist, as a tactician, and as a fighter. Strategic -operations tend to bring you where sound policy dictates you should -be, while tactical maneuvers refer to the manipulation of your force -at the point of contact. A man may be a brilliant strategist and a -poor tactician, or the reverse; or he may be both, and yet not be a -hard, determined fighter. Jones was all three in large measure. His -strategic conceptions were excellent. His successful destruction of -the fishery industry at Canso, and his attempt upon the coal fleet in -the Alfred; the brilliant plan which would have resulted in the -capture of Lord Howe by d'Estaing if it had been carried out in time; -the project he conceived for taking the homeward-bound East Indiamen -by capturing St. Helena as a base of attack, and the other enterprises -he urged upon the French Government indicate these things; but the -conception which lifted him above the ordinary sea officer was his -acute realization of the great principle that should regulate commerce -destroying, which is one of the legitimate objects of warfare, and -merciful in that it tends to end the conflict, and is aimed at -property rather than life. - -His idea was that, to be successfully accomplished, it could not be -committed to the cruiser or commerce destroyer, but that attacks on -centers of trade must be made by forces sufficiently mobile to enable -them to cover great distances rapidly, and sufficiently strong to -defeat any reasonable force, and then crush the enemy's commerce at -vital points. A single ship may catch a single ship upon the high -seas, or from a fleet in convoy perhaps cut out two or three; but a -descent upon a great body of shipping in a harbor--unprotected as were -the harbors of those days--would result in an infinitely greater loss -to the enemy. Mahan has demonstrated that the necessary preliminary to -the destruction of the enemy's commerce is to batter his navy to -pieces--then it is at one's mercy. So far as I know, Jones is the only -sailor of his day, or of many subsequent days in any navy, who had a -glimmer of an idea in this direction; and, without detracting from -Mahan's originality, in a limited sense Jones forestalled him. Mahan, -indeed, gives him full credit for his genius on this very point. - -The beginning of strategy is to determine the vital point at which to -aim, and Jones began well. He tried to carry out his idea of commerce -destroying with the Ranger in the Irish Channel, and he came near -enough to success to demonstrate the absolute feasibility and value of -his conception, given adequate force to carry it out. He had a greater -force, of course, under his partial command in his famous cruise in -the Bon Homme Richard, but the peculiar constitution of that squadron, -which was an assemblage of co-operative ships rather than a compact -body responsive and obedient to one will, also prevented him from -carrying out his plans. Suppose, for instance, that the Alliance had -obeyed his orders, and that the Vengeance, the Cerf, and the -privateers had remained with the Pallas under his command, and that -all had been well officered and manned! He would have taken the -Serapis in half an hour or less, and the great Baltic fleet, worth -millions of dollars, would have been at his mercy. What he attempted -at Leith he could have carried out at Newcastle and Hull. - -The largest force under his command was the Russian squadron in the -Liman. He chose his admirable position there with an eye to its -strategic possibilities, and it was due to him, and not to the trained -and veteran soldier Suvorof, that the fort was placed on Kinburn -Point, which practically determined the fate of Otchakoff, since it -prevented the Turks from re-enforcing their fleet, and kept them from -escaping after Jones had defeated them. Fortune never gave him an -opportunity, but it can not be doubted from what he did accomplish -with an inferior force that if he had been given a chance he would -have made a name for himself as a sea strategist not inferior to that -of Nelson or Sampson. - -As a tactician he was even more able--perhaps because he enjoyed -better opportunities. It was seamanship and tactics which enabled him -to escape from the Solebay, and it was seamanship and tactics by which -he diverted the Milford from the pursuit of his prizes and insured -their safety. His tactics when he fought the Drake were admirable. In -his famous battle with the Serapis they were even more striking. One -never ceases to wonder how he succeeded in maneuvering his slow, -unwieldy ship so as to nullify the greater speed and gun power of the -Serapis. His action in laying the Bon Homme Richard aboard the English -frigate was the one chance that he had of success, and he made that -chance himself. - -His tactics in the Liman were even higher than elsewhere. It was he -who so maneuvered the boats of the flotilla on June 17th as to -precipitate the flight of the Turks; it was he who again, on June 28th -and 29th, so placed his ships that he drove the Turks from their -stranded flagships. It was he who dispatched the flotilla to clear the -right flank, which would have enabled the Russians to take possession -of the two frigates if Nassau had not foolishly burned them. It was he -who, by his splendid disposition of his ships and the battery on the -point, forced the Turkish ships to take ground upon the shoals, in -their attempt to escape, where Nassau destroyed them. On the other -hand, he was never reckless. He coolly calculated chances and -judiciously chose the right course, and he was happy in that the right -course was usually the bold and daring one. - -In the third capacity of an officer, there is no question as to his -willingness and ability to fight. No one ever called him a coward. He -certainly exhibited the very highest reach of physical bravery. It was -not the courage of the braggart, for he was not continually thrusting -it in the face of people on all occasions. Having established his -reputation, he was content to rest upon it, and did not seek -opportunity--which he did not need--for further demonstration. Nothing -could surpass the personal courage and determination with which he -fought his ships. Unlike most commanders, who confine their efforts to -direction, he labored and fought with his own hands. - -We find him heading the boarders on the forecastle of the Richard, -and, pike in hand, repelling those from the Serapis; he assists in -lashing the two ships together; he takes personal command of the -quarter-deck guns, one of which, with the assistance of a few resolute -souls, he dragged across the deck from the unengaged side. When the -Ariel was drifting in deadly peril upon the Penmarques, with his own -hand he heaves the lead. At Kinburn, after repeated efforts to get the -galley fleet to move, he leads it forward himself. To ascertain the -depth of water, he goes in a small boat under the walls of Otchakoff, -within easy range of the cannon. He takes his barge on the Liman in -the midst of the hottest engagement, and rows about through the -contestants. When the assault is made on the flotilla under the walls -of that town, he leads in person, and captures two gunboats by -boarding. At Whitehaven, alone he confronts a mob and keeps them in -check until the fire which he started himself has gained sufficient -headway. The bullying of the Dutch admiral in the Texel can not move -him a single foot. - -While he did not always exhibit the same amount of moral courage, yet -in some very interesting situations he showed that he possessed it in -large measure. His physical courage was, of course, natural. His moral -courage seems to have arisen in part from an absolute confidence in -his own ability and an habitual reliance upon the accuracy of his own -judgment. He showed this moral courage when, at the peril of his -commission, he assumed the responsibility of piloting the Alfred to -her anchorage in the Bahama expedition. He showed it particularly -when, after assuming the proper position demanded by good strategy in -the opening of the Liman campaign, he refused to be moved from it by -the representations of such fire eaters as Nassau and Alexiano. His -declining to hoist the French flag, or to sail under a French letter -of marque, were evidences of this quality, and he showed it again by -sending a present to Louis XVI in the dark days of the Revolution, -when respect to the king in his hours of humiliation marked a man -immediately. - -On the other hand, he showed a sad lack of moral courage if de Ségur's -statement be true that he found him, pistol in hand, in his apartments -in St. Petersburg, apparently contemplating suicide. Moral courage is -perhaps a more universal requisite for true greatness of character -than any other virtue, and he did not rise in this sphere quite to the -height he attained in the others. In other words, he was greater as a -commander and as an officer than as a man. - -As a commander he made mistakes. What commander did not? His quickness -to imagine or to resent a slight was marred by too great a willingness -to forgive. His treatment of the mutinous Simpson was entirely too -gentle and forgiving for the maintenance of that discipline necessary -to the welfare of the service. It was certainly a mistake to yield to -Landais' importunities and leave the advantageous situation off -Limerick, and, as I have stated, the excuse was worse than the action. -His failure to keep his promise to his men after leaving Corunna in -the Alliance was a more serious blunder. There are few professions in -which the word of an officer is so implicitly relied upon by his -inferiors as in the naval service. The lives of the crew are so -entirely in the hands of the officers that without confidence the -situation is impossible. His extravagant outfitting of the Alliance -was also a wrong to Franklin under the circumstances. His method of -dealing with the mutiny on the Alliance and with Landais' successful -attempt to get command of her was weak, and can only be explained by -the postulation that he did not really desire to get possession of -her; but even the explanation leaves him in a bad position. His -dawdling at L'Orient is also censurable. This, however, is a small -catalogue in view of what he attempted and accomplished. Otherwise in -his campaigns and in his military life he made no blunders. - -He has been severely censured for choosing localities with which he -was familiar from childhood as the scene of his military operations. -The war of the Revolution was practically a civil war, with all the -rancorous passions attendant thereon superadded to those ordinarily -engendered in conflict. In America, friend met friend in deadly -hatred, and not one royalist or rebel hesitated to use his local -knowledge for the advancement of his cause. In accordance with his -duty, by his oath as an officer, Jones was bound to put all the -information as well as the ability he possessed at the services of the -country under whose flag he fought. He was not born at Whitehaven, -and, while he had sailed from the port many times, he had no special -attachment for the place and people which comes from long association -in society and business. When he made his famous descent upon the -place it was seven years since he had set foot in it. At any rate, he -was only doing in England what other people on both sides were doing -in America without censure, and he was doing it with so much more -respect to the laws of civilized warfare, and with so much more mercy, -that there is no comparison between his forays and those, let us say, -of Lord Dunmore, for instance, or Mowatt at Portland. The journal of -an officer of the Serapis, who was killed in the action, was found -after the battle was over. He had been under Dunmore's command in -Virginia at the outbreak of the Revolution, and such a tale of -maraudings, accompanied by destruction of property, murdering, and -outraging of women as the volume contained would have been incredible -had it not been confirmed by the statement of hundreds of witnesses in -America. None of this kind of warfare was waged where Jones commanded. - -A century and a decade, lacking two years, have elapsed since the -lonely little commander entered upon his long, long rest; and the -country whose first banner was hoisted by his hands at the masthead of -the Alfred, whose permanent standard was flung to the breeze by the -same hands from the truck of the Ranger, whose ensign was first -saluted by one of the greatest powers of the world through his address -and determination, whose flag was made respectable in the eyes of the -world by the desperate gallantry with which he fought under it, which -alone among the powers that sailed the sea through him demonstrated -its ability to meet successfully the Mistress of the Ocean, has done -nothing to perpetuate the memory of this founder of the Republic and -rescue him from oblivion. The place of his grave is known, but squalid -tenements and cheap stores have been erected over his remains. -Commerce, trade, and traffic, restless life with its passions, noble -and ignoble, flows on above his head, and it is probable that so it -will be until the end of time. "So runs the world away!" - -It is all so mournful in some strange way. In spite of his glory and -his heroism, in spite of his strenuous life and his strugglings, the -note that lingers in my mind as I write these concluding words is one -of sadness. I read of hopes that brought no fruition; of plans made -and abandoned; of opportunities that could not be embraced; of great -attempts frustrated by inadequate means; of triumphs forgotten. I see -a great life that might have been greater, a man of noble qualities -marred by petty faults, and yet I love him. I can not tell why -exactly, but the words of Solomon come into my mind as the vision of -the little captain appears before me, dying alone of a broken heart, -fretted away--_Vanitas vanitatem_. - -And yet he did not live in vain, and his exploits shall live forever -in the minds of his countrymen. So long as we possess that masculine -virility which is the heritage of a great nation whose rugged coasts -are washed by thousands of leagues of beating seas; so long as the -beautiful flag we love waves above the mighty Republic, which, true to -the principles of its founders, stands in every quarter of the globe -for freedom of person, for liberty of conscience, for respect to law, -so long shall the story be told of the little captain from the far -land who loved these things, and who fought so heroically to establish -and to maintain them. - - - - -APPENDIX I. -CONCERNING JOHN PAUL'S ASSUMPTION OF THE NAME OF JONES. - - - -A. - -_Letter of Mr. W. M. Cumming, of Wilmington, N. C., May 21, 1899_. - -"John Paul adopted the name of Jones in token of affectionate regard -for the Honorable Willie (pronounced Wylie) Jones, of North Carolina, -and his beautiful and charming wife, who had both been very kind to -him in his days of obscurity. He was particularly devoted to Mrs. -Jones, and called himself her son. It was through the influence of -Honorable Willie Jones (member of Congress, I think, from North -Carolina), that John Paul obtained his commission in the navy of the -young Republic, and it was about this time that he adopted the name of -his friend and patron." - - - -B. - -_Letter of Mr. Junius Davis, of Wilmington, N. C., February 23, 1900_. - -"I first heard from my father, the late Hon. George Davis, who was a -devoted student of the history of North Carolina, and perhaps the -highest authority in the State upon such subjects, that _Paul_, -shortly after going to Virginia to take the estate left him by his -brother, met Willie Jones of this State; that Jones took a fancy to -him and invited him to pay him a visit in North Carolina; that Paul -did so and remained quite a long time with him and became so attached -to Jones and his wife that he adopted their name. _Willie_--pronounced -_Wylie_--Jones and his brother Allan were educated at Eton, and were -gentlemen of large means, high ability, and devoted Whigs. They were -prominent in every movement and assembly in this State prior to and -during the Revolution. Allan lived upon his plantation, 'Mount -Gallant,' in Halifax County, and Willie upon his, 'The Grove,' in the -adjoining county of North Hampton. They were warm friends and -associates of Joseph Hewes, of Edenton, one of the delegates from -North Carolina to the first and second Provincial Congresses. Wheeler, -the historian of North Carolina in his Reminiscences and Memoirs of -North Carolina and Eminent North Carolinians, says as follows: - -"'The daring and celebrated John Paul Jones, whose real name was John -Paul, of Scotland, when quite young visited Mr. Willie Jones at -Halifax, and became so fascinated with him and his charming wife that -he adopted their family name. Under this name, John Paul Jones, he -offered his services to Congress and was made a lieutenant, December -22, 1775, on the recommendation of _Willie_ Jones.' ... Jones in the -very outset of his Autobiography says: 'I at the same time acquainted -Mr. Hewes, a member of Congress and my particular friend, with the -project for seizing the island of St. Helena,' etc. This is the Mr. -Hewes mentioned above. In the second Congress Hewes was at the head of -the committee in charge of naval affairs, and was virtually the first -Secretary of the Navy. Paul could only have known Hewes, whom he calls -his particular friend, through the Joneses, and it has always been one -of the traditions of this State that it was the Jones influence with -Hewes that got Paul his lieutenancy in the American navy. In a letter -received recently from my aged kinsman, Colonel Cadwallader Jones, of -Rock Hill, South Carolina, a lineal descendant of _Allan_ Jones, I -find that Colonel Jones' mother was a granddaughter of General Allan -Jones, was raised by him, married in 1810, and lived in Halifax until -1826. Up to this time she was a frequent visitor at 'The Grove,' the -residence of Willie Jones, as was also Colonel Cadwallader Jones. The -latter, who is now eighty-six years of age, has always heard that John -Paul assumed the name of Jones as a mark of respect and affection for -these brothers, Willie and Allan Jones, and for the wife of the -former, whose virtues might well win the admiration of any man. -Colonel Jones remembers his aunt, Mrs. Willie Jones, perfectly; she -survived her husband many years. The statement that John Paul was -invited by Willie Jones to visit 'The Grove' while he was looking -after his property in Virginia is corroborated by Colonel Jones.... I -quote the following from newspaper clippings: - -"1. From the Charleston Observer of November, 1899: - - -"'Fredekicksburg, Va., _November_ 18_th_. - -"'The announcement that the remains of that distinguished naval hero, -John Paul Jones, have been located in Paris, France, brings to light -that the deceased was once a resident of this city. According to the -records of the county court, he came here in 1773 to administer on the -records of his brother, William Paul, who lived here in 1772. William -Paul came here in 1760 and shortly afterward entered the mercantile -business, in which he was engaged up to the time of his death. The -store occupied by him is on the corner of Main and Market Streets, and -is the same building in which George Washington was made a Mason. -Tradition also says that one of the rooms in the building was used by -John Paul during his residence here, which was nearly two years, as -his lodging quarters. It was also during his citizenship here that he -received his appointment from the Colonial Congress as lieutenant in -the navy. It was here, too, that he added Jones to his patronymic, -which, it is said, was in token of the friendly act of Colonel Willie -Jones, of North Carolina, who became his bondsman for five hundred -pounds when he administered on his brother's estate.' - - -"2. The State, Columbia, S. C., Monday, November 6, 1899: - -"'Saratoga, Buckingham County, Va., _February_ 22,1899. - -"'... While no Revolutionary biography can boast more public events of -vivid and intense interest than that of Paul Jones, none is so bare -and meager in personal detail. Even the fact that he has immortalized -a name which was his only by selection and adoption is slurred over in -history with the calm statement that "he changed his name for unknown -reasons." As the reasons were not unknown, and, however difficult to -obtain later, were then easily accessible, it appears to have been -rather a lack of careful and intelligent investigation than of facts -which caused their suppression. They are now for the first time given -to the public.... In 1773, the death of his brother in Virginia, whose -heir he was, induced him to settle in America. It was then he added to -his name and thenceforth was known as "Paul Jones." This was done in -compliment to one of the most noted statesmen of that day, and in the -love and gratitude it shadows forth is a scathing reproach and a -touching example to a people who could neglect in life and forget in -death. It appears that before permanently settling in Virginia, moved -by the restlessness of his old seafaring life, he wandered about the -country, finally straying to North Carolina. There he became -acquainted with two brothers, Willie and Allan Jones. They were both -leaders in their day, and wise and honored in their generation. Allan -Jones was an orator and silver-tongued; Willie Jones, the foremost man -of his State, and one of the most remarkable of his time.... - -"'His home, "The Grove," near Halifax, was not only the resort of the -cultivated, the refined, but the home of the homeless, Mrs. Jones -having sometimes twenty orphan girls under her charge, and it was here -the young adventurer, John Paul Jones, was first touched by those -gentler and purer influences which changed not only his name but -himself, from the rough and reckless mariner into the polished man of -society, who was the companion of kings and the lion and pet of -Parisian salons. The almost worshiping love and reverence awakened in -his hitherto wild and untamed nature by the generous kindness of these -brothers found expression in his adoption of their name. The truth of -this account is ... attested by the descendants of Willie Jones. - -"'In addition to the above, I would say that General Allan Jones of -the Revolution was my great-great-grandfather. My grandmother was -raised by him, and was often at "The Grove," the residence of her -great-uncle, Willie Jones. My father, Colonel Cadwallader Jones, now -eighty-six years of age, in his youth was also often an inmate of "The -Grove," and heard the facts spoken in both families. - -"'A. I. Robertson, - -"'Secretary Columbia Chapter, D. A. R.'" - - - -C. - -_Letter of Mrs. A. I. Robertson, of Columbia, S. C., -April 14, 1900_. - -"John Paul was thrown more with Mr. and Mrs. _Willie_ Jones, I think, -than _Allan_, as he was more at 'The Grove' (the residence of Willie -Jones) than at 'Mount Gallant' (the residence of Allan Jones), though -a great deal at both places. I have an exact facsimile of the -commission which these brothers got for him, which appeared in the -World, February 11, 1900. - -"Mrs. Allan Jones was Mary Haynes, married 1762; their daughter Sarah -married General William R. Davis. - -"Mrs. Willie Jones was Mary Mumford, daughter of Joseph Mumford, son -of Robert Mumford and wife Anne, daughter of Robert Bland. These two -Mrs. Jones are spoken of in Mrs. Elliot's Women of the Revolution, -Wheeler's History of North Carolina, and Appletons' Cyclopædia of -American Biography. - -"I quote you the following from the family book of my father: 'When -the army of Cornwallis passed through Halifax to Virginia, his -officers quartered for some time in the town. Colonel Tarleton was at -"The Grove," the residence of Willie Jones. He had been wounded in the -_hand_ at Cowpens by a sabre cut by Colonel William Washington. -Speaking of Colonel Washington, Tarleton said he was a common, -illiterate fellow, hardly able to write his name. "Ah, colonel," said -Mrs. Jones, "you ought to know better, for you bear upon your person -proof that he knows _very well how to mark his mark_."' I inclose a -MS. of my father on the subject, which you are at liberty to copy." - - -_MS. of Colonel Cadwallader Jones inclosed in above Letter_. - -"Paul Jones--Why he changed his name--Colonel Hubard's account. - -"A recent sketch of the life of Paul Jones in the Century has revived -the memory of his gallant achievements, and rekindled public interest -in this famous hero. There is much inquiry as to his reason for -adopting the name of Jones. It is not a little remarkable that such an -incident in the life of one so renowned should be so soon forgotten. - -"Let me tell you what I know about this man and how I know it; the -public mind needs to be refreshed. When John Paul came to Virginia, -some three years before the war of the Revolution, looking after an -estate left him by his brother, he visited Halifax, North Carolina, at -that time a place of considerable repute. Here he made the -acquaintance of those grand old patriots, Allen and Willie Jones; he -was a young man but an old tar, with a bold, frank sailor bearing that -attracted their attention; he became a frequent visitor at their -homes, where he was always welcome; he soon grew fond of them, and as -a mark of his esteem and admiration, he adopted their name. Why John -Paul became John Paul Jones--it was his fancy...." - - - -D. - -_Letter of General Edward McCrady, of Charleston, S. C., April 3, -1900_. - -"Mrs. McCrady was the granddaughter of General William R. Davie, of -Revolutionary fame, who married the daughter of General Allan Jones, -of Mount Gallant, Northampton, North Carolina. Tradition in her branch -of the family has been that it was _Allan_ Jones who befriended John -Paul, and not his brother _Willie_--pronounced _Wylie_, not Willie. It -was in honor of Allan Jones that he adopted the name of Jones as -surname to that of Paul...." - - - -E. - -In a subsequent letter from Mr. Junius Davis, Wilmington, North -Carolina, dated April 24, 1900, he writes as follows: - - -"In respect to the name of Jones, I never heard the question raised in -the State as to whether Willie or Allan was the man, who, as it were, -picked up John Paul and was his closest friend. Beyond all question, -_Willie_ was the man, but above Willie in the affection of John Paul -was Mrs. Willie Jones. Undoubtedly it was his affection for her that -induced him to change his name. She was a Miss Montford, daughter of -Colonel Joseph Montford, and had a sister who married Colonel John -Baptiste Ashe, a distinguished soldier of this State, during the war -of the Revolution. In regard to the retort made by Mrs. Willie Jones -to Tarleton, you will find it mentioned in Mrs. Elliot's Women of the -Revolution. It is also mentioned by Wheeler in vol. ii, page 186, of -his History of North Carolina. It is a little singular that Mrs. Ashe, -sister of Mrs. Willie Jones, also retorted upon Tarleton. On one -occasion, when he said with a sneer that he would like to meet Colonel -Washington, she replied, 'If you had looked behind you at the battle -of Cowpens you would have had that pleasure.' These two ladies were -both very beautiful women, highly gifted in mind and character, and -highly educated." - - - -F. - -On this subject see also Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography, -vol. iii, under Jones. - - - - - -APPENDIX II. -CONCORDAT MADE BETWEEN CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES AND THE OFFICERS OF THE -SQUADRON. - - -"_Agreement_ between Messieurs John Paul Jones, captain of the Bon -Homme Richard; Pierre Landais, captain of the Alliance; Dennis -Nicholas Cottineau, captain of the Pallas; Joseph Varage, captain of -the Stag; and Philip Nicholas Ricot, captain of the Vengeance; -composing a squadron that shall be commanded by the oldest officer of -the highest grade, and so in succession in case of death or retreat. -None of the said commanders, while they are not separated from the -said squadron, by order of the minister shall act but by virtue of the -brevet, which they shall have obtained from the United States of -America, and it is agreed that the flag of the United States shall be -displayed. - -"The division of the prizes to the superior officers and crews of said -squadron, shall be made agreeable to the American laws; but it is -agreed that the proportion of the whole coming to each vessel in the -squadron shall be regulated by the Minister of the Marine Department -of France, and the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of -America. - -"A copy of the American laws shall be annexed to the present -agreement, after having been certified by the commander of the Bon -Homme Richard; but, as the said laws can not foresee or determine as -to what may concern the vessels and subjects of other nations, it is -expressly agreed that whatever may be contrary to them should be -regulated by the Minister of the French Marine, and the Minister -Plenipotentiary of the United States of America. - -"It is likewise agreed that the orders given by the Minister of the -French Marine, and the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States -be executed. - -"Considering the necessity there is of preserving the interests of -each individual, the prizes that shall be taken shall be remitted to -the orders of Monsieur le Ray de Chaumont, honorary intendant of the -Royal Hotel of Invalids, who has furnished the expenses of the -armament of the said squadron. - -"It has been agreed that M. le Ray de Chaumont be requested not to -give up the part of the prizes coming to all crews, and to each -individual of the said squadron, but to their order, and to be -responsible for the same in his own and proper name. - -"Whereas the said squadron has been formed for the purpose of injuring -the common enemies of France and America, it has been agreed that such -armed vessels, whether French or American, may be associated therewith -by common consent, as shall be found suitable for the purpose, and -that they shall have such proportion of the prizes which shall be -taken as the laws of their respective countries allow them. - -"In case of the death of any of the before-mentioned commanders of -vessels, he shall be replaced agreeably to the order of the tariff, -with liberty, however, for the successor to choose whether he shall -remain on board his own vessel, and give up the next in order, the -command of the vacant ship. - -"It has, moreover, been agreed, that the commander of the Stag shall -be excepted from the last article of this present agreement, because -in case of a disaster to M. de Varage he shall be replaced by his -second in command, and so on by the other officers of his cutter, the -Stag. - - "J. Paul Jones. - - "P. Landais. - - "De Cottineau. - - "De Varage. - - "Le Ray de Chaumont. - - "P. Ricot." - - - - - -APPENDIX III. -ON THE FLAG OF THE BON HOMME RICHARD. - - -The statement is frequently made that the flag under which the Bon -Homme Richard fought the Serapis is still in existence, and the -following letter from the assistant secretary of the Smithsonian -Institution gives a history of the claim: - - -"I am authorized by the secretary to acknowledge the receipt of and -reply to your letter of the 27th instant, in which you ask whether the -identical flag used by John Paul Jones on the Bon Homme Richard is the -one now in the custody of the Smithsonian Institution. - -"Your letter has been referred to Mr. A. H. Clark, Custodian of the -Section of American History in the National Museum, who has submitted -the following facts, which I submit to you as the opinion of this -institution in the case." - - -"'The evidence appears conclusive that the flag in the National Museum -is the identical one used by John Paul Jones on the Bon Homme Richard. -This flag was presented to James Bayard Stafford in 1784, by the -Marine Committee, with the following letter. The sword and musket are -exhibited with the flag together with the original letter: - - -"'"Philadelphia, _Monday, December_ 13, 1784. - -"'"_James Bayard Stafford_. - -"'"Sir: I am directed by the Marine Committee to inform you that on -last Thursday, the 9th, they decided to bestow upon you, for your -meritorious service thro' the late war, Paul Jones' Starry Flag of the -Bon Homme Richard--which was transferred to the Alliance--a boarding -sword of said ship, and a musquet captured from the Serapis. - -"'"If you write to Captain John Brown, at the Yard, what ship you wish -them sent by to New York, they will be forwarded to you. - -"'"Your humble servant, - - "'"James Meyler, - - "'"_Secretary, pro tem_." - - -"'In the United States Senate, May 1, 1872, the Committee on -Revolutionary Claims favorably reported a bill (S. 1060) for payment -to Sarah S. Stafford, for the services of her father, James Bayard -Stafford, an officer of the Revolution. In the committee's report, -Commodore Barry, of the Alliance, certified to the service of -Lieutenant Stafford, and the report further states that "it fully -appears from the testimony before the committee that James Bayard -Stafford entered the navy at the beginning of the War of Independence, -and was in constant and active service, and in frequent battles, and -remained in the service until the close of the war; that his ship was -captured by a British cruiser, and subsequently recaptured by John -Paul Jones, when he volunteered on the Bon Homme Richard, where he -received wounds, which, owing to unskillful treatment, broke out after -a time, disabling both his arms." - - (Signed.) "'A. H. Clark, - "'Custodian, Section of American History, - United States National Museum.' - - "Yours very respectfully, - (Signed.) "Richard Rathbun, - "_Assistant Secretary_." - -This is an opinion with which I must disagree. Stafford, it is -claimed, had been a sailor in the American armed ship Kitty, which had -been captured by a British cruiser, said cruiser and her prize being -subsequently taken by the Richard, whereupon Stafford volunteered for -service on the Richard, was warranted a midshipman, and is alleged to -have performed several heroic deeds in connection with the flag during -the action.[71] There is no authority whatever for any of these -statements in any existing contemporary account of the battle, yet the -occurrence was sufficiently important to be mentioned somewhere, -surely, if it had occurred. Stafford's name does not appear in any of -the lists of the officers and crew, and the Richard certainly did not -capture any British cruiser and her prize. But we have evidence which -is more than negative, for Jones explicitly states that when the -Richard went down, a flag--presumably that which had been shot from -the staff, or had fallen with it, during the action, and had been -recovered the next day--was left flying at the peak. In subsequent -letters, though, he takes occasion to refer specifically to the fact -that he sailed under American colors in the Alliance--he calls them -"my very best American colors," a phrase certainly inappropriate for -the battle-torn ensign of the Richard--he never makes the slightest -reference to their having been used in the famous battle. Again, the -Alliance sailed finally under the command of Landais, and no mention -of any particular flag appears thereafter. It may be possible, -however, though doubtful, that the flag which was given to Stafford -was the "best American colors" under which Jones sailed from the -Texel, and, if so, it is an interesting relic. The last circumstance -that militates against the claim is the size of the flag in question. -It is so small that it is highly improbable it was ever used for a -battle flag! - - - - - -APPENDIX IV. -SONG AND MUSIC. - - - "Here comes brave Paul Jones, Oho! - He's a jolly good fellow. - His ship has sunk 'neath the sea, - On a bold English cape, O. - - "Here comes brave Paul Jones, Oho! - He's a jolly good fellow. - Born an American true, - And English not a bit, O. - - "Here comes brave Paul Jones, Oho! - He's a jolly good fellow. - He does so many brave deeds - For the good of his friends, O." - - Chorus. - - "Oh, had we him here, - Or had they him there, - He'd well know what to try for - And luck he'd let go by, sir!" - -[Illustration: -HIER KOMT PAL JONES AAN.] - - - - - -APPENDIX V. -"_Testament of Paul Jones, July 18, 1792_. - -"Before the undersigned notaries, at Paris, appeared Mr. John Paul -Jones, citizen of the United States of America, resident at present in -Paris, lodged in the street of Tournon, No. 42, at the house of Mr. -Dorberque, _huissier audiancier_ of the tribunal of the third -_arrondissement_, found in a parlour in the first story above the -door, lighted by two windows opening on the said street of Tournon, -sitting in an armchair, sick of body, but sound of mind, memory, and -understanding, as it appeared to the undersigned notaries, by his -discourse and conversation,-- - -"Who, in view of death, has made, dictated, and worded, to the -undersigned notaries, his testament as follows: - -"I give and bequeath all the goods, as well movable as heritable, and -all, generally, whatever may appertain to me at my decease, in -whatever country they may be situated, to my two sisters, Janette, -spouse to William Taylor, and Mary, wife to Mr. Loudon, and to the -children of my said sisters, to divide them into as many portions as -my said sisters and their children shall make up individuals, and to -be enjoyed by them in the following manner: - -"My sisters, and those of their children who on the day of my death -shall have reached the age of twenty-one, will enjoy their share in -full property from the date of my decease. As for those of my nephews -and nieces who at that period of time may not reach the age of -twenty-one years, their mothers will enjoy their shares till such time -as they attain that said age, with charge to them to provide for their -food, maintenance, and education; and as soon as any of my nephews or -nieces will have reached the age of twenty-one years, the same will -enjoy his share in full property. - -"If one or more of my nephews and nieces should happen to die without -children before having reached the age of twenty-one, the share of -those of them who may have deceased shall be divided betwixt my said -sisters and my other nephews and nieces by equal portions. - -"I name the Honourable Robert Morris, Esq., of Philadelphia, my only -testamentary executor. - -"I revoke all other testaments or codicils which I may have made -before the present, which alone I stand by as containing my last will. - -"So made, dictated, and worded, by said testator, to the said notaries -undersigned, and afterward read, and read over again to him by one of -them, the others being present, which he well understood, and -persevered in, at Paris, the year 1792, the 18th July, about five -o'clock, afternoon, in the room heretofore described, and the said -testator signed the original of the present, unregistrated, at Paris, -the 25th of September, 1792, by Defrance, who received one livre, -provisionally, save to determine definitively the right after the -declaration of the revenue of the testator. The original remained with -Mr. Pettier, one of the notaries at Paris, undersigned, who delivered -these presents this day, 26th September, 1792, first of the French -Republic. - -(Signed.) "Pottier. - - "L'Avernier." - - -(COPY.) - -"_Schedule of the Property of Admiral John Paul Jones, as stated by him -to me, this 18th of July, 1792_. - -"1. Bank stock in the Bank of North America, at Philadelphia, six -thousand dollars, with sundry dividends. - -"2. Loan-Office certificate left with my friend Mr. Ross, of -Philadelphia, for two thousand dollars, at par, with great arrearages -of interest, being for ten or twelve years. - -"3. Such balance as may be in the hands of my said friend John Ross, -belonging to me, and sundry effects left in his care. - -"4. My lands in the State of Vermont. - -"5. Shares in the Ohio Company. - -"6. Shares in the Indiana Company. - -"7. About eighteen thousand pounds sterling due to me from Edward -Bancroft, unless paid by him to Sir Robert Herries, and is then in his -hands. - -"8. Upward of four years of my pension due from Denmark, to be asked -from the Count de Bernstorf. - -"9. Arrearages of my pay from the Empress of Russia, and all my prize -money. - -"10. The balance due to me by the United States of America, of sundry -claims in Europe, which will appear from my papers. - -"This is taken from his mouth. - - "GOUVERNEUR MORRIS." - - -This property was estimated as being worth about thirty thousand -dollars at the date of Jones' death. - - - - - -APPENDIX VI. - -Ranger, Nantes 11_th Dec_. 1777. - -"Honored Sir:--I think it my duty to give you some account of my -Passage from Portsmouth to this place, as this may perhaps find you at -home in the Bosom of domestic happiness. I had passed the Western -Islands before a Sail appeared within our Horizon from the Mast head; -but this Halcyon Season was then interrupted, and changed into -continued alarms Night and day till the Ranger cast Anchor here the 2d -Current, this afforded me excellent opportunities of exercising the -Officers and Men especially in the Night, and it is with much Pleasure -that I assure you their behaviour was to my entire Satisfaction. I -fell in with an Enemies Fleet of Ten Sail off Ushant, bound up -Channel, but notwithstanding my best endeavours, I was unable to -detach any of them from the strong Convoy under which they sailed. I -fell in with and brought too a number of other Ships and Vessels none -whereof proved to be British Property except two Brigantines with -fruit from Malaga for London which became Prizes, the one is arrived -here, the other I am told in Quiberon Bay. The Rangers sailing does -not answer the general expectation, oweing in a great measure to her -being too deep, very foul and over Masted, her Ballast laid too high, -on account of its improper quality, for a Ship of this construction, -this with the extraordinary weight of her lower Masts; occasioned her -being very Crank, I am paying my whole Attention to remedy these -inconveniences as much as Possible, I am shortening the lower Masts, -shifting the Main Mast further aft, and mean to ballast with Lead; as -that Article will store under the lower tier of Water the less -quantity will be sufficient, of course the Ship will be so much the -lighter, and Sail so much the faster, and we shall then, I hope, be -able to store the Cables under the Platform. Tho' I have yet received -no Letter from the Commissioners, I understand that they had some time -ago provided for me one of the Finest Frigates that can be imagined, -calculated for Thirty two, Twenty four Pounders, on One deck, and -longer than any Ship in the Enemies Fleet, but it seems they were -unfortunately under the necessity of giving her up on Account of some -difficulties which they met with at Court, however I esteem the -intention as much as tho' it had succeeded, as I shall always cherish -the grateful remembrance of the Honor which Congress hath conferred on -me by this and every other instance of their generous Approbation, I -shall be the happiest of Men if a Life of services devoted to the -Intrests of America can be rendered instrumental in securing its -Independance. - -"My particular thanks are due to you Sir, as one of the four Members -of that Honorable Committee to whose generous intention, and -Approbation I more immediately owe this great and unsolicited -Obligation, but I hope for Opportunities of proving by my Conduct the -deep sense I entertain of that favor. - -"The inclosed letter, and its consequences hath given me real concern. -Malice is a stranger to my Nature. I hate domestic broils, or -misunderstandings, and would do, or suffer much, as a private Person -to prevent them. But as an Officer, honored with the Approbation of -Congress, and conscious of having at no time exceeded even in Thought -the delicate lines of my duty, or express letter of my Orders; I am in -the highest degree tenacious of the respect due to my Signature; and I -bid the most contemptuous defiance to the insinuation of any Man out -of Congress. - -"I have been informed in Portsmouth that the four Oared Boat which -attended the Ranger was built for the Portsmouth Privateer, and after -being rejected as misconstructed and unuseful for that Ship, was -assigned over to the Ranger, be this as it may, I will boldly affirm -that she was the worst constructed and most unservicable Boat that I -ever saw, belonging to a Ship of War, for tho' a Man stepping on her -Gunnel, would bring it down to the Waters edge, yet was her Weight -equal, or nearly so to that of the Cutter, which I planned, and had -built, capable of carrying 40 Armed Men, had I been able, which I was -not, to stow the two Boats, which I found provided for the Ranger, I -must have been reduced to the Alternatives of throwing them overboard, -or strikeing the Top Masts several times, on the Passage to prevent -oversetting the Ship. I mention this matter to you _in confidence_ as -a Friend, declaring on the Honor of a Gentleman that I wish on my part -to give it to Oblivion. I have the Pleasure to hear that Captains -Thompson and Hinman are well at Lorient of which please to inform Mrs. -Thompson. I shall endeavour to procure the Articles mentioned in Mrs. -Whipple's Memorandum, I hope to live in the remembrance of the few -acquaintances I have in Portsmouth, and I have the honor to be with -due Respect. - - "Sir - - "Your very Obliged - - "very Obedient - - "most humble Servant, - - "Jno P Jones"[72] - -The Hon'ble - Gen'l Whipple - - - - - -FOOTNOTES - -[Footnote 1: Among the gross slanders by which envy strove to blacken -the fame of the great commodore in after years--the foulest, because -it attempted to rob a virtuous woman of her crown of honest motherhood -and question the legitimacy of Jones' birth--was one which ascribed -his paternity to the Earl of Selkirk. To the English snob of that day -it may probably have seemed impossible that so much greatness could -spring from so plain a stock, and in a left-handed descent from Lord -Selkirk was sought an explanation of Jones' fame. The calumny was -refuted not only by its antecedent incredibility, but by the testimony -of persons in position to affirm as to the high personal character of -Jean MacDuff Paul and by the loving and tender family relationship she -ever sustained to her husband and children. The family was well known -and highly respected. It may be noted, by the way, that the Earl of -Selkirk was not conspicuous for ability or anything else, and if it -had not been for a subsequent exploit of Jones' he would have been -forgotten long since.] - -[Footnote 2: See Appendix I.] - -[Footnote 3: The Marine Corps was established by the Congress November -10, 1775.] - -[Footnote 4: A fictitious house, under the name of which the -commissioners sent out military stores.] - -[Footnote 5: A coarse thin stuff, a very poor substitute for the -ordinary canvas.] - -[Footnote 6: English accounts state their casualties at twenty-five.] - -[Footnote 7: Italics mine.] - -[Footnote 8: The ship of the line Thesée (74), commanded by the -celebrated de Kersaint, was lost in the night battle between Hawke and -Conflans at Quiberon Bay, because in the midst of a terrific gale, -with a very heavy sea on, the Frenchman unfortunately opened his lower -deck ports to make use of his heavy battery in the action.] - -[Footnote 9: There is a discrepancy in the various accounts of the -armament of the Richard, some authorities asserting that all the guns -on the main deck were 12-pounders and that the small guns on the poop -and forecastle were 6-pounders. The probabilities are as I have -stated.] - -[Footnote 10: See Appendix No. II.] - -[Footnote 11: In case of disaster, that is.] - -[Footnote 12: The English learned this in 1812, when with the long -eighteens of the Guerrière and the Java they tackled the long -twenty-fours of the Constitution's broadside.] - -[Footnote 13: From the author's novel, The Grip of Honor.] - -[Footnote 14: See remarks on page 226.] - -[Footnote 15: Doubtful.] - -[Footnote 16: Possibly he might be an ensign.] - -[Footnote 17: Some authorities imply that the flag had been nailed to -the masthead, and that it was necessary for Pearson to go aloft in -default of any one else in order to strike his colors. Nailing a flag -to the masthead is a figure of speech, and I doubt the actuality of -the performance. On the other hand, it would be easy and natural for -Pearson to have nailed the ensign to a staff, which contemporary -prints show that ships sometimes carried for the purpose of flying the -colors. In the latter case it would be easy for Pearson to tear it -down; in that hypothesis his whole action then and subsequently is -understandable. If the flag had been nailed to the masthead it is -extremely unlikely that he would have taken the time, trouble, and -risk of going aloft to tear it down when by a simple word or two he -could have surrendered his ship.] - -[Footnote 18: It has been incorrectly stated that many wounded and -prisoners were carried down with the ship. Jones, who was in a -position to know, asserts the contrary.] - -[Footnote 19: See Appendix No. III.] - -[Footnote 20: Thackeray told an American friend that the account of -the amazing capture of the Serapis by Paul Jones was one of the most -extraordinary stories in naval annals, and Mrs. Ritchie, writing of -her father's last days, says: "Sometimes we found him in great -spirits, as when he had been reading about the famous fight of the -Serapis, a stirring thing indeed."--Editor.] - -[Footnote 21: Captain A. T. Mahan, U. S. N. (retired). The greatest -authority, living or dead, on warfare on the sea, especially from the -philosophical standpoint.] - -[Footnote 22: She could only have engaged to starboard by crossing the -path of the Richard, in which event she would have raked her, of -course, with her port battery, and then have brought her starboard -battery in play when she got alongside again.] - -[Footnote 23: Italics mine.] - -[Footnote 24: By resolution of the Marine Committee, dated September -5, 1776, this was, for captains: "A coat of blue cloth with red -lapels, slashed cuffs, a stand-up collar, flat yellow buttons, blue -breeches, and a red waistcoat with yellow lace." In Jones' case the -"flat yellow buttons" were made of gold and the lace was woven of the -same precious tissue. Nothing was too good for him, for the rank he -supported, and the cause he upheld.] - -[Footnote 25: See Appendix No. IV.] - -[Footnote 26: Italics mine.] - -[Footnote 27: Italics mine.] - -[Footnote 28: Italics mine.] - -[Footnote 29: As this is the last appearance of Pearson in our pages, -it may be interesting to note that when he returned to England he was -knighted for "his gallant defense of the Serapis against a greatly -superior force"; in addition to which the merchants of London -presented him, and Captain Piercy as well, with very valuable services -of plate for their efficient protection of their convoy. Pearson -afterward rose to high rank in the British service. He certainly had -protected his convoy, for all of them escaped, and the gratitude of -the merchants was natural. On the other hand, he had been beaten by an -inferior force, and merited no honors on that score. As a matter of -fact, the Serapis alone, to say nothing of the Countess of -Scarborough, was nearly a match for Jones' whole squadron. Suppose, -for instance, that Jones had been in command of the Serapis and -Pearson of the Richard. Does anybody doubt that Jones could have -beaten the Richard, the Alliance, and the Pallas with the Serapis -alone? But it is unprofitable to discuss this question further. When -Jones heard of these honors, he is reported to have made the following -remark: - -"He has done well, and if he get another ship and I fall in with him -again, I will make a duke of him." There is a grim humor about his -comment which is highly pleasing, in spite of Jones' subsequent -repudiation of it.] - -[Footnote 30: Italics mine.] - -[Footnote 31: Italics mine.] - -[Footnote 32: Italics mine.] - -[Footnote 33: For another specimen of Jones' verse-writing, see page -277.] - -[Footnote 34: "Louis XVI, the rewarder, to the mighty deliverer, for -the freedom of the sea."] - -[Footnote 35: Italics mine.] - -[Footnote 36: Evidently Truxtun learned the lesson well, for in the -war with France he became one of the sternest and most severe -disciplinarians in the naval service, in spite of which his crews -adored him. See my books, Reuben James, A Hero of the Forecastle; and -American Fights and Fighters.] - -[Footnote 37: That was beyond his power. They never did and to this -day do not "esteem" him other than a pirate. His courage and ability -are, however, alike unquestioned by friends and foes.] - -[Footnote 38: The remarks of John Adams as to the need of a great navy -are even more apposite now than they were then.] - -[Footnote 39: Nearly $40,000, equivalent in that day to much more than -at present.] - -[Footnote 40: Quite what might have been expected from a "canny Scot." -But it must not be forgotten that the chevalier had been a trader -before he became a fighter.] - -[Footnote 41: Very unlike a "canny Scot" in this instance.] - -[Footnote 42: After his dismissal Landais resided in Brooklyn, where -he lived in very straitened circumstances on a small annuity, the -income upon an advance of four thousand dollars from Congress on -account of arrears of prize money due him, which amount was to be -deducted from his share of whatever was recovered from Denmark. His -income was about two hundred dollars a year, but by strict economy it -sufficed him. He is reputed to have cherished a high feeling of -independence, and would never consent to receive a gift he was unable -to return. Toward the close of his life he was a constant petitioner -for five thousand dollars with interest, which he conceived to be -still due him on account of the Danish claim. Every other year he -contrived to visit the seat of government to plead his cause in -person. On one occasion, having heard that a member of Congress had -spoken slightingly of him, he put on his faded Continental uniform, -buckled on his small sword, repaired to the gallery of the House of -Representatives, and expressed his readiness to meet any gentleman who -wished for an honorable satisfaction. His quaint figure, so attired, -was often seen on the streets of New York. He used to carry his hat in -his hand for hours in the street, out of respect to his lawful -monarch, executed by the rebels of France! He never ceased to affirm -that he, and not Paul Jones, had captured the Serapis. He died in 1818 -at the age of eighty-seven years, and was buried in St. Patrick's -Cathedral churchyard. He had probably returned to the Roman Catholic -Church, which he is said to have abjured on his entry into the -American service. One of his biographers tells us that he was a cadet -of the family of a younger son of the youngest branch of one of the -oldest, proudest, and poorest families in Normandy; that, owing to his -lack of court interest, which was due to his poverty, he was kept for -thirty years a midshipman in the French navy. The same ingenious -apologist makes the following quaint comment on the respective actions -and qualities of Landais and Jones: - -"Paul Jones, by his impetuous and undisciplined gallantry, earned the -reputation of a hero, and poor Landais, by a too scrupulous attention -to the theory of naval science, incurred that of a coward. I believe -that naval authority is against me, but I venture to assert _meo -periculo_ and on the authority of one of my uncles, who was in that -action as a lieutenant to Paul Jones, that Landais erred not through -any defect of bravery, but merely from his desire to approach his -enemy scientifically, by bearing down upon the hypothenuse of the -precise right-angled triangle prescribed in the thirty-seventh -'man[oe]uvre' of his old text-book." - -Surely the author of this extraordinary paragraph must have been more -than an unconscious humorist! - -A stone erected over his remains, which has long since disappeared, -bore the following inscription: - - A la Mémoire - de - Pierre De Landais - Ancien Contre-Amiral - au service - Des États Unis - Qui Disparut - Juin 1818 - Agé 87 ans. - -There is something pathetic in the picture of the "Ancien -Contre-Amiral," in his faded Continental uniform and the proud -independence of his old age; and perhaps after all we may charitably -attribute his colossal blunders to insanity and incompetency rather -than to malice or treachery.] - -[Footnote 43: Negotiations on this claim were protracted for over -sixty years. In June, 1847, the Danish Government formally and finally -denied the validity of the claim, and it has not been paid. Congress, -however, on March 21, 1848, provided for the payment of the prize -money involved, to the heirs of Paul Jones and other persons entitled -to share in the distribution of the fund.] - -[Footnote 44: The rouble was then worth about one dollar, and, as has -been mentioned, a dollar was greater then than now.] - -[Footnote 45: In after years Jones indorsed upon this letter a grim -comment: "Has he kept his word?"] - -[Footnote 46: Some authorities say fourteen; the difference is -immaterial.] - -[Footnote 47: All dates given, except in letters, are new style, -eleven days in advance of Russian dates.] - -[Footnote 48: This is a mistake, he was never a vice admiral.] - -[Footnote 49: Old style.] - -[Footnote 50: Nassau was then in command of the Russian fleet in the -Baltic, and an encounter with him--had a Swedish command been tendered -Jones, and if he could have accepted it--would have been interesting. -There would have been a final demonstration, which probably would have -convinced even Nassau, as to the merits of the rival commanders in the -Liman. Nassau, by accepting the advice of the English and other -foreign officers associated with him, succeeded with a superior force -in beating the Swedes, whereupon honors were showered upon him--more -land, more peasants, more roubles, more rank. His favor was higher -than ever; but he was magnificently beaten a short time after by a -very inferior Swedish fleet, and his defeat was as decisive as it was -disgraceful. He lost fifty-three vessels, fourteen hundred guns, and -six thousand men. He had refused to take anybody's advice on this -occasion and had conducted the battle himself. His cowardice and -incapacity therefore were entirely apparent. He tried to attribute -this defeat, which compelled Catherine to make peace upon terms not -advantageous to her, to the cowardice of the Russians whom he -commanded. The Russians were not cowards. He fell from favor, left the -court, and passed the remainder of his life on his estate in Poland in -the society of his homely but devoted wife. It is to be hoped that she -made things interesting for him, but it is hardly likely. He died in -obscurity and poverty in 1809, unregretted and forgotten.] - -[Footnote 51: A portion was subsequently paid to his heirs by the -French Government.] - -[Footnote 52: See Appendix No. V.] - -[Footnote 53: From my book, American Fights and Fighters.] - -[Footnote 54: This sword was, of course, not that presented to him by -the King of France. After Jones' death his heirs gave this famous -sword to Robert Morris. Morris, in turn, presented it to Commodore -John Barry, at that time senior officer of the United States Navy. By -him it was bequeathed to his friend Commodore Richard Dale, once of -the Bon Homme Richard, and it now remains in the possession of his -great-grandson, Mr. Richard Dale, of Philadelphia.] - -[Footnote 55: Why a monument has not been erected to Jones I can not -understand. It would be a noteworthy object for individual and -national effort, and in no better way could we commit ourselves to the -fame and achievements of the great captain, and forever stamp with -disapproval those calumnies with which envy seeks to sully the name of -our first great sailor.] - -[Footnote 56: The frontispiece of this volume.] - -[Footnote 57: Some of his phrases in his Russian letters remind me of -Shakespeare's Henry V.] - -[Footnote 58: I have known hundreds of sailors more or less -intimately, and I have never met one who might be included in either -of those melancholy classes.] - -[Footnote 59: Studies in Naval History, by John Knox Laughton, M. A., -Professor of Modern History at King's College, London, and Lecturer on -Naval History at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, etc., 1887.] - -[Footnote 60: July 6, 1900.] - -[Footnote 61: Woolsey, International Law, section 144, page 233.] - -[Footnote 62: And not a captain of a special ship, as was sometimes -the case, but a captain in the service, and therefore eligible to -command any ship. See page 75.] - -[Footnote 63: The following interesting document was found in his -papers; it enumerates a few of the things he did: "In 1775, J. Paul -Jones armed and embarked in the first American ship of war. In the -Revolution he had twenty-three battles and solemn rencontres by sea; -made seven descents in Britain and her colonies; took of her navy two -ships of equal, and two of superior force, many store ships, and -others; constrained her to fortify her ports; suffer the Irish -volunteers; desist from her cruel burnings in America, and exchange, -as prisoners of war, the American citizens taken on the ocean, and -cast into the prisons of England, as 'traitors, pirates, and -felons!'"] - -[Footnote 64: Notwithstanding this, he was as ambitious of glory, -honor, and fame to himself in the service of his country as Nelson -was. They were both of them - - "Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel. - Seeking the bubble reputation - Even in the cannon's mouth."] - -[Footnote 65: See my book, American Fights and Fighters.] - -[Footnote 66: The recent war in South Africa demonstrates the -accuracy of Carlyle's perspicuous observation.] - -[Footnote 67: The United States has shown that it possesses in full -measure the sea adaptability and capacity of the Anglo-Saxon, but -opportunity for demonstrating that capacity, except upon a small -scale, has never been afforded us. The almost unbroken line of -victories on the sea, however, which we have won with anything like -equality of force from English, French, and Spaniards, enables us to -confidently await the issue of any future naval action under -conditions of equality; and the names of Jones, Dale, Biddle, Barry, -Preble, Hull, Decatur, Bainbridge, Lawrence, Stewart, MacDonough, -Perry, Farragut, Dewey, and Sampson will not be outshone by any -galaxy.] - -[Footnote 68: So careful and accurate an historian as John Fiske makes -the mistake of saying that Russia bestowed the order of St. Anne on -Jones for this action.] - -[Footnote 69: Paul Jones and his men were the last foreign foemen to -land on the shores of England.] - -[Footnote 70: See Park Benjamin's History of the Naval Academy for -similar instances on the part of less famous captains. Personal abuse -was a custom of the service, apparently.] - -[Footnote 71: See Preble's History of the American Flag, where the -story of Stafford is given _in extenso_.] - -[Footnote 72: The above hitherto unpublished letter, with its unusual -signature, was addressed to William Whipple, one of the signers of the -Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire, who in 1777 was a -member of the Continental Congress, and one of the four Navy -Commissioners. The original of the Commodore's interesting -letter is in the collection of Mr. Ferdinand J. Dreer, of -Philadelphia.--Editor.] - - - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Commodore Paul Jones, by Cyrus Townsend Brady - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMMODORE PAUL JONES *** - -***** This file should be named 52485-8.txt or 52485-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/4/8/52485/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google Books (Harvard University) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/52485-8.zip b/old/52485-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e792d40..0000000 --- a/old/52485-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52485-h.zip b/old/52485-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1b20846..0000000 --- a/old/52485-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/52485-h/52485-h.htm b/old/52485-h/52485-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 001a1fd..0000000 --- a/old/52485-h/52485-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13671 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html> -<head> -<title>Commodore Paul Jones</title> -<meta name="Author" content="Cyrus Townsend Brady"> - -<meta name="Publisher" content="D. Appleton and Company"> -<meta name="Date" content="1912"> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> -<style type="text/css"> -body {margin-left:10%; - margin-right:10%; background-color:#FFFFFF;} - - -p.normal {text-indent:.25in; text-align: justify;} -.center {margin: auto; text-align:center; margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:24pt} - - - -p.right {text-align:right; margin-right:20%;} - -p.continue {text-indent: 0in; margin-top:9pt;} -.text10 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:10%; margin-right:0px; font-size:90%;} -.text20 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:20%; margin-right:0px; font-size:90%;} - - -figcenter {margin:auto; text-align:center; margin-top:9pt;} - -.t0 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em;} -.t1 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:1em; margin-right:0em;} -.t2 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em;} -.t3 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:3em; margin-right:0em;} -.t4 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:4em; margin-right:0em;} -.t5 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5em; margin-right:0em;} - - -.quote {text-indent:.25in; text-align: justify; font-size:90%; margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:12pt} -.ctrquote {text-align: center; font-size:90%; margin-top:36pt; margin-bottom:36pt} - - -h1,h2,h3,h4,h5 {text-align: center;} - -span.sc {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:110%;} -span.sc2 {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:90%;} - -hr.W10 {width:10%; color:black; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt} - -hr.W20 {width:20%; color:black; margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:12pt} - -hr.W50 {width:50%; color:black;} -hr.W90 {width:90%; color:black;} - -p.hang1 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:-3em;} -p.hang2 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:0em;} - - -</style> - -</head> - -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Commodore Paul Jones, by Cyrus Townsend Brady - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Commodore Paul Jones - -Author: Cyrus Townsend Brady - -Release Date: July 3, 2016 [EBook #52485] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMMODORE PAUL JONES *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google Books (Harvard University) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Notes:<br> -1. Page scan source:<br> -https://books.google.com/books?id=jZxBAAAAYAAJ<br> -(Harvard University)</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p class="center"><img src="images/frontcover.png" alt="front cover"></p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>COMMODORE PAUL JONES.</h3> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p class="center"><img src="images/frontispiece.png" alt="Paul Jones"><br> - -Paul Jones</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3><span class="sc">COMMODORE</span></h3> -<h3>PAUL JONES</h3> -<br> -<h5>BY</h5> -<h4>CYRUS TOWNSEND BRADY</h4> -<br> -<h5>AUTHOR OF<br> -REUBEN JAMES, A HERO OF THE FORECASTLE;<br> -THE GRIP OF HONOR; STEPHEN DECATUR; ETC.</h5> -<br> -<br> -<h4><i>WITH PORTRAIT AND MAPS</i></h4> -<br> -<br> -<h4>NEW YORK AND LONDON<br> -D. APPLETON AND COMPANY<br> -1912</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h5><span class="sc">Copyright</span>, 1900,</h5> -<h4><span class="sc">By</span> D. APPLETON AND COMPANY.</h4> -<br> -<h5><i>All rights reserved.</i></h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>Printed in the United States of America</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>THIS STORY<br> -<br> -OF THE LIFE OF ONE OF THE<br> -<br> -GREAT FOUNDERS OF THE REPUBLIC<br> -<br> -IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED<br> -<br> -TO</h4> -<h3>GEORGE CLIFFORD THOMAS,</h3> - -<h4>A NOBLE EXEMPLAR<br> -<br> -OF ITS CITIZENSHIP.</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>PREFACE.</h3> -<br> - -<p class="normal">In preparing this work I began, I admit, with an ardent admiration for -John Paul Jones, born of long study of his career. I have endeavored, -however, so far as possible, to lay aside my preconceived opinions and -predisposition in his favor, and I have conscientiously gone over the -immense mass of material bearing upon him, <i>de novo</i>, in an attempt to -be absolutely and strictly impartial. Perhaps I have not altogether -succeeded, but if it be found that I have erred in Jones' favor, I -shall be glad that I have followed the impulses of affection rather -than those of depreciation. I have not, I trust, been blind to the -faults in the character of the great sailor, nor to the mistakes he -committed, nor to the wrongdoings in his career to which I have called -attention; but, in spite of these things, which I have most -reluctantly recorded, I am happy that renewed investigation, careful -study, and much thought have only endeared him the more to me. I lay -down the pen with a higher respect, with a more affectionate regard, -with a greater admiration for him than ever.</p> - -<p class="normal">In Miss Seawell's fine phrase, "It may be said of him as of the great -Condé: 'This man was born a captain.'" His place among the great sea -kings as a strategist, a tactician, and a fighter is now unquestioned -by the most calumnious of his defamers; but the wound he inflicted -upon British pride still rankles after the lapse of more than a -century, and his professional status and personal character are still -bitterly aspersed. So doth prejudice blind the eyes of truth. I have -devoted some space to the old charge that he was a pirate, which was -renewed recently in an article in the London Academy, one of the -leading journals of England, and I trust that the reader will find -that I have finally disposed of that absurd statement, and the other -slanders concerning him, in these pages. And I have tried to be fair -to the enemy as well.</p> - -<p class="normal">Wherever it has been possible, without clogging the narrative or -letting it assume the form of a mere collection of letters, Paul the -sailor, like Paul the Apostle, hath been permitted to speak for -himself. Contrary to some of his biographers, I have made it a rule to -accept Jones' own statements unless they were controverted by adequate -evidence. It is proper to call attention to the fact that the intent -of the series, of which this is one, which deals primarily with the -subjects of the different volumes as great commanders, naturally -emphasizes their public exploits rather than their private life. This -will account for a lack of amplification in certain directions, and -for the omission of details of certain periods of his life which, were -the circumstances other than they are, would probably be treated of at -greater length. However, it is believed that enough appears in the -pages to complete the picture and exhibit the man.</p> - -<p class="normal">There is a great amount of matter available for the study of his life, -in the shape of lives, essays, sketches, and general histories, and -contemporary memoirs, and an immense mass of manuscript reports and -correspondence, and Jones himself left several interesting accounts of -his career and services, which are of great value to his biographers. -I have freely used all sources of information to which I could gain -access, and they have not been few. It will be only justice, however, -if I acknowledge that among the authorities consulted I have found the -excellent life by Commodore Alexander Slidell Mackenzie, U. S. N., -published in 1841, the most useful. Mackenzie was an officer and -seaman of wide experience and fine talents, whose life covered the -period of our naval development succeeding the War of 1812, and his -comments from a sailor's point of view are instructive and invaluable. -His work is marred by an unfortunate bias against Jones, which appears -in several instances; in a desire to be accurate and just he has gone -to a censurable extreme. Two other books have been most helpful: the -life by John Henry Sherburne, sometime Register of the United States -Navy, published in 1825, with its valuable collection of reports of -participants in different actions, and statements and official -documents not otherwise preserved; and the life compiled from the -manuscript furnished by Miss Janette Taylor, a niece of the great -commodore, published in 1830. I may also add that I have found Captain -Mahan's admirable papers upon the subject, in Scribner's Magazine, of -great value. Indeed, there are facts, observations, and deductions in -these articles which appear nowhere else, so sure is the touch of a -genius for historical accuracy and investigation like his. Among other -essayists, Miss Molly Elliott Seawell, whose facile pen has done so -much to exploit our early naval heroes, has written a notable and -interesting paper which appeared in the Century Magazine; while -Professor John Knox Laughton, the English naval expert, in his -celebrated but scandalous and utterly unjustifiable attack, gives us a -modern British estimate of the commodore. I shall pay my respects to -his contribution later. No extended life has been published for fifty -years.</p> - -<p class="normal">My thanks are due to General Horace Porter and the Honorable -Charlemagne Tower, LL.D., ambassadors of the United States to France -and Russia respectively, for investigations in answers to inquiries, -and for suggestions; to Dr. Talcott Williams, of Philadelphia, for -valuable suggestions as to sources of possible information; to the -Rev. Dr. William Elliot Griffis, of Ithaca, New York, for much -interesting matter connected with the Baron van der Capellen, for -unpublished manuscript notes on North Holland, the Helder, and the -Texel, and for the rare copy of the old Dutch song, "Hir komt Pauwel -Jones aan," which appears in the appendix; to Lieutenant-General O. V. -Stubendorff, Chief of the Topographical Section of the Imperial -Russian General Staff, and to Major-General E. Sarantchof, of the -Russian army, for maps, reports, and other data concerning the -campaign on the Dnieper-Liman, not accessible in any American books; -to Mr. Charles T. Harbeck, of New York, for generous permission to -make use of rare books and pamphlets relating to Paul Jones in his -valuable collection of Americana; to Messrs. W. M. Cumming and Junius -Davis, of Wilmington, N. C., and Mrs. A. I. Robertson, of Columbia, -S. C., for information concerning the assumption of the name of Jones -by John Paul, not hitherto published in book form; to Mr. E. G. -McCollin and the Misses Mabel S. Meredith, Edith Lanigan, and Bertha -T. Rivailles for much important work in translation; and to Miss -Isabel Paris for invaluable assistance in transcribing the manuscript.</p> - -<p class="normal">Lest any of the above should be involved in possible criticisms which -may be made of the book, I beg to close this preface with the -assurance that for everything which follows I alone am responsible.</p> - -<p style="text-indent:50%"><span class="sc">Cyrus Townsend Brady</span>.</p> -<p class="normal"><span class="sc">Philadelphia, Pa.</span>, <i>July, 1900</i>.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<table width="90%" cellpadding="10px" style="margin-left:5%;"> -<colgroup><col style="width:15%; text-align:right; vertical-align:top"><col style="width:85%; text-align:left; vertical-align:top"></colgroup> -<tr> -<td colspan="2"><h3>CONTENTS.</h3></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>I.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_01" href="#div1_01">--ANCESTRY--BIRTH--EARLY YEARS--PROFESSION--SUCCESS--CHANGE OF NAME</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>II.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_02" href="#div1_02">--COMMISSIONED IN THE NAVY--HOISTS THE FIRST FLAG--EXPEDITION TO -NEW PROVIDENCE--ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GLASGOW</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>III.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_03" href="#div1_03">--THE CRUISE OF THE PROVIDENCE</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>IV.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_04" href="#div1_04">--THE CRUISE OF THE ALFRED</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>V.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_05" href="#div1_05">--SUPERSEDED IN RANK--PROTESTS VAINLY AGAINST THE INJUSTICE--ORDERED -TO COMMAND THE RANGER--HOISTS FIRST AMERICAN FLAG</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>VI.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_06" href="#div1_06">--THE FIRST CRUISE OF THE RANGER--SALUTE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>VII.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_07" href="#div1_07">--THE SECOND CRUISE OF THE RANGER--THE DESCENT ON WHITEHAVEN--THE -ATTEMPT ON LORD SELKIRK--THE CAPTURE OF THE DRAKE</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>VIII.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_08" href="#div1_08">--STANDING AND WAITING</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>IX.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_09" href="#div1_09">--THE CRUISE OF THE SQUADRON</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>X.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_10" href="#div1_10">--THE BATTLE WITH THE SERAPIS</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XI.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_11" href="#div1_11">--AFTER THE BATTLE--REMARKS ON THE ACTION</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XII.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_12" href="#div1_12">--UPHOLDING AMERICAN HONOR IN THE TEXEL</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XIII.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_13" href="#div1_13">--THE ESCAPE OF THE ALLIANCE</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XIV.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_14" href="#div1_14">--HONORS AND REWARDS--QUARREL WITH LANDAIS--RELINQUISHES THE -ALLIANCE</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XV.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_15" href="#div1_15">--THE CRUISE OF THE ARIEL</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XVI.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_16" href="#div1_16">--CAREER IN THE UNITED STATES TO THE CLOSE OF THE WAR</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XVII.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_17" href="#div1_17">--PRIZE AGENT IN FRANCE AND DENMARK--LAST VISIT TO THE UNITED -STATES--A BLOT ON THE ESCUTCHEON--FAMOUS PASSAGE OF THE -BALTIC</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XVIII.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_18" href="#div1_18">--IN THE RUSSIAN SERVICE--OTCHAKOFF AND THE CAMPAIGN IN THE -LIMAN</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XIX.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_19" href="#div1_19">--SLANDERED IN RUSSIA--A SLAVONIC REWARD FOR FAITHFUL SERVICES</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XX.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_20" href="#div1_20">--LAST YEARS AND DEATH</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>XXI.</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_21" href="#div1_21">--PERSONAL APPEARANCE--CHARACTERISTICS--WAS HE A PIRATE?--FAREWELL</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td colspan="2"><h3><a name="div1Ref_Appendices" href="#div1_Appendices">APPENDICES</a></h3></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>Appen. 1</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_APP01" href="#div1_APP01">CONCERNING JOHN PAUL'S ASSUMPTION OF THE NAME OF JONES</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>Appen. 2</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_APP02" href="#div1_APP02">CONCORDAT MADE BETWEEN CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES AND THE OFFICERS OF THE -SQUADRON.</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>Appen. 3</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_APP03" href="#div1_APP03">ON THE FLAG OF THE BON HOMME RICHARD.</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>Appen. 4</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_APP04" href="#div1_APP04">SONG AND MUSIC.</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>Appen. 5</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_APP05" href="#div1_APP05"><i>Testament of Paul Jones, July 18, 1792</i>.</a></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>Appen. 6</td> -<td><a name="div1Ref_APP06" href="#div1_APP06">Ranger, Nantes 11<i>th Dec</i>. 1777</a></td> -</tr></table> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>COMMODORE PAUL JONES.</h3> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_01" href="#div1Ref_01">ANCESTRY--BIRTH--EARLY YEARS--PROFESSION--SUCCESS--CHANGE OF NAME.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Of the three great captains whose magnificent fighting has added such -glorious chapters to the history of our naval campaigns, but one, -George Dewey, the last of them all, is purely an American by birth and -generations of ancestors. Farragut, the greatest of the three, was but -one remove from a Spaniard. John Paul Jones, first of the group in -point of time and not inferior to the others in quality and -achievement, was a Scotsman. Only the limitation in means necessitated -by the narrow circumstances of his adopted country during his lifetime -prevented his surpassing them all. He remains to this day a unique -character among the mighty men who trod the deck and sailed the -ocean--a strange personality not surpassed by any in the long line of -sea fighters from Themistocles to Sampson. In spite of, nay, because -of his achievements, he was among the most calumniated of men. What -follows is an attempt to tell his story and to do him justice.</p> - -<p class="normal">Near the close of the fifth decade of the eighteenth century, George I -reigned in England, by the grace of God and because he had succeeded -in putting down the rebellion of 1745; Frederick the Great was -tenaciously clutching the fair province of Silesia which Maria -Theresa, with equal resolution but with faint prospect of success, was -endeavoring to retain; Louis XV (the well beloved!) was exploiting the -privileges and opportunities of a king with Madame de Pompadour and -the <i>Parc aux Cerfs</i>; and the long war of the Austrian succession was -just drawing to a close, when there was born on July 6, 1747, to a -Scots peasant, named John Paul, and to Jean MacDuff, his wife, a son, -the fifth child of a large family.<a name="div4Ref_01" href="#div4_01"><sup>[1]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">The youngster was duly christened John Paul, Junior, after his sire. -He is the hero of this history. He first saw the light on the estate -of Arbigland, in the parish of Kirkbean, in the county of -Kirkcudbright, a province once called the Royal Stewartry of -Kirkcudbright (pronounced "Kircoobree"), because it had been governed -formerly by a steward or deputy, appointed by the crown, of which the -county had been an appanage.</p> - -<p class="normal">The father of the subject of this memoir filled the modest situation -of a master gardener, a precursor of the modern and scientific -landscape gardener, or engineer, in a small scale, in the employ of a -Scots bonnet laird named Craik. His remote family--peasants, yeomen -always--had come from the ancient lands of the Thanes of Fife, whence -his grandfather had removed to Leith, where he kept a mail garden or -wayside inn--in short, a tavern. It is to the credit of Master John -Paul, Senior--evidently a most honest and capable man in that humble -station in life into which it had pleased God to call him--that he -forsook the tavern and clung to the garden. When he had finished his -apprenticeship as gardener he removed to Arbigland, where he married -Jean MacDuff, the daughter of a sturdy yeoman farmer of the -neighboring parish of New Abbey, whose family had been established in -their present location from time immemorial.</p> - -<p class="normal">The marriage was blessed with seven children, the two youngest sons -dying in infancy. The first was a boy named William; the next three -were girls, named Elizabeth, Janet, and Mary Ann; and the fifth and -last, considering the death of the infants, the boy named John, after -his father. <i>En passant</i>, there must have been something favorable to -the development of latent possibilities in gardeners' sons in that -corner of Scotland, for in the neighboring county of Ayr, a few years -later was born of similar bucolic stock the son of another tiller of -the soil, known to fame as Robbie Burns!</p> - -<p class="normal">The cottage in which young Paul made his first appearance was a little -stone building in a verdant glade in a thriving wood hard by the north -shore of the Solway. In front of the cottage whose whitewashed walls -were in full view of the ships which entered the Firth there was a -patch of greensward. The country of that section of bonnie Scotland in -which is the parish of Arbigland is rugged and broken. To the east and -to the west, huge, craggy mountains shut in a thickly wooded plateau, -diversified by clear, rapid streams abounding in fish. The fastnesses -in the hills even then were covered with romantic ruins of decayed -strongholds of feudal times, reminiscent of the days of the Black -Douglasses and their men. The coast line, unusually stern and bold, is -broken by many precipitous inlets, narrow and deep. At the foot of the -cliffs at low tide broad stretches of sand are exposed to view, and -the rapid rise of the tide makes these shelving beaches dangerous -places upon which to linger. The water deepens abruptly beyond the -beaches, and vessels under favorable circumstances are enabled to -approach near the shore.</p> - -<p class="normal">Amid such scenes as these the childhood of young Paul was passed. Like -every thrifty Scots boy of the period, he had plenty of work to do in -assisting his mother and father. The life of a Scots peasant of that -time was one of hard and incessant toil; his recreations were few, his -food meager, his opportunities limited, and the luxuries absent. Young -John Paul ate his porridge and did his work like the rest. It would -probably now be considered a sad and narrow life, which the stern and -rigid austerity of the prevailing form of Calvinism did nothing to -lighten. That gloomy religion, however, did produce men.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was the parish school which shaped and molded the minds of the -growing Scots, and it was the Kirk which shaped and directed the -schools, and the one was not more thorough than the other. I doubt if -anywhere on earth at that day was the standard of education among the -common people higher and more universally reached than in Scotland. -During the short school year Paul was sent religiously to the nearest -parish school, where he was well grounded in the rudiments of solid -learning with the thoroughness which made these little schools famous. -No demands of labor were allowed to interfere with the claims of -education. On Sunday he was religiously and regularly marched to the -kirk to be duly inducted into the mysteries of the catechism, and -thoroughly indoctrinated with the theory of predestination and its -rigorous concomitants.</p> - -<p class="normal">Of him, as of other boys, it is veraciously stated that he conceived a -great fondness for the sea, and it is related that all his plays were -of ships and sailors--a thing easily understood when it is remembered -that his most impressionable hours were spent in sight and sound of -the great deep, and that the white sails of ships upon the horizon -were quite as familiar a picture to his youthful vision as the -tree-clad hills and valleys of his native land. It is evident -that he had no fancy for the garden. A man of action he, from his -bib-and-tucker days. His chroniclers have loved to call attention to -the fact that even as a lad he manifested the spirit of one born to -rule, for in the sports and games it was his will which dominated his -little group of comrades--and the Scotsman, even when he is a child, -is not easily dominated, be it remembered. His was a healthy, vigorous -boyhood.</p> - -<p class="normal">His desire for the sea must have been stronger than the evanescent -feeling which finds a place sooner or later in the life of most boys, -for in 1759, with the full consent of his parents, he crossed the -Solway to Whitehaven, the principal port of the Firth, where he was -regularly bound apprentice to a merchant named Younger, who was -engaged in the American trade. He was immediately sent to sea on the -ship Friendship, Captain Benson, and at the tender age of twelve years -he made his first voyage to the new land toward whose freedom and -independence he was afterward destined to contribute so much. The -destination of the ship happened to be the Rappahannock River. As it -fortunately turned out, his elder brother, William, had some years -before migrated to Virginia, where he had married and settled at -Fredericksburg, and by his industry and thrift finally amassed a -modest fortune. Young Paul at once conceived a great liking for -America which never faltered; long afterward he stated that he had -been devoted to it from his youth.</p> - -<p class="normal">The ship duties in port not being arduous, the young apprentice, -through the influence of his brother, was permitted to spend the -period of the vessel's stay in America on shore under the roof of his -kinsman. There he continued his studies with that zeal for knowledge -which was one of his distinguishing characteristics, and which never -left him in after life; for it is to be noted that he was always a -student; indeed, had he not been so, his subsequent career would have -been impossible. It was largely that habit of application, early -acquired, that enabled him to advance himself beyond his original -station. He especially applied himself to the science of navigation, -the intricacies of which he speedily mastered, so that he became -subsequently one of the most expert navigators that sailed the sea.</p> - -<p class="normal">His natural inclination for the sea stood him in good stead, and he -finally acquired a complete knowledge of the details of his trying -profession. Upon the failure of Mr. Younger, who surrendered the -indentures of young Paul to him as the only thing he could do for him -in his present circumstances, he was sufficiently capable to receive -an appointment as third mate on the slaver King George, of Whitehaven. -A few years after, in 1766, being then but nineteen years of age, he -was appointed to the most responsible position of chief mate of the -slaver Two Friends, a brigantine of Jamaica. The contrast between the -old and the new <i>régime</i> is brought vividly before us when we learn -that to-day a cadet midshipman--the lowest naval rank at present--of -the same age has still a year of schooling to undergo before he can -even undertake the two years' probationary cruise at sea required -before he can be commissioned in the lowest grade.</p> - -<p class="normal">Slave trading was a popular and common vocation in that day, not -reprehended as it would be at present. Gentlemen of substance and -station did not scruple to engage in it, either as providing money and -receiving profit, or as actually participating as master or supercargo -of ships in the traffic. It is interesting to note that young Paul, as -he grew in years and acquired character, became intensely dissatisfied -with slaving. The sense of the cruelties, iniquities, and injustice of -the trade developed in him with coming manhood, and gradually took -such possession of him that, as was stated by his relatives and -himself, he finally resolved to withdraw from it.</p> - -<p class="normal">This determination, scarcely to be expected from one of his birth and -circumstances, was greatly to his credit. The business itself was a -most stirring and lucrative one, and for a young man to have attained -the rank he enjoyed so early in life was evidence that he need have no -fear but that the future would bring him further advancement and -corresponding pecuniary reward. In this decision he was certainly in -advance of his time as well; but that love of liberty which had been -bred in him by the free air of the bold hills of his native land, and -which afterward became the master passion of his life, for which he -drew his sword, was undoubtedly heightened and intensified by this -close personal touch with the horrors of involuntary servitude.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the year 1768, therefore, giving up his position on the Two -Friends, he sailed as a passenger in the brigantine John, bound for -Kirkcudbright. It happened that the captain and mate of the vessel -both died of fever during the voyage, and at the request of the crew -Paul assumed command and brought the vessel safely to her port. -Currie, Beck & Co., the owners of the John, were so pleased with this -exploit that they appointed young Paul master and supercargo of the -vessel, in which he made two voyages to the West Indies. He was a -captain, therefore, and a merchant at the age of twenty-one. The -owners of the John dissolved partnership on the completion of his -second voyage, and disposed of the ship, giving Paul the following -honorable certificate upon his discharge from their employ:</p> -<br> -<p class="normal">"These do certify to whom it may concern, that the bearer, Captain -John Paul, was two voyages master of a vessel called the John, in our -employ in the West India trade, during which time he approved himself -every way qualified both as a navigator and supercargo; but as our -present firm is dissolved, the vessel was sold, and of course he is -out of our employ, all accounts between him and the owners being -amicably adjusted. Certified at Kirkcudbright this 1st April, 1771.</p> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">Currie, Beck & Co.</span>" -<br> - -<p class="normal">One incident in his West Indian service is worthy of mention, because -it afterward crept out in a very ugly manner. On the second voyage of -the John the carpenter, a man named Mungo Maxwell, formerly of -Kirkcudbright, who had been mutinous, was severely flogged by the -order of Paul. Maxwell was discharged at the island of Tobago. He -immediately caused Paul to be summoned before the judge of the -vice-admiralty court for assault. The judge, after hearing the -testimony and statement of Captain Paul, dismissed the complaint as -frivolous. Maxwell subsequently entered on a Barcelona packet, and in -a voyage of the latter ship from Tobago to Antigua died of a fever. -Out of this was built up a calumny to the effect that Maxwell had been -so badly punished by Paul that he died from his injuries. When Paul -was in the Russian service years afterward the slander was enhanced by -the statement that Maxwell was his nephew. There was nothing whatever -in the charge.</p> - -<p class="normal">After his retirement from the command of the John he engaged in local -trading with the Isle of Man. It has been charged that he was a -smuggler during this period; but he specifically and vehemently denied -the allegation, and it is certain that the first entry of goods -shipped from England to the Isle of Man, after it was annexed to the -crown, stands in his name on the custom-house books of the town of -Douglas. Soon after this he commanded a ship, the Betsy, of London, in -the West India trade, in which he engaged in mercantile speculations -on his own account at Tobago and Grenada, until the year 1773, when he -went to Virginia again to take charge of the affairs of his brother -William, who had died intestate, leaving neither wife nor children.</p> - -<p class="normal">Very little is known of his life from this period until his entry into -the public service of the United States. From remarks in his journal -and correspondence, it is evident, in spite of his brother's property, -to which he was heir, and some other property and money which he had -amassed by trading, which was invested in the island of Tobago, West -Indies, that he continued for some time in very straitened -circumstances. He speaks of having lived for nearly two years on the -small sum of fifty pounds. It is probable that his poverty was due to -his inability to realize upon his brother's estate, and the difficulty -of getting a return of his West Indian investments, on account of the -unsettled political conditions, though they were of considerable -value. During this period, however, he took that step which has been a -puzzle to so many of his biographers, and which he never explained in -any of his correspondence that remains. He came to America under the -name of John Paul; he reappeared after this period of obscurity under -the name of John Paul Jones.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is claimed by the descendants of the Jones family of North Carolina -that while in Fredericksburg the young mariner made the acquaintance -of the celebrated Willie (pronounced Wylie) Jones, one of the leading -attorneys and politicians of North Carolina. Jones and his brother -Allen were people of great prominence and influence in that province. -It was Jones' influence, by the way, which in later years postponed -the ratification of the proposed Constitution of the United States by -North Carolina. Willie Jones seems to have attended to the legal side -of Paul's claims to his deceased brother's estate, and a warm -friendship sprang up between the two young men, so dissimilar in birth -and breeding, which, it is alleged, ended in an invitation to young -Paul to visit Jones and his brother on their plantations.</p> - -<p class="normal">The lonely, friendless little Scotsman gratefully accepted the -invitation--the society of gentle people always delighted him; he ever -loved to mingle with great folk throughout his life--and passed a long -period at "The Grove," in Northampton County, the residence of Willie, -and at "Mount Gallant," in Halifax County, the home of Allen. While -there, he was thrown much in the society of the wife of Willie Jones, -a lady noted and remembered for her graces of mind and person, and -who, by the way, made the famous answer to Tarleton's sneer--wholly -unfounded, of course--at the gallant Colonel William A. Washington for -his supposed illiteracy. Morgan and Washington had defeated Tarleton -decisively at the Cowpens, and in the course of the action Washington -and Tarleton had met in personal encounter. Washington had severely -wounded Tarleton in the hand. The Englishman had only escaped capture -by prompt flight and the speed of his horse. "Washington," said the -sneering partisan to Mrs. Jones, "why, I hear he can't even write his -name!" "No?" said the lady quietly and interrogatively, letting her -eyes fall on a livid scar across Tarleton's hand, "Well, he can make -his mark, at any rate."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Jones brothers were men of culture and refinement. They were Eton -boys, and had completed their education by travel and observation in -Europe. That they should have become so attached to the young sailor -as to have made him their guest for long periods, and cherished the -highest regard for him subsequently, is an evidence of the character -and quality of the man. Probably for the first time in his life Paul -was introduced to the society of refined and cultivated people. A new -horizon opened before him, and he breathed, as it were, another -atmosphere. Life for him assumed a different complexion. Always an -interesting personality, with his habits of thought, assiduous study, -coupled with the responsibilities of command, he needed but a little -contact with gentle people and polite society to add to his character -those graces of manner which are the final crown of the gentleman, and -which the best of his contemporaries have borne testimony he did not -lack. The impression made upon him by the privilege of this -association was of the deepest, and he gave to his new friends, and to -Mrs. Jones especially, a warm-hearted affection and devotion amounting -to veneration.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is not improbable, also, that in the society in which he found -himself--and it must be remembered that North Carolina was no less -fervidly patriotic, no less desirous of independence, than -Massachusetts: it was at Mecklenburg that the first declaration took -place--the intense love of personal liberty and independence in his -character which had made him abandon the slave trade was further -developed, and that during this period he finally determined to become -a resident of the new land; a resolution that made him cast his lot -with the other colonists when the inevitable rupture came about.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is stated that in view of this determination on his part to begin -life anew in this country, and as a mark of the affection and -gratitude he entertained for the family of his benefactors, he assumed -the name of Jones. It was a habit in some secluded parts of Scotland -and in Wales to take the father's Christian name as a surname also, -and this may have been in his mind at the time. He did not assume the -name of Jones, however, out of any disregard for his family or from -any desire to disguise himself from them, for, although he last saw -them in 1771, he ever continued in correspondence with them, and found -means, whatever his circumstances, to make them frequent remittances -of money during his busy life. To them he left all his property at his -death. It is certain, therefore, that for no reason for which he had -cause to be ashamed did he affix the name of Jones to his birth name, -and it may be stated that whatever name he took he honored. Henceforth -in this volume he will be known by the name which he made so -famous.<a name="div4Ref_02" href="#div4_02"><sup>[2]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">One other incident of this period is noteworthy. During his visit to -North Carolina he was introduced by the Jones brothers to Joseph -Hewes, of Edenton, one of the delegates from North Carolina to the -first and second Provincial Congresses, and a signer of the great -Declaration of Independence. In Congress Hewes was a prominent member -of the Committee on Naval Affairs, upon which devolved the work of -beginning and carrying on the navy of the Revolution. When the war -broke out Paul Jones was still living in Virginia. But when steps were -taken to organize a navy for the revolted colonies, attracted by the -opportunities presented in that field of service in which he was a -master, and glad of the chance for maintaining a cause so congenial to -his habit of life and thought, he formally tendered his services to -his adopted country. The influence of Willie Jones and Hewes was -secured, and on the 7th of December, 1775, Jones was appointed a -lieutenant in the new Continental navy.</p> -<br> -<div style="font-size:90%"> -<p class="center"><i>Additional note on the assumption of the name of Jones</i>. -<p class="normal">Mr. Augustus C. Buell, in his exhaustive and valuable study of Paul -Jones, published since this book was written, states that the name was -assumed by him in testamentary succession to his brother, who had -added the name of Jones at the instance of a wealthy planter named -William Jones, who had adopted him. Mr. Buell's authority rests on -tradition and the statements made by Mr. Louden, a great-grandnephew -of the commodore (since dead), and of the sometime owner of the Jones -plantation. On the other hand, in addition to the letters quoted in -the Appendix, I have received many others from different sources, -tending to confirm the version given by me. Among them is one from a -Fredericksburg antiquarian, who claims that William Paul never bore -the name of Jones in Fredericksburg. General Cadwallader Jones (who -died in 1899, aged eighty-six), in a privately published biography, -also states explicitly that he heard the story from Mrs. Willie Jones -herself. Mr. Buell, in a recent letter to me, calls attention to the -fact--and it is significant--that absolutely no reference to the North -Carolina claim appears in any extant letter of the commodore, and -claims that Hewes and Jones were acquainted before John Paul settled -in America. As the official records have all been destroyed, the -matter of the name will probably never be absolutely determined.</p> -</div> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_02" href="#div1Ref_02">COMMISSIONED IN THE NAVY--HOISTS THE FIRST FLAG--EXPEDITION TO NEW -PROVIDENCE--ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GLASGOW.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The honor of initiative in the origin of the American navy belongs to -Rhode Island, a doughty little State which, for its area, possesses -more miles of seaboard than any other. On Tuesday, October 3, 1775, -the delegates from Rhode Island introduced in the Continental Congress -a resolution which had been passed by the General Assembly of the -province on August 26th of the same year, in which, among other -things, the said delegates were instructed to "use their whole -influence, at the ensuing Congress, for building, at the Continental -expense, a fleet of sufficient force for the protection of these -colonies, and for employing them in such manner and places as will -most effectually annoy our enemies, and contribute to the common -defense of these colonies."</p> - -<p class="normal">Consideration of the resolution was twice postponed, but it was -finally discussed on the 7th of October and referred to a committee. -On the 13th of October the committee reported, and Congress so far -accepted the Rhode Island suggestion that the following resolution was -passed:</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Resolved</i>, That a swift sailing vessel, to carry ten carriage guns -and a proportionate number of swivels with eighty men, be fitted with -all possible dispatch for a cruise of three months, and that the -commander be instructed to cruise eastward for intercepting such -transports as may be laden with warlike stores and other supplies for -our enemies, and for such other purposes as the Congress shall -direct." Another vessel was also ordered fitted out for the same -purpose.