THE 
 
 LIFE OF PAUL JONES.
 
 THE 
 
 BY 
 
 EDWARD HAMILTON. 
 
 ABERDEEN: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY GEORGE CLARK AND SON. 
 LONDON: W. BRITTAIN, 54, PATERNOSTER ROW. 
 
 xDf.ogxi.Tni.
 
 THE 
 
 LIFE OF PAUL JONES 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Birth of Paul Jones. His parentage. His reputed Paternity ; disproved. Situ- 
 ation of his Birth-place. His first Voyage to Virginia. Resides with his Bro- 
 ther. Enters the Slave-Trade. Abandons it from Humanity. Becomes 
 Master of a West-Indiaman. Charged with Cruelty. The Charge proved to 
 be unfounded. Charged with Smuggling. Death of his Brother. Abandons 
 the Sea. Settles in Virginia. Takes Possession of his Brother's Estate. 
 American Revolution. Offers his Services. His Motives. Is commissioned 
 Lieutenant in the Navy. Appointed to the Alfred. 
 
 IN every pursuit of life, successful example serves to encourage 
 the enterprising and stimulate the doubting. This is eminently 
 the case in the career of arms. England will owe many a fu- 
 ture naval hero to the memory of her Nelson. History also 
 furnishes the example of heroes, who, with less extensive 
 means and in a smaller sphere of action, have reflected honour 
 on our own land. Among the foremost of these is Paul Jones, 
 the events of whose life it is the object of the following pages 
 to portray. 
 
 JOHN PAUL JONES was born on the 6th of July, 1747, on 
 the estate of Arbigland, in the parish of Kirkbean, in Scotland. 
 His father's family was originally from Fifeshire ; but his grand- 
 father removed to Leith, where he followed the business of a 
 gardener. John Paul, the father of our hero, by whom the 
 name of Jones was subsequently assumed, followed the same 
 calling j on finishing his apprenticeship, he entered into the
 
 6 LIFE OP 
 
 employment of Mr. Craik, of Arbigland, for whom he laid out 
 the garden much as it now exists, and planted the trees which 
 still surround the mansion. 
 
 Soon after John Paul removed to Abrigand, he married Jean 
 Macduff, daughter of a small farmer in the neighbouring parish 
 of New Abbey, whose family had been established in that dis- 
 trict from time immemorial. There were seven children from 
 this marriage, the two youngest of whom died in infancy. Of 
 those who survived, and came to years of maturity, the eldest 
 was a boy named William, the next three were girls, called 
 Elizabeth, Janet, and Mary Ann, and the youngest, John, the 
 subject of the following biography. The long period of John 
 Paul's service with Mr. Craik, and the interest which this gen- 
 tleman is known to hare always taken in the family of his de- 
 pendent, after the death of the latter, are cited aa conclusive 
 evidence of his fidelity and worth. 
 
 In after times, when the name of Jones became the sutject 
 of romantic interest, an effort was made to assign to him what 
 was thought a nobler origin, as the natural son of the Earl of 
 Selkirk, or of Mr. Craik. As if the brand of illegitimacy, and 
 the stigma on a mother's fame, would be more than compensated 
 by an association with noble names, or a sinister descent from 
 a Scottish earl or from a bonnet laird best known to fame by 
 the fact of our hero being the son of his gardener, would be a 
 more fitting introduction to a career of glory, than birth in 
 honourable wedlock, of humble but honest parents. These 
 calumnies, though intended for commendations, were falsified 
 by the unsullied character of the wife of John Paul, and by the 
 happiness of their union. 
 
 The birth place of our hero, and the home of his boyish 
 days, are surrounded by scenes well suited to cherish an ad- 
 venturous temperament, and create an inclination for the sea. 
 Arbigland, the estate of Mr. Craik, occupies a jutting promon- 
 tory of the Galloway shore, where the river Nith opens into 
 the estuary of the Solway. The bank rises gradually from
 
 PAUL JONES. 7 
 
 the water, until it blends with the steep side of Criffel, a tower- 
 ing mountain of granite. While the Nith opens away to the 
 north, and is bounded on the opposite side by the Dumfries 
 shore, the up ward course of the Sol way may be traced eastward, 
 to where it receives the waters of the Esk. Beyond and far 
 seaward, stretches the Cumberland shore, while in the remote 
 distance rise the majestic tops of Helvellyn, Skiddaw, and the 
 Saddleback. The mansion of Arbigland stands about a quar- 
 ter of a mile from the- shore ; and a little farther west, on the 
 same gently sloping promontory, is the cottage in which young 
 Paul was born. Both buildings are surrounded by dense 
 masses of thrifty and umbrageous trees, many of them planted 
 by Paul's father, openings through which render the houses 
 visible from the Solway, and conspicuous objects to the pass- 
 ing mariner.* 
 
 * In the summer of 1831, Arbigland was visited by Lieutenant Alexander B. 
 Pinkham, of the United States Navy. He found the cottage, in which Paul 
 Jones was born, a perfect ruin, with only the stone walls, gables, and one chim- 
 ney standing. Feeling a lively sense of gratitude for the services of Paul Jones 
 to his country, he was painfully affected by this sight, and conceived a strong/le- 
 sire to contribute to the preservation of so interesting a memorial. Through a 
 friend in Dumfries, he sought the acquaintance of Mr. Craik, and was kindly re- 
 ceived by him, and readily obtained permission to do what he pleased with the 
 cottage. An architect was employed to make an estimate of the probable ex- 
 pense, and Mr. Pinkham, with a liberality alike creditable to his patriotism and 
 to his professional feelings, generously set apart from his savings .the sum of 
 twenty-five sovereigns, which considerably exceeded the estimate. Mr. Craik 
 al*o entered with spirit into the project, and caused the repairs to be prosecuted 
 on a more extensive scale. The present condition of the house may be gathered 
 from the following extract from the " Dumfries Courier," of the 30th of July, 
 1834, which contains an eloquent tribute to the generous enthusiasm of Mr. Pink- 
 ham. " The site of the cottage is a glade in a thriving wood, on the shores of 
 Solway, with a green in front, fancifully railed in, and tastefully ornamented 
 with evergreens, flowers, and flowering shrubs. Inside and out, it is a trimjcot- 
 tage, which may vie with similar buildings in England; and, as the walls are 
 whitened annually with the finest lime, it is become a sort of landmark to nearly 
 every sail that enters the Solway. The widow of a fisherman, who died under 
 highly distressing cuumstances, and who owes much to the humanity of Mr. 
 Craik, tenants it rent-free, and will probably close her eyes under its honoured
 
 LIFE OF 
 
 Amid such scenes as these our hero first gazed abroad upon 
 the world. As years gave him strength to wander, the en- 
 chanting views, which on all sides presented themselves, in- 
 creased the temptation to ramble forth. Sometimes in com- 
 pany with the son of the proprietor, who was very recently 
 still living, he explored the magnificent rocks and caverns, 
 which impart such an air of grandeur to the seaward coast, 
 and which, in more recent times, have furnished romance with 
 scenes for its fictitious horrors ; occasionally, they clomb the 
 side of C'riffel, to gaze abroad upon the majestic spectacle 
 which it commands ; or oftener strolled towards the protected 
 bay of Carsethorn, at the foot of the lawn, where vessels not 
 infrequently took shelter from storms. As the boldness of 
 the coast permitted vessels to approach it within a stone's 
 throw, to avoid the tide, their masts, as the}' glided closely 
 along, seemed blended with the trees through winch they 
 were seen; while the hoarse voices of the mariners, as the 
 commands were given and responded to, resounded loudly 
 through the avenues. 
 
 Thus early did our hero become familiar with the sights 
 and language of the sea.- Tradition relates, that the words 
 of command, of which he early caught the sound, and perhaps 
 imbibed something of the sense, he was wont to repeat among 
 his playmates, mustered on the shores of some little inlet, each 
 with his mimic bark, while he himself, perched on a rocky 
 eminence, screeched forth the various orders, in imitation of 
 the mariners. At other times, he passed his leisure alone, in 
 similar amusements. Of those, however, who in their boyish 
 days sail boats in brooks and horsepouds, and sometimes by 
 the sea-shore, there are many who get no farther in the sailor's 
 career, for the taste is a very prevailing one ; but, in the case 
 of our hero, the inclination must have been very decided ; for 
 
 roof; and, as this fact is generally known, almost every tar, in passing the spot' 
 doflfe his bonnet in token of gratitude, and says, * Cd bless the kind Lieutenant 
 Pinkham !' "
 
 PAUL JONES. 9 
 
 at the age of twelve years we find him, with the consent of 
 his parents, crossing the Frith to Whitehaven, which lay op- 
 posite to his father's residence, and is the principal port of the 
 Solway, in order to be bound apprentice to Mr. Younger, a 
 merchant in the American trade. 
 
 Paul soon after went to sea, in the Friendship, of White- 
 haven, Captain Benson, bound to the Rappahannock. While 
 in port, he passed his time on shore, with his brother William, 
 who had been some time settled and married at Fredericks- 
 burg, in Virginia, where he bore an honourable reputation, 
 and is said to have eventually acquired a handsome fortune. 
 While under his brother's roof, he improved the leisure afford- 
 ed him, to continue his studies. He particularly devoted 
 himself to navigation. The habit of studious application thus 
 early formed, and unremittingly prosecuted both at sea and on 
 shore, enabled him so far to overcome the disadvantage of an 
 interrupted education, as always to enable him to appear 
 equal to every situation in which he was placed, and subse- 
 quently to figure, without risk of an unfavourable comparison, 
 in the highest circles of society. In this respect, his example 
 may be usefully imitated by every youth who makes the sea 
 his profession, whether in the navy or the merchant service ; 
 as it shows, that, however early one maybe called from study 
 to the active pursuits of life, leisure and opportunity for the 
 improvement of the mind can never be wanting to those who 
 are sedulous to profit by them. 
 
 The uniform good conduct of young Paul, and his extraor- 
 dinary aptitude in acquiring a knowledge of all that is neces- 
 sary to form an accomplished seaman, speedily recommended 
 him to the favour and good will of Mr. Younger ; but, the 
 affairs of this gentleman becoming soon after embarrassed, he 
 had no other means of serving his apprentice, than by surren- 
 dering his indentures, and abandoning him, at a very early 
 age, to his own guidance. It is a sufficient evidence of the 
 favourable estimation which he had already won for himself,
 
 19 LIFE OF 
 
 that he was almost immediately employed as third mate of the 
 King George slaver, of Whitehaven. 
 
 In 1766, being only nineteen years old, he was received on 
 board the brigantine Two Friends, a slaver of Jamaica, in the 
 important office of chief mate. This is conclusive evidence 
 that he was already an accomplished seaman, and admitted to 
 possess a firm and decided character. It is stated by the rela- 
 tions of John Paul, from whom the only account of this period 
 of his life is to be derived, that, in abandoning this iniquitous 
 traffic in human beings, he was impelled by an irresistible 
 feeling of disgust at the cruelties and horrors with which it 
 was necessarily attended. As the slave-trade was exceed- 
 ingly profitable, having mainly contributed to build up the 
 early fortunes of Bristol, Liverpool, and other considerable 
 ports in England, where it is now held in becoming detesta- 
 tion, it is highly probable that the motives of young Paul, in 
 relinquishing it, were those which his relatives ascribe to him, 
 and for which he deserves the greater honour, from their being 
 not only in opposition to his own interests, but so much in 
 advance of the age and country in which he lived. 
 