</p> - -<p class="normal">Messrs. Deane, Langden, and Gadsden were appointed a committee to -carry out the instructions embodied in the resolution. When the -committee submitted a report, on the 30th of October, it was further -resolved "that the second vessel ordered to be fitted out on the 13th -inst. be of such size as to carry fourteen guns and a proportionate -number of swivels and men." Two other vessels were also ordered to be -put into service, one to carry not more than twenty and the other not -more than thirty-six guns, "for the protection and defense of the -United Colonies, as the Congress shall direct."</p> - -<p class="normal">This may be considered as the real and actual beginning of the -American navy. There had been numerous naval encounters between -vessels of war of the enemy and private armed vessels acting under the -authority of the various colonies; and Washington himself, with the -approval of the Congress, which passed some explicit resolutions on -the subject on October 5th, had made use of the individual colonial -naval forces, and had issued commissions to competent men empowering -them to cruise and intercept the transports and other vessels laden -with powder and supplies for the enemy, but no formal action looking -to the creation of a regular naval force had been taken heretofore.</p> - -<p class="normal">Congress had long clung to the hope of reconciliation with the mother -country, and had been exceedingly loath to take the radical step -involved in the establishment of a navy, for in the mind of the -Anglo-Saxon, who always claimed supremacy on the sea, a navy is -primarily for offense. To constitute a navy for defense alone is to -invite defeat. Aggression and initiative are of the essence of success -in war on the sea. Now, in the peculiar condition in which the United -Colonies found themselves, a naval force could be used for no other -purpose than offense. The capacity of any navy which the colonies -could hope to create, for defensive warfare, would be so slender as to -be not worth the outlay, and the creation of a navy to prey upon the -enemy's commerce and to take such of his armed vessels as could be -overcome would controvert the fiction that we were simply resisting -oppression. It would be making war in the most unmistakable way.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is a singular thing that men have been willing to do, or condone -the doing of, things on land which they have hesitated to do or -condone on the sea. The universal diffusion of such sentiments is seen -in the absurdly illogical contention on the part of the British -Government subsequently, that, although a soldier on land was a rebel, -he could be treated as a belligerent; while a man who stood in exactly -the same relation to the King of England whose field of action -happened to be the sea was of necessity a pirate.</p> - -<p class="normal">At any rate, by the acts of Congress enumerated, a navy was assembled, -and the plan of Rhode Island was adopted. It was Rhode Island, by the -way, which, by preamble and resolution, sundered its allegiance to -Great Britain just two months to a day before the Declaration of -Independence. To the naval committee already constituted, Stephen -Hopkins, Richard Henry Lee, John Adams, and Joseph Hewes were soon -added. The committee at once undertook the work of carrying out the -instructions they had received. On the 5th of November they selected -for the command of the proposed navy Esek Hopkins, of Rhode Island, a -brother of the famous Stephen Hopkins who was a member of the -committee and one of the most influential members of the Congress. -Other officers were commissioned from time to time as selections were -made, and commissions and orders were issued to them by the committee, -subject, of course, to the ratification or other action by the -Congress. Paul Jones' commission as a lieutenant, as has been stated, -was dated the 7th of December, 1775.</p> - -<p class="normal">Esek Hopkins, who was born in 1718, was therefore fifty-seven years of -age. He had been a master mariner for thirty years. He was a man of -condition and substance who had traded in his own ships in all the -then visited parts of the globe. As a commander of privateers and -letters of marque he was not without experience in arms. He had been -created a brigadier general of the Rhode Island militia on the -threatened outbreak of hostilities, a position he resigned to take -command of the navy. On the 22d of December Congress confirmed the -nomination of Hopkins as commander-in-chief, and regularly appointed -the following officers:</p> -<br> -<table width="90%"> -<tr> -<td>Captains:</td> -<td>Dudley Saltonstall, -Abraham Whipple, -Nicholas Biddle, -John Burroughs Hopkins.</td> -<td>First Lieutenants:</td> -<td>John Paul Jones, -Rhodes Arnold, ----- Stansbury, -Hoysted Hacker, -Jonathan Pitcher.</td> -</tr><tr> -<td>Second Lieutenants:</td> -<td>Benjamin Seabury, -Joseph Olney, -Elisha Warner, -Thomas Weaver, ----- McDougall.</td> -<td>Third Lieutenants:</td> -<td>John Fanning, -Ezekiel Burroughs, -Daniel Vaughan.</td> -</tr></table> -<br> -<p class="normal">These were, therefore, the forerunners of that long line of -distinguished naval officers who have borne the honorable commission -of the United States.</p> - -<p class="normal">In addition to the regular course pursued, other action bearing upon -the subject of naval affairs was had. On Saturday, November, 25th, -Congress, enraged by the burning of Falmouth, adopted radical -resolutions, looking toward the capture and confiscation of armed -British vessels and transports, directing the issuance of commissions -to the captains of cruisers and privateers, and creating admiralty -courts and prescribing a scheme for distributing prize money. On -November 28th resolutions prescribing "Regulations for the Government -of the Navy of the United Colonies" were adopted, the first appearance -of that significant phrase in the records, by the way.</p> - -<p class="normal">On December 5th the seizure of merchant vessels engaging in trade -between the Tories of Virginia and the West Indies under the -inspiration of Lord Dunmore, was ordered. On December 11th a special -committee to devise ways and means for "furnishing these colonies with -a naval armament" was appointed. Two days later the report of the -committee was adopted, and thirteen ships were ordered built, five of -thirty-two, five of twenty-eight, and three of twenty-four guns. They -were to be constructed one in New Hampshire, two in Massachusetts, one -in Connecticut, two in Rhode Island, two in New York, four in -Pennsylvania, and one in Maryland; the maximum cost of each of them -was sixty-six thousand six hundred and sixty-six dollars and sixty-six -and two thirds cents. They had a fine idea of accuracy in the -construction corps of that day.</p> - -<p class="normal">But, while Congress had been therefore preparing to build the navy, -the regular marine committee had not been idle. By strenuous effort -the committee assembled a squadron. A merchant vessel called the Black -Prince, which had lately arrived from London under the command of John -Barry (afterward a famous American commodore), was purchased and -renamed the Alfred, after King Alfred the Great, who is commonly -believed to be the founder of the British navy. She was a small, -stanch trading vessel, very heavily timbered, and with unusually stout -scantlings for a ship of her class, although of course not equal to a -properly constructed ship of war. The committee armed her with twenty -9-pounders on the main deck, and four smaller guns, possibly 6- or -4-pounders, on the forecastle and poop, and she was placed under the -command of Captain Dudley Saltonstall. Jones, whose name stood first -on the list of first lieutenants, was appointed her executive officer. -Hopkins selected her for his flagship. Jones had been offered the -command of one of the smaller vessels of the squadron, but elected to -fill his present station, as presenting more opportunities for -acquiring information and seeing service. His experience in armed -vessels had been limited; he knew but little of the requirements of a -man-of-war, and deemed he could best fit himself for that higher -command to which he aspired and determined to deserve by beginning his -service under older and more experienced officers--a wise decision.</p> - -<p class="normal">The next important vessel was another converted merchantman, -originally called the Sally, now named the Columbus, after the great -discoverer. She was a full-rigged ship of slightly less force and -armament than the Alfred, commanded by Captain Abraham Whipple, -already distinguished in a privateering way. In addition to these -there were two brigs called the Andrea Doria and the Cabot, commanded -by Captains Nicholas Biddle and John Burroughs Hopkins, a son of the -commander-in-chief. The Andrea Doria and Cabot carried fourteen -4-pounders each.</p> - -<p class="normal">Hopkins arrived at Philadelphia in December, 1775, in the brig Katy, -of the Rhode Island navy, which was at once taken into the Continental -service and renamed the Providence, after the commander's native town. -She carried twelve light guns, 4-pounders. There were also secured a -ten-gun schooner called the Hornet, and the Wasp and Fly, two -eight-gun schooners or tenders, one of which Jones had refused. The -work of outfitting these ships as generously as the meager resources -of the colonies permitted had been carried on assiduously before the -arrival of the commander-in-chief, whose first duty, when he reached -Philadelphia, was formally to assume the command.</p> - -<p class="normal">This assumption of command entailed the putting of the ships in -commission by publicly reading the orders appointing the commodore, -and assigning him to command, and hoisting and saluting the flags. The -officers previously appointed had been proceeding somewhat -irregularly, doubtless, by going on with their preparations prior to -this important ceremony. At any rate, in the latter part of December, -1775, or the early part of January, 1776--the date not being clear, -the authorities not only differing, but in no single case venturing -upon a definite statement--all things having been made ready, -Commodore Hopkins with his staff officers entered the commodore's -barge, lying at the foot of Walnut Street, and was rowed to the -flagship. The wharves and houses facing the river were crowded with -spectators to witness so momentous a ceremony as the commissioning of -the first American fleet.</p> - -<p class="normal">It has been recorded that it was a bright, cold, clear winter morning. -The barge picked its way among the floating ice cakes of the Delaware, -and finally reached the Alfred. The commodore mounted the side, -followed by his staff, and was received with due honors in the gangway -by the captain and his officers in such full dress as they could -muster. The crew and the marines were drawn up in orderly ranks in the -waist and on the quarter deck. After the reading of the commodore's -commission and the orders assigning him to the command of the fleet, -Captain Dudley Saltonstall nodded his head to John Paul Jones, his -executive officer. The young Scotsman, with, I imagine, a heart -beating rarely, stepped forward and received from the veteran -quartermaster the end of the halliards, to which, in the shape of a -neatly rolled-up ball, was bent a handsome yellow silk flag, bearing -the representation of a rattlesnake about to strike (and perhaps a -pine tree also), with the significant legend "Don't tread on me." With -his own hands the young lieutenant hauled the rolled-up ensign to the -masthead, and then, with a slight twitch, he broke the stops and there -blew out in the morning breeze, before the eyes of the commodore, his -officers, the men of the ships, and the delighted spectators on shore, -the first flag that ever flew from a regularly commissioned war ship -of the United Colonies. The grand union flag, a red and white striped -ensign with the English cross in the canton, was also hoisted. The -flags were saluted by the booming of cannon from the batteries of the -ships, and with cheers from the officers and men of the squadron and -the people on the shore, and thus the transaction was completed, and -the navy of the United States began to be.</p> - -<p class="normal">The ships were slight in force, their equipments meager and deficient, -and of inferior quality at best. The men had but little experience in -naval warfare, and their officers scarcely much more. There were men -of undoubted courage and capacity among them, however, and several to -whom the profession of arms was not entirely new. At least two of -them, Jones and Biddle, were to become forever famous for their -fighting. Compared with the huge and splendid navy of England, the -whole force was an unconsidered trifle, but it was a beginning, and -not a bad one at that, as the mother country was to find out. The -outfitting of the squadron was by no means complete, and, though the -commodore with the others labored hard, the work proceeded slowly and -with many hindrances and delays; it was never properly done. Then the -ships were ice-bound in Delaware Bay, and it was not until nearly two -months had elapsed that they were able to get to sea.</p> - -<p class="normal">The principal difficulty in the rebellious colonies, from the -standpoint of military affairs, was the scarcity of powder. There were -guns in respectable numbers, but without powder they were necessarily -useless. The powder mills of the colonies were few and far between, -and their output was inadequate to meet the demand. It is now well -known that although Washington maintained a bold front when he -invested the British army in Boston, at times his magazines did not -contain more than a round or two of powder for each of his guns. His -position was a magnificent specimen of what in modern colloquialism -would have been called a "bluff." There was, of course, but little -powder to spare for the improvised men-of-war, and most of what they -had was borrowed from the colony of Pennsylvania. To get powder was -the chief end of military men then.</p> - -<p class="normal">On February 17, 1776, the little squadron cleared the capes of the -Delaware, and before nightfall had disappeared from view beneath the -southeast horizon. It appears that the orders were for Hopkins to sail -along the coast toward the south, disperse Dunmore's squadron, which -was marauding in Virginia, pick up English coasting vessels, and -capture scattered English ships cruising between Pennsylvania and -Georgia to break up the colonial coasting trade and capture colonial -merchantmen. But it also appears from letters of the Marine Committee -that another object of the expedition was the seizure of large stores -of powder and munitions of warfare which had been allowed to -accumulate at New Providence, in the Bahama group, and that Hopkins -sailed with much discretion as to his undertaking and the means of -carrying it out. The Bahama project was maintained as a profound -secret between the naval committee and its commodore, the matter not -being discussed in Congress even.</p> - -<p class="normal">With that end in view the commander-in-chief, by orders published to -the fleet before its departure, appointed the island of Abaco, one of -the most northerly of the Bahama group, as a rendezvous for his -vessels in case they became separated by the usual vicissitudes of the -sea. The scattered ships were directed to make an anchorage off the -southern part of the island, and wait at least fourteen days for the -other vessels to join them before cruising on their own account in -such directions as in the judgment of their respective commanders -would most annoy, harass, and damage the enemy.</p> - -<p class="normal">Shortly after leaving the capes the squadron ran into a severe -easterly gale off Hatteras, then, as now, one of the most dangerous -points on the whole Atlantic seaboard. The ships beat up against it, -and all succeeded in weathering the cape and escaping the dreaded -perils of the lee shore. If lack of training prevented the officers -from claiming to be naval experts, there were prime seamen among them -at any rate. When the gale abated Hopkins cruised along the coast for -a short time, meeting nothing of importance in the way of a ship. -Rightly concluding that the fierce winter weather would have induced -the enemy's vessels to seek shelter in the nearest harbors, and his -cruise in that direction, if further continued, would be profitless, -he squared away for the Bahamas, to carry out the second and secret -part of his instructions.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was for a long time alleged that he took this action on his own -account, and one of the charges against him in the popular mind was -disobedience of orders in so doing; but he was undoubtedly within his -orders in the course which he took, and it is equally certain that the -enterprise upon which he was about to engage was one in which more -immediate profit would accrue to the colonies than in any other. He -should be held not only guiltless in the matter, but awarded praise -for his decision. On the 1st of March the squadron, with the exception -of the Hornet and the Fly, which had parted company in the gale, -reached the island of Abaco, about forty miles to the northward of New -Providence.</p> - -<p class="normal">No part of the western hemisphere had been longer known than the -Bahamas. Upon one of them Columbus landed. The principal island among -them, not on account of its size, which was insignificant, but because -it possessed a commodious and land-locked harbor, is the island of New -Providence. No island in the great archipelago which forms the -northeastern border of the Caribbean had enjoyed a more eventful -history. From time immemorial it had been the haunt of the buccaneer -and the pirate. From it had sailed many expeditions to ravage the -Spanish Main. It had been captured and recaptured by the successive -nationalities which had striven for domination in the Caribbean, and -in their brutal rapacity had made a hell of every verdant tropic -island which lifted itself in the gorgeous beauty peculiar to those -latitudes, above the deep blue of that lambent sea. It had come -finally and definitely under the English crown, and a civilized -government had been established by the notorious Woodes Rogers, who -was himself a sort of Jonathan Wild of the sea, but one remove--and -that not a great one--from the gentry whose nests he broke up and -whose ravages he had put down. It had been taken since then by the -Spaniards, but had been restored to the British.</p> - -<p class="normal">The town of Nassau, which lies upon the northern face of the island, -is situated upon the side of a hill which slopes gently down toward -the water. The harbor, which is sufficiently deep to accommodate -vessels drawing not more than twelve feet, is formed by a long island -which lies opposite the town. There are two entrances to the harbor, -only one of which was practicable for large ships, though both were -open for small vessels. At the ends of the harbor, commanding each -entrance, two forts had been erected: Fort Montague on the east and -Fort Nassau on the west. Through culpable negligence, in spite of the -quantity of military stores it contained, there was not a single -regular soldier on the island at that time, and no preparations for -defense had been made.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was proposed to make the descent upon the western end of the island -and then march up and take the town in the rear. Paul Jones, however, -in the council which was held on the Alfred before the debarkation, -pointed out the greater distance which the men would have to march in -that case, the alarm which would be given by the passage of the ships, -and advised that a landing be effected upon the eastern end of the -island, whence the attack could be more speedily delivered, and, as -the ships would not be compelled to advance, no previous alarm would -be given. Hopkins demurred to this plan on the ground that no safe -anchorage for the ships was afforded off the eastern end. The Alfred -had taken two pilots from some coasting vessels which had been -captured, and from them it was learned that about ten miles away was a -small key which would afford the larger vessels safe anchorage. As -Hopkins hesitated to trust the pilots, Jones, at the peril of his -commission, offered in conjunction with them to bring the ships up -himself. His suggestions were agreed to, his offer accepted, and when -the vicinity of the key was reached he took his station on the -fore-topmast crosstrees of the Alfred. He had sailed in the West -Indian waters many times, and was familiar with the look of the sea -and the indications near the shore. With the assistance of the pilots, -after a somewhat exciting passage, he succeeded in bringing all the -ships to a safe anchorage. That he was willing to take the risk, and, -having done so, successfully carry out the difficult undertaking, -gives a foretaste of his bold and decisive character, and of his -technical skill as well.</p> - -<p class="normal">Preparations for attack were quickly made. Commodore Hopkins, having -impressed some local schooners, loaded them with two hundred and fifty -marines from the squadron, under the command of Captain Samuel -Nichols, the ranking officer of the corps, and fifty seamen under the -command of Lieutenant Thomas Weaver of the Cabot, and on March 2d the -transports with this attacking force were dispatched to New -Providence.<a name="div4Ref_03" href="#div4_03"><sup>[3]</sup></a> They were -convoyed by the Providence and the Wasp, and -a landing was effected under the cover of these two ships of war. -Unfortunately, however, some of the other larger vessels got under way -at the same time, and their appearance alarmed the town.</p> - -<p class="normal">It never seems to have occurred to any one but Jones that the west -exit from the harbor should be guarded by stationing two of the -smaller vessels off the channel to close it while the rest of the -squadron took care of the eastern end. It seems probable from his -correspondence that he ventured upon the suggestion, for he -specifically referred in condemnatory terms to the failure to do so. -At any rate, if he did suggest it, and from his known capacity it is -extremely likely that the obvious precaution would have occurred to -him, his suggestion was disregarded, and the western pass from the -harbor was left open--a fatal mistake.</p> - -<p class="normal">The point where the expedition landed without opposition was some four -and a half miles from Fort Montague. It was a bright Sunday morning -when the first American naval brigade took up its march under Captain -Nichols' orders. The men advanced steadily, and, though they were met -by a discharge of cannon from Fort Montague, they captured the works -by assault without loss, the militia garrison flying precipitately -before the American advance. The marines behaved with great spirit on -this occasion, as they have ever done. Instead of promptly moving down -upon the other fort, however, they contented themselves during that -day with their bloodless achievement, and not until the next morning -did they advance to complete the capture of the place.</p> - -<p class="normal">The inhabitants of the island were in a state of panic, and when the -marines and sailors marched up to attack Fort Nassau they found it -empty of any garrison except Governor Brown, who opened the gates and -formally surrendered it to the Americans. During the confusion of the -night Brown seems to have preserved his presence of mind, and rightly -divining that the powder would be the most precious of all the -munitions of warfare in his charge, he had caused a schooner which lay -in the harbor to be loaded with one hundred and fifty barrels, the -limit of its capacity, and before daybreak she set sail and made good -her escape through the unguarded western passage. A dreadful -misfortune that, which would not have occurred had Jones been in -command.</p> - - -<p class="center"><img src="images/page32.png" alt="page32"></p> - - -<p class="normal">However, a large quantity of munitions of war of great value to the -struggling colonies fell into the hands of Hopkins' men, including -eighty-eight cannon, ranging in size from 9- to 36-pounders, fifteen -large mortars, over eleven thousand round shot, and twenty precious -casks of powder. The Americans behaved with great credit in this -conquest. None of the inhabitants of the island were harmed, nor was -their property touched. It was a noble commentary on some of the -British forays along our own coast. Hopkins impressed a sloop, -promising to pay for its use and return it when he was through with -it, which promise was faithfully kept, and the sloop was loaded with -the stores, etc., which had been captured.</p> - -<p class="normal">His own ships were also heavily laden with these military stores, the -Alfred in particular being so overweighted that it was almost -impossible to fight her main-deck guns, so near were they to the -waterline, except in the most favorable circumstances of wind and -weather.</p> - -<p class="normal">Taking Governor Brown, who was afterward exchanged for General Lord -Stirling, and one or two other officials of importance as hostages on -board his fleet, Hopkins set sail for home on the 17th of March. He -had done his work expeditiously and well, but through want of -precaution which had been suggested by Jones, he had failed in part -when his success might have been complete. Still, he was bringing -supplies of great value, and his handsome achievement was an -auspicious beginning of naval operations. The squadron pursued its way -toward the United Colonies without any adventures or happenings worthy -of chronicle until the 4th of April, when off the east end of Long -Island they captured the schooner Hawk, carrying six small guns. On -the 5th of April the bomb vessel Bolton, eight guns, forty-eight men, -filled with stores of arms and powder, was captured without loss.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 6th, shortly after midnight, the night being dark, the wind -gentle, the sea smooth, and the ships very much scattered, swashing -along close-hauled on the starboard tack between Block Island and the -Rhode Island coast, they made out a large ship, under easy sail, -coming down the wind toward the squadron. It was the British sloop of -war Glasgow, twenty guns and one hundred and fifty men, commanded by -Captain Tyringham Howe. She was accompanied by a small tender, -subsequently captured. The nearest ships of the American squadron -luffed up to have a closer look at the stranger, the men being sent to -quarters in preparation for any emergency. By half after two in the -morning the brig Cabot had come within a short distance of her. The -stranger now hauled her wind, and Captain John Burroughs Hopkins, the -son of the commodore, immediately hailed her. Upon ascertaining who -and what she was he promptly poured in a broadside from his small -guns, which was at once returned by the formidable battery of the -Glasgow. The unequal conflict was kept up with great spirit for a few -moments, but the Cabot alone was no match for the heavy English -corvette, and after a loss of four killed and several wounded, -including the captain severely, the Cabot, greatly damaged in hull and -rigging, fell away, and her place was taken by the Alfred, still an -unequal match for the English vessel, but more nearly approaching her -size and capacity.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Andrea Doria now got within range and joined in the battle. For -some three hours in the night the ships sailed side by side, hotly -engaged. After a time the Columbus, Captain Whipple, which had been -farthest to leeward, succeeded in crossing the stern of the Glasgow, -and raked her as she was passing. The aim of the Americans was poor, -and instead of smashing her stern in and doing the damage which might -have been anticipated, the shot flew high and, beyond cutting the -Englishman up aloft, did no appreciable damage. The Providence, which -was very badly handled, managed to get in long range on the lee -quarter of the Glasgow and opened an occasional and ineffective fire -upon her. But the bulk of the fighting on the part of the Americans -was done by the Alfred.</p> - -<p class="normal">Captain Howe maneuvered and fought his vessel with the greatest skill. -During the course of the action a lucky shot from the Glasgow carried -away the wheel ropes of the Alfred, and before the relieving tackles -could be manned and the damage repaired the American frigate broached -to and was severely raked several times before she could be got under -command. At daybreak Captain Howe, who had fought a most gallant fight -against overwhelming odds, perceived the hopelessness of continuing -the combat, and, having easily obtained a commanding lead on the -pursuing Americans, put his helm up and ran away before the wind for -Newport.</p> - -<p class="normal">Hopkins followed him for a short distance, keeping up a fire from his -bow-chasers, but his deep-laden merchant vessels were no match in -speed for the swift-sailing English sloop of war, and, as with every -moment his little squadron with its precious cargo was drawing nearer -the English ships stationed at Newport, some of which had already -heard the firing and were preparing to get under way, Hopkins hauled -his wind, tacked and beat up for New London, where he arrived on the -8th of April with his entire squadron and the prizes they had taken, -with the exception of the Hawk, recaptured.</p> - -<p class="normal">The loss on the Glasgow was one man killed and three wounded; on the -American squadron, ten killed and fourteen wounded, the loss being -confined mainly to the Alfred and the Cabot, the Columbus having but -one man wounded. During this action Paul Jones was stationed in -command of the main battery of the Alfred. He had nothing whatever to -do with the maneuvers of the ships, and was in no way responsible for -the escape of the Glasgow and the failure of the American force to -capture her.</p> - -<p class="normal">The action did not reflect credit on the American arms. The Glasgow, -being a regular cruiser and of much heavier armament than any of the -American ships, was more than a match for any of them singly, though -taken together, if the personnel of the American squadron had been -equal to, or if it even approximated, that of the British ship, the -latter would have been captured without difficulty. The gun practice -of the Americans was very poor, which is not surprising. With the -exception of a very few of the officers, none of the Americans had -ever been in action, and they knew little about the fine art of -hitting a mark, especially at night. They had had no exercise in -target practice and but little in concerted fleet evolution. There -seems to have been no lack of courage except in the case of the -captain of the Providence, who was court-martialed for incapacity and -cowardice, and dismissed from the service. Hopkins' judgment in -withdrawing from the pursuit for the reasons stated can not be -questioned, neither can he be justly charged with the radical -deficiency of the squadron, though he was made to suffer for it.</p> - -<p class="normal">While the Glasgow escaped, she did not get off scot free. She was -badly cut up in the hull, had ten shot through her mainmast, fifty-two -through her mizzen staysail, one hundred and ten through her mainsail, -and eighty-eight through her foresail. Her royal yards were carried -away, many of her spars badly wounded, and her rigging cut to pieces. -This catalogue tells the story. The Americans in their excitement and -inexperience had fired high, and their shot had gone over their mark. -The British defense had been a most gallant one, and the first attack -between the ships of the two navies had been a decided triumph for the -English.</p> - -<p class="normal">Paul Jones' conduct in the main battery of the Alfred had been -entirely satisfactory to his superior officers. He, with the other -officers of that ship, was commended, and subsequent events showed -that he still held the confidence of the commodore.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_03" href="#div1Ref_03">THE CRUISE OF THE PROVIDENCE.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The British fleet having left Newport in the interim, on the 24th of -April, 1776, the American squadron got under way from New London for -Providence, Rhode Island. The ships were in bad condition; sickness -had broken out among their crews, and no less than two hundred and two -men out of a total of perhaps eight hundred and fifty--at best an -insufficient complement--were left ill at New London. Their places -were in a measure supplied by one hundred and seventy soldiers, lent -to the squadron by General Washington, who had happened to pass -through New London, <i>en route</i> to New York, on the day after Hopkins' -arrival. There was a pleasant interview between the two commanders, -and it was then that Jones caught his first glimpse of the great -leader.</p> - -<p class="normal">The voyage to New London was made without incident, except that the -unfortunate Alfred grounded off Fisher's Island, and had to lighten -ship before she could be floated. This delayed her passage so that she -did not arrive at Newport until the 28th of April. The health of the -squadron was not appreciably bettered by the change, for over one -hundred additional men fell ill. Many of the seamen had been enlisted -for the cruise only, and they now received their discharge, so that -the crews of the already undermanned ships were so depleted from these -causes that it would be impossible for them to put to sea. Washington, -who was hard pressed for men, and had troubles of his own, demanded -the immediate return to New York of the soldiers he had lent to the -fleet. The captain of the Providence being under orders for a -court-martial for his conduct, on the 10th of May Hopkins appointed -John Paul Jones to the command of the Providence.</p> - -<p class="normal">The appointment is an evidence of the esteem in which Jones was held -by his commanding officer, and is a testimony to the confidence which -was felt in his ability and skill; for he alone, out of all the -officers in the squadron, was chosen for important sea service at this -time. Having no blank commissions by him, Hopkins made out the new -commission on the back of Jones' original commission as first -lieutenant. It is a matter of interest to note that he was the first -officer promoted to command rank from a lieutenancy in the American -navy. His first orders directed him to take Washington's borrowed men -to New York. After spending a brief time in hurriedly overhauling the -brig and preparing her for the voyage, Jones set sail for New York, -which he reached on the 18th of May, after thirty-six hours. Having -returned the men, Jones remained at New York in accordance with his -orders until he could enlist a crew, which he presently succeeded in -doing. Thereafter, under supplemental orders, he ran over to New -London, took on board such of the men left there who were sufficiently -recovered to be able to resume their duties, and came back and -reported with them to the commander-in-chief at Providence. He had -performed his duties, routine though they were, expeditiously and -properly.</p> - -<p class="normal">He now received instructions thoroughly to overhaul and fit the -Providence for active cruising. She was hove down, had her bottom -scraped, and was entirely refitted and provisioned under Jones's -skillful and practical direction. Her crew was exercised constantly at -small arms and great guns, and every effort made to put her in -first-class condition. In spite of the limited means at hand, she -became a model little war vessel. On June 10th a sloop of war -belonging to the enemy appeared off the bay, and in obedience to a -signal from the commodore Jones made sail to engage. Before he caught -sight of the vessel she sought safety in flight. On the 13th of June -the Providence was ordered to Newburyport, Massachusetts, to convoy a -number of merchant vessels loaded with coal for Philadelphia. Before -entering upon this important duty, however, Jones was directed to -accompany the tender Fly, loaded with cannon, toward New York, and, -after seeing her safely into the Sound, convoy some merchant vessels -from Stonington to Newport.</p> - -<p class="normal">There were a number of the enemy's war vessels cruising in these -frequented waters, and the carrying out of Jones' simple orders was by -no means an easy task; but by address and skill, and that careful -watchfulness which even then formed a part of his character, he -succeeded in executing all his duties without losing a single vessel -under his charge. He had one or two exciting encounters with English -war ships, the details of which are unfortunately not preserved. In -one instance, by boldly interposing the Providence between the British -frigate Cerberus and a colonial brigantine loaded with military stores -from Hispaniola, he diverted the attention of the frigate to his own -vessel, and drew her away from the pursuit of the helpless -merchantman, which thereby effected her escape. Then the Providence, a -swift little brig admirably handled, easily succeeded in shaking off -her pursuer, although she had allowed the frigate to come within -gunshot range. The brigantine whose escape Jones had thus assured was -purchased into the naval service and renamed the Hampden.</p> - -<p class="normal">The coal fleet had assembled at Boston instead of Newburyport, and in -pursuance of his original orders Jones brought them safely to the -capes of the Delaware on the 1st of August. The run to Philadelphia -was soon made, and Hopkins' appointment, under which he was acting, -was ratified by the Congress, and the commission of captain was given -him, dated the 8th of August, 1776.</p> - -<p class="normal">Hitherto Jones, like all the others engaged in the war, had been a -subject of England, a colonist in rebellion against the crown. By the -Declaration of Independence he had become a citizen of the United -States engaged in maintaining the independence and securing the -liberty of his adopted country. The change was most agreeable to him. -It added a dignity and value to his commission which could not fail to -be acceptable to a man of his temperament. It was pleasant to him also -to have the confidence of his commander-in-chief, which had been shown -in the appointment to the command of the Providence, justified by the -government in the commission which had been issued to him.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones had made choice of his course of action in the struggle between -kingdom and colony deliberately, not carried away by any enthusiasm of -the moment, but moved by the most generous sentiments of liberty and -independence. He had much at stake, and he was embarked in that -particular profession fraught with peculiar dangers not incident to -the life of a soldier. It must have been, therefore, with the greatest -satisfaction that he perceived opportunities opening before him in -that cause to which he had devoted himself, and in that service of -which he was a master. A foreigner with but scant acquaintance and -little influence in America, he had to make his way by sheer merit. -The value of what has been subsequently called "a political pull" with -the Congress was as well known then as it is now, and nearly as much -used, too. He practically had none. Nevertheless, his foot was already -upon that ladder upon which he intended to mount to the highest round -eventually. He was not destined to realize his ambition, however, -without a heartbreaking struggle against uncalled-for restraint, and a -continued protest against active injustice which tried his very soul.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was first proposed by the Marine Committee that he return to New -England and assume command of the Hampden, but he wisely preferred to -remain in the Providence for the time being. He thoroughly knew the -ship and the crew, over which he had gained that ascendency he always -enjoyed with those who sailed under his command. Not so much by -mistaken kindness or indulgence did he win the devotion of his -men--for he was ever a stern and severe, though by no means a -merciless, disciplinarian--but because of his undoubted courage, -brilliant seamanship, splendid audacity, and uniform success. There is -an attraction about these qualities which is exercised perhaps more -powerfully upon seamen than upon any other class. The profession of a -sailor is one in which immediate decision, address, resource, and -courage are more in evidence than in any other. The seaman in an -emergency has but little time for reflection, and in the hour of -peril, when the demand is made upon him, he must choose the right -course instantly--as it were by instinct.</p> - -<p class="normal">With large discretion in his orders, which were practically to cruise -at pleasure and destroy the enemy's commerce, the Providence left the -Delaware on the 21st of August. In the first week of the cruise she -captured the brigs Sea Nymph, Favorite, and Britannia; the first two -laden with rum, sugar, etc., and the last a whaler. These rich prizes -were all manned and sent in.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the morning of the 1st of September, being in the latitude of the -Bermudas, five vessels were sighted to leeward. The sea was moderately -smooth, with a fresh breeze blowing at the time, and the Providence -immediately ran off toward the strangers to investigate. It appeared -to the observers on Jones' brig that the largest was an East Indiaman -and the others ordinary merchant vessels. They were in error, however, -in their conclusions, for a nearer approach disclosed the fact that -the supposed East Indiaman was a frigate of twenty-eight guns, called -the Solebay. Jones immediately hauled his wind and clapped on sail. -The frigate, which had endeavored to conceal her force with the hope -of enticing the Providence under her guns, at once made sail in -pursuit. The Providence was a smart goer, and so was the Solebay. The -two vessels settled down for a long chase. On the wind it became -painfully evident that the frigate had the heels of the brig. With -burning anxiety Jones and his officers saw the latter gradually -closing with them. Shot from her bow-chasers, as she came within -range, rushed through the air at the little American sloop of war, -which now hoisted her colors and returned the fire. Seeing this, the -Solebay set an American ensign, and fired one or two guns to leeward -in token of amity, but Jones was not to be taken in by any transparent -ruse of this character. He held on, grimly determined. As the Solebay -drew nearer she ceased firing, confident in her ability to capture the -chase, for which, indeed, there appeared no escape.</p> - -<p class="normal">An ordinary seaman, even though a brave man, would probably have given -up the game in his mind, though his devotion to duty would have -compelled him to continue the fight until actually overhauled, but -Jones had no idea of being captured then. Already a plan of escape had -developed in his fertile brain. Communicating his intentions to his -officers, he completed his preparations, and only awaited the -favorable moment for action. The Solebay had crept up to within one -hundred yards of the lee quarter of the Providence. If the frigate -yawed and delivered a broadside the brig would be sunk or crippled and -captured. Now was the time, if ever, to put his plan in operation. If -the maneuver failed, it would be all up with the Americans. As usual, -Jones boldly staked all on the issue of the moment. As a preliminary -the helm had been put slightly a-weather, and the brig allowed to -fall off to leeward a little, so bringing the Solebay almost dead -astern--if anything, a little to windward. In anticipation of close -action, as Jones had imagined, the English captain had loaded his guns -with grape shot, which, of course, would only be effective at short -range. Should the Englishman get the Providence under his broadside, a -well-aimed discharge of grape would clear her decks and enable him to -capture the handsome brig without appreciably damaging her.</p> - -<p class="normal">From his knowledge of the qualities of the Providence, Jones felt sure -that going free--that is, with the wind aft, or on the quarter--he -could run away from his pursuer. The men, of course, had been sent to -their stations long since. The six 4-pounders, which constituted the -lee battery, were quietly manned, the guns being double-shotted with -grape and solid shot. The studding sails--light sails calculated to -give a great increase in the spread of canvas to augment the speed of -the ship in a light breeze, which could be used to advantage going -free and in moderate winds--were brought out and prepared for -immediate use. Everything having been made ready, and the men -cautioned to pay strict attention to orders, and to execute them with -the greatest promptitude and celerity, Jones suddenly put his helm -hard up.</p> - -<p class="normal">The handy Providence spun around on her heel like a top, and in a -trice was standing boldly across the forefoot of the onrushing English -frigate. When she lay squarely athwart the bows of the Solebay Jones -gave the order to fire, and the little battery of 4-pounders barked -out its gallant salute and poured its solid shot and grape into the -eyes of the frigate. In the confusion of the moment, owing to the -suddenness of the unexpected maneuver, and the raking he had received, -the English captain lost his head. Before he could realize what had -happened, the Providence, partially concealed by the smoke from her -own guns, had drawn past him, and, covered with great wide-reaching -clouds of light canvas by the nimble fingers of her anxious crew, was -ripping through the water at a great rate at a right angle to her -former direction.</p> - -<p class="normal">When the Solebay, rapidly forging ahead, crossed the stern of the -saucy American a few moments after, she delivered a broadside, which -at that range, as the guns were loaded with grape shot, did little -damage to the brig and harmed no one. The distance was too great and -the guns were badly aimed. By the time the Solebay had emulated the -maneuvers of the Providence and had run off, the latter had gained so -great a lead that her escape was practically effected. The English -frigate proved to be unable to outfoot the American brig on this -course, and after firing upward of a hundred shot at her the Solebay -gave over the pursuit. This escape has ever been counted one of the -most daring and subtle pieces of seamanship and skill among the many -with which the records of the American navy abound. As subsequent -events proved, the failure to capture Jones was most unfortunate on -the part of the English.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones now shaped his course for the Banks of Newfoundland, to break up -the fishing industry and let the British know that ravaging the coast, -which they had begun, was a game at which two could play. On the 16th -and 17th of the month he ran into a heavy gale, so severe in character -that he was forced to strike his guns into the hold on account of the -rolling of the brig. The gale abated on the 19th, and on the 20th of -September, the day being pleasant, the Providence was hove to and the -men were preparing to enjoy a day of rest and amusement, fishing for -cod, when in the morning two sail appeared to windward. As Jones was -preparing to beat up and investigate them, they saved him that trouble -by changing their course and running down toward him. They proved to -be a merchant ship and a British frigate, the Milford, 32.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones kept the Providence under easy canvas until he learned the force -of the enemy, and then made all sail to escape. Finding that he was -very much faster than his pursuer, he amused himself during one whole -day by ranging ahead and then checking his speed until the frigate -would get almost within range, when he would run off again and repeat -the performance. It was naturally most tantalizing to the officers of -the Milford, and they vented their wrath in futile broadsides whenever -there appeared the least possibility of reaching the Providence. After -causing the enemy to expend a large quantity of powder and shot, -having tired of the game, Jones contemptuously discharged a musket at -them and sailed away.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 21st of September he appeared off the island of Canso, one of -the principal fishing depots of the Grand Banks. He sent his boat in -that night to gain information, and on the 22d he anchored in the -harbor. There were three fishing schooners there, one of which he -burned, one he scuttled, and the third, called the Ebenezer, he loaded -with the fish taken from the two he had destroyed, and manned as a -prize. After replenishing his wood and water, on the 23d he sailed up -to Isle Madame, having learned that the fishing fleet was lying there -dismantled for the winter. Beating to and fro with the Providence off -the island, on that same evening he sent an expedition of twenty-five -men in a shallop which he had captured at Canso, accompanied by a -fully manned boat from the Providence. Both crews were heavily armed. -The expedition captured the fishing fleet of nine vessels without -loss. The crews of most of them, numbering some three hundred men, -were ashore at the time, and the vessels were dismantled. Jones -promised that if the men ashore would help to refit the vessels he -desired to take with him as prizes, he would leave them a sufficient -number of boats to enable them to regain their homes. By his ready -address he actually persuaded them to comply with his request, and the -unfortunate Englishmen labored assiduously to get the ships ready for -sea.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 25th of September their preparations were completed, but a -violent autumn gale blew up, and their situation became one of great -peril. The Providence, anchored in Great St. Peter Channel, rode it -out with two anchors down to a long scope of cable. The ship Alexander -and the schooner Sea Flower, which were heavily laden with valuable -plunder, had also reached the same channel. The Alexander succeeded in -making an anchorage under a point of rocks which sheltered her, and -enabled her to sustain the shock of the gale unharmed. The Sea Flower -was driven on the lee shore, and, being hopelessly wrecked, was -scuttled and fired the next day. The Ebenezer, loaded with fish from -Canso, was also wrecked. The gale had abated about noon, when, after -burning the ship Adventure, dismantled and in ballast, and leaving a -brig and two small schooners to enable the English seamen to reach -home, the Providence, accompanied by the Alexander and the brigs -Kingston Packet and Success, got under way for home. On the 27th the -Providence, in spite of the fact that she was now very short-handed on -account of the several prizes she had manned, chased two armed -transports apparently bound in for Quebec, which managed to make good -their escape. The little squadron resumed its course, and arrived -safely at Rhode Island without further mishap on the 7th of October.</p> - -<p class="normal">On this remarkable cruise Jones had captured sixteen vessels, eight of -which he manned and sent in as prizes, destroying five of the -remainder, and generously leaving three for the unfortunate fishermen -to reach their homes. He had carried out his orders to sink, burn, -destroy, and capture with characteristic thoroughness, but without -needless cruelty and oppression. He burned no dwelling houses, and -turned no non-combatants out of their homes in the middle of winter, -as Mowatt had done at Falmouth. He had entirely broken up the fishery -at Canso, had escaped by the exercise of the highest seamanship from -one British frigate, and had led another a merry dance in impotent -pursuit. Property belonging to the enemy had been destroyed to the -value of perhaps a million of dollars in round numbers, not to speak -of the effect upon their pride by the bold cruising of the little brig -of twelve 4-pound guns and seventy men.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER IV.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_04" href="#div1Ref_04">THE CRUISE OF THE ALFRED.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">When his countrymen heard the story of this daring and successful -cruise, Jones immediately became the most famous officer of the new -navy. The <i>éclat</i> he had gained by his brilliant voyage at once raised -him from a more or less obscure position, and gave him a great -reputation in the eyes of his countrymen, a reputation he did not -thereafter lose. But Jones was not a man to live upon a reputation. He -had scarcely arrived at Providence before he busied himself with plans -for another undertaking. He had learned from prisoners taken on his -last cruise that there were a number of American prisoners, at various -places, who were undergoing hard labor in the coal mines of Cape -Breton Island, and he conceived the bold design of freeing them if -possible.</p> - -<p class="normal">We are here introduced to one striking characteristic, not the least -noble among many, of this great man. The appeal of the prisoner always -profoundly touched his heart. The freedom of his nature, his own -passionate love for liberty and independence, the heritage of his -Scotch hills perhaps, ever made him anxious and solicitous about those -who languished in captivity. It was but the working out of that spirit -which compelled him to relinquish his participation in the lucrative -slave trade. In all his public actions, he kept before him as one of -his principal objects the release of such of his countrymen as were -undergoing the horrors of British prisons.</p> - -<p class="center"><img src="images/page52.png" alt="page52"><br> -Map showing the cruise of the first American squadron,<br> -and of the Providence and the Alfred.</p> - -<p class="normal">The suggested enterprise found favor in the mind of Commodore Hopkins, -who forthwith assigned Jones to the command of a squadron comprising -the Alfred, the Providence, and the brigantine Hampden. Jones hoisted -his flag on board the Alfred and hastened his preparations for -departure. He found the greatest difficulty in manning his little -squadron, and finally, in despair of getting a sufficient crew to man -them all, he determined to set sail with the Alfred and the Hampden -only, the latter vessel being commanded by Captain Hoysted Hacker. He -received his orders on the 22d of October, and on the 27th the two -vessels got under way from Providence. The wind was blowing fresh at -the time, and Hacker, who seems to have been an indifferent sailor, -ran the Hampden on a ledge of rock, where she was so badly wrecked as -to be unseaworthy. Jones put back to his anchorage, and, having -transferred the crew of the Hampden to the Providence, set sail on the -2d of November.</p> - -<p class="normal">Both vessels were very short-handed. The Alfred, whose proper -complement was about three hundred, which had sailed from Philadelphia -with two hundred and thirty-five, now could muster no more than one -hundred and fifty all told. The two vessels were short of water, -provisions, munitions, and everything else that goes to make up a ship -of war. Jones made up for all this deficiency by his own personality.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the evening of the first day out the two vessels anchored in -Tarpauling Cove, near Nantucket. There they found a Rhode Island -privateer at anchor. In accordance with the orders of the commodore, -Jones searched her for deserters, and from her took four men on board -the Alfred. He was afterward sued in the sum of ten thousand pounds -for this action, but, though the commodore, as he stated, abandoned -him in his defense, nothing came of the suit.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 3d of November, by skillful and successful maneuvering, the two -ships passed through the heavy British fleet off Block Island, and -squared away for the old cruising ground on the Grand Banks. In -addition to the release of the prisoners there was another object in -the cruise. A squadron of merchant vessels loaded with coal for the -British army in New York was about to leave Louisburg under convoy. -Jones determined to intercept them if possible.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 13th, off Cape Canso again, the Alfred encountered the British -armed transport Mellish, of ten guns, having on board one hundred and -fifty soldiers. After a trifling resistance she was captured. She was -loaded with arms, munitions of war, military supplies, and ten -thousand suits of winter clothing, destined for Sir Guy Carleton's -army in Canada. She was the most valuable prize which had yet fallen -into the hands of the Americans. The warm clothing, especially, would -be a godsend to the ragged, naked army of Washington. Of so much -importance was this prize that Jones determined not to lose sight of -her, and to convoy her into the harbor himself. Putting a prize crew -on board, he gave instructions that she was to be scuttled if there -appeared any danger of her recapture.</p> - -<p class="normal">About this time two other vessels were captured, one of which was a -large fishing vessel, from which he was able to replenish his meager -store of provisions. On the 14th of November a severe gale blew up -from the northwest, accompanied by a violent snowstorm. Captain Hacker -bore away to the southward before the storm and parted company during -the night, returning incontinently to Newport. The weather continued -execrable. Amid blinding snowstorms and fierce winter gales the Alfred -and her prizes beat up along the desolate iron-bound shore. Jones -again entered the harbor of Canso, and, finding a large English -transport laden with provisions for the army aground on a shoal near -the mouth of the harbor, sent a boat party which set her on fire. -Seeing an immense warehouse filled with oil and material for whale and -cod fisheries, the boats made a sudden dash for the shore, and, -applying a torch to the building, it was soon consumed.</p> - -<p class="normal">Beating off the shore, still accompanied by his prizes, he continued -up the coast of Cape Breton toward Louisburg, looking for the coal -fleet. It was his good fortune to run across it in a dense fog. It -consisted of a number of vessels under the convoy of the frigate -Flora, a ship which would have made short work of him if she could -have run across him. Favored by the impenetrable fog, with great -address and hardihood Jones succeeded in capturing no less than three -of the convoy, and escaped unnoticed with his prizes.</p> - -<p class="normal">Two days afterward he came across a heavily armed British privateer -from Liverpool, which he took after a slight resistance. But now, when -he attempted to make Louisburg to carry out his design of levying on -the place and releasing the prisoners, he found that the harbor was -closed by masses of ice, and that it was impossible to effect a -landing. Indeed, his ships were in a perilous condition already. He -had manned no less than six prizes, which had reduced his short crew -almost to a prohibitive degree. On board the Alfred he had over one -hundred and fifty prisoners, a number greatly in excess of his own -men; his water casks were nearly empty, and his provisions were -exhausted. He had six prizes with him, one of exceptional value. -Nothing could be gained by lingering on the coast, and he decided, -therefore, to return.</p> - -<p class="normal">The little squadron, under convoy of the Alfred and the armed -privateer, which he had manned and placed under the command of -Lieutenant Saunders, made its way toward the south in the fierce -winter weather. Off St. George's Bank they again encountered the -Milford. It was late in the afternoon when her topsails rose above the -horizon. The wind was blowing fresh from the northwest; the Alfred and -her prizes were on the starboard tack, the enemy was to windward. From -his previous experience Jones was able fairly to estimate the speed of -the Milford. A careful examination convinced him that it would be -impossible for the latter to close with his ships before nightfall. He -therefore placed the Alfred and the privateer between the English -frigate lasking down upon them and the rest of his ships, and -continued his course. He then signaled the prizes, with the exception -of the privateer, that they should disregard any orders or signals -which he might give in the night, and hold on as they were.</p> - -<p class="normal">The prizes were slow sailers, and, as the slowest necessarily set the -pace for the whole squadron, the Milford gradually overhauled them. At -the close of the short winter day, when the night fell and the -darkness rendered sight of the pursued impossible, Jones showed a set -of lantern signals, and, hanging a top light on the Alfred, right -where it would be seen by the Englishmen, at midnight, followed by the -privateer, he changed his course directly away from the prizes. The -Milford promptly altered her course and pursued the light. The prizes, -in obedience to their orders, held on as they were. At daybreak the -prizes were nowhere to be seen, and the Milford was booming along -after the privateer and the Alfred.</p> - -<p class="normal">To run was no part of Paul Jones' desires, and he determined to make a -closer inspection of the Milford, with a view to engaging if a -possibility of capturing her presented itself; so he bore up and -headed for the oncoming British frigate. The privateer did the same. A -nearer view, however, developed the strength of the enemy, and -convinced him that it would be madness to attempt to engage with the -Alfred and the privateer in the condition he then was, so he hauled -aboard his port tacks once more, and, signaling to the privateer, -stood off again. For some reason--Jones imagined that it was caused by -a mistaken idea of the strength of the Milford--Saunders signaled to -Jones that the Milford was of inferior force, and disregarding his -orders foolishly ran down under her lee from a position of perfect -safety, and was captured without a blow. The lack of proper -subordination in the nascent navy of the United States brought about -many disasters, and this was one of them. Jones characterized this as -an act of folly; it is difficult to dismiss it thus mildly. I would -fain do no man an injustice, but if a man wanted to be a traitor that -is the way he would act. Jones' own account of this adventure, which -follows, is of deep interest:</p> -<br> -<p class="normal">"This led the Milford entirely out of the way of the prizes, and -particularly the clothing ship, Mellish, for they were all out of -sight in the morning. I had now to get out of the difficulty in the -best way I could. In the morning we again tacked, and as the Milford -did not make much appearance I was unwilling to quit her without a -certainty of her superior force. She was out of shot, on the lee -quarter, and as I could only see her bow, I ordered the letter of -marque, Lieutenant Saunders, that held a much better wind than the -Alfred, to drop slowly astern, until he could discover by a view of -the enemy's side whether she was of superior or inferior force, and to -make a signal accordingly. On seeing Mr. Saunders drop astern, the -Milford wore suddenly and crowded sail toward the northeast. This -raised in me such doubts as determined me to wear also, and give -chase. Mr. Saunders steered by the wind, while the Milford went -lasking, and the Alfred followed her with a pressed sail, so that Mr. -Saunders was soon almost hull down to windward. At last the Milford -tacked again, but I did not tack the Alfred till I had the enemy's -side fairly open, and could plainly see her force. I then tacked about -ten o'clock. The Alfred being too light to be steered by the wind, I -bore away two points, while the Milford steered close by the wind, to -gain the Alfred's wake; and by that means he dropped astern, -notwithstanding his superior sailing. The weather, too, which became -exceedingly squally, enabled me to outdo the Milford by carrying more -sail. I began to be under no apprehension from the enemy's -superiority, for there was every appearance of a severe gale, which -really took place in the night. To my great surprise, however, Mr. -Saunders, toward four o'clock, bore down on the Milford, made the -signal of her inferior force, ran under her lee, and was taken!"</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">With the exception of one small vessel, which was recaptured, the -prizes all arrived safely, the precious Mellish finally reaching the -harbor of Dartmouth. The Alfred dropped anchor at Boston, December 15, -1776. The news of the captured clothing reached Washington and -gladdened his heart--and the hearts of his troops as well--on the eve -of the battle of Trenton.</p> - -<p class="normal">The reward for this brilliant and successful cruise, the splendid -results of which had been brought about by the most meager means, was -an order relieving him of the command of the Alfred and assigning him -to the Providence again. When he arrived at Philadelphia the next -spring he found that by an act of Congress, on the 10th of October, -1776, which had created a number of captains in the navy, he, who had -been first on the list of lieutenants, and therefore the sixth ranking -sea officer, was now made the eighteenth captain. He was passed over -by men who had no claim whatever to superiority on the score of their -service to the Commonwealth, which had been inconsiderable or nothing -at all. Indeed, there was no man in the country who by merit or -achievement was entitled to precede him, except possibly Nicholas -Biddle.</p> - -<p class="normal">If the friendless Scotsman had commanded more influence, more -political prestige, so that he might have been rewarded for his -auspicious services by placing him at the head of the navy, I venture -to believe that some glorious chapters in our marine history would -have been written.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER V.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_05" href="#div1Ref_05">SUPERSEDED IN RANK--PROTESTS VAINLY AGAINST THE INJUSTICE--ORDERED TO -COMMAND THE RANGER--HOISTS FIRST AMERICAN FLAG.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The period between the termination of his last cruise and his -assignment to his next important command was employed by Jones in -vigorous and proper protests against the arbitrary action of Congress, -which had deprived him of that position on the navy list which was his -just due, were either merit, date of commission, or quality of service -considered. To the ordinary citizen the question may appear of little -interest, but to the professional soldier or sailor it is of the first -importance. Indeed, it is impossible to conceive of properly -maintaining an army or navy without regular promotion, definitive -station, and adequate reward of merit. To feel that rank is temporary -and position is at the will of unreasonable and irresponsible -direction is to undermine service.</p> - -<p class="normal">The same injustice drove John Stark, of New Hampshire, to resign the -service with the pithy observation that an officer who could not -protect his own rights was unfit to be trusted with those of his -country. It did not prevent his winning the fight at Bennington, -though. The same treatment caused Daniel Morgan to seek that -retirement from which he was only drawn forth by his country's peril -to win the Battle of the Cowpens. And, lastly, it was the same -treatment which, in part at least, made Arnold a traitor. Then, as -ever, Congress was continually meddling with matters of purely -military administration, to the very great detriment of the service.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones has been censured as a jealous stickler for rank, a quibbler -about petty distinctions in trying times. Such criticisms proceed from -ignorance. If there were nothing else, rank means opportunity. The -range of prospective enterprises is greater the higher the rank. The -little Scotsman was properly tenacious of his prerogatives--we could -not admire him if he were not so--and naturally exasperated by the -arbitrary course of Congress, against which he protested with -all the vehemence of his passionate, fiery, and--it must be -confessed--somewhat irritable nature. On this subject he thus wrote to -the Marine Board at Philadelphia:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I am now to inform you that by a letter from Commodore Hopkins, dated -on board the Warren, January 14, 1777, which came to my hands a day or -two ago, I am superseded in the command of the Alfred, in favour of -Captain Hinman, and ordered back to the sloop in Providence River. -Whether this order doth or doth not supersede also your orders to me -of the 10th ult. you can best determine; however, as I undertook the -late expedition at his (Commodore Hopkins') request, from a principle -of humanity, I mean not now to make a difficulty about trifles, -especially when the good of the service is to be consulted. As I am -unconscious of any neglect of duty or misconduct, since my appointment -at the first as eldest lieutenant of the navy, I can not suppose that -you have intended to set me aside in favour of any man who did not at -that time bear a captain's commission, unless, indeed, that man, by -exerting his superior abilities, hath rendered or can render more -important services to America. Those who stepped forth at the first, -in ships altogether unfit for war, were generally considered as -frantic rather than wise men, for it must be remembered that almost -everything then made against them. And although the success in the -affair with the Glasgow was not equal to what it might have been, yet -the blame ought not to be general. The principal or principals in -command alone are culpable, and the other officers, while they stand -unimpeached, have their full merit. There were, it is true, divers -persons, from misrepresentation, put into commission at the beginning, -without fit qualification, and perhaps the number may have been -increased by later appointments; but it follows not that the gentleman -or man of merit should be neglected or overlooked on their account. -None other than a gentleman, as well as a seaman both in theory and -practice, is qualified to support the character of a commission -officer in the navy; nor is any man fit to command a ship of war who -is not also capable of communicating his ideas on paper, in language -that becomes his rank. If this be admitted, the foregoing operations -will be sufficiently clear; but if further proof is required it can -easily be produced.</p> - -<p class="normal">"When I entered into the service I was not actuated by motives of -self-interest. I stepped forth as a free citizen of the world, in -defense of the violated rights of mankind, and not in search of -riches, whereof, I thank God, I inherit a sufficiency; but I should -prove my degeneracy were I not in the highest degree tenacious of my -rank and seniority. As a gentleman I can yield this point up only to -persons of superior abilities and superior merit, and under such -persons it would be my highest ambition to learn. As this is the first -time of my having expressed the least anxiety on my own account, I -must entreat your patience until I account to you for the reason which -hath given me this freedom of sentiment. It seems that Captain -Hinman's commission is No. 1, and that, in consequence, he who was at -first my junior officer by eight, <i>hath expressed himself as my senior -officer</i> in a manner which doth himself no honour, and which doth me -signal injury. There are also in the navy persons who have not shown -me fair play after the service I have rendered them. I have even been -blamed for the civilities which I have shown to my prisoners, at the -request of one of whom I herein inclose an appeal, which I must beg -leave to lay before Congress. Could you see the appellant's -accomplished lady, and the innocents their children, arguments in -their behalf would be unnecessary. As the base-minded only are capable -of inconsistencies, you will not blame my free soul, which can never -stoop where I can not also esteem. Could I, which I never can, bear to -be superseded, I should indeed deserve your contempt and total -neglect. I am therefore to entreat you to employ me in the most -enterprising and active service, accountable to your honourable board -only for my conduct, and connected as much as possible with gentlemen -and men of good sense."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The letter does credit to his head and heart alike. Matter and manner -are both admirable. In it he is at his best, and one paragraph shows -that the generous sympathy he ever felt for a prisoner could even be -extended to the enemies of his country, so that as far as he -personally was concerned they should suffer no needless hardship in -captivity. Considered as the production of a man whose life from -boyhood had been mainly spent upon the sea in trading ships and -slavers, with their limited opportunities for polite learning, and an -entire absence of that refined society without which education rarely -rises to the point of culture, the form and substance of Jones' -letters are surprising. Of this and of most of the letters hereafter -to be quoted only words of approbation may be used. A just yet modest -appreciation of his own dignity, a proper and resolute determination -to maintain it, a total failure to truckle to great men, an absence of -sycophancy and hypocrisy, a clear insight into the requirements of a -gentleman and an effortless rising to his own high standard without -unpleasant self-assertion, are found in his correspondence. -Considering the humble source from which he sprang, his words, written -and spoken, equally with his deeds, indicate his rare qualities.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is probable that no disposition existed in Congress to do him an -injustice--quite the reverse, in fact; but the claims of the -representatives of the several States, which were insistently put -forth in behalf of local individuals aspiring to naval station from -the various colonies in which the different ships were building, were -too strong to be disregarded. The central administration was at no -time sufficiently firm for a really strong government, and -conciliation and temporization were necessary. It was only by the very -highest quality of tact that greater difficulties were overcome, and -that more glaring acts of injustice were not perpetrated. So sensible -were the authorities of Jones' conduct, so valuable had been his -services on his last two cruises, that while they were unable at that -time, in spite of his protests, to restore him to his proper place in -the list, as a concession to his ability and merit orders were given -him assigning him to the command of the squadron consisting of the -Alfred, Columbus, Cabot, Hampden, and Providence, to operate against -Pensacola.</p> - -<p class="normal">This was virtually creating him commander-in-chief of the naval -forces, for outside the ships mentioned there were but few others -worthy of consideration. Natural jealousy had, however, arisen in the -mind of Hopkins, the commander-in-chief, at being thus superseded and -ignored through one of his own subordinates by Congress, with which -his relations had become so strained that he affected to disbelieve -the validity of the order assigning Jones to this duty, and, refusing -to comply therewith, retained the ships under his command. The matter -thereupon fell through.</p> - -<p class="normal">Finding all efforts to secure the squadron and carry out these orders -fruitless, Jones journeyed to Philadelphia for the purpose of -emphatically placing before the Marine Committee his grievances. There -a further shock awaited him.</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"My conduct hitherto," he writes on this subject in the memorial -addressed to Congress from the Texel years after, "was so much -approved of by Congress that on the 5th of February, 1777, I was -appointed, with unlimited orders, to command a little squadron of the -Alfred, Columbus, Cabot, Hampden, and sloop Providence. Various -important services were pointed out, but I was left at free liberty to -make my election. That service, however, did not take place; for the -commodore, who had three of the squadron blocked in at Providence, -affected to disbelieve my appointment, and would not at last give me -the necessary assistance. Finding that he trifled with my applications -as well as the orders of Congress, I undertook a journey from Boston -to Philadelphia, in order to explain matters to Congress in person. I -took this step also because Captain Hinman had succeeded me in the -command of the Alfred, and, of course, the service could not suffer -through my absence. I arrived at Philadelphia in the beginning of -April. But what was my surprise to find that, by a new line of navy -rank, which had taken place on the 10th day of October, 1776, all the -officers that had stepped forth at the beginning were superseded! I -was myself superseded by thirteen men, not one of whom did (and -perhaps some of them durst not) take the sea against the British flag -at the first; for several of them who were then applied to refused to -venture, and none of them has since been very happy in proving their -superior abilities. Among these thirteen there are individuals who can -neither pretend to parts nor education, and with whom, as a private -gentleman, I would disdain to associate.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I leave your excellency and the Congress to judge how this must -affect a man of honour and sensibility.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I was told by President Hancock that what gave me so much pain had -been the effect of a multiplicity of business. He acknowledged the -injustice of that regulation, said it should make but a nominal and -temporary difference, and that in the meantime I might assure myself -that no navy officer stood higher in the opinion of Congress than -myself."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The complete news of his displacement and supersession in rank does -not appear to have reached him before this. His efforts to secure the -restoration of his rank proving useless, he applied for immediate sea -duty. The next attempt on the part of the Marine Committee to gratify -Jones's wish for active service, and avail themselves of his ability -at the same time, took the shape of a resolution of Congress -authorizing him to choose the best of three ships which it was -proposed to purchase in Boston, which he was to command until some -better provision could be made for him. He was ordered to that point -to fit out the ship. During this period of harassing anxiety he gave -great attention to formulating plans and making suggestions looking to -a more effective organization of the new naval establishment.</p> - -<p class="normal">To Robert Morris, chairman of the committee, on different occasions, -he communicated his views on this important subject in a series of -valuable letters, of which the following are pertinent extracts:</p> - -<p class="normal">"As the regulations of the navy are of the utmost consequence, you -will not think me presumptuous, if, with the utmost diffidence, I -venture to communicate to you such hints as, in my judgment, will -promote its honor and good government. I could heartily wish that -every commissioned officer were to be previously examined; for, to my -certain knowledge, there are persons who have already crept into -commission without abilities or fit qualifications; I am myself far -from desiring to be excused. From experience in ours, as well as from -my former intimacy with many officers of note in the British navy, I -am convinced that the parity of rank between sea and land or marine -officers is of more consequence to the harmony of the sea service than -has generally been imagined... I propose not our enemies as an example -for our general imitation; yet, as their navy is the best regulated of -any in the world, we must, in some degree, imitate them, and aim at -such further improvement as may one day make ours vie with and exceed -theirs."</p> - -<p class="normal">With regard to the difficulty of recruiting seamen, some of whom, -finding the merchant service or coasting trade was broken up, had -entered the army at the beginning of the war, while many more had -engaged in privateering--a much more profitable vocation than the -regular service--he says:</p> - -<p class="normal"> -"It is to the least degree distressing to contemplate the state and -establishment of our navy. The common class of mankind are actuated by -no nobler principle than that of self-interest; this, and this alone, -determines all adventurers in privateers--the owners, as well as those -whom they employ. And while this is the case, unless the private -emolument of individuals in our navy is made superior to that in -privateers, it can never become respectable, it will never become -formidable. And without a respectable navy--alas! America. In the -present critical situation of affairs human wisdom can suggest no more -than one infallible expedient: enlist the seamen during pleasure, and -give them all the prizes. What is the paltry emolument of two thirds -of prizes to the finances of this vast continent? If so poor a -resource is essential to its independence, in sober sadness we are -involved in a woeful predicament, and our ruin is fast approaching. -The situation of America is new in the annals of mankind; her affairs -cry haste, and speed must answer them. Trifles, therefore, ought to be -wholly disregarded, as being, in the old vulgar proverb, penny wise -and pound foolish. If our enemies, with the best establishment and -most formidable navy in the universe, have found it expedient to -assign all prizes to the captors, how much more is such policy -essential to our infant fleet! But I need use no arguments to convince -you of the necessity of making the emoluments of our navy equal, if -not superior, to theirs. We have had proof that a navy may be -officered on almost any terms, but we are not so sure that these -officers are equal to their commissions; nor will the Congress ever -obtain such certainty until they in their wisdom see proper to appoint -a board of admiralty competent to determine impartially the respective -merits and abilities of their officers, and to superintend, regulate, -and point out all the motions and operations of the navy."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">In another letter to Robert Morris he writes:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"There are no officers more immediately wanted in the marine -department than commissioners of dockyards, to superintend the -building and outfits of all ships of war; with power to appoint -deputies, to provide, and have in constant readiness, sufficient -quantities of provisions, stores, and slops, so that the small number -of ships we have may be constantly employed, and not continue idle, as -they do at present. Besides all the advantages that would arise from -such appointments, the saving which would accrue to the continent is -worth attending to. Had such men been appointed at the first, the new -ships might have been at sea long ago. The difficulty now lies in -finding men who are deserving, and who are fitly qualified for an -office of such importance."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">We are surprised at the clear insight of this untrained, inexperienced -Scotsman, whom, by the way, I shall hereafter call an American. Most -of his recommendations have long since been adopted in our own navy -and other navies of the world. His conclusions are the results of his -long and thorough professional study, his habits of application, his -power of comprehension and faculty of clear and explicit statement. -His observations would do credit to the most trained observer with -large experience back of his observation.</p> - -<p class="normal">Another curious letter to a former friend on the island of Tobago, -written at this time, which deals with certain investments in property -with balances due him from his various trading ventures, contains the -following statement:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"As I hope my dear mother is still alive, I must inform you that I -wish my property in Tobago, or in England, after paying my just debts, -to be applied for her support. Your own feelings, my dear sir, make it -unnecessary for me to use arguments to prevail with you on this tender -point. Any remittances which you may be enabled to make, through the -hands of my good friend Captain John Plainer, of Cork, will be -faithfully put into her hands; she hath several orphan grandchildren -to provide for."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">All of which plainly indicates that, though a citizen of another -country and the bearer of another name, he still retained those -natural feelings of affection which his enemies would fain persuade us -were not in his being.</p> - -<p class="normal">While waiting at Boston for the purchase of the ships referred to, he -was selected by Congress to command a heavy ship of war, a frigate to -be called the Indien, then building at Amsterdam, which undoubtedly -would be the most formidable vessel in the American service. This -would be not only a just tribute to his merit, but would also solve -the difficulty about relative rank, for he would be the highest -ranking officer in Continental waters, and there could be no conflict -of authority. He was directed to proceed at once to Europe to take -command of this ship. The Marine Committee sent the following letter, -addressed to the commissioners of the United States in Europe, to Paul -Jones, for him to present to them on his arrival in France:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">Philadelphia</span>, <i>May 9, 1777</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Honourable Gentlemen</span>: This letter is intended to be delivered to you -by John Paul Jones, Esquire, an active and brave commander in our -navy, who has already performed signal services in vessels of little -force; and, in reward for his zeal, we have directed him to go on -board the Amphitrite, a French ship of twenty guns, that brought in a -valuable cargo of stores from Messrs. Hortalez & Co.,<a name="div4Ref_04" href="#div4_04"><sup>[4]</sup></a> -and with her -to repair to France. He takes with him his commission, and some -officers and men, so that we hope he will, under that sanction, make -some good prizes with the Amphitrite; but our design of sending him -is, with the approbation of Congress, that you may purchase one of -those fine frigates that Mr. Deane writes us you can get, and invest -him with the command thereof as soon as possible. We hope you may not -delay this business one moment, but purchase, in such port or place in -Europe as it can be done with most convenience and dispatch, a fine, -fast-sailing frigate, or larger ship. Direct Captain Jones where he -must repair to, and he will take with him his officers and men toward -manning her. You will assign him some good house or agent, to supply -him with everything necessary to get the ship speedily and well -equipped and manned; somebody that will bestir himself vigorously in -the business, and never quit it until it is accomplished.</p> - -<p class="normal">"If you have any plan or service to be performed in Europe by such a -ship, that you think will be more for the interest and honour of the -States than sending her out directly, Captain Jones is instructed to -obey your orders; and, to save repetition, let him lay before you the -instructions we have given him, and furnish you with a copy thereof. -You can then judge what will be necessary for you to direct him in; -and whatever you do will be approved, as it will undoubtedly tend to -promote the public service of this country.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You see by this step how much dependence Congress places in your -advices; and you must make it a point not to disappoint Captain Jones' -wishes and expectations on this occasion."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">At the same time the committee sent the following letter to Jones -himself:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">Philadelphia</span>, <i>May 9, 1777</i>.</p> -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Sir</span>: Congress have thought proper to authorize the Secret Committee -to employ you on a voyage in the Amphitrite, from Portsmouth to -Carolina and France, where it is expected you will be provided with a -fine frigate; and as your present commission is for the command of a -particular ship, we now send you a new one, whereby you are appointed -a captain in our navy, and of course may command any ship in the -service to which you are particularly ordered. You are to obey the -orders of the Secret Committee, and we are, sir, etc."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The Amphitrite, which was to carry out Jones and the other officers -and seamen to man the proposed frigate, was an armed merchantman. The -French commander of the Amphitrite, however, made great difficulty -with regard to surrendering his command to Jones, and even to -receiving him and his men on board the ship, and through his -persistent and vehement objections this promising arrangement likewise -fell through. Jones continued his importunities for a command, -however, his desire being then, as always, for active service. -Finally, by the following resolutions passed by Congress on the 14th -of June, he was appointed to the sloop of war Ranger, then nearing -completion at Portsmouth, New Hampshire:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Resolved</i>, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen -stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, -white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Resolved</i>, That Captain Paul Jones be appointed to command the ship -Ranger.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Resolved</i>, That William Whipple, Esquire, member of Congress and of -the Marine Committee, John Langdon, Esquire, Continental agent, and -the said John Paul Jones be authorized to appoint lieutenants and -other commissioned and warrant officers necessary for the said ship; -and that blank commissions and warrants be sent them, to be filled up -with the names of the persons they appoint, returns whereof to be made -to the navy board in the Eastern Department."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">At last, having received something tangible, he hastened to Portsmouth -as soon as his orders were delivered to him, and assumed the command. -It is claimed, perhaps with justice, that his hand was the first to -hoist the new flag of the Republic, the Stars and Stripes, to the -masthead of a war ship, as it had been the first to hoist the first -flag of any sort at the masthead of the Alfred, not quite two years -before. The date of this striking event is not known.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is interesting to note the conjunction of Jones with the flag in -this resolution; an association justified by his past, and to be -further justified by his future, conduct, and by the curious -relationship in which he was brought to the colors of the United -States by his opportune action upon various occasions. The name of no -other man is so associated with our flag as is his.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER VI.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_06" href="#div1Ref_06">THE FIRST CRUISE OF THE RANGER--SALUTE TO THE AMERICAN FLAG.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">In spite of the most assiduous effort on the part of Jones, he was -unable to get the Ranger ready for sea before October, and the -following extract from another letter to the Marine Committee shows -the difficulties under which he labored, and the inadequate equipment -and outfit with which he finally sailed.</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"With all my industry I could not get the single suit of sails -completed until the 20th current. Since that time the winds and -weather have laid me under the necessity of continuing in port. At -this time it blows a very heavy gale from the northeast. The ship with -difficulty rides it out, with yards and topmasts struck, and whole -cables ahead. When it clears up I expect the wind from the northwest, -and shall not fail to embrace it, although I have not a spare sail nor -materials to make one. Some of those I have are made of hissings.<a name="div4Ref_05" href="#div4_05"><sup>[5]</sup></a> -I -never before had so disagreeable service to perform as that which I -have now accomplished, and of which another will claim the credit as -well as the profit. However, in doing my utmost, I am sensible that I -have done no more than my duty."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The instructions under which Jones sailed for Europe are outlined in -the following orders from the Marine Committee:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"As soon as these instructions get to hand you are to make immediate -application to the proper persons to get your vessel victualed and -fitted for sea with all expedition. When this is done you are to -proceed on a voyage to some convenient port in France; on your arrival -there, apply to the agent, if any, in or near said port, for such -supplies as you may stand in need of. You are at the same time to give -immediate notice, by letter, to the Honourable Benjamin Franklin, -Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee, Esquires, or any of them at Paris, of -your arrival, requesting their instructions as to your further -destination, which instructions you are to obey as far as it shall be -in your power.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You are to take particular notice that while on the coast of France, -or in a French port, you are, as much as you conveniently can, to keep -your guns covered and concealed, and to make as little warlike -appearance as possible."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">In the original plan the ship was heavily over-armed, being pierced -for twenty-six guns. Considering her size and slight construction, -Jones exercised his usual good judgment by refusing to take more than -eighteen guns, the ordinary complement for a ship of her class. These -were 6-pounders manufactured in the United States and ill -proportioned, being several calibres short in the length of the -barrel, according to a statement of the captain--a most serious -defect. To all these disabilities was added an inefficient and -insubordinate first lieutenant named Simpson, who probably had been -appointed to this responsible position on account of the considerable -family influence which was back of him. He was related to the Hancocks -among others. The crew was a fair one, but was spoiled eventually by -the example of Simpson and other officers. On the first of November, -1777, the imperfectly provided Ranger took her departure from -Portsmouth bound for Europe. Her captain laments the fact that she had -but thirty gallons of rum aboard for the men to drink, a serious -defect in those grog-serving days. Before sailing, Jones made large -advances from his private funds to the men, the Government being -already in his debt to the amount of fifteen hundred pounds, for -previous advances to the men of the Alfred and the Providence. None of -these advances were repaid until years after. These facts are -evidence, by the way, that he had finally realized considerable sums -of money from his brother's estate, for he had no other financial -resource save his West Indian investments, which were worth nothing to -him at this time.</p> - -<p class="normal">Wickes, Johnston, and Cunningham, in the Reprisal, Lexington, -Surprise, and Revenge, insignificant vessels of inferior force, had by -their brilliant and successful cruising in the English Channel -demonstrated the possibility of operations against British commerce in -that supposedly safe quarter of the ocean. Paul Jones was now to -undertake, upon a larger scale, similar operations with much more -astounding results.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the way over, two prizes, both brigantines, laden with wine and -fruit, were captured. Nearing the other side, the Ranger fell in with -ten sail of merchantmen from the Mediterranean, under convoy of the -line of battle ship Invincible, 74. Jones made strenuous efforts to -cut out one of the convoy, but they clung so closely to the line of -battle ship that he found it impossible to bring about his design, -though he remained in sight of the convoy during one whole day. Had -the Ranger been swifter or handier, he might have effected something, -but she was very crank and slow as well.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 2d of December the sloop of war dropped anchor in the harbor of -Nantes. Jones sent his letters and instructions to the commissioners, -and had the pleasure of confirming to them the news of the surrender -of Burgoyne and his army, which was probably the most important factor -in bringing about the subsequent alliance between America and France. -While awaiting a reply to his letters he busied himself in repairing -the defects and weaknesses of his ship so far as his limited means -permitted. Her trim was altered, ballast restowed, and a large -quantity of lead taken on board; the lower masts were shortened -several feet, and every other change which his skill and experience -dictated was made on the ship. The results greatly conduced to her -efficiency. It may be stated here that Jones was a thorough and -accomplished seaman, and no man was capable of getting more out of a -ship than he. From a slow, crank, unwieldy vessel he developed the -sloop of war into a handy, amenable ship, and very much increased her -speed.</p> - -<p class="normal">In January, 1778, in obedience to instructions from the commissioners, -he visited them in Paris and explained to them in detail his proposed -plan of action. Alone among the naval commanders of his day does he -appear to have appreciated that commerce destroying can be best -carried on and the enemy most injured by concentrated attacks by -mobile and efficient force upon large bodies of shipping in harbors -and home ports, rather than by sporadic cruising in more or less -frequented seas. He had come across with the hope of taking command of -the fine frigate Indien, then building in Holland, and then, with the -Ranger and such other ships as might be procured, carrying out his -ideas by a series of bold descents upon the English coasts. But while -the ministers of the King of France were hesitating, or perhaps better -perfecting their plans preparatory to announcing an alliance offensive -and defensive with this country, it was deemed of the utmost -importance that no occasion should be given the British which would -enable them unduly to hasten the course of events. The suspicion of -the British Government was aroused with respect to the Indien, -however, and it was thought best, under the circumstances, to pretend -that she was being made for the Government of France, with which -England was then nominally at peace. In any event, work upon her had -been so delayed that she was very far from completion, and would not -have been available for months.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus was Jones deprived of the enjoyment of this command, to his great -personal regret, to the disarrangement of his plans, and to the -detriment of the cause he was so gallantly to support. There was no -other ship nor were any smaller vessels then available for him, and he -was therefore of necessity continued in the command of the Ranger.</p> - -<p class="normal">This in itself was annoying, and produced a sequence of events of a -most unfortunate character. Lieutenant Simpson had been promised the -command of the Ranger when Jones took over the Indien, and the failure -to keep this promise entailed by the circumstances mentioned, -embittered Simpson to such a degree that his efficiency--never of the -first order--was greatly impaired, and so long as he remained under -the command of Jones he was a smoldering brand of discontent and -disobedience.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 10th of January Jones, who had rejoined his ship, wrote at -great length to Silas Deane, one of the commissioners, suggesting a -plan whereby, in case the proposed alliance between France and the -rebellious colonies were consummated, a magnificent blow might be -struck against England, and the cause of the Revolution thereby -greatly furthered. He urged that Admiral D'Estaing should be -dispatched with a great fleet to pen up and capture Lord Howe, then -operating in the Delaware with an inferior fleet. There is no doubt -that this conception was essentially sound, and if he himself could -have been intrusted with the carrying out of the plan the results -would have been most happy; but, in order to effect anything, in peace -or war, prompt action is as necessary as careful planning and wise -decision.</p> - -<p class="normal">When the French did finally adopt the plan they found that their -dilatory proceedings, their failure to take immediate advantage of -past preparation, and their substitution of Toulon for Brest as a -naval point of departure, doomed the enterprise to failure. Lord Howe, -hearing of the attempt, and realizing his precarious and indefensive -position in the Delaware, made haste to return to his old anchorage in -New York. When D'Estaing, urged by Washington, arrived off the harbor, -he was deterred from attacking Lord Howe's inferior force by the -representations of the pilots, who stated that there was not enough -water on the bar for the greater ships of the line. While, therefore, -Jones' suggestion came to nothing, it is interesting and instructive -to contemplate this project of his fertile brain. Another enterprise -proposed by him involved an expedition to take the island of St. -Helena, and with it as a base of attack attempt the capture of the -numerous Indiamen which either stopped at Jamestown or passed near the -island. This too was unheeded.</p> - -<p class="normal">While these matters were under consideration, the Ranger sailed from -Nantes to Quiberon Bay early in February, 1778, having under convoy -several American trading ships which were desirous of joining a great -fleet of merchant vessels assembling at that point. These vessels were -to be convoyed past Cape Finisterre on their way across the Atlantic -by a heavy French squadron of five line of battle ships and several -frigates and sloops under the command of La Motte Piquet.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 13th of February the Ranger hove to off the bay. The wind was -blowing furiously, as it frequently does on the rocky confines of that -bold shore, off which a few years before the great Lord Hawke had -signally defeated Conflans; but, instead of running to an anchorage -immediately, Jones sent a boat ashore, and through the American -resident agent communicated to the French commander his intention of -entering the bay the next day and saluting him; asking, as was -customary, that the salute be returned. The French admiral courteously -replied that he would return four guns less than the number he -received, his instructions being to that effect, and in accordance -with the custom of his navy when an interchange of sea courtesies took -place between the fleets of France and those of a republic. This was -not satisfactory to the doughty American, and he addressed the -following letter to the American agent for the French commander:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<i>February 14, 1778</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Dear Sir</span>: I am extremely sorry to give you fresh trouble, but I think -the admiral's answer of yesterday requires an explanation. The haughty -English return gun for gun to foreign officers of equal rank, and two -less only to captains by flag officers. It is true, my command at -present is not important, yet, as the senior American officer at -present in Europe, it is my duty to claim an equal return of respect -to the flag of the United States that would be shown to any other flag -whatever.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I therefore take the liberty of inclosing an appointment, perhaps as -respectable as any which the French admiral can produce; besides -which, I have others in my possession.</p> - -<p class="normal">"If, however, he persists in refusing to return an equal salute, I -will accept of two guns less, as I have not the rank of admiral.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is my opinion that he would return four less to a privateer or a -merchant ship; therefore, as I have been honoured oftener than once -with a chief command of ships of war, I can not in honour accept of -the same terms of respect.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You will singularly oblige me by waiting upon the admiral; and I -ardently hope you will succeed in the application, else I shall be -under a necessity of departing without coming into the bay.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have the honour to be, etc.</p> - -<p class="normal">"To <span class="sc">William Carmichael, Esq.</span></p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"N. B.--Though thirteen guns is your greatest salute in America, yet -if the French admiral should prefer a greater number he has his choice -<i>on conditions</i>."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">A great stickler for his rights and for all the prerogatives of his -station was John Paul Jones. In this instance he was maintaining the -dignity of the United States by insisting upon a proper recognition of -his command.</p> - -<p class="normal">However, having learned afterward that the contention of the French -admiral was correct, Jones determined to accept the indicated return, -realizing with his usual keenness that the gist of the matter lay in -receiving any salute rather than in the number of guns which it -comprised; so the Ranger got under way late in the evening of the -14th, and beat in toward the harbor. It was almost dark when she drew -abreast the great French flagship. Backing his main-topsail, the -6-pounders on the main deck of the Ranger barked out their salute of -thirteen guns, which was promptly returned by the French commander -with nine heavy guns from the battle ship.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was the first time the Stars and Stripes had been saluted on the -high seas. It was, in fact, the first official recognition of the -existence of this new power by the authorized military representatives -of any civilized nation. A Dutch governor of St. Eustatius, a year -before, had saluted an American ensign--not the Stars and Stripes, of -course--on one of our cruisers, but the act had been disavowed and the -governor promptly recalled for his presumption.</p> - -<p class="normal">As this little transaction between Paul Jones and La Motte Piquet had -occurred so late at night, the American sent word to the Frenchman -that he proposed to sail through his line in broad daylight on the -morrow, with the brig Independence, a privateer temporarily attached -to his command, and salute him in the open light of day. With great -good humor and complaisance, La Motte Piquet again expressed his -intention of responding. Accordingly, the next morning, Jones repaired -on board the Independence, which had been lying to during the night -outside of signal distance, and, having made everything as smart and -as shipshape as possible on the little vessel, with the newest and -brightest of American ensigns flying from every masthead, the little -brig sailed past the towering walls of the great ships of the line, -saluting and receiving their reply. There were no doubts in any one's -mind as to the reality of the salute to the flag after that!</p> - -<p class="normal">It must have been a proud moment for the man who had hoisted the -pine-tree flag for the first time on the Alfred; for the man who had -been the first officer of the American navy to receive promotion; for -the man who had first flung the Stars and Stripes to the breeze from -the masthead of a ship; for the man who, in his little vessel, -trifling and inconsiderable as she was, was yet about to maintain the -honor of that flag with unexampled heroism in the home waters and in -the presence of the proudest, most splendid, and most efficient navy -of the world. That 15th of February, that bright, cold, clear winter -morning, is one of the memorable anniversaries in the history of our -nation.</p> - -<p class="normal">Writing to the Marine Committee on the 22d of February, 1778, he says:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I am happy in having it in my power to congratulate you on my having -seen the American flag for the first time recognized in the fullest -and completest manner by the flag of France. I was off their bay the -13th instant, and sent my boat in the next day, to know if the admiral -would return my salute. He answered that he would return to me, as the -senior American Continental officer in Europe, the same salute which -he was authorized by his court to return to an admiral of Holland, or -any other republic, which was four guns less than the salute given. I -hesitated at this, for I demanded gun for gun. Therefore I anchored in -the entrance of the bay, at a distance from the French fleet; but, -after a very particular inquiry on the 14th, finding that he had -really told the truth, I was induced to accept of his offer, the more -so as it was, in fact, an acknowledgment of American independence. The -wind being contrary and blowing hard, it was after sunset before the -Ranger got near enough to salute La Motte Piquet with thirteen guns, -which he returned with nine. However, to put the matter beyond a -doubt, I did not suffer the Independence to salute till next morning, -when I sent the admiral word that I would sail through his fleet in -the brig, and would salute him in open day. He was exceedingly -pleased, and he returned the compliment also with nine guns."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The much-talked-of treaty of alliance between France and the United -States had been secretly signed six days before, but neither of the -participants of this interchange of sea courtesies was then aware of -this fact. Having discharged his duties by placing the merchant ships -he had convoyed under La Motte Piquet's command, Jones left Quiberon -Bay and went to Brest, where there was assembled a great French fleet -under the famous Comte D'Orvilliers. Jones had the pleasure of again -receiving, by the courtesy of that gallant officer, a reply to the -Ranger's salute from the great guns of the flagship La Bretagne.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Frenchman, whose acquaintance Jones promptly made, was much -attracted by his daring and ingenuous personality, and, having been -advised of the disappointment caused by the loss of the Indien, he -offered to procure him a commission as a captain in the French navy -and assign him to a heavy frigate instead of the petty sloop of war at -present under his command--an unprecedented honor. Had Jones been the -mere soldier of fortune which his enemies have endeavored to maintain -he was, this brilliant offer would have met with a ready acceptance. -The French marine, through the strenuous efforts of the king and his -ministers, was then in a most flourishing condition. The terrific -defeats at the close of the century and the beginning of the next were -still in the womb of events and had not been brought forth, and the -prospects of its success were exceedingly brilliant. With the backing -of D'Orvilliers and his own capacity, speedy promotion and advancement -might easily be predicted for the American. He refused decisively to -accept the flattering offer, and remained with the Ranger.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 10th of April, having done what he could to put the ship in -efficient trim, he sailed from Brest under the following orders:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">Paris</span>, <i>January 16, 1778</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Sir</span>: As it is not in our power to procure you such a ship as you -expected, we advise you, after equipping the Ranger in the best manner -for the cruise you propose, that you proceed with her in the manner -you shall judge best for distressing the enemies of the United States, -by sea or otherwise, consistent with the laws of war and the terms of -your commission." (Directions here follow for sending prizes taken on -the coasts of France and Spain into Bilboa or Corogne, unless the -danger was too great, in which case they were to be sent to L'Orient -or Bordeaux.) "If you make an attempt on the coast of Great Britain we -advise you not to return immediately into the ports of France, unless -forced by stress of weather or the pursuit of the enemy; and in such -case you can make the proper representation to the officers of the -port, and acquaint us with your situation. We rely on your ability, as -well as your zeal, to serve the United States, and therefore do not -give you particular instructions as to your operations. We must -caution you against giving any cause of complaint to the subjects of -France or Spain, or of other neutral powers, and recommend it to you -to show them every proper mark of respect and real civility which may -be in your power."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">These orders had been dated and issued to him some months before, but -were not modified or revoked in the interim. He was given an -opportunity to carry out so much of his proposed plan for attacking -the English coast as was possible with his single ship.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER VII.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_07" href="#div1Ref_07">THE SECOND CRUISE OF THE RANGER--THE DESCENT ON WHITEHAVEN--THE -ATTEMPT ON LORD SELKIRK--THE CAPTURE OF THE DRAKE.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The first few days of the cruise were uneventful. On the 14th of -April, 1778, between the Scilly Isles and Cape Clear, the Ranger -captured a brig bound for Ireland loaded with flaxseed. As the prize -and her cargo were not worth sending in, the vessel was burned at sea. -On the 17th, off St. George's Channel, they overhauled a large ship, -the Lord Chatham, loaded with porter <i>en route</i> from London to Dublin. -The ship and cargo being of great value--one likes to think how the -porter must have appealed to the seamen, who, it is quite likely, were -permitted to regale themselves to a limited extent from the cargo--she -was manned and sent back to Brest as a prize. After this capture Jones -proceeded up the Irish Channel, heading to the northeast, and on the -18th, finding himself off the northern extremity of the Isle of Man, -and in line with Whitehaven, he attempted to carry out a preconceived -project of destroying the shipping in the port; being determined, as -he says, by one great burning of ships to put an end to the burnings -and ravagings and maraudings of the British upon the undefended coasts -of North America.</p> - -<p class="normal">The wind was blowing from the east, and he beat up against it toward -the town, where he hoped to find a large number of ships in the -harbor. The adverse wind delayed him, however, and it was not until -ten o'clock at night that the Ranger reached a point from which it was -practicable to dispatch the boats. Preparations were hastily made, and -the boats were called away and manned by volunteers. The boats were -already in the water when the wind suddenly shifted and blew hard on -shore, so that the Ranger was forced to beat out to sea promptly to -avoid taking ground on the shoals under her lee. The expedition, -therefore, for that time, was abandoned, the boats were swung up to -the davits, and the Ranger filled away again.</p> - -<p class="normal">The next morning, off the Mull of Galloway, they captured a schooner -loaded with barley and sunk her. Learning from some prisoners that ten -or twelve large ships, under the protection of a small tender, were -anchored in Lochvyau, Scotland, Jones ran for that harbor, intending -to destroy them, but the variable weather, as before, interfered with -his plans, and a sudden squall drove the Ranger into the open once -more and saved the ships. He captured and sunk a small Irish fishing -sloop, making prisoners of the fishermen, that same afternoon. The -sloop was of no value to Jones, and he would have let her go had it -not been that he feared the alarm would be given. He treated the -fishermen kindly, however, and, as we shall see, in the end they -suffered no loss from his action.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 20th he captured a sloop loaded with grain, and on the 21st, -off Carrickfergus, he took another small fishing boat. Learning from -the fishermen that the British man-of-war Drake, twenty guns and a -hundred and fifty men, was lying at anchor in Belfast Lough, he -promptly determined upon a bold scheme to effect her capture. Beating -to and fro off the mouth of the Lough until the evening, as soon as it -was dark he ran for the harbor, proposing to lay his vessel athwart -the hawse of the Drake, lying unsuspiciously at anchor, drop his own -anchor over the cable of the English sloop of war, and capture her by -boarding.</p> - -<p class="normal">Every preparation was made to carry out this brilliant <i>coup de main</i>. -The crew were mustered at quarters, armed for boarding with pike or -cutlass and pistol, the best shots were told off to sweep the decks of -the Drake with small-arm fire, guns were loaded and primed, and so on. -It was blowing heavily as the Ranger under reduced canvas dashed -gallantly into the harbor. With masterly seamanship Jones brought her -to in exactly the right position, and gave the order to let go the -anchor. His orders were not obeyed, through the negligence of a -drunken boatswain, it was said, and the anchor was not dropped until -the Ranger had drifted down past the lee quarter of the Drake, when -she brought up. The position of the American was now one of extreme -peril. The Ranger lay under the broadside of the Drake, subjected to -her fire and unable to make reply.</p> - -<p class="normal">The watch kept on the British ship, however, must have been very -careless. In the darkness of the night, too, the guns of the Ranger -being run in, it is probable that if they observed her they took her -for a clumsy merchantman. Enjoining perfect silence on the part of his -crew, with the greatest coolness Jones took the necessary steps to -extricate the vessel from her dangerous position. The cable was cut, -sail made, and under a heavy press of canvas the Ranger beat out of -the harbor, barely clearing the entrance, and only escaping wreck by -the consummate ability of her captain.</p> - -<p class="normal">The plan was brilliantly conceived, and would have been successful but -for the mischance, or delay, in dropping the anchor. The crew -originally was only a fair one, as has been stated, and, owing to the -fact that their wages had not been paid, they were in a more or less -mutinous state by this time. Jones was covetous of glory only. A less -mercenary man never lived. To fight and conquer was his aim, but in -this he radically differed from the ideas of his officers and men. -Where he wrote honor and fame they saw plunder and prize money, and it -was sometimes difficult to get them to obey orders and properly to -work the ship.</p> - -<p class="normal">After leaving Belfast the Ranger ratched over to the southern coast of -Scotland to ride out the sudden and furious gale under the lee of the -land. The wind had abated by the morning of the 22d, and the sun rose -bright and clear, discovering from the of the Ranger a beautiful -prospect of the three kingdoms covered with snow as far as the eye -could see. The wind now set fair for Whitehaven, and Jones squared -away for that port to carry out his previous project. The breeze fell -during the day, however, and it was not until midnight that the boats -were called away.</p> - -<p class="normal">The expedition comprised two boats, carrying thirty-one officers and -men, all volunteers, Jones himself being in command of one boat, while -Lieutenant Wallingford, one of the best officers of the ship, had the -other. Simpson and the second lieutenant both pleaded indisposition -and fatigue as excuse for not going on the expedition. The tide was -ebbing, and it was not until nearly dawn, after a long, hard pull, -that the two boats reached the harbor, which was divided into two -parts at that time by a long stone pier. There were from seventy to -one hundred ships on the north side of the pier, and about twice as -many on the south side, ranging in size from two hundred to four -hundred tons. As the tide was out, the ships were all aground, lying -high and dry upon the beach, and in close touch with each other. -Directing Wallingford to set fire to the ships on the north side of -the pier, Jones and his party landed and advanced toward the fort -which protected the harbor.</p> - -<p class="normal">The weather was raw and cold, the fort was old and dilapidated, and -manned by a few men. The sentry, ignorant of the presence of any foe, -never dreaming of an enemy within a thousand miles of him, had calmly -retired to the sentry box. Probably he was asleep. The little party -approached the walls without being detected. Climbing upon the -shoulder of one of his men, Jones sprang over the rampart, where he -was followed by the rest of the party. The feeble garrison was -captured without striking a blow. The guns were hastily spiked. -Ordering the prisoners to be marched down to the wharf, and throwing -out a few sentries, Jones, attended by a single midshipman, then made -his way to the other fort or battery, a distance of about half a mile. -Finding it untenanted, he spiked the few guns mounted there and -returned to the landing place.</p> - -<p class="normal">To his very great surprise and disappointment, no evidence of a -conflagration was apparent. When he reached the wharf he was met by -Wallingford, who explained his failure to fire the shipping by -claiming that his lights had gone out. It was before the days of -lucifer matches, and the party had carried candles in lanterns with -which to kindle the fires. Wallingford excused himself by a remark -which does more credit to his heart than to his head, to the effect -that he could not see that anything was to be gained by burning poor -people's property. Inasmuch as he was sent on the expedition to obey -orders and not to philosophize, his statement gives the key to the -disposition among the officers and crew. Whether his hesitation was -dictated by charity to others or lack of possible profit to the -officers and men it is not necessary to inquire particularly now, for -Wallingford redeemed himself nobly later in the cruise. A hasty -inspection revealed the fact that the candles had also burned out, or -had been extinguished through carelessness, in Jones' own boat.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was now broad daylight, and considerations of safety indicated an -immediate return to the ship; but Jones was not willing to abandon his -brilliantly conceived, carefully prepared, and coolly undertaken -enterprise without some measure of success. Re-posting his sentries, -therefore, he dispatched messengers who broke into a neighboring -dwelling house and procured a light in the shape of a torch or glowing -ember. With his own hand Jones kindled a fire on one of the largest -ships in the midst of the huddle of vessels on the beach. In order to -insure a thorough conflagration, a hasty search through the other -vessels was made, and a barrel of tar was found which was poured upon -the flames now burning fiercely.</p> - -<p class="normal">One of the boat party, named David Freeman, happened to be an -Englishman. In the confusion attendant upon these various maneuvers he -made off, and, escaping observation, sought shelter in the town, which -he quickly alarmed. The inhabitants came swarming out of their houses -in the gray of the morning and hastened toward the wharf. Seeing that -the fire on the ship was at last blazing furiously, and realizing that -nothing more could be effected, Jones ordered his men to their boats. -Then, in order that the fire already kindled might have sufficient -time to develop, the undaunted captain stood alone on the wharf, -pistol in hand, confronting the ever-increasing crowd. Impelled by -pressure from behind, those in front finally made a movement toward -him. He gave no ground whatever. Pointing his weapons at the front -rank, he sternly bade them retire, which they did with precipitation. -I should think so. Having remained a sufficient time, as he thought, -he calmly entered the boat and was rowed to the Ranger.</p> - -<p class="normal">Some of the inhabitants promptly made a dash for the burning ship, and -succeeded by hard work in confining the fire to that one vessel. -Others released the prisoners which Jones left bound on the wharf, -taking, as he said, only two or three for a sample. The soldiers ran -to the fort and managed to draw the hastily applied spikes from two or -three of the guns, which they loaded and fired after the retreating -boats. Answering the harmless fusillade with a few derisive musket -shots, Jones returned to the Ranger; having had, he says, the pleasure -of neither inflicting nor receiving any loss in killed or wounded.</p> - -<p class="normal">The desertion and treachery of David Freeman undoubtedly saved the -shipping. The enterprise was well conceived and carried out with the -utmost coolness. Had the orders of Captain Jones been obeyed, the -shipping would have been completely destroyed. As it was, the descent -created the greatest consternation in England. No enemy had landed on -those shores for generations, and the expedition by Jones was like -slapping the face of the king on his throne. A burning wave of -indignation swept over England, as the news was carried from town to -town, from hall to hall, and from hamlet to hamlet. It was all very -well to burn property in America, but the matter had a different -aspect entirely when the burning took place in England. A universal -demand arose for the capture of this audacious seaman, who was called -many hard names by the infuriated British.</p> - -<p class="normal">From Whitehaven the Ranger ran over to St. Mary's Isle, a beautifully -wooded promontory at the mouth of the River Dee, which was the seat of -the Earl of Selkirk. In furtherance of his usual desire to ameliorate -the wretched condition of the Americans in British prisons, Jones -determined to seize the earl. He cherished the hope that by securing -the person of a peer of the realm, who could be either held as a -hostage or exchanged for some prominent American captive, he could -thus effect a recognition of the principle of exchange, which the -British had refused to consider. It was a wild hope, to be sure, but -not without a certain plausibility.</p> - -<p class="normal">Two boat crews under the command of Lieutenants Simpson and Hall, with -himself in charge of the expedition, landed on the shore. Before -moving toward the hall, Jones learned that the earl was not at home. -He proposed, therefore, to return to the ship, but the mutinous men -demurred fiercely to this suggestion, and demanded that they be -permitted to enjoy the opportunity for plunder presented. The -situation was a precarious one, and Jones finally agreed, although -very reluctantly, that they should demand the family silver from the -Countess of Selkirk, who was at home. He did this with the full -intention of purchasing the silver on his own account when the prizes -were disposed of, and returning it to the earl. A party of the men, -therefore, with Simpson and Hall, went up to the house, leaving Jones -pacing to and fro near the shore under the oaks and chestnuts of the -estate. By Jones' orders the seamen did not enter the house. Simpson -and Hall were ushered into the presence of the Lady Selkirk, made -their demand upon her ladyship, received the silver, which the butler -gathered up for them, and retired without molesting or harming any of -the inmates or endeavoring to appropriate anything except what was -given them. The men drank her ladyship's health in good Scots whisky, -which was served them by the countess' orders. The party then embarked -on the Ranger.</p> - -<p class="normal">One of his biographers has said that the whole transaction was an -evidence of the singular ability of Jones in creating difficulties -which it afterward required greater labor to overcome; but the -criticism is unfair. The only way in which he could satisfy the -demands of his men and maintain even that precarious authority which -the peculiar constitution of the crew and the character of his -officers enabled him to have, was by permitting them to take something -of value which could be turned into prize money. He could buy it from -the prize court, or from the prize master, as well as any other man, -and after it became his own property he could return it to its proper -owners at his pleasure.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was a perfectly legitimate transaction on his part, and he could -only obviate the necessity by taking the proposed value of the silver -out of his own pocket and handing it to his men, a proceeding which -would have been subversive of the last remains of discipline, and -therefore could not be considered for a moment. It would establish a -precedent which could not be carried out in the future unless he were -willing to abrogate his right of command; if he began that way he -would have to buy their acquiescence to every command--bribe them to -obey orders; so he said nothing whatever to them about his intentions -with regard to the plate at present.</p> - -<p class="normal">Standing away from St. Mary's Isle on the morning of the 24th, the -Ranger came in sight once more of Carrickfergus. By this time her -presence on the Irish coast had become well known, and expresses had -been sent to the Drake with information of the propinquity of the -enemy. In the afternoon the Ranger appeared in the offing easily -visible from the Drake. The commander of the Drake, Captain George -Burdon, with singular stupidity, sent a lieutenant and a boat off -toward the Ranger to investigate and report what she was, meanwhile -getting his ship under way and clearing for action. The boat foolishly -came alongside the Ranger and was captured. As Burdon weighed anchor -he was joined by Lieutenant William Dobbs, engaged on recruiting duty -in the vicinity, and a band of volunteers ranging in number, according -to different reports, from ten to forty.</p> - -<p class="normal">The regular complement of the Drake was one hundred and fifty officers -and men. This re-enforcement raised her crew to between one hundred -and sixty and one hundred and ninety. It was developed at the -court-martial, which was held upon the survivors some months after for -the loss of the ship, that the Drake was poorly prepared for action; -that she was short of commissioned and warrant officers and skilled -men; that her powder charges were bad, matches poor, cartridges -unfilled, and that her guns were badly mounted, so that they were -easily "overset," and so on. In short, the whole catalogue of usual -excuses for failure is given. It is true that although the Drake -carried two more guns than the Ranger, they were of smaller caliber, -being 4-pounders. Still, the two ships were well matched, and -preparedness for action has always been considered a test of naval -ability as much as capacity in maneuvering and courage in the actual -fight.</p> - -<p class="normal">The wind was now blowing toward the shore, and the Drake made but slow -progress in ratching toward the sea. While the Ranger awaited her, the -guns were run in and the English flag hoisted on the approach of the -Drake's boat, and the character of the American disguised as much as -possible. I presume that, save for her armament, she looked more like -a merchant vessel than anything else, and, as Jones skillfully kept -the sloop end on to the cutter, the British suspected, or at least -discovered, nothing. Indeed, so well was the deception carried out -that the Drake's officer actually boarded the Ranger and was made -prisoner with his crew before he discovered her quality.</p> - -<p class="normal">Meanwhile things were almost in a state of mutiny. Jones states in his -journal that he was in peril of his life from his recalcitrant crew, -who, under the leadership of Simpson, were apparently appalled at the -prospect of encountering a regular man-of-war, and therefore -manifested a great unwillingness to fight. Plunder without danger was -the end of their ambition. However, after the capture of the Drake's -boat, by putting a bold front on the situation, Jones succeeded in -restoring comparative order and getting his men to their quarters. His -power of persuasive and inspiring speech never stood him in better -stead than on this occasion, and he actually seems to have succeeded -in infusing some of his own spirit into the refractory men.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was late in the evening before the Drake neared the Ranger. Jones -had stood out to sea to draw his pursuer far away from the land to -prevent his escape in case of defeat, and now awaited his advance. The -Drake was accompanied by several pleasure yachts filled with people -who were desirous of seeing the English victory, which was almost -universally attendant upon single ship actions in which the British -navy participated; but, not liking the look of things in this -instance, they one by one dropped astern and returned to the land.</p> - -<p class="normal">Between five and six o'clock, having come within easy distance, an -officer of the Drake sprang on the rail and hailed, demanding to know -the name of the stranger. Jones, still keeping the stern of his ship -toward the bow of the enemy, seized the trumpet and replied:</p> - -<p class="normal">"This is the American Continental ship Ranger. We are waiting for you. -The sun is scarce an hour high. It is time to begin. Come on!"</p> - -<p class="normal">While he was amusing the English captain with this rather lengthy -rejoinder for the purpose of gaining time, the Stars and Stripes -supplanted the red ensign of England, the helm of the Ranger, which -was to windward of her antagonist, was suddenly put up, and by smart -handling, in the twinkling of an eye she was rushed across the bow of -the Drake, which was severely raked by a prompt broadside at short -range. As Jones shifted his helm so as not to lose the weather gauge, -the advantage of the first hard blow was clearly with the Americans. -The English captain, after an attempt to cross her stern, which was -frustrated by Jones' promptness, ran off by the side of the Ranger, -and the combat resolved itself into a fair and square yardarm to -yardarm fight, which was continued with the most determined -persistence on both sides. The two ships under the gentle breeze -sailed side by side, gradually nearing, and poured a furious fire upon -each other. The lack of preparedness on the English ship was -manifested in the slowness and inaccuracy of her gun practice. That of -the Ranger, however, was very effective. An hour and five minutes -after the first broadside the enemy called for quarter and hauled down -the flag. The Drake was a wreck. Her fore and main topsail yards were -cut adrift and lying on the caps; the fore topgallant yard and the -spanker gaff were hanging up and down their respective masts; two -ensigns had been shot away, and another one was hanging over the -quarter galley and dragging in the water. The jib was dragging under -her forefoot; her sails and rigging were entirely cut to pieces, most -of the yards wounded, and her hull very much shattered. Many of her -guns were dismounted, and she had lost, according to the statement of -the Americans, forty-two<a name="div4Ref_06" href="#div4_06"><sup>[6]</sup></a> -men in killed and wounded (or about twenty -per cent of her force!), including her captain, who had been struck in -the head by a musket ball at the close of the action, about a minute -before the ship surrendered; the gallant first lieutenant, Dobbs, who -had bravely volunteered for service, was so severely wounded that he -survived the action only two days. Captain Burdon was still living -when Jones boarded the prize, but died a few moments after. The -Americans lost two killed, among them being poor Wallingford, whose -death has somewhat redeemed him from his failure to obey orders in the -raid on Whitehaven. There were six wounded on the Ranger, including -the gunner and a midshipman who lost his arm; one of the wounded -subsequently died.</p> - -<p class="normal">The action was a sharp and brilliant one. Jones had maneuvered and -fought his ship with his usual skill and courage, and had given fair -evidence of what might be expected from him with a better vessel and -better men under his command. The English captain had been -outmaneuvered when he permitted the American to rake him, and he had -been outfought in the action. Unpreparedness was the cause of the -failure of the Drake to make a better showing in the fight. This lack -must be laid at the captain's door. It is the business of a captain to -see that things are ready. The deficiencies in the Drake's equipment -were counterbalanced by equal deficiencies on the part of the Ranger. -The apparent preponderance of the latter's gun power was, in fact, -minimized by the shortening of her guns, of which Jones had previously -complained. It is probable that the Drake had a better crew, and such -officers as she had were probably better than those under Jones, with -a few exceptions. It is always the custom of the defeated party to -make excuses, and always will be; but the ships were as nearly matched -in offensive qualities as two vessels in different navies are ever -likely to be, and the difference between them, which determined the -issue of the conflict, was purely a question of the personal equation. -It was always hard to find anything to counterbalance Jones for the -other side of the equality sign. Burdon was not the man.</p> - -<p class="normal">The English captain was a brave but very stupid or very confident man. -Jones was more than a match for him at best, and when the mistakes of -Burdon are considered the comparison is painful. The English knew that -the Ranger was on the coast; the Drake had picked up her anchor (it -was, of course, recaptured), and an alert mind would have connected -the recovered anchor with the attempt of the night of the 20th. The -suspicious actions of the stranger--and there must have been some -indication in her maneuvers and appearance at least to inspire -caution--the failure of the boat crew either to return or to make any -signal, should have made the English captain pause and consider the -situation. But with the usual "uncircumspect gallantry" of his kind he -charged down, bull-like, on his enemy, was promptly raked, hammered to -pieces, killed, and his ship surrendered. He proved his courage in -battle--which no one would question, bravery being usual and to be -expected--and he died in the attempt to atone for his rashness; but -professionally he was a failure, and his demise was fortunate for his -reputation and future career. His death probably prevented some very -inconvenient questions being asked him.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones treated his prisoners with a kindness and consideration the more -remarkable from the fact that the contrary was the custom with the -British toward American captives. During the night and the whole of -the next day, the weather being moderate, the two ships were hove to -while the Drake was refitted as well as their resources permitted. -Late the next afternoon a large brigantine, actuated by an unfortunate -curiosity, ran down so near the two ships that she was brought to by a -shot from the Drake and taken possession of. Having repaired damages -and put the Drake in as good trim as possible, Jones first determined -to return to Brest by the South Channel, the way he had come, but the -variable wind shifted and came strongly, and he decided to run -northward before it and pass around the west coast of Ireland. In -spite of his previous insubordination Simpson was placed in command of -the Drake.</p> - -<p class="normal">Before they left these waters, however, something still remained to be -done. On the evening of the 25th the two ships sailed once more for -Belfast Lough. There Jones hove the Ranger to, and, having given the -poor Irish fishermen, whom he had captured on the 21st and held, one -of the Drake's boats, and having charitably bestowed upon them all the -guineas which he had left in his private purse (not many, I suppose) -to remunerate them for the loss they had sustained, he sent them -ashore. They took with them one of the Drake's sails, which would -attest the truth of their story of what had happened. The grateful -Irishmen were delighted and touched by such unusual treatment, and -they signalized their gratitude to their generous and kindhearted -captor by giving Jones three cheers from the boat as they passed the -Ranger's quarter. The Americans then bore away to the northwestward.</p> - -<p class="normal">The voyage around the coast of Ireland was uneventful. Lieutenant -Dobbs, of the Drake, died on the cruise, and he and Captain Burdon -were buried at sea with all possible honors, Jones himself reading the -usual Church service. The cruise was continued without incident until -the morning of the 5th of May, when the Ranger being off Ushant, and -having the Drake in tow, Jones cut the towline and bore away in chase -of a sail which had been sighted. Simpson, instead of continuing -toward Brest, as he had been directed, hauled off to the south, so -that when Jones had overtaken the chase and found her a neutral, the -Drake was almost entirely out of sight to the southward.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Ranger chased her and made various signals, to which no attention -was paid. Simpson changed his course aimlessly several times. During -the whole of the day the same eccentric maneuvers on the part of the -Drake continued. To Jones' great annoyance, the inexplicable actions -of the prize prevented him from chasing several large vessels which he -saw standing into the Channel, among which he would probably have made -many valuable captures. He was forced to abandon any attempt to take -them and follow the Drake, which he only overhauled late in the -evening. By Jones' orders Lieutenant Elijah Hall immediately replaced -Simpson in command of the Drake, and the latter was placed under -arrest. On the 8th of May both vessels arrived safely at Brest, from -which point Jones promptly dispatched the following remarkable letter -to the Countess of Selkirk:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">Ranger, Brest</span>, <i>May 8, 1778</i>.</p> -<p class="continue">"<i><span class="sc">The Right Hon. the Countess of Selkirk</span></i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Madam</span>: It can not be too much lamented that, in the profession of -arms, the officer of fine feelings and real sensibility should be -under the necessity of winking at any action of persons under his -command which his heart can not approve; but the reflection is doubly -severe when he finds himself obliged, in appearance, to countenance -such actions by his authority. This hard case was mine, when, on the -23d of April last, I landed on St. Mary's Isle. Knowing Lord Selkirk's -interest with his king, and esteeming as I do his private character, I -wished to make him the happy instrument of alleviating the horrors of -hopeless captivity, when the brave are overpowered and made prisoners -of war. It was perhaps fortunate for you, madam, that he was from -home, for it was my intention to have taken him on board the Ranger -and detained him until, through, his means, a general and fair -exchange of prisoners, as well in Europe as in America, had been -effected.</p> - -<p class="normal">"When I was informed, by some men whom I met at landing that his -lordship was absent, I walked back to my boat, determined to leave the -island. By the way, however, some officers who were with me could not -forbear expressing their discontent, observing that in America no -delicacy was shown by the English, who took away all sorts of movable -property, setting fire not only to towns and to the houses of the -rich, without distinction, but not even sparing the wretched hamlets -and milch cows of the poor and helpless, at the approach of an -inclement winter. That party had been with me the same morning at -Whitehaven; some complaisance, therefore, was their due. I had but a -moment to think how I might gratify them, and at the same time do your -ladyship the least injury. I charged the officers to permit none of -the seamen to enter the house, or to hurt anything about it; to treat -you, madam, with the utmost respect; to accept of the plate which was -offered, and to come away without making a search or demanding -anything else. I am induced to believe that I was punctually obeyed, -since I am informed that the plate which they brought away is far -short of the quantity expressed in the inventory which accompanied it. -I have gratified my men, and when the plate is sold I shall become the -purchaser, and will gratify my own feelings by restoring it to you by -such conveyance as you shall please to direct.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Had the earl been on board the Ranger the following evening he would -have seen the awful pomp and dreadful carnage of a sea engagement, -both affording ample subject for the pencil, as well as melancholy -reflection for the contemplative mind. Humanity starts back from such -scenes of horror, and can not sufficiently execrate the vile promoters -of this detestable war.</p> -<br> -<p style="margin-left:5%;text-indent:-2%">"'For they, 'twas they unsheathed the ruthless blade, -And Heaven shall ask the havoc it has made.'</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The British ship of war Drake, mounting twenty guns, with more than -her full complement of officers and men, was our opponent. The ships -met, and the advantage was disputed with great fortitude on each side -for an hour and four minutes, when the gallant commander of the Drake -fell, and victory declared in favor of the Ranger. The amiable -lieutenant lay mortally wounded, besides near forty of the inferior -officers and crew killed and wounded--a melancholy demonstration of -the uncertainty of human prospects and of the sad reverses of fortune -which an hour can produce. I buried them in a spacious grave, with the -honors due to the memory of the brave.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Though I have drawn my sword in the present generous struggle for the -rights of men, yet I am not in arms as an American, nor am I in -pursuit of riches. My fortune is liberal enough, having no wife and -family, and having lived long enough to know that riches can not -secure happiness. I profess myself a citizen of the world, totally -unfettered by the little mean distinctions of climates or of country, -which diminish the benevolence of the heart and set bounds to -philanthropy. Before this war was begun, I had, at an early time in -life, withdrawn from sea service in favor of 'calm contemplation and -poetic ease.' I have sacrificed not only my favorite scheme of life, -but the softer affections of the heart, and my prospects of domestic -happiness, and I am ready to sacrifice my life also with cheerfulness, -if that forfeiture could restore peace among mankind.</p> - -<p class="normal">"As the feelings of your gentle bosom can not but be congenial with -mine, let me entreat you, madam, to use your persuasive art with your -husband, to endeavour to stop this cruel and destructive war, in which -Britain can never succeed. Heaven can never countenance the barbarous -and unmanly practice of the Britons in America, which savages would -blush at, and which, if not discontinued, will soon be retaliated on -Britain by a justly enraged people. Should you fail in this, and I am -persuaded you will attempt it (and who can resist the power of such an -advocate?), your endeavour to effect a general exchange of prisoners -will be an act of humanity, which will afford you golden feelings on -your deathbed.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I hope this cruel contest will soon be closed; but, should it -continue, I wage no war with the fair. I acknowledge their force, and -bend before it with submission. Let not, therefore, the amiable -Countess of Selkirk regard me as an enemy; I am ambitious of her -esteem and friendship, and would do anything, consistent with my duty, -to merit it. The honor of a line from your hand, in answer to this, -will lay me under a singular obligation, and if I can render you any -acceptable service in France or elsewhere I hope you see into my -character so far as to command me, without the least grain of reserve. -I wish to know the exact behaviour of my people, as I am determined to -punish them if they have exceeded their liberty.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have the honor to be, with much esteem and with profound respect, -madam, etc.,</p> - -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<span class="sc">John Paul Jones</span>."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The shrewd Franklin says of this extraordinary document: "It is a -gallant letter, which must give her ladyship a high and just opinion -of your generosity and nobleness of mind." But I seem to read a gentle -laugh in the tactful words of the old philosopher. I like this epistle -less than any of Jones' letters I have read, but it certainly does not -merit the severe censures which have been passed upon it. No one would -write such a letter to-day, certainly, but things were different then, -and we need not too closely criticise the form and style of the -document in view of its honest purpose and good intent.</p> - -<p class="normal">As might have been expected, the Countess of Selkirk made no reply to -this singular communication. To anticipate the course of events, and -obviate the necessity of further discussion of this incident, it may -be stated that more than a year after its capture Jones obtained -possession of the plate through the prize court by strenuous effort, -and by paying for it at an exorbitant valuation. The state of warfare -then existing between France and England prevented the delivery of the -silver for several years, though Jones made earnest efforts to get it -into the hands of the Selkirks whenever apparent opportunity -presented. It was not, however, until 1784, after peace had been -declared, that the plate was restored to its original owners. It is -stated that it was received by them in exactly the same condition as -when it had been taken, even to the tea leaves which were still in the -teapot! The receipt of the silver is thus acknowledged in a letter -from Lord Selkirk:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<span class="sc">London</span>, <i>August 4, 1789</i>.</p> -<p class="continue">"<i>Monsieur le Chevalier Paul Jones, à Paris</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Sir</span>: I received the letter you wrote to me at the time you sent off -my plate, in order for restoring it. Had I known where to direct a -letter to you at the time it arrived in Scotland I would then have -wrote to you; but, not knowing it, nor finding that any of my -acquaintance at Edinburgh knew it, I was obliged to delay writing till -I came here, when, by means of a gentleman connected with America, I -was told M. le Grand was your banker at Paris, and would take proper -care of a letter for you; therefore, I inclose this to him.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Notwithstanding all the precautions you took for the easy and -uninterrupted conveyance of the plate, yet it met with considerable -delays: first at Calais, next at Dover, then at London; however, it at -last arrived at Dumfries, and I dare say quite safe, though as yet I -have not seen it, being then at Edinburgh.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I intended to have put an article in the newspapers about your having -returned it; but before I was informed of its being arrived, some of -your friends, I suppose, had put it in the Dumfries newspaper, whence -it was immediately copied into the Edinburgh papers, and thence into -the London ones. Since that time I have mentioned it to many people of -fashion; and, on all occasions, sir, both now and formerly, I have -done you the justice to tell that you made an offer of returning the -plate very soon after your return to Brest; and, although you yourself -was not at my house, but remained at the shore with your boat, that -yet you had your officers and men in such extraordinary good -discipline that your having given them the strictest orders to behave -well, to do no injury of any kind, to make no search, but only to -bring off what plate was given them; that in reality they did exactly -as ordered, and that not one man offered to stir from his post on the -outside of the house, nor entered the doors, nor said an uncivil word; -that the two officers stayed not a quarter of an hour in the parlour -and butler's pantry, while the butler got the plate together, behaved -politely, and asked for nothing but the plate, and instantly marched -their men off in regular order; and that both officers and men behaved -in all respects so well that it would have done credit to the best -disciplined troops whatever.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Some of the English newspapers at that time having put in confused -accounts of your expedition to Whitehaven and Scotland, I ordered a -proper one of what had happened in Scotland to be put in the London -newspapers, by a gentleman who was then at my house, by which the good -conduct and civil behaviour of your officers and men was done justice -to, and attributed to your order, and the good discipline you -maintained over your people.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am, sir, your most humble servant,</p> - -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<span class="sc">Selkirk</span>."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">It is a handsome acknowledgment, but I note with great pleasure the -sailor writes better than the peer!</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER VIII.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_08" href="#div1Ref_08">STANDING AND WAITING.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The Ranger and her prizes arrived at Brest at a propitious time, both -for the fortunes of Jones and for those of his adopted country as -well. The secret treaty of alliance between the confederated colonies -and France had been signed on February 6th. The plenipotentiaries from -the United States had been publicly received at Versailles on March -23d. On the same day the French ambassador left England, and the -English ambassador, Lord Stormont, left France. The fleet of D'Estaing -put to sea from Toulon a fortnight later. In two weeks the English -fleet followed to American waters. The attempt was made on the part of -the French to execute the brilliant strategic plan which Jones had -devised, although, of course, the delay had rendered the effort -fruitless.</p> - -<p class="normal">The successful cruise of the Ranger, the rich captures she had made, -the daring enterprises she had undertaken, the boldness and audacity -of her commander in venturing with a little vessel of such trifling -force into the very midst of the three kingdoms, and the brilliancy of -his capture of a war vessel of nominally superior, and at least really -equal, force, in a fair and open yardarm to yardarm fight, a thing to -which the French navy was not accustomed, awakened the greatest -admiration, and Paul Jones found himself in that most congenial of -positions to him--and to almost any other man--of being the observed -of all. On this expedition, his first real opportunity, he had -demonstrated that he possessed an ability to plan, and a courage to -carry out his conceptions, which put him in the front rank of the sea -officers of his day. With one single vessel, laboring under every -disadvantage conceivable, he had done what no European power or -combination of powers had been able to accomplish in centuries, with -all their resources at command. He had terrorized the whole English -seaboard, and filled the United Kingdom with uneasiness and unrest.</p> - -<p class="normal">The gallant men who had gone before him and accomplished so much with -the Reprisal, the Revenge, and the others, had a worthy successor and -superior in this little Scots-American, who, as a citizen of the -world, in love with humanity, drew his sword for the cause of freedom. -The French admired him, the English hated him. The American prisoners -immediately felt the effect of his captures by the general -amelioration of their unhappy condition, and Franklin at last realized -that he had a man at hand upon whom he could depend to further his -bold designs. When the news reached America, it was received with -great joy, and the Naval Committee and the Congress generally knew -they had made no mistake in sending Jones to Europe. The young navy -looked to him with hope. His exploits were detailed and amplified in -the cafés and on the boulevards of Paris, and were related with -approbation even within the sacred confines of the court. He was the -hero of the hour.</p> - -<p class="normal">But there is a homely maxim exemplified by frequent experience that -"Fine words butter no parsnips." It was true in this instance -undoubtedly, and Jones learned that there was no necessary connection -between glory and bread and butter. He was unable to procure actually -necessary supplies for his crew. All the vessels of the Continental -navy went to sea undermanned, ill-provided, and inadequately -provisioned, and the ship's purser, as a rule, had no money. The -seamen had not received their wages--no money at all, in fact, except -that which Jones himself had advanced out of his own pocket. With the -sanction of the Marine Committee he had made himself responsible for -the regular payment of the wages of the men. His pocket was now empty, -the last guineas having been given to the Irish fishermen -aforementioned. His own resources were always drawn upon freely for -the good of the service and his men; now they were entirely exhausted. -His provisions had been consumed, he did not know where to get any -more. In addition to his own people he had several prizes and over two -hundred prisoners who had to be cared for, and who were a healthy and -hungry lot.</p> - -<p class="normal">When he arrived in France he had been authorized to draw upon the -commissioners to the extent of twelve thousand livres, with the -caution not to avail himself of the permission unless it were -imperatively necessary. With great prudence, and by the exercise of -rigid economy, he had avoided any inroad on the depleted and overtaxed -fund of the commissioners. Something, however, had to be done in this -instance, and without securing another authority, for which, indeed, -time was wanting, so pressing were his needs, he made drafts upon the -commissioners in the sum of twenty-four thousand livres, about five -thousand dollars.</p> - -<p class="normal">Meanwhile he subsisted his crew and prisoners through the generosity -of the French naval authorities at Brest, which he secured by the -pledge of his own private personal credit. The draft was dishonored. -Certainly the commissioners were embarrassed almost beyond endurance -by the demands upon them from every side, but this was a matter to -which they should have given attention if it were humanly possible, -for they were the only resource that Jones had. His condition was -simply desperate. He knew not what to do nor where to turn. The -following extract of a letter to the commissioners on the 27th of May -exhibits his painful position:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Could I suppose that my letters of the 9th and 16th current (the -first advising you of my arrival and giving reference to the events of -my expedition; the last advising you of my draft in favour of Monsieur -Bersolle, for twenty-four thousand livres, and assigning reasons for -the demand) had not made due appearance, I would hereafter, as I do -now, inclose copies. Three posts have already arrived here from Paris -since Comte d'Orvilliers showed me the answer which he received from -the minister, to the letter which inclosed mine to you. Yet you remain -silent. M. Bersolle has this moment informed me of the fate of my -bills; the more extraordinary as I have not yet made use of your -letter of credit of the 10th of January last, whereby I then seemed -entitled to call for half the amount of my last draft, and I did not -expect to be thought extravagant when, on the 16th current, I doubled -that demand. Could this indignity be kept secret I should disregard -it; and, though it is already public in Brest and in the fleet, as it -affects only my private credit I will not complain. I can not, -however, be silent when I find the public credit involved in the same -disgrace. I conceive this might have been prevented. To make me -completely wretched, Monsieur Bersolle has now told me that he now -stops his hand, not only of the necessary articles to refit the ship, -but also of the <i>daily provisions</i>. I know not where to find -to-morrow's dinner for the great number of mouths that depend on me -for food. Are then the Continental ships of war to depend on the sale -of their prizes for a daily dinner for their men? 'Publish it not in -Gath.'</p> - -<p class="normal">"My officers, as well as men, want clothes, and the prizes are -precluded from being sold before farther orders arrive from the -minister. I will ask you, gentlemen, if I have deserved all this. -Whoever calls himself an American ought to be protected here. I am -unwilling to think that you have intentionally involved me in this -dilemma, at a time when I ought to expect some enjoyment.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Therefore I have, as formerly, the honour to be, with due esteem and -respect, gentlemen, yours, etc."</p> - -<p class="normal"> -How he managed under such circumstances he relates in a journal which -he prepared in later years for submission to the King of France.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Yet during that time, by his [Jones'] personal credit with Comte -D'Orvilliers, the Duc de Chartres, and the Intendant of Brest, he fed -his people and prisoners, cured his wounded, and refitted both the -Ranger and the Drake for sea."</p> - -<p class="normal">He could, of course, have relieved himself of some of his burden by -turning over his prisoners to France, but, as that country was still -nominally neutral, the people he had captured would have been set -free at the demand of England. As long as he held possession of them -it was possible that the circumstance would force an exchange for -Americans--a thing the commissioners had been bent upon since their -arrival in Europe. The English Government had long since sanctioned -and carried out the exchange of soldiers, but for arbitrary and -inadequate reasons seamen stood upon a different footing apparently. -When Franklin previously wrote Lord Stormont, the British ambassador, -offering to exchange one hundred men captured by the Reprisal for an -equal number of American seamen held in English prisons, no answer was -made to his letter; a second letter brought forth the following curt -reply:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The king's ambassador receives no applications from rebels, unless -they come to implore his Majesty's mercy."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">To this insulting and inexplicable message the following apt and -dignified reply was made:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"In answer to a letter which concerns some of the material interests -of humanity, and of the two nations, Great Britain and the United -States of America, now at war, we received the inclosed indecent -paper, as coming from your lordship, which we return for your -lordship's more mature consideration."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Of course, the ostensible reason for refusing this exchange was that -the captured seamen were traitors, and as such had no belligerent -rights, yet how they differed from soldiers it is impossible to see. -Indeed, the English authorities went so far as to call them pirates, -and they could not have treated them worse--short of hanging them--if -they had actually merited the opprobrious title. The real reason, -however, lay in the hope that the Americans, having no place in France -in which to confine their prisoners, would be compelled to set them -free. This hope was frequently justified, and it was not until March, -1779, that the persistent determination of Franklin brought about a -complete general recognition of the principle of exchange for which he -had so valiantly contended, although he had been partially successful -on particular occasions before that time. Jones knew the situation -perfectly, and so with his usual grim determination he held on to his -precious prisoners.</p> - -<p class="normal">The prize agents were dilatory and incompetent. The seamen, lacking -food, clothes, salary, and prize money, were naturally mutinous and -discontented. But Jones repressed the crews, hurried up the sales, and -managed at last to weather all his troubles.</p> - -<p class="normal">The malcontent Simpson was a constant incentive to discord and mutiny, -and he was finally removed to a French guardship, called the Admiral, -where he was well treated and allowed the freedom of the deck. While -there, he behaved in such a contumacious manner that D'Orvilliers, the -French commander, sent him to the prison of the port. All his expenses -during this interval were paid by Jones himself; indeed, when he did -not pay personally, nobody did. There was nothing sordid or avaricious -in Jones' character. He was greedy for glory and fame and reputation, -but he cared nothing whatever for money. To dismiss a tiresome -subject, Jones, with extraordinary complaisance, finally accepted -Simpson's apologies and released him on his parole not to serve in the -navy until he had been regularly tried by a court-martial. He even -went further than this. He offered to relinquish the command of the -Ranger to him in order that he might take her back to the United -States and there take his trial.</p> - -<p class="normal">While these efforts were pending, the commissioners, misunderstanding -their tentative character, restored Simpson to the command of the -Ranger, unconditionally, much to Jones' disgust. He was quite willing -to relinquish the command of his little ship, because the King of -France had requested the commissioners to allow France to avail -herself of the services of Jones in a naval expedition which was -projected. But that such contumacy and lack of subordination as had -been exhibited by Simpson should go unpunished, and that he should -receive the absolute command of the ship as a reward for his action, -and should be allowed to return home without even an investigation, -was not only harmful to the service, but an apparent reflection upon -himself--though, of course, nothing was further from the -commissioners' thoughts, as they specifically declared. In the end -Jones acquiesced in the situation, and the matter was dropped. Simpson -was never employed in the service after he returned home.</p> - -<p class="normal">The famous action between the Arethusa and the Belle Poule, on June -17th, having made it clear to every observer that war between France -and England was inevitable, though the formal declaration was not -issued until the following September, the first enterprise which it -was desired Jones should undertake under the auspices of France was -proposed to him by Franklin as follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The Jersey privateers," he says, "do us a great deal of mischief by -intercepting our supplies. It has been mentioned to me that your small -vessel, commanded by so brave an officer, might render great service -by following them where greater ships dare not venture their bottoms; -or, being accompanied and supported by some frigates from Brest, at a -proper distance, might draw them out and then take them. I wish you to -consider of this, as it comes from <i>high authority</i>."</p> - -<p class="normal">It was not a particularly brilliant prospect; all the hard work and -dangerous labor was to be performed by Jones, and the glory was to be -reaped by the French frigates; but, with a noble disinterestedness in -his desire to serve his country, he at once expressed his perfect -willingness to co-operate. Before anything came of it, however, -Franklin offered him the command of the Indien, in the following -letter:</p> -<br> - -<p class="center">(Private.)</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Dear Sir</span>: I have the pleasure of informing you that it is proposed to -give you the command of the great ship we have built at Amsterdam. By -what you wrote to us formerly, I have ventured to say in your behalf, -that this proposition would be agreeable to you. You will immediately -let me know your resolution; which, that you may be more clear in -taking, I must inform you of some circumstances. She is at present the -property of the king; but, as there is no war yet declared, you will -have the commission and flag of the States, and act under their orders -and laws. The Prince de Nassau will make the cruise with you. She is -to be brought here under cover as a French merchantman, to be equipped -and manned in France. We hope to exchange your prisoners for as many -American sailors; but, if that fails, you have your present crew to be -made up here with other nations and French. The other commissioners -are not acquainted with this proposition as yet, and you see by the -nature of it that it is necessary to be kept a secret till we have got -the vessel here, for fear of difficulties in Holland, and -interception; you will therefore direct your answer to me alone. It -being desired that the affair rest between you and me, perhaps it may -be best for you to take a trip up here to concert matters, if in -general you approve the idea.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I was much pleased with reading your journal, which we received -yesterday."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">This is the first mention of the Prince of Nassau-Siegen, who will -appear prominently hereafter, and be described in his proper place. -Jones was naturally delighted with the flattering prospects, and at -once wrote to the prince, acquainting him of the pleasure he -anticipated in having him associated with him. A few days later -Franklin wrote Jones again as follows:</p> -<br> -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<span class="sc">Passy</span>, <i>June 10, 1778</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Dear Sir</span>: I received yours of 1st instant, with the papers inclosed, -which I have shown to the other commissioners, but have not yet had -their opinion of them; only I know that they had before (in -consideration of the disposition and uneasiness of your people) -expressed an inclination to order your ship directly back to America. -You will judge from what follows whether it will not be advisable for -you to propose their sending her back with her people, and under some -other command. In consequence of the high opinion the Minister of the -Marine has of your conduct and bravery, it is now settled (observe, -that it is to be a secret between us, I being expressly enjoined not -to communicate it to any other person), that you are to have the -frigate from Holland, which actually belongs to Government, and will -be furnished with as many good French seamen as you shall require. But -you are to act under Congress commission. As you may be likely to have -a number of Americans, and your own are homesick, it is proposed to -give you as many as you can engage out of two hundred prisoners, which -the ministry of Britain have at length agreed to give us in exchange -for those you have in your hands. They propose to make the exchange at -Calais, where they are to bring the Americans. Nothing is wanting to -this but a list of yours, containing their names and rank; immediately -on the receipt of which an equal number are to be prepared, and sent -in a ship to that port, where yours are to meet them.</p> - -<p class="normal">"If by this means you can get a good new crew, I think it would be -best that you are quite free of the old, for a mixture might introduce -the infection of that sickness you complain of. But this may be left -to your own discretion. Perhaps we shall join you with the Providence, -Captain Whipple, a new Continental ship of thirty guns, which, in -coming out of the river of Providence, gave the two frigates that were -posted to intercept her each of them so heavy a dose of her 18- and -12-pounders that they had not the courage or were not able to pursue -her. It seems to be desired that you will step up to Versailles (where -one will meet you), in order to such a settlement of matters and plans -with those who have the direction as can not well be done by letter. I -wish it may be convenient to you to do it immediately.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The project of giving you the command of this ship pleases me the -more as it is a probable opening to the higher preferment you so -justly merit."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">In obedience to this request Jones went privately to Versailles, where -he spent some time in consultation with the commissioners and the -French ministry discussing the exchange of prisoners, and proposed -several plans of attack by which his services could be utilized. These -plans well indicate the fertility of imagination, the resourceful -genius, and the daring hardihood of the man. One of them was for -making another descent upon Whitehaven, another was to attack the Bank -of Ayr and destroy or ransom that town; another was to burn the -shipping on the Clyde. Expeditions on the coast of Ireland were -suggested. London might be distressed, he thought, by cutting off the -supplies of coal from Newcastle; but the most feasible projects were -the capture or destruction of the West Indian or Baltic fleets of -merchantmen or the Hudson Bay ships.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Minister of Marine, M. de Sartine, lent an attentive ear to all of -the plans which were proposed, and Jones returned to Brest with high -hopes that he should be soon employed in an expedition to carry out -one or the other of these plans with adequate means to do it well. It -is quite likely that the minister was as earnest and honest in his -intentions as the king in his desire to make use of Jones, but the -formal declaration of war rendered it possible to prosecute the -enterprises which had been suggested by Jones, if it were thought -expedient to attempt them, under the French flag and with French -officers. As France had only intended to use him under the cover of -the American flag to harass England before war was declared, and as -that could now be done openly under her own flag, they did not see the -same necessity for his services as before.</p> - -<p class="normal">The matter of finding employment for him was further complicated by -the fact that since a state of actual war existed the ministry was -besieged with applications from numbers of French officers for -command, and the ships which had been proposed for Jones were -naturally appropriated to the French themselves. Even if a command -could have been found for the American, there would have been a -natural disinclination, so great as to be nearly prohibitive of -success, on the part of the French officers to serving under a -foreigner. Time brought him nothing but disappointment, and the high -hopes he had cherished gradually waned.</p> - -<p class="normal">Always a persistent and voluminous letter writer, in his desperation -he overwhelmed everybody with correspondence. Inaction was killing to -him. Not to be employed was like death itself to a man of his -intensely energetic temperament. His pride would not permit him to -return to the United States and seek a command when he had -specifically announced, in a letter to Congress by the returning -Ranger, that the King of France asked that he might make use of his -services, and therefore no command in America need be reserved for -him; and yet he now found himself a hanger on the outskirts of a court -and a ministry which had no further use for him.</p> - -<p class="normal">The delicate situation of the commissioners, who had been themselves -scarcely more than on sufferance, did not permit them, in the -interests of expediency and diplomacy, to insist as strongly as they -would have liked to do, that the king and the ministry should keep -their engagement with Jones, which was, of course, an engagement with -them and with the United States. Diplomacy and persuasion were the -only weapons at their command. They certainly made good use of them. -Franklin, pending something else, procured the minister's order that -Jones should be received on the great French fleet of D'Orvilliers, -which was about to put to sea to engage the English fleet under -Keppel. He was very desirous of availing himself of this invitation, -which he himself sought, for it would give him an opportunity he could -not otherwise hope to enjoy, of perfecting himself in naval tactics -and the fine art of maneuvering and governing a great fleet. He never -allowed anything to interfere--so far as he was able to prevent -it--with his advancement in professional study. The permission, -however, to D'Orvilliers' great regret, arrived too late, for the -fleet sailed without him. The French admiral seems to have appreciated -the American captain, and to have highly esteemed him. It is stated -that the delay in transmitting the permission was intentional, and was -due to the jealousy of the French naval service.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones was exasperated by all these happenings almost to the breaking -point. In one letter he says: "I think of going to L'Orient, being -heartily sick of Brest." I should think he would be! As days passed -without bringing him any nearer to the fruition of his hope, he became -more modest in his demands and propositions. One significant phrase -culled from one of his letters well indicates the bold, dashing -character of the man: "I do not wish to have command of any ship that -does not sail fast, <i>for I intend to go in harm's way</i>."<a name="div4Ref_07" href="#div4_07"><sup>[7]</sup></a> -In the -sentence which follows this statement, we get another touch of that -entire consciousness of his own ability and high quality which, though -warranted, it were better, perhaps, for his reputation if it were not -so evident in his writing: "I know, I believe, that this is no other -person's intention. Therefore, buy a frigate that sails fast and is -sufficiently large to carry twenty-six or twenty-eight guns on one -deck."</p> - -<p class="normal">His state of mind may well be understood from this citation: "I have, -to show my gratitude to France, lost so much time, and with it such -opportunities as I can not regain. I have almost killed myself with -grief."</p> - -<p class="normal">Chafing, fretting, writing letters, the time dragged on. At last he -addressed to the Minister of Marine, M. de Sartine, this emphatic -protest and statement which he calls, and justly, an explicit letter. -It is certainly sufficiently definite and clear, and shows that rank -and position did not deter him from a free and somewhat sarcastic -expression of his grievances and wrongs:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<span class="sc">Brest</span>, <i>September 13, 1778</i>.</p> -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Honoured Sir</span>: When his excellency Doctor Franklin informed me that -you had condescended to think me worthy of your notice, I took such -pleasure in reflecting on the happy alliance between France and -America that I was really flattered, and entertained the most grateful -sense of the honour which you proposed for me, as well as the favour -which the king proposed for America, by putting so fine a ship as the -Indien under my command, and under its flag, with unlimited orders.</p> - -<p class="normal">"In obedience to your desire, I came to Versailles, and was taught to -believe that my intended ship was in deep water, and ready for sea; -but when the Prince [de Nassau] returned I received from him a -different account; I was told that the Indien could not be got afloat -within a shorter period than three months at the approaching equinox.</p> - -<p class="normal">"To employ this interval usefully, I first offered to go from Brest -with Count D'Orvilliers as a volunteer, which you thought fit to -reject. I had then the satisfaction to find that you approved in -general of a variety of hints for private enterprises which I had -drawn up for your consideration, and I was flattered with assurances -from Messieurs de Chaumont and Baudouin that three of the finest -frigates in France, with two tenders and a number of troops, would be -immediately put under my command; and that I should have unlimited -orders, and be at free liberty to pursue such of my own projects as I -thought proper. But this plan fell to nothing in the moment when I was -taught to think that nothing was wanting but the king's signature.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Another much inferior armament from L'Orient was proposed to be put -under my command, which was by no means equal to the services that -were expected from it; for speed and force, though both requisite, -were both wanting. Happily for me, this also failed, and I was thereby -saved from a dreadful prospect of ruin and dishonour.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I had so entire a reliance that you would desire nothing of me -inconsistent with my honour and rank, that the moment you required me -to come down here, in order to proceed round to St. Malo, though I had -received no written orders, and neither knew your intention respecting -my destination or command, I obeyed with such haste, that although my -curiosity led me to look at the armament at L'Orient, yet I was but -three days from Passy till I reached Brest. Here, too, I drew a blank; -but when I saw the Lively it was no disappointment, as that ship, both -in sailing and equipment, is far inferior to the Ranger.</p> - -<p class="normal">"My only disappointment here was my being precluded from embarking in -pursuit of marine knowledge with Count D'Orvilliers, who did not sail -till seven days after my return. He is my friend, and expressed his -wishes for my company; I accompanied him out of the road when the -fleet sailed, and he always lamented that neither himself nor any -person in authority in Brest had received from you any order that -mentioned my name. I am astonished therefore to be informed that you -attribute my not being in the fleet to my stay at L'Orient.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am not a mere adventurer of fortune. Stimulated by principles of -reason and philanthropy, I laid aside my enjoyments in private life, -and embarked under the flag of America when it was first displayed. In -that line my desire of fame is infinite, and I must not now so far -forget my own honour, and what I owe to my friends and America, as to -remain inactive.</p> - -<p class="normal">"My rank knows no superior in the American marine. I have long since -been appointed to command an expedition with five of its ships, and I -can receive orders from no junior or inferior officer whatever.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have been here in the most tormenting suspense for more than a -month since my return; and, agreeable to your desire, as mentioned to -me by Monsieur Chaumont, a lieutenant has been appointed, and is with -me, who speaks the French as well as the English. Circular letters -have been written, and sent the 8th of last month from the English -admiralty, because they expected me to pay another visit with four -ships. Therefore I trust that, if the Indien is not to be got out, you -will not, at the approaching season, substitute a force that is not at -least equal both in strength and sailing to any of the enemy's -cruising ships.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I do not wish to interfere with the harmony of the French marine; -but, if I am still thought worthy of your attention, I shall hope for -a separate command, with liberal orders. If, on the contrary, you -should now have no further occasion for my services, the only favour I -can ask is that you will bestow on me the Alert, with a few seamen, -and permit me to return, and carry with me your good opinion in that -small vessel, before the winter, to America."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">His intense, burning desire for action, however, did not permit him to -degrade, as he thought, his Government and station by accepting the -command of a privateer which was tendered to him. In the command of a -speedy, smart privateer there is no limit to the plundering he might -have done and the treasure he might have gained, if that had been what -he wished. Many naval officers before and since his time have done -this and thought it not derogatory to their dignity. It is therefore -to Jones' credit that he was very jealous in this and many other -instances on the point of honor of serving in no ship, under no flag, -and with no commission save that of the United States. We shall see -this spirit again and again. The citizen of the world was beginning to -feel that the world as his country was hardly adequate to his needs; -in theory it was a very pretty proposition, but in practice it was -necessary to form and maintain a more definite and particular -relationship. As a final effort to better his condition and secure -that opportunity for which he thirsted, he prepared the following -letter to the king:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<span class="sc">Brest</span>, <i>October 19, 1778</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Sire</span>: After my return to Brest in the American ship of war the -Ranger, from the Irish Channel, his excellency Doctor Franklin -informed me by letter, dated June the 1st, that M. de Sartine, having -a high opinion of my conduct and bravery, had determined, with your -Majesty's consent and approbation, to give me the command of the ship -of war the Indien, which was built at Amsterdam for America, but -afterward, for political reasons, made the property of France.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I was to act with unlimited orders under the commission and flag of -America; and the Prince de Nassau proposed to accompany me on the -ocean.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I was deeply penetrated with the sense of the honour done me by this -generous proposition, as well as of the favour your Majesty intended -thereby to confer on America. And I accepted the offer with the -greater pleasure as the Congress had sent me to Europe in the Ranger -to command the Indien before the ownership of that vessel was changed.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The minister desired to see me at Versailles to settle future plans -of operation, and I attended him for that purpose. I was told that the -Indien was at the Texel completely armed and fitted for sea; but the -Prince de Nassau was sent express to Holland, and returned with a very -different account. The ship was at Amsterdam, and could not be got -afloat or armed before the September equinox. The American -plenipotentiaries proposed that I should return to America; and, as I -have repeatedly been appointed to the chief command of an American -squadron to execute secret enterprises, it was not doubted but that -Congress would again show me a preference. M. de Sartine, however, -thought proper to prevent my departure, by writing to the -plenipotentiaries (without my knowledge), requesting that I might be -permitted to remain in Europe, and that the Ranger might be sent back -to America under another commander, he having special services which -he wished me to execute. This request they readily granted, and I was -flattered by the prospect of being enabled to testify, by my services, -my gratitude to your Majesty, as the first prince who has so -generously acknowledged our independence.</p> - -<p class="normal">"There was an interval of more than three months before the Indien -could be gotten afloat. To employ that period usefully, when your -Majesty's fleet was ordered to sail from Brest, I proposed to the -minister to embark in it as a volunteer, in pursuit of marine -knowledge. He objected to this, at the same time approved of a variety -of hints for private enterprises, which I had drawn up for his -consideration. Two gentlemen were appointed to settle with me the -plans that were to be adopted, who gave me the assurance that three of -the best frigates in France, with two tenders, and a number of troops, -should be immediately put under my command, to pursue such of my own -projects as I thought proper; but this fell to nothing, when I -believed that your Majesty's signature only was wanting.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Another armament, composed of cutters and small vessels, at L'Orient, -was proposed to be put under my command, to alarm the coasts of -England and check the Jersey privateers; but happily for me this also -failed, and I was saved from ruin and dishonour, as I now find that -all the vessels sailed slow, and their united force is very -insignificant. The minister then thought fit that I should return to -Brest to command the Lively, and join some frigates on an expedition -from St. Malo to the North Sea. I returned in haste for that purpose, -and found that the Lively had been bestowed at Brest before the -minister had mentioned that ship to me at Versailles. This was, -however, another fortunate disappointment, as the Lively proves, both -in sailing and equipment, much inferior to the Ranger; but, more -especially, if it be true, as I have since understood, that the -minister intended to give the chief command of an expedition to a -lieutenant, which would have occasioned a very disagreeable -misunderstanding; for, as an officer of the first rank in the American -marine, who has ever been honoured with the favour and friendship of -Congress, I can receive orders from no inferior officer whatever. My -plan was the destruction of the English Baltic fleet, of great -consequence to the enemy's marine, and then only protected by a single -frigate. I would have held myself responsible for its success had I -commanded the expedition.</p> - -<p class="normal">"M. de Sartine afterward sent orders to Count D'Orvilliers to receive -me on board the fleet agreeably to my former proposal; but the order -did not arrive until after the departure of the fleet the last time -from Brest, nor was I made acquainted with the circumstance before the -fleet returned here.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Thus have I been chained down to shameful inactivity for nearly five -months. I have lost the best season of the year, and such -opportunities of serving my country and acquiring honour as I can not -again expect this war; and, to my infinite mortification, having no -command, I am considered everywhere an officer cast off and in -disgrace for secret reasons.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have written respectful letters to the minister, none of which he -has condescended to answer; I have written to the Prince de Nassau -with as little effect; and I do not understand that any apology has -been made to the great and venerable Dr. Franklin, whom the minister -has made the instrument of bringing me into such unmerited trouble.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Having written to Congress to reserve no command for me in America, -my sensibility is the more affected by this unworthy situation in the -sight of your Majesty's fleet. I, however, make no remark on the -treatment I have received.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Although I wish not to become my own panegyrist, I must beg your -Majesty's permission to observe that I am not an adventurer in search -of fortune, of which, thank God, I have a sufficiency.</p> - -<p class="normal">"When the American banner was first displayed I drew my sword in -support of the violated dignity and rights of human nature; and both -honour and duty prompt me steadfastly to continue the righteous -pursuit, and to sacrifice to it not only my own private enjoyments, -but even life, if necessary. I must acknowledge that the generous -praise which I have received from Congress and others exceeds the -merit of my past services, therefore I the more ardently wish for -future opportunities of testifying my gratitude by my activity.</p> - -<p class="normal">"As your Majesty, by espousing the cause of America, hath become the -protector of the rights of human nature, I am persuaded that you will -not disregard my situation, nor suffer me to remain any longer in this -unsupportable disgrace.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I am, with perfect gratitude and profound respect, Sire, your -Majesty's very obliged, very obedient, and very humble servant,</p> - -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<span class="sc">J. Paul Jones</span>."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">This letter, at once dignified, forceful, respectful, and modest, was -inclosed to Dr. Franklin with the request that it should be delivered -to the king. The deference paid to Franklin's opinion, the eager -desire to please him, the respect in which he held him, is not the -least pleasing feature of Jones' character, by the way. The letter in -question was withheld by Franklin with Jones' knowledge and -acquiescence, and the king, it is probable, never saw it. There was, -in fact, no necessity for its delivery, for the appeals, prayers, and -importunities had at last evoked a response. The minister, worn out by -the persistence of Jones, determined, since none of the French naval -vessels were available, to buy him a ship and assemble a squadron and -send him forth.</p> - -<p class="normal">The inquiry naturally arises why the French Government should care to -go to the trouble and expense of doing this. Before the war was -declared their action was understandable, but afterward the then -operating cause disappeared. Yet there was another reason aside from -the fact that M. de Sartine was willing to keep his promise if he -could, and that was this:</p> - -<p class="normal">It was not the custom to harry, plunder, and ravage the seacoasts in -the wars between France and England. Military or naval forces were the -sole objects of attack, and by a specific though unwritten law of -custom, the efforts of the rival combatants were confined to ships of -war, fortifications, and armies, and, of course, to merchant vessels -belonging to the enemy. The peaceful seashore towns were generally let -alone unless the inhabitants in exposed localities provoked -retaliation by aggression--a thing they usually took good care not to -do. To introduce the practice would be unfortunate and nothing would -be gained, by France especially. The King of France, however, was more -than willing to have the coasts of his neighbor ravaged, if no -retaliation on his own unprotected shores were provoked thereby. No -convention of any sort, expressed or understood, existed between Great -Britain and the United States which would prevent such action on the -part of the Americans. Great Britain was making a bloody ravaging -warfare on the coasts of North America, and, never dreaming of -reprisal, paid no attention whatever to this law of war, save when it -suited her to do so, on our seaboard. Franklin and the commissioners -wisely realized that the only way to stop this merciless and brutal -burning and plundering was to let the enemy experience the thing -himself. They were therefore in entire accord with the desire of the -French king. To produce the result he would furnish the squadron, they -the flag. It was a charming arrangement from the king's point of view. -Consequently the reason for the encouragement given Jones is apparent, -and the determination of the minister is therefore explained and -understood.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones received word early in November through the commissioners, with -a solemn assurance from De Sartine, that a suitable ship would be -purchased for him at the expense of France and a squadron assembled -under his supreme command. Let those who would reproach Jones for his -part in this plan remember that (as in his previous cruise) he only -carried out the orders of Franklin. There was no sentimental nonsense -about the old Quaker. He knew what was the best remedy for the -deplorable conditions in America, and he grimly prepared to apply it. -He had no illusions in the premises at all; it was a pure matter of -business, and with sound policy he so treated it. Jones' appeals, be -it understood, were only for a ship or ships and an opportunity to get -into action with the enemy. His orders were outside of his control. -All he had to do as a naval officer was to carry them out to the best -of his ability when he received them. Therefore a censure of Jones is -a censure of Franklin.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was first designed to employ Jones and his proposed squadron for a -descent upon Liverpool, for which purpose five hundred men from -Fitzmaurice's Irish regiment were to be taken on the ships. Pending -the assembling of the squadron, and while Jones was busily engaged in -seeking for a proper vessel for himself in various French ports, -Lafayette arrived from America, and sought the command of the land -forces of the proposed expedition. His desire was a notable tribute to -the sailor, by the way. The change was most agreeable to Jones, to -whom, of course, the reputation and abilities of Lafayette were well -known, and who would naturally prefer association with such a -distinguished man in the undertaking, but, as usual, there were delays -on the part of the minister.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones traveled about from port to port, looking at different ships -which it was proposed to purchase for him. The minister offered him -the Duc de Broglie, a large new ship lying at Nantes, capable of -mounting sixty-four guns. He inspected her, and would have taken her -gladly, but he felt utterly unable properly to man such a large ship, -and he was reluctantly compelled to dismiss her from consideration. -There was also at Nantes a smaller ship, the Ariel, of twenty guns, -which had been captured from the English, which he was willing to -accept if nothing better turned up. Another vessel that he looked at -was a great old-fashioned merchant ship, lying dismantled at L'Orient, -which had been some fourteen years in the India trade, and was very -much out of repair. She was called the Duc de Duras. Jones thought she -might do in default of anything else, and he so informed the minister.</p> - -<p class="normal">However, in spite of the promises that had been made and reiterated to -him, and the determination which had been arrived at, nothing was -done. His visits of inspection were fruitless, his propositions were -disregarded as before. Furthermore, the plan to send Lafayette with -him fell through because France was at that time projecting a grand -descent in force upon England, and Lafayette was designated to command -a regiment in the proposed undertaking. Like other similar projects, -the plan was never put in operation. Though France did enter the -Channel with sixty-six French and Spanish ships of the line, she did -not accomplish as much with this great armada as Paul Jones did with -the little squadron he finally was enabled to assemble.</p> - -<p class="normal">Meanwhile he was at his wits' end. The year had nearly passed and -nothing had been done. He had been put off with promises until he was -desperate. Chance, it is stated, threw in his way one day, as he sat -idle at Nantes, gloomily ruminating on the prospect, or lack of it, -and almost making up his mind to go back to the United States in the -first vessel that offered and seek such opportunity for service as -might arise there, a copy of Franklin's famous book of maxims, called -Poor Richard's Almanac. As the harassed little captain sat listlessly -turning its pages, his eyes fell upon this significant aphorism:</p> - -<p class="normal">"If a man wishes to have any business faithfully and expeditiously -performed, let him go on it himself; otherwise he may send."</p> - -<p class="normal">The truth of the saying inspired him to one final effort before he -abandoned European waters. He went to Versailles in November, 1778, -for one last visit, and there settled the matter. His determination -and persistence at last, as it had many times before, brought him -success. De Sartine directed the purchase of the Duras, which Jones, -from his love for Franklin and the circumstance just related, with the -consent of the minister, renamed the Bon Homme Richard, that being the -French equivalent for Poor Richard, or Good Man Richard, which was the -caption of the almanac.</p> - -<p class="normal">De Sartine appointed as the agent and commissary of the king for the -purchase and refitting of the Duras and the other vessels of the -squadron, and for the disposal of any prizes which might be taken, in -short, as his representative with entire liberty of action, Monsieur -le Ray de Chaumont. This gentleman, belonging, of course, to the -nobility of the country, was a man of considerable influence at the -court, where he had held the responsible dual position of Grand Master -of the Forests and Waters of the King. Since the arrival of the -American commissioners he had shown his devotion to the cause of -liberty and to them personally by many and conspicuous acts of -kindness.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was his private residence at Passy that Franklin made his -headquarters during his long tenure of office. De Chaumont had offered -him the use of this house, and with generous and splendid hospitality -had refused to accept of any remuneration by way of rental. Realizing -the pressing necessity of the struggling colonists for every dollar -they could scrape together, he positively declined to impair their -limited resources by any charge whatsoever. Franklin endeavored to -change his decision, and when John Adams replaced Deane he made the -same effort, but the generous Frenchman refused to recede from his -determination. He also placed his private purse at the disposal of -Franklin, and in every way showed himself a worthy and disinterested -friend of America.</p> - -<p class="normal">He was one of those romantic Frenchmen who espoused the cause of the -rights of man under the influence of the new philosophy of Rousseau -and Voltaire; somewhat, it would seem, from motives similar to those -proclaimed by Jones himself. He had nothing to gain by his action and -much to lose should the effort of the colonists result in failure. He -was a man of affairs and possessed an ample fortune. To anticipate -events, it may be stated that he spent it all in the cause to which he -had devoted himself, and eventually became bankrupt. He was not a -military man; still less was he aware of the exigencies and demands of -the naval service. For the present, however, he did his work -efficiently and well.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Duras was purchased immediately, as were two other merchant -vessels, the Pallas and the Vengeance, all at the cost of the -royal treasury. To these were added the Cerf, a king's cutter, a -well-appointed and efficient vessel, and the United States ship -Alliance, a new and very handsome frigate built at Salisbury, -Massachusetts, in 1778, which had arrived in Europe with Lafayette as -a passenger. Jones had specifically asked that the American frigate -should be assigned to his squadron--a most unfortunate request, as it -afterward turned out.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Duras was an East Indiaman of obsolete type; a large, -old-fashioned ship with a very high poop and topgallant forecastle. -She had made, during many years of service, a number of round voyages -to the East Indies. While stoutly built for a merchant ship, as -compared to a man-of-war of her size she was of light and -unsubstantial frame. In the absence of particular information I -suppose her to have been of something under eight hundred tons burden. -Neglect had allowed her to fall into such a bad condition that her -efficiency as a proposed war vessel was further impaired by her -inability to stand the necessary repairs.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones, however, surveyed her and determined to make her do. Indeed, -there was no choice; it was that or nothing. He hoped to effect -something with her which would warrant him in demanding a better ship; -so, with a sigh of regret for the Indien, he set to work upon her, -doing his best to make her efficient. By his orders she was pierced -for twenty-eight guns on her main deck and six on the poop and -forecastle. In order to further increase her force, Jones, after much -deliberation, resorted to the hazardous experiment of cutting six -ports in the gun room, on the deck below the gun deck, close to the -water line; so close, in fact, that, with anything like a sea on, to -open the ports would be to invite destruction by foundering.<a name="div4Ref_08" href="#div4_08"><sup>[8]</sup></a> -Only -under exceptionally favorable circumstances, therefore, could these -guns be used. At best the gun-room battery could only be fought in the -calmest weather and smoothest water. In this dangerous place he -mounted six old and condemned 18-pounders, which were all that he -could obtain from the French arsenals. On the main deck fourteen -12-pounders and fourteen 9-pounders were mounted.<a name="div4Ref_09" href="#div4_09"><sup>[9]</sup></a> -Two 9-pounders -were placed aft on the quarter-deck, two in each gangway, and two on -the forecastle. All the guns were old and worn out; many of them had -been condemned by the French Government as unfit for use. The six guns -on the lower deck were mounted three on a side, but a sufficient -number of ports had been cut to admit of shifting the guns and working -the whole battery on either side. New guns had been ordered cast for -the Richard at the French gun foundries; but the usual delays -compelled Jones to take what he could, and finally sail with these old -makeshifts. The guns intended for the Bon Homme Richard arrived after -she had gone.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Alliance was a frigate-built ship of thirty-two guns, 9- and -6-pounders, manned by two hundred and fifty men, and commanded by -Pierre Landais. Landais was an ex-officer of the French navy, who had -been dismissed for insubordination and incapacity. Ignorant of these -facts, knowing only that he had been a navy officer, and wishing to -please their royal ally, and perhaps pay a delicate compliment also to -Lafayette, who was a passenger upon the ship on her first cruise, the -marine commissioners had appointed him to the command of this fine and -handsome little frigate. The Alliance was one of the fastest ships of -her day; indeed, she may be regarded as the precursor of that long -line of splendid frigates and sloops of war which have been the pride -of American shipbuilders and the admiration of foreign navies. -Properly re-armed and refitted, under the command of stout old John -Barry she did splendid service on several occasions later in the war. -Her swiftness and mobility, it was believed, would add greatly to the -usefulness of Jones' squadron.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Pallas was a fairly efficient merchant ship, frigate built, -carrying thirty 6-pounders, commanded by Captain de Cottineau de -Kloguene. The Vengeance was a twelve-gun brig of little force, and the -Cerf a sixteen-gun cutter, under the command of Captains Ricot and de -Varage respectively.</p> - -<p class="normal">After many difficulties and disheartening delays, chiefly overcome by -Jones' invincible determination and persistence, the squadron was at -last made ready for use. The first duty assigned to the daring -commodore was a cruise for the driving of the enemy's ships out of the -Bay of Biscay, and convoying merchant ships bound from port to port -along the coast. It was not a particularly congenial duty, but he -entered upon it zealously and without complaint.</p> - -<p class="normal">The squadron sailed on the 19th of June, 1779. During the night of the -20th the Alliance ran foul of the Richard, and as a result of the -collision the mizzenmast of the Alliance was carried away, while the -Richard lost her head, cutwater, jib boom, etc. The blame for the -accident mainly rested on Landais, who, it was afterward developed, -had behaved disgracefully on this occasion, showing such a lack of -presence of mind and seamanly aptitude, coupled with such timidity and -shrinking from duty, that, when the accident occurred, he not only -gave no orders, but basely ran below to load his pistols, leaving the -ship to be extricated from her critical situation by the junior -officers. Perhaps he was afraid that the infuriated Jones would attack -him for the mishandling of his ship. Jones, who had been below when -the accident occurred, immediately assumed charge of the Richard, and -by prompt action averted a more serious disaster. To do Landais -justice, however, the officer of the watch on the Richard also must -have been culpable, for he was subsequently court-martialed and broken -for his lack of conduct on this occasion.</p> - -<p class="normal">Refusing to return to port, and patching up the two ships as well as -possible from their present resources, Jones performed the duties -assigned to him, driving the enemy's ships out of those waters and -safely delivering his convoy. On the return voyage, Captain de Varage, -of the Cerf, had a spirited encounter with a heavily armed privateer -of greater force than his own, which lasted for an hour and ten -minutes and resulted in the privateer striking her flag. Before he -could take possession, however, other ships of the enemy appeared, and -he was forced to abandon his prize. The Richard chased several sail, -two of which were thought to be frigates, and the officers and men -manifested every disposition to get into action; but the ships sighted -were all able to run away from the cumbrous and slow-sailing American -ship.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the last day of June the squadron put into L'Orient again to repair -damages. During the cruise it is interesting to note that Jones -dispatched thirty pounds, in the shape of a draft, through a friend in -Dublin, to Scotland for the use of his family. He frequently made them -remittances from his scanty supplies of money, and, in fact, he never -forgot them, however busy with great undertakings he may have been.</p> - -<p class="normal">Instructions were received at L'Orient from Franklin intended to -govern the future movements of the squadron. They had, of course, been -prepared after consultation with De Sartine. Jones was directed to -cruise off the west coast of Ireland to intercept the West Indian -ships and then to proceed to the northward, passing the Orkneys, and -range down the coast of Scotland and endeavor to capture the Baltic -fleet--which, by the way, had been one of his original projects. After -carrying out these orders he was instructed to proceed to the Texel -about August 15th, where he would find further directions awaiting -him. Prizes were to be sent to Dunkirk or Ostend in France, or Bergen -in Norway, consigned to such agents as De Chaumont should designate.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones was very much disappointed, naturally, with the Richard, and in -acknowledging the receipt of these instructions he made a last effort -to get the Indien. It was intimated that such might be the result of -his cruise when he arrived at the Texel, if it were successful, but -that no change could be made in his orders at present. Franklin -refused to attempt to have them modified by consulting with the -ministry, and, in a way gentle but sufficiently decided, he directed -Jones to finish repairing the ships with all speed and proceed to -carry out the orders he had received. The commodore, swallowing his -disappointment and dissatisfaction with a rather ill grace, it must be -confessed, hastened to get his ships in shape for the proposed -expedition.