 Giving up his situation onboard the Two Friends, John Paul 
 sailed from Jamaica for Scotland, in 1768, as a passenger in 
 the brigantine John, of Kirkcudbright. Both the master and 
 mate dying of fever on the voyage, Paul assumed the com- 
 mand, and arrived safely at Kirkcudbright. The owners of 
 the vessel, feeling grateful to him for the preservation of their 
 property, placed him on board of the John, as master and su- 
 percargo, and despatched him to the West Indies. He made 
 a second voyage in the same vessel to the West Indies, and in 
 the course of it became involved in a difficulty, in consequence 
 of his having inflicted punishment on the carpenter of the John. 
 Mungo Maxwell by name, by flogging him, in the customary 
 manner, on the back. Maxwell had been guilty of mutinous 
 and disrespectful conduct towards his commander, who made 
 iose of the power intrusted to him by the law for the necessary
 
 PAUL JONES. 11 
 
 preservation of discipline, to inflict a corresponding punish- 
 ment. Maxwell was subsequently discharged from the John, 
 and entered on board the Barcelona Packet, where he took a 
 fever and died. Out of these circumstances a report originated, 
 that Maxwell owed his death to the punishment inflicted by 
 his commander. 
 
 This report, which is supposed to have been circulated by 
 some rivals, who, in the little community of Kirkcudbright, 
 envied the eminence as a shipmaster, to which Paul's intelli- 
 gence and skill had raised him at such an early age, was fully 
 set at rest by affidavits from persons in authority at Tobago, 
 where the affair took place, and from the master of the vessel 
 on board of which Maxwell died. Nor would it, indeed, have 
 been thought worthy of refutation here, had it not been long 
 after renewed on another scene of action, when Paul's own 
 nephew was substituted for Maxwell, the carpenter ; and the 
 motive to detraction, instead of being rivalry for the command 
 of the brigantine, and the desire to supplant him in the favour 
 of its owner, had its origin in the wish to remove him from the 
 command of a warlike fleet, conferred upon him by the favour 
 of Catherine of Russia. 
 
 Paul's last visit to Scotland took place in 1771, where he 
 seems to have been looked upon with some distrust, on account 
 of his alleged cruelty to Maxwell. This affair is adverted to 
 in one of the earliest of his letters extant, written two years 
 afterward, during which interval he must have made other 
 voyages. This letter is interesting as furnishing a transcript 
 of his feelings and character at this early period. It is dated 
 at London, on the 24th of September, 1772. 
 
 " My dear Mother and Sisters, 
 
 " I only arrived here last night, from the Grenadas. I have 
 had but poor health during the voyage ; and my success in it, 
 not having equalled my first sanguine expectations, has added 
 very much to the asperity of my misfortunes, and, I am well
 
 12 LIFE OF 
 
 assured, was the cause of my loss of health. I am now, how* 
 ever, better ; and I trust Providence will soon put me in away 
 to get bread, aiid, which is by far my greatest happiness, be 
 serviceable to my poor, but much valued friends. I am able 
 to give no account of my future proceedings, as they depend 
 upon circumstances which are not fully determined. 
 
 " I have enclosed you a copy of an affidavit made before 
 Governor Young, by the judge of the court of Vice-admiralty 
 of Tobago, by which you will see with how little reason my 
 life has been thirsted after, and, which is much dearer to me, 
 my honour, by maliciously loading me with obloquy and vile 
 aspersions. I believe there are few who are hard-hearted 
 enough to think I have not long since given the world every 
 satisfaction in my power, being 1 conscious of my innocence be- 
 fore Heaven, which will one day judge even my judges. I 
 staked my honour, life, and fortune for six long months on the 
 verdict of a British jury, notwithstanding I was sensible of 
 the general prejudices which ran against me ; but, after all, 
 none of my accusers had the courage to confront me. Yet I 
 am willing to convince the world, if reasons and facts will do 
 it, that they have had no foundation for their harsh treatment. 
 I mean to et-ud Mr. C'raik a copy properly proved, as his nice 
 feelings will not, perhaps, be otherwise satisfied ; in the mean 
 time, if you please, you may show him that enclosed. His 
 ungracious conduct to me, before I left Scotland, I have not 
 yet been able to get the better off. Every person of feeling 
 must think meanly of adding to the load of the afflicted. It 
 is true I bore it with seeming unconcern, but Heaven can wit- 
 ness for me that I suffered the more on that account. But 
 enough of this." 
 
 The above letter shows a commendable interest in preserv- 
 ing the favourable opinion of those who had hitherto esteemed 
 him, a jealousy of any imputation which was likely to sully 
 it, and a spirit easily wounded by the suspicion of those from 
 whom he expected confidence in his character, founded on a
 
 PAUL JONEsI 13 
 
 long-continued observation of its worth. We may discover, 
 also, in his solicitude about his relations, and his desire to be 
 serviceable to his " poor but much valued friends/' the traces 
 of a gentle and affectionate spirit. This spirit, which never 
 forsook him, stamps his heroism with the seal of genuineness. 
 As he does not mention his father, he was no doubt dead ; and 
 his mother and sisters were probably dependent on their own 
 exertions, and his occasional aid. 
 
 There is no means of ascertaining now the exact nature and 
 motive of the ungracious treatment which he received from 
 Mr. Craik. It was evidently occasioned by the calumnies of 
 which he was the subject, on account of his punishment of 
 Maxwell ; and the acuteness with which he felt it was doubt- 
 less augmented, by his having always looked up to Mr. Craik 
 for protection, as having been born on his estate, and passed 
 his early years under his immediate observation. It is satis- 
 factory to know that Mr. Craik was subsequently convinced 
 that Paul had been calumniated. 
 
 On the completion of the second voyage of the John, her 
 owners dissolved partnership, and sold her, giving to Paul an 
 honourable discharge from their service, as a skilful navigator 
 and supercargo. Subsequently to this period, Paul is said to 
 have been engaged in the smuggling trade, extensively carried 
 on at that time, between the Isle of Man and the shores of the 
 Solway. The first entry of goods from England to the Isle of 
 Man, after it was annexed to the crown, and the motive for 
 smuggling taken away, stands in his name in the custom- 
 house books of Douglas. This shows that he did trade to the 
 island at one time, and may have given occasion to the report 
 that he was engaged in smuggling to it, when his name be- 
 came afterwards the subject of vilification. He, however, al- 
 ways denied the charge, and pronounced it calumnious and 
 untrue. 
 
 Soon after, we find Paul in command of the Betsey, of Lon- 
 don, in the West India trade. He continued in this trade for
 
 14 LIFE OF 
 
 some time, and seems, from his subsequent letters, to have 
 been engaged at Tobago and Grenada, in some commercial 
 speculations on his own account. In 1773, he went to Vir- 
 ginia, to arrange the affairs of his brother William, who had 
 died intestate and without children. As this brother of Paul's 
 is reported by all the biographers to have left a considerable 
 fortune, and as Paul took charge of the estate on behalf of hig 
 family, it is difficult to account for the penury of which he 
 soon after complains. About this time he conceived the pro- 
 ject of abandoning the profession of the sea, and devoting 
 himself to agriculture, by taking advantage of the opening 
 which his brother's estate offered. It is probable that he com- 
 menced carrying his project into execution, for two years of 
 his life at this period are unaccounted for by his biographers. 
 It is to this period that he subsequently referred, in writing to 
 the Countess of Selkirk, when he said : "Before this war be- 
 gan, I had at the early time of lift 1 withdrawn from the sea 
 service, in favour of ' calm contemplation and poetic ease.' I 
 have sacrificed not only my favourite scheme of life, but the 
 softer affections of the heart, and my prospects of domestic 
 happiness, and am ready to sacrilice my life also with cheer- 
 fulness, if that forfeiture would restore peace and good will 
 among mankind." 
 
 There are no mean.! now of ascertaining whether more was 
 meant by this passage, than to please the ear of the lady to 
 whom he was writing, by this array of soft words, and to 
 present himself before her imagination as a species of knight- 
 errant in the cause of liberty, abandoning the retirement thai 
 was dear to him, in order to do battle against tyrant? and op- 
 pressors. The susceptibility to female attractions, which he 
 afterwards showed, renders it likely that his feelings may have 
 become interested in the course of a residence of two years 
 on shore ; but, beyond the passage which we have quoted, 
 there is no clue to any entanglement in which our heio's heart 
 may have been engaged during his residence in Virginia.
 
 PAUL JONES. 15 
 
 His planting operations do not seem to have prospered, and 
 his brother's fortune, if it ever existed, seems to have evapo- 
 rated, or to have passed into other hands. 
 
 About this time the American Revolution broke out. It 
 found Paul buried in the retirement of the country, and over- 
 whelmed by penury. His feelings had doubtless been long 
 before enlisted in favour of the country of which, during two 
 years, he had considered himself a permanent inhabitant, and 
 with which he must have identified himself from the moment 
 that he settled in it, in the belief that it was for life. It was 
 easy for him to feel a real interest in the cause of the colonies, 
 and a real indignation at wrongs that were any thing but 
 imaginary. The humbleness of his social position in Britain 
 could have given him little symathy with an aristocratic govern- 
 ment, wielded by the privileged and the rich for their own in- 
 terests, and in opposition to the interests of the class to which he 
 belonged. He might as a conscientious Briton, have sided with 
 his fellow subjects of the colonies, on the abstract question in 
 which he believed them to be right, in their struggle against op- 
 pression. A colonist himself of two years' standing, attached 
 moreover, to the country from the very early period when he 
 had first visited it, then less than nineteen years old, his ad- 
 hesion to the cause of America became not only justifiable, but 
 obvious. There may, however, have existed a belief in his 
 mind, that some of his family and friends at home might be 
 led, by the bias of their feelings in a contrary direction, to dis- 
 approve of the step he had taken. Perhaps it was to spare 
 the feelings of these, that he about this time assumed the name 
 of Jones ; for which he himself gives no reason, and which may 
 well be accounted for in this way ; or, what is perhaps 
 more likely, he may have dreaded being recognised as a born 
 Briton, in case of capture in arms against his native country. 
 Though the revolution found Jones in poverty, it does not 
 necessarily follow that the offer, which he almost immediately 
 made to Congress, to serve in the navy, was in any great mea-
 
 16 LIFE OF 
 
 sure due to his immediate want of profitable employment. 
 There was little in the condition of our national finances, to 
 excite the cupidity of office-seekers ; and the privateers which 
 were fitted out from the commencement of the revolution, to 
 cruise against British commerce,, afforded the prospect of 
 much greater gain. Jones was probably impelled by far 
 nobler motives ; enthusiasm in the cause of America, a spirit 
 of adventure, and a chivalrous longing for glory. 
 