</p> - -<p class="normal">During the cruise in the Bay of Biscay a mutinous spirit had broken -out among the English seamen, with whom in part Jones had been forced -to man his ship in default of other men, which had become sufficiently -developed to result in an organized conspiracy to take the Richard. -The plot was discovered and the ringleaders were put in irons. When -the Richard arrived at L'Orient, these men, two quartermasters, were -court-martialed; but, instead of being sentenced to death, as they -deserved, they were severely flogged with the cat-o'-nine-tails. -Jones, who, if he erred, leaned to the side of mercy, seems to have -been greatly relieved at this termination of the affair. At this time -the lieutenant of the Richard, who had been in charge of the watch -during the collision, was also court-martialed and dismissed the -service.</p> - -<p class="normal">These several unfortunate happenings had given De Sartine a very low -idea of the efficiency and value of the Bon Homme Richard and the -squadron, which galled Jones extremely. Indeed, I imagine De Sartine -looked upon Jones in the light of a nuisance more than anything else. -The repairs progressed very slowly, and it was not until August that -the ships were ready to proceed. Meanwhile an event of the greatest -importance had occurred in the arrival of a cartel at Nantes with one -hundred and nineteen exchanged American prisoners. Many of them -entered on the Richard, and Jones was thus enabled to weed out a large -proportion of the mutinous and disorderly element in his crew. The -fine qualities of some of these new recruits enabled him to replace -many of his petty officers--invaluable adjuncts to an efficient -crew--with experienced seamen who could be depended upon, not merely -as sailors, but as men who, fresh from the horrors and brutalities of -English prisons, were more than ready to fight against the red flag -wherever it was planted. They leavened the whole mass.</p> - -<p class="normal">The re-enforcement was of the greatest value; but Jones' good fortune -did not end here, for before he sailed again he was joined by a young -American naval officer of the highest capacity and courage, named -Richard Dale, who had been captured in the Lexington and held a -prisoner in England. He had effected a most daring and romantic escape -from the Mill Prison by the assistance of an unknown woman, whose name -and the circumstances of their acquaintance remained a mystery; Dale -absolutely refused to divulge them to the day of his death.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones found in him a congenial spirit and an able subordinate. He -promptly appointed him first lieutenant of the Richard, and between -the two men there speedily developed a friendship as lasting as it was -unaffected and disinterested. Next to Jones himself, in the early -records, stands the name of this young man, then scarcely twenty-three -years of age. Aside from the great commodore, it was he who -contributed more to the subsequent success of the Richard than any -other man. At the request of De Sartine, Jones also received on the -Richard a battalion of royal marines, who were all French of course, -and who had been augmented until they numbered one hundred and -thirty-seven officers and men, under Lieutenant-Colonel de Chamillard -de Warville. It was supposed by the minister that they could at least -keep order on the ship! The time limited to the expiration of the -cruise was extended to the end of the month of September.</p> - -<p class="normal">The total complement of the Richard, therefore, according to Jones' -statement, was about three hundred and eighty officers, men, and boys, -including the one hundred and thirty-seven marines. A roll of officers -and men is given by Sherburne in his Life of Jones.</p> - -<p class="normal">On this list, which purports to contain the names of those who were on -board on the date of the battle with the Serapis, are enumerated the -names of but two hundred and twenty-seven officers and men. It omits -the name of de Chamillard and another colonel of infantry, de Weibert, -who were actually on board, and gives no names of the French marines. -Adding the two hundred and twenty-seven to the one hundred and -thirty-seven, we get three hundred and sixty-four, which is as near as -we can come to Jones' figures. There may have been others whose names -were added later on, but at any rate it is safe to take Jones' -statement as practically correct.</p> - -<p class="normal">Assuming that the known factors fairly represented the whole crew, we -find that among the officers twenty-four were Americans, two were -Frenchmen, and six British, including Jones and two surgeon's mates. -Among the seamen fifty-five were American born, sixteen Irish, -sixty-one British, twenty-eight Portuguese, twenty who are not -described, of whom seven were probably Portuguese, and fifteen of -other nationalities, including, according to Cooper, some -Malays--possibly Filipinos learning thus early to fight for freedom -under, not against, the Stars and Stripes! Thus, scarcely more than -one fifth of the complement were native Americans. The marines, of -course, were efficiently organized and commanded, and were of the -usual character of the men in the French service. The rest of the -crew, with the exception of the Americans, who were filling the posts -of petty officers, were a hard-bitten, reckless crowd of adventurers, -mercenaries, bravos, and what not, whom only a man like Jones could -control and successfully direct. Under his iron hand they developed -into as ready a crew as ever fought a ship, and in our estimation of -his subsequent success the fact must not be lost sight of that he made -out of such a motley assemblage so efficient an organization. The -officers were fairly capable, though none of them reached the standard -of Dale, and at least one of them left the cruise with a serious cloud -upon his reputation.</p> - -<p class="normal">Perhaps two thirds of the crew of the Alliance were English seamen who -had been recruited from the men of the line of battle ship Somerset, -which had been wrecked in America, and a large number of her crew -captured. They enlisted on the Alliance in the hope of capturing her -and making their escape, thus avoiding a sojourn in American prisons. -On the way to France, owing to the presence of these men on the ship, -a conspiracy had developed, the successful termination of which was -only prevented by the resolution and courage of Lafayette and the -passengers with the regular officers of the ship. There were but a -small number of Americans on the Alliance, owing to the fact that she -was commanded by a Frenchman, under whom Americans generally refused -to sail. The officers, with few exceptions, were poor in quality. Her -crew had been somewhat improved before the squadron sailed, by the -enlistment of some of the prisoners from the cartel, but it was still -far from being an efficient body of men, and under such a captain as -Landais there was no hope of it ever becoming so.</p> - -<p class="normal">The officers and crew of the Pallas, Vengeance, and Cerf were French -<i>in toto</i>, the officers all holding French commissions. The squadron -was entirely at the charges of the French Government, although each of -the officers sailed with a supplementary American commission issued by -Franklin and his <i>confrères</i>, and all the vessels were under the -American flag.</p> - -<p class="normal">De Chaumont had been indefatigable in fitting out the ships as best he -could, and personally he had done everything in his power to further -the success of the enterprise. If his labors had ceased there, the -results would have been better; but, probably under the direction of -the minister, and influenced by the natural reluctance of the French -officers and men to serve under the command of an officer of another -country, de Chaumont prepared a concordat, which he suppressed until -just before the time of sailing, when it was exhibited to Jones and -the other captains and their signatures demanded. By the terms of this -singular document the officers and men and the several vessels of the -squadron, instead of being under the absolute charge of Jones himself, -as is the case with every properly organized expedition, were formed -into a species of alliance offensive and defensive; and while, of -course, the headship was necessarily under Jones while he lived, he -was so hampered and restricted by the various articles of the -agreement as to feel himself scarcely more than first among his -equals. He was left with full responsibility for success, but so shorn -of power and ability to compel obedience to his orders as to render it -necessary for him to resort to persuasion to effect his end. Any -ordinary commander would have withdrawn at the last moment, but Jones -was determined upon effecting something; so, with great reluctance and -unavailing protests, he signed the concordat, and the ill-assorted -squadron proceeded on its way.<a name="div4Ref_10" href="#div4_10"><sup>[10]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">Surely never before was such an expedition for warlike purposes put -forth upon the narrow seas! It is difficult to see what result any -sane man could have legitimately expected from it. That it -accomplished anything was due to Jones himself--commodore by virtue of -a paper agreement, just as binding and effective as any of the several -signers wished it to be! The world had long known him as a man -remarkable for audacity in conception, boldness in planning, hardihood -in carrying out, and downright courage in the supreme moment. As a -seaman and a fighter he had few equals and no masters. But the cruise -developed that he possessed other qualities of leadership which are -sometimes lost sight of in this brilliant galaxy, qualities which his -previous experience had not led us to expect him to exhibit. He was -shown to be considerate, tactful, forbearing, persuasive, holding -himself under strong restraint. Naturally of a passionate, impetuous, -uncontrollable nature, that he exhibited these qualities speaks well -for the man. He had learned to control his feelings in the bitter -school of procrastination, evasion, and disappointment of the past -year.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER IX.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_09" href="#div1Ref_09">THE CRUISE OF THE SQUADRON.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">All things being as ready as it was possible to make them, on the 14th -of August, 1779, amid the booming of cannon and the waving of flags, -the expedition set sail. Very pretty it must have looked, dropping -down the roads, as sail after sail was set on the broad yardarms -extending above the little commander on the poop deck of the Indiaman, -resolutely putting his difficulties and trials behind him, and glad to -be at last at sea and headed for the enemy. And yet he might well have -borne a heavy heart! Only a man of Jones' caliber could have faced the -possibilities with a particle of equanimity. By any rule of chance or -on any ground of probability the expedition was doomed to failure, -capture, or destruction. But the personality of Jones, his serene and -soon-to-be-justified confidence in himself, discounted chance and -overthrew probability. I have noticed it is ever the man with the -fewest resources and poorest backing who accomplishes most in the -world's battles. The man who has things made easy for him usually -"takes it easy," and accomplishes the easy thing or nothing.</p> - -<p class="normal">The squadron was accompanied by two heavily armed privateers, the -Monsieur and the Granvelle, raising the number of vessels to seven. -The masters of the privateers did not sign the concordat, but they -entered into voluntary association with the others and agreed to abide -by the orders of Jones--an agreement they broke without hesitation in -the face of the first prize, which was captured on the 18th of August. -The prize was a full-rigged ship, called the Verwagting, mounting -fourteen guns and loaded with brandy. The vessel, a Dutch ship, had -been captured by the English, and was therefore a lawful prize to the -squadron. The captain of the Monsieur, which was the boarding vessel, -plundered the prize of several valuable articles for his own benefit, -manned her, and attempted to dispatch her to Ostend. Jones, however, -overhauled her, replaced the prize crew by some of his own men, and -sent her in under his own orders. The Monsieur and her offended -captain thereupon promptly deserted the squadron in the night.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 21st, off the southwest coast of Ireland, they captured a brig, -the Mayflower, loaded with butter, which was also manned and sent in. -On the 23d they rounded Cape Clear, the extreme southwestern point of -Ireland. The day being calm, Jones manned his boats and sent them -inshore to capture a brigantine. The ship, not having steerage way, -began to drift in toward the dangerous shore after the departure of -the boats, and it became necessary to haul her head offshore, for -which purpose the captain's barge was sent ahead with a towline. As -the shades of evening descended, the crew of the barge, who were -apparently English, took advantage of the absence of the other boats -and the opportunity presented, to cut the towline and desert. As they -made for the shore, Mr. Cutting Lunt, third lieutenant, with four -marines, jumped into a small boat remaining, and chased the fugitives -without orders; but, pursuing them too far from the ship, a fog came -down which caused him to lose his bearings, and prevented him from -joining the Richard that night.</p> - -<p class="normal">The crew of a commodore's barge, like the crew of a captain's gig, is -usually made up of picked men, and the character of the Richard's crew -is well indicated by this desertion. The other boats luckily managed -to rejoin the Richard, after succeeding in cutting out the brigantine. -The ships beat to and fro off the coast until the next day, when the -captains assembled on the Richard. Landais behaved outrageously on -this occasion. He reproached Jones in the most abusive manner, as if -the desertion of the barge and the loss of the two boats was due to -negligence on his part. One can imagine with what grim silence the -irate little American listened to the absurd tirade, and in what -strong control he held himself to keep from arresting Landais where he -stood. It gives us a vivid picture of the situation of the fleet to -find that Jones was actually compelled to consult with his captains -and obtain the consent of de Varage before he could order the Cerf to -reconnoiter the coast, if possible to find the two boats and their -crews.</p> - -<p class="normal">Thus, as Commodore Mackenzie, himself a naval officer, grimly remarks:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Before giving orders of indispensable necessity, as a superior -officer, we find him taking the advice of one captain and obtaining -the consent and approbation of another."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">But we may be sure that it was only dire necessity that required such -a course of action. Evidently the situation was not to the liking of -the commodore, but it was one that he could not remedy.</p> - -<p class="normal">As the Cerf approached the shore to reconnoiter, she hoisted the -English colors to disguise her nationality, and was seen by Mr. Lunt, -who had evidently overtaken the deserters. Mistaking her character, he -pulled in toward the shore to escape the fancied danger, and was -easily captured by the English with the two boats and their crews. By -this unfortunate mishap the Richard lost two of her boats, containing -an officer and twenty-two men. The Cerf, losing sight of the squadron -in the evening, turned tail and went back to France, instead of -proceeding to the first of the various rendezvous which had been -agreed upon. The Granvelle, having made a prize on her own account, -took advantage of her entirely independent position and the fact that -she was far away from the Richard to disregard signals and make off -with her capture. This reduced the squadron to the Richard, Alliance, -Pallas, and Vengeance. It was Jones' desire to cruise to and fro off -the harbor of Limerick to intercept the West Indian ships, which, to -the number of eight or ten, were daily expected. These vessels, richly -laden, were of great value, and their capture could have easily been -effected, but Landais protested vehemently against remaining in any -one spot. Among other things, the Frenchman was undoubtedly a coward, -and, of course, by remaining steadily in one place opportunities for -being overhauled were greatly increased. Jones finally succumbed to -Landais' entreaties and protestations, which were backed up by those -of Captains Cottineau and Ricot.</p> - -<p class="normal">Of course, it is impossible to say how far his authority would have -lasted had he peremptorily refused to accede to their demands, as -paper concordats are not very binding ties; but he might perhaps have -made a more determined effort to induce them to carry out his plans -and remain with him. To leave the position he had chosen, which -presented such opportunities, was undoubtedly an error in judgment, -and Jones tacitly admits it in the following words, written long -afterward:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Nothing prevented me from pursuing my design but the reproach that -would have been cast upon my character as a man of prudence.<a name="div4Ref_11" href="#div4_11"><sup>[11]</sup></a> -It -would have been said: 'Was he not forewarned by Captain Cottineau and -others?'"</p> - -<p class="normal">The excuse is as bad as, if not worse than, the decision. But this is -almost the only evidence of weakness and irresolution which appears in -Jones' conduct in all the emergencies in which he was thrown. It is -impossible to justify this action, but, in view of the circumstances, -which we can only imagine and hardly adequately comprehend, we need -not censure him too greatly for his indecision. In fact, the decision -itself was a mistake which the ablest of men might naturally make. The -weakness lay in the excuse which he himself offers, and which it pains -one to read. In this connection the noble comment of Captain Mahan is -interesting:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The subordination of public enterprises to considerations of personal -consequences, even to reputation, is a declension from the noblest in -a public man. Not life only, but personal credit, is to be fairly -risked for the attainment of public ends."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">It can not be said that Jones was altogether disinterested in his -actions. The mere common, vulgar, mercenary motives were absent from -his undertakings, but it must be admitted that he never lost sight of -the results, not only to his country and its success, but to his own -reputation as well. If Jones had proceeded in his intention, and -Landais had finally deserted him, the results would have been very -much better for the cruise--always provided that the Pallas at least -remained with the Richard. We shall see later on that all the ships -deserted him on one occasion.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 26th of August a heavy gale blew up from the southwest, and -Jones scudded before it to the northward along the Irish coast. -Landais deliberately changed the course of the Alliance in the -darkness, and, the tiller of the Pallas having been carried away -during the night, Jones found himself alone with the Vengeance the -next morning. The gale having abated, these two remaining vessels -continued their course in a leisurely manner along the Irish coast. On -the 31st the Alliance hove in sight, followed by a valuable West -Indiaman called the Betsy, mounting twenty-two guns, which she had -captured--a sample of what might have resulted if the squadron had -stayed off Limerick.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Pallas having also joined company again, on the 1st of September -the Richard brought to the Union, a government armed ship of -twenty-two guns, bound for Halifax with valuable naval stores. Before -boats were called away and the prize taken possession of, with -unparalleled insolence Landais sent a messenger to Jones asking -whether the Alliance should man the prize, in which case he should -allow no man from the Richard to board her! With incredible -complaisance the long-suffering Jones allowed Landais to man this -capture also, while he himself received the prisoners on the Richard. -These two vessels, in violation of Jones' explicit orders, were sent -in to Bergen, Norway, where they were promptly released by the Danish -Government and returned to England on the demand of the British -minister. Their value was estimated at forty thousand pounds sterling. -The unwarranted return of the vessels was the foundation of a claim -for indemnity against Denmark, of which we shall hear later. On the -day of the capture Landais disregarded another specific signal from -the flagship to chase; instead of doing which, he wore ship and headed -directly opposite the direction in which he should have gone. The next -morning he again disregarded a signal to come within hail of the -Richard, on which occasion he did not even set an answering pennant.</p> - -<p class="normal">On September 3d and 4th the squadron captured a brig and two sloops -off the Shetland Islands. On the evening of this day Jones summoned -the captains to the flagship. Landais refused to go, and when de -Cottineau tried to persuade him to do so he became violently abusive, -and declared that the matters at issue between the commodore and -himself were so grave that they could only be settled by a personal -meeting on shore, at which one or the other should forfeit his life. -Fortunately for the peace of mind of the commodore, whose patience had -reached the breaking point, the Alliance immediately after parted -company, and did not rejoin the command until the 23d of September. If -Landais had stayed away altogether, or succeeded in getting himself -lost or captured, it would have been a great advantage to the country.</p> - -<p class="normal">Another gale blew up on the 5th, and heavy weather continued for -several days. The little squadron of three vessels labored along -through the heavy seas to the northward, passed the dangerous Orkneys, -doubled the wild Hebrides, rounded the northern extremity of Scotland, -and on the evening of the 13th approached the east coast near the -Cheviot Hills. On the 14th they arrived off the Firth of Forth, where -they were lucky enough to capture one ship and one brigantine loaded -with coal. From them they learned that the naval force in the harbor -of Leith was inconsiderable, consisting of one twenty-gun sloop of war -and three or four cutters. Jones immediately conceived the idea of -destroying this force, holding the town under his batteries, landing a -force of marines, and exacting a heavy ransom under threat of -destruction.</p> - -<p class="center"><img src="images/page166.png" alt="page166"><br> -Map showing the cruises of the Ranger and the Bon Homme -Richard, and the dash of the Alliance from the Texel.</p> - -<p class="normal">Although weakened in force by the desertion of the ships, by the -number of prizes he had manned, and the large number of prisoners on -board the Richard, he still hoped, as he says, to teach English -cruisers the value of humanity on the other side of the water, and by -this bold attack to demonstrate the vulnerability of their own coasts. -He also counted upon this diversion in the north to call attention -from the expected grand invasion in the south of England by the French -and Spanish fleets. The wind was favorable for his design, but -unfortunately the Pallas and the Vengeance, which had lagged as usual, -were some distance in the offing. Jones therefore ran back to meet -them in order to advise them of his plan and concert measures for the -attack. He found that the French had but little stomach for the -enterprise; they positively refused to join him in the undertaking, a -decision which, by the terms of the concordat, they had a right to -make. After a night spent in fruitless argument between the three -captains--think of it, arguments in the place of orders!--Jones -appealed to their cupidity, probably the last thing that would have -moved him. By painting the possibilities of plunder he wrung a -reluctant consent from these two gentlemen, and proceeded rapidly to -develop the plan.</p> - -<p class="normal">As usual, not being able to embrace the opportunity when it was -presented, a change in the wind rendered it impossible for the -present. The design and opportunity were too good, however, to be -lost, and the squadron beat to and fro off the harbor, waiting for a -shift of wind to make practicable the effort. On the 15th they -captured another collier, a schooner, the master of which, named -Andrew Robertson, was bribed by the promised return of his vessel to -pilot them into the harbor of Leith. Robertson, a dastardly traitor, -promised to do so, and saved his collier thereby. On the morning of -the 16th an amusing little incident occurred off the coast of Fife. -The ships were, of course, sailing under English colors, and one of -the seaboard gentry, taking them for English ships in pursuit of Paul -Jones, who was believed to be on the coast, sent a shore boat off to -the Richard asking the gift of some powder and shot with which to -defend himself in case he received a visit from the dreaded pirate. -Jones, who was much amused by the situation, made a courteous reply to -the petition, and sent a barrel of powder, expressing his regret that -he had no suitable shot. He detained one of the boatmen, however, as a -pilot for one of the other ships. During the interim the following -proclamation was prepared for issuance when the town had been -captured. The document is somewhat diffuse in its wording, but the -purport of it is unmistakable:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The Honorable J. Paul Jones, Commander-in-chief of the American -Squadron, now in Europe, to the Worshipful Provost of Leith, or, in -his absence, to the Chief Magistrate, who is now actually present, and -in authority there.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Sir</span>: The British marine force that has been stationed here for the -protection of your city and commerce, being now taken by the American -arms under my command, I have the honour to send you this summons by -my officer, Lieutenant-Colonel de Chamillard, who commands the -vanguard of my troops. I do not wish to distress the poor inhabitants; -my intention is only to demand your contribution toward the -reimbursement which Britain owes to the much-injured citizens of the -United States; for savages would blush at the unmanly violation and -rapacity that have marked the tracks of British tyranny in America, -from which neither virgin innocence nor helpless age has been a plea -of protection or pity.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Leith and its port now lie at our mercy; and, did not our humanity -stay the hand of just retaliation, I should, without advertisement, -lay it in ashes. Before I proceed to that stern duty as an officer, my -duty as a man induces me to propose to you, by means of a reasonable -ransom, to prevent such a scene of horror and distress. For this -reason I have authorized Lieutenant-Colonel de Chamillard to conclude -and agree with you on the terms of ransom, allowing you exactly half -an hour's reflection before you finally accept or reject the terms -which he shall propose. If you accept the terms offered within the -time limited, you may rest assured that no further debarkation of -troops will be made, but the re-embarkation of the vanguard will -immediately follow, and the property of the citizens shall remain -unmolested."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">On the afternoon of the 16th, the squadron was sighted from Edinburgh -Castle, slowly running in toward the Firth. The country had now been -fully alarmed. It is related that the audacity and boldness of this -cruise and his previous successes had caused Jones to be regarded -with a terror far beyond that which his force justified, and which -well-nigh paralyzed resistance. Arms were hastily distributed, -however, to the various guilds, and batteries were improvised at -Leith. On the 17th, the Richard, putting about, ran down to within a -mile of the town of Kirkaldy. As it appeared to the inhabitants that -she was about to descend upon their coast, they were filled with -consternation. There is a story told that the minister of the place, a -quaint oddity named Shirra, who was remarkable for his eccentricities, -joined his people congregated on the beach, surveying the approaching -ship in terrified apprehension, and there made the following prayer:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Now, deer Lord, dinna ye think it a shame for ye to send this vile -piret to rob our folk o' Kirkaldy? for ye ken they're puir enow -already, and hae naething to spaire. The wa the ween blaws, he'll be -here in a jiffie, and wha kens what he may do? He's nae too guid for -onything. Meickle's the mischief he has dune already. He'll burn thir -hooses, tak their very claes and tirl them to the sark; and wae's me! -wha kens but the bluidy villain might take their lives! The puir -weemen are maist frightened out o' their wits, and the bairns skirling -after them. I canna thol't it! I canna thol't it! I hae been lang a -faithfu' servant to ye, Laird; but gin ye dinna turn the ween about, -and blaw the scoundrel out of our gate, I'll na staur a fit, but will -just sit here till the tide comes. Sae tak yere will o't."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">This extraordinary petition has probably lost nothing by being handed -down. At any rate, just as that moment, a squall which had been -brewing broke violently over the ship, and Jones was compelled to bear -up and run before it. The honest people of Kirkaldy always attributed -their relief to the direct interposition of Providence as the result -of the prayer of their minister. He accepted the honors for his Lord -and himself by remarking, whenever the subject was mentioned to him, -that he had prayed but the Lord had sent the wind!</p> - -<p class="normal">It is an interesting tale, but its effect is somewhat marred when we -consider that Jones had no intention of ever landing at Kirkaldy or of -doing the town any harm. He was after bigger game, and in his official -account he states that he finally succeeded in getting nearly within -gunshot distance of Leith, and had made every preparation to land -there, when a gale which had been threatening blew so strongly -offshore that, after making a desperate attempt to reach an anchorage -and wait until it blew itself out, he was obliged to run before it and -get to sea. When the gale abated in the evening he was far from the -port, which had now become thoroughly alarmed. Heavy batteries were -thrown up and troops concentrated for its protection, so that he -concluded to abandon the attempt. His conception had been bold and -brilliant, and his success would have been commensurate if, when the -opportunity had presented itself, he had been seconded by men on the -other ships with but a tithe of his own resolution.</p> - -<p class="normal">The squadron continued its cruise to the southward and captured -several coasting brigs, schooners, and sloops, mostly laden with coal -and lumber. Baffled in the Forth, Jones next determined upon a similar -project in the Tyne or the Humber, and on the 19th of the month -endeavored to enlist the support of his captains for a descent on -Newcastle-upon-Tyne, as it was one of his favorite ideas to cut off -the London coal supply by destroying the shipping there; but -Cottineau, of the Pallas, refused to consent. The ships had been on -the coast now for nearly a week, and there was no telling when a -pursuing English squadron would make its appearance. Cottineau told de -Chamillard that unless Jones left the coast the next day the Richard -would be abandoned by the two remaining ships. Jones, therefore, -swallowing his disappointment as best be might, made sail for the -Humber and the important shipping town of Hull.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was growing late in September, and the time set for the return to -the Texel was approaching. As a matter of fact, however, though Jones -remained on the coast cruising up and down and capturing everything he -came in sight of, in spite of his anxiety Cottineau did not actually -desert his commodore. Cottineau was the best of the French officers. -Without the contagion of the others he might have shown himself a -faithful subordinate at all times. Having learned the English private -signals from a captured vessel, Jones, leaving the Pallas, boldly -sailed into the mouth of the Humber, just as a heavy convoy under the -protection of a frigate and a small sloop of war was getting under way -to come out of it. Though he set the English flag and the private -signals in the hope of decoying the whole force out to sea and under -his guns, to his great disappointment the ships, including the war -vessels, put back into the harbor. The Richard thereupon turned to the -northward and slowly sailed along the coast, followed by the -Vengeance.</p> - -<p class="normal">Early in the morning of September 23d, while it was yet dark, the -Richard chased two ships, which the daylight revealed to be the Pallas -and the long-missing Alliance, which at last rejoined. The wind was -blowing fresh from the southwest, and the two ships under easy canvas -slowly rolled along toward Flamborough Head. Late in the morning the -Richard discovered a large brigantine inshore and to windward. Jones -immediately gave chase to her, when the brigantine changed her course -and headed for Bridlington Bay, where she came to anchor.</p> - -<p class="normal">Bridlington Bay lies just south of Flamborough Head, which is a bold -promontory bearing a lighthouse and jutting far out into the North -Sea. Vessels from the north bound for Hull or London generally pass -close to the shore at that point, in order to make as little of a -detour as possible. For this reason Jones had selected it as a -particularly good cruising ground. Sheltered from observation from one -side or the other, he waited for opportunities, naturally abundant, to -pounce upon unsuspecting merchant ships. The Baltic fleet had not yet -appeared off the coast, though it was about due. Unless warned of his -presence, it would inevitably pass the bold headland and afford -brilliant opportunity for attack. If his unruly consorts would only -remain with him a little longer something might yet be effected. To go -back now would be to confess to a partial failure, and Jones was -determined to continue the cruise even alone, until he had -demonstrated his fitness for higher things. Fate had his opportunity -ready for him, and he made good use of it.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER X.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_10" href="#div1Ref_10">THE BATTLE WITH THE SERAPIS.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">About noon on the 23d of September, 1779, the lookouts on the Richard -became aware of the sails of a large ship which suddenly shot into -view around the headland. Before any action could be taken the first -vessel was followed by a second, a third, and others to the number of -six, all close hauled on the starboard tack, evidently intent upon -weathering the point. The English flags fluttering from their gaff -ends proclaimed a nationality, of which, indeed, there could be no -doubt. The course of the Richard was instantly changed. Dispatching a -boat under the command of Lieutenant Henry Lunt to capture the -brigantine, Jones, in high anticipation, headed the Richard for the -strangers, at the same time signaling the Alliance, the Pallas, and -the Vengeance to form line ahead on his ship--that is, get into the -wake of the Richard and follow in single file. The Alliance seems to -have been ahead and to windward of the Richard, the Pallas to windward -and abreast, and the Vengeance in the rear of the flagship.</p> - -<p class="normal">It had not yet been developed whether the six ships, which, even as -they gazed upon them, were followed by others until forty sail were -counted, were vessels of war or a merchant fleet under convoy; but -with characteristic audacity Jones determined to approach them -sufficiently near to settle the question. He had expressed his -intention of going in harm's way, and for that purpose had asked a -swift ship. He could hardly have had a slower, more unwieldy, -unmanageable vessel under him than the Richard, but the fact had not -altered his intention in the slightest degree, so the course of the -Richard was laid for the ships sighted.</p> - -<p class="normal">Captain Landais, however, was not actuated by the same motives as his -commander. He paid no attention, as usual, to the signal, but instead -ran off to the Pallas, to whose commander he communicated in a measure -some of his own indecision. In the hearing of the crews of both -vessels Landais called out to his fellow captain that if the fleet in -view were convoyed by a vessel of more than fifty guns they would have -nothing to do but run away, well knowing that in such a case the -Pallas, being the slowest sailer of the lot--slower even than the -Richard--would inevitably be taken. Therefore, with his two other -large vessels beating to and fro in a state of frightened uncertainty, -Jones with the Richard bore down alone upon the enemy. The Vengeance -remained far enough in the rear of the Richard to be safe out of -harm's way, and may be dismissed from our further consideration, as -she took no part whatever in the subsequent events.</p> - -<p class="normal">Closer scrutiny had satisfied the American that the vessels in sight -were the longed-for Baltic merchant fleet which was convoyed by two -vessels of war, one of which appeared to be a small ship of the line -or a heavy frigate. In spite, therefore, of the suspicious maneuvers -of his consorts, Jones flung out a signal for a general chase, crossed -his light yards and swept toward the enemy. Meanwhile all was -consternation in the English fleet off the headland. A shore boat -which had been noticed pulling hard toward the English convoying -frigate now dashed alongside, and a man ascended to her deck. -Immediately thereafter signals were broken out at the masthead of the -frigate, attention being called to them by a gun fired to windward. -All the ships but one responded by tacking or wearing in different -directions in great apparent confusion, but all finally headed for the -harbor of Scarborough, where, under the guns of the castle, they hoped -to find a secure refuge. As they put about they let fly their -topgallant sheets and fired guns to spread the alarm.</p> - -<p class="normal">Meanwhile the English ship, which proved to be the frigate Serapis, -also tacked and headed westward, taking a position between her convoy -and the approaching ships. Some distance to leeward of the frigate, -and farther out to sea, to the eastward, a smaller war vessel, in -obedience to orders, also assumed a similar position, and both waited -for the advancing foe. Early that morning Richard Pearson, the captain -of the Serapis, had been informed that Paul Jones was off the coast, -and he had been instructed to look out for him. The information had -been at once communicated to the convoy, to which cautionary orders -had been given, which had been in the main disregarded, as was the -invariable custom with convoys. The shore boat which the men on the -Richard had just observed speaking the Serapis contained the bailiff -of Scarborough Castle, who confirmed the previous rumors and -undoubtedly pointed out the approaching ships as Jones' squadron.</p> - -<p class="normal">Pearson, as we have seen, had signaled his convoy, and the latter, now -apprised of their danger beyond all reasonable doubt by the sight of -the approaching ships, had at last obeyed his orders. Then he had -cleverly placed his two ships between the oncoming American squadron -to cover the retreat of his charges and to prevent the enemy from -swooping down upon them. His position was not only proper and -seamanlike, but it was in effect a bold challenge to his approaching -antagonist--a challenge he had no wish to disregard, which he eagerly -welcomed, in fact. In obedience to Jones' signal for a general chase, -the Richard and the Pallas were headed for their two enemies. As they -drew nearer the Pallas changed her course in accordance with Jones' -directions, and headed for the smaller English ship, the Countess of -Scarborough, a twenty-four gun, 6-pounder sloop of war, by no means an -equal match for the Pallas. The Vengeance followed at a safe distance -in the rear of the commodore, while Landais disregarded all signals -and pursued an erratic course of his own devising. Sometimes it -appeared that he was about to follow the Richard, sometimes the -Pallas, sometimes the flying merchantmen attracted his attention. It -was evident that the one thing he would not do would be to fight.</p> - -<p class="normal">In utter disgust, Jones withdrew his attention from him and -concentrated his mind upon the task before him. He was about to engage -with his worn-out old hulk, filled with condemned guns, a splendid -English frigate of the first class. A comparison of force is -interesting. Counting the main battery of the Richard as composed of -twelves and the spar-deck guns as nines, and including the six -18-pounders in the gun room as being all fought on one side, we get a -total of forty guns throwing three hundred and three pounds of shot to -the broadside; this is the extreme estimate. Counting one half of the -main battery as 9-pounders, we get two hundred and eighty-two pounds -to the broadside, and, considering the 18-pounders as being fought -only three on a side, we reduce the weight of the broadside to two -hundred and twenty-eight pounds. As it happened, as we shall see, the -18-pounders were abandoned after the first fire, so that the effective -weight of broadside during the action amounted to either one hundred -and ninety-five or one hundred and seventy-four pounds, depending on -the composition of the main battery. Even the maximum amount is small -enough by comparison.</p> - -<p class="normal">The crew of the Richard had been reduced to about three hundred -officers and men, as near as can be ascertained. The desertion of the -barge, the loss of the boat under Cutting Lunt off the Irish coast, -the various details by which the several prizes had been manned, and -the absence of the boat sent that morning under the charge of Henry -Lunt, which had not, and did not come back until after the action, had -reduced the original number to these figures. A most serious feature -of the situation was the lack of capable sea officers. There were so -few of the latter on board the Richard originally that the absence of -the two mentioned seriously hampered her work. Dale himself was a -host. Those that remained, who, with the exception of the purser, -sailing master, and the officers of the French contingent, were young -and inexperienced, mostly midshipmen--boys, in fact--made up for their -deficiencies by their zeal and courage. The officers of the French -contingent proved themselves to be men of a high class, who could be -depended upon in desperate emergencies.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Serapis was a brand-new, double-banked frigate, of about eight -hundred tons burden--that is, she carried guns on two covered and one -uncovered decks. This was an unusual arrangement, not subsequently -considered advantageous or desirable, but it certainly enabled her to -present a formidable battery within a rather short length; her -shortness, it was believed, would greatly enhance her handiness and -mobility, qualities highly desirable in a war vessel, especially in -the narrow seas. On the lower or main deck twenty 18-pounders were -mounted; on the gun deck proper, twenty 9-pounders; and on the spar -deck, ten 6-pounders, making a total of fifty guns, twenty-five in -broadside, throwing three hundred pounds' weight of shot at each -discharge as against the Richard's one hundred and seventy-four. She -was manned by about three hundred trained and disciplined English -seamen, forming a homogeneous, efficient crew, and well they proved -their quality. Richard Pearson, her captain, was a brave, competent, -and successful officer, who had enjoyed a distinguished career, -winning his rank by gallant and daring enterprises; no ordinary man, -indeed, but one from whom much was to be expected.</p> - -<p class="normal">In making this comparison between the two ships it must not be -forgotten that while the difference in the number of guns--ten--was -not great, yet in their caliber and the consequent weight of broadside -the Richard was completely outclassed. Then, too, the penetrative -power of an 18-pound gun is vastly greater than that of a 12-pound -gun, a thing well understood by naval men, though scarcely appearing -of much moment on paper. Indeed, it was a maxim that a 12-pound -frigate could not successfully engage an 18-pounder, or an 18-pound -frigate cope with a 24-pound ship.<a name="div4Ref_12" href="#div4_12"><sup>[12]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">In addition to this vast preponderance in actual fighting force, there -was another great advantage to the Serapis in the original composition -of her crew as compared with the heterogeneous crowd which Jones had -been compelled to hammer into shape. Worthily, indeed, did both bodies -of men demonstrate their courage and show the effect of their -training. There was a further superiority in the English ship in that -she was built for warlike purposes, and was not a converted and -hastily adapted merchant vessel. She was of much heavier construction, -with more massive frames, stouter sides, and heavier scantling. The -last advantage Pearson's ship possessed was in her superior mobility -and speed. She should have been able to choose and maintain her -distance, so that with her longer and heavier guns she could batter -the Richard to pieces at pleasure, herself being immune from the -latter's feebler attack.</p> - -<p class="normal">In but one consideration was the Richard superior to the Serapis, and -that was in the personality of the man behind the men behind the guns! -Pearson was a very gallant officer. There was no blemish upon his -record, no question as to his capacity. In personal bravery he was not -inferior to any one. As a seaman he worthily upheld the high -reputation of the great navy to which he belonged; but as a man, as a -personality, he was not to be mentioned in the same breath with Jones.</p> - -<p class="normal">This is no discredit to that particular Englishman, for the same -disadvantageous comparison to Jones would have to be made in the case -of almost any other man that sailed the sea. There was about the -little American such Homeric audacity, such cool-headed heroism, such -unbreakable determination, such unshakable resolution, that so long as -he lived it was impossible to conquer him. They might knock mast after -mast out of the Richard; they might silence gun after gun in her -batteries; man after man might be killed upon her decks; they might -smash the ship to pieces and sink her beneath his feet, but there was -no power on earth which could compel him to strike her flag.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones was the very incarnation of the indomitable <i>Ego</i>: a soul that -laughed at odds, that despised opposition, that knew but one thing -after the battle was joined--to strike and strike hard, until -opposition was battered down or the soul of the striker had fled. In -action he would be master--or dead. But his fighting was no baresark -fury; no blind, wild rage of struggle; no ungovernable lust for -battle; it was the apotheosis of cool-blooded calculation. He fought -with his head as well as with his heart, and he knew perfectly well -what he was about all the time. Pearson was highly trained matter of -first-rate composition; Jones was mind, and his superiority over -matter was inevitable. The hot-tempered spirit of the man which -involved him in so many difficulties, which made him quarrelsome, -contrary, and captious, gave place to a coolness and calmness as great -as his courage in the presence of danger, in the moment of action. By -his skill, his ability, his address, his persistence, his staying -power, his hardihood, Jones deserved that victory which his -determination absolutely wrested from overwhelming odds, disaster, and -defeat. The chief players in the grim game, therefore, were but ill -matched, and not all the superiority in the pawns upon the chessboard -could overcome the fearful odds under which the unconscious Pearson -labored. We pity Pearson; in Jones' hands he was as helpless as -Pontius Pilate.</p> - -<p class="normal">The crew of the Richard, having had supper and grog, had long since -gone to their stations to the music of the same grim call of the beat -to quarters which had rolled upon the decks of every warship of every -nation which had joined battle for perhaps two hundred years. Jones -was a great believer in drill and gun practice. His experience on his -first cruise in the Alfred, if nothing else, had taught him that, and -upon this ill-found ship with its motley crew probably a more thorough -regimen of control and discipline existed than could be found in any -other ship afloat. Frequent target practice was had, too, and the -result proved the value of the exercise. Had this not been the case -the approaching battle might have had a different termination.</p> - -<p class="normal">The great guns had been cast loose and provided; having been run in -and loaded, they were run out and a turn taken with the training -tackles to hold them steady. The magazines had been opened, and the -gunner and his mates stationed inside the wetted woolen screen, which -minimized the danger of fire, to hand out charges of powder to the -lads called powder boys, or powder "monkeys," who, with their canvas -carrying boxes, were clustered about the hatches. The gun captains saw -that the guns were properly primed, and they looked carefully after -the slow matches used to discharge the pieces, keeping them lighted -and freely burning. In the iron racks provided were laid rows of round -shot, with here and there a stand of grape. Arm chests were opened and -cutlasses and pistols distributed, and the racks filled with boarding -pikes. Many of the officers discarded their hats and put on round -steel boarding caps with dropped cheek pieces. Swords were buckled on -and the priming of pistols carefully looked to. The men in many cases -stripped off their shirts and jackets, laid aside caps and shoes, and -slipped into their stations half naked, with only a pair of trousers -and their arms upon them. Division tubs filled with water were placed -conveniently at hand, and the decks were well sanded to prevent them -from becoming slippery with blood when the action began. The pumps -were overhauled and put in good condition, and hose led along the -decks in case of fire. The carpenter and his mates, well provided with -shot plugs to stop up possible holes, were stationed in the more -vulnerable parts of the ship. The boats were wrapped with canvas to -prevent splintering under heavy shot, and heavy nettings triced up -fore and aft as a protection against boarders. Preventer braces were -rove from the more important yardarms, the heavier yards were slung -with chains, and the principal rigging, including the backstays, -stoppered to minimize the danger in case they should be carried away -by shot. Grapnels, strong iron hooks securely fastened to the ends of -stout ropes or slender iron chains, were swung from every yardarm, and -laid along the bulwarks in case it became possible or desirable to -lash the ships together. Everything which would impede the working of -the guns or hinder the fighting of the men was either stowed below or -thrown overboard. Around the masts and at the braces the sail trimmers -were clustered, some of them armed with boarding axes or hatchets, -handy for cutting away wreckage. Aft on the quarter-deck and forward -on the forecastle large bodies of French marines were drawn up, musket -in hand.</p> - -<p class="normal">The broad, old-fashioned tops of the Richard were filled with seamen -and marines, armed with muskets and having buckets full of small -grenades close at hand. Among these seamen were many of the more agile -and daring among the topmen--who from their stations in making and -taking in sail were designated as "light yardmen"--while the marines -stationed in the tops were selected for their skill as marksmen. The -main body of the crew was distributed at the battery of great guns on -the main deck, which were in charge of Richard Dale and a French -lieutenant colonel of infantry, named de Weibert. In the gloomy -recesses of the gun room, close to the water line, a little group of -men was told off to fight the heavy 18-pounders. Around the hatches -leading to the hold was stationed another body of seamen and marines -with the master at arms, all armed to the teeth, to guard the English -prisoners, whose number is variously stated from two to three hundred. -The relieving tackles to use in steering the ship in case the wheel -was carried away occupied the attention of another group.</p> - -<p class="normal">Far below the water line in the dark depths of the ship--a bloody -place familiarly known as the cockpit--the surgeon and his mates -unconcernedly spread out the foreboding array of ghastly instruments -and appliances of the rude surgery of the rude period, in anticipation -of the demands certain to be made upon them. At the break of the poop -a veteran quartermaster and several assistants stood grasping the -great wheel of the ship with sturdy fingers. Little groups of men were -congregated on the quarter-deck and forecastle and in the gangways to -man the 9-pounders, which were to play so important a part in the -action. Jones himself, a quiet, composed little figure of slender -proportions, paced steadily to and fro athwart the ship, now eagerly -peering ahead as the shades of night descended, now casting a solemn -glance aloft at the swelling canvas softly rounded out into huge -curves in the gentle breeze. Ever and anon he threw a keen glance back -toward the Alliance. When his gaze fell upon her, the compression of -his lips and the fierceness of his look boded ill for Landais when he -had time to deal with him.</p> - -<p class="normal">What must have been his thoughts in this momentous hour! One likes to -dwell upon him there and then; so alone and so undaunted on that old -deck in that gray twilight, resolutely proceeding to battle with a -ship which, now that it was in plain view, his practised eye easily -determined surpassed his own in every particular. At such a moment, -when every faculty of his mind naturally would be needed to fight his -own vessel, suggestions of treachery and disobedience and an utter -inability to tell what his cowardly and soon-to-be-proved traitorous -subordinate would do, made his situation indeed unbearable. But he -dismissed all these things from his mind. Confident in the justice of -his cause--in the approval of Heaven for that cause--and full of trust -in his own ability and personality, he put these things out of his -head and swept on. He was a figure to inspire confidence on the deck -of any ship. The men, who had perhaps as vivid an appreciation of -their situation and all its dangers as he had himself, looked to their -captain and took confidence in the quiet poise of the lithe figure at -the break of the poop, balancing itself so easily to the lumbering -roll of the great ship. The young midshipmen, his personal aides, -slightly withdrawn from close contact with him, respected his silence -as he paced to and fro.</p> - -<p class="normal">Presently another graceful active figure, belonging to the first -lieutenant of the ship, came running from below, walked rapidly along -the deck, sprang up the ladder, and stopped before the little captain, -whom he overtowered to a degree. He saluted gravely, and announced -that the Richard was clear, the men at quarters, and the ship was -ready for action. After a few moments of conversation Jones and Dale -descended to the lower deck and walked through the ship. A hearty word -of appreciation and encouragement here and there, as occasion -suggested, heartened and stimulated the reckless crew, until they had -almost risen to the captain's level. Presently he returned to the deck -alone. A few final directions, one last glance of approval at the -Pallas closing in on the Scarborough, one last regret, one last flush -of indignation as he looked toward the Alliance--a moment, and the -battle would be joined.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was about seven o'clock in the evening. The harvest moon had long -since risen in the eastern sky, and was flooding the pallid sea with -its glorious radiance. On the western horizon the broad, bright beacon -of Flamborough Head was sending out its bright ray of yellow light -over the trembling water. With a night glass, clusters of people could -be seen upon the shore and upon the ships anchored under the guns of -Scarborough Castle, towering grim and black against the horizon. Ahead -was the white Serapis, calmly confident, lying broadside on, port -shutters triced up, lights streaming from every opening. She lay with -her topsails to the mast, gallantly waiting. Upon her, too, like -preparations for combat had been made. Along her decks the same -beating call to battle had rolled. Men who spake the same language, -who read the same Bible, who but a few years since had loved the same -flag, who had vied with each other in loyalty to a common king, now -made ready to hurl death and destruction at each other. Presently -sharp words of command rang out; there was a sudden bustle on the deck -of the English ship. The braces were manned, the yards swung, and the -Serapis slowly gathered way and gently forged ahead. Then all was -still once more on the serene English ship.</p> - -<p class="normal">As the Richard drew nearer to the Serapis a deep silence settled over -the American ship. Even over the roughest and rudest among her crew -crept a feeling of awe at the terrible possibilities of the next few -moments. The magnitude of their task as they came nearer became more -apparent. Forced laughter died away; coarse words remained unspoken; -lips foreign to prayer formed words of belated and broken petition. -Thoughts went back to home: to sunny fields and vine-clad cottages in -France; to frontier huts in verdant clearings in America; to rude -houses in seaboard towns where the surf of the western ocean broke in -wild thunder upon the rocky shore. Pictures of wives, of children, of -mothers, of sweethearts, rose before the misted vision. Here and there -a younger man choked down a sob. The rude jests with which men -sometimes strive to disguise emotion fell unnoticed, or were sternly -reprehended by the older and more thoughtful. The fitful conversation -died away, and the silence was broken only by the soft sigh of the -wind through the top hamper, the gentle flap of the lighter sails as -the pitch of the ship threw the canvas back and forth, the soft splash -of the bluff bows through the water, the straining of the timbers, the -creak of the cordage through the blocks. Candle-filled battle lanterns -in long rows throughout the ship shed a dim radiance over the bodies -of the stalwart, half-naked, barefooted men. Here and there a brighter -flash told of moonlight reflected from some gleaming sword.</p> - -<p class="normal">And the ships drew nearer--nearer. In a moment the dogs of war would -be loose. Presently a sound broke the silence, a hail from the English -ship. A man leaped up on her rail and a cry came faintly up through a -hollowed hand against the gentle breeze:</p> - -<p class="normal">"What ship is that?"</p> - -<p class="normal">The Richard had been kept skillfully end on to the Serapis, and the -commander of the latter ship had still some lingering doubts as to her -nationality. Measuring the distance between the two ships, Jones -quickly motioned to the watchful quartermaster beneath him. With eager -hands the men began, spoke by spoke, to shift the helm to starboard. -As the American ship began to swing to port it would be but a moment -before her broadside would be revealed and concealment at an end. That -precious moment, however, Jones would have. He sprang on the taffrail -to starboard, and, catching hold of the backstay, leaned far out and -called loudly:</p> - -<p class="normal">"I do not understand you."</p> - -<p class="normal">The Richard was swinging still more now. The English caught a glimpse -of a lighted port forward. From it a huge gun thrust its muzzle out -into the night. Quick and sharp came the hail once more:</p> - -<p class="normal">"What ship is that? Answer at once or I fire!"</p> - -<p class="normal">With what breathless silence the two ships listened for the reply!</p> - -<p class="normal">The helm was hard over now, the quartermasters holding it down with -grim determination, sweat pouring from their foreheads, the ship -swinging broadside in to, and a little forward of, the Englishman. -Bending over toward the quarter-deck, in a clear voice heard -throughout his ship, Jones called out a sharp word of command. Even as -he spoke a line of fire lanced out into the night, followed by the -roar of one of the 12-pounders. It was an answer not to be mistaken. -Immediately the whole broadside of the Richard was let go. -Simultaneously the iron throats on the Serapis belched forth their -rain of hell and destruction, and the great battle was on! It was -perhaps a quarter after seven. Side by side the two ships, covered -with blinding smoke, sailed in the still night, broadside answering -broadside, the roar of the great guns sounding in one horrible -continuous note vibrating over the ocean. The thunderous diapason was -punctuated by the sharp staccato rattle of the small arms.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Richard, having more way on her, forged slightly ahead of the -Serapis, which had so lately filled away that she had scarcely yet -begun to move. Jones, watchful of his opportunity, swung the head of -his ship in toward the English frigate, hoping to cross her bows and -rake her; but the careful Pearson, presently feeling the wind, -gathered way and with his superior speed easily regained his distance. -The game was being played as he would have it, and the bolts from his -long eighteens were making havoc of the Richard. Jones now determined -to back his topsails, check the speed of his own ship, allow the -Serapis to forge ahead, and then fill away again, and rush the Richard -alongside the English frigate so that he could board and make use of -his preponderant force of soldiery. Accordingly, the way of his -frigate was checked and the Serapis drew slightly ahead, receiving the -fire of the Richard's battery as she passed, and maintaining her own -fire in the smoke and darkness for some moments, until Pearson -discovered that he had passed ahead of the Richard. The way of his -ship was immediately checked. The conflict had been maintained with -incredible fierceness for more than three quarters of an hour.</p> - -<p class="normal">As soon as Jones had gained sufficient distance, he smartly filled -away again and headed the clumsy Richard at the Serapis; but the slow -old vessel was not equal to the demands of her commander. The Richard -only succeeded in striking the Serapis on the port quarter very far -aft. To have attempted boarding from such a position would have been -madness. There are only two positions from which a ship can be boarded -advantageously. In one case, when two ships are laid side by side, by -massing the crew at some point of the long line of defense -necessitated by the relative position of the vessels, it may be -possible to break through and effect a lodgment on the enemy's deck. -The other case is when the ship desirous of boarding succeeds in -crossing the bows of her enemy so that the latter vessel is subjected -to a raking fire from the battery of the attacking ship, which beats -down opposition and sweeps everything before it, thus affording a -chance for favorable attack. Neither of these opportunities was -presented at this time.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones, nevertheless, mustered his boarders on the forecastle at this -moment, heading them himself, but the English appeared in such force -at the point of contact that the attempt was of necessity abandoned. -The two ships hung together a moment, then separated, and, the Serapis -going ahead, the Richard backing off, they formed a line ahead, the -bow of the Richard following the stern of the Serapis. There was not a -single great gun which bore on either ship. The roar of the battle -died away, and even the crackle of the small arms ceased for a space. -At this moment Pearson hailed the Richard. Having been subjected to -the battering of his superior force for so long a time, Pearson -concluded that it was time for the Richard to surrender. He was right -in theory--in practice it was different. His own ship had suffered -severely in the yardarm to yardarm fight, and he realized that the -loss upon the Richard must have been proportionately greater. Even the -most unskilled seaman had learned by this time the difference in the -power of the two vessels. Therefore, taking advantage of the momentary -cessation of the battle, he sprang up on the rail of the Serapis in -the moonlight and called out:</p> - -<p class="normal">"Have you struck?"</p> - -<p class="normal">And to this interrogation Paul Jones returned that heroic answer, -which since his day has been the watchword of the American sailor:</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>I have not yet begun to fight!</i>" he cried with gay audacity.</p> - -<p class="normal">The ringing tones of his voice carried his answer not only to the ears -of the English captain, but threw it far up into the high tops where -the eager seamen had so busily plied their small arms. The men on the -gun deck heard it with joy. It even penetrated to the gloomy recesses -of the gun room, which had been the scene of such misfortune and -disaster as would have determined the career of any other ship. The -wounded caught the splendid inspiration which was back of the glorious -declaration, and under the influence of it stifled their groans, -forgot their wounds, and strove to fight on. It told the dying that -their lives were not to be given in vain. Nay, those mighty words had -a carrying power which lifted them above the noise of the conflict, -which sent them ringing over the narrow seas, until they reverberated -in the Houses of Parliament on the one side and the Court of -Versailles on the other. They had a force which threw them across the -thousand leagues of ocean until they were heard in every patriot camp, -and repeated from the deck of every American ship, until they became a -part of the common heritage of the nation as eternal as are its -Stripes and Stars! The dauntless phrase of that dauntless man:</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>I have not yet begun to fight!</i>"</p> - -<p class="normal">It was no new message. The British had heard it as they tramped again -and again up the bullet-swept slopes of Bunker Hill; Washington rang -it in the ears of the Hessians on the snowy Christmas morning at -Trenton; the hoof beats of Arnold's horse kept time to it in the wild -charge at Saratoga; it cracked with the whip of the old wagoner Morgan -at the Cowpens; the Maryland troops drove it home in the hearts of -their enemies with Greene at Guilford Courthouse, and the drums of -France and England beat it into Cornwallis' ears when the end came at -Yorktown. There, that night in that darkness, in that still moment of -battle, Paul Jones declared the determination of a great people. His -was the expression of an inspiration on the part of a new nation. From -this man came a statement of an unshakable determination at whatever -cost to be free! A new Declaration of Independence, this famous word -of warning to the British king. Give up the contest now, O monarch! A -greater majesty than thine is there!</p> - -<p class="normal">I imagine a roar of wild exultation quivering from truck to keelson, -a gigantic Homeric laugh rising from the dry throats of the rough men -as yet unharmed on the Richard as they caught the significance of -their captain's reply. "It was a joke, the character of which those -blood-stained ruffians could well appreciate; but the captain was in -no mood for joking. He was serious, and in the simplicity of the -answer lay its greatness. Strike! Not now, nor never! Beaten! The -fighting is but just begun! The preposterous possibility of surrender -can not even be considered. What manner of man this, with whom you -battle in the moonlight, brave Pearson! An unfamiliar kind to you and -to most; such as hath not been before, nor shall be again. Yet all the -world shall see and understand at this time.</p> - -<p class="normal">"'<i>I have not yet begun to fight!</i>'</p> - -<p class="normal">"Surprising answer! On a ship shattered beyond repair, her best guns -exploded and useless, her crew decimated, ringed about with dead and -dying, the captain had not yet begun to fight! But there was no delay -after the answer, no philosophizing, no heroics. The man of action was -there. He meant business. Every moment when the guns were silent -wasted one."<a name="div4Ref_13" href="#div4_13"><sup>[13]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">The Richard was in a dreadful condition, especially below. At the -first fire two of the 18-pounders in the gun room had exploded, -killing most of the officers and men of their crews, blowing out the -side of the ship, shattering the stanchions, blowing up the deck above -them, and inflicting injuries of so serious a character that they -virtually settled the fate of the ship. The other guns there were -immediately abandoned, and the men left alive in the division, who -were not required to guard the prisoners, were sent to the gun deck to -report to Dale and de Weibert. The battery which had been the main -dependence of Jones had proved worse than useless. Indeed, it had done -more harm than had the guns of the Serapis. I know of no action -between two ships in which a similar, or even a less frightful, -happening did not cause the ship suffering it to surrender at once.</p> - -<p class="normal">The two ships hung in line for a moment, then Jones put his helm hard -a-starboard again and swung off to port, perhaps hoping to rake the -Serapis; but the English captain, anticipating his maneuver, backed -his own topsails, and the two ships passed by each other once more, -the batteries reopening their fire at close range. The combat at once -recommenced with the most heroic determination. Fortunately, however, -the captain of the Serapis miscalculated either the speed at which his -own ship backed or the speed with which the Richard drew ahead, for, -before Pearson filled away again, Jones had drawn so far ahead that by -consummate seamanship and quick, desperate work he managed to swing -the Richard across the path of the Serapis, an astonishing feat for -the slower and more unwieldy American frigate. It was his one -opportunity and he embraced it--one was enough for Jones. Pearson had -just succeeded in checking the stern board of his own ship, and was -going ahead slowly, when the bow of his frigate ran aboard the -starboard quarter of the American, thrusting her jib boom through the -mizzen rigging far across the quarter-deck of the Richard. Pouring a -raking fire upon the English frigate from his starboard battery, -Jones, with his own hand, sprang to lash the two ships together. The -sailing master, Mr. Stacy, leaped to assist him. As the officer strove -to overhaul the gear lying in a tangled mass upon the deck, he broke -into the natural oath of a sailor at the delay.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Don't swear, Mr. Stacy," Jones is reported to have said quietly, -although he was working with feverish energy to the same end--"in -another moment we may all be in the presence of our Maker--but let us -do our duty."</p> - -<p class="normal">The lashing was soon passed, and passed well. The American boarders -were called away again, but they could do nothing in the face of the -sharp fire of the English repelling force. Meanwhile, the pressure of -the wind upon the after-sails of the Serapis had broken off her -bowsprit and forced her stern around until she lay broadside to the -American ship. A spare anchor on the Serapis caught in the mizzen -chains of the Richard, and with it and the grapnels which were hastily -flung the two ships were firmly bound together, the bow of one ship by -the stern of the other, heading in different ways, their starboard -sides touching. Pearson at once dropped his port anchor, hoping that, -his ship being anchored and the Richard under way, the American would -drag clear, when his superiority in gun power would enable him to -continue the process of knocking her to pieces at long range; but, -fortunately for the Richard, the wind had gradually decreased until it -was now nearly killed, or so light that it did not prevent the ships -from swinging to the Serapis' anchor with the tidal current then -setting strongly to the northward.</p> - -<p class="center"><img src="images/page199.png" alt="page199"><br> -Plan: Showing maneuvers of Bon Homme Richard and -Serapis, September 23, 1779; showing also course and conduct of -Alliance. After a drawing by Captain A. T. Mahan, U. S. N., by -permission of Charles Scribner's Sons.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was some time after eight o'clock now, and the battle at once -recommenced with the utmost fury. As the Serapis had not hitherto been -engaged on the starboard side,<a name="div4Ref_14" href="#div4_14"><sup>[14]</sup></a> -it was necessary for her men to -blow off the port lids of their own ship at the first discharge of her -battery. They were so close together that the conflict resolved itself -into a hand-to-hand encounter with great guns. As Dale said, the -sponges and rammers had to be extended through the ports of the enemy -in order to serve the guns. Though the American batteries were fought -with the utmost resolution, they were, of course, no match whatever -for those of the English ship, which had two tiers of heavier guns to -oppose to one of the American. Below decks, therefore, the Americans -were at a fearful disadvantage. Above, however, the number of soldiers -and marines, constantly re-enforced by a stream of men sent from below -as their guns were put out of action, gave them a compensating factor, -and by degrees the concentrated fire of the Americans cleared the deck -of the Serapis. The two ships lying side by side, slowly grinding -together in the gentle sea, the yardarms were interlaced and the -American topmen, again outnumbering their English antagonists, ran -along the yards, and a dizzy fight in midair ensued, as the result of -which, after suffering severe loss, the Americans gained possession of -the British maintop. Turning their fire forward and aft, aided by -attacking parties from the fore and crossjack yards, they finally -cleared the English entirely out of the upper works of their ship. -From this lofty point of vantage they poured such a rain of fire -upon the Serapis that Pearson was left practically alone on the -quarter-deck. To a chivalrous admiration for his courage he is said to -owe his immunity. He, too, should have his meed of praise for the -undaunted heroism with which he stood alone on the bullet-swept, -blood-stained planks, maintained his position, and fought his ship.</p> - -<p class="normal">Now, to go back a little. Shortly after the two ships were lashed -together, the Alliance, apparently having recovered from her -hesitation, came sweeping toward the combatants, and deliberately -poured a broadside into the Richard, which did not a little damage and -killed several men. In spite of all signals, Landais repeated his -treacherous performance, but before the Richard's men could fairly -realize the astonishing situation he sailed away from them and ran -over before the wind toward the Pallas, which had been for some time -hotly engaged with the Countess of Scarborough, where he is said to -have done the same thing.<a name="div4Ref_15" href="#div4_15"><sup>[15]</sup></a> -This strange action of the Alliance had -but little effect upon the battle at this time, which was continued -with unremitting fury.</p> - -<p class="normal">One by one the small guns on the main deck of the Richard were -silenced. The crews were swept away, guns were dismounted, carriages -broken and shattered, and finally the whole side of the Richard from -the mainmast aft was beaten in; so much so, that during the latter -part of the action the shot of the Serapis passed completely through -the Richard, and, meeting no opposition, fell harmlessly into the sea -far on the other side. In the excitement the English never thought of -depressing their guns and tearing the bottom out of the Richard. As it -was, transoms were beaten out, stern frames were cut to pieces, and a -few stanchions alone supported the decks above. Why they did not -collapse and fall into the hull beneath it, with the guns and men on -them, is a mystery. In addition to all this, the ship was on fire -repeatedly, and men were continually called away from their stations -to fight the flames.</p> - -<p class="normal">Dale and de Weibert had just fired their last shots from the remaining -guns of the main battery which were serviceable when a new -complication was added to the scene. The men guarding the prisoners -had been gradually picked off by the shot of the enemy. The Richard -was leaking rapidly, and when the carpenter sounded the well a little -after nine o'clock, late in the action, he discovered several feet of -water in it. In great alarm he shrieked out that they were sinking. -The few remaining men in the gun room ran for the hatchways. The -master at arms, thinking that all was over, unlocked the hatches and -released the prisoners, crying out at the same time, "On deck, -everybody; the ship is sinking!" The Englishmen in panic terror -scrambled up through the narrow hatchways, and fought desperately with -each other in their wild hurry to reach the deck, where the carpenter -had preceded them, still shouting that the ship was sinking, and now -crying loudly, "Quarter! Quarter!"</p> - -<p class="normal">As the carpenter ran aft, shouting his message of fear and alarm, he -was followed by some of the forward officers, who, catching the -contagion of his terror, repeated his words. Reaching the poop deck, -the carpenter fumbled in the darkness for the halliards to haul down -the flag, calling out to Jones that all was lost, the ship sinking, -and that he must surrender. Other officers and men joined in the cry. -It was another critical moment. Pearson, hearing the commotion, again -hailed, asking if the Richard had struck. Jones, unable to stop the -outcry of the terrified carpenter, smashed his skull with the butt of -his pistol, and answered the second request of Pearson with, as he -says, a most determined negative. We can imagine it. By his presence -of mind in silencing the carpenter, and a supreme exertion of his -indomitable will power, Jones soon succeeded in checking the incipient -panic on the spar deck. At this period of the fight some accounts say -that Pearson called his boarders from below and attempted to board. -The advance was met by Jones at the head of a few men, pike in hand, -with such firmness that it was not pressed home, and the men returned -to their stations at the guns and resumed the fight.</p> - -<p class="normal">Meanwhile, Richard Dale, seconded by his midshipmen, with rare and -never-to-be-undervalued presence of mind, had stopped the oncoming -rush of frightened English prisoners, who now greatly outnumbered the -broken crew of the Richard. He sprang among them, beating them down, -driving them back, menacing them with the point of the sword, at the -same time telling them that the English ship was sinking, and that -they were in the same condition, and unless they went to the pumps -immediately all hands would be inevitably lost. The audacity of this -statement was worthy of Jones himself. It was a rare action on the -part of a boy of twenty-three years of age. Such a young man under -present conditions in the United States Navy probably would be filling -the responsible station of a naval cadet afloat!<a name="div4Ref_16" href="#div4_16"><sup>[16]</sup></a> -Instantly -divining this new peril, the commodore himself sprang to the hatchway -and seconded Dale's effort. Incredible as it seems, the two men -actually forced the panic-stricken, bewildered, and terrified English -prisoners to man the pumps, thus relieving a number of the crew of the -Richard; and the singular spectacle was presented of an American ship -kept afloat by the efforts of Englishmen, and thus enabled to continue -an almost hopeless combat. Dale, with imperturbable audacity, remained -below in command of them.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Richard was a wreck. She had been fought to a standstill. Her -battery was silenced, her decks were filled with released prisoners, -she was making water fast, she was on fire in two or three places; -numbers of her crew had been killed and wounded, the water had -overflowed the cockpit, and the frightened surgeon had been driven to -the deck, where, in conjunction with some of the French officers, he -counseled surrender.</p> - -<p class="normal">"What!" cried Paul Jones, smiling at the surgeon, "What, doctor! Would -you have me strike to a drop of water? Help me to get this gun over!"</p> - -<p class="normal">But the doctor, liking the looks of things on deck even less than -below, ran down the hatchway, and, his station untenable, wandered to -and fro and ministered to the wounded on every side as best he could. -Meanwhile Jones had taken the place of the purser, Mr. Mease, -commanding the upper battery, who had been severely wounded and forced -to leave his station. The commodore was personally directing the fire -of the upper deck guns left serviceable on the Richard, the two -9-pounders on the quarter-deck. With great exertion another gun was -dragged over from the port side, Jones lending a hand with the rest, -and the fire of the three was concentrated upon the mainmast of the -Serapis.</p> - -<p class="normal">About this time, between half after nine and ten o'clock, a huge black -shadow came darting between the moonlight and the two frigates -grinding against each other. It was the Alliance once more entering -the fray. After running away from the Richard toward the Scarborough -and the Pallas, she hovered about until she found that the former had -capitulated after a gallant defense against the overwhelming -superiority of the French ship. Then Landais headed once more for the -Richard and the Serapis. To reach them, he was forced to make two -tacks. As he approached, a burning anxiety filled the minds of Jones -and the officers who were left on deck with him, as to what Landais -would do. They were soon enlightened.</p> - -<p class="normal">Sailing across the bow of the Serapis, the Alliance drew past the -stern of the Richard, and when she had reached a position slightly on -the quarter of the latter ship, she poured in a broadside. There could -be no misapprehension on the part of Landais as to which ship he was -firing into. The Richard was a black ship with a high poop, and the -Serapis was painted a creamy white with much lower stern. The moon was -filling the sky with brilliant light. Things were as plain as if it -were daytime. In addition to all this, Jones had caused the private -night signals to be hung upon the port side of the Richard. Shouts and -cries warned the Alliance that she was firing upon her own people. -These were disregarded. It was the opinion of the Americans that the -English had taken the ship and were endeavoring to compass the -destruction of the Richard. They could not otherwise explain the -astonishing action. Sailing slowly along the starboard side of the -Richard, the Alliance poured in another broadside. Then she circled -the bows of the American ship, and from some distance away raked her -with a discharge of grape which killed and wounded many, including -Midshipman Caswell, in charge of the forecastle. It was just before -ten o'clock when this happened. Some of the shot from these several -broadsides may have reached the Serapis and possibly have done some -damage, but the brunt of the severe attack fell upon the Richard. Her -men, in the face of this awful stab in the back from a friend, -naturally flinched from their guns and ran from their stations.</p> - -<p class="normal">All seemed hopeless; but Jones was still left, and while he was alive -he would fight. He and his officers drove the men back to their guns, -and as the Alliance sailed away, for the time being, they forgot her. -The fight went on!</p> - -<p class="normal">It is greatly to the credit of the men that under such circumstances -they could be induced to continue the contest. But the men had -actually grown reckless of consequences: filled with the lust of -battle, the brute in them was uppermost. They fought where they stood, -with what they had. When the American guns were silenced, the seamen -struck at their British foes over their silent muzzles with ramrods -and sponges. Some endeavored to subdue the flames which broke out on -every side. Others joined the English prisoners at the pumps. Many ran -to the upper deck to replace the decimated crews of the 9-pounders. -Some seized the muskets of the dead French soldiers and poured in a -small-arm fire. They had grown careless of the fire, indifferent to -the progress of the battle, ignorant of the results of the action. -There was but one spirit among them, one idea possessed them--to fight -and to fight on. Both crews had done their best; both had fought as -men rarely had fought before; the battle was still undecided. The -issue lay between Jones and Pearson. What was it to be?</p> - -<p class="normal">Things on the Richard were hopeless, but things on the Serapis had not -gone much better. She, too, was on fire--in no less than twelve places -at once. The fearful musketry fire from the quarter-deck and -forecastle of the Richard, and from the tops, had practically cleared -her decks of all but Pearson. By Jones' orders the men in the American -tops had made a free use of their hand grenades. A daring sailor, sent -by Midshipman Fanning from the maintop, ran out upon the main yardarm, -which hung over the after hatch of the Serapis, and began to throw -grenades down the hatchway. On the lower deck of that ship a large -pile of powder cartridges had been allowed to accumulate, for which, -on account of the silencing of a large number of guns, there had been -no demand. With reckless improvidence, in their haste, the powder boys -continued to pile up these unused charges on the deck of the ship -between the batteries. Nobody cautioned them, perhaps nobody noticed -them in the heat of the action. At last a hand grenade struck the -hatch combing, bounded aft, and fell into the midst of the pile of -cartridges. There was a detonating crash, a terrific explosion, which -absolutely silenced the roar of the battle for a moment. The two ships -rolled and rocked from the shock of it. When the smoke cleared away, -the decks were filled with dead and dying. Some twenty-eight men were -killed or desperately wounded by the discharge; many others on the -decks were stunned, blinded, and thrown in every direction by the -concussion. Clothes were ripped from them, and many of them were -severely burned. Lieutenant Stanhope, in charge of that gun division, -his clothing on fire, actually leaped into the sea to get relief from -his agony. Afterward, though frightfully burned, he regained his -station and fought on.</p> - -<p class="normal">It was this last shock that determined Pearson to surrender. He had -beaten his antagonist a half dozen times, but his antagonist did not -seem to realize it. In the face of such implacable determination his -own nerve gave way. He was surrounded by dead and dying, no human soul -apparently fit for duty on his decks but himself, the roar of his own -guns silenced by this terrific explosion. He had fought through many -desperate battles--never one like this. The other American frigate -might come back. His consort had been captured. His nerve was broken. -He turned and walked aft to the flagstaff raking from the taffrail. To -this staff, with his own hand before the action, he had nailed the -English flag.<a name="div4Ref_17" href="#div4_17"><sup>[17]</sup></a> With the -same hand he seized the drooping folds of -bunting, and with a breaking heart tore it from the staff.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XI.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_11" href="#div1Ref_11">AFTER THE BATTLE REMARKS ON THE ACTION.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"They have struck their flag!" cried Jones, who had witnessed the -action. "Cease firing!" His powerful voice rang through the two -ships with such a note of triumph as has rarely been heard in the -fought-over confines of the narrow seas.</p> - -<p class="normal">As the little scene transpired above, from the decks beneath them came -the roar of the Serapis' guns. She had resumed her fire. Her men, too, -were of heroic breed! A British ship captain among the English -prisoners, recovering from his panic and noting the desperate -condition of the Richard, had slipped away from the pumps, and, -eluding the observation of Dale and his men, had crawled through the -gaping openings in the sides of the Richard and the Serapis at the -risk of his life--for the first Englishman who saw him moved to cut -him down--and had announced the dreadful plight of the Richard to the -first lieutenant of the Serapis, who had succeeded in rallying his men -and forcing them once more back to the guns.</p> - -<p class="normal">But the cry of the American was taken up by the men on the different -ships until Dale came bounding up the hatchway, when Jones ordered him -to board the English frigate and take possession. Followed by -Midshipman Mayrant and a party of boarders with drawn swords, Dale -leaped up on the rail of the Richard, seized the end of the main brace -pennant, swung himself to the lower Serapis, and jumped down upon her -quarter-deck. As Mayrant followed he was met by an English seaman -coming from the waist, pike in hand. The sailor, ignorant of or -disbelieving the surrender, thrust violently at Mayrant, inflicting a -serious wound in the thigh before he could be stopped.</p> - -<p class="normal">Aft upon the lee side of the deck, Pearson was standing alone with -bowed head, leaning against the rail, the flag in one hand, his face -being covered by the other. As the Americans clambered over the rail -he raised his head--his hand fell to the breast of his coat. There was -the look of defeat, the saddest aspect humanity can bear, upon his -face. As Dale approached him, the English first lieutenant, not -believing that the ship had struck, also came bounding from below.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Have you struck?" cried Dale, stepping before the English captain.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Yes, sir," was the reply. The anguish of the broken-hearted sailor -was apparent in his face and in his voice.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Sir, I have orders to send you on board the ship alongside," replied -the American.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Very good, sir," answered Pearson, reaching for his sword and -dropping the flag. Just at this moment his subordinate interrupted -them.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Has the enemy struck to you, sir?" he asked.</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, sir; on the contrary, he has struck to us," interposed Dale. But -the English lieutenant refused to believe him.</p> - -<p class="normal">"A few more broadsides, sir, and they are ours," he persisted. "Their -prisoners have escaped. They are sinking!"</p> - -<p class="normal">"The ship has struck, sir," Dale burst out hurriedly, scarcely giving -the miserable Pearson an opportunity of replying, "and you are my -prisoner!" Very properly, however, the English officer would take such -news from no one but his own captain.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Sir!" he cried in astonishment to Pearson, "have you struck?"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Yes, sir," at last answered Pearson reluctantly.</p> - -<p class="normal">There was a deadly little pause.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have nothing more to say, sir," replied the officer at last, -turning to go below. As Dale interposed, he added, "If you will permit -me to go below I will silence the firing of the lower deck guns."</p> - -<p class="normal">"No, sir," answered Dale, "you will accompany your captain on board -our ship at once, by the orders of Commodore Jones. Pass the word to -cease firing. Your ship has surrendered!"</p> - -<p class="normal">Dale was fearful lest the lieutenant should go below and, refusing to -accept the captain's decision, attempt to resume the conflict. So, -with his usual presence of mind, he sternly insisted upon both -officers proceeding on board the Richard at once. In the face of the -swarming crowd of the Richard's men on the Serapis' quarter-deck they -had, of course, no option but to obey. By the aid of the dangling -ropes they climbed up to the rail of the Indiaman and thence dropped -to the quarter-deck of the American ship. They found themselves in the -presence of a little man in a blue uniform which was rent and torn -from the labors he had undergone during the action. He was hatless, -and his dark face was grimed with the smoke and soil of battle. Blood -spattering from a slight wound upon his forehead was coagulated upon -his cheek. In the lurid illumination of the fire roaring fiercely -forward, which, with the moon's pallid irradiation, threw a ghastly -light over the scene of horror, he looked a hideous spectacle--a -picture of demoniac war. Nothing but the fierce black eyes still -burning with the awful passions of the past few hours and gleaming out -of the darkness, with the exultant light of the present conquest -proclaimed the high humanity of the man. In his hand he held a drawn -sword. As the English officers stepped upon the deck he advanced -toward them and bowed gracefully.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You are----" began Pearson interrogatively.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Commodore John Paul Jones, of the American Continental squadron, and -the ship Bon Homme Richard, at your service, gentlemen; and you -are----"</p> - -<p class="normal">"Captain Richard Pearson, of His Britannic Majesty's ship Serapis," -responded the other, bowing haughtily, as he tendered his sword.</p> - -<p class="normal">Pearson is reputed to have said on this occasion, "I regret at being -compelled to strike to a man who has fought with a halter around his -neck," or words to that effect. He did not utter the remark at that -time, according to Jones' specific statement made long afterward. The -substance of the statement was used, however, in Pearson's testimony -before a court martial subsequently for the loss of his ship. And the -story probably arose from that circumstance. Jones retained the sword, -which was customary at that period, though different customs obtained -later.</p> - -<p class="normal">As he received the proffered sword the American replied, with a -magnanimity as great as his valor:</p> - -<p class="normal">"Sir, you have fought like a hero, and I make no doubt that your -sovereign will reward you in the most ample manner."</p> - -<p class="normal">His countrymen have ever loved Paul Jones for the chivalrous nobility -of this gracious answer. But he wasted no further time in discussion. -There was too much to be done; not a moment could be lost. It was half -after ten o'clock at night; the battle was over, but their tasks were -not yet completed. Both ships were burning furiously. Their decks were -filled with desperately wounded men, whose agonies demanded immediate -attention. Their screams and groans rose above the sound of the -crackling, roaring flames. With but half a single crew Jones had to -man both ships, put out the fires, force the escaped English prisoners -back into the hold, secure the additional prisoners, and care for the -wounded on the Serapis. From the actions of the Alliance, too, there -was no telling what Landais might take it into his head to do. He had -fired twice upon them; he might do it again, and possibly it might be -necessary for Jones to defend the flagship and her prize from a more -determined attack by Landais than any to which they had yet been -subjected.</p> - -<p class="normal">He turned over the command of the Serapis to Dale, sending him, as -usual, a generous contingent for a prize crew, and then, as a -preliminary to further work, the lashings which had held the two -vessels in their death grapple were cut asunder. The Richard slowly -began to draw past her beaten antagonist. Dale immediately filled his -head sail and shifted his helm to wear ship and carry out his orders. -He was much surprised to find that the Serapis lay still and did not -obey the helm. Fearing that the wheel ropes had been shot away, he -sent a quartermaster to examine them, who reported that they were -intact. At this moment the master of the Serapis, coming aft and -observing Dale's surprise, informed him that the English ship was -anchored, which was the first intimation of that fact the Americans -had received. Dale ordered the cable cut, whereupon the ship paid off -and began to shove through the water, which fortunately still -continued calm. As he spoke, he rose from the binnacle upon which he -had been seated, and immediately fell prone to the deck. He discovered -at that moment, by his inability to stand, that he had been severely -wounded in the leg by a splinter, a thing which he had not noticed in -the heat of the action. As he lay upon the deck, Mr. Henry Lunt, the -second lieutenant of the Richard, came on board the Serapis at this -juncture. This officer had been dispatched in the afternoon to pursue -the brigantine, and had caused his boat's crew to lay on their oars at -a safe distance from the two ships during the whole of the desperate -battle, because, as he states, he "thought it not prudent to go -alongside in time of action." Mr. Lunt no doubt lived to regret the -pusillanimous "prudence" of his conduct on this occasion, although, if -that conduct be an index to his character, his services would not be -of great value in the battle. Dale turned over the command of the -Serapis to Lunt, and was assisted on board the Richard.</p> - -<p class="normal">As the Richard cleared the Serapis, the tottering mainmast of that -ship, which had been subjected to a continual battering from the -9-pounders and which had only been sustained by the interlocking -yards, came crashing down, just above the deck, carrying with it the -mizzen topmast, doing much damage as it fell, and adding an element of -shipwreck to the other evidence of disaster. The frigate was also on -fire, and the flames, unchecked in the confusion of the surrender, -were gaining great headway. Moved by a sense of their common peril and -necessity, the English crew joined with the Americans in clearing away -the wreck and subduing the fire. They did not effect this without a -hard struggle, but they finally succeeded in saving the ship and -following the Richard.</p> - -<p class="normal">The situation on that ship was precarious in the extreme. She was very -low in the water and leaking like a sieve. She was still on fire in -several places, and the flames were blazing more furiously than ever. -There was not a minute's respite allowed her crew. Having conquered -the English, they turned to fight the fire and water. The prisoners -were forced to continue their exhausting toil at the pumps. Pressing -every man of the crew into service, including the English officers, -except those so badly wounded as to be incapable of anything, Jones -and his men turned their attention to the fire. They had a hard -struggle to get it under control. At one time the flames approached so -near to the magazine that, fearful lest they should be blown up, Jones -caused the powder to be removed and stowed upon the deck preparatory -to throwing it overboard. For some time they despaired of saving the -ship. Toward daybreak, however, they managed to extinguish the flames -and were saved that danger. In the morning a careful inspection of the -ship was made. A fearful situation was revealed. She had been torn to -pieces. It was hardly safe for the officers and men to remain on the -after part of the ship. Everything that supported the upper deck -except a few stanchions had been torn away. Her rotten timbers had -offered no resistance to the Serapis' searching shot. Jones writes:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"With respect to the situation of the Bon Homme Richard, the rudder -was cut entirely off, the stern frame and the transoms were almost -entirely cut away; the timbers, by the lower deck especially, from the -mainmast to the stern, being greatly decayed with age, were mangled -beyond my power of description, and a person must have been an -eyewitness to form a just idea of the tremendous scene of carnage, -wreck, and ruin that everywhere appeared. Humanity can not but recoil -from the prospect of such finished horror, and lament that war should -produce such fatal consequences."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">It was evident that nothing less than a miracle could keep her afloat -even in the calmest weather. With a perfectly natural feeling Jones -determined to try it.</p> - -<p class="normal">A large detail from the Pallas was set to work pumping her out. Every -effort, meanwhile, was made to patch her up so that she could be -brought into the harbor. The efforts were in vain. Owing to the -decayed condition of her timbers, even the poor remnants of her frames -that were left standing aft could not bear the slightest repairing. -She settled lower and lower in the water, until, having been surveyed -by the carpenters and various men of experience, including Captain de -Cottineau, about five o'clock in the evening it was determined to -abandon her. It was time. She threatened to sink at any moment--would -surely have sunk, indeed, if the pumps had stopped. She was filled -with helpless wounded and prisoners. They had to be taken off before -she went down.</p> - -<p class="normal">During the night everybody worked desperately transferring the wounded -to the other ships, further details of men from the Pallas being told -off to man the frigate and keep her afloat. Such was the haste with -which they worked that they barely succeeded in trans-shipping the -last of the wounded just before daybreak on the 25th. Although the sea -fortunately continued smooth, the poor wounded suffered frightfully -from the rough handling necessitated by the rapid transfer.</p> - -<p class="normal">The removal of the prisoners from the Richard was now begun; -naturally, these men, expecting the ship to sink at any moment, were -frantic with terror. They had only been kept down by the most rigorous -measures. As day broke, the light revealed to them the nearness of the -approaching end of the ship. They also realized that they greatly -outnumbered the Americans remaining on the Richard. There was a -hurried consultation among them: a quick rush, and they made a -desperate attempt to take the ship. Some endeavored to overpower the -Americans, others ran to the braces and wheel and got the head of the -ship toward the land. A brief struggle ensued. The Americans were all -heavily armed, the English had few weapons, and after two of them had -been shot dead, many wounded, and others thrown overboard, they were -subdued once more and the ship regained. In the confusion some -thirteen of them got possession of a boat and escaped in the gray of -the morning to the shore. By close, quick work during the early -morning all the men alive, prisoners and crew, were embarked in the -boats of the squadron before the Richard finally disappeared.<a name="div4Ref_18" href="#div4_18"><sup>[18]</sup></a> -At -ten o'clock in the morning of the 25th she plunged forward and went -down bow foremost. The great battle flag under which she had been -fought, which had been shot away during the action, had been picked up -and reset. It fluttered above her as she slowly sank beneath the -sea.<a name="div4Ref_19" href="#div4_19"><sup>[19]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">So filled had been the busy hours, and so many had been the demands -made upon him in every direction, that Jones, ever careless of himself -in others' needs, lost all of his personal wardrobe, papers, and other -property. They went down with the ship. From the deck of the Serapis, -Jones, with longing eyes and mingled feelings, watched the great old -Indiaman, which had earned everlasting immortality because for three -brief hours he and his men had battled upon her worn-out decks, sink -beneath the sea. Most of those who had given their lives in defense of -her in the battle lay still and silent upon her decks. There had been -no time to spare to the dead. Like the Vikings of old, they found -their coffin in her riven sides, and sleep to-day in the quiet of the -great deep on the scene of their glory. During the interval after the -action, a jury rig had been improvised on the Serapis, which had not -been severely cut up below by the light guns of the Richard, and was -therefore entirely seaworthy, and the squadron bore away by Jones' -orders for Dunkirk, France.</p> - -<p class="normal">Before we pass to a consideration of the subsequent movements of the -squadron, a further comparison between the Richard and the Serapis, -with some statement of the losses sustained and the various factors -which were calculated to bring about the end, will be in order, and -will reveal much that is interesting. The accounts of the losses upon -the two ships widely differ. Jones reported for the Richard forty-nine -killed and sixty-seven wounded; total, one hundred and sixteen out of -three hundred; but the number is confessedly incomplete. Pearson, for -the Serapis, reported the same number of killed and sixty-eight -wounded, out of a crew of three hundred and twenty; but it is highly -probable that the loss in both cases was much greater. The records, as -we have seen, were badly kept on the Richard, and most of them were -lost when the ship went down. The books of the Serapis seemed to have -fared equally ill in the confusion. The crews of both ships were -scattered throughout the several ships of the American squadron, and -accurate information was practically unobtainable. Jones, who was in a -better position than Pearson for ascertaining the facts, reports the -loss of the Serapis as over two hundred men, which is probably nearly -correct, and the loss of the Richard was probably not far from one -hundred and fifty men. The Countess of Scarborough lost four killed -and twenty wounded. The loss of the Pallas was slight, and that of the -Alliance and Vengeance nothing.</p> - -<p class="normal">However this may be, the battle was one of the most sanguinary and -desperate ever fought upon the sea. It was unique in that the beaten -ship, which was finally sunk by the guns of her antagonist, actually -compelled that antagonist to surrender. It was remarkable for the -heroism manifested by both crews. It is invidious, perhaps, to make a -comparison on that score, yet, if the contrast can be legitimately -drawn, the result is decidedly in favor of the Richard's men, for they -had not only the enemy to occupy their attention, but they sustained -and did not succumb to the treacherous attack of the Alliance in the -rear. The men of the Serapis were, of course, disheartened and their -nerves shattered by the explosion which occurred at the close of the -action, but a similar and equally dreadful misfortune had occurred at -the commencement of the engagement on the Richard, in the blowing up -of the two 18-pounders. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred either -of these two terrible incidents would have caused a prompt surrender -of the ship on which they occurred; but the Richard's men rallied from -the former, and it must not be forgotten that the Serapis' men did the -like from the latter, for they had recommenced the fire of their guns -just as Pearson hauled down his flag.</p> - -<p class="normal">The officers on the two ships appear to have done their whole duty, -and the difference, as I have said, lay in the relative qualities of -the two captains. Jones could not be beaten, Pearson could. When -humanity enters into a conflict with a man like Jones, it must make up -its mind to eventually discontinue the fight or else remove the man. -Fortunately, Jones, though slightly wounded, was not removed; -therefore Pearson had to surrender. Next to Jones, the most unique -personality which was produced by the action was Richard Dale. I do -not refer to his personal courage--he was no braver than Pearson; -neither was Jones, for that matter; in fact, the bravery of all three -was of the highest order--but to his astonishing presence of mind and -resource at that crucial moment which was the third principal incident -of the battle, when the English prisoners were released. The more one -thinks of the prompt, ready way in which he cajoled, commanded, and -coerced these prisoners into manning the pumps so that his own men -could continue the battle, the result of which, if they succeeded -would be to retain the English still as prisoners, the more one -marvels at it. The fame of Dale has been somewhat obscured in the -greater fame of Jones, but he deserves the very highest praise for his -astonishing action. And in every possible public way Jones freely -accorded the greatest credit to him.</p> - -<p class="normal">There is one other fact in connection with the battle which must be -mentioned. The English have always claimed that the presence of the -Alliance decided Pearson to surrender. In justice, I have no doubt -that it did exercise a moral influence upon the English captain. In -the confusion of the fight, what damage, whether little or great, had -been done to the Serapis by the fire of the Alliance could not be -definitely ascertained. Again, it would never enter the head of an -ordinary commander that the Alliance was deliberately firing into her -consort. So far as can be determined now, no damage worthy of account -had been done to the English ship by the Alliance; but Pearson knew -she was there, and he had a right to believe that she would return at -any time. When she returned, if she should take position on the -starboard side of the Serapis, the unengaged side, he would have to -strike at once.</p> - -<p class="normal">Something of this sort may have been in his mind, and it would -undoubtedly contribute to decide him to surrender; but, admitting all -this, he should have delayed the formal surrender until the possible -contingency had developed into a reality, until he actually saw the -Alliance alongside of him again. As a matter of fact, he did not -strike until about thirty minutes after the Alliance had fired the -last broadside and sailed away. The American frigate was out of -gunshot when he surrendered, and going farther from him with every -minute.</p> - -<p class="normal">Imagine what Jones would have done under similar circumstances! -Indeed, we do not have to imagine what he would have done, for as it -happened the Alliance had on two occasions fired full upon him, and he -was actually in the dilemma which Pearson imagined he might fall into, -and yet it only re-enforced his already resolute determination to -continue the fight more fiercely than ever. A nice point this: with -Pearson the Alliance was an imaginary danger, with Jones a real one! -While the presence of the Alliance, therefore, explains in a measure -Pearson's surrender, it does not enhance his reputation for dogged -determination. The unheard-of resistance which he had met from the -Richard, the persistence with which the attack was carried on, the -apparently utterly unconquerable nature of his antagonist--of whose -difficulties on the Richard he was not aware, for there was no -evidence of faltering in the battle--the frightful attack he had -received, and his isolation upon the deck filled with dead and dying -men, broke his own power of resistance. There were two things beaten -on that day--the Richard and Pearson; one might almost say three -things: both ships and the captain of one. It is generally admitted, -even by the English, that the result would have been the same if the -Alliance had never appeared on the scene. No, it was a fair and square -stand-up fight, and a fair and square defeat.<a name="div4Ref_20" href="#div4_20"><sup>[20]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">The conduct of Landais has presented a problem difficult of solution. -It has been surmised, and upon the warrant of his own statement, that -he would have thought it no harm if the Richard had struck to the -Serapis, and he could have had the glory of recapturing her and then -forcing the surrender of the English frigate; but whether he really -meant by his dastardly conduct to compel this situation from which he -trusted he could reap so much honor, is another story. Most of the -historians have been unable to see anything in his actions but -jealousy and treachery. The most eminent critic, however, who has -treated of the battle<a name="div4Ref_21" href="#div4_21"><sup>[21]</sup></a> -has thought his actions arose from an -incapacity, coupled with a timidity amounting to cowardice, which -utterly blinded his judgment; that he was desirous of doing something, -and felt it incumbent upon him to take some part in the action and -that his firing into the Richard was due to incompetency rather than -to anything else. With all deference, it is difficult to agree with -this proposition. The officers of the squadron, in a paper which was -prepared less than a month after the action, bore conclusive testimony -that while it is true that he was an incapable coward, he was, in -addition, either a jealous traitor, or--and this is the only other -supposition which will account for his action--that he was -irresponsible, in short, insane. This is a conclusion to which his own -officers afterward arrived, and which his subsequent career seems to -bear out. At any rate, this is the most charitable explanation of his -conduct which can be adopted. If he had been simply cowardly, he could -have done some service by attacking the unprotected convoy, which was -entirely at his mercy, and among which he could have easily taken some -valuable prizes. It is stated to their credit that some of the -officers of the Alliance remonstrated with Landais, and pointed out to -him that he was attacking the wrong ship, and that some of his men -refused to obey his orders to fire.</p> - -<p class="normal">There is but one other circumstance to which it is necessary to refer. -All the plans of the battle which are extant, and all the descriptions -which have been made, from Cooper to Maclay and Spears, show that the -Richard passed ahead of the Serapis and was raked; and that the -Serapis then ranged alongside to windward of the American and -presently succeeded in crossing the Richard's bow and raking her a -second time. Richard Dale's account, in Sherburne's Life of Paul -Jones, written some forty-six years after the action, seems to bear -out this idea. Jones himself, whose report is condensed and -unfortunately wanting in detail, says: "Every method was practiced on -both sides to gain an advantage and rake each other, and I must -confess that the enemy's ship, being much more manageable than the Bon -Homme Richard, gained thereby several times an advantageous situation, -in spite of my best endeavors to prevent it." Nathaniel Fanning, -midshipman of the maintop in the action, stated in his narrative, -published in 1806, twenty-seven years later, that the Serapis raked -the Richard several times.</p> - -<p class="normal">Notwithstanding this weight of apparent testimony, I must agree with -Captain Mahan in his conclusion that the Serapis, until the ships were -lashed together, engaged the Richard with her port battery only, and -that the plan as given above is correct. In the first place, Jones' -statement is too indefinite to base a conclusion upon unless clearly -corroborated by other evidence. Dale, being in the batteries, where he -could hardly see the maneuvers, and writing from memory after a lapse -of many years, may well have been mistaken. Fanning's narrative is -contradicted by the articles which he signed concerning the conduct of -Landais, in October, 1779, in the Texel, so that his earliest -statement is at variance with his final recollection, and Fanning is -not very reliable at best.</p> - -<p class="normal">However, we might accept the statements of these men as decisive were -it not for the fact that Pearson, whose report is very explicit -indeed, makes no claim whatever to having succeeded in raking the -Richard, though it would be so greatly to his credit if he had done so -that it is hardly probable he would fail to state it. His account of -the battle accords with the plan of the present work. Again, when the -Serapis engaged the Richard in the final grapple, she had to blow off -her starboard port shutters, which were therefore tightly closed. If -she had been engaged to starboard (which would necessarily follow if -she had been on the port side of the Richard at any time), the ports -would have been opened.<a name="div4Ref_22" href="#div4_22"><sup>[22]</sup></a> -This is not absolutely conclusive, -because, of course, it would be possible that the ports might have -been closed when the men were shifted to the other battery, but in the -heat of the action such a measure would be so improbable as to be -worthy of little consideration. But the most conclusive testimony to -the fact that the Serapis was not on the port side of the Richard at -any time is found in the charges which were signed by the officers -concerning the conduct of Landais. Article 19 reads: "As the most -dangerous shot which the Bon Homme Richard received under the water -were under the larboard bow and quarter, they must have come from the -Alliance, <i>for the Serapis was on the other side</i>."<a name="div4Ref_23" href="#div4_23"><sup>[23]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">Captain Mahan well sums it up: "As Landais' honor, if not his life, -was at stake in these charges, it is not to be supposed that six -officers (besides two French marine officers), four of whom were -specially well situated for seeing, would have made this statement if -the Serapis had at any time been in position to fire those shots."</p> - -<p class="normal">This consideration, therefore, seems to settle the question. Again, -the maneuvers as they have been described in this volume are the -simple and natural evolutions which, under the existing conditions of -wind and weather and the relative positions of the two ships, would -have been in all human probability carried out. The attempt to put the -ships in the different positions of the commonly accepted plans -involves a series of highly complicated and unnecessary evolutions -(scarcely possible, in fact, in the very light breeze), which no -commander would be apt to attempt in the heat of action unless most -serious contingencies rendered them inevitable.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XII.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_12" href="#div1Ref_12">UPHOLDING AMERICAN HONOR IN THE TEXEL.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">After the sinking of the Richard, Jones turned his attention to the -squadron. Those ships which had been in action were now ready for sea, -so far, at least, as it was possible to make them, and it was -necessary to make a safe port as soon as possible. He had now some -five hundred English prisoners, including Captains Pearson and Piercy -and their officers, in his possession. These equaled all the American -seamen held captive by the English, and, with one of the main objects -of his expedition in view, Jones earnestly desired to make a French -port, in which case his prizes would be secure and he would be able to -effect a proper exchange of prisoners. But the original destination of -the squadron had been the Texel. It is evident that in sending the -squadron into the Zuyder Zee Franklin shrewdly contemplated the -possibility of so compromising Holland by the presence of the ships as -to force a recognition from that important maritime and commercial -power of the belligerency of the United States. This was the real -purport of the orders. There was an ostensible reason, however, in the -presence of a large fleet of merchant vessels in the Texel, which -would be ready for sailing for France in October, and Jones' squadron -could give them a safe convoy.</p> - -<p class="normal">The events of the cruise had brought about a somewhat different -situation from that contemplated in the original orders, and Jones was -undoubtedly within his rights in determining to enter Dunkirk, the -most available French port; in which event the difficulties which -afterward arose concerning the exchange of prisoners and the -disposition of the prizes would never have presented themselves. In -the latter case, however, the hand of Holland might not have been so -promptly forced, and the recognition accorded this country would -probably have been much longer delayed, although in the end it would -have come. But the balance of advantage lay with Jones' choice of -Dunkirk.</p> - -<p class="normal">For a week the ships beat up against contrary winds, endeavoring to -make that port. Their position was most precarious. Sixteen sail, -including several ships of the line, were seeking the audacious -invaders, and they were likely to overhaul them at any time. The -Frenchmen naturally grew nervous over the prospect. Finally, the -captains, who had been remonstrating daily with Jones, refused to obey -his orders any longer; and, the wind continuing unfavorable for -France, they actually deserted the Serapis, running off to leeward in -a mass and heading for the Texel.</p> - -<p class="normal">The officers of the American squadron were fully aware of the assigned -destination, although the deep reasons for Franklin's subtle policy -had probably not been communicated to them. In view of this -unprecedented situation, which may be traced distinctly to the -concordat, there was nothing left to Jones but to swallow the affront -as best he might, and follow his unruly squadron.</p> - -<p class="normal">Landais had not yet been deposed from the command of the Alliance, -because it would have probably required force to arrest him on the -deck of his own ship, and an internecine conflict might have been -precipitated in his command. On the 3d of October, having made a quick -run of it, the squadron entered the Texel.</p> - -<p class="normal">From the mainland of the Dutch Republic, now the Kingdom of the -Netherlands, the state of North Holland thrusts a bold wedge of land -far to the northward, between the foaming surges of the German Ocean -on the one hand, and the tempest-tossed waters of the Zuyder Zee on -the other. Opposite the present mighty fortifications of Helder, -justly considered the Gibraltar of the North, which terminate the -peninsula, lies a deep and splendid channel, bounded on the north side -by the island of Texel, from which the famous passage gets its name. -Through this ocean gateway, from time immemorial, a splendid -procession of gallant ships and hardy men have gone forth to discover -new worlds, to found new countries, to open up new avenues of trade -with distant empires, and to uphold the honor of the Orange flag in -desperate battles on the sea. Through the pass sailed the first great -Christian foreign missionary expedition of modern times, when in 1624 -the Dutchmen carried the Gospel to the distant island of Formosa, the -beautiful.</p> - -<p class="normal">Brederode and the wild beggars of the sea; Tromp, De Ruyter, van -Heemskerk, De Winter, leading their fleets to battles which made their -names famous, had plowed through the deep channel with their lumbering -keels. Of smaller ships from these familiar shores, the little Half -Moon, of Henry Hudson, and the pilgrim-laden Mayflower had taken their -departure. But no bolder officer nor better seaman had ever made the -passage than the little man on the deck of the battered Serapis on -that raw October morning. It is a rather interesting coincidence that -among the prizes of this cruise was one which bore the name of the -Mayflower.</p> - -<p class="normal">As the cables of the ships tore through the hawse pipes when they -dropped anchor, Jones may have imagined that his troubles were over. -As a matter of fact, they had just begun, and his stay in the Texel -was not the least arduous nor the least brilliant period in his life. -His conduct in the trying circumstances in which he found himself was -beyond reproach. The instant that he appeared, Sir Joseph Yorke, the -able and influential Minister of England at The Hague, demanded that -the States-General deliver the Serapis and the Scarborough to him and -compel the return of the English prisoners held by Jones, and that the -American "Pirate" should be ordered to leave the Texel immediately, -which would, of course, result in the certain capture of his ships, -for the English pursuing squadron appeared off the mouth of the -channel almost immediately after Jones' entrance.</p> - -<p class="normal">Sir Joseph made the point--and it was a pretty one--that by the terms -of past treaties prizes taken by ships whose commanders bore the -commission of no recognized power or sovereign were to be returned to -the English whenever they fell into the hands of Holland. This placed -the States-General in a dilemma. Paul Jones would show no commission -except that of America; indeed, he had no other. In Sir Joseph's mind -the situation was this: The States-General would comply with the terms -of the treaty or it would not. If it did, he would get possession of -the ships and of Jones as well. If it did not, the logic of events -would indicate that the States-General considered the commission which -Paul Jones bore as being valid, in that it was issued by a sovereign -power. This would be in effect a recognition of belligerency. In other -words, the shrewd British diplomatist was endeavoring to force the -hand of the States-General. To determine the position of Holland with -regard to the revolted colonies of Great Britain was a matter of -greater moment than to secure Paul Jones or to receive the two ships, -the loss of which, except so far as it affronted the pride of England, -was of no consequence whatever. The States-General, however, -endeavored to evade the issue and postpone the decision, for, while -their "High Mightinesses" refused to cause the ships to be given up, -they ordered Jones to leave the harbor at once, and they earnestly -disclaimed any intention of recognizing the revolted colonies.</p> - -<p class="normal">As a matter of fact, since there were two parties in the government of -Holland, and two opinions on the subject, they could come to no more -definite conclusion. Jones was intensely popular with the people, and -the democratic opinion favored the immediate recognition of American -independence, and protested against any arbitrary action toward him -and his ships. The Prince of Orange and the aristocratic party took -the contrary view, and they pressed it upon him as far as they dared. -Realizing the precarious nature of his stay in Holland, Jones -immediately set to work with his usual energy to refit the ships, -especially the Serapis. Dispatching a full account of his cruise and -his expedition to Franklin, he went in person to Amsterdam to -facilitate his desire. A contemporary account states that he was -dressed in an American naval uniform,<a name="div4Ref_24" href="#div4_24"><sup>[24]</sup></a> -wearing on his head, instead -of the usual cocked hat, a Scotch bonnet edged with gold lace.</p> - -<p class="normal">When he appeared in the exchange he received a popular ovation, which -naturally greatly pleased him. However, he modestly strove to escape -the overwhelming demonstrations of admiration and approval with which -he was greeted, by retiring to a coffee room, but he was compelled to -show himself again and again at the window in response to repeated -demands from crowds of people assembled in the street who desired a -sight of him. He was made the hero of song and story, and one of the -ballads of the time, a rude, rollicking, drinking song, very popular -among sailors, which celebrates his exploits, is sung to this day in -the streets of Amsterdam.<a name="div4Ref_25" href="#div4_25"><sup>[25]</sup></a> -So delighted were the Dutch with the -humiliation he had inflicted upon their ancient enemy that some of the -principal men of the nation, including the celebrated Baron van der -Capellen, subsequently noted for his friendship for America (evidently -not in harmony with the aristocratic party), entered into a -correspondence with him, which must have been highly flattering to -him, from the expressions of admiration and approval with which every -letter of the baron's abounds. They desired to receive at first hand -an account of his exploits. In response to this request Jones had his -report to Dr. Franklin copied and sent to van der Capellen, together -with other documents illustrative of his career, accompanied by the -following letter:</p> -<br> -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">On Board The Serapis At The Texel</span>,</p> -<p style="text-indent:65%">"<i>October 19, 1779</i>.</p> -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">My Lord</span>: Human nature and America are under a very singular -obligation to you for your patriotism and friendship, and I feel every -grateful sentiment for your generous and polite letter.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Agreeable to your request I have the honour to inclose a copy of my -letter to his Excellency Doctor Franklin, containing a particular -account of my late expedition on the coasts of Britain and Ireland, by -which you will see that I have already been praised far more than I -have deserved; but I must at the same time beg leave to observe that -by the other papers which I take the liberty to inclose (particularly -the copy of my letter to the Countess of Selkirk, dated the day of my -arrival at Brest from the Irish Sea), I hope you will be convinced -that in the British prints I have been censured unjustly. I was, -indeed, born in Britain, but I do not inherit the degenerate spirit of -that fallen nation, which I at once lament and despise. It is far -beneath me to reply to their hireling invectives. They are strangers -to the inward approbation that greatly animates and rewards the man -who draws his sword only in support of the dignity of freedom.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<i>America has been the country of my fond election from the age of -thirteen, when I first saw it</i>.<a name="div4Ref_26" href="#div4_26"><sup>[26]</sup></a> -I had the honour to hoist, with my -own hands, the flag of freedom, the first time that it was displayed -on the Delaware, and I have attended it with veneration ever since on -the Ocean; I see it respected even here, in spite of the pitiful Sir -Joseph, and I ardently wish and hope very soon to exchange a salute -with the flag of this Republick. Let but the two Republicks join -hands, and they will give Peace to the World."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Among the documents transmitted was the famous letter to Lady Selkirk, -of which sententious epistle he evidently remained inordinately proud. -In acknowledging this courtesy van der Capellen wrote as follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The perusal of the letters with which you have favoured me has done -the very same effect upon me that his Excell. Dr. Franklin expected -they would do on the Countess of Selkirk, as you are represented in -some of our Newspapers as a rough, unpolished sailor, not only, but -even as a man of little understanding and no morals and sensibility, -and as I think the 4 papers extremely fit to destroy these malicious -aspersions, I must take the liberty of asking your permission to -publish them in our gazettes. The public will soon make this very just -conclusion that the man honoured by the friendship and intimacy of a -Franklin can not be such as you have been represented.<a name="div4Ref_27" href="#div4_27"><sup>[27]</sup></a> -There are -three points on which you will oblige me by giving some elucidation, -1st. whether you have any obligations to Lord Selkirk? 2d. whether -Lady Selkirk has accepted your generous offer? 3d. whether you have a -commission of France besides that of the Congress? 'Tis not a vain -curiosity that incites me to be so importunate; no, sir, the two first -questions are often repeated to me by your enemies, or, at least, by -prejudiced people; and as to the last, a relative of mine, a known -friend of America, has addressed himself to me for information on that -subject, which he will be glad to have before the States of his -province, of which he is a member (but not yet, as I am, expelled the -house), be assembled.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You will greatly oblige me by sending me as soon as possible such -information as you will think proper to grant.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You may rely on our discretion; we can keep a secret, too. I am in a -great hurry, with the most perfect esteem ..."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The baron's statement gives us a contemporary opinion--one of entire -approbation, by the way--of the letter to Lady Selkirk, and it shows -us that our great-grandfathers looked at things with different eyes -from ours.</p> - -<p class="normal">In reply, Jones dispatched the following letter a month later:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:45%">"<span class="sc">Alliance, Texel</span>, <i>November 29, 1779</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">My Lord</span>: Since I had the honour to receive your second esteemed -letter I have unexpectedly had occasion to revisit Amsterdam; and, -having changed ships since my return to the Texel, I have by some -accident or neglect lost or mislaid your letter. I remember, however, -the questions it contained: 1st, whether I ever had any obligation to -Lord Selkirk? 2dly, whether he accepted my offer? and 3dly, whether I -have a French commission? I answer: I have never had any obligation to -Lord Selkirk, except for his good opinion, nor does know me nor mine -except by character. Lord Selkirk wrote me an answer to my letter to -the Countess, but the Ministry detained it in the general post office -in London for a long time, and then returned it to the author, who -afterward wrote to a friend of his (M. Alexander), an acquaintance of -Doctor Franklin's then at Paris, giving him an account of the fate of -his letter to me & desiring him to acquaint his Excellency and myself -that if the plate was restored by Congress or by any public Body he -would accept it, but that he would not think of accepting it from my -private generosity. The plate has, however, been bought, agreeable to -my letter to the Countess, and now lays in France at her disposal. As -to the 3rd article, <i>I never bore nor acted under any other commission -than what I have received from the Congress of the United States of -America</i>.<a name="div4Ref_28" href="#div4_28"><sup>[28]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">"I am much obliged to you, my Lord, for the honour you do me by -proposing to publish the papers I sent you in my last, but it is an -honour which I must decline, because I can not publish my letter to a -lady without asking and obtaining the lady's consent, and because I -have a very modest opinion of my writings, being conscious that they -are not of sufficient value to claim the notice of the public. I -assure you, my Lord, it has given me much concern to see an extract of -my rough journal in print, and that, too, under the disadvantage of a -translation. That mistaken kindness of a friend will make me cautious -how I communicate my papers.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have the honour to be, my Lord, with great esteem and respect,</p> - -<p style="text-indent:20%">"Your most obliged,</p> - -<p style="text-indent:30%">"And very humble servant."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The nice delicacy of his conduct in refusing to permit the publication -of a letter to a lady without her consent goes very far toward -redeeming the absurdity of the letter itself. While this interesting -correspondence was going on, events of great moment were transpiring. -In the first place, Captain Pearson was protesting against his -detention as a prisoner in the most vehement way, and otherwise -behaving in a very ill-bred manner. When the commodore offered to -return him his plate, linen, and other property, which had been taken -from the Serapis, he refused to accept it from Jones; but he intimated -that he would receive it from the hand of Captain de Cottineau! Jones -had the magnanimity to overlook this petty quibbling, and returned the -property through the desired channel. Pearson, like Jones, was of -humble origin; but, unlike Jones, he never seems to have risen above -it. On October 19th he addressed the following note to Jones:</p> -<br> -<p style="text-indent:40%">"<span class="sc">Pallas, Tuesday Evening</span>, <i>October 19, 1779</i>.</p> -<p class="cotinue">"<i>Captain Jones, Serapis</i>.</p> -<p class="normal">"Captain Pearson presents his compliments to Captain Jones, and is -sorry to find himself so little attended to in his present situation -as not to have been favoured with either a <i>Call</i> or a line from -Captain Jones since his return from Amsterdam. Captain P ... is sorry -to say that he can not look upon such behaviour in any other light -than as a breach of that <i>Civility</i>, which his Rank, as well as -behaviour on all occasions entitles to, he at the same time wishes to -be informed by Captain Jones whether any <i>Steps has</i> been taken toward -the enlargement or exchange of him, his officers and people, or what -is intended to be done with them. As he can not help thinking it a -very unprecedented circumstance their being <i>keeped</i> here as prisoners -on board of ship, being so long in a neutral port."</p> - -<p class="normal">He received in return this decided and definite reply:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:40%">"Serapis, Wednesday, <i>October 20, 1779</i>.</p> -<p class="continue">"<i>Captain Pearson</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Sir: As you have not been prevented from corresponding with your -friends, and particularly with the English ambassador at The Hague, I -could not suppose you to be unacquainted with his memorial, of the -8th, to the States-General, and therefore I thought it fruitless to -pursue the negotiation for the exchange of the prisoners of war now in -our hands.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I wished to avoid any painful altercation with you on that subject; I -was persuaded that you had been in the highest degree sensible that my -behaviour 'toward you had been far from a breach of civility.' This -charge is not, Sir, a civil return for the polite hospitality and -disinterested attentions which you have hitherto experienced.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I know not what difference of respect is due to 'Rank,' between your -service and ours; I suppose, however, the difference must be thought -<i>very great</i> in England, since I am informed that Captain Cunningham, -of equal denomination, and who bears a senior rank in the service of -America, than yours in the service of England, is now confined at -Plymouth <i>in a dungeon, and in fetters</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Humanity, which hath hitherto superseded the plea of retaliation in -American breasts, has induced me (notwithstanding the procedure of Sir -Joseph Yorke) to seek after permission to land the dangerously -wounded, as well prisoners as Americans, to be supported and cured at -the expense of our Continent. The permission of the Government has -been obtained, but the magistrates continue to make objections. I -shall not discontinue my application. I am ready to adopt any means -that you may propose for their preservation and recovery, and in the -meantime we shall continue to treat them with the utmost care and -attention, equally, as you know, to the treatment of our people of the -same rank.</p> - -<p class="normal">"As it is possible that you have not yet seen the memorial of your -ambassador to the States-General, I enclose a paper which contains a -copy, and I believe he has since written what, in the opinion of good -men, will do still less honour to his pen.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I can not conclude without informing you that unless Captain -Cunningham is immediately better treated in England, I expect orders -in consequence from His Excellency Dr. Franklin; therefore, I beseech -you, Sir, to interfere."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The States-General having refused to consent to the restoration of the -ships and the surrender of the prisoners, Paul Jones went to The Hague -for the purpose of pleading his own cause; and there, through the -representations of the French ambassador, the Duc de la Vauguyon, -received permission from their High Mightinesses to land the more -dangerously wounded among his prisoners and crew as well, numbering -over one hundred, in order that he might better care for them and -establish them in more comfortable quarters than the crowded ships -permitted.</p> - -<p class="normal">From motives of humanity, in view of the condition of the prisoners, -Sir Joseph Yorke acquiesced in this arrangement. It was first proposed -that Jones should land them and establish a hospital at Helder; but -the magistrates of that town objecting to the proposition, a fort on -the Texel was assigned to him, of which the entire charge was -committed to him. Colonel de Weibert, with a sufficient force to -garrison the works, was placed in command of the fort.</p> - -<p class="normal">Meanwhile, the charges against Landais, having been formulated and -signed, were dispatched to Franklin, who, with the consent of the -French Government, ordered him to resign the command of the Alliance -and repair immediately to Paris. Before he left the Texel the erratic -Frenchman compelled Captain de Cottineau to accord him the honor of a -duel. As Landais was an expert swordsman, he succeeded in severely -wounding his less skillful but far more worthy antagonist. Elated by -this exploit, the mad Frenchman sent Jones a challenge also. In reply -to Landais' note, the commodore, Marius-like, promptly dispatched men -to arrest him; but Landais got wind of the attempt and hastened to -escape, taking up his departure for Paris. During the stay in the -Texel Jones succeeded in effecting the exchange of Captain Pearson for -Captain Gustavus Cunningham, whom he had at last the pleasure of -receiving upon his own ship.<a name="div4Ref_29" href="#div4_29"><sup>[29]</sup></a> -Meanwhile, with true British -persistence, Sir Joseph kept at the States-General, and it in turn -pressed upon Jones, who imperturbably passed the matter on to the -French ambassador and Dr. Franklin.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 12th of November, to relieve a situation which had become -well-nigh insupportable, the French Government, with the consent of -Franklin, directed that the command of the Serapis should be given to -Captain de Cottineau, and that all the other vessels, except the -Alliance, to which the French had no claim, should hoist the French -flag, and that the Americans should be sent on board the Alliance, -which should be turned over to Paul Jones. To his everlasting regret, -Jones had to obey the heartbreaking order, and in one moment found -himself deprived of his command and his prizes taken from him. It was -a crushing blow, but he had no option save to bear it as best he -could. The exchange was effected at night, and the next morning, when -the Dutch admiral sent his flag captain on board the Serapis to -attempt his usual bullying, he was surprised to see the French flag -flying from her gaff end, and to be informed that she was now the -property of France, as were all the other ships except the Alliance. -Proceedings at once, therefore, fell to the ground as regarded all the -ships but the American frigate. There was no possible reason for -giving up the ships of the French king to the British Government, so -Sir Joseph Yorke necessarily, although with a very bad grace, dropped -the matter, and a short time after the French ships and the prizes -sailed with the merchant fleet under a strong Dutch convoy for France, -where they all arrived safely. Yorke persisted, however, in attempting -to secure the person of Jones, it is gravely alleged, through the -efforts of private individuals, kidnappers or bravos. At any rate, he -redoubled his representations regarding the Alliance, and his efforts -to force the departure of the ship that she might fall into the hands -of the waiting English.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Serapis had been thoroughly overhauled and refitted, and the other -ships, with the exception of the Alliance, were in good shape. By his -unsailorly antics and foolish arrangements Landais had almost -destroyed the qualities of that noble frigate. She was in a dreadful -condition. Thirteen Dutch men-of-war, all of them two-deckers, or line -of battle ships, had assembled in the Texel to enforce the orders of -the States-General, which, on the 17th of November, by a specific -resolution directed the Admiralty Board at Amsterdam to command Jones -to let no opportunity escape to put to sea, as the approach of winter -might make his departure inconvenient or impossible if he delayed -longer. Vice-Admiral Rhynst, who had succeeded Captain Rimersina (like -van der Capellen, another friend of the United States) in the command -of the Dutch fleet, was peremptorily ordered to permit no delay which -was not unavoidable in the carrying out of these orders. He was -instructed and empowered to use force if necessary. Outside the harbor -there was a constantly increasing number of English ships, so that -Jones found himself "between the devil and the deep sea." He was not -to be intimidated, however, and he absolutely refused to go out at all -until he was ready, sending Admiral Rhynst a rather boastful letter to -the effect that he could not engage more than three times his force -with any hope of success, but were the odds any less he should go out -at once. M. Dumas, the French commissary and the agent of the United -States at The Hague, had been directed to proceed to the Texel and do -what he could for Jones, and an interesting correspondence was carried -on between them and the French ambassador on the subject of Jones' -departure. With clear-eyed diplomacy and stubborn resolution the -American held on; go he would not until he was ready! It was, no -doubt, very exasperating to the Dutch, and they did everything -possible save using force to get rid of their unwelcome visitor.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Alliance, as has been stated, was in an unseaworthy condition. An -old-fashioned sailing vessel was as complex and delicate a thing as a -woman; rude, brutal, and unskillful handling had the same effect on -both of them--it spoiled them. Jones at once began the weary work of -refitting her so far as his limited resources provided. The powder -which had been saved from the wreck of the Richard replaced the -spoiled ammunition of the Alliance. Two cables had been borrowed from -the Serapis, and such other steps taken as were possible. When the -squadron was turned over to France the prisoners, except those already -exchanged by agreement between Jones and Pearson, also were directed -to be surrendered to the French Government, who immediately exchanged -them with the English for an equal number of French prisoners, -promising Franklin that they would presently exchange a corresponding -number of French prisoners for the Americans. But Jones resolutely -refused to give up all of his prisoners. In spite of protests and -orders he re-embarked the hundred men who had been recovering from -their wounds in the fort on the Texel, and taking all the Americans of -the squadron, so that the Alliance was heavily overmanned, he made his -preparations to get away.</p> - -<p class="normal">At this time the Duc de la Vauguyon, by the direction of De Sartine, -made Jones the offer of a French naval letter of marque, which might -have protected the captain of the Alliance on her proposed homeward -passage, and have removed all legal cause of objection as to her stay -in the Texel. To this proposition, which he considered insulting, -Jones made the following characteristic answer:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"My Lord: Perhaps there are many men in the world who would esteem as -an honour the commission that I have this day refused. My rank from -the beginning knew no superior in the marine of America; how then must -I be humbled were I to accept a letter of marque! I should, my lord, -esteem myself inexcusable were I to accept even a commission of equal -or superior denomination to that I bear, unless I were previously -authorised by Congress, or some other competent authority in Europe. -And I must tell you that, on my arrival at Brest from the Irish -Channel, Count D'Orvilliers offered to procure for me from court a -commission of '<i>Capitaine de Vaisseau</i>,' which I did not then accept -for the same reason, although the war between France and England was -not then begun, and of course the commission of France would have -protected me from an enemy of superior force.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is a matter of the highest astonishment to me that, after so many -compliments and fair professions, the court should offer the present -insult to my understanding, and suppose me capable of disgracing my -present commission. I confess that I never merited all the praise -bestowed on my past conduct, but I also feel that I have far less -merited such a reward. Where profession and practice are so opposite I -am no longer weak enough to form a wrong conclusion. <i>They may think -as they please of me; for where I can not continue my esteem, praise -or censure from any man is to me a matter of indifference</i>.<a name="div4Ref_30" href="#div4_30"><sup>[30]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">"I am much obliged to them, however, for having at last fairly opened -my eyes, and enabled me to discover truth from falsehood.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The prisoners shall be delivered agreeable to the orders which you -have done me the honour to send me from his excellency the American -ambassador in France.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I will also with great pleasure not only permit a part of my seamen -to go on board the ships under your excellency's orders, but I will -also do my utmost to prevail with them to embark freely; and if I can -now or hereafter, by any other honourable means, facilitate the -success or the honour of his Majesty's arms, I pledge myself to you as -his ambassador, that none of his own subjects would bleed in his cause -with greater freedom than myself, an American.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It gives me the more pain, my lord, to write this letter, because the -court has enjoined you to prepare what would destroy my peace of mind, -and my future veracity in the opinion of the world.</p> - -<p class="normal">"When, <i>with the consent of the court</i>, and by order of the American -ambassador, I gave American commissions to French officers, I did not -fill up those commissions to command privateers, nor even for a rank -<i>equal</i> to that of their commissions in the marine of France. They -were promoted to rank <i>far superior</i>. And why? Not from personal -friendship, nor from my knowledge of their services and abilities (the -men and their characters being entire strangers to me), but from the -respect which I believed America would wish to show for the service of -France.</p> - -<p class="normal">"While I remained eight months seemingly forgot by the court at Brest, -many commissions, such as that in question, were offered to me; and I -believe (when I am in pursuit of <i>plunder</i>) I can still obtain such an -one without application to court.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I hope, my lord, that my behaviour through life will ever entitle me -to the continuance of your good wishes and opinion, and that you will -take occasion to make mention of the warm and personal affection with -which my heart is impressed toward his Majesty."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">In no other letter among the many which I have examined does Jones -appear in so brilliant and successful a light. His high-souled -decision, and his dignified but explicit way of conveying it, alike do -him the greatest credit. In the hands of such a man, not only his own -honor but that of his country would be perfectly safe always. As -usual, on the 16th of December, he inclosed a copy of his letter to -Franklin with the following original comment:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I hope," he said, "that the within copy of my letter to the Duc de la -Vauguyon will meet your approbation, for I am persuaded that it never -could be your intention or wish that I should be made the tool of any -great r---- whatever; or that the commission of America should be -overlaid by the dirty piece of parchment which I have thus rejected! -They have played upon my good humour too long already, but the spell -is at last dissolved. They would play me off with assurance of the -personal and particular esteem of the king, to induce me to do what -would render me contemptible even in the eyes of my own servants! -Accustomed to speak untruths themselves, they would also have me to -give under my hand that I am a liar and a scoundrel. They are -mistaken, and I would tell them what you did to your naughty servant. -'We have too contemptible an opinion of one another's understanding to -live together.' I could tell them, too, that if M---- de C---- had not -taken such safe precautions to keep me honest by means of his famous -<i>concordat</i>, and to support me by so many able colleagues, these great -men would not have been reduced to such mean shifts; for the prisoners -could have been landed at Dunkirk the day that I entered the Texel, -and I could have brought in double the numbers."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">After annoying him with daily injunctions and commands, on the 16th of -December Vice Admiral Rhynst finally commanded Jones to come on board -his flagship and report his intentions. Jones promptly refused to obey -this astonishing order, telling the Dutchman that he had no right to -order him anywhere. Whereupon the vice admiral wrote to him as -follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I desire you by this present letter to inform me how I must consider -the Alliance which you are on board of: whether as a French or -American vessel. If the first, I expect you to cause his Majesty's -commission to be shown to me, and that you display the French flag and -pendant, announcing it by discharging a gun. If the second, I expect -you to omit no occasion of departing, according to the orders of their -High Mightinesses."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Jones had passed beyond the arguing point, and treated this -communication with contempt. He rightly judged that the Dutch would -not resort to force in the end, and he refused to go out to certain -capture; indeed, he would not move until he was ready and a fair -chance of escape presented itself.</p> - -<p class="normal">When the French Commissary of Marine at Amsterdam, the Chevalier de -Lironcourt, saw Rhynst's communication, which Jones sent to him, he -suggested that Jones might waive the point and display French colors -on his ship, disclaiming, at the same time, any ulterior motive not in -consonance with the dignity of the commander, on the part of himself -or his government, in this proposition. But Jones was not to be moved -from the stand he had taken. The man of the world was becoming the -dauntless citizen of the United States at last. He curtly told the -Dutch admiral that he had no orders to hoist any other flag than the -American, and that it only should fly from the gaff of his ship. He -also told him that as soon as a pilot would undertake to carry out his -ship he would leave. But his most significant action was to state -emphatically to the vice admiral's flag captain, who came aboard the -Alliance for an answer to his note of the 16th, that he was tired of -the annoyances, insults, and threats which had been directed at him -daily, and that they must be stopped in future, as he would receive no -more communications from the vice admiral. He also requested the flag -captain to say to his superior officer that, although the Dutch -flagship mounted sixty-four guns, if she and the Alliance were at sea -together the vice admiral's conduct toward him would not have been -tolerated for a moment. I have no doubt that Jones meant exactly what -he said, and I think the vice admiral was lucky in not being required -to test the declaration. From this time until his departure no -communications of any sort were received by Jones from his baffled and -silenced tormentor.</p> - -<p class="normal">He had done all that mortal man could do to retain his prizes, to -protract his stay in Dutch waters, to commit Holland to the side of -the United States, to effect an exchange of prisoners, and to maintain -the honor of the American flag. In doing this, on all sides he had -been harassed and insulted beyond measure. It was therefore some -consolation to him to receive on the 21st the following note of -explanation and apology from De la Vauguyon:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:65%">"<i>December 21, 1779</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I perceive with pain, my dear commodore, that you do not view your -situation in the right light; and I can assure you that the ministers -of the king have no intention to cause you the least disagreeable -feeling, as the honourable testimonials of the esteem of his majesty, -which I send you, ought to convince you. I hope you will not doubt the -sincere desire with which you have inspired me to procure you every -satisfaction you may merit. It can not fail to incite you to give new -proofs of your zeal for the common cause of France and America. I -flatter myself to renew, before long, the occasion and to procure you -the means to increase still more the glory you have already acquired. -I am already occupied with all the interest I promised you; and if my -views are realized, as I have every reason to believe, you will be at -all events perfectly content; but I must pray you not to hinder any -project by delivering yourself to the expressions of those strong -sensations to which you appear to give way, and for which there is -really no foundation. You appear to possess full confidence in the -justice and kindness of the king; rely also upon the same sentiments -on the part of his ministers."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">To this letter Jones sent the following reply; he was a generous man, -who bore no malice:</p> -<br> -<p style="text-indent:40%">"<span class="sc">Alliance, Texel</span>, <i>December 25, 1779</i>.</p> -<p class="continue">"<i>The Duke de Vauguyon</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">My Lord</span>: I have not a heart of stone, but I am duly sensible of the -obligations conferred on me by the very kind and affectionate letter -that you have done me the honour to write me the 21st current.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Were I to form my opinion of the ministry from the treatment that I -experienced while at Brest, or from their want of confidence in me -afterward, exclusive of what has taken place since I had the -misfortune to enter this port, I will appeal to your Excellency as a -man of candour and ingenuousness, whether I ought to desire to prolong -a connection that has made me so unhappy, and wherein I have given so -little satisfaction? M. de Chev. de Lironcourt has lately made me -reproaches on account of the expense that he says France has been at -<i>to give me reputation</i>, in preference to twenty captains of the royal -navy, better qualified than myself, and who, each of them, solicited -for the command that was lately given to me! This, I confess, is quite -new and indeed surprising to me, and had I known it before I left -France I certainly should have resigned in favour of the twenty men of -superior merit. I do not, however, think that his first assertion is -true, for the ministry must be unworthy of their places were they -capable of squandering the public money merely to give an individual -reputation! and as to the second, I fancy the court will not thank him -for having given me this information, whether true or false. I may add -here that, with a force so ill-composed, and with powers so limited, I -ran ten chances of ruin and dishonour for one of gaining reputation; -and had not the plea of humanity in favour of the unfortunate -Americans in English dungeons superseded all considerations of self, I -faithfully assure you, my lord, that I would not have proceeded under -such circumstances from Groix. I do not imbibe hasty prejudices -against any individual, but when many and repeated circumstances, -conspiring in one point, have inspired me with disesteem toward any -person, I must see very convincing proofs of reformation in such -person before my heart can beat again with affection in his favour; -for the mind is free, and can be bound only by kind treatment.</p> - -<p class="normal">"You do me great honour, as well as justice, my lord, by observing -that no satisfaction can be more precious to me than by giving new -proofs of my zeal for the common cause of France and America; and the -interest that you take to facilitate the means of my giving such -proofs by essential services, claims my best thanks. <i>I hope I shall -not, through any imprudence of mine, render ineffectual any noble -design that may be in contemplation for the general good.</i><a name="div4Ref_31" href="#div4_31"><sup>[31]</sup></a> -Whenever that object is mentioned, my private concerns are out of the -question, and where I can not speak exactly what I could wish with -respect to my private satisfaction, I promise you in the meantime to -observe a prudent silence.</p> - -<p class="normal">"With a deep sense of your generous sentiments of personal regard -toward me, and with the most sincere wishes to merit that regard by my -conduct through life."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The following extract from a letter to Robert Morris well indicates -how his treatment by the French ambassador rankled:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"By the within despatches for Congress I am persuaded you will observe -with pleasure that my connection with a court is at an end, and that -my prospect of returning to America approaches. The great seem to wish -only to be concerned with tools, who dare not speak or write truth. I -am not sorry that my connection with them is at an end. In the course -of that connection I ran ten chances of ruin and dishonour for one of -reputation; and all the honours or profit that France could bestow -should not tempt me again to undertake the same service with an -armament, equally ill composed, and with powers equally limited. It -affords me the most exalted pleasure to reflect that, when I return to -America, I can say that <i>I have served in Europe at my own expense, -and without the fee or reward of a court</i>,<a name="div4Ref_32" href="#div4_32"><sup>[32]</sup></a> -When the prisoners we -have taken are safely lodged in France I shall have no further -business in Europe, as the liberty of our fellow citizens who now -suffer in English prisons will then be secured; and I shall hope -hereafter to be usefully employed under the immediate direction of the -Congress."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">It is a remarkable thing that, during the perplexities and harassing -incidents of his stay in the Texel, with the constant demands made -upon him in every direction, the difficulties with which he had to -cope, the responsibilities he assumed, the problems he had to solve, -and the dangers grappled with, he found time to carry on such a -voluminous and extraordinary correspondence as has been preserved. -Among other documents he drew up a long memorial to Congress -recounting his career and public services to date, which is of much -service to those who strive to solve the enigma of his complex life -and character. The tendency to lionize a hero was as prevalent then as -now, and Jones was compelled by the exigencies of his situation to -refuse many invitations of a social nature at Amsterdam and The Hague. -"Duty," he says, "must take precedence of pleasure. I must wait a more -favourable opportunity to kiss the hands of the fair." Certain young -impressionable misses, after the custom of the day, indited poetical -effusions to him. In the hurry and rush of business he could only find -time in his replies to deplore the fact that so much was expected from -him that he could not respond in rhyme to these metrical -communications.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XIII.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_13" href="#div1Ref_13">THE ESCAPE OF THE ALLIANCE.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Christmas day passed gloomily enough, I imagine, for the Americans on -the Alliance. There had been opportunities, of course, when it would -have been possible for Jones to have made the mouth of the harbor, but -his capture would have been inevitable. So, on one pretext or another, -he delayed until the night of the 27th of December, when he weighed -anchor and dropped down to the mouth of the Texel. Early the next -morning in a howling gale he dashed for the sea. On the same day he -sent the following note back to Dumas, and merrily proceeded on his -way:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I am here, my dear sir, with a good wind at east, and under my best -American colours; so far you have your wish. What may be the event of -this critical moment I know not; I am not, however, without good -hopes. Through the ignorance or drunkenness of the old pilot the -Alliance last night got foul of a Dutch merchant ship, and I believe -the Dutchmen cut our cable. We lost the best bower anchor, and the -ship was brought up with the sheet anchor so near the shore that this -morning I have been obliged to cut the cable in order to get clear of -the shore, and that I might not lose this opportunity of escaping from -purgatory."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Though he had escaped from the Texel, his situation was one of extreme -peril. It is claimed that no less than forty sail were on the lookout -for him in the English Channel; and, besides those specifically -detailed for the purpose, there were a number of ships and at least -two great fleets at anchor in these narrow waters, which he would have -to pass. I suppose that never before had so many vessels been on the -lookout for a single ship as in this instance. It never seems to have -occurred to the blockading ships that Jones would attempt to pass down -the Channel; his safest course from the point of view of the ordinary -man would have been through the North Sea and around Scotland and -Ireland. But Jones was not an ordinary man, though the English refused -to see the fact. Consequently, his bold course took them by surprise, -and, as usual, by choosing apparently the most dangerous way he -escaped. And the way of it was this: By the exercise of his usual -seamanship Jones managed to hug the Flemish banks so closely that he -passed to windward of the British blockading ships, which were driven -to the northward by the same gale of which he had taken advantage.</p> - -<p class="normal">The wind came strongly from the east, and under a great press of -canvas the Alliance staggered away toward the south, keeping as close -as possible to the weather shore until all danger from the immediate -blockading fleet was avoided. Then Jones ran for the middle of the -Channel, and the next day the Alliance passed through the straits of -Dover and ran close to the Goodwin Sands, passing in full view of a -large English fleet anchored in the Downs only three miles to leeward. -On the day after, the 29th, the Alliance flew by the Isle of Wight, -running near enough to take a good look at another fleet at Spithead.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 1st of January Jones was out of the Channel, having passed in -sight of, and almost in range, at different times in this bold dash -for freedom, of several British ships of the line, just out of gunshot -to leeward. During all this time he had not ceased to fly the American -flag. I do not know of a more splendid piece of sea bravado than this -dash of the Alliance from the Texel. The daring and gallantry of the -man at first seemed to have led him into injudicious and dangerous -situations when he took the Alliance so close to the English coast and -the British fleets; but his effrontery was governed by that sound and -practical sense which ever distinguished his conduct from mere -unthinking recklessness, for no one would ever imagine that the -escaping ship would take such a course, and those vessels on the -lookout for him would probably be found where a less subtle commander -would have endeavored to pass--off the Flemish coast and near the -French shore, for instance. Be that as it may, the little Alliance, -with her Stars and Stripes flapping defiantly in the great breeze in -the face of the overmastering English ships, running the gantlet of -her enemies, is a picture we love to think upon.</p> - -<p class="normal">The ship was in a critical condition. Damages which she had incurred -in her voyage from Boston to France were still unrepaired. Her trim -had been altered for the worse by Landais' blunders, and the improper -stowage of the ballast had dangerously strained her and greatly -diminished her speed, which had originally been very high. There was -no way these things could have been temporarily repaired in the Texel; -in fact, but little could be done until the vessel reached France. -Owing to the unsanitary regimen of Landais, disease had broken out at -different times, and the ship had become so dirty that nothing short -of a thorough disinfection would render her safe for her crew. She was -much overcrowded with men, all actually or professedly American, and -carried a hundred prisoners as well. There were two sets of officers -on board--those originally attached to her and the officers of the -Richard. Jealousy and bickerings between the two crews were prevalent. -Naturally, they had no love for each other. The officers and men of -the Richard could not forget the conduct of those on the Alliance, and -they looked upon them with hatred and contempt. Sailorlike, the men of -the Alliance reciprocated that feeling. It was the desire of every -one, except Jones and a few others, to get to France at once, but the -commodore wished to return with more prizes; so he bore away to the -south and west, seeking for ships, impressing upon his discontented -men that the Alliance was equal to anything under a fifty-gun ship! He -was not fortunate on this occasion, however, and finally, to avoid a -threatened gale, he ran into the port of Corunna in Spain, on the 16th -of January, 1780, where he was kindly received and hospitably -entertained. During this cruise, in spite of the responsibilities of -his position, he found time to compose the following verses in reply -to a similar communication which he had received from the daughter of -M. Dumas (it will be remembered that he deplored his inability in the -Texel to find time for his present occupation):</p> -<div style="margin-left:5%"> -<p style="text-indent:-10px">"Were I, Paul Jones, dear maid, 'the king of sea,' - I find such merit in thy virgin song,<br> -A coral crown with bays I'd give to thee,<br> - A car which on the waves should smoothly glide along;<br> -The Nereides all about thy side should wait,<br> -And gladly sing in triumph of thy state,<br> -'Vivat! vivat! the happy virgin Muse!<br> -Of liberty the friend, who tyrant power pursues!'</p> -<br> -<p style="text-indent:-10px">"Or, happier lot! Were fair Columbia free<br> - From British tyranny, and youth still mine,<br> -I'd tell a tender tale to one like thee<br> - With artless looks and breast as pure as thine.<br> -If she approved my flame, distrust apart,<br> -Like faithful turtles, we'd have but one heart;<br> -Together, then, we'd tune the silver lyre,<br> -As love or sacred freedom should our lays inspire.</p> -<br> -<p style="text-indent:-10px">"But since, alas! the rage of war prevails,<br> - And cruel Britons desolate our land,<br> -For freedom still I spread my willing sails,<br> - My unsheath'd sword my injured country shall command.<br> -Go on, bright maid! the Muses all attend<br> -Genius like thine, and wish to be its friend.<br> -Trust me, although conveyed through this poor shift,<br> -My New Year's thoughts are grateful for thy gift."</p> -</div> -<br> -<p class="normal">I have read worse poetry than this, also better, but it is very -creditable to the sailor. If the reader has a low opinion of it, let -him essay some verse-writing himself.<a name="div4Ref_33" href="#div4_33"><sup>[33]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">While at Corunna, the ship was careened and her bottom scraped as far -as possible without docking her, and, having procured an anchor to -take the place of the two lost in the Texel, Jones prepared to set -forth once more. The 28th of January was fixed for his departure, but -the discontent among the crew reached such a pitch that they -positively refused to weigh anchor unless they received at least a -portion of their pay or prize money. Nothing had been paid them from -the time the ships had been put in commission until they reached the -Texel. There Jones had received from Amsterdam a small sum of money, -from which he advanced five ducats to each of the officers and one to -each of the men. The amount, compared to their dues and needs, was so -insignificant that many of the men threw the money into the sea in -disgust--a very foolish but extremely sailorlike action.</p> - -<p class="normal">There were many patriotic men on these ships who merit the approbation -and deserve the gratitude of their country. They had shown, especially -those belonging to the Richard, a most desperate courage in most -trying scenes. They had performed services upon which no monetary -value could be placed, and had subjected themselves to dangers which -no mere pecuniary consideration could have tempted them to face. It -may at first, therefore, seem surprising that they should have so -resolutely demanded their pay and prize money, even to the extent of -mutinying for it; but it is a common experience that men who will -freely offer themselves for the most dangerous undertakings, and who -really are actuated by the strongest kind of patriotism, will quarrel -and rebel, and even fight, for the petty amounts promised them by way -of wages, which in themselves neither could tempt them to, nor repay -them for, the sacrifices they had cheerfully undergone. Frankly, I -have the greatest sympathy with the point of view of the unpaid -soldiers or sailors of the past, and I quite understand their demands -and complaints under such circumstances.</p> - -<p class="normal">Perhaps there is an association of ideas between fighting for the -liberties of one's country and demanding one's dues. Both are a revolt -against injustice and oppression. The mind of the common sailor, -especially of that day, was not calculated to draw nice distinctions, -and he could see little difference between fighting for liberty and -demanding that the country whose independence he periled his life to -establish should show the small appreciation of his devotion involved -in paying his scanty wages and not withholding his lawful prize money. -Jones struggled for rank, station, reputation, opportunity; these men -could aspire to no higher station than they already filled, and their -corresponding effort was for the money justly due them.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Richard's men had lost practically everything except the clothes -they stood in when their ship went down, and their personal needs were -necessarily very great. The original crew of the Alliance were under -the impression that Jones had reserved from the small sum he had -received at Amsterdam a considerable portion for himself. There is not -the slightest evidence to warrant this supposition. The commodore was -the most prodigal and generous of men, and his whole career evidences -his entire willingness to devote his own personal property to the -welfare and wages of his men. He finally persuaded the crew to get -under way by promising to run direct to L'Orient, where he hoped they -would undoubtedly receive their prize money. With this understanding -the crew consented to work the ship to that point, and their departure -was accordingly taken on the 28th.</p> - -<p class="normal">When the vessel was fairly at sea, however, Jones summoned the -officers to the cabin and proposed that they should cruise two or -three weeks in those waters before making their promised port. I am -afraid that the commodore allowed the possibility of taking some -valuable prizes and perhaps another British frigate to incline him to -break his promise to his men. His interview in his cabin with his -officers was an interesting one. With all the eloquence of which he -was a master--and he was able to speak convincingly and well on -congenial subjects--he placed before them the possibilities presented, -appealed to their patriotism, their love of fame, and as a last -resort pointed out the further monetary advantage of another rich -prize--Iago's argument! If they were successful in taking another -frigate they would shed still greater luster upon their names, and put -money in their pockets. The officers, however, bluntly refused to be -persuaded. They emphasized the mutinous and discontented state of the -crews, who had only sailed under Jones' positive promise to take them -immediately to L'Orient; pointed out that many of the men had not -proper clothing with which to endure the severe winter weather, and -that they themselves were in a destitute condition.</p> - -<p class="normal">Their natural reluctance to fall in with his plans infuriated Jones. -Rising from the chair upon which he had been sitting, with an emphatic -stamp of his foot he dismissed them with a sneering contempt in the -following words:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I do not want your advice, neither did I send for you to comply with -your wishes, but only by way of paying you a compliment, which was -more than you deserve by your opposition. Therefore, you know my mind; -go to your duty, each one of you, and let me hear no more grumbling!"</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The Alliance cruised for some days to the westward of Cape Finisterre, -but, as the quarreling between the two crews ran higher than ever, and -as Jones had failed to keep his promise, thus adding to their -discontent, when they fell in with the American ship Livingstone, -laden with a valuable cargo of tobacco, Jones gave over his attempt, -and decided to convoy her to L'Orient, where he arrived on the 10th of -February, 1780. That he should gravely have contemplated action with a -British frigate with his ill-conditioned ship and mutinous crew shows -the confidence he felt in his own ability. I have no doubt that, -unprepared as she was, if the Alliance had fallen in with an English -ship Jones would have been able to persuade his men to action, and -with anything like an equal force the results would have been -satisfactory.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XIV.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_14" href="#div1Ref_14">HONORS AND REWARDS--QUARREL WITH LANDAIS--RELINQUISHES THE ALLIANCE.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The tremendous nervous strain which Jones had undergone, the constant -labor and exposure necessitated by the circumstances of his hard -cruising and fighting, and the recent exposure in the severe winter -weather had broken down his health. His spirit had outpaced his body, -and in a very ill and weak condition, with his eyes so inflamed that -he was almost blinded, he went on shore in search of rest. Meanwhile -preparations were made thoroughly to overhaul the Alliance and load -her with a large quantity of valuable and much-needed military -supplies which had been purchased for the army of the United States, -among them the battery which had been cast for the Bon Homme Richard, -which had arrived after her departure.</p> - -<p class="normal">Hard by the Alliance in the harbor lay the handsome Serapis. With -perfectly natural feelings Jones longed to get possession of her -again. He wrote immediately to Franklin, detailing the repairs -necessary to put the Alliance in shape, which were very extensive and -correspondingly expensive, and asked that he might have leave to -sheath the Alliance with copper, and that the Serapis might be -purchased and turned over to him. He hoped that the repairs to the -Alliance might be made by the French Government, perhaps that they -would also give him the Serapis. As the condition of the Alliance had -been justly attributed by Jones to the negligence and incompetence of -Landais, and not to any accident of the cruise under the auspices of -France, there did not seem to be any good reason for having the ship -repaired at the expense of the French Government. Franklin stated that -the whole expense would have to fall upon him, and begged him in -touching words to be as economical as possible, as his financial -resources, as always, were limited. For the same reason it was -impossible to secure the Serapis.</p> - -<p class="normal">He says:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I therefore beg you would have mercy on me; put me to as little -charge as possible, and take nothing that you can possibly do without. -As to sheathing with copper, it is totally out of the question. I am -not authorized to do it if I had money; and I have not money for it if -I had orders."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">As the demand in America for the military supplies which Franklin had -procured was pressing, Jones was ordered to hasten the repairs to the -Alliance. In spite of Franklin's strict injunction to economize, Jones -proceeded to overhaul, refit, and remodel entirely the frigate in -accordance with his ideas and experience. As his ideas were excellent -and his experience had been ample, when the repairs had been completed -they left nothing to be desired. But the bills were very heavy. -Franklin protested, but paid. As a matter of fact, it must be admitted -Jones did not stint himself when it came to outfitting a ship--or -anything else, for that matter. His experience with the Ranger, the -Richard, and the Alliance had naturally disgusted him with -inadequately provided ships of war. The beautiful little boat was the -superior of any of her size upon the ocean, and subsequently, under -the command of Captain John Barry, she did brilliant and noteworthy -service. If it had not been for Jones she would have been worthless.</p> - -<p class="normal">The charge of extravagance, however, is fairly substantiated. Jones -was, in fact, as indifferent in the spending of other people's money -as he was with his own, and I have no doubt the bills, although he -paid them, almost broke the harassed commissioner's heart. Jones, -however, was in a very different position from that he had occupied -previously. He had demonstrated his capacity in the most unequivocal -manner. He was not a man to be dealt with slightingly, nor did -Franklin, who undoubtedly cherished a genuine admiration and regard -for him, which the sailor fully reciprocated by an enthusiastic -admiration amounting to veneration, wish to do anything to humiliate -him.</p> - -<p class="normal">While the repairs were progressing the financial status of the crew -was in no way amended. There was no money forthcoming to them on the -score of wages; the sale of the prizes was delayed, and serious -differences arose between the agents of the crews, de Chaumont as -representing the king, and Jones himself. Finally, in order to further -the settlement of the matter, Jones decided to go to Paris and see -what he could do personally to hasten the sale of the prizes, and -perhaps secure some funds with which to pay the wages of the crews, in -part at least.</p> - -<p class="normal">Early in April, therefore, he left the Alliance at L'Orient and -repaired to the capital. From one point of view it was an unwise thing -to do, for he left behind him a discontented and mutinous crew, which -only his own indomitable personality had been able to repress and -control. It is likely, however, that affairs at L'Orient would have -remained <i>in statu quo</i> had it not been for the advent of Arthur Lee. -This gentleman is perhaps the only member of the famous family whose -name he bore upon whose conduct and character severe judgment must be -passed. Jealous, quarrelsome, and incompetent, his blundering attempts -at diplomacy had worked more harm than good to the American nation. By -his vanity and indiscretion he had continually thwarted the wise plans -and brilliant policy of Franklin, with whom he had finally embroiled -himself to such an extent that it became necessary for him to return -home. Not only had he lost the esteem of Franklin, but through his -petty meanness he had also forfeited the confidence of Congress, which -had superseded him by John Jay at the court of Spain, to which he had -been accredited previously.</p> - -<p class="normal">Franklin desired Jones to give him a passage home in the Alliance. -Jones had a great dislike to his proposed passenger. When his draft -upon the commissioners for twenty-four thousand livres had been -dishonored, it was largely through the influence of Lee that the money -had been refused him. Lee was fully acquainted with the circumstances -which caused Jones to apply, and he might have secured payment. At -least that was the opinion of Jones. With his usual frankness, Jones -had not hesitated to express his opinion to Lee in a very tart letter, -which had not improved the situation. In the face of the request of -Franklin, Jones had no option but to receive Lee and his suite on the -Alliance. He objected, however, most strenuously to allowing the -ex-commissioner to take his carriage and other equipage on the -frigate, stating with entire accuracy that articles of such bulk would -take up much room, which could be better devoted to other and more -important freightage. This, no doubt, further incensed Lee against -Jones. He was ever inclined to put his personal comfort before the -welfare of his country.</p> - -<p class="normal">Landais had been summoned, as we have seen, to Paris. The -commissioners, with the documents prepared in the Texel before them, -had discussed his case, and had decided to send him to America for -trial. Franklin, who had not yet expressed any public judgment in the -premises, though his private opinion was well known, had presented -Landais with a sum of money for his voyage to the United States, and -the whole correspondence, including the charges, had been transmitted -to Congress.</p> - -<p class="normal">Arthur Lee, with his usual captious spirit, and inspired by his hatred -of Jones and the desire to disagree with Franklin at the same time, -had dissented from the view and decision of his colleagues. He had -maintained that Landais was legally entitled to continue in the -command of the Alliance, and that Franklin had not the power to -supersede him--a contention not substantiated by the facts, nor, as -was afterward shown, supported by Congress itself.</p> - -<p class="normal">When Jones went to Paris, therefore, Lee, realizing his opportunity, -at once began to foment additional disorder in the already demoralized -crew. Coincident with Jones' departure, Landais also made his -appearance. Had Lee summoned him? Lee did not hesitate to express the -opinion to that gentleman himself, his officers, and crew, that -Landais was legitimately entitled to the command of the Alliance, and -could not be removed therefrom except by specific direction of -Congress. Things, therefore, developed with painful rapidity at -L'Orient, until Landais addressed a note to Franklin demanding that he -be reinstated in the command of the Alliance--a curious procedure for -a man who claimed that Franklin was without power to displace him!</p> - -<p class="normal">Meanwhile Jones was having a brilliant reception in France. While he -had incurred the hostility of the French naval officers, who fancied -that he had deprived them of commands to which they were better -entitled, and in the enjoyment of which he had gained distinction -through opportunities which might possibly have fallen to them and -which they might have embraced, he was everywhere received with the -highest honors, as well by the court as the people. To the populace, -indeed, he was a hero who had humbled the enemy whom they hated with -the characteristic passion of Frenchmen. Franklin took him to call -upon his old tormentor, the dilatory de Sartine, and, owing perhaps to -naval prejudice, his first reception was extremely cool; but, as it -became evident that he was a popular hero, the tone of the minister -was lowered, and his actions were modified, so that he afterward -extended him a warm welcome and professed extreme friendship for the -commodore. The king and queen accorded him the favor of an audience, -and his majesty, falling in with the popular current, was pleased to -declare his intention of presenting him with a magnificent -gold-mounted sword, to be inscribed with the following flattering -motto:</p> - - -<p class="center">"VINDICATI MARIS LUDOVICUS XVI.<br> -REMUNERATOR STRENUO VINDICI."<a name="div4Ref_34" href="#div4_34"><sup>[34]</sup></a> - - -<p class="normal">He also signified his royal purpose, should the Congress acquiesce -therein, of investing Jones with the cross of the Order of Military -Merit, a distinction never before accorded to any but a subject of -France, and only awarded for heroic conduct or conspicuous and -brilliant military or naval services against the enemy. Nothing could -have been more grateful to a man of Jones' temperament than the -appreciation of the French people, and these evidences of admiration -and esteem from the hand of the king. On his previous visit to Paris, -after the capture of the Drake, he had been made much of; in this -instance his reception greatly surpassed his former welcome. He became -the lion of the day, the attraction of the hour. Great men sought his -company, and held themselves honored by his friendship; while the -fairest of the ladies of the gay court were proud to receive the -attentions of the man who had so dramatically conquered the hated -English. In all these circumstances he bore himself with becoming -modesty. On one occasion he was invited to the queen's box at the -opera. When he entered the theater he was loudly cheered, and at the -close of the act a laurel wreath was suspended over his head, -whereupon he changed his seat. This natural action has been quaintly -commented upon by various biographers, and the statement is made that -for many years it was held up before the French youth as an exhibition -of extraordinary modesty!</p> - -<p class="normal">One of the most admirable of Jones' traits was a chivalrous devotion -to women. To a natural grace of manner he added the bold directness of -a sailor, which was not without its charm to the beauties of -Versailles, sated with the usual artificial gallantry of the men of -the period. Jones spoke French rather well, and had a taste for music -and poetry. There were, therefore, many who did not disdain to draw -the "sea lion" in their train. On account of the favors he had -received he was a person of distinction at the court. Among his -voluminous correspondence which has been preserved are numbers of -letters to and from different women of rank and station, dating from -this period and from his prolonged stay in Paris after the war had -terminated. Among others, he corresponded with a lady who, after the -romantic fashion of the time, at first endeavored to hide her identity -under the name of Delia. Between Jones and Delia there seems to have -sprung up a genuine passion, for the letters on both sides breathe a -spirit of passionate, heartfelt devotion. It has been discovered that -Delia was but another name for Madame de Telison, a natural daughter -of Louis XV, with whom Jones frequently corresponded under her own -name, and who is referred to in his biographies as Madame T----, and -the identification is definite and complete. He was catholic in his -affections, however, for he by no means confined his epistolary -relations to the gentle and devoted Madame de Telison.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is interesting to note that in all these letters there is not a -single indelicate or ill-bred allusion. That is what would be expected -to-day, but when we remember that so great an authority as Robert -Walpole suggested that everybody at his table should "talk bawdy," as -being the only subject every one could understand, the significance of -his clean letters is apparent. In his correspondence, except in the -case of Aimée Adèle de Telison, he never appears to have passed beyond -the bounds of romantic friendship. In later years, however, it is -possible to infer from his letters that Madame de Telison bore to him -a son, whose history is entirely unknown. Among others who honored him -with their friendship were three women of high rank, the Duchess de -Chartres, Madame d'Ormoy, and the Countess de Lavendahl, who painted -his portrait in miniature.</p> - -<p class="normal">An English lady, Miss Edes, sojourning in France at this time, thus -refers to him in two letters which she wrote for publication in the -English journals:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The famous Paul Jones dines and sups here often; he is a smart man of -thirty-six, speaks but little French, appears to be an extraordinary -genius, a poet as well as hero; a few days ago he wrote some verses -extempore, of which I send you a copy. He is greatly admired here, -especially by the ladies, who are wild for love of him; but he adores -the Countess of Lavendahl, who has honored him with every mark of -politeness and distinction.</p> -<br> -<div style="margin-left:10%"> -<p class="normal" style="text-indent:-18px">"'Insulted freedom bled; I felt her cause,<br> -And drew my sword to vindicate her laws<br> -From principle, and not from vain applause.<br> -I've done my best; self-interest far apart,<br> -And self-reproach a stranger to my heart.<br> -My zeal still prompts, ambitious to pursue<br> -The foe, ye fair! of liberty and you;<br> -Grateful for praise, spontaneous and unbought,<br> -A generous people's love not meanly sought;<br> -To merit this, and bend the knee to beauty,<br> -Shall be my earliest and latest duty.'</p> -</div> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Since my last, Paul Jones drank tea and supped here. If I am in love -for him, for love I may die. I have as many rivals as there are -ladies, but the most formidable is still Lady Lavendahl, who possesses -all his heart. This lady is of high rank and virtue, very sensible, -good-natured, and affable. Besides this, she is possessed of youth, -beauty, and wit, and every other form of female accomplishment. He is -gone, I suppose, for America. They correspond, and his letters are -replete with elegance, sentiment, and delicacy. She drew his picture, -a striking likeness, and wrote some lines under it which are much -admired, and presented it to him. Since he received it he is, like a -second Narcissus, in love with his own resemblance; to be sure, he is -the most agreeable sea wolf one would wish to meet with."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">In all this, however, Jones did not for a moment neglect the business -which had called him to Paris. He moved heaven and earth to effect the -sale of the prizes, bringing to bear all his personal popularity and -making use of his new-found friends, both men and women, to accomplish -the desired results. In all his attempts he was zealously supported by -Franklin, who, I have no doubt, greatly enjoyed the popularity of his -<i>protégé</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">Finally, on the last day of May, having received positive assurance -that the prizes would be sold and distribution made immediately, he -set out for L'Orient. On leaving Paris he carried with him a personal -commendation from Franklin and a letter from de Sartine to the -President of Congress, as follows:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<span class="sc">Passy</span>, <i>June 1, 1780</i>.</p> -<p class="continue">"<i>Samuel Huntington, Esq., President of Congress</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Sir</span>: Commodore Jones, who by his bravery and conduct has done great -honour to the American flag, desires to have that also of presenting a -line to the hands of your Excellency. I cheerfully comply with his -request, in recommending him to the notice of Congress, and to your -Excellency's protection, though his actions are more effectual -recommendations, and render any from me unnecessary. It gives me, -however, an opportunity of shewing my readiness to do justice to -merit, and of professing the esteem and respect with which I am, etc. -<span class="sc">B. Franklin</span>."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">From M. de Sartine to Mr. Huntington, President of the Congress of the -United States:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<span class="sc">Versailles</span>, <i>May 30, 1780</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Commodore Paul Jones, after having shown to all Europe, and -particularly to the enemies of France and the United States, the most -unquestionable proofs of his valor and talents, is about returning to -America to give an account to Congress of the success of his military -operations. I am convinced, Sir, that the reputation he has so justly -acquired will precede him, and that the recital of his actions alone -will suffice to prove to his fellow citizens that his abilities are -equal to his courage. But the king has thought proper to add his -suffrage and attention to the public opinion. He has expressly charged -me to inform you how perfectly he is satisfied with the services of -the Commodore, persuaded that Congress will render him the same -justice. He has offered, as a proof of his esteem, to present him with -a sword, which can not be placed in better hands, and likewise -proposed to Congress to decorate this brave officer with the cross of -Military Merit. His Majesty conceives that this particular -distinction, by holding forth the same honours to the two nations, -united by the same interests, will be looked upon as one tie more that -connects them, and will support that emulation which is so precious to -the common cause. If, after having approved the conduct of the -Commodore, it should be thought proper to give him the command of any -new expedition to Europe, His Majesty will receive him again with -pleasure, and presumes that Congress will oppose nothing that may be -judged expedient to secure the success of his enterprises. My personal -esteem for him induces me to recommend him very particularly to you, -Sir, and I dare flatter myself that the welcome he will receive from -Congress and you will warrant the sentiments with which he has -inspired me."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">While all this had been going on, however, Franklin had been having -serious trouble with the men of the Alliance. On the 12th of April the -officers dispatched a letter to Franklin demanding their prize money -and wages. Franklin had previously advanced them twenty-four thousand -livres, and he wrote them that everything was being done to hasten the -sale of the prizes, and that they would have to be content with what -he had given them, and receive the balance when they reached the -United States. On the 29th of May Landais wrote, repeating his -application of the 17th of March, and inclosing a mutinous letter -signed by one hundred and fifteen of the crew of the Alliance, -declaring that they would not raise an anchor nor sail from L'Orient -till they had six months' wages paid to them, and the utmost farthing -of their prize money, including that for the ships sent into Norway, -and until their legal captain, Pierre Landais, was restored to them.</p> - -<p class="normal">Landais had added the phrase "until their legal captain, P. Landais, -is restored to us," himself. With this letter was another -communication from fourteen of the original officers of the Alliance, -to the effect that the crew were in favor of Landais, who was a -capable officer, whose conduct had been misrepresented, and whom they -considered themselves bound to obey as their legal captain. These -officers can not be relieved of a large share of the odium attaching -to the conduct of the Alliance during the battle between the Richard -and the Serapis. The reason for their dislike of Jones is therefore -apparent. To carry out their designs they had circulated among the -crew statements to the effect that Jones had received the prize money -and was enjoying himself at their expense. The fine Italian hand of -Mr. Lee is to be seen in the documents they forwarded to Franklin. -Franklin's reply to this disgracefully insubordinate batch of letters -was remarkable for its tact, acumen, and good sense. After keenly -expressing his surprise that the very officers who had testified -against Landais a short time before, and whom Landais had stated were -all leagued against him, were now desirous of being placed again under -his command, he writes as follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I have related exactly to Congress the manner of his [Landais'] -leaving the ship, and though I declined any judgment of his maneuvers -in the fight, I have given it as my opinion, after examining the -affair, that it was not at all likely either that he should have given -orders to fire into the Bon Homme Richard, or that his officers should -have obeyed such an order should it have been given them. Thus I have -taken what care I could of your honour in that particular. You will, -therefore, excuse me if I am a little concerned for it in another. If -it should come to be publicly known that you had the strongest -aversion to Captain Landais, who has used you basely, and that it is -only since the last year's cruise, and the appointment of Commodore -Jones to the command, that you request to be again under your old -captain, I fear suspicions and reflections may be thrown upon you by -the world, as if this change of sentiment may have arisen from your -observation during the cruise, that <i>Captain Jones loved close -fighting</i>,<a name="div4Ref_35" href="#div4_35"><sup>[35]</sup></a> but that -Captain Landais was skilful in keeping out of -harm's way; and that you, therefore, thought yourself safer with the -latter. For myself, I believe you to be brave men and lovers of your -country and its glorious cause; and I am persuaded you have only been -ill-advised and misled by the artful and malicious representations of -some persons I guess at. Take in good part this 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 recommend yourselves to the future favours -of Congress and of your country."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">At the same time he specifically directed Landais to refrain from -meddling with the men or creating any disturbance on the Alliance at -his peril. To this letter Landais paid no attention. This was the -situation when Jones reached L'Orient. Franklin wrote him concerning -the letters and batch of documents from Landais and the crew, which -had arrived after his departure, and advised him what had been done in -consequence. The commissioner had procured an imperative order to the -authorities at L'Orient for the arrest of Landais, who was to be tried -for his life as an emigrant without the king's permission. Franklin -also directed Jones to withhold from the signers of the mutinous -letter any portion of the money he had advanced on account of the -prizes, and he added the firm and decided injunction that if any one -was not willing to trust his country to see justice done him he should -be put ashore at his own charges to await the sale of the prizes.</p> - -<p class="normal">The situation was most critical, and that Franklin appreciated it -fully is shown by the following citation from one of his letters to -Jones:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"... You are likely to have great trouble. I wish you well through it. -You have shown your abilities in fighting; you have now an opportunity -of showing the other necessary part in the character of a great chief, -your abilities in policy."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Before this letter was received, however, matters had risen to a -climax, which resulted in the ejection of Jones and the assumption of -the command by Landais. Immediately he arrived at L'Orient, Jones -hastened to get ready for leaving. The Ariel, a small ship of twenty -guns, had been loaned by the French Government to carry such supplies -as could not be taken on the Alliance. Several American vessels with -valuable cargoes were awaiting his departure also, to sail under his -convoy.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones had gone on board the Alliance as usual, as his duty demanded, -and had been received respectfully and his orders promptly obeyed. On -the morning of the 13th of June, being now for the first time informed -of the mutinous action of the crew and the letters to Franklin, he -mustered the crew and caused his commission and Franklin's first order -to him to take command of the ship in the Texel, and his last one, to -carry her to Philadelphia, to be read to the men. He then addressed -the seamen, pointing out to them the obligations they had assumed, the -consequences of a refusal to obey him on their part, and urged them to -a faithful performance of their duty. He asked them, if any one had -any complaints to make against him, that they be made now. No reply -was made to this address, and no complaints were brought forward. The -men were then dismissed to their stations.</p> - -<p class="normal">Shortly after this incident Jones went ashore. Landais was advised of -the whole situation immediately, and sent a letter to Degges, the -first lieutenant, ordering him to assume the command of the ship and -retain it in the face of Jones or any one else until Landais should -receive an answer to his demand to Franklin to be replaced in the -command of the Alliance. When he received this order, Landais stated -that he would at once come on board and take over the ship. Degges -mustered the crew again and read this letter. The adroit suggestions -of Mr. Lee and the insinuations as to Jones' alleged betrayal of their -interests by making off with the prize money had so worked on the -feelings of the men that they at once declared for Landais, who, on -being notified, promptly repaired to the ship and formally assumed -command.</p> - -<p class="normal">Dale and the officers of the Richard on the Alliance, who had not been -aware of these last proceedings, for they had been adroitly timed for -their dinner hour when they were below, were apprised of Landais' -arrival by the cheering on deck. They protested against his assuming -command, and were all sent ashore without ceremony. Mr. Lee seems to -have suggested and approved of the action of Landais; indeed, without -his sanction the latter would never have dared to take command of the -ship.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the afternoon of the same day Jones dispatched a letter to Franklin -by express, relating the circumstances, and then immediately followed -in person, which was an unnecessary thing to do. On his arrival at -Paris he found that peremptory orders had already been sent post haste -to L'Orient to detain forcibly the Alliance, and reiterating the -command to arrest Landais. Franklin, appreciating the meddling of Lee, -withdrew his request to Jones to receive him as a passenger, and -stated that he might return to America in some of the other ships -going home under the convoy of the Alliance. Finding nothing more to -be done, after staying but two days, Jones returned to L'Orient as -quickly as possible. He arrived on the morning of the 20th of June, -having been absent six days.</p> - -<p class="normal">During this time the Alliance had been warped out of the inner roads -into the narrow strait called Port Louis, which was inclosed by rocks -and commanded by batteries, which she would have to pass before she -could reach the outer roads of Groix. The peremptory orders to stop -the ship had not arrived, but the commander of the port under his -previous orders had caused a barrier to be drawn across the narrow -strait of Port Louis, and had ordered the forts to sink the frigate if -she attempted to pass out. When Jones arrived, a boat was sent off to -the ship by the port officer, carrying the king's order for the arrest -of Landais. He positively refused to surrender himself. Franklin's -latest orders to Landais and the officers and men were then delivered, -and were treated with equal contempt.</p> - -<p class="normal">All this was another evidence of Landais' folly, for the Alliance was -completely in Jones' power. He had but to give the word to have caused -the batteries to open fire and sink her. She could neither have -escaped nor made adequate reply. Indeed, it is probable, from the -character of her captain, officers, and crew, that she would have made -little or no fight. But, according to Jones' specific statement, for -France, the avowed ally of America, to have opened fire upon an -American ship, and to have killed and wounded American sailors, would -have been a terrible misfortune, a thing greatly to be deplored, and -to be avoided if possible, lest the present friendly relations between -the two countries should be impaired by this action. The aid of France -was vital to the American cause at this juncture, and it was patent -that every effort should be made to promote harmony rather than sow -discord; therefore Jones reluctantly requested the commander to secure -his batteries, open the barrier, and allow the Alliance to get through -the strait. The French officers accordingly, in the absence of other -orders, stopped the preparations they had made to detain the frigate, -and expressed their admiration for the magnanimity of Jones in -allowing the Alliance to go free. As soon as he received permission, -Landais warped the Alliance through the passage between the rocks and -anchored in Groix roads. Safe out of harm's way, he had reached a -position from which he really could defy Jones and France at last, and -defy them he did, more boldly than ever.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is impossible entirely to approve of Jones' conduct in this -complicated affair. He might have gone on board the Alliance the day -of the outbreak and confronted Landais. His own personality was so -strong that it seems probable he could have regained possession of the -ship in despite of anything the weak Landais could say or do. However, -if the spirit of the men had been so turned against him that in his -judgment this would have been impracticable, he certainly had the -situation entirely in his own hands when the Alliance lay under the -guns of the batteries. It was not necessary for the batteries to open -fire. If he had simply kept the pass closed Landais would have been -unable to get away, and it is difficult to see how he could have -avoided surrendering himself and yielding up his ship eventually. All -that would have been necessary for Jones to do would be to have -patience; that was a thing, however, of which he had but little -throughout his life. If he did not desire to wait, he could have -opened fire upon the ship, taking the risk of a rupture, or allowing -the blame, if any arose, to fall upon those who had put him in command -of the Alliance originally, and had continued him therein. I venture -to surmise that the first broadside would have brought down the flag -of the Alliance. In this action he would have been entirely within his -rights. If Jones really wanted her, he could have easily secured -possession of the ship.</p> - -<p class="normal">Instead of doing any of these things, he let Landais and the Alliance -go. For this he is distinctly censurable. It is, perhaps, not -difficult to see why he permitted her to escape. I have no doubt he -loathed the officers and men upon her. He was probably sick of the -sight of her. He could contemplate with no satisfaction whatever a -cruise upon her, especially with Arthur Lee as a passenger, and he was -a gentleman whom it would have been difficult to dispose of.