 Fortunately Jones's tender of his servces was accepted, 
 and he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the navy, on the 
 22d of December, 1775, by the following resolution; "Re- 
 solved, that the following naval officers be appointed : E. 
 Hopkins, Esquire, commander-in-chief of the fleet. Dudley 
 Saltonstall, captain of the Alfred ; Abraham "NVhipple, captain 
 of the Columbus ; Nicholas Biddle, captain of the Andrew 
 Doria; John B. Hopkins, captain of the Cabot. First lieute- 
 nants, John Paul Jones, Rhodes Arnold, .Stansbury, Her- 
 
 sted Hacker, Jonathan Pitcher. Second lieutenants, Benjamin 
 Seabury, Joseph Olney, Elisha Warner, Thomas Weaver. 
 McDougall. Third lieutenants, John Fanning, Ezekiel Bur- 
 roughs, Daniel Vaughan." A resolution was also passed, for 
 equipping thirteen frigates, and in the nieau time a few ve.-Mrls 
 were purchased from the merchant service, and fitted out in the 
 Delaware. They consisted of the Alfred, of thirty guns and 
 three hundred men ; Columbus, of twenty-eight guns and 
 three hundred men ; Andrew Doria, of sixteen guns and two 
 hundred men ; Cabot, of fourteen guns and two hundred men ; 
 Providence, of twelve guns ; Hornet of ten; Wasp, of eight ; 
 and the despatch vessel Fly. Jones was appointed first lieu- 
 tenant of the Alfred flag-ship ; and, when the commander-in- 
 chief came on board of her, Jones hoisted the American flag 
 with his own hands, being the first time it was ever displayed. 
 The exact appearance of this flag is not known, though it is be- 
 lieved to have represented a pine tree, with a rattle snake coiled 
 at its root, as if about to strike. Our present national standard
 
 PAUL JONES. 17 
 
 was not adopted until nearly two years later. Jones had been 
 offered the command of the sloop Providence, which he 
 declined ; because as he says, he had never sailed in a sloop, 
 and considered that rank the most acceptable, in which he, 
 could be most useful in a moment of public calamity. 
 
 At this time Jones was in the twenty-ninth year of his age. 
 His health was excellent, his figure light, graceful, and active, 
 and he was capable of enduring great fatigue. His counte- 
 nance was thoughtful, melancholy, and somewhat stern in its 
 expression, and his air decidedly officer-like. He must neces- 
 sarily have been a skilful and dashing seaman ; for having 
 raised himself by merit alone, without other friends than it 
 procured him to the responsible situation of chief mate of a 
 slaver at the early age of nineteen, and to the command of a 
 merchant ship when barely twenty-one, his qualifications as a 
 seaman must have been of a high order. His familiarity, too, 
 with armed vessels, and the command of numerous crews, 
 must have furnished him with all the information essential to 
 the management and discipline of a man-of-war, whilst his 
 natural lofty and chivalrous character eminently fitted him 
 to assume at once the bearing of an officer. Could Jones's cha- 
 racter have been penetrated and comprehended at the first, and 
 he placed at the head of our navy, there can be little doubt that 
 it would at once have assumed a tone and order to which it 
 was long a stranger, and, while commending itself to the gra- 
 titude of the country by the achievement of glorious deeds, 
 would have greatly accelerated the events which led to the 
 recognition of our independence.
 
 18 LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Departure of First American Squadron. Destined against New Providence. 
 Capture of the Island. Squadron returns. Engagement with the Glasgow. 
 Jones appointed to command the Providence. Engaged in Convoying. 
 Cruise to Nova Scotia. Narrow Escapes. Destruction of Fisheries. Com- 
 mands a Squadron. Expedition against Cape Breton. Is superseded in his 
 Rank. Deprived of Command. His Ideas on Naval Organization. Is or- 
 dered to proceed to Europe, to take Command of a heavy Ship. Letter from 
 the Marine Committee. Appointed to the Ranger. Sails for France. Ar- 
 rives at Nantes. 
 
 THIS first squadron fitted out during tho revolutionary war 
 was originally intended to act against Lord Dunmore, who 
 was ravaging the shores of Virginia. The Delaware having' 
 however, been frozen up before it could get to sea, its destin- 
 ation was changed ; and, when it finally sailed, on the 17th 
 of February, 1776, the course was shaped for the Bahama 
 Islands. Jones's narrative of this expedition, contained in the 
 journal drawn up by him for Louis the Sixteenth, and read by 
 that unfortunate monarch, shortly before his execution, fur- 
 nishes the best account of it extant. We shall accordingly 
 follow it very closely. On the 1st of March, the squadron 
 anchored at Abaco, carrying in with it two sloops belonging 
 to New Providence, which it had just captured. From persons 
 on board these vessels, information was obtained, that the for- 
 tifications of New Providence could easily be taken, and that 
 they contained a large supply of munitions of war. An expe- 
 dition was accordingly determined on against that island. 
 
 A plan was formed, to embark the marines on board the two 
 sloops, keeping the men below until the vessels had anchored 
 in the harbour, close to the forts, when the marines were to 
 land, and take possession. As there was no force in the island 
 capable of opposing them, the plan seemed likely to succeed ; 
 in which case all the public stores would have been secured, 
 and a considerable contribution might have been obtained, as
 
 PAUL JONES. 19 
 
 a ransom for the town. But the whole squadron very injudi- 
 ciously appeared off the harbour in the morning, instead of re- 
 maining out of sight till after the sloops had entered ; the 
 alarm being given, it was impossible for the sloops to attempt 
 crossing the bar. The commander-in-chief proposed to land 
 at the west end of the island, endeavour to march the marines 
 up, and attack the town on the land side ; but Jones, on being 
 consulted, suggested that this could not be effected, as the 
 islanders would have time to collect, and there was no fit an- 
 chorage for the squadron, nor road from that part of the island 
 to the town. Jones had learned from the pilots that there was 
 anchorage under a key, three leagues to windward of the har- 
 bour, and now acquainted the commander-in-chief with the 
 fact. Hopkins having objected to confiding in the pilots, 
 Jones personally undertook to carry the Alfred safely in. Tak- 
 ing the pilot to the fore-top-mast head, from whence every 
 danger was clearly seen, he carried the squadron in without 
 accident. The marines were immediately sent in by the east 
 passage, with two vessels to cover their landing. The inha- 
 bitants immediately abandoned the forts. In the course of the 
 night, the governor, finding he must surrender the island, em- 
 barked all the powder in two vessels, and sent them away. 
 Jones says this was foreseen, and might have been prevented 
 by sending the two brigautines to lie off the bar. The squa- 
 dron entered the harbour of New Providence the following 
 morning, being the 17th of March, and sailed the same day, 
 carrying away near a hundred cannon, and other military 
 stores, together with the governor. 
 
 In the night of the 6th of April, the squadron fell in with 
 the British ship Glasgow, of twenty guns, off Block Island. 
 After a running engagement of several hours, in which, not- 
 withstanding the great collective superiority of our squadron' 
 it suffered more than the enemy's single ship, the Glasgow got 
 away, and the American squadron ran into New London' 
 This action shows conclusively, not only the inefficient cha-
 
 20 L1FK OF 
 
 racter of these our first ships of war, taken from the merchant 
 service and hastily equipped, but also the total unfitness of 
 most of the commanders. On this occasion, Jones commanded 
 the lower battery of the Alfred, and did his duty bravely. Had 
 he been on the quarter-deck, which is now the station of the 
 lieutenant, there can be no doubt that the Glasgow would 
 have been captured. 
 
 One of the results of this inglorious action was the dismis- 
 sal of Captain Hazard, of the Providence sloop, from the navy> 
 for having failed to do his duty. Jones was ordered to take 
 his place. The Providence mounted twelve long fours, and 
 had a crew of seventy men. After being engaged for several 
 months in convoying along the coast between Boston and the 
 Delaware, in which Jones showed great coolness and seaman- 
 ship in avoiding the enemy's cruisers, he was ordered out on a 
 six weeks' cruise against the enemy's commerce. In this 
 vessel Jones put to sea from the Delaware, on the 21st of 
 August, and stood to the eastward. On the 1st of September, 
 near the latitude of Bermuda, he chased a large ship, under 
 the belief that it was a merchantman ; on a nearer approach, 
 the ship was seen to be a frigate, afterwards known to be the 
 Solebay. After a chase of four hours by the wind, with a 
 heavy sea, the Solebay had got within musket- shot, on the lee 
 quarter of the Providence, keeping up a fire with her bow 
 chasers, which Jones returned with his light guns, his colours 
 being kept flying. Capture seemed inevitable ; but Jones had 
 no thought of yielding while a single expedient remained un- 
 tried. He had gradually edged away, until he had brought 
 the Solebay on his weather quarter, when, putting his helm 
 suddenly up, he stood dead before the wind, setting all his 
 light sails together. This mano?uvre brought the vessels 
 within pistol-shot : but before the Solebay could imitate it, 
 the Providence had got a considerable start, and, sailing better 
 than the Solebay with the wind aft, she escaped. Jones sub- 
 sequently had an encounter with the British frigate Milford,
 
 PAUL JONES. 21 
 
 off the Isle of gable, from which he escaped with equal suc- 
 cess, and some little display of bravado. He was lying to, 
 in order to allow his men to fish, when the Milford was first 
 seen. He made sail to try his speed, and, finding he had the 
 advantage, shortened sail again, to let the Milford approach 
 near enough to waste her ammunition. The ship, as he ex- 
 pected, kept up her fire at a great distance, occasionally 
 rounding to and discharging her broadside. " He excited my 
 contempt so much," says Paul Jones, in his report of the cruise 
 to the Marine Committee, " by his continued firing, at more 
 than twice the proper distance, that when he rounded to, to 
 give his broadside, I ordered my marine officer to return the sa- 
 lute with only a single musket." On the following day he en- 
 tered the harbour of Canso, where he broke up the fishery, and 
 the day after sailed for the Island of Madam. Here he made 
 two descents, and destroyed the shipping. After these suc- 
 cessful enterprises he returned to Newport, having made six- 
 teen prizes, during a cruise of forty-seven days. 
 
 At Jones's suggestion, an expedition was now fitted out, 
 and placed under his command, to capture the coal fleet and 
 break up the fishery at Cape Breton, as well as to liberate 
 about a hundred Americans, said to be confined at hard labour 
 in the mines. Jones sailed on the 2d of November on this 
 service, in the Alfred, having the Providence also under his 
 command. Off Louisburg he took a brig, with a valuable 
 cargo of dry goods, a scow laden with fish, and an armed ship 
 called the Mellish, bound to Canada, with a cargo of clothing 
 for the troops. The day after this capture, Jones says that 
 his consort, the Providence, Captain Hacker, ran away from 
 him, and left him to prosecute the expedition. He remarks 
 that the runaway made shift to get into Newport a day or 
 two before it was taken. Touching again at Canso, Jones de- 
 stroyed a transport which was lying in the harbour, burnt a 
 warehouse of oil, and buildings connected with the fisheries. 
 Off Louisburg, during a fog, he captured three coal vessels,
 
 22 LIFE or 
 
 which were under convoy, and, two days later, a Liverpool 
 letter of marque. Finding the harbour adjacent to the coal 
 mines frozen up, having one hundred and fifty prisoners on 
 board the Alfred, and being, moreover, short of water and 
 provisions, he abandoned the further prosecution of his enter- 
 prise, and shaped his course homeward, with five prizes under 
 convoy. On the 7th of December, he again fell in with the 
 Milford, on St. George's Bank, which gave chase to him, and 
 captured one of his prizes. Jones got into Boston on the loth 
 of December. The Mellish arrived safely at Dartmouth, and 
 the clothing with which she was laden was of incalculable 
 use to the army under Washington, which was at this incle- 
 ment season of the year in a very destitute condition. 
 