</p> - -<p class="normal">There was, it has been surmised, still another and more pertinent -reason. The Serapis was still in the harbor. She had just been -purchased by the king. Jones' desire for her was as strong as -ever--stronger, if anything. Upward of five hundred tons of public -stores and munitions of war still remained to be taken to America. The -Ariel could not begin to carry it all. His dream was to beg or borrow -the Serapis, which, in conjunction with the Ariel, should transport -the stores to the United States, and then be refitted for warlike -cruising under his command. If he retained the Alliance this hope -would vanish. When the Alliance was warped out of the harbor he -promptly wrote to Franklin suggesting this plan. Meanwhile, he kept up -a hot fire of orders and letters upon Landais, who, being now out of -his power, treated his communications with silent contempt. When Jones -directed that his personal baggage be sent off from the Alliance, -Landais sent it to him in disgraceful condition, trunks broken open, -papers scattered, and much of his private property missing.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 28th he wrote to Landais ordering him not to sail without his -permission, and directing him to send eighty of his best seamen -riggers to assist in equipping the Ariel. Landais sent him twenty-two -people, of whom he wished to be rid, with an insolent note. When Jones -wrote to him for the balance of the men he had ordered, Landais would -not allow the officer carrying the order to come on board. A few days -after this he sailed for America, with many of the men of the Bon -Homme Richard, who still adhered to Jones, and who refused to assist -him in getting the ship under way, in irons in the hold.</p> - -<p class="normal">To close a troublesome subject, it may be stated that the Alliance -reached Boston in August. The peculiar conduct of Landais on this -cruise so alarmed the officers and jeopardized the safety of the ship, -that by the advice of the meddlesome Lee--who was in this single -instance justified in his suggestions--he was summarily deprived of -the command of the ship on the plea of insanity, and kept closely -confined till they reached Boston. No one was more incensed against -him than his whilom upholder and defender, Lee. Landais was formally -tried by court-martial when he arrived in the United States and -dismissed the service. He got off lightly. He should have been hanged -from the yardarm of his own ship as an example and a warning to -mutinous traitors.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XV.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_15" href="#div1Ref_15">THE CRUISE OF THE ARIEL.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Early in the month of July Jones received the sword which had been -bestowed upon him by the king. He commented enthusiastically upon its -beauty and its value, saying that it had cost twenty-four hundred -dollars--a large sum for that day. The month was passed in preparing -the Ariel for departure, and in a vigorous correspondence with -Franklin and his friends, feminine and otherwise. On the 2d of August, -in a note to the Prime Minister, the Count de Vergennes, Jones -informed him that he was nearly ready to sail. The last of July -Franklin had sent him his final dispatches with the Count de Vauban, -who expected to sail with him, but for unexplained reasons Jones did -not take his departure until the 4th of September, when the Ariel was -warped out to the open roads of Groix. From the 4th of September to -the 7th of October he was detained, partly by contrary winds and -partly by a rumor, to which, perhaps, he should not have given -credence, that further dispatches were to be sent to him. On the 7th -of October, at two o'clock in the afternoon, he weighed anchor and put -to sea, convoying three merchant ships. The wind, being from the -north-northwest, blew fair for their departure, and the weather was -mild and pleasant.</p> - -<p class="normal">The next morning the wind shifted and came in violent squalls from the -southward. The ship was not yet clear of the land. The island of Groix -lay about fifteen miles to the northeastward, and, as the weather -became very thick and the wind increased until it was blowing a -tremendous gale, they soon lost sight of the shore to the leeward. In -spite of their efforts, they were unable to make any headway against -the storm, and were accordingly carried down toward the Penmarque -Rocks, a series of sharp, low reefs, jagged needles of the sea, -terminating the southeastern extremity of the peninsula of Brittany, -among the most dangerous in the world. The ship was in that position -above all others dreaded by the mariner--drifting upon a lee shore in -a gale of wind. The Ariel had been put under close-reefed fore and -main sails, and her head laid to the northwest in the hope that she -might stretch along and clear the reefs; but the wind, increasing to a -perfect hurricane, in the language of Mackenzie, "smothered" the ship, -at last obliging Jones to furl the courses and prevented him from -showing even a storm staysail.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the report of the officers it is stated that the storm had become -so violent that "the lee fore yardarm was frequently under water; the -lee gangway was laid entirely under water, and the lee side of the -waist was full." The water in the hold flowed into the cockpit, -notwithstanding the utmost efforts of the chain pumps. The ship was -very heavy laden, and lay deep in the water, dipping her yardarms with -every roll. As the tempest rose in violence it became impossible to -tell just where they were, as the murky darkness of the storm hid -every landmark. It was evident, however, from an inspection of the -compass that they were still drifting toward the shore. This fact was -confirmed by the rapid shoaling of the water, a fact Jones established -by personally taking successive casts with the hand lead. There was no -room to veer and get the ship headed the other way. If there had been, -the result would probably have been no different. In the face of such -a storm she would have continued to drift toward the reef. Their -progress to leeward was frightfully rapid. The ship was leaking badly, -and one of the chain pumps had become choked and refused to work. -Destruction seemed inevitable. In all his varied experiences Jones had -seen nothing like the storm. In his report he says that never before -did he fully conceive the awful majesty of a shipwreck. In their -distress, as a last resort, he determined to anchor.</p> - -<p class="normal">A hasty consultation was had among the officers on the quarter-deck, -and this desperate resort was agreed upon. At eleven o'clock in the -morning the best bower anchor was let go with thirty fathoms of cable. -The effect was not perceptible. The ship was not brought to, and -continued to drift broadside on toward the land in the trough of the -sea. She dragged her anchor as if it had been a straw. Two other -cables were spliced on and veered out. Still she drove on. The -pressure of the gale upon the bare spars was tremendous. The wind -roared through the top-hamper with amazing velocity. The masts -quivered and buckled under the awful strain to which they were -subjected; the standing rigging to windward stood out as taut and -rigid as if it had been cut from bars of steel. As the frigate lay in -the trough of the sea the mighty waves tossed her about like a -cockboat. Broad sheets of foam swept over the deck, washing away -everything not tightly secured. To relieve the pressure and get the -ship to ride to her anchor, Jones now ordered the weather shrouds of -the foremast to be cut, and the wind instantly snapped off the mast -above the deck; with all its weight of spars and rigging it fell to -leeward and carried away the other bower anchor and a kedge anchor, -and smashed up the head badly.</p> - -<p class="normal">This afforded some relief, for immediately after the anchor took hold -and the ship gradually swung head to the wind at last. Her drift -toward the rocks was not entirely checked, but while they were -hesitating as to what to do next, the mainmast, the heel of which had -been jerked out of its step by the violent motion of the ship, so that -it had been vibrating to and fro like a smitten reed, parted just -where it entered the main deck. The wind hurled the immense mass of -timber and cordage aft, where it fell across the decks, carrying with -it the mizzenmast, smashing the lee quarter gallery, and generally -wrecking the after part of the vessel. The ship was thus stripped of -her spars except the bowsprit, and they could do no more. If she did -not bring to her anchor and cease her drag toward the rocks, over -which the breakers could now be seen crashing with terrible force, and -with a roar heard above the mad noises of the tempest, they were lost. -They hastily cleared the wreck as they were able, letting it drift to -leeward, and waited with still hearts and bated breaths for the next -happening. No mere seamanship, no human skill could save them now. -They were in God's hands. Since their other anchor had been lost by -the fall of the foremast, if their present anchor gave way they were -helpless. Fortunately the stripped ship, relieved of the tremendous -pressure of the wind upon her top-hamper, at last rode to her anchor, -and her drift on the rocks was stopped. For the present they were -saved. They could do nothing now but wait and trust to the strength of -the iron fluke and the hempen cable. Fortunately, both held.</p> - -<p class="normal">For two days and three nights the Ariel swung to that single anchor, -and passively endured the tremendous buffeting of wind and waves -within a short distance of the mighty reefs upon which, if she had -struck, every soul on board must have perished. For the greater part -of this time the motion of the mastless ship was so violent that the -most experienced seaman could not keep his legs upon the deck. On the -12th the gale had sufficiently moderated to permit the crew to erect -jury masts under which they could regain the harbor. The cable was -hove short, but the anchor could not be weighed, as it was probably -caught upon a rock. Indeed, nothing but a rock hold would have saved -them; so the cable was cut, and the battered Ariel limped back to -L'Orient, which she reached on the 13th of October. The gale was one -of the most severe with which that storm-bound coast had ever been -visited within the memory of man. The whole shore was strewed with -wrecks and the bodies of drowned men. The merchant ships of the convoy -were lost, with hundreds of other vessels. That the Ariel, in the most -dangerous position which could possibly have been imagined even, -escaped without loss of life was due to the Providence of God and the -brilliant seamanship of her captain. Long afterward Richard Dale wrote -thus of his commander's conduct in these trying circumstances:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Never saw I such coolness and readiness in such frightful -circumstances as Paul Jones showed in the nights and days when we lay -off the Penmarques, expecting every moment to be our last; and the -danger was greater even than we were in when the Bon Homme Richard -fought the Serapis."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Two months were required to put the Ariel in shape for sea once more. -All the arms which she was carrying out for the use of the army had -been so damaged by water as to be useless. They were left behind and -their place supplied by other cargo. During this interval, when not -occupied in superintending the repairs to the ship, Jones amused -himself with his usual prolific correspondence. He had also a spirited -encounter with one Thomas Truxtun, afterward the distinguished naval -officer, at that time master of a privateer called the Independence. -Truxtun entered the harbor of L'Orient flying a pennant, the use of -which was restricted by act of Congress to regularly commissioned -vessels of war, except in the case of privateers cruising alone. A -sharp correspondence was carried on between Jones and Truxtun, who was -a mere boy at the time. Truxtun at first refused to haul down the -offending pennant, but was finally induced to do so by Richard Dale -and two heavily armed boats' crews from the Ariel. Jones was not to be -trifled with, and Truxtun received a good lesson in subordination and -obedience to law--always of value to a privateer.<a name="div4Ref_36" href="#div4_36"><sup>[36]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">While the Ariel was being refitted, Jones, with his usual longing for -a first-class ship of war--a thing he never enjoyed during the whole -course of his life--through some influential friends made an attempt -to get the French Government to lend him the new and handsome frigate -Terpsichore, but his request, as usual, was not complied with. Just -before the Ariel sailed, Jones gave a grand entertainment on board of -her, to which he invited all his friends, which closed with an -exercise at general quarters, followed by a representation of battle, -which greatly alarmed his fair visitors.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 18th of December he took his departure once more. His last -letters to Madame d'Ormoy are very characteristic of Jones in his -capacity as a squire of dames, and well indicate his feelings at this -time:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I can not leave France without expressing how much I feel myself -honoured and obliged by the generous attention that you have shown to -my reputation in your journal. I will ever have the most ardent desire -to merit the spontaneous praise of beauty and her pen; and it is -impossible to be more grateful than I am for the very polite -attentions I received at Paris and Versailles. My particular thanks -are due to you, madam, for the personal proofs I have received of your -esteem and friendship, and for the happiness you procured me in the -society of the charming countess, and other ladies and gentlemen of -your circle. But I have a favour to ask of you, madam, which I hope -you will grant me. You tell me in your letter that the inkstand I had -the honour to present to you, as a small token of my esteem, shall be -reserved for the purpose of writing what concerns me; now I wish you -to see my idea in a more expanded light, and would have you make use -of that inkstand to instruct mankind, and support the dignity and -rights of human nature."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">In another letter to the same lady he says:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"It is impossible to be more sensible than I am of the obligation -conferred on me by your attentions and kind remembrance, joined to -that of the belle comtesse, your fair daughters, and the amiable -ladies and gentlemen of your society. I have returned without laurels -and, what is worse, without having been able to render service to the -glorious cause of liberty. I know not why Neptune was in such anger, -unless he thought it was an affront in me to repair on his ocean with -so insignificant a force. It is certain that till the night of the 8th -I did not fully conceive the awful majesty of tempest and shipwreck. I -can give you no just idea of the tremendous scene that Nature then -presented, which surpassed the reach even of poetic fancy and the -pencil. I believe no ship was ever before saved from an equal danger -off the point of the Penmarque rocks. I am extremely sorry that the -young English lady you mention should have imbibed the national hatred -against me. I have had proofs that many of the first and finest ladies -of that nation are my friends. Indeed, I can not imagine why any fair -lady should be my enemy, since, upon the large scale of universal -philanthropy, I feel, acknowledge, and bend before the sovereign power -of beauty. The English may hate me, but <i>I will force them to esteem -me too</i>."<a name="div4Ref_37" href="#div4_37"><sup>[37]</sup></a></p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The voyage was uneventful. Jones chose the southern passage, which was -less frequented by ships than the more direct route; the value of his -cargo being so great and the force of his vessel so small, he did not -wish to run any risk of being captured on this cruise. When they had -reached a point about twelve hundred miles east of Florida and nine -hundred miles north of Barbadoes, in latitude 26° N., longitude 60° -W., they were chased by a sail, which appeared to be a large frigate. -Jones, for the reasons mentioned, endeavored by crowding sail on the -Ariel to escape--his reputation for courage and intrepidity was -sufficiently high to allow him to run away without any imputation -being warranted by this action--but the stranger had the heels of the -Ariel, and gradually overhauled her. Night came on before she came -within range, and Jones hoped to run away from her in the darkness; -but his efforts to elude his pursuer were unavailing, and when day -dawned she was still close at hand.</p> - -<p class="normal">The wind fell during the morning, and the two ships maintained their -relative positions all day. Toward evening the breeze became stronger -again, and the stranger began to draw up on the Ariel. As she came -nearer, Jones discovered that she was not so formidable a vessel as he -had imagined, and he determined to effect her capture. Making a great -show of endeavoring to escape, therefore, he cleared ship for action, -sent his men to quarters, and permitted his pursuer to overhaul him. -She ranged alongside the lee beam just at nightfall. Both ships were -flying the English flag. Jones was ready for action, the other ship -was not. The quartermaster of the Ariel, whose duty it was to hoist -the flags, had unfortunately allowed one end of the halliards to -escape him. Jones had intended, as the stranger ranged alongside, to -haul down the English flag and substitute the American colors, then, -crossing the enemy's bows, pour in a broadside and capture her by -boarding; but this petty neglect, or trifling accident, on the part of -the quartermaster made it impossible to haul down the flag at the -appointed time, so the opportunity was lost and the project had to be -given over. Vessels of war, when maneuvering for position, frequently -sail under strange colors, but it is a point of honor, invariably -observed, which, so far as my knowledge goes, has not been disregarded -in civilized warfare--if that phrase be permissible--to fight under -one's own flag.</p> - -<p class="normal">Having lost his opportunity from this unfortunate mischance, Jones -necessarily entered into a conversation with the other ship, while he -made preparations for further maneuvering. What is known in sea -parlance as "a regular gam" ensued. The conversation lasted for some -time, during which he discovered that their pursuer was the Triumph, -an American-built ship of twenty guns, Captain John Pindar, an equal -match for the Ariel. She was a British privateer, though Jones and his -men considered her a man-of-war. Pindar probably told them so to -increase his prestige. After learning all that he could about English -affairs in America from the garrulous captain of the privateer, who -must have been extraordinarily stupid, Jones directed him to lower a -boat and come on board with his commission to prove that he was really -an Englishman. Pindar refused to do this, and Jones, watch in hand, -said he would allow him just five minutes for reflection as to the -disastrous consequences of a refusal to comply with this request. -During this interval the Englishman endeavored to clear ship for -action, his men not having gone to quarters before--a great piece of -carelessness and neglect.</p> - -<p class="normal">At the expiration of the appointed time, Pindar still proving -obdurate, Jones backed his ship on the weather quarter of the Triumph, -put his helm up, crossed her stern, and poured in a broadside which -raked her at short range and naturally did much execution. He then -ranged alongside the lee beam of the privateer, and for ten minutes -poured in a vigorous fire. The resistance of the enemy, at first -spirited, had grown more feeble, until at the end of that time Pindar -hauled down his flag and begged for quarter, saying when he -surrendered that half his crew were killed or wounded. The Ariel's men -left their stations and gave three cheers, but the erstwhile stupid -Pindar proved to be a more wily antagonist than they imagined. His -ship had gradually moved ahead of the Ariel during the contest, and -now, suddenly putting up his helm and throwing out his studding sails, -he ran off dead before the wind, with all his killed and wounded. The -unsuspecting and astonished Americans on the Ariel endeavored to -follow the man who had so cleverly eluded them, but their overloaded -ship was no match in sailing for the swift privateer, which soon made -good her escape in the night.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones was naturally much disgusted at the outcome of this engagement, -and in his journal he properly comments upon Pindar's action as -follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The English captain may properly be called a knave, because, after he -surrendered his ship, begged for and obtained quarter, he basely ran -away, contrary to the laws of naval war and the practice of civilized -nations."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Jones stated that he never had seen a ship better fought by a crew -than the Ariel had been in this instance. However, the usual -conspiracy to rise and take the ship was discovered among the English -members of the crew later on. It was thwarted by his vigorous -measures, and on the 17th of February, 1781, the Ariel dropped anchor -in the harbor of Philadelphia, just three years, three months, and -sixteen days from the departure of the Ranger at Portsmouth.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XVI.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_16" href="#div1Ref_16">CAREER IN THE UNITED STATES TO THE CLOSE OF THE WAR.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">When Jones arrived at Philadelphia, the Board of Admiralty was engaged -in investigating the delay in bringing the stores from France. -Franklin, Jones, and Landais were under discussion. For his share in -the performance, and for other actions mentioned, Landais had already -been punished, as we have seen. Jones, therefore, was at once summoned -before the board, but before he reported to them they dismissed the -summons and instead requested him to answer in writing an exhaustive -series of questions covering his actions from the time of his arrival -at L'Orient the year before. Jones immediately set about preparing his -replies, meanwhile sending Franklin's note and De Sartine's letter to -the President to Congress, which, on the 27th of February, adopted the -following resolutions:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Resolved</i>, That the Congress entertain a high sense of the -distinguished bravery and military conduct of John Paul Jones, Esq., -captain in the navy of the United States, and particularly in his -victory over the British frigate Serapis on the coast of England, -which was attended with circumstances so brilliant as to excite -general applause and admiration.</p> - -<p class="normal">"That the Minister Plenipotentiary of these United States, at the -Court of Versailles, communicate to his Most Christian Majesty, the -high satisfaction Congress has 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."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">In accordance with the permission conveyed by these flattering -resolutions, the French Minister, M. de la Luzerne, gave a splendid -entertainment, to which the members of Congress and the principal -citizens of Philadelphia were invited. Before this distinguished -company, in the name of the king, the commodore, wearing his beautiful -sword, was invested with the cross of a Knight of the Order of -Military Merit. It is stated that Jones habitually wore this -decoration thereafter, and referred to himself, and desired to be -addressed, by the title of Chevalier, which was conferred with it.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 28th of March, having carefully considered his answers to the -questions, the board declared itself as fully satisfied that the delay -had not been owing to Jones or Franklin, and stated to Congress in an -enthusiastic document that the conduct of Jones merited some -distinguished mark of approbation. In accordance with this -recommendation, on the 14th of April the following resolution was -passed:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"That the thanks of the United States, in Congress assembled, be given -to Captain John Paul Jones, for the zeal, prudence, and intrepidity -with which he hath supported the honour of the American flag; for his -bold and successful enterprises, to redeem from captivity the citizens -of these States, who had fallen under the power of the enemy; and, in -general, for the good conduct and eminent services by which he has -added lustre to his character and to the American arms.</p> - -<p class="normal">"That the thanks of the United States, in Congress assembled, be also -given to the officers and men who have faithfully served under him -from time to time, for their steady affection to the cause of their -country, and the bravery and perseverance they have manifested -therein."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The thanks of Congress, the highest honor an officer can receive, were -given to but five other officers during the Revolution--viz., to -Washington, for the capture of Boston; to Gates, for taking Burgoyne; -to Wayne, for the storming of Stony Point; to Morgan, for the victory -at the Cowpens; and to Greene, for his success at Eutaw Springs. -Jones, therefore, stood in distinguished company.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 19th of May, to all of these honors was added a further -evidence of esteem, which was perhaps as valuable as any that he had -received. It came in the shape of the following letter from -Washington:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Sir</span>: My partial acquaintance with either our naval or commercial -affairs makes it altogether impossible for me to account for the -unfortunate delay of those articles of military stores and clothing -which have been so long provided in France. Had I any particular -reasons to have suspected you of being accessory to that delay, which -I assure you has not been the case, my suspicions would have been -removed by the very full and satisfactory answers, which you have, to -the best of my judgment, made to the questions proposed to you by the -Board of Admiralty, and upon which that board have, in their report to -Congress, testified the high sense which they entertain of your merit -and services.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Whether our naval affairs have, in general, been well or ill -conducted it would be presumptuous for me to determine. Instances of -bravery and good conduct in several of our officers have not, however, -been wanting. Delicacy forbids me to mention <i>that particular one</i> -which has attracted the admiration of all the world, and which has -influenced a most illustrious monarch to confer a mark of his favour -which can only be obtained by a long and honourable service, or by the -performance of some brilliant action.</p> - -<p class="normal">"That you may long enjoy the reputation you have so justly acquired is -the sincere wish of, Sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,</p> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">George Washington</span>."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">An attempt was made in Congress to promote him to the grade of rear -admiral--which he certainly deserved--and a resolution to that effect -was introduced. Owing, however, to jealousy among certain other -officers whom he would have superseded, the effort fell through. This -would have settled the long and tiresome contention on the question of -relative rank, and naturally would have been most agreeable to Jones. -However, the matter was settled in a more indirect but perhaps equally -satisfactory way.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 23d of June, Robert Morris became Minister of Marine in -succession to the Board of Admiralty, which was abolished, and on that -same day Congress resolved to take a ballot three days later to -designate the commander of the America, a magnificent ship of the -line, building at Portsmouth, which was then believed to be nearly -ready for launching. On the 26th of June, the ballot being taken, it -was found that Paul Jones had been unanimously chosen for the -position. Since the act of Congress on the 15th of November, 1776, -made a captain of a ship of from twenty to forty guns equal to a -lieutenant colonel, while a captain of a ship of forty guns and upward -was made equal to a colonel, and as he was the only officer intrusted -with so large a command, Jones was thus in effect placed at the head -of the navy list. He certainly belonged there. With his usual good -sense he notes in his journal his satisfaction, as follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Thus Congress took a delicate method to avoid cabal and to do -justice. It was more agreeable to Captain Jones to be so honourably -elected captain of the line than to have been, as was proposed by the -committee, raised at once to the rank of rear admiral, because -Congress had not then the means of giving a command suitable to that -rank."</p> - -<p class="normal"> -By direction of Robert Morris, at this time he presented his accounts -to Congress. He had received no pay and but little prize money since -his entry into the service, and, as has been stated, had advanced -large sums of money from his private funds for the payment of officers -and crew. The Government indebtedness to him amounted to some -twenty-seven thousand dollars, but no money was forthcoming, -consequently on the 28th of July he was actually compelled to ask for -an advance of four hundred pounds to pay current expenses and small -debts in Philadelphia, and enable him to proceed to New Hampshire and -enter upon his duties. This he appears to have received. He stopped -<i>en route</i> at New Rochelle, where he was handsomely entertained by -Washington and de Rochambeau, both of whom he had great pleasure in -meeting. As he received a hint at the army headquarters that his -decoration and title might be obnoxious to the sturdy New Englanders, -he thereafter discontinued wearing the cross for a space. He reached -Portsmouth toward the last of August, and found that the America was -still on the ways and would not be ready to put to sea for months. -This was a great disappointment to him, but he set to work with his -usual zeal to further the work of getting the ship ready for -launching.</p> - -<p class="normal">During his wanderings he had collected a most valuable professional -library, and he now found leisure to devote a good part of his time to -study, some of the results of which appeared in the improvements which -he carried out on the America. As usual, he also resumed his -correspondence. In his letters of this period are many excellent -suggestions looking to the welfare and future development of the naval -service. Many of these suggestions were subsequently adopted in the -service. The following letter, dated August 12, 1782, which he -received from John Adams, then minister at The Hague, is pleasant -reading:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The command of the America could not have been more judiciously -bestowed; and it is with impatience that I wish her at sea, where she -will do honour to her name. Nothing gives me so much surprise, or so -much regret, as the inattention of my countrymen to their navy; it is -a bulwark as essential to us as it is to Great Britain.<a name="div4Ref_38" href="#div4_38"><sup>[38]</sup></a> -It is less -costly than armies, and more easily removed from one end of the United -States to the other.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Rodney's victory has intoxicated Britain again to such a degree that -I think there will be no peace for some time. Indeed, if I could see a -prospect of half a dozen line of battle ships under the American flag, -commanded by Commodore John Paul Jones, engaged with an equal British -force, I apprehend the event would be so glorious for the United -States, and ay, so sure a foundation for their prosperity, that it -would be a rich compensation for a continuance of the war."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">When Jones heard of the movement which resulted in the surrender of -Cornwallis at Yorktown, he had expressed a desire to serve as a -volunteer in the army for the campaign under Lafayette. He pined for -action always. On this subject he received the following affectionate -letter from that gallant Frenchman:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<i>December 22, 1781</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have been honoured with your polite favour, my dear Paul Jones, but -before it reached me I was already on board the Alliance, and every -minute expecting to put to sea. It would have afforded me great -satisfaction to pay my respects to the inhabitants of Portsmouth, and -the State in which you are for the present. 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.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Accept of my best thanks for the kind expressions in your letter. His -Lordship's [Lord Cornwallis] downfall 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 honour 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 [<i>troupes de mer</i>] as might cut a good figure ashore, and then -give you plenty of provisions and <i>carte blanche</i>."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">It would appear from the letters that both Adams and Lafayette held a -similar opinion of the capacity of the great commodore.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the occasion of the rejoicings at Portsmouth over the surrender of -Cornwallis he ventured to assume his cross of knighthood again, and, -finding that no objections were made, he continued to wear it on all -occasions, and he also resumed the title of Chevalier. The fall, the -winter, and the following summer passed quietly and pleasantly for the -little captain, busily engaged in writing, waiting, working, planning, -and drawing. On the whole I think this must have been, after Paris, -the happiest period of his life. He made many friends, and was much -looked up to by the people of Portsmouth and vicinity. There was a -spice of excitement about his work as well, which relieved the -monotony, for the enemy conceived various projects to destroy the -America, which could not be put in operation owing to the vigorous -watchfulness of Jones, who armed and drilled and exercised his workmen -for guarding the ship. The birth of the French Dauphin was celebrated -elaborately in the summer of 1782.</p> - -<p class="normal">Toward the last of August the ship was about ready for launching, and -Jones cherished high hopes of soon getting to sea in her. -Unfortunately, however, a squadron of French ships of the line, under -the Marquis de Vaudreuil, entered the harbor of Boston at this time, -and one of them, named the Magnifique, was stranded on a rock and -lost. Congress, by a resolution dated the 3d of September, presented -the America to the French king as a recompense for the loss of the -Magnifique, and on the 4th of September Morris sadly acquainted Jones -with the decision. To be compelled to turn over the great ship, in -which he had hoped to do such brilliant service, to the French was a -tremendous disappointment to the commodore, but he wrote in so noble -and magnanimous a manner to Morris on the subject that the latter at -once said to him that the sentiments which he had expressed would -always reflect the highest honor upon his character. In fact, Jones' -words made so strong an impression upon the mind of Morris that he -immediately submitted his letter to Congress.</p> - -<p class="normal">The America was launched on the 5th of November. The operation of -getting her into the water was a difficult one on account of the -peculiar lay of the land opposite the ways, but Jones accomplished it -with his usual skill and address. When the ship was safely moored he -turned her over to the Chevalier de Martigne, the former captain of -the Magnifique, and on the next day he started for Philadelphia. The -America was reputed to be one of the most beautiful and effective -ships afloat.</p> - -<p class="normal">Morris, who was a great admirer and an old friend of Jones, now -desired to place him in command of that vessel which had been the -object of his desire for so many years, the frigate Indien, which, by -a queer combination of circumstances, had finally been brought to -Philadelphia. The King of France, having no use for the ship, had lent -her to the Chevalier de Luxembourg, who had entered into a business -arrangement with a certain sea captain named Gillon, who was employed -by the State of South Carolina to command a small naval force which -had been equipped for the protection of her coasts, Gillon assuming -the title of commodore.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Indien, now called the South Carolina, had been a rather fortunate -cruiser. Gillon had captured a number of merchantmen, and had joined -in another successful expedition to New Providence. He had then -proceeded to Philadelphia. As he was indebted to the United States for -advances of large sums of money, and as he had made no accounting to -the Chevalier de Luxembourg for his share of the prizes, it was -thought by Robert Morris and Luzerne, the French Minister, who -represented Luxembourg, that if they could get control of this -frigate, by placing it under Jones' command with other ships, they -could create a formidable force to cruise against the enemy.</p> - -<p class="normal">But Gillon contrived to evade the legal process by which the claimants -sought to insure the payment of their dues, and, in spite of the -efforts made to detain him, he succeeded in carrying the Indien to -sea, where she was promptly captured just as she cleared the capes of -the Delaware by the Diomede, the Astrea, and the Quebec, three English -frigates stationed particularly to intercept her.</p> - -<p class="normal">Disappointed again in his hope of getting a command by these untoward -circumstances, Jones requested permission to embark as a volunteer in -the squadron of De Vaudreuil, which was destined to take part in a -proposed grand expedition to France and Spain against Jamaica. Morris -forwarded Jones' request to Congress with a strong recommendation, and -that body at once passed the following resolutions:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Resolved</i>, That the agent of marine be informed that Congress, -having a high sense of the merit and services of Captain J. P. Jones, -and being disposed to favor the zeal manifested by him to acquire -improvement in the line of his profession, do grant the permission -which he requests, and that the said agent be instructed to recommend -him accordingly to the countenance of his Excellency, the Marquis de -Vaudreuil."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Admiral de Vaudreuil was graciously pleased to receive the chevalier -on his flagship, the Triomphante, where he treated him with the -highest consideration, even sharing his cabin with him. The expedition -came to nothing, and though Jones probably enjoyed ample opportunity -for observing the handling of the fleet, he saw no actual service, to -his great disappointment; instead of which he became seriously ill -with intermittent fever. At Porto Cabello, on the 4th of April, 1783, -he received the news of the signing of the treaty of peace, and this -stern warrior, who was supposed to live only for fighting, thus -expressed himself concerning the subject:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The most brilliant success, and the most instructive experience in -war, could not have given me a pleasure comparable with that which I -received when I learned that Great Britain had, after so long a -contest, been forced to acknowledge the independence and sovereignty -of the United States of America."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Jones shortly thereafter left the French fleet and returned to -Philadelphia, where he arrived on the 18th of May, 1783. He was still -very ill. He carried with him the two following letters to the French -Minister from de Vaudreuil and the Baron de Viomenil, who commanded -the land forces on board the fleet.</p> - -<p class="normal">From the Marquis de Vaudreuil:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"M. Paul Jones, who embarked with me, returns to his beloved country. -I was very glad to have him. His well-deserved reputation caused me to -accept his company with much pleasure, and I had no doubt that we -should meet with some occasions in which his talents might be -displayed. But peace, for which I can not but rejoice, interposes an -obstacle which renders our separation necessary. Permit me, sir, to -pray you to recommend him to his chiefs. The particular acquaintance I -have formed with him since he has been on board the Triomphante makes -me take a lively interest in his fortunes, and I shall feel much -obliged if you find means of doing him services."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">From the Baron de Viomenil:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"M. Paul Jones, who will have the honour of delivering to you, sir, -this letter, has for five months deported himself among us with such -wisdom and modesty as add infinitely to the reputation gained by his -courage and exploits. I have reason to believe that he has preserved -as much the feeling of gratitude and attachment toward France as of -patriotism and devotion to the cause of America. Such being his titles -to attention, I take the liberty of recommending to you his interests, -near the President and Congress."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">He was in some doubt as to his future career, but for the present the -state of his health rendered it necessary for him to abstain from -active duty. As a matter of fact, there was practically no American -navy in existence at the close of the war, and no duty for him to -undertake. The commodore's constitution was much shattered, and the -wasting fever still clung to him. He removed, therefore, by the advice -of his physician, to the village of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he -passed the summer in rest and retirement, and his health gradually -improved under the careful treatment he received. He seems to have had -in mind the project of settling down and forming an establishment -somewhere, and marrying "some fair daughter of liberty," and he wrote -to some friends in regard to an estate he desired to purchase near -Newark, New Jersey. However, the design fell through, mainly because -he was unable to realize upon his resources, as his expense account -had not been paid by Congress, and no prize money was yet forthcoming. -While awaiting the complete restoration of his health he prepared -several plans for organizing a navy for the new country, all of which -are distinguished by his usual insight and skill. Many of the plans, -including the germ of a proposed naval academy in the shape of a -school-ship filled with cadets, were adopted with profit to the naval -service and the country in after years. But the new nation was too -poor and the central government too weak at that time to accept any of -these suggestions. Finally, by an act of Congress, dated November 1, -1783, in accordance with the report of a committee of which Mr. Arthur -Lee was a member--singular revolution of time which put him in the -position of upholding Jones!--he was appointed a special commissioner -to solicit and receive the money due from France for the prizes taken -by the Bon Homme Richard and his squadron. He was, of course, to act -under the direction of the American Minister, Franklin, and was -required to give bond to the amount of two hundred thousand dollars -for the faithful performance of his duty. It is an evidence of his -high reputation for probity and honor that he found no difficulty in -securing signers to his bond.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XVII.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_17" href="#div1Ref_17">PRIZE AGENT IN FRANCE AND DENMARK--LAST VISIT TO THE UNITED<br> -STATES--A BLOT ON THE ESCUTCHEON--FAMOUS PASSAGE OF THE BALTIC.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">On the 10th of November Jones sailed from Philadelphia to Havre in the -packet Washington. Being detained by contrary winds, however, he put -into Plymouth on the 30th of November, his first visit to England, -save as an enemy, for many years. He there left the ship and went to -London for a conference with Adams, the minister, who informed him -that his dispatches for Franklin probably contained instructions for -concluding the commercial treaty with England, and advised him to -hasten. He therefore repaired immediately to Paris, where he arrived -on the 4th of December. He was most kindly received by the Maréchal de -Castries, the new Minister of Marine, and by the king and queen. -Society, too, welcomed him with open arms. He immediately set about -the task which had been allotted to him, with his characteristic -energy. For a year and a half he successfully combated the various -efforts of the French Government to make deductions from the amount -realized from the sale of the prizes on one pretext or another, and on -the 23d of October, 1784, de Castries at last approved of the account.</p> - -<p class="normal">There were further delays, as usual, and the matter dragged until -January, 1785, when he wrote to de Castries as follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"From the great number of affairs more important that engage your -attention, I presume this little matter which concerns me, in a small -degree personally, but chiefly as the agent of the brave men who -served under my orders in Europe, may have escaped your memory. My -long silence is a proof that nothing but necessity could have -prevailed on me to take the liberty of reminding your Excellency of -your promise."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">As usual, his persistence at last received its reward in the shape of -an order on the Royal Auditor at L'Orient for the money. He set out -for L'Orient in July, and there stirred up a further nest of troubles, -which, however, he managed to triumph over by the display of his usual -qualities, and at the end of September, 1785, the account, amounting -to one hundred and eighty-one thousand livres, etc., was paid to -him.<a name="div4Ref_39" href="#div4_39"><sup>[39]</sup></a> He charged no -commission for collecting this money, but his -expenses for the period of his sojourn in France were placed at the -large sum of forty-eight thousand livres; to this was added thirteen -thousand livres as his share of the prize money, making a total of -sixty-one thousand livres, which he appropriated to himself. After -paying certain persons then living in France who were entitled to -share in the prize money, he turned over to Thomas Jefferson, who had -succeeded Franklin, the sum of one hundred and twelve thousand livres, -to be returned to the United States for the use of the officers and -men entitled to participate in the distribution.</p> - -<p class="normal">The charges that he made for his personal expenses were certainly very -large, but there is not the slightest reason to infer, as has been -insinuated, that he falsified the account--every reason to think the -contrary, in fact. I have no doubt that he actually spent all that he -claimed to have done--probably more, for he was as apt to spend as he -was to fight--but the amount is greatly in excess of what should have -been properly expended, or at least charged against the total for -legitimate living expenses. As I have stated, however, he was -supremely indifferent to money, his own or other people's, and it -passed easily through his hands; although, so far as is known, he -avoided debts and promptly paid his bills. He had great ideas as to -the exalted nature of his position and the dignity of the country he -represented, and he did not stint himself in anything. It was an -expensive court, and he ruffled it royally with the best. He moved as -an equal in an extravagant and gay society, and he allowed no -considerations as to economy to restrain him from standing among the -freest and highest. We need not censure him too severely in the -premises, for the account was afterward investigated by Congress and -his expenditures approved.</p> - -<p class="normal">During his long stay in France the fertile mind of the chevalier was -busied with various projects to advance his fortunes, among which was -a design which he conceived in conjunction with the famous navigator -and explorer Ledyard, who had gone around the world with the more -famous Captain Cook. The two men proposed to engage in the fur trade -in the then comparatively unexplored and unknown waters of the Pacific -Ocean. The affair assumed a considerable state of forwardness, but was -finally dropped on account of lack of necessary funds, the expenses -proving much greater than either of the projectors had imagined they -would be. In view of the vast fortunes which have been made -subsequently in pursuance of this very idea, the conception throws an -interesting light upon the keen business quality of the commodore's -mind.<a name="div4Ref_40" href="#div4_40"><sup>[40]</sup></a> As a light -relaxation he had his bust made by the celebrated -sculptor Houdon, copies of which he presented, with wide generosity, -to a number of his friends. The bust was made at the instance of the -French Masonic lodge of Three Sisters, of which he was an honored -member.</p> - -<p class="normal">Early in 1787, upon the advice of Jefferson, he determined to repair -to Denmark to see what he could do to further the payment of the claim -for indemnity, amounting to forty thousand pounds, caused by the -delivery of the prizes of his famous squadron to the English at -Bergen. He had reached Brussels on his journey to Copenhagen when he -decided to return to America for two reasons: In the first place, -Jefferson had no authority to approve the account of the commodore in -the matter of prize money recently received from France. He had simply -acted as a medium of transmittal of the balance handed him to the -United States. The Treasury Board of Audit, to which the account and -the accompanying balance had been submitted, strongly disapproved of -the large item covering personal expenses, and Jones, when he heard -their views, felt it incumbent upon him to return to America -immediately to insure the acceptance of his statement and the -adjustment of the account. In the second place, another motive for his -return was on account of lack of funds. He had expected to receive at -Brussels remittances from some investments in bank stock in the United -States to enable him to proceed to Copenhagen, but they were not -forthcoming. It would appear that he had spent all of his prize money, -etc., which indicates his careless extravagance in monetary -matters.<a name="div4Ref_41" href="#div4_41"><sup>[41]</sup></a> Accordingly, he -abandoned his Danish trip for the time, -and returned to the United States in the spring of 1787.</p> - -<p class="normal">His explanations of his personal expenditures, while they may not have -convinced the auditors, were apparently satisfactory to Congress, to -which the matter had been referred, for his accounts were soon -approved, and Congress did him a singular honor in passing the -following resolutions, which certainly could never have been adopted -if there had been in the minds of any of the members the least cloud -upon his financial reputation:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Resolved</i>, That a medal of gold be struck, and presented to the -Chevalier Paul Jones in commemoration of the valor and brilliant -service of that officer in the command of a squadron of American and -French ships under the flag and commission of the United States, off -the coast of Great Britain, in the late war; and that the Honourable -Mr. Jefferson, Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States at the -court of Versailles, have the same executed with the proper devices."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The fact that eight years had elapsed since the event commemorated -shows that this action of Congress was not the result of any sudden -enthusiasm, but was deliberate and therefore more valuable. In -addition to this unique tribute to his worth and services, the same -august body addressed the following personal letter to the king, Louis -XVI:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Great and beloved Friend: We, the United States, in Congress -assembled, in consideration of the distinguished mark of approbation -with which your Majesty has been pleased to honour the Chevalier John -Paul Jones, as 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.</p> - -<p class="normal">"As it is his earnest desire to acquire knowledge in his profession, -we cannot forbear requesting your Majesty to permit him to embark in -your fleets of evolution, where only it will be probably in his power -to acquire that knowledge, which may hereafter render him most -extensively useful.</p> - -<p class="normal">"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.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Done at the City of New York, the sixteenth day of October, in the -year of our Lord 1787, and of our sovereignty and independence the -twelfth."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">This was presumably a reply to the official communication of De -Sartine which has been cited before. So far as I know, Jones remains -to this day the only officer so commended. Before this action of -Congress he had written the following letter to Jay, the Secretary of -State, which may have suggested the official letter to the French -king:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"... My private business here being already finished, I shall in a few -days re-embark for Europe, in order to proceed to the court of -Denmark. It is my intention to go by the way of Paris, in order to -obtain a letter to the French Minister at Copenhagen, from the Count -de Montmorin, as the one I obtained is from the Count de Vergennes. It -would be highly flattering to me if I could carry a letter with me -from Congress to his most Christian Majesty, thanking him for the -squadron he did us the honour to support under our flag. And on this -occasion, sir, permit me, with becoming diffidence, to recall the -attention of my sovereign to the letter of recommendation I brought -with me from the court of France dated 30th of May, 1780. It would be -pleasing to me if that letter should be found to merit a place on the -journals of Congress. Permit me also to entreat that Congress will be -pleased to read the letter I received from the Minister of Marine, -when his Majesty deigned to bestow on me a golden-hilted sword, -emblematical of the happy alliance, an honour which his Majesty never -conferred on any other foreign officer. . . .</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is certain that I am much flattered by receiving a gold sword from -the most illustrious monarch now living; but I had refused to accept -his commission on two occasions before that time, when some firmness -was necessary to resist the temptation; he was not my sovereign. I -served the cause of freedom, and honours from my sovereign would be -more pleasing. Since the year 1775, when I displayed the American flag -for the first time with my own hands, I have been constantly devoted -to the interests of America. Foreigners have, perhaps, given me too -much credit, and this may have raised my ideas of my services above -their real value; but my zeal can never be overrated.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I should act inconsistently if I omitted to mention the dreadful -situation of our unhappy fellow citizens in slavery at Algiers. Their -almost hopeless fate is a deep reflection on our national character in -Europe. I beg leave to influence the humanity of Congress in their -behalf, and to propose that some expedient may be adopted for their -redemption. A fund might be raised for that purpose by a duty of a -shilling per month from seamen's wages throughout the continent, and I -am persuaded that no difficulty would be made to that requisition."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">This is the first mention of a matter which had recently come to his -notice, and ever after engaged his attention--the dreadful situation -of the Americans held captive in the Barbary States. The first public -agitation for the amelioration of their unfortunate condition came -from him, and the glorious little struggle by which the United States, -a few years after his death, broke the power of these pirates, and -alone among the nations of the world made them respect a national -flag, had its origin in the love and sympathy of Paul Jones for the -prisoner wherever he might be--a significant fact generally forgotten.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 25th of October Congress passed some strong resolutions on the -subject of the failure of Denmark to pay the claim referred to above, -and instructed Jefferson to dispatch the Chevalier Paul Jones to -prosecute the claim at the Danish court, stating, however, that no -final settlement or adjustment must be made without the approval of -the minister. There was a decided difference between the two -commissions with which Congress honored Jones.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the first instance, in France, he was simply to obtain what had -been actually received by the French Government from the sale of -certain prizes; the amount in question was not in negotiation save for -some allowances or deductions which did not greatly affect the total -one way or the other. In other words, he was simply to collect, if he -could, a just and admitted debt, and, after deducting expenses, divide -it in accordance with a certain recognized principle so far as his own -share, or the share of any one in Europe, was concerned, and remit the -balance to Congress for action. In the second instance, he was charged -with the more delicate and responsible work of pressing a claim for -heavy damages based on the estimated value of prizes which the Danish -Government had illegally returned to their original owners, the whole -transaction on their part constituting an unfriendly and unlawful act, -which could easily be magnified into a <i>casus belli</i>. In the first -case he was to collect a bill for forty thousand dollars; in the -second, to secure an admittance of obligation, establish the justice -of a claim for five times the first amount, and force a payment. The -second commission was the more honorable because the more responsible, -and is another proof of the continued and, in fact, increased -confidence in him which was felt by Congress.</p> - -<p class="normal">The propriety, therefore, of associating him with Thomas Jefferson, by -requiring the approval of the latter to any final settlements, can not -be questioned. It can not be considered in any sense as a reflection -upon Jones. It was the usual and common practice under such important -circumstances to associate several negotiators to conduct the affair. -The action was unfortunate, however, as it was made a pretext by the -Danish Government for delaying the settlement. They had already -compromised their contention of the legality of their action in giving -up the ships by offering to settle with Franklin for ten thousand -pounds, which offer had been refused.</p> - -<p class="normal">One other incident of his stay in his country--the last visit he was -destined to pay to it, by the way--brings upon the scene for the last -time one of the principal actors in the drama of Jones' life. During -his stay in New York, in the month of October, he was conversing with -a friend while standing on Water Street, when Captain Landais, who had -made his home in Brooklyn since his dismissal from the navy, -approached them. Jones' back was turned, and when Mr. Milligan, his -friend, told him of the advent of the Frenchman, he continued his -conversation without turning around. Landais approached slowly, -wearing a vindictive smile. When a few yards away from the two -gentlemen, he halted, spat upon the pavement, remarked, "I spit in his -face," and passed on. Mr. Milligan asked Jones if he had heard -Landais' remark, and he replied that he had not. Nothing further was -said about the incident at that time. Landais, however, circulated -reports of the meeting derogatory to Jones' character, and in reply -the chevalier published a statement of the occurrence signed by Mr. -Milligan, and added that his respect for the public had induced him to -establish the falsity of Landais' report by the testimony of the only -witness present; he also stated that he should not condescend to take -notice of anything further which might be said or done by his -antagonist. From this circumstance arose the rumor that he had been -publicly insulted--caned, in fact--without resenting it!<a name="div4Ref_42" href="#div4_42"><sup>[42]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">During this period Jones, as usual, kept up his correspondence, -especially with Madame de Telison, with whom his relations had -evidently reached that intimate point to which I have referred on page -276. On June 23d she advised him of the death of her friend and -protectress at court, the Marquise de Marsan. He wrote immediately, -commending her to Jefferson, and at once dispatched the following -letter to the lady herself:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">New York</span>, <i>September 4, 1787</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"No language can convey to my fair mourner the tender sorrow I feel on -her account! The loss of our worthy friend is indeed a fatal stroke! -It is an irreparable misfortune, which can only be alleviated by this -one reflection, that it is the will of God, whose providence has, I -hope, other blessings in store for us. She was a tried friend, and -more than a mother to you! She would have been a mother to me also had -she lived. We have lost her! Let us cherish her memory, and send up -grateful thanks to the Almighty that we once had such a friend. I can -not but flatter myself that you have yourself gone to the king in -July, as he had appointed. I am sure your loss will be a new -inducement for him to protect you, and render you justice. He will -hear you, I am sure; and you may safely unbosom yourself to him and -ask his advice, which can not but be flattering to him to give you. -Tell him you must look on him as your father and protector. If it were -necessary, I think, too, that the Count d'A----, his brother, would, -on your personal application, render you good services by speaking in -your favour. I should like it better, however, if you can do without -him. Mr. Jefferson will show you my letter of this date to him. You -will see by it how disgracefully I have been detained here by the -Board of Treasury. It is impossible for me to stir from this place -till I obtain their settlement on the business I have already -performed; and, as the season is already far advanced, I expect to be -ordered to embark directly for the place of my destination in the -north. Mr. Jefferson will forward me your letters. I am almost without -money, and much puzzled to obtain a supply. I have written to Dr. -Bancroft to endeavour to assist me. I mention this with infinite -regret, and for no other reason than because it is impossible for me -to transmit you a supply under my present circumstances. This is my -fifth letter to you since I left Paris. The two last were from France, -and I sent them by duplicates. But you say nothing of having received -any letters from me! Summon, my dear friend, all your resolution! -Exert yourself, and plead your own cause. You can not fail of success; -your cause would move a heart of flint! Present my best respects to -your sister. You did not mention her in your letter, but I persuade -myself she will continue her tender care of her sweet godson, and that -you will cover him all over with kisses from me; they come warm to -<i>you both</i> from the heart!"</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The Count d'A---- referred to was the Count d'Artois, subsequently -King Charles X. Madame de Telison was his natural aunt, and that Jones -should fear any evil consequence to her from her speaking to him is a -hideous commentary on the morals of the times. Mackenzie infers the -possibility that the Marchioness de Marsan was really the mother of -Madame de Telison, and from the assurance that she would have been a -mother to him also, had she lived, he thinks it possible that Jones -might have contemplated marrying his correspondent. The godson was -possibly Jones' own child. Shortly after this, correspondence with -Madame de Telison ceased temporarily. But when Jones finally returned -to France their relations were resumed. Before he died he provided for -her, and she was with him to the end.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 11th of November Jones left America for the last time, taking -passage at New York on a vessel bound for Holland. He was landed in -England, however, and after another interview with Adams at London, he -repaired to Paris on the 11th of December, and presented his -dispatches to Jefferson. Jefferson now communicated to him a project -which had been under discussion between himself and de Simolin, the -Russian ambassador at Versailles, looking to a demand for the services -of Jones by the Empress Catherine II of Russia. Some recent disasters -to the Russian fleet in the Black Sea in the war which she had been -waging against the Turks had caused the minister to consider the -possibility of securing the services of the distinguished sea captain. -No definite action was taken by either party at that time, although -Jones, after some persuasion, expressed his willingness at least to -consider the situation. Indeed, the prospects were sufficiently -brilliant to have dazzled any man; but nothing came of the matter -then. Jones had other business to attend to. At the close of January, -1788, he received his credentials from Jefferson, and on the morning -of the 2d of February, the day of his departure for Denmark, he -breakfasted with a Mr. Littlepage, chamberlain to the King of Poland, -and the Russian Minister, who informed him that he had seriously -proposed to his sovereign that Jones be intrusted with the command of -the Black Sea fleet. He had, in fact, written to her as follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"That if her Imperial Majesty should confide to Jones the chief -command of her fleet on the Black Sea, with <i>carte blanche</i>, he would -answer for it that in less than a year Jones would make Constantinople -tremble."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">He also informed the commodore that the empress had been much -impressed with the proposition, and was disposed to look favorably -upon it.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones in reply said that he would undertake the command, under certain -conditions, if the empress continued in the same mind, and set out -with high hopes for Copenhagen. He reached that city on the 4th of -March, and was royally received by the king and queen and principal -people of the country; but in spite of every effort he found it -utterly impossible to procure a satisfactory settlement of the claim. -The shuffling Danish Government seized upon the flimsy pretext that he -was not a plenipotentiary, since his powers were limited by the clause -referred to above, and that since Congress had required that -everything be referred to Paris, and final action should be taken at -that point, there was no use negotiating with an agent. Completely -thwarted in his attempts by this unfortunate clause, and having -received a definite summons through Baron Krudner, the Russian -ambassador at Copenhagen, to repair to Russia, Jones transferred the -negotiations to Jefferson at Paris, which was, in fact, all he could -do under the circumstances, and prepared to assume his new -command.<a name="div4Ref_43" href="#div4_43"><sup>[43]</sup></a> On the 8th of -April, 1788, he wrote to Jefferson as -follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Sir</span>: By my letters to the Count de Bernstorf, and his excellency's -answer, you see that my business here is at an end. If I have not -finally concluded the object of my mission, it is neither your fault -nor mine; the powers I received are found insufficient, and you could -not act otherwise than was prescribed in your instructions. Thus it -frequently happens that good opportunities are lost when the supreme -power does not place a sufficient confidence in the distant operations -of public officers, whether civil or military. I have, however, the -melancholy satisfaction to reflect that I have been received and -treated here with a distinction far above the pretensions of my public -mission, and I felicitate myself sincerely on being, at my own expense -(and even at the peril of my life, for my sufferings from the -inclemency of the weather, and my want of proper means to guard -against it on the journey, were inexpressible; and I believe, from -what I yet feel, will continue to affect my constitution), the -instrument to renew the negotiation between this country and the -United States; the more so as the honour is now reserved for you to -display your great abilities and integrity by the completion and -improvement of what Dr. Franklin had wisely begun. I have done, then, -what perhaps no other person would have undertaken under the same -circumstances; and while I have the consolation to hope that the -United States will derive solid advantages from my journey and efforts -here, I rest perfectly satisfied that the interests of the brave men I -commanded will experience in you parental attention, and that the -American flag can lose none of its lustre, but the contrary, while its -honour is confided to you. America being a young nation, with an -increasing commerce, which will naturally produce a navy, I please -myself with the hope that in the treaty you are about to conclude with -Denmark you will find it easy and highly advantageous to include -certain articles for admitting America into the armed neutrality. I -persuade myself beforehand that this would afford pleasure to the -Empress of Russia, who is at the head of that noble and humane -combination; and as I shall now set out immediately for St. -Petersburg, I will mention the idea to her Imperial Majesty and let -you know her answer.</p> - -<p class="normal">"If Congress should think I deserve the promotion that was proposed -when I was last in America, and should condescend to confer on me the -grade of rear admiral from the day I took the Serapis (23d of -September, 1779), I am persuaded it would be very agreeable to the -empress, who now deigns to offer me an equal rank in her service, -although I never yet had the honour to draw my sword in her cause, nor -to do any other act that could directly merit her imperial -benevolence. While I express, in the warm effusion of a grateful -heart, the deep sense I feel of my eternal obligation to you as the -author of the honourable prospect that is now before me, I must rely -on your friendship to justify to the United States the important step -I now take, conformable to your advice. You know I had no idea of this -new fortune when I found that you had put it in train, before my last -return to Paris from America. I have not forsaken a country that has -had many disinterested and difficult proofs of my steady affection, -and I can never renounce the glorious title of <i>a citizen of the -United States!</i></p> - -<p class="normal">"It is true I have not the express permission of the sovereignty to -accept the offer of her Imperial Majesty; yet America is independent, -is in perfect peace, has no public employment for my military talents; -but why should I excuse a conduct which I should rather hope would -meet with general approbation? In the latter part of the year 1782 -Congress passed an act for my embarkation in the fleet of his most -Christian Majesty; and when, a few months ago, I left America to -return to Europe, I was made the bearer of a letter to his most -Christian Majesty requesting me to be permitted to embark in the -fleets of evolution. Why did Congress pass those acts? To facilitate -my improvement in the art of conducting fleets and military -operations. I am, then, conforming myself to the views of Congress; -but the role allotted me is infinitely more high and difficult than -Congress intended. Instead of receiving lessons from able masters in -the theory of war, I am called to immediate practice, where I must -command in chief, conduct the most difficult operations, be my own -preceptor, and instruct others. Congress will allow me some merit in -daring to encounter such multiplied difficulties. The mark I mentioned -of the approbation of that honourable body would be extremely -flattering to me in the career I am now to pursue, and would stimulate -all my ambition to acquire the necessary talents to merit that, and -even greater favours, at a future day. I pray you, sir, to explain the -circumstances of my situation, and be the interpreter of my sentiments -to the United States in Congress. I ask for nothing; and beg leave to -be understood only as having hinted, what is natural to conceive, that -the mark of approbation I mentioned could not fail to be infinitely -serviceable to my views and success in the country where I am going.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The prince royal sent me a messenger, requesting me to come to his -apartment. His royal highness said a great many civil things to -me--told me the king thanked me for my attention and civil behaviour -to the Danish flag while I commanded in the European seas, and that -his Majesty wished for occasions to testify to me his personal esteem, -etc. I was alone with the prince half an hour. I am, with perfect -esteem, etc."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">It is a quaint letter, but not conspicuous for modesty on the part of -the writer. But it is memorable for its passionate and determined -assertion of citizenship, and evidence that his entry into the Russian -service, temporarily, was due not to his own motion, but to the -suggestion of Thomas Jefferson, who highly approved of his acceptance -of the offer of Catherine. Inasmuch as his action has been called in -question, such approbation as that of Jefferson is of great value. -Congress did not confer upon him the desired rank, as should have been -done, and, besides, his statement was not quite correct.</p> - -<p class="normal">Krudner had offered him the rank of captain commandant, equal to that -of major general in the army, and placed at his disposal one thousand -ducats for the expenses of his journey. He promptly demurred at the -proposed rank of captain commandant, or major general, and refused to -accept the sum offered for his traveling expenses. It was forced upon -him by the insistence of Krudner, however, and he finally received it. -He made no use of it at that time, keeping the money intact, and -intending to return it in case he should find it necessary on his -arrival in Russia to decline the proffered station. He made but few -stipulations with her Majesty's agent before entering upon the journey -to St. Petersburg, and these were that in the service of the empress -he should never be compelled to bear arms against either the United -States or France; that he should be at all times subject to recall by -Congress; and, as we have seen in his letter to Jefferson, he was -particular to assert that under no circumstances would he renounce -"the glorious title of a citizen of the United States." The man of the -world and the disinterested lover of human liberty had long since come -to a local habitation and name, and henceforth he never failed to -assert his citizenship in America.</p> - -<p class="normal">As he left the court of Denmark and entered upon his journey to Russia -he carried in his pocket a patent for a pension issued to him by the -Danish Government for the sum of fifteen hundred crowns a year, which -was presented to him as an acknowledgment of the "respect he had shown -to the Danish flag while he commanded in the North Sea," etc.! -Curiously enough, the pension is dated the day it was decided to -transfer to Paris the negotiations which he had come to further. The -transaction is a most peculiar one. The coincidence of dates is, to -say the least, unfortunate. The reasons assigned are inadequate, and -the statement of cause is puerile. For a negotiator to accept -pecuniary reward from the person against whom he presses a claim is a -very remarkable thing to do.</p> - -<p class="normal">It has been urged in justification of his acceptance: First, that he -never received any money from it, for the pension was never paid; -that, however, was a fact which, while it was potential, was not then -actual, and has no bearing upon his acceptance. Second, it has also -been claimed that the pension was given because the Danish Government -supposed such an evidence of appreciation of the qualities of her -appointee would be acceptable to the empress; but if a nice sense of -honor would dictate a refusal of the pension, the bestowal could not -be considered a compliment, therefore the acceptance could not enhance -his reputation. Third, it has been ingeniously surmised that his -acceptance of the pension was for the purpose of committing the Danish -Government to the payment of the claim; but if that were true, he -should have communicated his acceptance and his reasons to Jefferson -at once. The fact that the government absolutely refused to conclude -negotiations with him, and that he was of necessity obliged to permit -the transfer of the negotiations to Paris, takes away some of the -odium which attaches to his action, yet it does not completely clear -him. As the Russian prospect had matured he was more and more desirous -of quitting Denmark, and the transfer of the claim to Paris quite -accorded with his wishes.</p> - -<p class="normal">This is the most painful incident in his career, and I am extremely -sorry that it occurred. I do not suppose that he realized the -situation quite as it is presented in these pages, or that he imagined -it would have so damaging an effect upon his reputation when it became -known. His valuation of his own services was so high that it was not -difficult to persuade him--or for him to persuade himself--that he was -entitled to a pension, or at least that it was not out of keeping with -his merits. Though how he had ever shown any particular respect for -the Danish flag when he commanded the Bon Homme Richard is a question.</p> - -<p class="normal">Two circumstances incline me to believe that he was ashamed of it, -however, and that he had no primary intention of making use of it. His -vanity might lead him to treasure it as an evidence of appreciation, -where his sense of honor would restrain him from enjoying it. Of these -two circumstances, the first is that he never mentioned it to anybody -for three years, and he was never chary of letting the news of -evidences of appreciation be disseminated; the second is that he made -no attempt to draw anything on it until he was a sick, worn-out, -broken man, some years after, when he looked at life under different -circumstances and with different eyes. His letter to Jefferson, when -he finally did communicate the news to him three years after, is as -follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The day before I left Copenhagen the Prince Royal had desired to -speak with me in his apartment. His Royal Highness was extremely -polite, and after saying many civil things remarked he hoped I was -satisfied with the attention that had been shown to me since my -arrival, and that the king would wish to give me some mark of his -esteem. 'I have never had the happiness to render any service to his -Majesty!' 'That is nothing; a man like you ought to be excepted from -ordinary rules. You could not have shown yourself more delicate as -regards our flag, and every person here loves you.' I took leave -without further explanation. I have felt myself in an embarrassing -situation with regard to the king's patent, and I have not yet made -use of it, though three years have nearly elapsed since I received -it."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">It is all that he could say for himself. I am glad he had the grace at -last to be ashamed. That is the best defense that I can make for him, -and I can only close the reference to this unpleasant incident by -saying again that I am very sorry indeed that it occurred.</p> - -<p class="normal">About the middle of April, 1788, he set forth for Stockholm, where, on -account of his desire to reach St. Petersburg without delay, he -remained but a few hours, and then pressed on to Grislehamn -(Gresholm), Sweden, the nearest port to the Aland Islands, <i>via</i> which -he hoped to cross the Gulf of Bothnia and reach Russia. The ice, -however, was so thick that he found it impossible to cross the gulf or -even to reach the islands, so he determined to pass through the open -Baltic Sea to the southward. He hired an open boat about thirty feet -long, and, taking a smaller boat in tow, to be used in case of -emergency, he started upon a journey which proved to be one of the -most romantic and adventurous of his whole career. Realizing that in -the severe winter weather prevailing it would be impossible to get -boatmen to attempt the passage, he carefully concealed his destination -from the men whom he had employed to ferry him over.</p> - -<p class="normal">Having first attempted once more to reach the Aland Islands, and -thence proceed to the Gulf of Finland, and being balked as before by -heavy masses of drifting ice, he started to the southward between the -Swedish shore and the ice floes, which, being driven toward Sweden by -a strong east wind, scarcely left him a sufficient channel to pass in -safety. By nightfall he was nearly opposite Stockholm, and the water -seemed clear enough to seaward for him to attempt to cross. The men, -by this time alarmed for their safety, determined, in defiance of his -orders, to put into Stockholm; but Jones, seizing the helm himself and -drawing his pistols, resolutely commanded them to beat out to sea and -obey his orders under pain of instant death. He was not a man to be -trifled with by a few Swedish boatmen, and by his directions the -terrified men headed the boat offshore. The wind fortunately shifted -to the westward, and during the whole of the long night, in the midst -of a driving snowstorm, they threaded their way through the floating -ice, steering for the Gulf of Finland.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones had a pocket compass, and the lantern from his traveling -carriage enabled him to choose the course. He naturally took command -of the boats himself. The next day, baffled again by the ice in an -attempt to land on the north shore of the Gulf of Finland, they -continued to the westward and southward under circumstances of extreme -danger and hardship. The second night was worse than the first. The -wind came in violent squalls, and the cold was intense. The second -boat was crushed in the ice floes, and the men in it rescued with -great difficulty. Their own boat narrowly escaped being crushed -between the huge pieces of ice or swamped in the squalls on several -occasions. Only by Jones' seamanship and rare skill did they avoid one -or the other danger. The men were so terrified as to be helpless -between the storm, the cold, and the thought of the incarnate little -demon who sat grimly in the stern sheets, pistol in hand, and neither -slept nor took rest apparently, and who handled the boat with as much -dexterity as if it had been a toy. One thinks instinctively of the -little bark which could not sink because it carried Cæsar and his -fortunes.</p> - -<p class="normal">At any rate, after four days of incredible difficulties the passage -was made, and the boat landed at Reval, a Russian port on the southern -shore of the Gulf of Finland. They had sailed in one way and another -about five hundred miles. Those who had known of his departure from -Sweden had no thought but that he and all with him had perished in the -attempt. He was, as he stated to Jefferson, in wretched health, and -the exposure alone might have killed him. That he went on is highly -characteristic of him, and exhibits his entire indifference to -personal hardships. The passage presents a fine evidence of his -audacity. When he determined to do a thing, he never allowed anything -to stop him. Having paid the boatmen for the loss of their boat, and -remunerated them handsomely for their labors, he dismissed them to -return at their leisure, and proceeded to the Russian court, where he -arrived on the fourth day of May. His great reputation, his -adventurous passage, his strange and attractive personality, and the -fact that he stood high in the good graces and enjoyed the favor of -the empress, rendered him an object of universal interest and -attraction.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 6th of May he was presented to the empress, who immediately -conferred upon him the rank he coveted, of rear admiral. Catherine -treated him with such distinction that he states in his journal that -"I was overcome by her courtesies (<i>je me laissai seduire</i>), and put -myself into her hands without making any stipulation for my personal -advantage. I demanded but one favor, that I should never be condemned -unheard." Poor fellow! It was the one right--not favor, but rights -went by favor then in Russia--which was not accorded him. He little -knew what the future that looked so promising had in store for him, -but for the present everything was most delightful. He remained, -recuperating and preparing for his command, for two weeks, during -which period he was magnificently entertained by the highest nobility -of Russia and the distinguished foreigners in attendance at the court. -Among his papers the cards of many of them are still preserved. There -was one exception to his welcome. The English officers in the service -of Catherine, and they were many in number and high in quality, -affected to describe him as a pirate and a smuggler, and are said to -have threatened to resign in a body rather than serve under his -command. While I have no doubt as to their feelings, I think it -improbable that the threat was ever seriously meant, or that it -reached the ears of the empress, for two reasons: first, it was -apparently never contemplated that Jones should command the Cronstadt -fleet, in which those Englishmen who were highest in rank and -reputation were stationed--he had been designated for the Black Sea -fleet, and specifically called into service to war against the Turks; -and second, it is extremely unlikely that they should have carried -such a threat to the throne, for Catherine was not one whom it was -safe to threaten for a moment. Such an action in all probability would -have resulted in an apology and retraction, or a call for a -resignation. It is most improbable that the English protesters would -have relinquished the honorable and lucrative positions to which they -had attained in the Russian service, with the great opportunities of -advancement and pecuniary reward presented, for such a cause. As a -matter of fact, Englishmen did serve with credit under Jones' command -in the Black Sea, and we hear of no resignations from his squadron -there. The story may have gained currency by the gossipy repetition of -indiscreet remarks about the court, and from the fact that thirty of -the English-Russian officers signed a memorial addressed to Admiral -Grieg, their senior in rank, threatening various things if they were -associated with Jones. It is hardly possible, however, that Catherine -ever saw or heard the petition. At any rate, nothing came of it. Jones -enjoyed the anger of the English--he would not have been human if he -had not--but as for the rest, he snapped his fingers at them. He could -afford to defy them at that hour. He was then in the "high topgallant -of his fortunes." In a letter to Lafayette he writes, apropos of this -feeling:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The empress received me with a distinction the most flattering that -perhaps any stranger can boast of. On entering into the Russian -service her Majesty conferred on me immediately the grade of rear -admiral. I was detained against my will a fortnight, and continually -feasted at court, and in the first society. This was a cruel grief to -the English, and I own that their vexation, which I believe was -general in and about St. Petersburg, gave me no pain."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">As I have said, I have no doubt as to the feelings of the English -officers.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 18th of May the admiral left St. Petersburg for Elizabethgrad, -the headquarters of Patiomkine. In addition to the sum recently -received from Krudner, he was provided with an other purse of two -thousand ducats for the expenses of his journey, and his salary was -fixed at eighteen hundred roubles a year.<a name="div4Ref_44" href="#div4_44"><sup>[44]</sup></a> -As he started for the -Black Sea, Catherine handed him this letter:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Sir</span>: A courier from Paris has just brought from my envoy in France, -M. de Simolin, the inclosed letter to Count Besborodko. As I believe -that this letter may help to confirm to you what I have already told -you verbally, I have sent it, and beg you to return it, as I have not -even had it copied, so anxious am I that you should see it. I hope -that it will efface all doubts from your mind, and prove to you that -you are to be connected only with those who are most favorably -disposed toward you. I have no doubt that, on your side, you will -fully justify the opinion which we have formed of you, and apply -yourself with zeal to support the reputation you have acquired, for -valor and skill, on the element on which you are to serve.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Adieu! I wish you happiness and health.</p> -<p style="text-indent:60%">"<span class="sc">Catherine</span>."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The letter to Besborodko referred to by Catherine was a request from -Patiomkine that Jones might be induced to come immediately to his -headquarters, that his talents might be employed in the approaching -campaign. Patiomkine promised to to do all in his power to give him an -opportunity for displaying his ability and courage,<a name="div4Ref_45" href="#div4_45"><sup>[45]</sup></a> -Jones had -protested against being under anybody; Catherine refused to consider -his protest, hence the reason for her farewell epistle and her -inclosure of Patiomkine's promise to be all that he should be to -Jones. He arrived at Elizabethgrad on the 30th of May and was most -kindly received. But before entering upon the story of his campaign it -will be well to consider the situation of the country in which he -found himself, and the characters of those with whom he was to be -associated in service.</p> -<br> - -<p class="center"><i>Note with reference to the Danish pension</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal" style="font-size:90%">The most recent biographer of Paul Jones, whose book was issued -simultaneously with this one, makes no mention of the Danish pension, -and states that his reasons for omitting any reference to it were -"because it was never accepted, never paid, and never was intended to -be paid." I am forced to disagree with this statement. Certainly, it -never was paid, though what the Danish government may have intended it -is impossible to say. Probably if Jones had continued in favor in -Russia the pension would have been paid. Certainly the commodore -accepted the pension, and he endeavored to procure its payment, and -estimated it as an asset in the schedule of property which accompanied -his will. See Appendix V, page 473.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XVIII.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_18" href="#div1Ref_18">IN THE RUSSIAN SERVICE--OTCHAKOFF AND THE CAMPAIGN IN THE LIMAN.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Far to the north is Russia. Extending through no less than one hundred -and seventy-three degrees of longitude, and covering forty parallels -of latitude, from the Baltic to the Pacific, and from the Black Sea to -the Arctic Ocean, with an area of eight and a half million square -miles, lies this great lone land. This gigantic empire, touching on -the one hand the ice-bound shores of Nova Zembla, and on the other the -caravan trails of Bokhara, stretches from the Gulf of Finland in the -west to Kamtchatka on the east. Within its boundaries are comprised -bleak deserts and fertile plains. Verdant valleys, unscalable -mountains, and vast steppes break the monotony of the landscape, and -diversify a surface watered by great rivers from the arctic Yenisei to -the Oriental Oxus. Great among the powers is this mysterious Colossus, -her head white with the snows of eternal winter and her feet laved in -the sunlight of tropic streams. The land of the seafarers--so its name -indicates--developing enormously and steadily in power, wealth, and -civilization, in the nine hundred years which have elapsed since Rurik -the Viking first stepped upon its shores, has not yet reached its -zenith. It is to-day the home of more diverse nationalities than any -other existent country, and foreshadowings of unlimited predominance -are apparent. Its sway extends over more races and peoples than any -other power has governed since the days of Augustus Cæsar, and the end -is not yet. Well do its rulers arrogate to themselves the imperial -title of the ancient head of the Roman Empire. Holy Russia, the home -of the Orthodox Church, the country of the White Czar, the land of the -once despised Slav, yet contains within its borders, in Lithuania, the -focal point of that Aryan race which has filled Europe with its -splendor. This Russia, the land of the Tartar, the Mongol, the -Samoyede, the Cossack, the Finn, and the Pole; this Russia, the land -of Ivan the Terrible, of Peter the Great, was now in the hands of a -woman--of Catherine II.</p> - -<p class="normal">The little maiden, born on the 2d of May, 1729, in the quaint old town -of Stettin, and of the insignificant house of Anhalt-Zerbst, -christened Sophia, was received into the Greek Church on her marriage -with Peter of Holstein, grandson of the Romanoff Peter the Great, -under the name of Catherine. She had assumed the reins of government -after the murder of her wretched impotent husband, against whom she -had conspired in conjunction with the Orloffs. When she had deposed -and imprisoned him, unable to strike a blow for himself, he had -stipulated that in his confinement he might have the undisputed -enjoyment of his mistress, his monkey, and his violin! Even these -kingly pleasures were soon of little use to him, for on the 18th of -July, 1762, but a few days after the revolution which had hurled him -from his throne, Peter lay dead in the palace with some ominous and -ineffaceable black marks around his throat, telling of the manner of -his death from the giant hands of the terrible Orloffs--and his wife -was privy to the murder and consenting to it! That her husband had -been a knave and a fool--almost a madman--does not excuse her. -Catherine was then immediately proclaimed empress in her own right. As -the Neapolitan Caraccioli said, the Russian throne was neither -hereditary nor elective, but occupative! Catherine occupied it, and as -long as she lived Russia knew no other master. The world marveled at -her audacity, and trembled for the consequences of her usurpation, but -men soon found that, gigantic as had been her assurance, and -tremendous as was her task, she was entirely equal to the undertaking. -She had a genius for reigning as great as had been exhibited by -Elizabeth Tudor--good Queen Bess! In spite of her bad qualities and -evil beginning, Russia never progressed more than while under her -sway. She fairly divides honor as a sovereign, in Slavonic history, -with Peter the Great. True it is that Catherine had "woven out of the -bloody vestments of Peter III the most magnificent imperial mantle -that a woman had ever worn."</p> - -<p class="normal">Some one wrote to Madame Vigée le Brun, who essayed to paint her -picture:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Take the map of the empire of Russia for canvas, the darkness of -ignorance for background, the spoils of Poland for drapery, human -blood for coloring, the monuments of her reign for the cartoon, and -for the shadow six months of her son's reign."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">A singular and complex character was that of this famous despot, this -"Semiramis of the North." Never more than a half-educated woman--and -in that she corresponded with her empire--she learned her politics -from Montesquieu, drew her philosophy of life from Voltaire, and -shaped her morals after Brantôme! A creature of singular -contradictions, she loved liberty, favored the struggle of the United -States, and ruled an absolute despot; she wrote charming fairy tales -for children and rode horseback astride like a man; she was one of the -greatest sticklers for morals--in other people--the world has ever -known, and yet was herself one of the most colossal examples of -unblushing and shameless professional sensuality that ever sat upon a -throne. Other rulers and sovereigns have had their favorites, she -alone made favoritism a state institution. "What has ruined the -country," she naïvely writes, "is that the people fall into vice and -drunkenness, and the comic opera has corrupted the whole nation!" As a -corrupter by example she surpassed all the comic operas ever written. -The morals of Russia, in her day, were rotten from the head downward. -Yet in spite of all this she was a great princess. She was allowed to -occupy that throne because she made Russia greater with each -successive year; not alone by force of arms either, and the Russian -destiny makers loved her. Education, the arts, and sciences, all felt -the stimulus of her interest and responded to her efforts. Progress -was the word of this imperious woman. She had a faculty for ruling as -remarkable as her exploitation of favoritism. Yet she governed her -empire with a sublime indifference to public opinion, and squandered -its revenues in a shameless prostitution of her own person, which -ceased only with her death, in 1794, at the age of sixty-five! The -fact that Catherine made an official business out of favoritism, and -that she was so utterly oblivious to the moral inconsistency of -it--for she was a faithful member of the Holy Orthodox Church--seems -to lift it upon a plane of its own, so simple and brazen was it.</p> - -<p class="normal">Upon the chief of her favorites alone she had bestowed more than fifty -million roubles, vast estates carrying with them nearly one hundred -thousand serfs, and in addition orders, titles, privileges, and -decorations innumerable. The name of this favorite was Gregory -Alexandrovitch Patiomkine, commonly called Potemkin. He was the second -of the great <i>Vremienchtchick</i>, as the favorites were called, the word -meaning "men of the moment!" He succeeded the gigantic Orloff, whose -term as the favorite was longer than that of any successor, for he had -enjoyed a tenure of almost ten years--the usual period being about -two. Patiomkine's personal association with the empress was only for -that short time, when he was supplanted by another object of royal -regard. Unlike all the other favorites, Patiomkine was not relegated -to prompt obscurity, and he continued to be the power behind the -throne for practically the remainder of his life. He was greater than -all the others--too great to be done away with, in fact. If he could -not be the favorite, he would, like Warwick the kingmaker, make the -favorite, and for fifteen years he continued to do so. During this -period he swayed the destinies of the empire as a sort of mayor of the -palace.</p> - -<p class="normal">The analogy is not altogether accurate, for Catherine was no supine -Merovingian to commit the administration of the state to others while -she passed hours of dalliance in the secret chambers of the palace; -she was too strong and too great for that, and she always retained her -grasp upon the helm; but it is certain that none of her favorites had -ever enjoyed such power and wielded it so openly as this princely -pander.</p> - -<p class="normal">As to Patiomkine himself, the world did not know whether he was a -genius or a madman. At times he seems to have passed over that slender -line which divides these two antitheses of character, and appears now -on one side, now on the other. Personally he was a man of huge bulk -and great strength, with the natural instincts of an animal and a -veneer, more or less strong on occasion, of refinement. He, too, -typified Russia, a giant rising through barbarism into the -civilization of the century--and not yet arrived, either--now -inclining to the one side or the other. Catherine usually chose her -favorites among men of great physical vigor. Patiomkine was a giant in -size. His vast frame was capable of sustaining the most tremendous -hardships. He was a black-haired, swarthy, hot-tempered man, not -pleasant to look upon, for he had lost an eye in a fist fight after a -drunken revel with the Orloffs. He squinted with the other, and even -had not a figure to redeem him, for he was markedly knock-kneed. He, -like his mistress and his country, was a creature of contradictions. -In his palace in St. Petersburg we find him trifling with the most -delicate creations of the most skilled <i>chef</i>, and on his journeys -eating rapaciously of anything that came to hand. He sent his -adjutants thousands of miles for perfumes which caught his fancy, and -galloped madly himself across half Europe without rest or sleep for -days in pursuance of duty, and then spent weeks in dalliance with his -harem.</p> - -<p class="normal">With the one hand he wrote poetic letters that quiver and thrill with -tenderness and beauty, pathos and passion, and with the other he -calmly consigned thousands of people to death. One day we find him -raging because his soldiers are not better cared for, and on the next -day remarking cynically, when the absence of ambulances was brought to -his notice, that so much the better--they would not have to bother -with the wounded! Sometimes cowardly, sometimes bold to the point of -recklessness; atheist and devotee, debauchee and ascetic, coarse and -refined, imperious and cringing, brutal and gentle, king and slave, -Christian and pagan--his life remains a mystery.</p> - -<p class="normal">After he died of a frightful attack of indigestion, brought on by -gorging himself with coarse food, Catherine's son, upon succeeding to -the throne, treated his body with great indignity; and it was not -until seventy years later that his remains were discovered and -interred in the Cathedral of Kherson. Prince of Taurida, the conqueror -of the Crimea, and under Catherine the originator of that tremendous -and irresistible Russian policy which will some day replace the Greek -cross upon the temple of Justinian in Constantinople, Patiomkine is -one of the most remarkable figures in the history of the world.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the service of the first of these two personages, and under the -specific orders of the last, Paul Jones was to make a campaign. It was -foredoomed to failure. Jones was not a good subordinate to any one. -His temper, his lack of self-control, his pride, and his vanity -rendered any ultimate successful association with a man like -Patiomkine impossible. Patiomkine had all Jones' faults and a thousand -more. They harmonized like flint and steel. To further complicate -matters, Jones was to be associated in his command, with the limits of -authority not clearly defined between them--always a prolific source -of trouble, and certain to cause failure--with Prince Otto of -Nassau-Siegen, of whom we have heard before. He had asked to serve -under Jones in the Indien, and when that project fell through he had -failed to answer Jones' letters, and had treated him with discourtesy -and indifference. In Catherine's army and navy thousands of soldiers -of fortune found a congenial atmosphere and a golden opportunity. They -were all made welcome, and, with anything like success to warrant -them, they generally achieved a handsome reward in her generous -service. The most noted among them, and one of the most worthless, is -this man, whom Waliszewski calls "the last notable <i>condottierre</i> of -Europe; a soldier without country, without home, and almost without -family, his very name is the first of his conquests." His father was -the illegitimate son of a princeling, but the Parliament of Paris, in -1756, gave the young Otto, then eleven years of age, the right, so far -as they had the power, to bear the name of his ancestors, to which he -had no legitimate claim. They could not, however, do anything for his -patrimony. He had been a lieutenant of infantry, a captain of -dragoons, and finally a sailor under Bougainville when he made his -famous voyage around the world. Later he appears as an unsuccessful -explorer in Africa. In fact, he was not successful at anything. Unlike -Crichton, he did everything equally ill.</p> - -<p class="normal">In 1779, as a colonel of French infantry, he made an unsuccessful -attempt upon the island of Jersey. The next year, in the Spanish -service, he commanded, unsuccessfully as usual, some floating -batteries before Gibraltar. Among other exploits--and it was his one -triumph--he seduced the Queen of Tahiti, so he said, and the -reputation of the unfortunate lady found no defenders in Europe. He -married a homely Polish countess with a great fortune, and after -meddling (unsuccessfully) with all sorts of things got himself -appointed to the command of a flotilla of Russian gunboats operating -against the Turks.