 The reward which awaited Jones on his arrival, for these 
 faithful and important services, was, to be superseded in the 
 command of the Alfred, by Captain Hinman, and be ordered 
 back to the Providence. He was obliged not only to submit 
 to this indignity, but to find himself placed eighteenth on the 
 list of captains, whereas, in the orginal appointment of officers 
 in the navy, he stood sixth from the head of the list ; he being 
 then the senior lieutenant of the navy. He subsequently re- 
 ceived a commission as captain, dated the 8th of August, 1776, 
 and, on the 10th day of October following, a new list of cap- 
 tains was made out, many on the list having been commis- 
 sioned only on that day, and yet placed above him. This 
 grievous injustice to Jones, which, notwithstanding the splen- 
 dour of his subsequent achievements, was never redressed, 
 was a perpetual source of annoyance to him. He was true to. 
 himself in never acquiescing in it, and returned, after a lapse 
 of years, to bring forward arguments in favour of his seniority, 
 which could not be answered, though they produced no effect. 
 Long after the injustice had been done, he thus expresses him- 
 self on the subject. " I was superseded in favour of thirteen 
 persons, two of whom were my junior lieutenants at the be- 
 ginning j the rest were only commissioned into the Continental
 
 PAUL JONES. 23 
 
 navy on that day ; and, if they had any superior abilities, these 
 were not then known, nor have since been proved. I am the 
 oldest sea-officer, except Captain Whipple, on the journal and 
 under the commission of Congress, remaining in the service. 
 In the year 1775, when the navy was established, some of the 
 gentlemen by whom I was superseded were applied to, to 
 embark in the first expedition ; but they declined. Captain 
 Whipple has often and lately told me, that they said to him, 
 they did not choose to be hanged." He afterwards adds ; 
 " It has been said, with a degree of contempt, by some of the 
 gentlemen who came into the navy the second year of the 
 war, that I was only a lieutenant at the beginning ; and pray 
 what were they, when I was out on the ocean in that charac- 
 ter ?" He seems, indeed, to have clung with the feeling of a 
 true hero to the sacredness of that " rank" which, in his own 
 noble and comprehensive expression, "opens the door to 
 glory." It was a similar injustice to this, which, operating 
 on the less honourable mind of Arnold, first excited that spirit 
 of discontent, which, encouraged by other causes, at length 
 ripened into treason. 
 
 Jones was superseded in the command of the Alfred on the 
 14th of January, 1777, by an order from Commodore Hopkins, 
 the commander-in-chief of the navy, and in consequence, pro- 
 bably, of his remonstrances on this account and on account of 
 being superseded in his rank he received an order from the vice- 
 president of the Marine committee of Congress, dated the 5th of 
 February following to undertake an expedition against Pensacola 
 and other places, having under his command the Alfred, Colum- 
 'jus, Cabot, Hampden, and Providence. Owing, however, to 
 some want of formality, or the irregularity with which every 
 thing was conducted, and in some measure, perhaps, to the mean 
 jealousy of the inefficient Commodore, he affected to disbelieve 
 the reality of Jones's appointment, and refused to recognise 
 it. 
 
 In order to elucidate this strange transaction, and to seek
 
 24 LIFE OP 
 
 redresa of the injustice which had been done him with regard 
 to his rank, Jones made a visit to Philadelphia. The only re- 
 sult of his exertions, with regard to the proposed expedition 
 agaiust Pensacola, was, that it was wholly abandoned ; and, 
 with regard to the restoration of his rank, his efforts were 
 equally unavailing. It seemed that, both as to the command of 
 the best ships, and to a favourable position on the navy list, the 
 recommendation of the provinces, especially those in which 
 the new frigates were building, in favour of citizens of in- 
 fluential families, was of far greater weight than the length, 
 value, and priority of Jones's service. The circumstance of 
 his having been born a foreigner probably operated against 
 him. Still the Marine Committee did him justice to express 
 regret, that they had not a good ship vacant for him to com- 
 mand ; and, soon after, three ships were ordered to be purchased 
 in Boston, and Jones was especially authorized, by a resolution 
 of Congress, to choose the best of them, "until better provision 
 could be made for him." He was now ordered to Boston, to 
 make his selection and fit out his ship. Perhaps the Marine 
 Committee were not unwilling, while doing tardy justice to 
 Paul Jones, to be also rid of his importunities; for, in his 
 strong desire to be employed, and in the road to honourable 
 distinction, he followed every one in authority closely up, 
 both by correspondence and by personal solicitation. 
 
 His letters of this period are full of enlightened views on 
 the subject of naval organization ; and such of them as were 
 not adopted at the time, a mature experience has forced upon 
 the country, as necessary measures of improvement. To 
 Robert Morris, a member of the Marine Committee, and the 
 early steadfast, and enlightened friend of Jones, he thus, at 
 various times, addressed himself. " As the regulations of the 
 navy are of the utmost consequence, you will not think it 
 presumptuous, if, with the utmost diffidence, I venture to 
 communicate to you such hints as, in my judgment, will pro- 
 mote its honour and good government. I could heartily wish
 
 PATTL JONES. 25 
 
 that every commissioned officer were to be previously ex- 
 amined ; for, t o 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. In the British establishment 
 an admiral ranks with a general, a vice-admiral with a 
 lieutenant-general, a rear-admiral with a major-general, a 
 commodore with a brigadier-general, a captain with a colonel, 
 a master and commander with a lieutenant-colonel, a lieuten- 
 ant commanding with a major, and lieutenant in the navy 
 with a captain of horse, foot, or marines, 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 improve- 
 ment as may one day make onrs vie with and exceed theirs. 1 " 
 "With regard to the difficulty of recruiting seamen, many of 
 whom had entered the army at the breaking out of the war, 
 and more had engaged in privateering, he says ; " It is to the 
 last degree distressing to contemplate the state and establish- 
 ment of our navy. The common class of mankind are ac- 
 tuated 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 be- 
 come respectable ; it never will 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
 
 26 LIFE OS 
 
 emolument of two thirds of priy.es to the finances of this vast 
 continent. If so poor a resource is essential to its indepen- 
 dency, in sober sadness we are involved in a woful predica- 
 ment, and our ruin is fast approaching. The situation of Ame- 
 rica is new in the annals of mankind ; her affairs cry hash-, 
 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 esta- 
 blishment 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 
 their*. 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 superin- 
 tend, regulate, and point out, all the motions and operations 
 of the navy." 
 
 In another letter, also to Robert Morris, he says, " There 
 are no officers more immediately wanted in the marine de- 
 partment, than commissioners of dock-yards, 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 em- 
 ployed, 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 at- 
 tending 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.'*
 
 PAtTL JONES. 27 
 
 These wise suggestions of Jones are the more creditable to 
 him, from having been made when he was as yet a naval of- 
 ficer of little more than a year's standing. They are cha- 
 racterized throughout by a sound and discriminating judgment 
 and practical good sense. The best commendation that can 
 be passed upon them is the fact, that Congress soon after 
 adopted most of them, by establishing a parity of rank be- 
 tween the navy and army, on the basis proposed by Jones, in 
 which provision was made for the assimilated rank of admirals, 
 vice-admirals, and rear-admirals, though, unfortunately for 
 the efficiency of the service, no appointments to fill those 
 grades have ever been made ; and by increasing the portion of 
 prizes to be assigned to captors, so as to give them one half 
 of merchantmen, transports, and store-ships, and the whole 
 value of men-of-war and privateers, taken from the enemy. 
 The other suggestions of Jones, with regard to the organiza- 
 tion of dock-yards, the examination of officers before promo- 
 tion, and the increase of the term of enlistment of seamen, 
 have gradually been acted upon : and the only matter of re- 
 gret is, that these things should have been so long delayed. 
 
 About the same time, Paul Jones addressed a letter to a 
 former friend in the island of Tobago, which furnishes some 
 insight into his private affairs, and is interesting, as it affords 
 a gratifying evidence of his affectionate regard for his family. 
 He forwarded a power of attorney to his friend, and a state- 
 ment of some unsettled accounts which he had left, when he 
 removed to Virginia, earnestly requesting him to transmit 
 whatever balance should remain on closing his accounts, (and 
 he apprehended there would be a considerable one,) to his 
 mother in Scotland, for her support, and that of some of her 
 orphan grand-children. 
 
 While Paul Jones was waiting at Boston, for the purchase of 
 the three ships of which he was to have his choice, he received 
 an honourable proof of the favourable opinion of Congress, in 
 being ordered to proceed to France in the French merchant
 
 OP 
 
 ship Amphitrite, and to carry out officers and seamen, iu 
 order to take command of a heavy ship, to be purchased 
 for him on his arrival in Europe. The following latter from 
 the Marine Committee of Congress, to the American Com- 
 missioners at Paris, was transmitted to Jones, together with 
 hie order to take passage in the Amphtrite. 
 
 "Philidelphia, 9 May, 1777. 
 " Honourable Gentlemen, 
 
 ' This letter is intended to be delivered to you by 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.,* 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 witli the 
 Amphitrite ; but our design of sending them is, with the ap- 
 probation 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 con- 
 venience and despatch, 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 towards 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 accom- 
 plished. 
 
 " 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 
 
 A fictitous house, under the name of which the Commissioner! sent out 
 military storw.
 
 PAUL JOKES. 29 
 
 and honour of the States, than sending her out directly, Cap- 
 tain Jones is instructed to obey your orders ; and, to save re- 
 petition, 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's wishes and expectations on this 
 occasion." 
 
 Owing to some difficulty made by the commander of the 
 Amphitrite, with regard to receiving Jones and his officers and 
 men on board of his ship, this arrangement fell through ; and, 
 in consequence, Congress, on the 14th of June, invested Jones 
 with the command of the Ranger, a new ship, built for the 
 service at Portsmouth. His appointment was contained in the 
 following resolutions. " 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, repre- 
 senting a new constellation. Resolved, that Captain John 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 lieu- 
 tenants and other commissioned and warrant officers, neces- 
 sary for the said ship ; and that blank commissions and war- 
 rants 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." Jones immediately com- 
 missioned the Ranger at Portsmouth, and no doubt was the 
 first to hoist the new flag of the republic on board that ship, 
 as he did the original one, with his own hands, on board the 
 Alfred, not quite two years before. 
 
 Though great diligence was used by Jones in equipping the
 
 30 LI7B OF 
 
 Ranger for sea, she was not ready to proceed on her destina- 
 tion, until the middle of October. Twenty-six guns had been 
 provided for the ship, but Jones exercised great judgment in 
 mounting only eighteen on her, as he considered, from her size 
 and slight construction, that she would be more serviceable 
 with eighteen than with a greater number. The following 
 extract from his letter to the Marine Committee, dated on the 
 29th of October, 1777, gives a lively idea of the difficulties he 
 had to contend with, and of the poverty of our resources. 
 "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 con- 
 tinuing in port. At this time it blows a very heavy gale from 
 the north-east. 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 now a spare sail, 
 nor materials to make one. Some of those I have are made 
 of hissings. 1 never befoi e had BO disagreeable service to per- 
 form, 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." 
 
 Thus imperfectly equipped, having a very good crew, but 
 " only thirty gallons of rum," as Jones laments, for them to 
 drink on the passage, the Ranger sailed from Portsmouth on 
 the 1st of November, ,1777. The ship proved exceedingly 
 crank, and Jones, no doubt, had occasion to congratulate 
 himself on his judicious forethought in leaving eight of his 
 guns on shore. He made two prizes on his passage, chased a 
 fleet of ten sail, under a strong convoy, without being able to 
 cut any of them out, and arrived safely at Nantes, on the 2nd 
 of December, 1777- 
 
 He immediately forwarded to the American Commissioners 
 at Paris, the letter from the Marine Committee, of which he
 
 PAUL JONES. 31 
 
 was the bearer, and expressed at the same time his great de- 
 sire to render useful services to the American cause. He 
 gave it as an opinion he had long entertained, that our ships 
 should be employed singly or in small squadrons, on detached 
 services, remote from each other. The field of cruising being 
 thus extended, and perfect secrecy being observed with re- 
 gard to our projects, he gave it as his opinion, that the enemy 
 had many important places in such a defenceless state, that 
 they might easily be surprised and taken by a small force. 
 " We cannot," he says, "yet fight their navy ; as their num- 
 ber and force are so far superior to ours. Therefore it seems 
 to.be our most natural province, to surprise their defenceless 
 places, and thereby divert their attention, and draw it from 
 our own coasts." 
 
 These suggestions contained the plan of annoyance, which 
 was eventually adopted in Paul Jones's cruises in .the Eu- 
 ropean seas. While waiting for the instructions of the Com- 
 missioners, he employed himself in shortening the lower masts 
 of the Ranger, and in altering the stowage of her ballast, so 
 as to increase her stability.
 
 33 WFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Jones visits Paris. Transfer of the Indien to France. Submits a Plan for cm- 
 ploying the French Fleet. Return to Nantes. Sails for Brest. Receives 
 the first Salute abroad to the American Flag. Projects a Cruise. Sails from 
 Brest. Enters the Irish Channel. Makes various Prizes. Appears off Car. 
 rickfergus. Bold Attempt to board the Drake, at Anchor. Descent on 
 Whitehaven; Capture of the Forts. Consternation of the Inhabitants. 
 Return to the Ranger. Propriety of the Enterprise, generally as under- 
 taken by Jones. Descent on St. Mary's Isle. Removal of Lord Selkirk's 
 Plate. Alarm at Kirkcudbright. Second Appearance" off Garrickfergus. 
 Engagement with the Drake. Arrest of Lieutenant Simpson. Arrival at - 
 Brest. Letter to Lady Selkirk. Restoration of the Plate. 
 
 ON the receipt of Paul Jones's letter, the American Com- 
 missioners invited him to repair 'to Paris, for the purpose of 
 consulting with them on the subject of his future employment. 
 On his arrival there, he found that he should be obliged to re- 
 linquish the flattering prospect with which he had come to 
 Europe, of being placed in command of the fine frigate Indien, 
 then building at Amsterdam for the service of Congress. 
 Owing to the opposition made to the equipment of this ship 
 by the British minister at the Hague, who had discovered the 
 secret of her ownership and destination, the Commissioners 
 had sold her to France. This was a real misfortune to Ame- 
 rica, as well as to Jones. He submitted, however, to the dis- 
 appointment, with as good a grace as his irritability would 
 permit, and returned to Nantes, for the purpose of completing 
 the equipment of the Ranger, and making a cruise in her for 
 the annoyance of the British coasts, in conformity with the 
 suggestion contained in his letter to the Commissioners. 
 
 It is probable, that while in Paris, he was also consulted, at 
 the request of the French ministry, with regard to the em- 
 ployment of the Count LVEstaing's fleet, France being then on 
 the eve of commencing hostilities against England. At any 
 rate, Jones submitted a written plan for the employment of
 
 PAUL JONES. 33 
 
 that fleet, in a letter to Mr. Silas Deane, one of the Commis- 
 sioners, immediately after his return from Paris to Nantes ; 
 which plan he repeatedly asserts to have been the one that 
 was adopted. In his memoir to the King of France, whose 
 recollection must have furnished him with the means of de- 
 tecting any mistatement with regard to a matter with which 
 he must necessarily have been acquainted, Jones distinctly 
 says, while speaking of himself in the third person ; " On re- 
 ceiving agreeable news of affairs in America, and the position 
 of Lord Howe's fleet, he wrote a letter to Mr. Deane, one of 
 the Commissioners of Congress, at Paris, containing the plan 
 that was adopted ; which would have ended the war, had it 
 been immediately pursued." In a subsequent letter to the 
 French Minister of Marine, who must also have been familiar 
 with the facts, he thus repeats the claim ; " Had Count D'Es- 
 taing arrived in the Delaware a few days sooner, he might 
 have made a most glorious and easy conquest. Many suc- 
 cessful projects may be adopted from the hints which I had 
 the honour to draw up ; and, if I can still furnish more, or exe- 
 cute any of those already furnished, so as to distress and 
 humble the common enemy, it will afford me the truest plea- 
 sure." The plan for the employment of D'Estaing proposed 
 that he should fall suddenly upon the British fleet under Lord 
 Howe, which was of inferior force, and destroy it, or at least 
 block it up in the Delaware, together with the transports and 
 victuallers under its convoy. Shortly before D'Estaing ap- 
 peared, Lord Howe succeeded in placing the fleet in security. 
 Nothing is more likely than that Jones should indeed have 
 been the author of this project. He was familiar with the 
 situation of affairs in America, from which he had just arrived, 
 and was moreover eminently fitted [by his qualities of mind 
 and character to shape out a bold and ingenious plan of naval 
 enterprise.* 
 
 * See note at the end. 
 
 B 5
 
 34 LIFE OF 
 
 From Nantes, Jones proceeded in the Hanger to Quiboron 
 bay, jiving convoy to some American vessels which were 
 desirous of joining the convoy of the French lleet, commanded 
 by Admiral La Motte Piquet, who had been ordered to keep 
 the coast of France clear of British cruisers. From thin 
 admiral he succeeded, after some correspondence and the 
 exhibition of considerable address, in obtaining the promise 
 of having his sal ate returned. Writing to the Marine Com- 
 mittee, on the 22d of February, 1778, he thus speaks of thin 
 affair. 
 
 " I am happy in having it in my power to congratulate you 
 on my having seen the American flag, for the first time, re- 
 cognised in the fullest, and coropletest 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 had de- 
 manded 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. 'Hie wind being contrary and blowing hard, 
 it was after sunset before the Hanger got near enough to 
 Hiilute 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." 
 
 This brig Independence was probably aprivateer, which
 
 PAUL JONES; 3g 
 
 had placed itself temporarily under Jones's orders. His sail- 
 ing in her through the French fleet was a very characteristic 
 trait. It was his plan to do every thing with proper cere- 
 mony. Nor was this interchange of courtesy a matter of 
 inferior importance at that time ; though now America, re- 
 public though she be, salutes no foreign flag, without receiv- 
 ing gun for gun. Paul Jones had thus the singular honour of 
 being the first to hoist the original flag of liberty on board 
 the Alfred, first, probably, to hoist the flag, which, after more 
 than half a century, still waves in pride as our national 
 emblem, and first to claim for it from foreigners the courtesy 
 due to a sovereign state. 
 
 In the sequel of the letter last quoted, Jones gives us the 
 following insight into his views. " I have in contemplation 
 several enterprises of some importance. When an enemy 
 thinks a design against him improbable, he can always be 
 surprised and attacked with advantage. It is true, I must 
 run great risk; but no gallant action was ever performed 
 without danger. Therefore, though I cannot insure success, 
 I will endeavour to deserve it." In fulfilment of these views, 
 he put to sea in the Ranger from Brest, on the 10th of April. 
 On the 14th he took a brigantine between Scilly and Cape 
 Clear. She had a cargo of flax-seed, and was bound to Ire- 
 land. Having burned her, he ran into the Irish Channel. On 
 the 17th he took a ship bound from London to Dublin, with a 
 cargo of porter and other goods ; this ship he manned and 
 ordered to Brest. On the following evening, the Ranger was 
 off the Isle of man. The wind was fair for Whitehaven, and 
 Jones determined to stand for that place, in order to execute 
 a project, which he had formed, to attack the town and burn 
 the shipping, and thus, as he said, " to put an end, by one 
 good fire, in England, of shipping, to all the burnings in Ame- 
 rica." At ten o'clock he was off" the harbour, and had his 
 boats ready to start ; but, before they had left the ship, the 
 wind shifted and commenced blowing fresh directly on shore,
 
 36 LIFE OP 
 
 accompained by a heavy sea. The expedition was necessarily 
 abandoned for the present, and Jones was even obliged to 
 carry sail heavily on his ship, in order to keep her clear of 
 the land. 
 
 On the morniug of the 19th, being off the Mull of Galloway, 
 he learned from a schooner, which he captured and sunk, that 
 there were ten or twelve sail of merchantmen, besides a king's 
 tender with a number of impressed seamen on board, at anchor 
 in Lochvyau, on the Scotch coast. He at once determined to 
 enter and capture them, as the wind was fair both to enter and 
 leave the loch ; but, as he was about to put his project into 
 execution, the wind shifted suddenly in a squall, and blew 
 directly in, with an appearance of bad weather, compelling 
 him to give up the enterprise. 
 
 On the 20th, the Ranger sunk a sloop, and on the following 
 day, being off Carrickfergus, a fishing boat boarded her, from 
 the crew of which Jones learned that a ship which he saw at 
 anchor in Belfast Loch, was the sloop of war Drake, of twenty 
 guns. Jones immediately conceived the bold project of run- 
 ning into the harbour, and overlaying her cable, so as to drop 
 foul of her bow, having her decks open to the Ranger's mu sketry , 
 to cover the boarders. As the night came on, the ship was 
 cleared for action, the grapnels were triced up to the yard- 
 arms, ready for falling on the enemy's decks, to secure her in 
 case she should cut her cable, and the boarders prepared for 
 service. One of the fishermen was compelled to act as pilot, 
 and all lights were carefully concealed, to prevent the dis- 
 covery of the Ranger's guns, and other evidences of her war- 
 like character and intentions. It blew fresh, and, as the ship 
 rounded to on the Drake's bow, the anchor was not let go at 
 the order, but hung for a minute or two. During this interval, 
 the Ranger drifted by the Drake, and brought up on her quar- 
 ter, at half a cable's length distance, instead of on her bow. 
 The enterprise of course failed ; but, as every thing had been 
 managed quietly, and as if the Ranger had been a merchant-
 
 PAUL JONES. 37 
 
 man, no alarm was given on board of the Drake. Moreover, 
 his Majesty's ships were not perhaps prepared for such hardi- 
 hood in their own ports. Jones determined, therefore, to cut 
 immediately, making it appear as if his cable had parted, and, 
 after making a stretch or two out of the loch, to return and 
 repeat his hardy enterprise. The wind, however, which so 
 often interferes with projects of this nature, freshened rapidly, 
 and soon blew a gale, so that the Ranger was barely able, by 
 carrying a press of sail, to work out of the loch. The gale 
 continuing afterwards to increase, and bringing on a heavy 
 sea, Jones took shelter under the south coast of Scotland. 
 
 The following morning, being the 22d, was fair and mild, 
 though the whole extent of the three kingdoms was seen to be 
 covered with snow. Paul Jones determined now to make 
 another effort to accomplish his projected attack on White- 
 haven. The lightness of the wind, however, prevented him 
 from approaching the town so as to leave his ship at so early 
 an hour as he had wished. It was only at midnight that he 
 got away from the Ranger with two boats, provided with 
 combustibles, and containing thirty one officers and men, all 
 of them being volunteers. He commanded the first boat him- 
 self, and placed the other under the orders of Lieutenant 
 Wallingsford. The tide was running ebb ; so that, by the 
 time the boats reached the outer pier, the day had dawned. 
 Nevertheless, Jones was determined not to abandon the enter- 
 prise. He therefore directed Lieutenant Wallingsford to set fire 
 to the ships on the north side of the harbour, while he charged 
 himself with the task of destroying the rest. 
 