</p> - -<p class="normal">But to return to the story; the long distance--seven hundred and fifty -miles as the crow flies and probably twice that by road--between St. -Petersburg and Elizabethgrad, was covered by Jones in twelve days. He -was in a hurry, as always, to get to sea. The object of the Prince -Marshal's attack was the fortified town of Otchakoff, commonly spelled -in contemporary manuscripts Oczakow. This important place was situated -on the Russo-Turkish frontier of that day, on the Black Sea, not far -from the present city of Odessa, and occupied a commanding position at -the confluence of the great river Dnieper and the smaller river Bug. -Southward of the mainland the peninsula of Kinburn, a narrow, indented -point of land, projects for perhaps twenty miles to the westward, -forming a narrow estuary of the Black Sea about fifty miles long and -from five to ten miles wide, into which the two rivers pour their vast -floods. This estuary is sometimes called the Dnieper Bay, but more -commonly the Liman, and the undertaking hereafter described is -referred to as the campaign in the Liman. The bay or inlet is very -shallow. Sand banks and shoals leave but a narrow, tortuous channel, -which is of no great depth at best. The end of the peninsula of -Kinburn terminates in a long and very narrow strip of land, a point -which reaches up toward the northward and almost closes the opening of -the estuary; the distance between the point and Fort Hassan, the -southernmost fortification of Otchakoff, is possibly two miles. This -narrow entrance is further diminished by a long shoal which extends -south from Fort Hassan toward the point, so that, except for one -contracted channel, the passage is practicable for vessels of very -light draught only.</p> - -<p class="normal">Otchakoff lies between the Bug and a smaller river called the Beresan, -deep enough near its mouth for navigation by small vessels. It was -strongly fortified and garrisoned by ten thousand men. While it -remained in the hands of the Turks it menaced the Russian -communications and rendered it difficult for them to hold the great -peninsula of Taurida, now known as the Crimea, which Patiomkine had -conquered previously, and from which he had taken the name of -Taurichevsky, or Tauricien, or Taurida, with his dukedom. Patiomkine, -therefore, decided to besiege and capture this place.</p> - -<p class="normal">To prevent this, the Turks had re-enforced it by one hundred and -twenty armed vessels, ranging from ships of the line to gunboats, -under the command of one of the ablest of their admirals, a -distinguished old sailor, who had been recalled from service in Egypt, -which had been brilliantly successful, to conduct this operation. So -long as they could keep open communication by sea with Otchakoff its -power of resistance would be prolonged and its capture a matter of -extreme difficulty. The object of Jones' campaign was to hold the -Liman till Patiomkine could invest Otchakoff, then to defeat the -Turkish naval forces in the bay, and to blockade the town. -Incidentally he was required to cover the Russian towns on the Dnieper -and prevent any descent upon them by the Turks; a hard task for any -man with the force available and likely to be placed under his -command.</p> - -<p class="normal">Having stayed but one day at Elizabethgrad, Jones, accompanied by one -of the staff officers of Patiomkine, set out for Kherson, which is -located near the point where the Dnieper enters the Liman, and is the -principal Russian naval depot in that section of the country. The two -officers spent but one day at Kherson, but the time was sufficient to -develop the fact, as Jones said, that he had entered "on a delicate -and disagreeable service."</p> - -<p class="normal">Mordwinoff, the Russian Chief of Admiralty, treated him with the -utmost coolness and indifference, and, though he had been ordered by -Patiomkine to give Jones full information as to the situation, he told -him nothing of importance, and even failed to provide him with a rear -admiral's flag, to which he was entitled. However, the day after his -arrival at Kherson, Jones repaired to the town of Gluboca, off which, -in one of the deeps of the river between the Dnieper and the mouth of -the Bug called Schiroque Roads, his command was anchored. It comprised -a single line of battle ship, the Wolodimer--which, on account of its -great draught and the shoal water of the Liman, could only mount -twenty-six guns--five frigates, five sloops of war, and four smaller -vessels, making a total of fifteen sail.<a name="div4Ref_46" href="#div4_46"><sup>[46]</sup></a> -The ships were badly -constructed, "drew too much water for the navigation of the Black Sea, -were too crank to carry the heavy guns that were mounted on them, and -sailed badly." They were makeshift craft constructed by people who -since Rurik's advent have exhibited surprisingly little aptitude for -the sea. I can imagine Jones' disgust and disappointment as he -inspected his squadron with a seaman's quick and comprehensive glance. -In addition to this force, there was a large flotilla of light-draught -gunboats, each carrying a single heavy gun, and sometimes smaller -pieces, manned by from thirty to forty men each, and propelled mainly -by oars.</p> - -<p class="normal">The command of the flotilla had been committed to the Prince of -Nassau-Siegen, and, although Jones had been repeatedly assured that he -was to have supreme charge of all naval operations in the Liman, he -found that Nassau exercised an independent command, and instead of -being subordinate to him, had only been requested to co-operate with -him. Jones' command will be called the squadron, Nassau's the -flotilla, hereafter in these pages, to prevent confusion. The squadron -had been hitherto under the command of a cowardly Greek corsair named -Alexiano, reputed a Turkish subject, who had attained the rank of -captain commandant, or brigadier, equivalent to commodore. He was a -man of little capacity, great timidity, and was tricky and unreliable -in his disposition.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones immediately proceeded on board the Wolodimer and exhibited his -orders. He found that Alexiano had assembled all the commanders of the -ships, and endeavored to persuade them to rebel against his authority. -The attempted cabal came to nothing, however, and on receiving a -letter from Patiomkine Alexiano relinquished the command to Jones, and -with a very ill grace consented to serve as his subordinate--he had -to. On the same day in which he arrived, in order to ascertain the -topography of the situation, Jones left the Wolodimer and rode over to -Kinburn Point, opposite Otchakoff. After a careful examination of the -water which he was to defend and the town he was to blockade, so far -as he could make it from the shore, he returned to the Wolodimer, and -finding, as he says, "all the officers contented," he hoisted his rear -admiral's flag on that ship on the evening of the 6th of June, -1788.<a name="div4Ref_47" href="#div4_47"><sup>[47]</sup></a> The Prince of -Nassau-Siegen called upon him promptly, and -apparently recognized his superiority in rank, if not his right to -command. He had an immediate foretaste of the character of his new -associates when the prince informed him that if they gained any -advantage over the Turks it would be necessary to exaggerate it to the -utmost! Jones replied that he had never adopted that method of -heightening his personal merits. He might have added that a true -recital of his exploits was sufficiently dazzling to need no -embellishment by the wildest imagination.</p> - -<p class="normal">The celebrated General Suvorof was in command of the strong fortress -of Kinburn, which was supposed to command the entrance of the Liman, -but it was too far inland to menace Otchakoff, or, indeed, to command -anything effectively. It is an evidence of Jones' quick perception and -fine military instinct that as soon as he inspected the position he -discovered the advantage of placing a battery on Kinburn Point, -opposite the shoal to which I have referred: and his first act upon -assuming the command was to point out to Suvorof, who was perhaps the -greatest of all Russian soldiers, the absolute necessity for a battery -there. Realizing the fact, Suvorof immediately mounted a formidable -battery on the point, and he magnanimously credited Jones with the -idea, in spite of the fact that the previous neglect to fortify the -point was a reflection on his military skill. Before the guns were in -position the capitan pasha as the Turkish admiral was styled, with -twenty-one frigates and sloops of war, and several smaller vessels, -entered the Liman and anchored before Otchakoff. He was followed by a -flotilla of gunboats about equal in number and individual efficiency -to the Russian flotilla. The ships of the line and heavier frigates of -the Turks, unable to approach near the town, remained at anchor in the -open roads to the westward, and as they took no part in the subsequent -actions they may be dismissed from further notice. Even as it was, -however, the Turkish force greatly overmatched the Russian.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones had fifteen ships, the Turks twenty-one, and ship for ship the -advantage was entirely in favor of the Turks. In number the two -flotillas of gunboats were about the same, and there was not much -choice in their quality. The poor quality of Nassau's leadership could -hardly be surpassed by any Turk, however incompetent, but the capitan -pasha in critical moments led his own flotilla, and, as Jones -practically did the same for the Russian gunboats, Nassau's -incompetency did not matter so much as it might.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 9th of June, having meanwhile received re-enforcements of -soldiers to complete the crews, the squadron, followed by the -flotilla, got under way and stood toward the entrance of the Liman. -The combined force anchored in two lines, the squadron forming an -obtuse angle in the channel with the opening toward Otchakoff, so as -to be able to pour a cross fire upon any approaching ships. On the -right and left flanks in the shallow water divisions of gunboats were -stationed, with another division immediately in the rear of the -squadron, and a reserve division at hand to re-enforce any threatened -point of the line. The station was just in front of the mouth of the -Bug, and commanded the entrance to that river and the Dnieper as well, -thus protecting Kherson from any attack by the Turks, and affording -Patiomkine's troops a free and unimpeded passage of the Bug when they -marched to invest the town. The position was most advantageously -chosen by Jones. His force was too weak to attack the Turks with any -hope of success at present, and he had been ordered by Patiomkine not -to enter upon any operation until the Russian army arrived. Absolutely -no fault can be found either with his location or his dispositions.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Turks made no movement to attack them, and Nassau, who was good at -proposing aggressive movements when no dangers threatened, suggested -that they abandon their position and move forward nearer the town. -Nothing would be gained by this maneuver, and opportunities for a -successful attack by the Turks would have been greater than in their -present position. Jones realized that the Turks must of necessity -attack them sooner or later; that no commander could afford to throw -away such advantage in force as the Turks enjoyed, when any hour might -bring re-enforcements to the Russians, and the battery which Suvorof -had completed would prevent further re-enforcements being received by -the Turks. So Jones grimly held to his position in spite of Nassau's -remonstrances, which were seconded by those of Alexiano, and waited. -To wait is sometimes braver than to advance.</p> - -<p class="normal">Finally one of the reasons for Nassau's desire to advance transpired. -He wished to remove from his position near the Turkish shore, upon -which batteries were being erected in the absence of any Russian land -force to prevent them, which would subject the right wing of his -flotilla to a land fire; and he desired to take a position where he -would be protected by the new fort at Kinburn Point and by the ships -of the squadron. Suvorof had made Jones responsible for the safety of -the fort on Kinburn Point, by the way, while awaiting the advance of -the army. Having received no orders from Patiomkine, Jones assembled a -council of war on the Wolodimer, at which Nassau was present. Jones' -supremacy was fully recognized by Nassau. The council approved of the -position in which Jones had placed his squadron, and commended his -resolution to maintain that position, and in obedience to urgent -pleadings from Jones the officers of the flotilla and squadron agreed -to co-operate and work together for the common good in the event of -being attacked. They did not have long to wait for the inevitable -encounter.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the afternoon of the 18th of June, the Turkish flotilla in two -divisions made a dash at the Russian gunboats on the right flank, and -a sharp engagement began. The Russians, greatly outnumbered, began to -give ground, and, though the reserve was immediately sent to support -the right wing, before the dashing attacks of the Turkish gunboats the -retreat was not stayed. A battery of artillery which had been unmasked -on the adjacent shore also seriously annoyed the extreme flank of the -Russians. On account of the shoal water the ships of the squadron -could not enter the engagement. Jones, therefore, with his instinctive -desire to get into a fight, left the Wolodimer and embarked in -Nassau's galley. That commander had entirely lost his head. He could -think of nothing to do of value, but implored Jones to send him a -frigate--which was impossible, for all the frigates drew too much -water; failing this, he threatened to withdraw his right wing, in -which case the Turkish gunboats probably would have taken the squadron -in reverse, and might have inflicted serious damage. Jones convinced -him that a return attack was not only necessary but inevitable, and, -as Nassau made no objection, he assumed the direction of the vessels -himself. Summoning the unengaged center and left divisions, he brought -them up through the squadron to attack the approaching Turkish galleys -on the flank. The diversion they caused so inspirited the broken right -and reserve divisions that they made a determined stand and stopped -their retreat. The capitan pasha, seeing himself in danger of being -taken between two fires and his retreat cut off, withdrew -precipitately before the center and the left fairly came into action. -Had Jones been in command of the flotilla from the beginning, a most -disastrous defeat would have been inflicted upon the Turks. As it was, -they retreated in confusion, leaving two gunboats in the hands of the -enemy.</p> - -<p class="normal">As the affair had been conducted entirely between the different -flotillas, Nassau claimed all the credit for the brilliant maneuvers -of the Russians. Jones contemptuously allowed him to make any claims -he pleased in his report to Patiomkine, and gave Nassau credit for at -least having taken his advice. It would have been better for Nassau's -fame if he had continued to take Jones' advice. Having obtained this -slight success, Nassau, who knew how well his urgency would look in -the reports, again proposed to Jones that they should advance and -attack. The Russian army had not yet invested the place, and the -success they had gained was so slight that circumstances had not -changed. Jones still refused to be moved from the position he had -assumed, which the experience of the 18th of June had justified, and -calmly awaited the further pleasure of the enemy. It takes a high -quality of moral courage for a stranger, who has a reputation for -audacity and intrepidity, absolutely to refuse to do that thing to -which a subordinate urges him, and which has the appearance of courage -and daring; and I count this refusal, in the interests of sound -strategic principles, not an unimportant manifestation of Jones' -qualities as an officer.</p> - -<p class="normal">Meanwhile, the Russian army, having passed the Bug, invested the city -on the 28th of June, and the Turkish fleet was forced to attack or -withdraw. The capitan pasha elected to do the former. Having -re-enforced his crews by some two thousand picked men from the great -fleet outside the Liman, he advanced down the bay to attack the -Russians. The wind was free, and the Turkish fleet came on in grand -style, the capitan pasha leading in the largest ship, with the -flotilla of gunboats massed on his left flank, making a brilliant -showing. Nassau's desire to advance suddenly vanished, and he clamored -for a retreat. Jones paid no attention to him, but weighed anchor, -and, as it was impossible for him to advance on account of the wind, -he waited for the enemy. Fortunately for the Russians, at one o'clock -in the afternoon the Turkish flagship, which had been headed for the -Wolodimer, took ground on the shoals near the south shore of the -Liman. The advance of the fleet was immediately stopped, and the -Turkish vessels came to anchor about the flagship.</p> - -<p class="normal">A council of war was at once convened on the Wolodimer, and Jones at -last persuaded the Russians, although inferior in force, to attack the -Turks as soon as the wind permitted. During the night the wind -fortunately shifted to the north-northeast, and at daylight on the -29th the squadron stood for the Turkish fleet. The Wolodimer led the -advance. By hard work the Turkish admiral had succeeded in floating -his flagship, but his ships were huddled together without order. Jones -immediately dashed at him, opening fire from his bow guns as he came -within range. The squadron was formed in echelon by bringing the van -forward on the center, making another obtuse angle, with the opening -toward the crowd of Turkish ships--in fact, Jones was attempting with -his smaller force to surround them. In the confusion caused by the -bold attack, the Turks, who seem to have been taken completely by -surprise, again permitted the ships of the admiral and of his second -in command to take ground. Jones' prompt approach and the heavy fire -poured upon them made it impossible to float the stranded ships. They -both of them keeled over on the shoal and could make no defense. Their -flags were struck, and they were abandoned by their crews. The other -Turkish ships were so discouraged by this mishap that they withdrew -toward Otchakoff, their flight being accelerated by the tremendous -fire poured upon them by the Wolodimer and the other Russian ships. -Just as the Wolodimer reached the stranded ship of the capitan pasha, -Alexiano, who found himself sufficiently near to the enemy, ordered -the anchor of the Wolodimer to be let go without informing Jones. As -the order was given in Russian, Jones knew nothing about it until the -motion of the ship was stopped.</p> - -<p class="normal">There was plenty of fight in the Turkish admiral, who seems to have -been a very gallant old fellow, for after the loss of the flagship he -hoisted his flag on one of the gunboats and brought up the flotilla, -which poured a furious fire from its heavy guns upon the right -division of Jones' squadron, to which the lighter guns of the ships -could make but little reply. The situation became dangerous for the -squadron. One of the Russian frigates, the Little Alexander, was set -on fire and blown up by the Turkish shot, and the fortune of the day -trembled in the balance.</p> - -<p class="normal">The light-draught gunboats each carried a large gun, heavier, and -therefore of greater range, than any on the ships. The shallow water -would not permit the ships to draw near enough to the flotilla to make -effective use of their greater number of guns. Hence, under the -circumstances, the squadron was always at the mercy of the flotilla -unless by some means they could get into close action, in which case -the ships would have made short work of the gunboats. Jones' position -was therefore one of extreme peril--untenable, in fact, without the -help of his own flotilla. The Russian flotilla had followed the -squadron in a very leisurely and disorderly manner, so slowly that -Jones had twice checked the way of his ships to allow them to come -within hailing distance. He now dispatched a request to Nassau to -bring up his gunboats on the right flank and drive off the Turkish -gunboats, thus enabling him to take possession of the two frigates, -which had been abandoned by their crews, and continue the pursuit of -the flying Turkish ships.</p> - -<p class="normal">No attention was paid to this and repeated requests, and Jones finally -took his boat and went himself in search of Nassau's galley to entreat -him to attack the Turkish flotilla. He found Nassau in the rear of the -left flank, far from the scene of action, and bent only upon attacking -the two ships which were incapable of defense. Unable to persuade him -to act, Jones at last appealed to Nassau's second, Brigadier -Corsacoff, who finally moved against the Turks and drove them off with -great loss after a hard fight. Jones meanwhile returned to the -Wolodimer--both journeys having been made under a furious fire, -in the midst of a general action, in which upward of thirty-six ships -of considerable size and possibly a hundred gunboats were -participating--but before he could get under way Nassau, with some of -his flotilla, surrounded the two abandoned ships and set fire to them -by means of a peculiar kind of a bomb shell called <i>brandkugels</i> -(hollow spheres, filled with combustibles and perforated with holes, -which were fired from a piece called a <i>licorne</i>). The Turkish fleet -and flotilla, very much shattered, retreated to a safe position under -the walls of Otchakoff, thus ending the fighting for that day. -Nassau's action was inexcusable. The two ships he so wantonly -destroyed would have been a valuable addition to the Russian navy, -and, as they were commanded by the Wolodimer and the rest of the -squadron, they could not have been recaptured, and could easily have -been removed from the shoals.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Turkish defeat had been a severe one, but the only trophy which -remained in the hands of the Russians was the flag of the capitan -pasha. A shot from one of the gunboats having carried it away, it fell -into the water, whence it was picked up by some Zaporojian boatmen, -who brought it to the Prince of Nassau's boat. Jones happened to be on -board of it at the time. The flag certainly belonged to him, but he -magnanimously yielded it to Nassau in the hope of pacifying that -worthless individual. It was by this time late in the afternoon, but -Jones gave orders to get under way toward Otchakoff. Now was the -proper time to advance and deliver a return blow upon the broken -enemy, but now Nassau desired to remain where he was. Jones was -inflexible as usual, and determined to finish the job so auspiciously -begun. Accordingly, the anchor of the Wolodimer was lifted and she got -under way, followed by the remaining ships of the squadron. Having -approached as near to Otchakoff as the shoal water permitted, Jones -anchored his vessels across the channel in such a position as to cover -the passage to the sea. If the Turkish vessels attempted to escape, -they would have to pass under the guns of the squadron, and would find -themselves within easy range of the formidable battery at Kinburn -Point. Nassau's flotilla at last following, the squadron was massed on -the right flank.</p> - -<p class="center"><img src="images/page374.png" alt="pag3374"><br> -Map of the Russian Campaign on the Liman.</p> - -<p class="normal">The Turkish fleet and flotilla were drawn up in line parallel to the -Russians, under cover of the Otchakoff batteries; they still presented -a threatening appearance, but the severe handling they had received -during the day had taken much of the fight out of them. Having -disposed his squadron and flotilla to the best advantage, and being -unable to proceed further without coming under the fire of the heavy -Otchakoff batteries, there was nothing left for Jones but to hold his -position and wait another attack.</p> - -<p class="normal">In order, however, to familiarize himself with the field of future -operations, and see if he had properly placed his force, just before -sunset he took soundings in a small boat all along the Turkish line -within range of case shot from the Otchakoff batteries, and from the -Turkish ships as well. His action was a part of his impudent -hardihood. His dashing attack had so discouraged the Turks, and his -success of the morning had so disheartened them, that not a single gun -was fired upon him. Having completed his investigations to his -satisfaction, he returned to the flagship.</p> - -<p class="normal">That night the Turkish admiral attempted to escape with his remaining -ships and rejoin his main fleet on the Black Sea outside of Kinburn -Point. In an endeavor to avoid Jones' squadron on the one hand, and -the battery on the point on the other, nine of his largest ships ran -on a shoal. The attempt to escape was made under the fire of the fort -and ships, in which the flotillas and Fort Hassan joined. A few of the -ships succeeded in getting to sea; the rest were forced to return to -their position of safety under the walls of Otchakoff.</p> - -<p class="normal">When morning came, the plight of the nine ships aground was plainly -visible. Suvorof, who had commanded the Kinburn battery in person that -night, immediately signaled Jones to send vessels to take possession -of the Turkish ships. Jones decided to send the light frigates of his -squadron, but it being represented to him by Brigadier Alexiano that -the place where the Turks had grounded was dangerous and the current -running like a mill stream with the ebb tide, upon the advice of his -captains he turned over the duty of taking possession of the Turkish -ships to the flotilla. Alexiano, having received permission, went with -the Prince of Nassau.</p> - -<p class="normal">The boats of the flotilla soon reached the Turkish ships. When they -came within range of them they opened a furious fire, to which the -latter made no reply. In their helpless position, heeling every way -upon the shoal, it was impossible for them to make any defense. They -struck their flags and surrendered their ships. The Russian gunboats -paid no attention whatever to this circumstance, but continued to fire -upon them, drawing nearer and nearer as they realized the helplessness -of the Turks. Resorting to <i>brandkugels</i> again, they at last set the -ships on fire. The hapless Turks in vain implored mercy, kneeling upon -the decks and even making the sign of the cross in the hope of -touching the hearts of their ruthless and bloodthirsty antagonists. -Seven frigates and corvettes were burned to the water's edge with all -their crews. It is estimated that about three thousand Turks perished -in this brutal and frightful butchery. Nassau and Alexiano enjoyed the -situation from a galley at a safe distance in the rear of the -attacking force. By chance two of the vessels were not consumed, and -were hauled off later and added to the squadron.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones viewed the dreadful slaughter of the Turks with unmitigated -horror and surprise. A man of merciful disposition and kindly heart, -who never inflicted unnecessary suffering, he was shocked and revolted -at the ferocity of his new associates. He protested against their -action with all his energy, and laid the foundation thereby of an -utter breakdown of the relations between Nassau and himself. Besides -being horribly cruel, the whole performance was unnecessary. Like the -two ships burned the day before, it was possible to have saved them, -and they could have been added to Jones' command and would have -doubled his effective force. After the destruction of the Turkish -vessels Nassau and Alexiano immediately dispatched a report of the -operations to Patiomkine. They claimed that the flotilla had captured -two and burned nine ships of the line!</p> - -<p class="normal">Patiomkine, who was at this time extremely fond of Nassau, forwarded -this preposterous statement to the empress, with strong expressions of -approbation of Nassau's conduct. He gave him the whole credit of the -victory, which was entirely due to Jones, and suppressed the fact of -his ruthless and reckless destruction of the surrendered ships, which -would have been so valuable a re-enforcement to the government. In -this report Patiomkine also spoke favorably of the rear admiral, -saying that he had done his duty, but that the particular glory of and -credit for the success was due to the princeling who had hung on the -outskirts and lagged behind when there was any real fighting to be -done.</p> - -<p class="normal">For some ten days the naval force remained inactive, waiting for -Patiomkine to complete his investment of the town. On the night of the -8th of July the marshal sent orders to Nassau to advance with his -flotilla and destroy the Turkish flotilla under the walls of -Otchakoff. Jones was commanded to give him every assistance possible. -The weather prevented the carrying out of the orders for a few days. -On the night of the 12th of July, however, at one o'clock in the -morning, the advance began. The plan of attack had been arranged by -the marshal himself, but circumstances prevented its being followed. -But that did not matter; Patiomkine was not a military genius, and -Jones knew very much better than he what could or should be done in a -naval engagement. As it was impossible to use the ships of the -squadron, Jones manned all his boats, and led them to tow the -gunboats.</p> - -<p class="normal">As day broke on the 12th of July, the flotilla, having advanced within -gunshot distance of the walls, began firing upon the Turkish boats and -on Otchakoff itself. After assisting in placing the Russian gunboats -in an advantageous position, Jones, with the boats of the Wolodimer, -made for five of the enemy's galleys which lay within easy range of -the heavy guns of Fort Hassan. These galleys were subjected to a cross -fire from the Russian flotilla on one side and Fort Hassan on the -other. They were also covered by the guns of the Turkish flotilla and -the citadel of Otchakoff. Their position made the attack a most -hazardous one. Jones was far in advance of the gunboats, which, under -the supine leadership of Nassau, did not manifest a burning anxiety to -get into close action. In spite of a furious fire which was poured -upon them, Jones dashed gallantly at the nearest galley. It was taken -by boarding after a fierce hand-to-hand fight. Turning the command of -the galley over to Lieutenant Fabricien with instructions for him to -tow her out of action, Jones then assaulted the next galley, which -happened to be that of the capitan pasha. This boat lay nearer the -fort and was much better defended, but the Russians, under the -inspiring leadership of their admiral, would not be denied, and the -galley was presently his prize. The cable of this boat was cut without -order, and she immediately drifted toward the shore and took ground -near Fort Hassan, where she was subjected to a smashing fire from the -Turkish batteries close at hand. Jones was determined to bring out the -boat as a prize if possible. He caused the galley to be lightened by -throwing everything movable overboard, and meanwhile dispatched -Lieutenant Fox to the Wolodimer to fetch a kedge and line, by which he -could warp her into the channel.</p> - -<p class="normal">While waiting for the return of this officer he again manned his boats -and endeavored to bring up the Russian flotilla. He was partially -successful in this attempt, for they succeeded in compelling the three -other galleys of the group with which he had been engaged to strike -their flags and in forcing the other gunboats to retreat with severe -loss. When Fox returned from the Wolodimer a line was run from the -galley to the burned wreck of a Turkish ship, but, before the galley -could be moved, Jones, who had re-entered his barge, was intensely -surprised and annoyed to see fire break out on the two vessels he had -captured. They had been deliberately set on fire by the orders of -Alexiano. The other three Turkish galleys were also burned by the use -of the deadly <i>brandkugels</i>. It was brutal cruelty again. Not one was -saved from the five galleys except fifty-two prisoners whom Jones -personally brought off in his boats from the two which he had captured -by hard hand-to-hand fighting. These galleys appear to have been -propelled by oars which were driven by slaves on benches, in the -well-known manner of the middle ages. As they were Turkish galleys, -the slaves were probably captive Christians. They perished with the -Turks left on board. Two more ships belonging to the squadron which -had endeavored to escape the week previous, were set on fire and -burned under the walls of Fort Hassan. The rest of the flotilla -effected nothing, and under the orders of Nassau withdrew to their -former position.</p> - -<p class="normal">This action ended the general naval maneuvers which were undertaken. -In this short and brilliant campaign of three weeks Jones had fought -four general actions, all of which he personally directed. With -fifteen vessels against twenty-one he had so maneuvered that the enemy -lost many galleys and no less than thirteen of his ships; a few had -escaped, and a few were locked up in the harbor, so that the Turkish -naval force in the Liman was not only defeated but practically -annihilated by Jones' brilliant and successful leadership and -fighting. Eleven ships might have been prizes had it not been -for the cruelty and criminal folly of Nassau. Jones had captured by -hand-to-hand fighting two of the largest of the enemy's galleys. He -had shown himself a strategist in his disposition of the fleet at the -mouth of the Bug, and later, when he had placed it to command the -mouth of the Liman. He had demonstrated his qualities as a tactician -in the two boat attacks, and had shown his usual impetuous courage at -all times. Nassau had done nothing that was wise or that was gallant. -When Jones was not with him his tendency was always to retreat. The -orders which brought the flotilla into action which made the brilliant -combination on the first day's fight, by which the Turks were -outflanked, were issued by Jones himself.</p> - -<p class="normal">Nassau, like Landais, was "skilled in keeping out of harm's way," and -he did not personally get into action at any time. His services -consisted in the useless burning of the nine ships and the five -galleys, but he had a ready tongue, and he still enjoyed the full -favor and confidence of Patiomkine. As soon as the flotilla had -retired from the last conflict, he and Alexiano hastened to the army -headquarters to report their conquests and exploits. They lost nothing -in the telling. In accordance with Nassau's previous statement to -Jones, they were very much exaggerated, and the actions of the rear -admiral were accorded scant notice.</p> - -<p class="normal">Patiomkine received the two cowards graciously, and, as usual, -forwarded their reports. Jones was not accustomed to this performance, -and in ignorance of their actions took no steps to establish the value -of his services beyond making a report of what he had done in the -usual way--a report quietly suppressed. Two days after Alexiano -returned on board the Wolodimer in the throes of a malignant fever, of -which he died on the 19th of July. It had been asserted that every -Greek in the squadron would immediately resign upon the death of -Alexiano, but nothing of the kind took place. The Greeks, like the -English and the Russians, remained contentedly under the command of -the rear admiral. On the day he died Catherine granted Alexiano a fine -estate in White Russia. At the same time Nassau received a valuable -estate with several thousand serfs in White Russia, and the military -order of St. George. The empress also directed him to hoist the flag -of a vice admiral when Otchakoff surrendered. Jones received the minor -order of St. Anne, an order with which he would have been perfectly -satisfied if the other officers had been awarded nothing more.</p> - -<p class="normal">All the officers of the flotilla were promoted one step, and received -a year's pay with a gold-mounted sword. They were most of them -soldiers. The officers of the squadron, who were all sailors, and who -had conducted themselves gallantly and well, obtained no promotion, -received no pecuniary reward, and no mark of distinction was conferred -upon them. They were naturally indignant at being so slighted, but -when Jones promised them that he would demand justice for them at the -close of the campaign, they stifled their vexation and continued their -service.</p> - -<p class="normal">It is evident that the failure to ascribe the victory to Jones was due -to Patiomkine, and his action in giving the credit to Nassau was -deliberate. Jones and Nassau had seriously disagreed. The scorn which -ability and courage feel for inefficiency and cowardice had not been -concealed by the admiral; he had been outspoken in his censure, and -not reserved in his strictures upon Nassau's conduct. He had treated -the ideas and suggestions of that foolish commander with the -indifference they merited, and had allowed no opportunity to pass of -exhibiting his contempt--which was natural, but impolitic.</p> - -<p class="normal">He seems to have made the effort in the beginning to get along -pleasantly with Nassau, and to work with him for the good of the -service; but, after the demonstration of Nassau's lack of character -and capacity in the first action, and after the repeated failure of -the prince to maneuver the flotilla in the most ordinary manner, Jones -lost all patience with him. Patiomkine had endeavored to establish -harmony and good feeling between the two, not only by letters, -but by a personal visit which he paid the rear admiral on the -Wolodimer on the 29th of June. He did everything on that occasion -to persuade Nassau to make an apology for some remarks he had -addressed to Jones previously, and, having done so, effected -some kind of a reconciliation, but the differences between them were -so wide--Nassau was so worthless and Jones so capable, while both were -hot-tempered--that the breach between them was greater than before.</p> - -<p class="normal">Between the two Patiomkine, while not at first unfriendly to Jones, -much preferred Nassau. Hence his action. Not only did Patiomkine -enjoin harmony, but Littlepage, the American, whom we have seen before -as the chamberlain of the King of Poland, who had accepted the command -of one of the ships under Jones, also wrote him to the same effect.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones received his letter in the spirit in which it was written, and -assured the writer that he had borne more from Nassau than he would -have done from any other than a madman, and he promised to continue to -try to do so. The effort was a failure. Littlepage himself, unable to -endure the animosities engendered between the squadron and the -flotilla, threw up his command and returned to Warsaw. His parting -counsel to Jones showed that he well understood the situation.</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Farewell, my dear admiral; take care of yourself, and look to whom -you trust. Remember that you have rather to play the part of a -politician than a warrior--more of a courtier than a soldier."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Jones indorsed upon this note the following remark:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I was not skilled in playing such a part. I never neglected my duty."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">To resume the narrative: After the defeat in the Liman, the grand -Turkish fleet sailed away from Otchakoff, which was then strictly -blockaded by Jones' squadron, assisted by thirty-five armed boats -which had been placed under his command. At the end of July the -Turkish fleet, having had an indecisive engagement with the Russians -at Sebastopol, returned to Otchakoff. Preparations were made by Jones -to receive an attack, but none was delivered. Three ships attempted to -run the blockade: one was sunk, and the others got in with difficulty. -Nothing of importance happened during the months of August and -September, in which Jones continued an effective blockade, although he -undertook some minor operations at the request of the marshal.</p> - -<p class="normal">Patiomkine carried on the siege in a very desultory manner. In -accordance with his contradictory nature he sometimes pressed -operations vigorously, and then for weeks did nothing. He seems to -have had a harem in his camp, which perhaps accounts for his dawdling. -Nassau, with his usual boastfulness, sent word to Patiomkine that if -he had permission he would take the boats of the flotilla and knock a -breach in the walls of Otchakoff big enough to admit two regiments; -whereupon Patiomkine asked him wittily how many breaches he had made -in Gibraltar, and removed him from his command. He was sent northward, -where he still managed to hold the favor of the empress. This did not -greatly improve Jones' situation, however, for the relations between -him and Patiomkine had become so strained as to be impossible.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 24th of October Patiomkine sent him the following order:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"As it is seen that the capitan pasha comes in his kirlangich from the -grand fleet to the smaller vessels, and as before quitting this he may -attempt something, I request your excellence, the capitan pasha having -actually a greater number of vessels, to hold yourself in readiness to -receive him courageously, and drive him back. I require that this be -done without loss of time; if not, you will be made answerable for -every neglect."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Indorsing this insulting document as follows: "A warrior is always -ready, and I had not come there an apprentice," Jones immediately -returned a spirited answer, part of which is quoted:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Monseigneur</span>: I have the honour to transmit to your highness a plan of -the position in which I placed the squadron under my command this -morning, in conformity to your orders of yesterday. . . . I have -always conformed myself immediately, without murmuring, and most -exactly, to the commands of your highness; and on occasions when you -have deigned to leave anything to my own discretion I have been -exceedingly flattered, and believe you have had no occasion to repent. -At present, in case the capitan pacha does resolve on attempting -anything before his departure, I can give assurance beforehand that -the brave officers and crews I have the honour to command will do -their duty 'courageously,' though they have not yet been rewarded for -the important services they have already performed for the empire -under my eyes. I answer with my honour to explain myself fairly on -this delicate point at the end of the campaign. In the meantime I may -merely say that it is upon the sacred promise I have given them of -demanding justice from your highness in their behalf that they have -consented to stifle their grievances and keep silent."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">This provoked a reply from Patiomkine and another tart rejoinder -from Jones. The correspondence, in which on one occasion Jones had -stated that "every man who thinks is master of his own opinion, and -this is mine"--good doctrine for the United States, impossible in -Russia--terminated by another order from Patiomkine, which closed as -follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"Should the enemy attempt to pass Oczakow, prevent him by every means -and defend yourself courageously."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Jones' indorsement on this document was as follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"It will be hard to believe that Prince Potemkin addressed such words -to Paul Jones!"</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">But the patience of the prince had reached its limit, and on the 28th -he summarily relieved Jones of his command, and replaced him by -Vice-Admiral Mordwinoff, who had received him so coldly when he -arrived at Kherson six months before.</p> - -<p class="normal">The order relieving him is as follows:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"According to the special desire of her Imperial Majesty, your service -is fixed in the northern seas; and as this squadron and the flotilla -are placed by me under the orders of the vice admiral and the -Chevalier de Mordwinoff, your excellency may in consequence proceed on -the voyage directed; principally, as the squadron in the Liman, on -account of the season being so far advanced, can not now be united -with that of Sevastopol."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The northern sea service was only a pretext, but on the 30th Jones -replied with the following brief note:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I am much flattered that her Majesty yet deigns to interest herself -about me; but what I shall ever regret is the loss of your regard. I -will not say that it is not difficult to find more skilful sea -officers than myself--I know well that it is a very possible thing; -but I feel emboldened to say that you will never find a man more -susceptible of a faithful attachment or more zealous in the discharge -of his duty. I forgive my enemies who are near you for the painful -blow aimed at me; but if there is a just God, it will be difficult for -Him to do as much."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Patiomkine was intensely angered by this note, and he took serious -exception to the implication that he had been influenced against Jones -by any one. Jones states in one of his letters that when he took leave -of Patiomkine a few days afterward, the prince remarked with much -anger:</p> - -<p class="normal">"Don't believe that anyone leads me. No one leads me!" he shouted, -rising and stamping his foot, "not even the Empress!"--which was -correct. The jesting interrogation with which Catherine closes one of -her letters to Patiomkine by saying, "Have I done well, my master?" -contained much truth. However, he moderated his tone somewhat in the -face of the sturdy dignity of Jones, and, before the admiral started -for St. Petersburg, Patiomkine gave him the following letter to the -empress:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Madam</span>: In sending to the high throne of your Imperial Majesty -Rear-Admiral M. Paul Jones, I take, with submission, the liberty of -certifying the eagerness and zeal which he has ever shown for the -service of your Imperial Majesty, and to render himself worthy of the -high favour of your Imperial Majesty."</p> - -<p class="normal"> -Having given the officers he commanded, who seem to have become much -attached to him, testimonials as to the high value of their services, -Jones embarked in a small open galley on the 1st of December for -Kherson. He was three days and three nights on the way, and suffered -greatly from the extreme cold. He arrived at Kherson dangerously ill, -and was unable to proceed upon his journey until the 17th of December. -When he reached Elizabethgrad he received word that Otchakoff had been -taken by storm the day he had departed from Kherson; over twenty -thousand Turks were put to the sword on that occasion. He arrived at -St. Petersburg on the 8th of January, 1789, and was ordered to appear -at court on the 11th, when the empress awarded him a private -interview, at which he presented the letter of Patiomkine. A few days -afterward Catherine sent him word that she would wait the arrival of -the prince before deciding what to do with him.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XIX.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_19" href="#div1Ref_19">SLANDERED IN RUSSIA--A SLAVONIC REWARD FOR FAITHFUL SERVICES.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Patiomkine did not reach St. Petersburg until the middle of February, -and while waiting for him Jones busied himself with formulating -suggestions for a political and commercial alliance between Russia and -the United States, one feature of which involved an attack upon -Algiers. In addition to holding a large number of American prisoners -in captivity, the Algerines had made common cause with the Turks, and -had been present in large numbers before Otchakoff. When Patiomkine -did arrive, the project was submitted to him, but it was not thought -expedient to attempt it at the time, lest it should result in the -irritation of England. During this time the commodore wrote to -Jefferson and learned for the first time that all the letters he had -written since he entered the Russian service had been intercepted. -When he examined the official reports concerning his actions, which -had been forwarded from the Liman, he found that he had been grossly -misrepresented, and the reports were false even to the most trifling -details.</p> - -<p class="normal">His situation was very different from what it had been when he entered -St. Petersburg before. Antagonized secretly by Patiomkine, and openly -by Nassau and the English at court, his favor appreciably waned. The -old story about the insubordinate carpenter whom he had punished in -the West Indies was revived, and in its new version the carpenter -became his nephew, and it was stated that he had flogged him to death. -This was the precursor of a more deadly scandal. His occasional -invitations to court functions became less and less frequent, and the -coldness in official circles more and more marked. Finally, in the -month of April, when he appeared at the palace to pay his respects to -the empress, he was refused admittance, and unceremoniously ordered to -leave the precincts.</p> - -<p class="normal">This deadly insult, this public disgrace, which of course at once -became a matter of general knowledge, was due to a most degrading -accusation made against his character. To discover the origin of this -slander is difficult indeed. In the first flush of his anger Jones -specifically charged that his English enemies, whose animosities were -not softened by time, were the authors of the calumny. It is -impossible to believe that any English officer could descend to such -depths, nor is it necessary to credit the report that his disgrace was -due to them. The Russian court was as full of intrigue as that of an -Oriental despot. Jones was out of favor. He had succeeded in creating -powerful enemies for himself in Nassau and Patiomkine. The latter -gentleman had negatived a promising plan in the hope of thereby -pleasing England, with whom Russia was now coquetting. If he were the -instigator of the cabal against Jones, he might have thought the -disgrace of the man they hated would gratify the English people. If he -could bring this about without compromising himself he would not -hesitate to take the required action. Nassau had very strong reasons -for hating Jones, who made no secret of his contempt for that pseudo -princeling. At any rate, whatever the source or origin, there is no -doubt as to the situation.</p> - -<p class="normal">Jones was accused of having outraged a young girl of menial station, -who was only ten years old! The charge was false from beginning to -end. It had absolutely no foundation, but with the peculiar methods in -vogue in Russia, it was not easy to establish his innocence. He was -not only presumed, but was declared guilty, without investigation. The -advocate he employed was ordered to abandon his case, and he found -himself in the position of one condemned beyond hope with no -opportunity for justification. He was ever jealous on the point of his -personal honor, and to see himself thus cruelly stigmatized at the -close of a long, honorable, and brilliant career nearly drove him -frantic. After exhausting unavailingly every means to force a -consideration of his case and an examination of evidence which he -succeeded in securing with great difficulty, he fell into despair and -seriously contemplated suicide. He was not the man that he had been. -Already within a few years of his death, although only forty-one, his -constitution was so broken that his strength was seriously undermined.</p> - -<p class="normal">Providence raised up for him a friend in the person of de Ségur, the -French ambassador at Catherine's court. This man should be held in -eternal gratitude by all Americans--nay, by all who love honor and -fair play--for he did not permit himself to be influenced, as is the -wont of courtiers, by the withdrawal of royal favor from the -chevalier, whom he had known in happier days and under more favorable -circumstances. He had been Jones' friend when he had been in the -zenith of his career, and he remained his friend in this nadir of his -misfortunes. The part that he played in the transaction can be best -understood by his own statement, confirmed by two letters written by -Jones. The first letter is addressed to Patiomkine. It had been -written before the visit of de Ségur:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">St. Petersburg</span>, <i>April 13, 1789</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">My Lord</span>: Having had the advantage to serve under your orders and in -your sight, I remember, with particular satisfaction, the kind -promises and testimonies of your friendship with which you have -honoured me. As I served all my life for honour, I had no other motive -for accepting the flattering invitation of her Imperial Majesty than a -laudable ambition to distinguish myself in the service of a sovereign -so magnanimous and illustrious; for I never yet have bent the knee to -self-interest, nor drawn my sword for hire. . . .</p> - -<p class="normal">"A bad woman has accused me of violating her daughter! If she had told -the truth I should have had candour enough to own it, and would trust -my honour, which is a thousand times dearer to me than my life, to the -mercy of the empress. I declare, with an assurance becoming a military -character, that I am innocent. Till that unhappy moment I have enjoyed -the public esteem, and the affection of all who knew me. Shall it be -said that in Russia a wretched woman, who <i>eloped</i> from her <i>husband</i> -and <i>family</i> in the country, <i>stole away her daughter</i>, lives here in -a house of bad fame, and leads a debauched and adulterous life, has -found credit enough on a simple complaint, unsupported by <i>any proof</i>, -to affect the honour of a general officer of reputation, who has -merited and received the decorations of America, of France, and of -this empire?</p> - -<p class="normal">"If I had been favoured with the least intimation of a complaint of -that nature having found its way to the sovereign, I know too well -what belongs to delicacy to have presented myself in the presence of -the empress before my justification.</p> - -<p class="normal">"My servant was kept prisoner by the officers of police for several -hours, two days successively, and threatened with the knout.</p> - -<p class="normal">"After the examination of my people before the police, I sent for and -employed Monsieur Crimpin as my advocate. As the mother had addressed -herself to him before to plead her cause, she naturally spoke to him -without reserve, and he learned from her a number of important facts, -among others, that she was counselled and supported by a distinguished -man of the court.</p> - -<p class="normal">"By the certificate of the father, attested by the pastor of the -colony, the daughter is several years older than is expressed in the -complaint. And the complaint contains various other points equally -false and easy to be refuted. For instance, there is a conversation I -am said to have held with the daughter in the Russian language, of -which no person ever heard me pronounce two words together; it is -unknown to me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I thought that in every country a man accused had a right to employ -advocates, and to avail himself of his friends for his justification. -Judge, my prince, of my astonishment and distress of mind, when I -yesterday was informed that the day before the governor of the city -had sent for my advocate, and forbidden <i>him</i>, at his peril, <i>or any -other person</i>, to meddle with <i>my cause!</i></p> - -<p class="normal">"I am innocent before God, and my conscience knows no reproach. The -complaint brought against me is an infamous lie, and there is no -circumstance that gives it even an air of probability.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I address myself to you with confidence, my prince, and am assured -that the friendship you have so kindly promised me will be immediately -exerted in my favour; and that you will not suffer the illustrious -sovereign of this great empire to be misled by the false insinuations -and secret cabals of my hidden enemies. Your mind will find more true -pleasure in pleading the cause of an innocent man whom you honour with -your friendship than can result from other victories equally glorious -with that of Oczakow, which will always rank among the most brilliant -of military achievements. If your highness will condescend to question -Monsieur Crimpin (for he dare not now <i>even speak to me</i>), he can tell -you many circumstances which will elucidate my innocence. I am, with -profound respect, my lord, your highness's devoted and most obedient -servant," etc.</p> - -<p class="normal">This letter was accompanied by certificates which fully established -the character of the wretched woman by whose agency his ruin had been -sought. The letter is dignified and touching. It is the passionate -protest of an innocent man against an accusation concerning that which -he had ever held dearer than life--his honor. It carries conviction -with it. Incidentally it throws much light upon the Russian legal -methods of that day. Never does Jones appear in a better light. But it -was sent to an utterly unresponsive man. Honor, justice, innocence, -were idle words to Patiomkine. No reply was made to the note, and -Jones abandoned himself to despair. The narrative of de Ségur is taken -from his memoirs, and, excepting in some minor details, is -substantially correct:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"The American rear admiral was favourably welcomed at court; often -invited to dinner by the empress, and received with distinction into -the best society in the city; on a sudden Catherine commanded him to -appear no more in her presence.</p> - -<p class="normal">"He was informed that he was accused of an infamous crime: of -assaulting a young girl of fourteen, of grossly violating her; and -that probably, after some preliminary information, he would be tried -by the courts of admiralty, in which there were many English officers, -who were strongly prejudiced against him.</p> - -<p class="normal">"As soon as this order was known every one abandoned the unhappy -American; no one spoke to him, people avoided saluting him, and every -door was shut against him. All those by whom but yesterday he had been -eagerly welcomed now fled from him as if he had been infected with a -plague; besides, no advocate would take charge of his cause, and no -public man would consent to listen to him; at last even his servants -would not continue in his service; and Paul Jones, whose exploits -every one had so recently been ready to proclaim, and whose friendship -had been sought after, found himself alone in the midst of an immense -population; Petersburg, a great capital, became to him a desert.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I went to see him; he was moved even to tears by my visit. 'I was -unwilling,' he said to me, shaking me by the hand, 'to knock at your -door and to expose myself to a fresh affront, which would have been -more cutting than all the rest. I have braved death a thousand -times--now I wish for it.' His appearance, his arms being laid upon -the table, made me suspect some desperate intention.</p> - -<p class="normal">"'Resume,' I said to him, 'your composure and your courage. Do you not -know that human life, like the sea, has its storms, and that fortune -is even more capricious than the winds? If, as I hope, you are -innocent, brave this sudden tempest; if, unhappily, you are guilty, -confess it to me with unreserved frankness, and I will do everything I -can to snatch you, by a sudden flight, from the danger which threatens -you.'</p> - -<p class="normal">"'I swear to you upon my honour,' said he, 'that I am innocent, and a -victim of the most infamous calumny. This is the truth. Some days -since a young girl came to me in the morning, to ask me if I could -give her some linen or lace to mend. She then indulged in some rather -earnest and indecent allurements. Astonished at so much boldness in -one of such few years, I felt compassion for her; I advised her not to -enter upon so vile a career, gave her some money, and dismissed her; -but she was determined to remain.</p> - -<p class="normal">"'Impatient at this resistance, I took her by the hand and led her to -the door; but, at the instant when the door was opened, the little -profligate tore her sleeves and her neck-kerchief, raised great cries, -complained that I had assaulted her, and threw herself into the arms -of an old woman, whom she called her mother, and who certainly was not -brought there by chance. The mother and the daughter raised the house -with their cries, went out, and denounced me; and now you know all.'</p> - -<p class="normal">"'Very well,' said I, 'but can not you learn the names of those -adventurers?' 'The porter knows them,' he replied. 'Here are their -names written down, but I do not know where they live. I was desirous -of immediately presenting a memorial about this ridiculous affair, -first to the minister and then to the empress; but I have been -interdicted from access to both of them.' 'Give me the paper,' I said; -'resume your accustomed firmness; be comforted; let me undertake it; -in a short time we shall meet again.'</p> - -<p class="normal">"As soon as I returned home I directed some sharp and intelligent -agents, who were devoted to me, to get information respecting these -suspected females, and to find out what was their mode of life. I was -not long in learning that the old woman was in the habit of carrying -on a vile traffic in young girls, whom she passed off as her -daughters.</p> - -<p class="normal">"When I was furnished with all the documents and attestations for -which I had occasion, I hastened to show them to Paul Jones. 'You have -nothing more to fear,' said I; 'the wretches are unmasked. It is only -necessary to open the eyes of the empress, and let her see how -unworthily she has been deceived; but this is not so very easy; truth -encounters a multitude of people at the doors of a palace, who are -very clever in arresting its progress; and sealed letters are, of all -others, those which are intercepted with the greatest art and care. -Nevertheless, I know that the empress, who is not ignorant of this, -has directed under very heavy penalties that no one shall detain on -the way any letters which are addressed to her personally, and which -may be sent to her by post; therefore, here is a very long letter -which I have written to her in your name; nothing of the detail is -omitted, although it contains some rough expressions. I am sorry for -the empress; but since she heard and gave credit to a calumny, it is -but right that she should read the justification with patience. Copy -this letter, sign it, and I will take charge of it; I will send some -one to put it in the post at the nearest town. Take courage; believe -me, your triumph is not doubtful.'"</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The contents of the letter which Jones was advised to copy and send -are not now ascertainable, but the following letter was written to the -empress; and, while it is so evidently in Jones' own peculiar and -characteristic style as to admit of no doubt as to its authorship, he -probably embodied in it the suggestions of de Ségur and substituted it -for the copy proposed:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">St. Petersburg</span>, <i>May 17, 1789</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Madam</span>: I have never served but for honour; I have never sought but -glory; and I believed I was in the way of obtaining both when I -accepted the offers made me on the part of your Majesty, of entering -into your service.... I sacrificed my dearest interests to accept an -invitation so flattering, and I would have reached you instantly if -the United States had not entrusted me with a special commission to -Denmark. Of this I acquitted myself faithfully and promptly.... The -distinguished reception which your Majesty deigned to grant me, the -kindness with which you loaded me, indemnified me for the dangers to -which I had exposed myself for your service, and inspired me with the -most ardent desire to encounter more.... I besought your Majesty never -to condemn me unheard. You condescended to give me that promise, and I -set out with a mind as tranquil as my heart was satisfied....</p> - -<p class="normal">"At the close of the campaign I received orders to return to court, as -your Majesty intended to employ me in the North Seas, and M. le Comte -de Besborodko acquainted me that a command of greater importance than -that of the Black Sea ... was intended for me. Such was my situation, -when, upon the mere accusation of a crime, the very idea of which -wounds my delicacy, I found myself driven from court, deprived of the -good opinion of your Majesty, and forced to employ the time which I -wish to devote to the defence of your empire in cleansing from myself -the stains with which calumny has covered me.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Condescend to believe, madam, that if I had received the slightest -hint that a complaint of such a nature had been made against me, and -still more, that it had come to your Majesty's knowledge, I know too -well what is owing to delicacy to have ventured before you till I was -completely exculpated.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Understanding neither the laws, the language, nor the forms of -justice in this country, I needed an advocate, and obtained one; but, -whether from terror or intimidation, he stopped short all at once, and -durst not undertake my defence, though convinced of the justice of my -cause. But truth may always venture to show itself alone and -unsupported at the foot of the throne of your Majesty. I have not -hesitated to labour unaided for my own vindication; I have collected -proofs; and if such details might appear under the eyes of your -Majesty I would present them; but if your Majesty will deign to order -some person to examine them, it will be seen by the report which will -be made that my crime is a fiction, invented by the cupidity of a -wretched woman, whose avarice has been countenanced, perhaps incited, -by the malice of my numerous enemies. Her husband has himself -certified and attested to her infamous conduct. His signature is in my -hands, and the pastor, Braun, of the district, has assured me that if -the College of Justice will give him an order to this effect he will -obtain an attestation from the country people that the mother of the -girl referred to is known among them as a wretch absolutely unworthy -of belief.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Take a soldier's word, madam; believe an officer whom two great -nations esteem, and who has been honoured with flattering marks of -their approbation.... I am innocent; and if I were guilty I would not -hesitate to make a candid avowal of my fault, and to commit my honour, -which is a thousand times dearer to me than my life, to the hands of -your Majesty.</p> - -<p class="normal">"If you deign, madam, to give heed to this declaration, proceeding -from a heart the most frank and loyal, I venture from your justice to -expect that my zeal will not remain longer in shameful and humiliating -inaction. It has been useful to your Majesty, and may again be so, -especially in the Mediterranean, where, with insignificant means, I -will undertake to execute most important operations, the plans for -which I have meditated long and deeply. But if circumstances, of which -I am ignorant, do not admit the possibility of my being employed -during the campaign, I hope your Majesty will give me permission to -return to France or America, granting, as the sole reward of the -services I have had the happiness to render, the hope of renewing them -at some future day...."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Catherine, to her credit be it stated, took the "soldier's word," -examined the convincing proofs, and, being satisfied of his innocence, -publicly received him at court again and thus openly vindicated him. -New projects immediately began to take shape in his fertile brain. No -bodily weakness could apparently impair his mental activity. With a -half dozen East Indiamen armed for warlike purposes he offered to cut -off the food traffic between Egypt and Constantinople; an idea as old -as the days of the Cæsars, when upon the arrival of the corn ships -from Alexandria depended the control of the Roman plebeians; but the -idea was as good now as it was then, and if he had been intrusted with -the meager force he requested he would have compelled the Turks to -detach ships from the Black Sea fleet, and thus relieve the pressure -on the Crimea.</p> - -<p class="normal">Count Besborodko was pleased with the project, and promised to submit -it to the empress, proposing, at the same time, if this plan fell -through, to give him another command in the Black Sea, with an -adequate fleet, by which he might force his way into the -Mediterranean. About the middle of June, on his applying to this -minister again, he was promised an answer in two days as to the -pleasure of the empress concerning him. Besborodko stated that -Catherine would either give him a command or grant the leave of -absence which he had asked in his letter of the 17th. The minister had -a court memory, however, and not two days, but many, passed without -the information. On the 5th of July Jones wrote again to the minister -in the usual direct way he employed when he was irritated, and asked -for an immediate declaration of intentions regarding him. It was a -high-handed way to address the Russian court, but it brought an -immediate reply. On the 8th of July he was officially informed that -his request for a leave of absence was granted for two years, with -permission to go outside the limits of the empire. His salary was to -be continued during that time.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the 18th of July he had a farewell audience with the empress, who -treated him very nicely on this occasion. As he kissed her hand in -good-by she wished him <i>bon voyage</i>, which was politic but -unsubstantial. He did not leave St. Petersburg immediately, and it was -not until the last of August that he took his final leave of the -Russian capital. During this interval he was detained partly by the -difficulty in collecting his arrears in pay and allowances, and partly -for the reason that he undertook, in spite of the rebuffs he had -received, again to lay before Besborodko and others a project for a -war against the Barbary States, which, of course, came to nothing. He -left Russia a bitterly disappointed man.</p> - -<p class="normal">The disinterested friendship of de Ségur had not been exhausted by his -previous actions, and he gave additional proofs of his affection by -supplying Jones with letters of introduction to the representatives of -the French Government at the different courts of Europe which he -proposed to visit, and the two following statements addressed to the -French Minister of Foreign Affairs:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">St. Petersburg</span>, <i>July 21, 1789</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The enemies of the Vice-Admiral<a name="div4Ref_48" href="#div4_48"><sup>[48]</sup></a> -Paul Jones having caused to be -circulated reports entirely destitute of foundation concerning the -journey which this general officer is about to undertake, I would wish -the inclosed article, the authenticity of which I guarantee, should be -inserted in the <i>Gazette de France</i>, and in the other public papers -which are submitted to the inspection of your department. This article -will undeceive those who have believed the calumny, and will prove to -the friends and to the compatriots of the vice admiral that he has -sustained the reputation acquired by his bravery and his talents -during the last war; that the empress desires to retain him in her -service; and that if he absents himself at this moment it is with his -own free will, and for particular reasons, which can not leave any -stain on his honour.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The glorious marks of the satisfaction and bounty of the king toward -M. Paul Jones, his attachment to France, which he has served so -usefully in the common cause, his rights as a subject, and as an -admiral of the United States, the protection of the ministers of the -king, and my personal friendship for this distinguished officer, with -whom I made a campaign in America, are so many reasons which appear to -me to justify the interest which I took in all that concerned him -during his stay in Russia."</p> - -<p class="center">"<i>Article to be inserted in the Public Prints, and particularly in -the Gazette de France</i>.</p> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">St. Petersburg</span>, <i>July 21, 1789</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The Vice-Admiral Paul Jones, being at the point of returning to -France, where private affairs require his presence, had the honour to -take leave of the empress, the 7th<a name="div4Ref_49" href="#div4_49"><sup>[49]</sup></a> -of this month, and to be -admitted to kiss the hand of her Imperial Majesty, who confided to him -the command of her vessels of war stationed on the Liman during the -campaign of 1788. As a mark of favour for his conduct during this -campaign the empress has decorated him with the insignia of the order -of St. Anne; and her Imperial Majesty, satisfied with his services, -only grants him permission to absent himself for a limited time, and -still preserves for him his emoluments and his rank."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Jones did not lack other friends either, for M. Genet, Secretary of -the French Legation at St. Petersburg, and subsequently Minister from -France to the United States--his extraordinary conduct while he -enjoyed that office will be remembered--whose father had been an old -friend of the commodore's, gave him a most cordial and gratifying -letter of introduction to the celebrated Madame Campan, in which he -specifically states the unfounded nature of the charges which had been -made, and, describing the circumstances in which Jones left Russia, -authorized her to correct any rumors to his disadvantage which might -be put in circulation at Versailles. He also consented to act as -Jones' financial representative, and transmitted to him from time to -time such amounts on his pay as he could wrest from the Russian -Government.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XX.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_20" href="#div1Ref_20">LAST YEARS AND DEATH.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The next year of his life the commodore passed in travel. His -destination when he left Russia was Copenhagen; perhaps he had in mind -the possibility of resuming the negotiations with the Danish -Government on the old claim, and it is possible that his deferred -pension may have had something to do with this intention. He had no -especial place to go; one city was as good as another to him. In his -busy wandering life he had never made a home for himself, and, while -his mind and heart turned with ever more intensity of affection to the -United States, yet he loved America in an abstract rather than a -concrete way. The principles for which the United States stood, and -upon which they were constituted and organized, appealed to him, but -those personal ties which he had formed in his brief sojourn before -the Revolution were weakened by absence or had been sundered by death. -There was no employment for him there, for his country had absolutely -no navy. Besides, he needed rest. He who had fought throughout a long -life for liberty and freedom, for honor and fame, was doomed to -struggle for that last desire for the few remaining years left him.</p> - -<p class="normal">He traveled leisurely from St. Petersburg to Warsaw, where he was -kindly received at the court of Poland, and where he busied himself -preparing journals of his American service and of the Liman campaign, -copies of which he sent to Catherine. There, too, he met the great -Pole, Kosciusko, and the acquaintance between the veteran sailor and -the old soldier of the Revolution speedily ripened into intimacy. -Sweden had declared war against Russia. Kosciusko, who was the -inveterate enemy of this gigantic empire which finally wrote <i>finis -Poloniæ</i> across the story of his country, would have been most happy -if he could have seen the fleets of Sweden led by so redoubtable a -warrior as Jones. But of course such a proposition was not, and could -not be, entertained by Jones.<a name="div4Ref_50" href="#div4_50"><sup>[50]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">On leaving Warsaw for Vienna, it is suggested that he made the detour -necessitated by visiting that point, rather than proceeding directly -to Copenhagen via Berlin, at the instigation of Catherine, who desired -to remove him from the vicinity of the Swedes. She might not use him -herself, but she could not contemplate with any degree of equanimity -the possibility of his serving against her. There is not the slightest -evidence that he ever thought of entering the service of Sweden. He -repels the idea with indignation, and the sole foundation for it arose -from Kosciusko's ardent desire. Jones' conduct in the affair is beyond -criticism; indeed, he was too ill at that time, although he did not -realize it, to be employed by any one. In his papers the following -declaration is found. It is undated, and the documents to which it was -attached give no clew as to when it was written, or whether it was -ever published, but from its contents it must have been prepared while -he was on this leave of absence from Russia. It is a notable little -document, for it repeats his assertion of American citizenship, -expresses his intention of never warring against the United States or -France, and clearly defines the tenure of his connection with the -Russians:</p> - -<p class="center">"NOTICE.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The Rear-Admiral Paul Jones, desirous of making known unequivocally -his manner of thinking in relation to his military connection with -Russia, declares:</p> - -<p class="normal">"1st. That he has at all times expressed to her Imperial Majesty of -Russia his vow to preserve the condition of an American citizen and -officer.</p> - -<p class="normal">"2d. That, having been honoured by his most Christian Majesty with a -gold sword, he has made a like vow never to draw it on any occasion -where war might be waged against his Majesty's interest.</p> - -<p class="normal">"3d. That circumstances which the rear admiral could not foresee when -he wrote on the last occasion make him feel a presentiment that, in -spite of his attachment and gratitude to her Imperial Majesty, and -notwithstanding the advantageous propositions which may be made to -him, he will probably renounce the service of that power, even before -the expiration of the leave of absence which he now enjoys."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">To return to his trip. After staying some time in Vienna, where he -seems to have been received with favor in high social circles, though -the illness of the emperor prevented his being presented, he went to -Amsterdam via Hamburg. Here he remained for some time, engaged, as -usual, in correspondence. He still seems to have cherished the -sailor's dream of buying a farm and passing his remaining years -thereon, for we find among his letters an inquiry addressed to Mr. -Charles Thompson, the Secretary of Congress, about an estate near -Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which he thought of purchasing from funds -invested in the United States. But in view of his anomalous connection -with Russia he thought it well to remain in Europe until it had either -ceased or been renewed. This was the time, being in need of funds, -that he wrote to his old friend Krudner to endeavor to secure payment -of the Danish pension.</p> - -<p class="normal">Krudner readily undertook Jones' commission, and the Danish Government -promised to pay the pension at Copenhagen to any one whom Jones would -authorize to receive it. They never paid it. Krudner always retained -his friendship for Jones, and one of his letters closes with these -words:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"At all events, I flatter myself, as a good Russian, that your arm is -still reserved for us."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">At the end of April, 1790, he crossed over to London on some financial -business, which he settled to his satisfaction. He remained but a -brief time in England--his visits there were always brief and devoid -of publicity; he seems to have felt keenly the hatred with which the -English regarded him, and under such circumstances his action was -wise.</p> - -<p class="normal">Toward the close of May he returned to Paris, which was perhaps the -place where his happiest hours had been spent, and at Paris he -continued to reside until the last scene in his eventful history. It -was no longer the gay and pleasure-seeking resort of his earlier and -happier years. The grim shadow of the Revolution, as yet no larger -than a man's hand, was already lowering on the horizon. A year before -his arrival the States-General had been summoned for the first time in -a hundred and seventy-five years. On the 14th of July, eight months -before his coming, the drums of the sections rolled the knell of the -Bastile, and a little later still the old feudal constitution, which -had endured the vicissitudes of a thousand years of change, was -abrogated, and the rule of the people began. Louis XVI, poor puppet of -fortune, "imponderous rag of circumstance," was driven hither and -thither by the furious blasts of liberated passion charged with -centuries of animosity, for a few aimless, pitiful years, and -then--the guillotine!</p> - -<p class="normal">For two years Jones lived in quiet retirement. He made but one other -public appearance, in July, 1790, in connection with the first -anniversary of the taking of the Bastile. Paris, inspirited with the -first breath of freedom, drawn from the first labor pains of the -Revolution, determined to celebrate in fitting style this grand -anniversary. Different groups of foreigners residing in France sent -delegates to appear before the National Assembly and ask permission to -take part in the national <i>fête</i>. Paul Jones headed the Americans, and -made an address to the Assembly. Thenceforward he did nothing of a -public character.</p> - -<p class="normal">His traveling had brought him neither surcease of care nor restoration -to health. His hardy constitution, shattered by constant exposure in -all weathers and every climate, and worn out by the chafings of his -ardent and impatient temperament throughout the course of a career -checkered by periods of alternate exaltation and depression, and -filled with hopes and disappointments in equal measure, was rapidly -yielding to the pains and ailments which were ushering in the fatal -moment which should put an end to all his dreams and aspirations. His -time, however, was not passed unhappily, and returns from investments -provided him with enough for his simple needs. During the stirring -hours of the beginning of the Revolution he busied himself in writing -his journals, arranging the great mass of papers he had accumulated, -and in his never-failing correspondence. Sometimes he attended the -Sorbonne, and held discussion with philosophers. Madame de Telison was -with him.</p> - -<p class="normal">He was drawn in two ways by the condition of France. His sympathies -were ever with humanity struggling for freedom; but he had received so -many marks of favor from the French king, to whom he owed his great -opportunities for achievement and advancement, that he could scarcely -view with equanimity the dangers and harassments of that unhappy -monarch. He was a republican through and through in principle, but by -instinct and association, if not by birth, he was one of the proudest -and most thoroughgoing of aristocrats--as Washington was an -aristocrat. Like many other people, his theory of life and government -was different from his practice. Besides, the liberty which the French -were striving to establish was already perilously verging on that -unbounded license into which it soon degenerated, and that his -disciplined soul abhorred. His associates in France were mainly among -the Girondists, with whom he was more nearly affiliated than with -other political parties.</p> - -<p class="normal">He did not realize that he was so broken in health, for he still clung -to his tenuous connection with Russia, sending repeated letters to -Catherine and Patiomkine, with demands, requests, and suggestions of -various plans for service. Patiomkine, as usual, took no notice, but -the last letter to Catherine having been forwarded through Baron -Grimm, she directed him, rather curtly by the way, to inform Jones -that if she had service for him she would let him know. After that -Jones seems to have discontinued his letters to Russia. He found, -however, two new outlets for his restless zeal. Early in 1792, -chancing to meet an Algerian corsair, who had captured many Americans -now held for ransom in Algiers, he learned much of the unfortunate -condition of those unhappy sailors, to whose fate their country was -apparently oblivious. The corsair informed him that if these captives -were not ransomed promptly they would be sold into slavery. Jones -wrote immediately to Jefferson, then Secretary of State, and with all -his power urged that something be done for them, either by sending a -force to compel restitution or by means of ransom. The letter, as we -shall see, was not without result.</p> - -<p class="normal">The second object of interest was a claim which he entertained against -the French Government for salary due him while in command of the Bon -Homme Richard and the squadron. The United States had paid him his -salary as an officer during that period, but he felt that since his -services had been asked by France, and the squadron had been at the -charge of the French Government, a further amount was due him from the -French, and he wrote to de Bertrand, Minister of Marine, demanding the -balance due. The claim was the subject of acrid correspondence, and -the matter was pending when he died.<a name="div4Ref_51" href="#div4_51"><sup>[51]</sup></a> -From the letters written -during the last years of his life I quote portions of three--the first -two to his sister, Mrs. Taylor, and the last one to Lafayette:</p> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">Amsterdam</span>, <i>March 26, 1790</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I wrote you, my dear friend, from Paris, by Mr. Kennedy, who -delivered me the kind letter you wrote me by him. Circumstances -obliged me to return soon afterward to America, and on my arrival at -New York Mr. Thomson delivered me a letter that had been intrusted to -his care by Mrs. Loudon. It would be superfluous to mention the great -satisfaction I received in hearing from two persons I so much love and -esteem, and whose worthy conduct as wives and mothers is so -respectable in my eyes. Since my return to Europe a train of -circumstances and changes of residence have combined to keep me -silent. This has given me more pain than I can express; for I have a -tender regard for you both, and nothing can be indifferent to me that -regards your happiness and the welfare of your children. I wish for a -particular detail of their age, respective talents, characters, and -education. I do not desire this information merely from curiosity. It -would afford me real satisfaction to be useful to their establishment -in life. We must study the genius and inclination of the boys, and try -to fit them, by a suitable education, for the pursuits we may be able -to adopt for their advantage. When their education shall be advanced -to a proper stage, at the school of Dumfries for instance, it must -then be determined whether it may be most economical and advantageous -for them to go to Edinburgh or France to finish their studies. All -this is supposing them to have great natural genius and goodness of -disposition; for without these they can never become eminent. For the -females, they require an education suited to the delicacy of character -that is becoming in their sex. I wish I had a fortune to offer to each -of them; but though this is not the case, I may yet be useful to them. -And I desire particularly to be useful to the two young women, who -have a double claim to my regard, as they have lost their father. -Present my kind compliments to Mrs. Loudon, her husband, to Mr. -Taylor, and your two families, and depend on my affectionate -attachment...."</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">Paris</span>, <i>December 27, 1790</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I duly received, my dear Mrs. Taylor, your letter of the 16th August, -but ever since that time I have been unable to answer it, not having -been capable to go out of my chamber, and having been for the most -part obliged to keep my bed. I have now no doubt but that I am in a -fair way to perfect recovery, though it will require time and -patience.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I shall not conceal from you that your family discord aggravates -infinitely all my pains. My grief is inexpressible that two sisters, -whose happiness is so interesting to me, do not live together in that -<i>mutual tenderness and affection</i> which would do so much honour to -themselves and to the memory of their worthy relations. Permit me to -recommend to your serious <i>study</i> and <i>application</i> Pope's Universal -Prayer. You will find more morality in that little piece than in many -volumes that have been written by great divines:</p> -<div style="margin-left: 15%"> -<pre> - - "'Teach me to feel another's woe, - <i>To hide the fault I see;</i> - That mercy I to others show, - <i>Such mercy show to me</i>.' - -</pre> -</div> -<p class="normal">"This is not the language of a weak, superstitious mind, but the -spontaneous offspring of true religion, springing from a heart -sincerely inspired by charity, and deeply impressed with a sense of -the calamities and <i>frailties</i> of human nature. If the sphere in which -Providence has placed us as members of society requires the exercise -of brotherly kindness and charity toward our neighbour in general, how -much more is this our duty with respect to individuals with whom we -are connected by the near and tender ties of nature as well as moral -obligation. Every lesser virtue may pass away, but <i>charity</i> comes -from Heaven, and is immortal. Though I wish to be the instrument of -making family peace, which I flatter myself would tend to promote the -happiness of you all, yet I by no means desire you to do violence to -your own feelings by taking any step that is contrary to your own -judgment and inclination. Your reconciliation must come free from your -heart, otherwise it will not last, and therefore it will be better not -to attempt it. Should a reconciliation take place, I recommend it of -all things, that you never mention past grievances, nor show, by -<i>word, look, or action</i>, that you have not forgot them."</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"Paris, <i>December 7, 1791</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Dear General</span>: My ill health for some time past has prevented me from -the pleasure of paying you my personal respects, but I hope shortly to -indulge myself with that satisfaction.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I hope you approve the quality of the fur linings I brought from -Russia for the King and yourself. I flatter myself that his Majesty -will accept from your hand that little mark of the sincere attachment -I feel for his person; and be assured that I shall be always ready to -draw the sword with which he honoured me for the service of the -virtuous and illustrious '<span class="sc">Protector of the Rights of Human Nature</span>.'</p> - -<p class="normal">"When my health shall be established, M. Simolin will do me the honour -to present me to his Majesty as a Russian admiral. Afterward it will -be my duty, as an American officer, to wait on his Majesty with the -letter which I am directed to present to him from the United States."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Jones appears in a very pleasant light in all of these letters, and I -am glad to read the evidences of gentleness and of affection and -kindly feeling which they present. In March, 1792, his disease, which -had developed into a lingering form of dropsy, became complicated with -a disorder of the liver. He grew much worse, lost his appetite, became -very jaundiced, and was confined to his bedroom for two months. Under -treatment he grew temporarily better, until the beginning of July, -when he became suddenly worse again and the dropsy began to manifest -itself once more. The disease attacked his chest. His legs became much -swollen, and the enlargement extended upward so that he could not -button his waistcoat and had great difficulty in breathing.</p> - -<p class="normal">He was not, as has been asserted, in poverty and want, deserted by his -friends. He lived in a comfortable apartment in the second story of -No. 42 Tournon Street, and enjoyed the services of one of the best -physicians in France, who was, in fact, physician to the queen. -Gouverneur Morris, the American Minister, was a warm friend of his, -and paid him many visits during his dying hours. He had no lack of -other friends either, for he was attended by two gentlemen, -ex-American army officers, Colonels Swan and Blackden, and by a French -officer, M. Beaupoil. They all seem to have been fond of the little -commodore, and to have visited him constantly. They did everything -possible to lighten his dying hours. His symptoms became so alarming -about the middle of July that Colonel Blackden took upon himself the -duty of advising him to make his will and settle his affairs. He put -off this action until the 18th of the month. On the afternoon of that -day Morris drew up a schedule of his property from Jones' own -dictation, and his friends having sent for a notary, he made his will, -which was drawn in English by Morris, and transcribed in French by the -notary. The will was witnessed by Swan, Blackden, and Beaupoil.<a name="div4Ref_52" href="#div4_52"><sup>[52]</sup></a> -In -this document--the last of all his writings--dictated in those solemn -hours when he looked Death in the face in final glance, the real value -of earthly honors and titles became apparent to him; he describes -himself with touching simplicity, not as Commodore, Chevalier, or -Admiral--titles he had loved--but in greater words as "<i>John Paul -Jones, a citizen of the United States</i>."</p> - -<p class="normal">At eight o'clock in the evening his friends bade him good by, and -perhaps "Good night" were the last words any one heard him speak. They -left him seated in his armchair in his parlor in the second story. A -short time after their departure the physician arrived to pay his -regular evening visit. The armchair was empty, and the door of the -chamber adjoining the parlor was open. He walked over toward it and -stopped in the entrance, and this is what he saw: the figure of the -great commodore lying prone upon the bed, his feet touching the floor -and his hands outstretched before him. There was no sound in the still -room. The physician stepped softly to the bedside, turned him over, -and laid his hand upon his heart. He felt no responsive throb. The -little captain of the Bon Homme Richard was dead, worn out, fretted -away, broken down, at the age of forty-five! "The hand of a conqueror -whom no human power can resist had been laid upon his shoulder, and -for the first time in his life the face of Paul Jones was turned away -from the enemy."<a name="div4Ref_53" href="#div4_53"><sup>[53]</sup></a> -Fitting, indeed, would it have been if from the -deck of the war ship the soul of the sea king had taken its flight; -but, after all, he was at rest at last--"in peace after so many -storms, in honor after so much obloquy."</p> - -<p class="normal">The peculiar position in which he was found, as I have thought upon -it, has suggested to me the possibility that, when he felt the last -crisis coming upon him, he may have attempted to sink down by his -bedside, that the call of his Maker might find him--as years after it -found David Livingstone in the heart of dark Africa--on his knees in -prayer. And then sometimes I think--and this is perhaps more -likely--that he may have risen to his feet to face death, as was his -wont, and have fallen forward when it came. No one can tell. A century -has fled away since they found him there, but the sorrow of it all is -still present with me as I write. An exile from his native land, far -from the country of his adoption, in the prime of life, he dies. There -was not a woman with him to whisper words of comfort, to give him that -last touch of tenderness that comes from a woman's hand. Alone he had -lived--alone he died. Oh, the pity of it! The man of the world, become -the citizen of the new republic, had found another country--let us -hope a heavenly one. He did much and he suffered much, and for such we -may be sure there is much charity, much forgiveness.</p> - -<p class="normal">By the terms of his will all his property, amounting to some thirty -thousand dollars, was left to his two surviving sisters and their -children--the same to whom he had sent those sweet words counseling -forbearance and consideration. The fact that he had shown but little -of the one and had received but little of the other in his life only -accentuates his sense of their need. One other honor his country had -in store for him, but it arrived too late. He had been long buried -when a commission appointing him to negotiate the release of the -prisoners in Algiers arrived in France. It was an honor he would have -appreciated, and in carrying it out he would have found a congenial -task.</p> - -<p class="normal">The National Assembly honored his memory by sending a deputation, -headed by its president, to represent them at his funeral, which took -place on the second day after his death, at eight o'clock in the -evening. All his friends, including the Americans, were there as well. -A French Protestant clergyman named Marron conducted the services and -delivered a eulogy, but one sentence of which is worthy of quotation: -"The fame of the brave outlives him; his portion is immortality."</p> - -<p class="normal">It has been determined recently that the interment was made in the -little cemetery reserved for those who died in the Protestant faith, -situated at the corner of the Rue de la Grange aux Belles and Rue des -Écluses Saint Martin--then in the suburbs, now in the heart of the -city. The cemetery was officially closed on January 1, 1793. A canal -was afterward cut through it and buildings erected upon the other, -lots. The exact location of Jones' grave is unknown, and, as there -were at least ten thousand people buried there, it would probably be a -matter of great difficulty to find it, should the effort be made; and -the expense would be considerable. The body, clad in an American -uniform, was incased in a leaden coffin, with sword,<a name="div4Ref_54" href="#div4_54"><sup>[54]</sup></a> -etc., and -unless all the elements have been dissipated by the action of the -water it might be possible to identify his remains. Certainly there is -no question, if satisfactory settlement could be had, that his remains -should be brought to the United States, with all naval honors, here to -be suitably interred and his grave marked by an appropriate monument. -So far as I know, there has not even been so much as a memorial tablet -erected to his memory in any part of the great country toward whose -independence he contributed so much. A serious and ungrateful omission -this, and, whether his remains be found or not, it is to be hoped that -it may be soon rectified.<a name="div4Ref_55" href="#div4_55"><sup>[55]</sup></a></p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>CHAPTER XXI.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_21" href="#div1Ref_21">PERSONAL APPEARANCE--CHARACTERISTICS--WAS<br> -HE A PIRATE?--FAREWELL.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">Paul Jones was a small, slender man, somewhat under the middle -stature, or about five feet five inches in height. As is frequently -the custom with seamen, who pass much of their lives between decks, -his shoulders were slightly rounded, and at first glance he seemed -smaller than he was. In physique he was active and graceful, well -proportioned and strong. Many portraits of him exist, some of them -gross caricatures, representing him as the proverbial pirate of early -days clad in fantastic costume, his belt bristling with pistols and -knives, and depicting him in the act of slaying some terrified and -helpless sailor; but it is from such representations as the painting -by Peale,<a name="div4Ref_56" href="#div4_56"><sup>[56]</sup></a> the bust by -Houdon, the naval medal, and the miniature -by the Countess de Lavendahl, that we get a correct idea of his -appearance. His features were regular; his nose was straight, -prominent, and slightly enlarged at the tip; his lips were elegantly -curved. His head was well proportioned, and set firmly upon his -shoulders; in spite of his stoop he held it erect, which gave him an -intent, eager expression. His large black eyes were set deep in their -sockets under heavy, arched eyebrows; in moments of action they -sparkled with fire and passion. His hair was black and plentiful, and -the darkness of his complexion had been intensified by years of -exposure to wind and weather. His hands and feet were small and of -good shape. He was always particular in his dress, which was of -material as rich and in cut as elegant as his means permitted. Without -being handsome, therefore, he was a man of distinctly striking and -notable appearance in any society.</p> - -<p class="normal">His habitual expression was thoughtful and meditative. His face was -the face of a student rather than that of a fighter. As it looks out -at us from the canvas of the past in Peale's portrait, there is a -little touch of wonder and surprise in the soft, reflective eyes. The -mystery of life is there. We feel that the man is speculating upon us, -measuring us, wondering who and what we are. There is a gentle gravity -about the face which is most attractive. In the profile on the medal -and in the Houdon bust other qualities predominate. You catch a -glimpse of the proud, imperious, dashing sailor in the uplifted poise -of the head, the tense, straight line of the lips, and the firm, -resolute chin; and there is a suggestion of humor, grim enough, in the -whole face. The Countess de Lavendahl apparently depicts him in the -role of a lover, fashionably attired and arrayed for conquest. In each -of these representations we have the broad, splendid brow which -typifies the mind that was in him. It is probable that these different -portraits were each good likenesses, and that each artist, in -accordance with his insight, wrought into his presentment what he saw -in the man.</p> - -<p class="normal">A man of abundant self-confidence, he was not easily embarrassed, and -we find him at home as well in the refined and cultivated colonial -society of North Carolina as upon the decks of a ship manned by the -rudest and roughest of men. He bears himself with easy dignity at -the courts of Russia and France, and is not discomfited in the -presence of king, queen, or empress. His manners were easy and polite. -There was a touch of the directness of the sailor and the fighter in -his address, I doubt not, but his behavior was certainly that of a -gentleman--quiet, dignified, somewhat haughty, but pleasing. This is -established by the testimony of those who knew him, including the -Englishwoman mentioned above; by traditions which have come down to -us; by the fact that he was admitted into the most exclusive circles -in various courts of Europe, and that he retained the place which had -been accorded him through years of acquaintanceship. He has been -called low, brutal, common, and vulgar, but such accusations are -incompatible with the position he occupied. He might have been -received, of course, but he never would have been not merely -tolerated, but admired and sought after, if the charges were correct.</p> - -<p class="normal">In saying this, I do not wish to be understood as being oblivious of -his faults. As occasion has demanded, I have not hesitated to call -attention to them. He was irritable and impatient, captious and -quarrelsome, at times variable and inconsistent. We find him -addressing a superior at one time in terms that are almost too -respectful, and in his next communication writing with a blunt -frankness of a superior to an inferior. This frequently caused him -trouble, inasmuch as he usually had to deal with men who were his -superiors in birth and station, though not to be compared with him in -talents and education. The limitations of his humble origin account -for this variant attitude to the world's so-called great.</p> - -<p class="normal">His great fault was his vanity. It was a weakness, like some of his -other qualities, colossal. It manifested itself in every way that -vanity can manifest itself. No defense can be uttered. We recognize -the fact and note it with pain, but in the presence of his great -qualities pass it by, after calling attention to the strange fact that -other and more famous sailors, including the greatest man who ever -fought a ship or squadron, Lord Nelson, were under the spell of the -same weakness--and other greater weaknesses. No character in history -is without weakness. There was but One who manifested no weakness, not -even on a cross.