 Jones estimated the number of ships on the north side of 
 the port to amount to from seventy to one hundred large 
 ships, whilst as many as one hundred and fifty others, chiefly 
 of from two to four hundred tons, lay on the other side. The 
 two docks were only divided from each other by a stone pier. 
 All the other ships were aground, and there was no water 
 alongside of them, to facilitate extinguishing the flames. The
 
 38 LIFE OK 
 
 port was commanded by a couple of batteries, mounting 
 thirty pieces of artillery. Paul Jones personally charged him- 
 self with the task of securing these ; he scaled the breast- 
 work of that which stood nearest to the pier, made prisoners 
 of the soldiers whom he found, the sentry included, very snug 
 in the guard-house, and spiked the guns ; and, having posted 
 sentinels and left the bulk of his party to fire the shipping, he 
 went, attended by a single follower, to a fort which lay a 
 quarter of a mile oft, the guns of Avhich he also spiked. His 
 object in doing this was to secure a harmless retreat for his 
 party, when the inhabitants should awake from their panic. 
 
 AB Paul Jones returned towards the port, he was disap- 
 l>ointed at not seeing the fire from the ships on the north side 
 of the port. At the pier Jones met Lieutenant Wallingsford 
 who had returned without setting fire to the ships in the 
 north basin. He stated, that his light had gone out as he was 
 about to use it ; and seemed, moreover, to dislike the service 
 on which he had been sent. He said, that "nothing could be 
 gained by burning poor people's property." To Jones's great 
 annoyance, he found that his own immediate party, which he 
 had left with directions to fire the shipping in the south basin, 
 had been equally inactive during his absence. In consequence 
 of the late hour to which the expedition had been delayed, 
 their candles had also burnt out. The day, moreover, wan 
 beginning to dawn, and the inhabitants to assemble in alarm. 
 Still, .Ji>m'.i was unwilling to depart without effecting any 
 thing, after all the most serious difficulties had been over- 
 come. He again posted the sentinels which he had called in 
 to be ready to depart, obtained a light from a neighbouring 
 house, and deliberately kindled a fire in the steerage of a large- 
 ship, which was surounded by many others, all lying high and 
 dry ashore. 
 
 The lateness of the hour, for the sun had now ri*en, and the 
 assembling of the startled inhabitants, left no time to kindle 
 tires iu other ships, but Paul Jones was determined that the
 
 PAUL JONES. 39 
 
 one which he had lighted, should not be easily extinguished. 
 He caused search to be made among the vessels for a barrel 
 of tar, which he emptied into the flames, which soon blazed 
 up the hatchway and spread to the spars and rigging. The 
 inhabitants began now to appear in great numbers, and, at- 
 tracted by the flames, to run towards the pier. Paul Jones 
 stood between them and the ship on fire, with a pistol in his 
 hand, and ordered them to retire, which he says they did, 
 with precipitation. The sun was now an hour high, and it 
 became necessary to bring this daring enterprise to a close. 
 There being no spare space in the boats, the captured soldiers 
 were released, with the exception of three, whom Jones said 
 he " brought away for a sample," and the party re-embarked. 
 Jones stood for a moment alone on the pier, contemplating 
 with no little pride and exultation the terror and awe with 
 which he had impressed the inhabitants of this considerable 
 town, who stood gazing on him, with stupid and panic- 
 stricken wonder, from the surrounding eminences. 
 
 At length he entered his boat, and rowed quietly out of the 
 harbour. The inhabitants were presently seen running in vast 
 numbers to their forts, and of course found no means of 
 venting their rage, to the great amusement of Jones, who had 
 himself spiked the guns. Not long after, however, they began 
 to fire, from what Jones supposed to be some ship guns. But 
 the shot fell short, and the direction was so ridiculously wild, 
 that the sailors amused themselves by tiring back with their 
 pistols. Jones now discovered that one of his men had been 
 left behind, and expressed a fear in his report, that he had 
 fallen into the hands of the enemy. It afterwards appeared, 
 that this man, who was borne on the Ranger's books as David 
 Smith, but was known in Whitehaven as David Freeman, had 
 not only voluntarily abandoned his party, but gave informa- 
 tion, in various houses in the neighbourhood of the piers, of 
 the character and object of the expedition. In consequence 
 of the statement made by this man, whom the newspapers of
 
 40 LIFE OF 
 
 the day pronounced the saviour of Whitehaven, the inhabi- 
 tants so far recovered their presence of mind, as to rally for 
 the preservation of the shipping, of which only the ship fired 
 by Paul Jones was probably destroyed. He was sadly disap- 
 pointed at the result, after his plan had been so well matured, 
 and had so far succeeded, lie was well justiGed in drawing 
 the conclusion, in his written report of what had happened, 
 that, if he had got on shore a few hours sooner, his success 
 would have been complete ; that not a single ship out of more 
 than two hundred, nor even the town itself, could have pro- 
 bably escaped. He consoled himself as best he could, 
 with the reflection, that enough had been done to show the 
 English, " that not all their boasted navy could protect their 
 own coasts, and that the scenes of distress, which they have 
 occasioned in America, might soon be brought home to their 
 own doors." Even with the disadvantage of having arrived 
 at the pier of Whitehaven at so late an hour, Jones was under 
 the impression that he should still have succeeded, but for the 
 scruples of the " wise officer," to whom he had intrusted the 
 service of firing the ships in the north basin, and who had en- 
 tertained him with the ill-timed moralizing as to the inexpe- 
 diency of " burning poor people's property." As poor Wal- 
 lingsford, the "wise officer" alluded to, fell in battle the fol- 
 lowing day, it would have been generous in Jones to have 
 spared his sarcasm, and, while dispensing merited censure for 
 disobedience of orders, to have stated that Wallingsford's 
 fault was nobly redeemed by his dying in defence of his coun- 
 try. It is creditable to Jones humanity, that he mentions, as 
 a gratifying circumstance, that in the course of this well con- 
 trived and most coolly executed service, not one of his own 
 men or of the enemy was either killed or wounded. 
 
 Few naval enterprises exhibit a character of greater daring 
 and originality than this descent on Whitehaven. The hardi- 
 hood with which it was conceived, and the imperturbable 
 coolness with which it was executed, cannot be surpassed.
 
 PAUL JONES. 41 
 
 As to the propriety of attempting to destroy such an amount 
 of private property, it was amply justified, as it was provoked 
 and occasioned, by the burnings and devastations of the Bri- 
 tish on our own coasts. Still the author cannot coincide with 
 such of his countrymen as have commended Jones for volun- 
 teering to be the agent of this retribution. The scheme was 
 wholly his OAvn ; he selected the scene, choosing for the pur- 
 pose the familiar haunts of his boyhood and maturer years 
 Had he succeeded in his wish of destroying the whole shipping 
 of the port of Whitehaven, out of which he had so long sailed, 
 where he had obtained promotion, and necessarily received 
 kindness, he must have involved shipmates, employers, and 
 benefactors in one common ruin. He had a mother and sisters 
 living in security in the neighbourhoed, whose position must 
 have been prejudiced by such wholesale desolation, perpetrated 
 by a son and brother. It cannot be forgotten, that Paul Joues 
 had continued his associations with his home and family, until 
 long after he arrived at manhood ; his connexion with America 
 was only of five years' standing, whilst it was less than three 
 since he took up arms in behalf of the colonies. Under these 
 circumstances, his boasted " principles of philanthropy," and 
 desire to support "the dignity of human nature," hardly 
 justify such rancorous hatred of his native land. It has been 
 said, that Paul Jones alone, on account of his familiarity with 
 the localities, could have attempted this project with any pros- 
 pect of success. If so, it had better been omitted altogether. 
 On reaching the Ranger, Jones stood over to the Scotch 
 shore, every foot of which in this neighbourhood had been 
 familiar to him from his earliest years. He had conceived the 
 project of endeavouring to get possession of the person of the 
 Earl of Selkirk, who had an estate near Kirkcudbright, on a 
 beautiful wooded promontory, which makes out into the river 
 Dee, about a mile below the town, and is known as St. Mary's 
 Isle. Jones thought that the possession of this nobleman's 
 person might be rendered useful in an exchange for some dig-
 
 42 LIFE OP 
 
 tinguished American prisoner, and in bringing about a general 
 system of exchangee, to which England had hitherto shown a 
 reluctance. 
 
 With this motive Jones now stood boldly into Kirkcudbright 
 bay, and started with a single boat on this extraordinary 
 errand. Landing on St. Mary's Isle, he was informed by some 
 meii whom he met as he was proceeding towards the house, 
 that Lord Selkirk was absent from home. According to his 
 own account, he was about to return to his boat, on hearing 
 this information, but some of his officers expressed a great de- 
 sire to take away the family plate, in conformity -\sith the 
 universal custom of the English on our coast. Jones seems to 
 have yielded reluctantly to the discontented muttering of Inn 
 officers, in giving them permission to seize the plate. He did 
 not like the errand, as he did not go upon it himself; and he 
 charged Simpson, his first lieutenant, who accompanied him 
 on this occasion, to perform the service with all possible de- 
 licacy. Paul Jones remained on the shore, while Simpson 
 went to the house with the boat's crew, armed with cultasses 
 and pistols. On reaching the house, they were taken for a 
 press gang, or the crew of a revenue cutter. Lady Selkirk, 
 who happened to be at home, sent a servant to ask their busi- 
 ness and offer them refreshment. The first thing, that excited 
 suspicion, was the officers' rejecting the whiskey which was 
 offered to them, and calling for wine. Simpson now went 
 into the house, accompanied by another officer, and stated his 
 errand to Lady Selkirk. The breakfast things were not yet 
 removed, and the teapot was emptied and sent away, together 
 with the rest of the plate, which the butler busied himself in 
 collecting. No violence or incivility was offered to any one, 
 and the party, having fulfilled its errand, withdrew. Mean- 
 while Paul Jones strolled under the noble oaks and chestnuts, 
 that adorn St. Mary's Isle, with reflections, which his sudden 
 return among scenes so attractive, where every object was so 
 familiar to him, must have strangely blended with exultation
 
 PAUL JONES. 43 
 
 and with pain. That he did not approve of the^abstraction of 
 this silver, was afterwards made evident by the earnestness 
 with which he laboured for its restoration. When the party 
 arrived at the boat, he regained his ship, and stood out into 
 the channel. 
 
 As for the worthy burghers of Kirkcudbright, when they 
 heard of the outrage that had been perpetrated in their imme- 
 diate neighbourhood, nothing could equal their consternation. 
 The town affords no eminence from which a view of the ene- 
 my could be obtained, and the danger became all the more 
 terrifying from being unseen. The people ran hither and thi- 
 ther in search of a place of safety for themselves and their 
 valuables, and were completely at their wits' end. After the 
 consternation had been abated by the arrival of intelligence of 
 the disappearance of the cruiser, the more heroic seized upon 
 a venerable twenty-four pounder, and dragged it down to the 
 beach of St. Mary's Isle. There they watched during the 
 night. When the day dawned, the valiant burghers were 
 overwhelmed with mortification at discovering, that they had 
 been venting their prowess upon an invulnerable rock which 
 stood at no great distance from the land. 
 
 On the morning of the 2-ith of April, Paul Jones was again 
 off Carrickfergus, on the look-out for the Drake, which he had 
 the extreme satisfaction to see coming out of the harbour. 
 The wind being light, the Drake's boat was sent out ahead 
 to obtain information concerning the Ranger, intelligence of 
 her proceedings at Whitehaven and Kirkcudbright having al- 
 ready been received at Belfast. The Ranger's stern was kept 
 towards the boat, so as to conceal her character, which so far 
 succeeded, that the boat came within hail without suspicion. 
 On reaching the Ranger's deck, the officer of the boat found 
 himself a prisoner. Paul Jones now learned, that, intelli- 
 gence having been received the evening before from White- 
 haven of the Ranger's proceedings, the Drake was coming in 
 pursuit of her, with a large number of volunteers on board'
 
 44 LIFE OF 
 
 making her crew amount in all to one hundred and eixty men. 
 Alarm smokes were now seen rising from various points, on 
 both sides of the Channel. 
 
 The Drake had to encounter a strong tide setting into Bel- 
 fast Lough, and worked out very slowly. She was accom- 
 panied by five small vessels, filled with people, who were de- 
 sirous of beholding the approaching engagement. As they got 
 nearer the Ranger, and the day was closing, they wisely put 
 back without satisfying their curiosity. J'o bring the matter 
 sooner to an issue, the Ranger ran down towards her antago- 
 nist, and hauling up her courses, lay to wi a her main-topsail 
 to her mast. At length the Drake made ner last tack, and 
 stretched out of the lough. The Ranger now filled away, and 
 ran out into mid-channel, followed by the Drake, which now 
 came within hail. Both ships wore their national colours. 
 As the Drake came up astern of the Ranger, she hailed and 
 asked what ship it was. Paul Jones directed his sailing-mas- 
 ter to reply, " The American Continental ship Ranger ! we 
 are waiting for you ! come on !" At this time the sun was lit- 
 tle more than an hour high. 
 
 Paul Jones now ordered his helm put up, and sheering 
 across the enemy's bow, poured in the first broadside ; the tire 
 wax returned with ecpaal energy, so soon as the enemy could 
 imitate the manoeuvre, and, as the two ships ran broadside 
 and broadside, was kept up obstinately at close quarters for 
 more than an hour, at the end of which time the Drake was 
 very much cut up. Her fore and main-topsail ties were shot 
 away, and the yards came down on the cap ; the foretop-gal- 
 lant yard and raizzen gaft hung up and down the masts, her 
 ensign towing overboard astern from the gaft, and her jib-stay 
 was shot away so that the sail huug iu the water. Her sails 
 and rigging were much cut up, many of her spars badly 
 wounded, and her hull much shattered. AVhen the action had 
 continued an hour and four minutes, the Captain of the Drake 
 received a musket ball in his head, immediately after which
 
 PATTL JONES. 45 
 
 the crew called for quarter, and the action ceased. The 
 Drake was found to have lost, in killed and wounded, no 
 fewer than forty-two of her company. Captain Burden, her 
 commander, lived, and continued sensible, a few moments af- 
 ter the Drake was boarded. The first lieutenant was also 
 severely wounded, and died on the second day after the action. 
 Both were subsequently buried with the honours of war. The 
 loss of the Ranger was comparatively very inconsiderable, 
 Lieutenant Wallingsford and one seaman being killed, and 
 six wounded, one of whom afterwards died. The weather 
 being moderate during the night and following day, the busi- 
 ness of repairing damages was soon accomplished. Among 
 the trophies of the victory was the anchor which the Ranger 
 had dropped in Belfast Lough, and which the Drake had taken 
 up. In estimating the brilliancy of this victory, it is necessary 
 to take into consideration not only that the Drake was of 
 superior force to the Ranger by two guns, and in a still greater 
 proportion with regard to her crew, but also that the Drake 
 belonged to a regularly established navy, whose ships were 
 everywhere accustomed to conquer, whilst the equipping of 
 the Ranger was among the earliest efforts of a new and im- 
 perfectly organized service. The result was eminently due to 
 the skill and courage of Jones, and his inflexible determina- 
 tion to conquer. This was first, though unsuccessfully, made 
 manifest, in the dashing attempt to carry the Drake while at 
 anchor in Belfast Lough, than which few naval conceptions 
 could be more brilliant. It only failed through the anchor's 
 not being let go at the proper instant. The result, however, 
 was but the more glorious to the American arms ; as the 
 Drake was subsequently compelled to yield after a sanguinary 
 engagement, which she sought with every possible prepara- 
 tion and confidence of victory, in \ the presence, too, of the 
 three kingdoms. 
 
 Paul Jones had intended returning out of the Irish Sea 'by 
 St. George's Channel ; but, the wind being ahead to run in
 
 46 LIFE 0* 
 
 that direction, he bore up and ran to the northward. In pas- 
 sing the Lough of Belfast he released the fishermen, whom he 
 had detained on his first appearance off the Lough five days 
 before. As their boat had been swamped and lost while in 
 tow of the Ranger, he gave them another to reach the shore 
 in, and money to replace whatever they had lost. He also 
 sent with them two infirm persons, taken in one of his prizes, 
 to whom he gave his last guinea to defray their travelling ex- 
 penses to their home in Dublin. He says, that " the grateful 
 Irishmen were enraptured, and expressed their joy in three 
 huzzas as they passed the Ranger's quarter." 
 
 The two ships now stood out of the Channel, and rounding 
 the north coast of Ireland, ran down on the western side. 
 Nothing of note happened, until the 5th of May, when, the 
 Ranger being off Ushant, and having the Drake in tow, a 
 strange sail was seen, to which, having cut the hawser, Paul 
 Jones gave chase. In the mean time, Lieutenant Simpson, 
 who had been placed in command of the Drake, instead of 
 continuing his course towards Brest in conformity with his 
 orders, steered off to the southward, so that when Paul Jones 
 had overhauled the chase, the Drake was nearly out of sight. 
 The same eccentric evolutions, having apparently for object to 
 part company with the Ranger, continued during the day, to 
 Jones's great annoyance, as it prevented him from chasing 
 many vessels that were seen standing into the Channel, from 
 among which he hoped to have made some valuable prizes. 
 When Jones was at length able to overtake his wandering 
 lieutenant, he placed him under arrest, and conferred the com- 
 mand on Lieutenant Elijah Hall. From this circumstance, 
 and the perverse character of Simpson, Jones was yet destined 
 to derive a great deal of trouble. On the 8th of May, both 
 vessels arrived safely at Brest, on which very day, Paul Jones 
 hastened to indite and send off triplicate copies of the follow- 
 ing romantic epistle to Lady k Selkirk, which, as it tells its own
 
 PAtTL JONES. 47 
 
 tale, and is illustrative of his feelings and character, we will 
 introduce without further commentary. 
 
 " Madam, It cannot be too much lamented, that, in the 
 profession of arms, the officer of fine feelings and real sensi- 
 bility should be under the necessity of winking at any action 
 of persons under his command, which his heart cannot ap- 
 prove ; but the reflection is doubly severe, when he finds him- 
 self obliged, in appearance, to countenance such actions by his 
 authority. The 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 de- 
 tained him until, through his means, a general and fair ex- 
 change of prisoners, as well in Europe as in America, had been 
 effected. 
 
 " When I was informed, by some men whom I met landing, 
 that his Lordship was absent, I walked back to my boat, de- 
 termined to leave the island. By the way, however, some of- 
 ficers 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 ham- 
 lets 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 sea- 
 men to enter the house, or to hurt any thing about it ; to treat 
 you, Madam, with the utmost respect; to accept Qf. the plate
 
 46 LIFE OF 
 
 which was offered, and to come away without making a 
 search, or demanding any thing 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 ex- 
 pressed in the inventory which accompanied it. I have grati- 
 fied 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 onboard the Ranger the following even- 
 ing, 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 
 cannot sufficiently execrate the vile promoters of this detest- 
 able 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 dis- 
 puted with great fortitude on each side for an hour and four 
 minutes, when ihe gallant commander of the Drake fell, and 
 victory declared in favour of the Ranger. The amiable 
 lieutenant lay mortally wounded, besides near forty of the in- 
 ferior 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 honours due to the 
 memory of the bravo. 
 
 " Though I have drawn my sword in the present generous 
 struggle for the rights of men, yet I am not in arms as au 
 American, nor am I in pursuit of riches. My fortune is liberal 
 enough, having no wife or family, and having lived long 
 enough to know that riches cannot secure happiness. I pro- 
 fess myself a citizen of the world, totally unfettered by the
 
 PAUL JOtfES. 4*) 
 
 little mean distinctions of climate or of country, which di- 
 minish the benevolence of the heart and set bounds to philan* 
 thropy. Before this war was begun, I had, at an early time 
 of life, withdrawn from sea service in favour of ' calm con- 
 templation and poetic ease.' I have sacrificed not only my 
 favourite 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 cannot but be con- 
 genial with mine, let me entreat you, Madam, to use your per- 
 suasive 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 endeavours to effect a 
 general exchange of prisoners will be aji act of humanity, 
 which will afford you golden feelings on your death-bed. 
 
 " 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 any thing, consistent with my duty, to merit it. 
 The honour 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 ex- 
 ceeded their liberty."
 
 jl) LIFE OF 
 
 This is a very odd letter ; but even making all due allow- 
 ance for the effort at effect, and the desire to touch the " gen- 
 tle bosom" of his fair correspondent, it is still conceived in a 
 generous and kindly spirit, creditable to the feelings of tin- 
 writer. In the fulfilment of his promise to return the plate, 
 Jones was destined to encounter a due share of those difficul- 
 ties and annoyances, which, in small matters as in great, it was 
 his fortune to meet with, and his pleasure to overcome. The 
 plate having passed into the hands of prize-agents on the ar- 
 rival of the Hanger at Brest, it was rescued with infinite diffi- 
 culty and delay, and did not eventually reach England until 
 many years afterward, when it was all safely returned in the 
 condition in which it was taken away, even the tea leaves re- 
 maining in the tea-pot. Jones made the return of this plate 
 the fertile subject of a voluminous correspondence, having 
 written two more letters to his " amiable Countess," and se- 
 veral to Franklin, the Count of Vergennes, and others whom 
 he found occasion to interest in the subject. He was naturally 
 enough disappointed in the expected " honour of a line from 
 the hand" of the Countess, who responded through her hus- 
 band. The Earl at first consented to accept the plate, if it 
 were restored by order of Congress, but scrupled to receive it 
 if its restoration were due to the generosity of an individual. 
 These scruples were eventually overcome ; the plate was re- 
 covered and returned at Jones's expense, and accepted with 
 thanks by the Earl, and a tardy acknowledgment of the cour- 
 teous behaviour of the Ranger's crew when they landed on St. 
 Mary's Isle. This whole matter is strikingly illustrative of 
 Jones's ingenuity in creating difficulties in his own path, and 
 his obstinate energy in overcoming them. The plate was 
 taken by Jones's order, as we see by the letter to the Countess 
 of Selkirk, and not, as Mr. Cooper in his naval history inti- 
 mates, by an inferior officer on his own responsibility. It was 
 scarcely on board, however, before he began to busy himself 
 about the task of returning it, and at the end of a fortnight
 
 PAUL JONES. 51 
 
 we find him writing hia letter to the Countess, the ultimate 
 result of which was the restoration of the plate, after an in- 
 terval of seven or eight years. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Eflfect of Jones's Exploits. His Letter of Credit dishonoured. Difficulties for 
 Want of Money. Contention with Simpson. Simpson imprisoned. Cause 
 of Disagreement. Care of Prisoners. Franklin's Views for the Employment 
 of the Ranger. Jones's Views iu Reply. Asks for the Indieu. Offer of the 
 Indien by the French Government. Jones proceeds to Paris. Offers his 
 Services to France. Project for intercepting the Baltic Fleet. It fails. Gives 
 up the Command of the Ranger to Simpson. Repents having done so. The 
 Ranger sails for America. 
 