</p> - -<p class="normal">His mind was a well-furnished one. From boyhood he had cultivated the -studious habit with which he was endowed in large degree, with the -assiduity and perseverance of a Scotsman. He was thoroughness itself; -whatever he attempted he did so well that he usually left nothing -further to be desired. His brain was alert and active. He was -quick-witted, and not devoid of humor, although there is always a -touch of sternness in his persiflage. His letters fall into two -classes. When he wrote under pressure of strong emotion or excitement, -he expressed his personality with his pen as adequately as he did in -his actions; his remarks were short, sharp, direct, logical, and in -good taste; his style was vigorous and perspicuous. On the other hand, -he frequently descended, especially when addressing women, into -verbosity, and verbosity of that most intolerable species known as -fine writing--witness his letter to Lady Selkirk. As a phrase maker -many of his sentences ring with his spirit. "I do not wish to have -command of any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to go in -harm's way"; "I have not yet begun to fight"; "I have ever looked out -for the honor of the American flag"; "I can never renounce the -glorious title of a citizen of the United States," are some of his -sayings which have passed into history, and might appropriately serve -for inscriptions on the four sides of his monument, when a too tardy -people pay him the honor of erecting one.<a name="div4Ref_57" href="#div4_57"><sup>[57]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">He spoke French well and wrote it better. He found no difficulty in -making himself understood in France, and that language was used -entirely in his Russian campaign. In an age when everybody scribbled -verse he wrote poetry which is creditable to him. It has been remarked -that it was much better verse than Nelson wrote. Like many other naval -officers of that day, he played the flute and had a taste for music. -He was undoubtedly a member of the Presbyterian Church by baptism in -infancy, and although, so far as is known, he was not actively in -communion with any religious organization during his life, he was in -no sense an irreligious man. "They that go down to the sea in ships -that do business in great waters," who see "the works of the Lord, and -his wonders in the deep," are rarely ultimately indifferent to -religion. They are superficially careless, perhaps, but they are -neither skeptics nor atheists.<a name="div4Ref_58" href="#div4_58"><sup>[58]</sup></a> -Nothing could be sweeter and more -gentle than his letters to his sisters with their unequivocal -recognition of the Power above which shapes our ends.</p> - -<p class="normal">In a day when seamen--and no less the naval officer than the -merchantman--considered a capacity for picturesque and plentiful -profanity a mark of professional aptitude, he was distinguished by -refraining from oaths and curses. Mark the words: "Do not swear, Mr. -Stacy--in another moment we may all be in eternity--but let us do our -duty." Uttered in the heat of action, and in a critical moment, the -sentence is as rare as it is beautiful, and it somehow reminds me of -the dying words of Nelson in the cockpit of the Victory. He was -clean-mouthed and clean-hearted. I do not wish to say that he was -immaculate, a saint, or anything of that sort, but there is no man of -similar upbringing, who lived in his day, and under such -circumstances, whose life appears to be cleaner. There is a total -absence of sensuality in his career. In over thirteen hundred letters -which have been examined, there is not a coarse or indelicate -allusion; no <i>double entendre</i> ever sullies his pages, and the name of -no woman is mentioned save in terms of respect. It is probable that -his amour with Madame de Telison passed the bounds of Platonic -friendship or romantic admiration, and it is possible that they did -have a child; but even this is by no means certain, and the conclusion -may do him an injustice.</p> - -<p class="normal">When one remembers that from a tender age he was deprived of those -gentle restraints imposed by pious and loving family ties, his -character is remarkable. I have observed in much experience with men -that when the check put upon humanity by the Church, by association -with good women, and by keeping in touch with law-abiding society is -removed, and men are assembled far from these things in camps or -ships, where the principal requirement is a stern obedience to law, -and the atmosphere strictly masculine, they are apt to think, say, and -do things to which they would never descend under ordinary -circumstances. Jones had been a sailor--an apprentice boy at that--at -twelve years of age; for sixteen years thereafter he had never been -off blue water for more than a few months. Five years of that time he -had been on a slaver, beginning as third mate at sixteen and quitting -as chief mate at twenty-one, and of all the degrading, brutal -influences to which humanity could be subjected there was nothing that -equaled the horrors of a ship in the slave trade. The tough moral -fiber of the Scotsman stood him in good stead here, for the thing -which with a boy's indifference he could countenance, he could not -endure as a man.</p> - -<p class="normal">And this brings us to another of his qualities, which awakens our -interest--his intense love of liberty. Probably it began with the -slave trade; at any rate, it was always and everywhere present with -him. Practically his first military effort was an attempt to set free -American prisoners, and his last commission from the United States was -the appointment to effect the release of the unfortunate Americans -held by the Barbary States. Thus he fought not merely for the -establishment of civil liberty and national independence, but with an -eye single to the individual prisoner, and his spirit was sufficiently -catholic to make him kindly disposed even when the prisoners were -trophies of his prowess. His pleading at L'Orient, when he was left -with the dishonored draft, mutinous crew, and over one hundred -prisoners, was as much for those Englishmen whom the fortune of war -had thrown into his power as for his own people.</p> - -<p class="normal">Like most men of fierce passions and quick temper, he did not long -cherish animosities. He was not a good hater, and this very quality -sometimes led him into mistaken kindness. He was a humane man, in no -sense the cruel and bloodthirsty warrior of popular imagination. He is -thankful, for instance, after the descent on Whitehaven, that there -was no loss of life on either side, and we have no reason to doubt the -genuineness of his outburst of gratitude when peace was declared, -although it left him without occupation.</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">He had a good head for business also. In spite of his roving life he -succeeded in amassing considerable property, and his success as a -trader before he entered the naval service had been better than the -average. In fact, his merchant services resulted in an unbroken line -of testimonials not only to his capacity but to his probity and -trustworthiness as well. As a negotiator or diplomatist he was open, -straightforward, persistent, and unusually successful. A solid -foundation of good qualities must have been laid by his homespun -mother in those twelve years in which she watched over and shaped the -future character of the boy.</p> - -<p class="normal">While he was too much of a wanderer ever to form those deep and -abiding social ties which are the delight of old age and -reflection--though to youth matters of indifference--yet his various -duties brought him into intimate association with great men all over -the world, and there is a universal testimony from them as to his -worth. They were not blind to his faults, but they saw the worthiness -of the man beneath them. Franklin, the keen philosopher and diplomat, -who knew him best, esteemed him most; but Robert Morris, the -incorruptible financier; Thomas Jefferson, the great Democrat; -Gouverneur Morris, the accomplished man of the world; John Adams, the -shrewd statesman; and Washington, the first of them all, esteemed and -admired him, and considered themselves honored in his friendship. -Richard Dale, his great subordinate, who had been with him in times -that tried men's souls, entertained the most devoted feelings of -attachment toward him, and Cooper, who knew Dale personally, tells us -that to the day of his death he never lost his affectionate regard for -his old captain. The terms of their intimacy when not on duty -permitted Dale to address Jones by the friendly name of Paul, and -Cooper chronicles the peculiar tenderness with which he uttered the -word in his old age.</p> - -<p class="normal">Among the French who respected and admired him, the gallant and -impetuous Lafayette is pre-eminent. That warm-hearted representative -of the haute noblesse of France sought opportunities for service with -the commodore, and never failed to express his affection for him in -the most unequivocal words. Among others were Rochambeau, the soldier; -Malesherbes, the great advocate, defender of his king; the Baron de -Viomenil, who led the French assaulting column at Yorktown; and -Admirals d'Orvilliers, de Vaudreuil, and d'Estaing. Among other -foreign friends were van der Capellen, the Dutch statesman and -diplomat and friend of America; of Russians, Krudner and Grimm; and -the immortal Kosciusko, of Poland. His acquaintance with these men was -no mere passing contact, but was intimate and personal; and his -relations in most instances were not temporary and casual, but lasting -and permanent. Laughton, the English authority in naval history, in -his famous sketch entitled "Paul Jones, 'the Pirate'"<a name="div4Ref_59" href="#div4_59"><sup>[59]</sup></a> -says that -Jones' moral character may be summed up in one word--detestable! He -calls him a renegade and a calculating liar, incapable of friendship -or of love, and says that, "Whenever his private actions can be -examined, they must be pronounced to be discreditable; and as to many -others that appear to be so, there is no evidence in favor except his -own unsubstantial and worthless testimony." It is not an indictment -against Jones alone that Professor Laughton so lightly writes, but -against the great men who, with infinitely better opportunities for -observation than any of his biographers have enjoyed, have not been -slow to call him their friend. Is it to be conceived for a single -moment that Franklin, Jefferson, Lafayette, the Morrises, or any of -the others, would have associated with, corresponded with, and -publicly praised a vulgar blackguard? Would such a man, however -successful, have been admitted to any society whatsoever? Or, having -in the first flush of joy at the news of his tremendous victory been -so admitted, could such a man have retained his position for thirteen -years--until he died, in fact? Nonsense! He looked like a gentleman; -he wrote like a gentleman; whenever his words have been recorded we -find he spoke like a gentleman, and he certainly fought like one.</p> - -<p class="normal">Never was a man so calumniated. His actions were so great that intense -interest was felt in his career from the day of his arrival in Europe, -and after his death quantities of sketches of him appeared, many of -which are still extant. They are of the chap-book order--the dime -novel of the day--and usually contain an awe-inspiring picture, and -relate a tale in which smuggling, gambling, falsehood, theft, rape, -murder, and everything else that is vile, are included. Laughton seems -to have arrived at his estimation of Jones by accepting these -scandalous tales as authentic, and building his biography of material -culled from these disgraceful and discredited sources. No man can -conceal his real character for any great length of time, especially a -man in official station, who lives in the white light of public -criticism. If Jones were the creature that Laughton describes him, it -would appear somewhere in some serious page of his own. He was a most -voluminous correspondent--Philip II was not a more indefatigable -letter writer than he--and he spoke of the subjects under discussion -with a sailor's frankness. Why is it that none of these things are -evident? He was foolish sometimes, but never base. It is too late to -write down in a few careless words the great men who entertained so -high an opinion of the commodore. But Professor Laughton is not alone -in his opinions. Indeed, his conclusions appear to represent a general -English sentiment. So great a novelist as the gentle Thackeray calls -Jones a traitor, and the popular opinion even in this day does not -seem to have changed. In the current number of the London Academy<a name="div4Ref_60" href="#div4_60"><sup>[60]</sup></a> -he is again called a "pirate." Let us settle this question at least.</p> - -<p class="normal">What is a pirate? Says President Woolsey: "Piracy is robbery on the -sea, or by descent from the sea upon the coast, committed by persons -not holding a commission from, or at the time pertaining to, any -established state. It is the act (1) of persons forming an -organization for the purpose of plunder, or with malicious intent; but -who, inasmuch as such a body is not constituted for political -purposes, can not be said to be a body politic; (2) of persons who, -having in defiance of law seized possession of a chartered vessel, use -it for the purpose of robbery; (3) of persons taking a commission from -two belligerent adversaries. The reason for ranking these latter among -pirates is that the <i>animus furandi</i> is shown by acting under two -repugnant authorities. It has been held by some that a vessel which -takes commissions even from two allies is guilty of piracy, but others -regard such an act only as illegal and irregular."<a name="div4Ref_61" href="#div4_61"><sup>[61]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">Chancellor Kent calls piracy "robbery, forceful plunder, or murder by -marauders on the high seas <i>in the spirit and intent of universal -hostility</i>." The Century Dictionary defines it as follows: -"Specifically in the law of nations, the crime of depredations or -willful and aggressive destruction of life and property, committed on -the seas by persons having no commission or authority from any -established state. As commonly used, it implies something more than a -simple theft with violence at sea, and includes something of the idea -of general hostility to law."</p> - -<p class="normal">By any of these definitions can Paul Jones be called a pirate? It will -be readily seen that the charge hangs upon the question as to whether -Jones held a commission from an established state. In fact, the -determination of that point settles the matter. He was regularly -commissioned a captain in the navy of the United States, as we have -seen.<a name="div4Ref_62" href="#div4_62"><sup>[62]</sup></a> Was the United -States an established power, a sovereign -state? The United States began to be with the Declaration of -Independence. To quote Woolsey again: "The sovereignty of a state -dates from its <i>de facto</i> existence, and does not depend upon its -recognition by foreign powers. Thus the sovereignty of the United -States was complete from July 4, 1776, not 1782, when the English -Government recognized, not granted, its independence." If the United -States had not a legal existence as a sovereign power competent to -wage war, and therefore to issue commissions to naval officers, until -the treaty of peace, England would have granted independence thereby, -instead of which she recognized a long-accomplished fact. Moreover, -the British Government, long before peace was declared, had conceded -belligerent rights to the revolted colonies, after much protestation. -But necessary privileges of belligerency are those of raising forces -and commissioning officers whose status as individual belligerents is -determined by the recognition. None of the American prisoners taken -from time to time were hanged as rebels or traitors, nor would such -action have been permitted by the British people, if it had been -seriously entertained by the king. Even if they had captured Paul -Jones, the English, in all their fury, would not have dared to treat -him as a pirate. Upon the point of law there is no justification for -the charge. Paul Jones' commission was as valid a document as any -under which a naval officer ever sailed. The sovereignty of the United -States had been recognized long before the termination of the war by -France, Spain, and Holland, and Frederick the Great, by opening the -port of Dantzic to American ships, had practically committed himself -to that side; although the failure of any or all of these to do so -would not have abrogated our <i>de facto</i> existence as a nation.</p> - -<p class="normal">But, turning from the subject of the commission as established, let us -examine the other phases involved in the charge. Piracy consists of -murder and robbery in a spirit of universal hostility toward humanity -(the <i>animus furandi</i> of Woolsey's paragraph). Jones directed his -attacks at England alone. There was no killing unless in open combat; -no robbery except by taking ships and property in open warfare, and -surely Jones' conduct with regard to Selkirk's plate was not that of a -robber or a pirate! By the law of nations a pirate, whatever his -nationality, is subject to the jurisdiction of any country. Thus, an -English pirate caught by the French Government, or a French pirate -caught by the English Government, would be summarily dealt with -without the slightest reference to the country of his nationality. If -Jones had been a pirate France would either have made short work of -him, or else have incurred the odium of humanity as an abettor of -piracy.</p> - -<p class="normal">His acts were not those of an irresponsible person or a body of people -who sent him forth with malicious intent, but were undertaken for -distinctly political purposes at the instance of an undoubted body -politic. These purposes were: (1) The protection of our coasts by -showing the vulnerability of the coasts of England. (2) The stoppage -of the ravages on our seaboard, by demonstrating some of their horrors -in the land of the ravagers. (3) The securing of prisoners by which -the principle of exchange should be established, and thus our citizens -released from a captivity in which they were treated with scant regard -to the laws of humanity. (4) The breaking up of the enemy's commerce -and the impairment of his material resources, so that the burden of -consequences would induce him to end the war and recognize our -independence. (5) The making of a diversion in the north which would -facilitate the proposed grand operations of the French and Spanish -fleets in the south. These are legitimate motives in the highest -sense. They are of the deepest importance, and they constitute a brief -catalogue of his accomplishments. Add to the list the shattering of -British prestige by his hard and successful fighting, and mention the -way he contrived to force the Netherlands finally to declare for the -United States, and we have a catalogue of achievements of which any -one might be proud.<a name="div4Ref_63" href="#div4_63"><sup>[63]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">There was no thought in Jones' mind of private gain. Prize money had -accrued from captures from time immemorial, but Jones was ambitious of -distinction, and as anxious to worthily serve his country as Farragut -or Sampson, and the question of prize money was purely a minor one -with him. If gain had been his object, a privateering commission which -he was urged to accept in France--and which he could undoubtedly have -received in America--but which he rejected with disdain, would have -given him greater opportunity than he ever enjoyed of acquiring -wealth. His whole career, in fact, shows him to have been absolutely -indifferent to money. He never hoarded or amassed it, and, though he -received large sums from time to time, he usually spent it in generous -profusion as fast as it came in. Had professional advancement been his -sole desire, he would have accepted the rank of <i>Capitaine de -Vaisseau</i>--that is, a captain of a ship of the line--which -d'Orvilliers had offered to procure for him, from which he might have -progressed to the highest naval rank, instead of which he chose to -remain in command of the petty little Ranger. How Laughton can deny -his enthusiasm for America when, with but little hope of reward, he -periled his liberty and his life in her service, and absolutely -refused under any circumstances to withdraw from that service, I fail -to understand.<a name="div4Ref_64" href="#div4_64"><sup>[64]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">He did not, in defiance of law, charter a vessel for the purpose of -waging private war. On the contrary, his ship was provided by the -French king, and commissions for those officers who had not been -commissioned directly by Congress, as had Jones himself, were issued -by Franklin, who possessed the unquestioned power to do this by the -specific action of Congress. Indeed, such was Franklin's power, that -when he displaced Landais from his command he did not hesitate to -overrule a commission issued by Congress under circumstances of -peculiar importance, and he was upheld by that body when his action -was called in question.</p> - -<p class="normal">Nor did Jones take a commission from two belligerent adversaries--that -is, he had no commission from England which he threw up to accept that -of the United States. He had never served in the English navy in any -capacity. There were officers in the United States land service who -had held English commissions and yet accepted American commands, but -Jones was not one of them. He had never, until he entered the Russian -service, sailed under any commission save that of the United States, -and one of the noblest acts of his life was his indignant repudiation -of a French letter of marque when his acceptance of it was considered -the only way of saving his head. Nothing could induce him to declare -the Alliance a French ship in those hazardous moments in the Texel -when he was menaced by the Dutch fleet on one side and the English -fleet on the other, nor would he even temporarily hoist the French -flag on that ship. He did not even commit the so-called illegal and -irregular act of accepting a commission from two allies, for he -refused a French commission again and again. This certainly -constitutes a clear and overwhelming refutation of the charge of -piracy. Indeed, on the question of piracy, Jones' own ingenious -comment is not without interest. Laughton has called attention to it -in the following words:</p> - -<p class="normal"> -"Paul Jones strongly objected to the word as applied to himself; he -had, he said, looked in the dictionary and found the definition of -pirate to be 'an enemy against mankind.' Now, he was not the enemy of -mankind, but only the enemy of England. With a <i>tu quoque</i> argument, -not wanting in ingenuity, he urged that, as England was then at war -with the whole of America, the greater part of Europe, and much of -Asia, not to speak of a part of Africa, she, in point of fact, came as -near being the enemy of mankind as could well be conceived--that -England was therefore the pirate, not Paul Jones."</p> - -<p class="normal">Why was it that the English called him a pirate, put a price on his -head, and attempted to compass his death or capture by private hands? -Why was it that he evoked such widespread animosity, and became the -object of a hatred which has not exhausted itself to this day? Surely -not because he had been a British subject! All who fought on the -American side had been British subjects. Jones had removed to America -and had determined to settle there before the war broke out. Why -should any one attempt to insinuate that the same feelings which -actuated Adams, Washington, and Patrick Henry did not operate to make -him espouse the colonial cause? He was as fond of freedom as they, and -as anxious to promote it.</p> - -<p class="normal">Many of the most distinguished colonists were not only British -subjects, but they had worn the king's uniform, fought under the -king's flag, and eaten the king's bread; as, for instance, the great -Washington. Richard Montgomery, an Irishman, who laid down a life -valuable to his adopted country when he fell in the assault on Quebec, -had been a British officer; and there were many others, some of whom, -like the traitor Charles Lee and the worthless Gates, were actually -half-pay officers in the British army when they entered the American -service!</p> - -<p class="normal">Among the naval officers, the heroic Biddle, who matched the little -Randolph, of thirty-two small guns, against the huge line of battle -ship Yarmouth, and fought until his ship was blown to pieces, and he -and all his crew were lost except four men, had been a midshipman in -the British navy with Nelson. Stout old John Barry, who commanded the -Alliance when he captured the Atlanta and the Trepassy, and fought the -last action of the war by beating the frigate Sibylle, of superior -force, was an Irishman.<a name="div4Ref_65" href="#div4_65"><sup>[65]</sup></a> -The most bigoted Englishmen to-day speak -of those men with respect which they will not accord to Jones. Why is -this?</p> - -<p class="normal">The reason for the strange exception lies in the brilliant success -with which he cruised and fought. The English claimed and exercised an -absolute and practically undisputed supremacy on the high seas. Their -arrogant navy for more than a hundred years had been invincible. In -single ship actions they had always conquered. No enemy had landed on -their shores for over a century. They could stand being beaten on -land--they were accustomed to it. With few notable exceptions England -does not produce great soldiers--Carlyle feelingly refers to the -average English commander as a "wooden hoop pole wearing a cocked -hat"<a name="div4Ref_66" href="#div4_66"><sup>[66]</sup></a>--but such a line of -sailors as had sprung from their shores -has never been equaled in the history of the world. Such sea -leadership and such sea fighting has never been exceeded, or even -equaled, by any nation.<a name="div4Ref_67" href="#div4_67"><sup>[67]</sup></a></p> - -<p class="normal">The capture of the Serapis was a trifling circumstance; it did not -impair the naval efficiency or abridge the maritime supremacy of -England an appreciable degree; but it had a moral significance -that could not be misunderstood by the nations of the world. They saw -and approved.<a name="div4Ref_68" href="#div4_68"><sup>[68]</sup></a> English -ships had been beaten in fair fight, in one -instance by a ship of equal, and in the other instance of inferior, -force. The English coasts, in spite of swarms of great ships of the -line, had been shown to be as vulnerable as any other.<a name="div4Ref_69" href="#div4_69"><sup>[69]</sup></a> -The affront -had been to her pride, and never since the days that brave old -Tromp--gallant Dutchman, for whose character I have the greatest -admiration--swept the narrow seas with a broom at his masthead, and -actually entered the Thames under that same provoking emblem, had -England suffered such naval humiliation. The English cheek tingles -still from the blow dealt upon it by the hot-handed sailor. Naturally, -they did not love Paul Jones. The hatred, which after a hundred years -still rankles, is evidence of what they feel--and what he did! As for -us, we love the bold little captain for the enemies he has made.</p> - -<p class="normal">It has been stated by unthinking people that the Bon Homme Richard was -a privateer or a letter of marque: in one case an armed vessel owned -by private individuals and authorized, under certain restrictions, to -cruise at private expense to prey upon the commerce of the enemy; in -the other case, an armed vessel engaged in trade, but possessing the -right to capture ships of the enemy should she happen to fall in with -them. There is nothing disgraceful about either of these commissions, -though, to be sure, their essence consists in making war for -individual gain. The Bon Homme Richard was purchased and converted -into a man-of-war by the French Government, and then loaned to the -American Government for the time being. De Chaumont acted only as the -representative of the king--that is, of the Government. There was no -question of individual gain in the matter. The money for the sale of -the prizes was received, and the share of Jones was paid, by the -French Government. Therefore it was a Government ship, not a private -vessel. France and the United States were allies in a war against -England when she was commissioned, and the transaction was customary -and legitimate. The Bon Homme Richard was as bona fide an American -man-of-war as the Constitution. Of course, there could be no exception -to the status of the Ranger or any of the earlier ships in which Paul -Jones sailed.</p> - -<p class="normal">I have considered the personal character and professional status of -Paul Jones, now let me say a few words as to his qualities as an -officer. Here at last we reach a field in which there is practically -little disagreement. First of all, he was a thorough and accomplished -seaman. His experiences had been many and varied. His handling of the -Providence in the Gut of Canso, of the Alfred along the coast of Cape -Breton, his splendid seamanship in the Ariel in the terrific gale off -the Penmarques, his daring passage of the Baltic amid the winter gales -and ice, not to speak of the way he maneuvered the Richard in the -battle with the Serapis, all tell the same story of skill and address. -Not only did he understand the sailing of ships, but he acquired no -small familiarity with the principles of naval architecture. Witness -his remodeling of the Alliance, the improvements he introduced in the -America, and the skillful way he managed the launching of that ship. -Some of his suggestions were radical, and some of the principles he -laid down were embodied in shipbuilding by naval architects until the -advent of the ironclad age.</p> - -<p class="normal">He was a stern disciplinarian, and usually managed to work his very -indifferent crews into something like fair shape. In none of his -commands did he have a first-class crew of American seamen, such as -the 1812 frigates exhibited. His sway on his ships was absolute. His -officers were generally creatures of his own making (Simpson being an -exception), and completely under his domination; with few exceptions, -like Dale, whom he loved and respected, they were poor enough. In his -passionate impatience with their stupidity or inefficiency, he -sometimes treated them with great indignity, even going to the length -of kicking them out of the cabin when they displeased him.<a name="div4Ref_70" href="#div4_70"><sup>[70]</sup></a> -He was -a fierce commander, who brooked no interference, needed no -suggestions, and had no tolerance for ignorance and incapacity. -Notwithstanding all this, he was a merciful captain in an age in which -the gospel of force, punctuated by the cat-o'-nine-tails, was the only -one in vogue on ships of war. He resorted but rarely to the practice -of flogging, and in comparison with most commanders of the period his -rule was not intolerable. He did not, however, inspire affection in -his crews; they respected his talents, trusted to his skill, and -admired his courage, but nothing more. His men were drilled and -exercised incessantly, and target practice was had as frequently as -the poverty of his supplies permitted. His ships were all notably -clean and orderly.</p> - -<p class="normal">As a commander we may consider his achievements from three points of -view: as a strategist, as a tactician, and as a fighter. Strategic -operations tend to bring you where sound policy dictates you should -be, while tactical maneuvers refer to the manipulation of your force -at the point of contact. A man may be a brilliant strategist and a -poor tactician, or the reverse; or he may be both, and yet not be a -hard, determined fighter. Jones was all three in large measure. His -strategic conceptions were excellent. His successful destruction of -the fishery industry at Canso, and his attempt upon the coal fleet in -the Alfred; the brilliant plan which would have resulted in the -capture of Lord Howe by d'Estaing if it had been carried out in time; -the project he conceived for taking the homeward-bound East Indiamen -by capturing St. Helena as a base of attack, and the other enterprises -he urged upon the French Government indicate these things; but the -conception which lifted him above the ordinary sea officer was his -acute realization of the great principle that should regulate commerce -destroying, which is one of the legitimate objects of warfare, and -merciful in that it tends to end the conflict, and is aimed at -property rather than life.</p> - -<p class="normal">His idea was that, to be successfully accomplished, it could not be -committed to the cruiser or commerce destroyer, but that attacks on -centers of trade must be made by forces sufficiently mobile to enable -them to cover great distances rapidly, and sufficiently strong to -defeat any reasonable force, and then crush the enemy's commerce at -vital points. A single ship may catch a single ship upon the high -seas, or from a fleet in convoy perhaps cut out two or three; but a -descent upon a great body of shipping in a harbor--unprotected as were -the harbors of those days--would result in an infinitely greater loss -to the enemy. Mahan has demonstrated that the necessary preliminary to -the destruction of the enemy's commerce is to batter his navy to -pieces--then it is at one's mercy. So far as I know, Jones is the only -sailor of his day, or of many subsequent days in any navy, who had a -glimmer of an idea in this direction; and, without detracting from -Mahan's originality, in a limited sense Jones forestalled him. Mahan, -indeed, gives him full credit for his genius on this very point.</p> - -<p class="normal">The beginning of strategy is to determine the vital point at which to -aim, and Jones began well. He tried to carry out his idea of commerce -destroying with the Ranger in the Irish Channel, and he came near -enough to success to demonstrate the absolute feasibility and value of -his conception, given adequate force to carry it out. He had a greater -force, of course, under his partial command in his famous cruise in -the Bon Homme Richard, but the peculiar constitution of that squadron, -which was an assemblage of co-operative ships rather than a compact -body responsive and obedient to one will, also prevented him from -carrying out his plans. Suppose, for instance, that the Alliance had -obeyed his orders, and that the Vengeance, the Cerf, and the -privateers had remained with the Pallas under his command, and that -all had been well officered and manned! He would have taken the -Serapis in half an hour or less, and the great Baltic fleet, worth -millions of dollars, would have been at his mercy. What he attempted -at Leith he could have carried out at Newcastle and Hull.</p> - -<p class="normal">The largest force under his command was the Russian squadron in the -Liman. He chose his admirable position there with an eye to its -strategic possibilities, and it was due to him, and not to the trained -and veteran soldier Suvorof, that the fort was placed on Kinburn -Point, which practically determined the fate of Otchakoff, since it -prevented the Turks from re-enforcing their fleet, and kept them from -escaping after Jones had defeated them. Fortune never gave him an -opportunity, but it can not be doubted from what he did accomplish -with an inferior force that if he had been given a chance he would -have made a name for himself as a sea strategist not inferior to that -of Nelson or Sampson.</p> - -<p class="normal">As a tactician he was even more able--perhaps because he enjoyed -better opportunities. It was seamanship and tactics which enabled him -to escape from the Solebay, and it was seamanship and tactics by which -he diverted the Milford from the pursuit of his prizes and insured -their safety. His tactics when he fought the Drake were admirable. In -his famous battle with the Serapis they were even more striking. One -never ceases to wonder how he succeeded in maneuvering his slow, -unwieldy ship so as to nullify the greater speed and gun power of the -Serapis. His action in laying the Bon Homme Richard aboard the English -frigate was the one chance that he had of success, and he made that -chance himself.</p> - -<p class="normal">His tactics in the Liman were even higher than elsewhere. It was he -who so maneuvered the boats of the flotilla on June 17th as to -precipitate the flight of the Turks; it was he who again, on June 28th -and 29th, so placed his ships that he drove the Turks from their -stranded flagships. It was he who dispatched the flotilla to clear the -right flank, which would have enabled the Russians to take possession -of the two frigates if Nassau had not foolishly burned them. It was he -who, by his splendid disposition of his ships and the battery on the -point, forced the Turkish ships to take ground upon the shoals, in -their attempt to escape, where Nassau destroyed them. On the other -hand, he was never reckless. He coolly calculated chances and -judiciously chose the right course, and he was happy in that the right -course was usually the bold and daring one.</p> - -<p class="normal">In the third capacity of an officer, there is no question as to his -willingness and ability to fight. No one ever called him a coward. He -certainly exhibited the very highest reach of physical bravery. It was -not the courage of the braggart, for he was not continually thrusting -it in the face of people on all occasions. Having established his -reputation, he was content to rest upon it, and did not seek -opportunity--which he did not need--for further demonstration. Nothing -could surpass the personal courage and determination with which he -fought his ships. Unlike most commanders, who confine their efforts to -direction, he labored and fought with his own hands.</p> - -<p class="normal">We find him heading the boarders on the forecastle of the Richard, -and, pike in hand, repelling those from the Serapis; he assists in -lashing the two ships together; he takes personal command of the -quarter-deck guns, one of which, with the assistance of a few resolute -souls, he dragged across the deck from the unengaged side. When the -Ariel was drifting in deadly peril upon the Penmarques, with his own -hand he heaves the lead. At Kinburn, after repeated efforts to get the -galley fleet to move, he leads it forward himself. To ascertain the -depth of water, he goes in a small boat under the walls of Otchakoff, -within easy range of the cannon. He takes his barge on the Liman in -the midst of the hottest engagement, and rows about through the -contestants. When the assault is made on the flotilla under the walls -of that town, he leads in person, and captures two gunboats by -boarding. At Whitehaven, alone he confronts a mob and keeps them in -check until the fire which he started himself has gained sufficient -headway. The bullying of the Dutch admiral in the Texel can not move -him a single foot.</p> - -<p class="normal">While he did not always exhibit the same amount of moral courage, yet -in some very interesting situations he showed that he possessed it in -large measure. His physical courage was, of course, natural. His moral -courage seems to have arisen in part from an absolute confidence in -his own ability and an habitual reliance upon the accuracy of his own -judgment. He showed this moral courage when, at the peril of his -commission, he assumed the responsibility of piloting the Alfred to -her anchorage in the Bahama expedition. He showed it particularly -when, after assuming the proper position demanded by good strategy in -the opening of the Liman campaign, he refused to be moved from it by -the representations of such fire eaters as Nassau and Alexiano. His -declining to hoist the French flag, or to sail under a French letter -of marque, were evidences of this quality, and he showed it again by -sending a present to Louis XVI in the dark days of the Revolution, -when respect to the king in his hours of humiliation marked a man -immediately.</p> - -<p class="normal">On the other hand, he showed a sad lack of moral courage if de Ségur's -statement be true that he found him, pistol in hand, in his apartments -in St. Petersburg, apparently contemplating suicide. Moral courage is -perhaps a more universal requisite for true greatness of character -than any other virtue, and he did not rise in this sphere quite to the -height he attained in the others. In other words, he was greater as a -commander and as an officer than as a man.</p> - -<p class="normal">As a commander he made mistakes. What commander did not? His quickness -to imagine or to resent a slight was marred by too great a willingness -to forgive. His treatment of the mutinous Simpson was entirely too -gentle and forgiving for the maintenance of that discipline necessary -to the welfare of the service. It was certainly a mistake to yield to -Landais' importunities and leave the advantageous situation off -Limerick, and, as I have stated, the excuse was worse than the action. -His failure to keep his promise to his men after leaving Corunna in -the Alliance was a more serious blunder. There are few professions in -which the word of an officer is so implicitly relied upon by his -inferiors as in the naval service. The lives of the crew are so -entirely in the hands of the officers that without confidence the -situation is impossible. His extravagant outfitting of the Alliance -was also a wrong to Franklin under the circumstances. His method of -dealing with the mutiny on the Alliance and with Landais' successful -attempt to get command of her was weak, and can only be explained by -the postulation that he did not really desire to get possession of -her; but even the explanation leaves him in a bad position. His -dawdling at L'Orient is also censurable. This, however, is a small -catalogue in view of what he attempted and accomplished. Otherwise in -his campaigns and in his military life he made no blunders.</p> - -<p class="normal">He has been severely censured for choosing localities with which he -was familiar from childhood as the scene of his military operations. -The war of the Revolution was practically a civil war, with all the -rancorous passions attendant thereon superadded to those ordinarily -engendered in conflict. In America, friend met friend in deadly -hatred, and not one royalist or rebel hesitated to use his local -knowledge for the advancement of his cause. In accordance with his -duty, by his oath as an officer, Jones was bound to put all the -information as well as the ability he possessed at the services of the -country under whose flag he fought. He was not born at Whitehaven, -and, while he had sailed from the port many times, he had no special -attachment for the place and people which comes from long association -in society and business. When he made his famous descent upon the -place it was seven years since he had set foot in it. At any rate, he -was only doing in England what other people on both sides were doing -in America without censure, and he was doing it with so much more -respect to the laws of civilized warfare, and with so much more mercy, -that there is no comparison between his forays and those, let us say, -of Lord Dunmore, for instance, or Mowatt at Portland. The journal of -an officer of the Serapis, who was killed in the action, was found -after the battle was over. He had been under Dunmore's command in -Virginia at the outbreak of the Revolution, and such a tale of -maraudings, accompanied by destruction of property, murdering, and -outraging of women as the volume contained would have been incredible -had it not been confirmed by the statement of hundreds of witnesses in -America. None of this kind of warfare was waged where Jones commanded.</p> - -<p class="normal">A century and a decade, lacking two years, have elapsed since the -lonely little commander entered upon his long, long rest; and the -country whose first banner was hoisted by his hands at the masthead of -the Alfred, whose permanent standard was flung to the breeze by the -same hands from the truck of the Ranger, whose ensign was first -saluted by one of the greatest powers of the world through his address -and determination, whose flag was made respectable in the eyes of the -world by the desperate gallantry with which he fought under it, which -alone among the powers that sailed the sea through him demonstrated -its ability to meet successfully the Mistress of the Ocean, has done -nothing to perpetuate the memory of this founder of the Republic and -rescue him from oblivion. The place of his grave is known, but squalid -tenements and cheap stores have been erected over his remains. -Commerce, trade, and traffic, restless life with its passions, noble -and ignoble, flows on above his head, and it is probable that so it -will be until the end of time. "So runs the world away!"</p> - -<p class="normal">It is all so mournful in some strange way. In spite of his glory and -his heroism, in spite of his strenuous life and his strugglings, the -note that lingers in my mind as I write these concluding words is one -of sadness. I read of hopes that brought no fruition; of plans made -and abandoned; of opportunities that could not be embraced; of great -attempts frustrated by inadequate means; of triumphs forgotten. I see -a great life that might have been greater, a man of noble qualities -marred by petty faults, and yet I love him. I can not tell why -exactly, but the words of Solomon come into my mind as the vision of -the little captain appears before me, dying alone of a broken heart, -fretted away--<i>Vanitas vanitatem</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">And yet he did not live in vain, and his exploits shall live forever -in the minds of his countrymen. So long as we possess that masculine -virility which is the heritage of a great nation whose rugged coasts -are washed by thousands of leagues of beating seas; so long as the -beautiful flag we love waves above the mighty Republic, which, true to -the principles of its founders, stands in every quarter of the globe -for freedom of person, for liberty of conscience, for respect to law, -so long shall the story be told of the little captain from the far -land who loved these things, and who fought so heroically to establish -and to maintain them.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3><a name="div1_Appendices" href="#div1Ref_Appendices">APPENDICES</a></h3> - - -<h3>APPENDIX I.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_APP01" href="#div1Ref_APP01">CONCERNING JOHN PAUL'S ASSUMPTION OF THE NAME OF JONES.</a></h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>A.</h4> -<p class="center"><i>Letter of Mr. W. M. Cumming, of Wilmington, N. C., May 21, 1899</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"John Paul adopted the name of Jones in token of affectionate regard -for the Honorable Willie (pronounced Wylie) Jones, of North Carolina, -and his beautiful and charming wife, who had both been very kind to -him in his days of obscurity. He was particularly devoted to Mrs. -Jones, and called himself her son. It was through the influence of -Honorable Willie Jones (member of Congress, I think, from North -Carolina), that John Paul obtained his commission in the navy of the -young Republic, and it was about this time that he adopted the name of -his friend and patron."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>B.</h4> -<p class="center"><i>Letter of Mr. Junius Davis, of Wilmington, N. C., February 23, 1900</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I first heard from my father, the late Hon. George Davis, who was a -devoted student of the history of North Carolina, and perhaps the -highest authority in the State upon such subjects, that <i>Paul</i>, -shortly after going to Virginia to take the estate left him by his -brother, met Willie Jones of this State; that Jones took a fancy to -him and invited him to pay him a visit in North Carolina; that Paul -did so and remained quite a long time with him and became so attached -to Jones and his wife that he adopted their name. <i>Willie</i>--pronounced -<i>Wylie</i>--Jones and his brother Allan were educated at Eton, and were -gentlemen of large means, high ability, and devoted Whigs. They were -prominent in every movement and assembly in this State prior to and -during the Revolution. Allan lived upon his plantation, 'Mount -Gallant,' in Halifax County, and Willie upon his, 'The Grove,' in the -adjoining county of North Hampton. They were warm friends and -associates of Joseph Hewes, of Edenton, one of the delegates from -North Carolina to the first and second Provincial Congresses. Wheeler, -the historian of North Carolina in his Reminiscences and Memoirs of -North Carolina and Eminent North Carolinians, says as follows:</p> - -<p class="normal">"'The daring and celebrated John Paul Jones, whose real name was John -Paul, of Scotland, when quite young visited Mr. Willie Jones at -Halifax, and became so fascinated with him and his charming wife that -he adopted their family name. Under this name, John Paul Jones, he -offered his services to Congress and was made a lieutenant, December -22, 1775, on the recommendation of <i>Willie</i> Jones.' ... Jones in the -very outset of his Autobiography says: 'I at the same time acquainted -Mr. Hewes, a member of Congress and my particular friend, with the -project for seizing the island of St. Helena,' etc. This is the Mr. -Hewes mentioned above. In the second Congress Hewes was at the head of -the committee in charge of naval affairs, and was virtually the first -Secretary of the Navy. Paul could only have known Hewes, whom he calls -his particular friend, through the Joneses, and it has always been one -of the traditions of this State that it was the Jones influence with -Hewes that got Paul his lieutenancy in the American navy. In a letter -received recently from my aged kinsman, Colonel Cadwallader Jones, of -Rock Hill, South Carolina, a lineal descendant of <i>Allan</i> Jones, I -find that Colonel Jones' mother was a granddaughter of General Allan -Jones, was raised by him, married in 1810, and lived in Halifax until -1826. Up to this time she was a frequent visitor at 'The Grove,' the -residence of Willie Jones, as was also Colonel Cadwallader Jones. The -latter, who is now eighty-six years of age, has always heard that John -Paul assumed the name of Jones as a mark of respect and affection for -these brothers, Willie and Allan Jones, and for the wife of the -former, whose virtues might well win the admiration of any man. -Colonel Jones remembers his aunt, Mrs. Willie Jones, perfectly; she -survived her husband many years. The statement that John Paul was -invited by Willie Jones to visit 'The Grove' while he was looking -after his property in Virginia is corroborated by Colonel Jones.... I -quote the following from newspaper clippings:</p> - -<p class="normal">"1. From the Charleston Observer of November, 1899:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"'<span class="sc">Fredekicksburg, Va.</span>, <i>November</i> 18<i>th</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"'The announcement that the remains of that distinguished naval hero, -John Paul Jones, have been located in Paris, France, brings to light -that the deceased was once a resident of this city. According to the -records of the county court, he came here in 1773 to administer on the -records of his brother, William Paul, who lived here in 1772. William -Paul came here in 1760 and shortly afterward entered the mercantile -business, in which he was engaged up to the time of his death. The -store occupied by him is on the corner of Main and Market Streets, and -is the same building in which George Washington was made a Mason. -Tradition also says that one of the rooms in the building was used by -John Paul during his residence here, which was nearly two years, as -his lodging quarters. It was also during his citizenship here that he -received his appointment from the Colonial Congress as lieutenant in -the navy. It was here, too, that he added Jones to his patronymic, -which, it is said, was in token of the friendly act of Colonel Willie -Jones, of North Carolina, who became his bondsman for five hundred -pounds when he administered on his brother's estate.'</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"2. The State, Columbia, S. C., Monday, November 6, 1899:</p> - -<p style="text-indent:15%">"'<span class="sc">Saratoga, Buckingham County, Va.</span>, <i>February</i> 22,1899.</p> - -<p class="normal">"'... While no Revolutionary biography can boast more public events of -vivid and intense interest than that of Paul Jones, none is so bare -and meager in personal detail. Even the fact that he has immortalized -a name which was his only by selection and adoption is slurred over in -history with the calm statement that "he changed his name for unknown -reasons." As the reasons were not unknown, and, however difficult to -obtain later, were then easily accessible, it appears to have been -rather a lack of careful and intelligent investigation than of facts -which caused their suppression. They are now for the first time given -to the public.... In 1773, the death of his brother in Virginia, whose -heir he was, induced him to settle in America. It was then he added to -his name and thenceforth was known as "Paul Jones." This was done in -compliment to one of the most noted statesmen of that day, and in the -love and gratitude it shadows forth is a scathing reproach and a -touching example to a people who could neglect in life and forget in -death. It appears that before permanently settling in Virginia, moved -by the restlessness of his old seafaring life, he wandered about the -country, finally straying to North Carolina. There he became -acquainted with two brothers, Willie and Allan Jones. They were both -leaders in their day, and wise and honored in their generation. Allan -Jones was an orator and silver-tongued; Willie Jones, the foremost man -of his State, and one of the most remarkable of his time....</p> - -<p class="normal">"'His home, "The Grove," near Halifax, was not only the resort of the -cultivated, the refined, but the home of the homeless, Mrs. Jones -having sometimes twenty orphan girls under her charge, and it was here -the young adventurer, John Paul Jones, was first touched by those -gentler and purer influences which changed not only his name but -himself, from the rough and reckless mariner into the polished man of -society, who was the companion of kings and the lion and pet of -Parisian salons. The almost worshiping love and reverence awakened in -his hitherto wild and untamed nature by the generous kindness of these -brothers found expression in his adoption of their name. The truth of -this account is ... attested by the descendants of Willie Jones.</p> - -<p class="normal">"'In addition to the above, I would say that General Allan Jones of -the Revolution was my great-great-grandfather. My grandmother was -raised by him, and was often at "The Grove," the residence of her -great-uncle, Willie Jones. My father, Colonel Cadwallader Jones, now -eighty-six years of age, in his youth was also often an inmate of "The -Grove," and heard the facts spoken in both families.</p> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"'<span class="sc">A. I. Robertson</span>,</p> -<p style="text-indent:35%">"'Secretary Columbia Chapter, D. A. R.'"</p> -<br> - -<h4>C.</h4> -<p class="center"><i>Letter of Mrs. A. I. Robertson, of Columbia, S. C.,<br> -April 14, 1900</i>.</p> -<br> - - -<p class="normal">"John Paul was thrown more with Mr. and Mrs. <i>Willie</i> Jones, I think, -than <i>Allan</i>, as he was more at 'The Grove' (the residence of Willie -Jones) than at 'Mount Gallant' (the residence of Allan Jones), though -a great deal at both places. I have an exact facsimile of the -commission which these brothers got for him, which appeared in the -World, February 11, 1900.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Mrs. Allan Jones was Mary Haynes, married 1762; their daughter Sarah -married General William R. Davis.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Mrs. Willie Jones was Mary Mumford, daughter of Joseph Mumford, son -of Robert Mumford and wife Anne, daughter of Robert Bland. These two -Mrs. Jones are spoken of in Mrs. Elliot's Women of the Revolution, -Wheeler's History of North Carolina, and Appletons' Cyclopædia of -American Biography.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I quote you the following from the family book of my father: 'When -the army of Cornwallis passed through Halifax to Virginia, his -officers quartered for some time in the town. Colonel Tarleton was at -"The Grove," the residence of Willie Jones. He had been wounded in the -<i>hand</i> at Cowpens by a sabre cut by Colonel William Washington. -Speaking of Colonel Washington, Tarleton said he was a common, -illiterate fellow, hardly able to write his name. "Ah, colonel," said -Mrs. Jones, "you ought to know better, for you bear upon your person -proof that he knows <i>very well how to mark his mark</i>."' I inclose a -MS. of my father on the subject, which you are at liberty to copy."</p> - - -<p class="center"><i>MS. of Colonel Cadwallader Jones inclosed in above Letter</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc2">Paul Jones</span>--Why he changed his name--Colonel Hubard's account.</p> - -<p class="normal">"A recent sketch of the life of Paul Jones in the Century has revived -the memory of his gallant achievements, and rekindled public interest -in this famous hero. There is much inquiry as to his reason for -adopting the name of Jones. It is not a little remarkable that such an -incident in the life of one so renowned should be so soon forgotten.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Let me tell you what I know about this man and how I know it; the -public mind needs to be refreshed. When John Paul came to Virginia, -some three years before the war of the Revolution, looking after an -estate left him by his brother, he visited Halifax, North Carolina, at -that time a place of considerable repute. Here he made the -acquaintance of those grand old patriots, Allen and Willie Jones; he -was a young man but an old tar, with a bold, frank sailor bearing that -attracted their attention; he became a frequent visitor at their -homes, where he was always welcome; he soon grew fond of them, and as -a mark of his esteem and admiration, he adopted their name. Why John -Paul became John Paul Jones--it was his fancy...."</p> -<br> - -<h4>D.</h4> - -<p class="center"><i>Letter of General Edward McCrady, of Charleston, S. C.,<br> -April 3, 1900</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Mrs. McCrady was the granddaughter of General William R. Davie, of -Revolutionary fame, who married the daughter of General Allan Jones, -of Mount Gallant, Northampton, North Carolina. Tradition in her branch -of the family has been that it was <i>Allan</i> Jones who befriended John -Paul, and not his brother <i>Willie</i>--pronounced <i>Wylie</i>, not Willie. It -was in honor of Allan Jones that he adopted the name of Jones as -surname to that of Paul...."</p> -<br> - -<h4>E.</h4> - -<p class="normal" style="font-size:90%">In a subsequent letter from Mr. Junius Davis, Wilmington, North -Carolina, dated April 24, 1900, he writes as follows:</p> - -<p class="normal">"In respect to the name of Jones, I never heard the question raised in -the State as to whether Willie or Allan was the man, who, as it were, -picked up John Paul and was his closest friend. Beyond all question, -<i>Willie</i> was the man, but above Willie in the affection of John Paul -was Mrs. Willie Jones. Undoubtedly it was his affection for her that -induced him to change his name. She was a Miss Montford, daughter of -Colonel Joseph Montford, and had a sister who married Colonel John -Baptiste Ashe, a distinguished soldier of this State, during the war -of the Revolution. In regard to the retort made by Mrs. Willie Jones -to Tarleton, you will find it mentioned in Mrs. Elliot's Women of the -Revolution. It is also mentioned by Wheeler in vol. ii, page 186, of -his History of North Carolina. It is a little singular that Mrs. Ashe, -sister of Mrs. Willie Jones, also retorted upon Tarleton. On one -occasion, when he said with a sneer that he would like to meet Colonel -Washington, she replied, 'If you had looked behind you at the battle -of Cowpens you would have had that pleasure.' These two ladies were -both very beautiful women, highly gifted in mind and character, and -highly educated."</p> -<br> - -<h4>F.</h4> - -<p class="normal">On this subject see also Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography, -vol. iii, under Jones.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>APPENDIX II.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_APP02" href="#div1Ref_APP02">CONCORDAT MADE BETWEEN CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES AND THE OFFICERS OF THE -SQUADRON.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"<i>Agreement</i> between Messieurs John Paul Jones, captain of the Bon -Homme Richard; Pierre Landais, captain of the Alliance; Dennis -Nicholas Cottineau, captain of the Pallas; Joseph Varage, captain of -the Stag; and Philip Nicholas Ricot, captain of the Vengeance; -composing a squadron that shall be commanded by the oldest officer of -the highest grade, and so in succession in case of death or retreat. -None of the said commanders, while they are not separated from the -said squadron, by order of the minister shall act but by virtue of the -brevet, which they shall have obtained from the United States of -America, and it is agreed that the flag of the United States shall be -displayed.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The division of the prizes to the superior officers and crews of said -squadron, shall be made agreeable to the American laws; but it is -agreed that the proportion of the whole coming to each vessel in the -squadron shall be regulated by the Minister of the Marine Department -of France, and the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of -America.</p> - -<p class="normal">"A copy of the American laws shall be annexed to the present -agreement, after having been certified by the commander of the Bon -Homme Richard; but, as the said laws can not foresee or determine as -to what may concern the vessels and subjects of other nations, it is -expressly agreed that whatever may be contrary to them should be -regulated by the Minister of the French Marine, and the Minister -Plenipotentiary of the United States of America.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It is likewise agreed that the orders given by the Minister of the -French Marine, and the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States -be executed.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Considering the necessity there is of preserving the interests of -each individual, the prizes that shall be taken shall be remitted to -the orders of Monsieur le Ray de Chaumont, honorary intendant of the -Royal Hotel of Invalids, who has furnished the expenses of the -armament of the said squadron.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It has been agreed that M. le Ray de Chaumont be requested not to -give up the part of the prizes coming to all crews, and to each -individual of the said squadron, but to their order, and to be -responsible for the same in his own and proper name.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Whereas the said squadron has been formed for the purpose of injuring -the common enemies of France and America, it has been agreed that such -armed vessels, whether French or American, may be associated therewith -by common consent, as shall be found suitable for the purpose, and -that they shall have such proportion of the prizes which shall be -taken as the laws of their respective countries allow them.</p> - -<p class="normal">"In case of the death of any of the before-mentioned commanders of -vessels, he shall be replaced agreeably to the order of the tariff, -with liberty, however, for the successor to choose whether he shall -remain on board his own vessel, and give up the next in order, the -command of the vacant ship.</p> - -<p class="normal">"It has, moreover, been agreed, that the commander of the Stag shall -be excepted from the last article of this present agreement, because -in case of a disaster to M. de Varage he shall be replaced by his -second in command, and so on by the other officers of his cutter, the -Stag.</p> -<div style="margin-left:55%; font-variant:small-caps"> -<p>"J. Paul Jones.<br> - -"P. Landais.<br> - -"De Cottineau. - -"De Varage.<br> - -"Le Ray de Chaumont.<br> - -"P. Ricot."</p> -</div> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>APPENDIX III.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_APP03" href="#div1Ref_APP03">ON THE FLAG OF THE BON HOMME RICHARD.</a></h4> -<br> - -<p class="normal">The statement is frequently made that the flag under which the Bon -Homme Richard fought the Serapis is still in existence, and the -following letter from the assistant secretary of the Smithsonian -Institution gives a history of the claim:</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"I am authorized by the secretary to acknowledge the receipt of and -reply to your letter of the 27th instant, in which you ask whether the -identical flag used by John Paul Jones on the Bon Homme Richard is the -one now in the custody of the Smithsonian Institution.</p> - -<p class="normal">"Your letter has been referred to Mr. A. H. Clark, Custodian of the -Section of American History in the National Museum, who has submitted -the following facts, which I submit to you as the opinion of this -institution in the case."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"'The evidence appears conclusive that the flag in the National Museum -is the identical one used by John Paul Jones on the Bon Homme Richard. -This flag was presented to James Bayard Stafford in 1784, by the -Marine Committee, with the following letter. The sword and musket are -exhibited with the flag together with the original letter:</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"'"<span class="sc">Philadelphia</span>, <i>Monday, December</i> 13, 1784.</p> - -<p class="continue">"'"<i>James Bayard Stafford</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"'"<span class="sc">Sir</span>: I am directed by the Marine Committee to inform you that on -last Thursday, the 9th, they decided to bestow upon you, for your -meritorious service thro' the late war, Paul Jones' Starry Flag of the -Bon Homme Richard--which was transferred to the Alliance--a boarding -sword of said ship, and a musquet captured from the Serapis.</p> - -<p class="normal">"'"If you write to Captain John Brown, at the Yard, what ship you wish -them sent by to New York, they will be forwarded to you.</p> - -<p style="text-indent:40%">"'"Your humble servant,</p> -<p style="text-indent:45%">"'"<span class="sc">James Meyler</span>,</p> -<p style="text-indent:50%">"'"<i>Secretary, pro tem</i>."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">"'In the United States Senate, May 1, 1872, the Committee on -Revolutionary Claims favorably reported a bill (S. 1060) for payment -to Sarah S. Stafford, for the services of her father, James Bayard -Stafford, an officer of the Revolution. In the committee's report, -Commodore Barry, of the Alliance, certified to the service of -Lieutenant Stafford, and the report further states that "it fully -appears from the testimony before the committee that James Bayard -Stafford entered the navy at the beginning of the War of Independence, -and was in constant and active service, and in frequent battles, and -remained in the service until the close of the war; that his ship was -captured by a British cruiser, and subsequently recaptured by John -Paul Jones, when he volunteered on the Bon Homme Richard, where he -received wounds, which, owing to unskillful treatment, broke out after -a time, disabling both his arms."</p> - -<p style="text-indent:20%; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px">(Signed.) "'<span class="sc">A. H. Clark</span>,</p> -<p style="text-indent:25%; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px">"'Custodian, Section of American History,</p> -<p style="text-indent:30%; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px">United States National Museum.'</p> -<br> -<p style="text-indent:35%; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px">"Yours very respectfully,</p> -<p style="text-indent:20%; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px;">(Signed.) "<span class="sc">Richard Rathbun</span>,</p> -<p style="text-indent:45%; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px">"<i>Assistant Secretary</i>."</p> - -<p class="normal">This is an opinion with which I must disagree. Stafford, it is -claimed, had been a sailor in the American armed ship Kitty, which had -been captured by a British cruiser, said cruiser and her prize being -subsequently taken by the Richard, whereupon Stafford volunteered for -service on the Richard, was warranted a midshipman, and is alleged to -have performed several heroic deeds in connection with the flag during -the action.<a name="div4Ref_71" href="#div4_71"><sup>[71]</sup></a> There is no -authority whatever for any of these -statements in any existing contemporary account of the battle, yet the -occurrence was sufficiently important to be mentioned somewhere, -surely, if it had occurred. Stafford's name does not appear in any of -the lists of the officers and crew, and the Richard certainly did not -capture any British cruiser and her prize. But we have evidence which -is more than negative, for Jones explicitly states that when the -Richard went down, a flag--presumably that which had been shot from -the staff, or had fallen with it, during the action, and had been -recovered the next day--was left flying at the peak. In subsequent -letters, though, he takes occasion to refer specifically to the fact -that he sailed under American colors in the Alliance--he calls them -"my very best American colors," a phrase certainly inappropriate for -the battle-torn ensign of the Richard--he never makes the slightest -reference to their having been used in the famous battle. Again, the -Alliance sailed finally under the command of Landais, and no mention -of any particular flag appears thereafter. It may be possible, -however, though doubtful, that the flag which was given to Stafford -was the "best American colors" under which Jones sailed from the -Texel, and, if so, it is an interesting relic. The last circumstance -that militates against the claim is the size of the flag in question. -It is so small that it is highly improbable it was ever used for a -battle flag!</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>APPENDIX IV.</h3> -<h4><a name="div1_APP04" href="#div1Ref_APP04">SONG AND MUSIC.</a></h4> -<br> -<div style="margin-left:10%"> -<p>"Here comes brave Paul Jones, Oho!<br> -He's a jolly good fellow.<br> -His ship has sunk 'neath the sea,<br> -On a bold English cape, O.<br> -<br> -"Here comes brave Paul Jones, Oho!<br> -He's a jolly good fellow.<br> -Born an American true,<br> -And English not a bit, O.<br> -<br> -"Here comes brave Paul Jones, Oho!<br> -He's a jolly good fellow.<br> -He does so many brave deeds<br> -For the good of his friends, O."</p> - -<h4>Chorus.</h4> - -<p>"Oh, had we him here,<br> -Or had they him there,<br> -He'd well know what to try for<br> -And luck he'd let go by, sir!"</p> -</div> - -<br> -<p class="center"><img src="images/page471.png" alt="page471"><br> - -HIER KOMT PAL JONES AAN.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>APPENDIX V.</h3> -<p class="center"><a name="div1_APP05" href="#div1Ref_APP05">"<i>Testament of Paul Jones, July 18, 1792</i>.</a></p> - -<p class="normal">"Before the undersigned notaries, at Paris, appeared Mr. John Paul -Jones, citizen of the United States of America, resident at present in -Paris, lodged in the street of Tournon, No. 42, at the house of Mr. -Dorberque, <i>huissier audiancier</i> of the tribunal of the third -<i>arrondissement</i>, found in a parlour in the first story above the -door, lighted by two windows opening on the said street of Tournon, -sitting in an armchair, sick of body, but sound of mind, memory, and -understanding, as it appeared to the undersigned notaries, by his -discourse and conversation,--</p> - -<p class="normal">"Who, in view of death, has made, dictated, and worded, to the -undersigned notaries, his testament as follows:</p> - -<p class="normal">"I give and bequeath all the goods, as well movable as heritable, and -all, generally, whatever may appertain to me at my decease, in -whatever country they may be situated, to my two sisters, Janette, -spouse to William Taylor, and Mary, wife to Mr. Loudon, and to the -children of my said sisters, to divide them into as many portions as -my said sisters and their children shall make up individuals, and to -be enjoyed by them in the following manner:</p> - -<p class="normal">"My sisters, and those of their children who on the day of my death -shall have reached the age of twenty-one, will enjoy their share in -full property from the date of my decease. As for those of my nephews -and nieces who at that period of time may not reach the age of -twenty-one years, their mothers will enjoy their shares till such time -as they attain that said age, with charge to them to provide for their -food, maintenance, and education; and as soon as any of my nephews or -nieces will have reached the age of twenty-one years, the same will -enjoy his share in full property.</p> - -<p class="normal">"If one or more of my nephews and nieces should happen to die without -children before having reached the age of twenty-one, the share of -those of them who may have deceased shall be divided betwixt my said -sisters and my other nephews and nieces by equal portions.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I name the Honourable Robert Morris, Esq., of Philadelphia, my only -testamentary executor.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I revoke all other testaments or codicils which I may have made -before the present, which alone I stand by as containing my last will.</p> - -<p class="normal">"So made, dictated, and worded, by said testator, to the said notaries -undersigned, and afterward read, and read over again to him by one of -them, the others being present, which he well understood, and -persevered in, at Paris, the year 1792, the 18th July, about five -o'clock, afternoon, in the room heretofore described, and the said -testator signed the original of the present, unregistrated, at Paris, -the 25th of September, 1792, by Defrance, who received one livre, -provisionally, save to determine definitively the right after the -declaration of the revenue of the testator. The original remained with -Mr. Pettier, one of the notaries at Paris, undersigned, who delivered -these presents this day, 26th September, 1792, first of the French -Republic.</p> - -<p style="text-indent:10%">(Signed.)</p> -<p style="margin-left:50%;font-variant:small-caps">"Pottier.<br> -"L'Avernier."</p> -<br> -<br> -<h4>(COPY.)</h4> - -<p class="center">"<i>Schedule of the Property of Admiral John Paul Jones, as stated by him -to me, this 18th of July, 1792</i>.</p> - -<p class="normal">"1. Bank stock in the Bank of North America, at Philadelphia, six -thousand dollars, with sundry dividends.</p> - -<p class="normal">"2. Loan-Office certificate left with my friend Mr. Ross, of -Philadelphia, for two thousand dollars, at par, with great arrearages -of interest, being for ten or twelve years.</p> - -<p class="normal">"3. Such balance as may be in the hands of my said friend John Ross, -belonging to me, and sundry effects left in his care.</p> - -<p class="normal">"4. My lands in the State of Vermont.</p> - -<p class="normal">"5. Shares in the Ohio Company.</p> - -<p class="normal">"6. Shares in the Indiana Company.</p> - -<p class="normal">"7. About eighteen thousand pounds sterling due to me from Edward -Bancroft, unless paid by him to Sir Robert Herries, and is then in his -hands.</p> - -<p class="normal">"8. Upward of four years of my pension due from Denmark, to be asked -from the Count de Bernstorf.</p> - -<p class="normal">"9. Arrearages of my pay from the Empress of Russia, and all my prize -money.</p> - -<p class="normal">"10. The balance due to me by the United States of America, of sundry -claims in Europe, which will appear from my papers.</p> - -<p class="normal">"This is taken from his mouth.</p> - -<p style="text-indent:50%">"<span class="sc">Gouverneur Morris</span>."</p> -<br> - -<p class="normal">This property was estimated as being worth about thirty thousand -dollars at the date of Jones' death.</p> - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>APPENDIX VI.</h3> -<br> -<p style="text-indent:50%"><a name="div1_APP06" href="#div1Ref_APP06"><span class="sc">Ranger, Nantes</span> 11<i>th Dec</i>. 1777.</a></p> - -<p class="normal">"<span class="sc">Honored Sir:</span>--I think it my duty to give you some account of my -Passage from Portsmouth to this place, as this may perhaps find you at -home in the Bosom of domestic happiness. I had passed the Western -Islands before a Sail appeared within our Horizon from the Mast head; -but this Halcyon Season was then interrupted, and changed into -continued alarms Night and day till the Ranger cast Anchor here the 2d -Current, this afforded me excellent opportunities of exercising the -Officers and Men especially in the Night, and it is with much Pleasure -that I assure you their behaviour was to my entire Satisfaction. I -fell in with an Enemies Fleet of Ten Sail off Ushant, bound up -Channel, but notwithstanding my best endeavours, I was unable to -detach any of them from the strong Convoy under which they sailed. I -fell in with and brought too a number of other Ships and Vessels none -whereof proved to be British Property except two Brigantines with -fruit from Malaga for London which became Prizes, the one is arrived -here, the other I am told in Quiberon Bay. The Rangers sailing does -not answer the general expectation, oweing in a great measure to her -being too deep, very foul and over Masted, her Ballast laid too high, -on account of its improper quality, for a Ship of this construction, -this with the extraordinary weight of her lower Masts; occasioned her -being very Crank, I am paying my whole Attention to remedy these -inconveniences as much as Possible, I am shortening the lower Masts, -shifting the Main Mast further aft, and mean to ballast with Lead; as -that Article will store under the lower tier of Water the less -quantity will be sufficient, of course the Ship will be so much the -lighter, and Sail so much the faster, and we shall then, I hope, be -able to store the Cables under the Platform. Tho' I have yet received -no Letter from the Commissioners, I understand that they had some time -ago provided for me one of the Finest Frigates that can be imagined, -calculated for Thirty two, Twenty four Pounders, on One deck, and -longer than any Ship in the Enemies Fleet, but it seems they were -unfortunately under the necessity of giving her up on Account of some -difficulties which they met with at Court, however I esteem the -intention as much as tho' it had succeeded, as I shall always cherish -the grateful remembrance of the Honor which Congress hath conferred on -me by this and every other instance of their generous Approbation, I -shall be the happiest of Men if a Life of services devoted to the -Intrests of America can be rendered instrumental in securing its -Independance.</p> - -<p class="normal">"My particular thanks are due to you Sir, as one of the four Members -of that Honorable Committee to whose generous intention, and -Approbation I more immediately owe this great and unsolicited -Obligation, but I hope for Opportunities of proving by my Conduct the -deep sense I entertain of that favor.</p> - -<p class="normal">"The inclosed letter, and its consequences hath given me real concern. -Malice is a stranger to my Nature. I hate domestic broils, or -misunderstandings, and would do, or suffer much, as a private Person -to prevent them. But as an Officer, honored with the Approbation of -Congress, and conscious of having at no time exceeded even in Thought -the delicate lines of my duty, or express letter of my Orders; I am in -the highest degree tenacious of the respect due to my Signature; and I -bid the most contemptuous defiance to the insinuation of any Man out -of Congress.</p> - -<p class="normal">"I have been informed in Portsmouth that the four Oared Boat which -attended the Ranger was built for the Portsmouth Privateer, and after -being rejected as misconstructed and unuseful for that Ship, was -assigned over to the Ranger, be this as it may, I will boldly affirm -that she was the worst constructed and most unservicable Boat that I -ever saw, belonging to a Ship of War, for tho' a Man stepping on her -Gunnel, would bring it down to the Waters edge, yet was her Weight -equal, or nearly so to that of the Cutter, which I planned, and had -built, capable of carrying 40 Armed Men, had I been able, which I was -not, to stow the two Boats, which I found provided for the Ranger, I -must have been reduced to the Alternatives of throwing them overboard, -or strikeing the Top Masts several times, on the Passage to prevent -oversetting the Ship. I mention this matter to you <i>in confidence</i> as -a Friend, declaring on the Honor of a Gentleman that I wish on my part -to give it to Oblivion. I have the Pleasure to hear that Captains -Thompson and Hinman are well at Lorient of which please to inform Mrs. -Thompson. I shall endeavour to procure the Articles mentioned in Mrs. -Whipple's Memorandum, I hope to live in the remembrance of the few -acquaintances I have in Portsmouth, and I have the honor to be with -due Respect.</p> - -<p style="text-indent:10%; margin-bottom:0px">"Sir</p> -<p style="text-indent:15%; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px">"Your very Obliged</p> -<p style="text-indent:20%; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px">"very Obedient</p> -<p style="text-indent:25%; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px">"most humble -Servant,</p> -<p style="text-indent:30%; margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px">"<span class="sc">Jno -P Jones</span>"<a name="div4Ref_72" href="#div4_72"><sup>[72]</sup></a></p> -<br> -<p class="hang1"><span class="sc">The Hon'ble -Gen'l Whipple</span></p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>FOOTNOTES</h4> -<br> -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_01" href="#div4Ref_01">Footnote 1</a>: Among the -gross slanders by which envy strove to blacken -the fame of the great commodore in after years--the foulest, because -it attempted to rob a virtuous woman of her crown of honest motherhood -and question the legitimacy of Jones' birth--was one which ascribed -his paternity to the Earl of Selkirk. To the English snob of that day -it may probably have seemed impossible that so much greatness could -spring from so plain a stock, and in a left-handed descent from Lord -Selkirk was sought an explanation of Jones' fame. The calumny was -refuted not only by its antecedent incredibility, but by the testimony -of persons in position to affirm as to the high personal character of -Jean MacDuff Paul and by the loving and tender family relationship she -ever sustained to her husband and children. The family was well known -and highly respected. It may be noted, by the way, that the Earl of -Selkirk was not conspicuous for ability or anything else, and if it -had not been for a subsequent exploit of Jones' he would have been -forgotten long since.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_02" href="#div4Ref_02">Footnote 2</a>: See -Appendix I.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_03" href="#div4Ref_03">Footnote 3</a>: The Marine -Corps was established by the Congress November -10, 1775.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_04" href="#div4Ref_04">Footnote 4</a>: A -fictitious house, under the name of which the -commissioners sent out military stores.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_05" href="#div4Ref_05">Footnote 5</a>: A coarse -thin stuff, a very poor substitute for the -ordinary canvas.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_06" href="#div4Ref_06">Footnote 6</a>: English -accounts state their casualties at twenty-five.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_07" href="#div4Ref_07">Footnote 7</a>: Italics -mine.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_08" href="#div4Ref_08">Footnote 8</a>: The ship -of the line Thesée (74), commanded by the -celebrated de Kersaint, was lost in the night battle between Hawke and -Conflans at Quiberon Bay, because in the midst of a terrific gale, -with a very heavy sea on, the Frenchman unfortunately opened his lower -deck ports to make use of his heavy battery in the action.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_09" href="#div4Ref_09">Footnote 9</a>: There is a -discrepancy in the various accounts of the -armament of the Richard, some authorities asserting that all the guns -on the main deck were 12-pounders and that the small guns on the poop -and forecastle were 6-pounders. The probabilities are as I have -stated.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_10" href="#div4Ref_10">Footnote 10</a>: See -Appendix No. II.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_11" href="#div4Ref_11">Footnote 11</a>: In case -of disaster, that is.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_12" href="#div4Ref_12">Footnote 12</a>: The -English learned this in 1812, when with the long -eighteens of the Guerrière and the Java they tackled the long -twenty-fours of the Constitution's broadside.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_13" href="#div4Ref_13">Footnote 13</a>: From the -author's novel, The Grip of Honor.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_14" href="#div4Ref_14">Footnote 14</a>: See -remarks on page 226.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_15" href="#div4Ref_15">Footnote 15</a>: Doubtful.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_16" href="#div4Ref_16">Footnote 16</a>: Possibly -he might be an ensign.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_17" href="#div4Ref_17">Footnote 17</a>: Some -authorities imply that the flag had been nailed to -the masthead, and that it was necessary for Pearson to go aloft in -default of any one else in order to strike his colors. Nailing a flag -to the masthead is a figure of speech, and I doubt the actuality of -the performance. On the other hand, it would be easy and natural for -Pearson to have nailed the ensign to a staff, which contemporary -prints show that ships sometimes carried for the purpose of flying the -colors. In the latter case it would be easy for Pearson to tear it -down; in that hypothesis his whole action then and subsequently is -understandable. If the flag had been nailed to the masthead it is -extremely unlikely that he would have taken the time, trouble, and -risk of going aloft to tear it down when by a simple word or two he -could have surrendered his ship.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_18" href="#div4Ref_18">Footnote 18</a>: It has -been incorrectly stated that many wounded and -prisoners were carried down with the ship. Jones, who was in a -position to know, asserts the contrary.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_19" href="#div4Ref_19">Footnote 19</a>: See -Appendix No. III.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_20" href="#div4Ref_20">Footnote 20</a>: Thackeray -told an American friend that the account of -the amazing capture of the Serapis by Paul Jones was one of the most -extraordinary stories in naval annals, and Mrs. Ritchie, writing of -her father's last days, says: "Sometimes we found him in great -spirits, as when he had been reading about the famous fight of the -Serapis, a stirring thing indeed."--<span class="sc2">Editor</span>.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_21" href="#div4Ref_21">Footnote 21</a>: Captain -A. T. Mahan, U. S. N. (retired). The greatest -authority, living or dead, on warfare on the sea, especially from the -philosophical standpoint.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_22" href="#div4Ref_22">Footnote 22</a>: She could -only have engaged to starboard by crossing the -path of the Richard, in which event she would have raked her, of -course, with her port battery, and then have brought her starboard -battery in play when she got alongside again.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_23" href="#div4Ref_23">Footnote 23</a>: Italics -mine.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_24" href="#div4Ref_24">Footnote 24</a>: By -resolution of the Marine Committee, dated September -5, 1776, this was, for captains: "A coat of blue cloth with red -lapels, slashed cuffs, a stand-up collar, flat yellow buttons, blue -breeches, and a red waistcoat with yellow lace." In Jones' case the -"flat yellow buttons" were made of gold and the lace was woven of the -same precious tissue. Nothing was too good for him, for the rank he -supported, and the cause he upheld.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_25" href="#div4Ref_25">Footnote 25</a>: See -Appendix No. IV.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_26" href="#div4Ref_26">Footnote 26</a>: Italics -mine.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_27" href="#div4Ref_27">Footnote 27</a>: Italics -mine.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_28" href="#div4Ref_28">Footnote 28</a>: Italics -mine.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_29" href="#div4Ref_29">Footnote 29</a>: As this -is the last appearance of Pearson in our pages, -it may be interesting to note that when he returned to England he was -knighted for "his gallant defense of the Serapis against a greatly -superior force"; in addition to which the merchants of London -presented him, and Captain Piercy as well, with very valuable services -of plate for their efficient protection of their convoy. Pearson -afterward rose to high rank in the British service. He certainly had -protected his convoy, for all of them escaped, and the gratitude of -the merchants was natural. On the other hand, he had been beaten by an -inferior force, and merited no honors on that score. As a matter of -fact, the Serapis alone, to say nothing of the Countess of -Scarborough, was nearly a match for Jones' whole squadron. Suppose, -for instance, that Jones had been in command of the Serapis and -Pearson of the Richard. Does anybody doubt that Jones could have -beaten the Richard, the Alliance, and the Pallas with the Serapis -alone? But it is unprofitable to discuss this question further. When -Jones heard of these honors, he is reported to have made the following -remark:</p> - -<p class="hang2">"He has done well, and if he get another ship and I fall in -with him -again, I will make a duke of him." There is a grim humor about his -comment which is highly pleasing, in spite of Jones' subsequent -repudiation of it.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_30" href="#div4Ref_30">Footnote 30</a>: Italics -mine.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_31" href="#div4Ref_31">Footnote 31</a>: Italics -mine.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_32" href="#div4Ref_32">Footnote 32</a>: Italics -mine.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_33" href="#div4Ref_33">Footnote 33</a>: For -another specimen of Jones' verse-writing, see page -277.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_34" href="#div4Ref_34">Footnote 34</a>: "Louis -XVI, the rewarder, to the mighty deliverer, for -the freedom of the sea."</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_35" href="#div4Ref_35">Footnote 35</a>: Italics -mine.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_36" href="#div4Ref_36">Footnote 36</a>: Evidently -Truxtun learned the lesson well, for in the -war with France he became one of the sternest and most severe -disciplinarians in the naval service, in spite of which his crews -adored him. See my books, Reuben James, A Hero of the Forecastle; and -American Fights and Fighters.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_37" href="#div4Ref_37">Footnote 37</a>: That was -beyond his power. They never did and to this -day do not "esteem" him other than a pirate. His courage and ability -are, however, alike unquestioned by friends and foes.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_38" href="#div4Ref_38">Footnote 38</a>: The -remarks of John Adams as to the need of a great navy -are even more apposite now than they were then.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_39" href="#div4Ref_39">Footnote 39</a>: Nearly -$40,000, equivalent in that day to much more than -at present.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_40" href="#div4Ref_40">Footnote 40</a>: Quite -what might have been expected from a "canny Scot." -But it must not be forgotten that the chevalier had been a trader -before he became a fighter.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_41" href="#div4Ref_41">Footnote 41</a>: Very -unlike a "canny Scot" in this instance.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_42" href="#div4Ref_42">Footnote 42</a>: After his -dismissal Landais resided in Brooklyn, where -he lived in very straitened circumstances on a small annuity, the -income upon an advance of four thousand dollars from Congress on -account of arrears of prize money due him, which amount was to be -deducted from his share of whatever was recovered from Denmark. His -income was about two hundred dollars a year, but by strict economy it -sufficed him. He is reputed to have cherished a high feeling of -independence, and would never consent to receive a gift he was unable -to return. Toward the close of his life he was a constant petitioner -for five thousand dollars with interest, which he conceived to be -still due him on account of the Danish claim. Every other year he -contrived to visit the seat of government to plead his cause in -person. On one occasion, having heard that a member of Congress had -spoken slightingly of him, he put on his faded Continental uniform, -buckled on his small sword, repaired to the gallery of the House of -Representatives, and expressed his readiness to meet any gentleman who -wished for an honorable satisfaction. His quaint figure, so attired, -was often seen on the streets of New York. He used to carry his hat in -his hand for hours in the street, out of respect to his lawful -monarch, executed by the rebels of France! He never ceased to affirm -that he, and not Paul Jones, had captured the Serapis. He died in 1818 -at the age of eighty-seven years, and was buried in St. Patrick's -Cathedral churchyard. He had probably returned to the Roman Catholic -Church, which he is said to have abjured on his entry into the -American service. One of his biographers tells us that he was a cadet -of the family of a younger son of the youngest branch of one of the -oldest, proudest, and poorest families in Normandy; that, owing to his -lack of court interest, which was due to his poverty, he was kept for -thirty years a midshipman in the French navy. The same ingenious -apologist makes the following quaint comment on the respective actions -and qualities of Landais and Jones:</p> - -<p class="hang2">"Paul Jones, by his impetuous and undisciplined gallantry, -earned the -reputation of a hero, and poor Landais, by a too scrupulous attention -to the theory of naval science, incurred that of a coward. I believe -that naval authority is against me, but I venture to assert <i>meo -periculo</i> and on the authority of one of my uncles, who was in that -action as a lieutenant to Paul Jones, that Landais erred not through -any defect of bravery, but merely from his desire to approach his -enemy scientifically, by bearing down upon the hypothenuse of the -precise right-angled triangle prescribed in the thirty-seventh -'manœ]uvre' of his old text-book."</p> - -<p class="hang2">Surely the author of this extraordinary paragraph must have -been more -than an unconscious humorist!</p> - -<p class="hang2">A stone erected over his remains, which has long since -disappeared, -bore the following inscription:</p> -<div style="margin-left:15%"> -<pre> - - A la Mémoire - - de - - <span class="sc">Pierre De Landais</span> - - Ancien Contre-Amiral - - au service - - <span class="sc">Des États Unis</span> - - Qui Disparut - - Juin 1818 - - Agé 87 ans. -</pre> -</div> -<p class="hang2">There is something pathetic in the picture of the "Ancien -Contre-Amiral," in his faded Continental uniform and the proud -independence of his old age; and perhaps after all we may charitably -attribute his colossal blunders to insanity and incompetency rather -than to malice or treachery.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_43" href="#div4Ref_43">Footnote 43</a>: -Negotiations on this claim were protracted for over -sixty years. In June, 1847, the Danish Government formally and finally -denied the validity of the claim, and it has not been paid. Congress, -however, on March 21, 1848, provided for the payment of the prize -money involved, to the heirs of Paul Jones and other persons entitled -to share in the distribution of the fund.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_44" href="#div4Ref_44">Footnote 44</a>: The -rouble was then worth about one dollar, and, as has -been mentioned, a dollar was greater then than now.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_45" href="#div4Ref_45">Footnote 45</a>: In after -years Jones indorsed upon this letter a grim -comment: "Has he kept his word?"</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_46" href="#div4Ref_46">Footnote 46</a>: Some -authorities say fourteen; the difference is -immaterial.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_47" href="#div4Ref_47">Footnote 47</a>: All dates -given, except in letters, are new style, -eleven days in advance of Russian dates.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_48" href="#div4Ref_48">Footnote 48</a>: This is a -mistake, he was never a vice admiral.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_49" href="#div4Ref_49">Footnote 49</a>: Old -style.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_50" href="#div4Ref_50">Footnote 50</a>: Nassau -was then in command of the Russian fleet in the -Baltic, and an encounter with him--had a Swedish command been tendered -Jones, and if he could have accepted it--would have been interesting. -There would have been a final demonstration, which probably would have -convinced even Nassau, as to the merits of the rival commanders in the -Liman. Nassau, by accepting the advice of the English and other -foreign officers associated with him, succeeded with a superior force -in beating the Swedes, whereupon honors were showered upon him--more -land, more peasants, more roubles, more rank. His favor was higher -than ever; but he was magnificently beaten a short time after by a -very inferior Swedish fleet, and his defeat was as decisive as it was -disgraceful. He lost fifty-three vessels, fourteen hundred guns, and -six thousand men. He had refused to take anybody's advice on this -occasion and had conducted the battle himself. His cowardice and -incapacity therefore were entirely apparent. He tried to attribute -this defeat, which compelled Catherine to make peace upon terms not -advantageous to her, to the cowardice of the Russians whom he -commanded. The Russians were not cowards. He fell from favor, left the -court, and passed the remainder of his life on his estate in Poland in -the society of his homely but devoted wife. It is to be hoped that she -made things interesting for him, but it is hardly likely. He died in -obscurity and poverty in 1809, unregretted and forgotten.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_51" href="#div4Ref_51">Footnote 51</a>: A portion -was subsequently paid to his heirs by the -French Government.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_52" href="#div4Ref_52">Footnote 52</a>: See -Appendix No. V.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_53" href="#div4Ref_53">Footnote 53</a>: From my -book, American Fights and Fighters.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_54" href="#div4Ref_54">Footnote 54</a>: This -sword was, of course, not that presented to him by -the King of France. After Jones' death his heirs gave this famous -sword to Robert Morris. Morris, in turn, presented it to Commodore -John Barry, at that time senior officer of the United States Navy. By -him it was bequeathed to his friend Commodore Richard Dale, once of -the Bon Homme Richard, and it now remains in the possession of his -great-grandson, Mr. Richard Dale, of Philadelphia.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_55" href="#div4Ref_55">Footnote 55</a>: Why a -monument has not been erected to Jones I can not -understand. It would be a noteworthy object for individual and -national effort, and in no better way could we commit ourselves to the -fame and achievements of the great captain, and forever stamp with -disapproval those calumnies with which envy seeks to sully the name of -our first great sailor.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_56" href="#div4Ref_56">Footnote 56</a>: The -frontispiece of this volume.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_57" href="#div4Ref_57">Footnote 57</a>: Some of -his phrases in his Russian letters remind me of -Shakespeare's Henry V.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_58" href="#div4Ref_58">Footnote 58</a>: I have -known hundreds of sailors more or less -intimately, and I have never met one who might be included in either -of those melancholy classes.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_59" href="#div4Ref_59">Footnote 59</a>: Studies -in Naval History, by John Knox Laughton, M. A., -Professor of Modern History at King's College, London, and Lecturer on -Naval History at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, etc., 1887.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_60" href="#div4Ref_60">Footnote 60</a>: July 6, -1900.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_61" href="#div4Ref_61">Footnote 61</a>: Woolsey, -International Law, section 144, page 233.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_62" href="#div4Ref_62">Footnote 62</a>: And not a -captain of a special ship, as was sometimes -the case, but a captain in the service, and therefore eligible to -command any ship. See page 75.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_63" href="#div4Ref_63">Footnote 63</a>: The -following interesting document was found in his -papers; it enumerates a few of the things he did: "In 1775, J. Paul -Jones armed and embarked in the first American ship of war. In the -Revolution he had twenty-three battles and solemn rencontres by sea; -made seven descents in Britain and her colonies; took of her navy two -ships of equal, and two of superior force, many store ships, and -others; constrained her to fortify her ports; suffer the Irish -volunteers; desist from her cruel burnings in America, and exchange, -as prisoners of war, the American citizens taken on the ocean, and -cast into the prisons of England, as 'traitors, pirates, and -felons!'"</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_64" href="#div4Ref_64">Footnote 64</a>: -Notwithstanding this, he was as ambitious of glory, -honor, and fame to himself in the service of his country as Nelson -was. They were both of them</p> -<pre> - "Jealous in honor, sudden and quick in quarrel. - Seeking the bubble reputation - Even in the cannon's mouth." -</pre> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_65" href="#div4Ref_65">Footnote 65</a>: See my -book, American Fights and Fighters.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_66" href="#div4Ref_66">Footnote 66</a>: The -recent war in South Africa demonstrates the -accuracy of Carlyle's perspicuous observation.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_67" href="#div4Ref_67">Footnote 67</a>: The -United States has shown that it possesses in full -measure the sea adaptability and capacity of the Anglo-Saxon, but -opportunity for demonstrating that capacity, except upon a small -scale, has never been afforded us. The almost unbroken line of -victories on the sea, however, which we have won with anything like -equality of force from English, French, and Spaniards, enables us to -confidently await the issue of any future naval action under -conditions of equality; and the names of Jones, Dale, Biddle, Barry, -Preble, Hull, Decatur, Bainbridge, Lawrence, Stewart, MacDonough, -Perry, Farragut, Dewey, and Sampson will not be outshone by any -galaxy.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_68" href="#div4Ref_68">Footnote 68</a>: So -careful and accurate an historian as John Fiske makes -the mistake of saying that Russia bestowed the order of St. Anne on -Jones for this action.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_69" href="#div4Ref_69">Footnote 69</a>: Paul -Jones and his men were the last foreign foemen to -land on the shores of England.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_70" href="#div4Ref_70">Footnote 70</a>: See Park -Benjamin's History of the Naval Academy for -similar instances on the part of less famous captains. Personal abuse -was a custom of the service, apparently.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_71" href="#div4Ref_71">Footnote 71</a>: See -Preble's History of the American Flag, where the -story of Stafford is given <i>in extenso</i>.</p> - -<p class="hang1"><a name="div4_72" href="#div4Ref_72">Footnote 72</a>: The above -hitherto unpublished letter, with its unusual -signature, was addressed to William Whipple, one of the signers of the -Declaration of Independence from New Hampshire, who in 1777 was a -member of the Continental Congress, and one of the four Navy -Commissioners. The original of the Commodore's interesting -letter is in the collection of Mr. Ferdinand J. Dreer, of -Philadelphia.--<span class="sc">Editor</span>.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Commodore Paul Jones, by Cyrus Townsend Brady - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COMMODORE PAUL JONES *** - -***** This file should be named 52485-h.htm or 52485-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/4/8/52485/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by -Google Books (Harvard University) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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