 THE Ranger's arrival at Brest, from this daring cruise in the 
 Irish Channel, with the Drake in company as her prize, and 
 two hundred prisoners, being nearly double the number of her 
 own crew, was greeted with lively demonstrations of joy by 
 the American Commissioners, to whom Paul Jones hastened 
 to make the circumstances known in an able report, in which 
 the events of his cruise were most vividly described. The 
 French Court, which was on the eve of joining our cause, 
 shared heartily in the gratulation which the circumstances 
 were so well suited to awaken. The exploits of Paul Jones 
 had been conceived and executed in the highest spirit of naval 
 enterprise, in sight of the three kingdoms, and within the very 
 stronghold of British power. England was thus taught the 
 wholesome lesson, that her burnings on our coast could be re- 
 taliated upon her at home, and that so far from being every- 
 where supreme upon the seas, her merchant ships were no 
 longer safe within her docks, though protected by the presence 
 of a large population and formidable batteries. Even her men- 
 of-war were liable to be assailed within her own roadsteads, 
 to owe their safety to accident, and finally to be obliged to
 
 52 LIFE OF 
 
 yield in fair conflict with an inferior force. For these brilliant 
 results, Paul Jones received the commendations which lie so 
 richly merited, and to the value of which he was ever sensi- 
 tively alive. Enviable, however, as his position at this mo- 
 ment might seem, he soon found himself involved in a series 
 of annoying difficulties. 
 
 Of these difficulties, the first was the dishonouring of a 
 draft for twenty-four thousand livres, which he had drawn on 
 the commissioners, for the purpose of refitting and provision- 
 ing the Ranger and the Drake, and supplying the officers and 
 crew with a portion of their arrears of pay. The principal 
 motive of the commissioners, in dishonouring this draft, was 
 no doubt the straitened condition of the funds entrusted to 
 them ; nor had they authorized Jones to draw for so large an 
 amount. He complained bitterly of this treatment, inasmuch 
 as he had not made use of the letter of credit, given to him 
 several months before, for half the sum which he now drew 
 for. He also considered the grievance augmented by the fact 
 of his being fifteen hundred pounds in advance to the govern- 
 ment, for the payment of the crews of the Alfred and the 
 Providence, before he left America. This fact was known to 
 Mr. Arthur Lee, one of the Commissioners, but not to the 
 other two. At any rate, they had no funds for the payment 
 of such a balance, and Jones would have done better to have 
 first drawn for the sum which he had credit for, and then 
 waited until the credit could be extended. He must have 
 known enough of the financial difficulties of Congress, and of the 
 Commissioners, to have put him on his guard against calling 
 on them too suddenly for the payment of any considerable 
 sum. 
 
 Whether Jones was censurable or not in this transaction, it 
 involved him in great trouble. In speaking of his position at 
 this moment, he said, " I was left, with two hundred prison- 
 ers of war, a number of sick and wounded, an almost naked 
 crew, and a ship, after a severe engagement, in want of stores
 
 PAUL JONES. 63 
 
 and provisions, from the 9th of May till the 13th of June, des- 
 titute of any public support." In writing to the Commission- 
 ers, he thus describes the emergency in which he was placed : 
 " I know not where to find to-morrow's dinner for the great 
 number of mouths that depend on me for food. Are the Con- 
 tinental ships of war to depend on the sale of their prizes for 
 a daily dinner to their men ? Publish it not in Gath !" How 
 he extricated himself from this painful dilemma may be ga- 
 thered from the following passage of his Journal for the King : 
 " Yet, during that time, by his personal credit with Count 
 D'Orvilliers, the Duke de Chartres, and the Intendant of Brest, 
 he fed his people and prisoners, cured his wounded, and re- 
 fitted both the Ranger and Drake for sea." 
 
 Owing to this want of funds to distribute among the sailors 
 of the Ranger, and the delay in realizing the proceeds of their 
 prizes, they became exceedingly discontented. Their discon- 
 tent, too, was artfully augmented by Lieutenant Simpson, 
 who, as Jones states in his Journal for the King, while under 
 arrest on board the Drake, had constant intercourse with the 
 crew, and rendered them so insolent, that they refused duty, 
 and went below repeatedly before the Captain's face. Count 
 D'Orvilliers had assured Paul Jones, that, unless he could get 
 the Drake ready to transport the prisoners to America before 
 orders arrived from Court, they would in all probability be 
 given up without an exchange, to avoid an immediate war 
 with England. It thus became impossible to suffer Simpson 
 to remain any longer among the crew. He was therefore re- 
 moved to a ship, in which the French confined their officers 
 when under arrest. Here Simpson had good accommodations, 
 and liberty to walk the deck. Nevertheless he endeavoured 
 to desert, and behaved so extravagantly, that Count D'Orvil- 
 liers, without consulting Jones, ordered him to prison. 
 
 This Simpson was a very troublesome person, though it is 
 difficult at this time to say whether the fault lay entirely with 
 him or partly with Jones. It appears that there had been
 
 54 LIFE OF 
 
 constant disagreement between the commander and his first 
 lieutenant, and the latter was charged with insubordination 
 himself, and with exciting the crew to discontent. Jones re- 
 lates in his Journal for the King, that when he was about to 
 engage the Drake, " the lieutenant having held up to the 
 crew, that, being Americans fighting for liberty, the voice of 
 the people should be taken before the Captain's orders were 
 obeyed, they rose in mutiny ; and Captain Jones was in the 
 utmost danger of being killed or thrown overboard." This 
 was an offence, which would have justified the commander in 
 putting Simpson to immediate death. Yet Jones nowhere 
 stales this circumstance in his report of the cruise for the 
 Commissioners, though he mentions having arrested Lieutenant 
 Simpson for the inferior, though sufficient offence, of disobey- 
 ing his orders for keeping company while in command of the 
 Drake. It is highly probable that this circumstance never oc- 
 curred, but was imagined by Jones upon some slight founda- 
 tion, with the motive, so apparent in all his writings, of giv- 
 ing himself the greater credit for his achievements. He had a 
 voice originally in the selection of all his officers, and was 
 therefore in a measure responsible for the character of Simp- 
 son, whose insubordination was doubtless the consequence of 
 injudicious management. It is probable, that the whole diffi- 
 culty had its origin in Jones's large promises, at the outset, of 
 leaving Simpson in command of the Ranger on his arrival in 
 Europe, when he should be transferred to the fine frigate 
 which Congress had authorized the Commissioners in France 
 to purchase for him. Upon the foundation of this order to 
 purchase a ship for him, of which order he was himself to be 
 the bearer, he had addressed a letter to the person engaged to 
 enter men to accompany him, in which he informs him, that 
 the men " on their arrival in France are to be turned over to 
 one of the finest frigates of the French navy, she having been 
 purchased for the United States by their Commissioners at the 
 Court of Paris, and to be put under my command." Probably
 
 PAUL JONES. 55 
 
 Jones made a similar promise to Simpson, of leaving him in 
 command of the Ranger on his transfer to the large frigate ; 
 and, no doubt, when he made the promise, he had the fullest 
 confidence in his ability to perform it ; but a person, who had 
 seen as much of sailors as Jones had, should have known that 
 nothing should ever be promised, either to officers or men, 
 that by any possibility might not afterwards be fulfilled. 
 There is no class of men who attach so much importance to 
 the fidelity of those who command them, in the fulfilment of 
 their engagements, or who concede such unqualified respect 
 to those who observe it. Perhaps we may attribute Jones's 
 want of influence among his officers and crew to his aptness 
 to jump too quickly to results, to consider every project ac- 
 complished the moment that it was hinted to him, and, on the 
 faith of these anticipations, to promise more than he was 
 usually able to perform. Another source of dissatisfaction 
 among his crew grew out of the difficulty of procuring money 
 fo make advances to them, and of realizing the proceeds of 
 their prizes. Simpson artfully took advantage of the discon- 
 tent, occasioned by these causes, to direct the hatred of the 
 men against Jones, by ascribing them to his artifices. Mr. 
 Arthur Lee, one of the Commissioners, also increased the dis- 
 content by listening to the complaints of the crew. 
 
 Jones was involved in another serious difficulty, at this time, 
 with regard to the safe keeping of his prisoners, from which 
 he was relieved by the assistance of the authorities at Brest, 
 whom he had interested in his behalf. Dr. Franklin was en- 
 gaged at the time in negociations for an exchange of prison- 
 ers, which he soon effected. Jones greatly contributed by his 
 captures to this result, which he had much at heart ; partly, 
 no doubt, from those philanthropic views which he puts for- 
 ward, and partly because he was personally interested in 
 establishing a settled system of exchanges, on account of his 
 peculiar position as a native of the country he was making
 
 56 LIFE OF 
 
 war against, and his great liability to capture on account of 
 the reckless intrepidity with which he exposed himself. 
 
 The interest which he took in securing kind treatment to 
 his prisoners, while he watched over their safe keeping is 
 most creditable to his feelings. In a letter addressed to Frank- 
 lin, enclosing a memorial of the prisoners, he thus expresses 
 himself with characteristic warmth, concerning the person 
 who supplied them. " The fellow who holds the rod over 
 their wretched heads has menaced them if they dare to 
 complain, and would have intercepted their memorial, had I 
 not prevented it. This Riou is the scoundrel, who, by his 
 falsehood, promoted discord in the Ranger, and got the de- 
 luded people to appoint him their particular agent. Before 
 that time he never could call twenty louis his own, and now 
 ho is too rich for his former profession of King's interpeter. 
 Ho does not deny that he is a scoundrel, for so I have called 
 him more than once before witnesses, and so erery person of 
 sense thinks him at Brest." 
 
 Late in May, Franklin wrote to Jones proposing immediate 
 employment for the Ranger against the Jersey privateers, who 
 did a great deal of mischief by intercepting supplies for 
 America. Franklin said, that it had been intimated to him 
 from authority, that Jones's small vessel, commanded by so 
 brave an officer, might render great service, by following the 
 privateers where larger ships could not venture, and, being ac- 
 companied by some French frigates, following at a proper 
 distance, might decoy them out. Franklin mentioned, that 
 he had written to England about an exchange of prisoners, 
 and concluded by congratulating Jones most cordially on his 
 late success, and wishing him an increase of the honour he 
 had acquired. 
 
 In reply to this letter, Jones began by expressing great 
 readiness to perform any service that might be required of him, 
 but expressed doubts as to his ability to lead his crew, 
 " which," he said, " could only be done by the seldom-failing
 
 PAUL JONES. 57 
 
 bait for sordid minds, great views of interest." He com- 
 plained much of their home-sickness, and proposed that those 
 officers -who were "most dangerously ill" of that disease 
 might have liberty to resign, that their commissions might be 
 given to men of stronger nerves. He stated that the Ranger was 
 crank, slow, and of too trifling a force to be a match for most 
 of the enemy's cruisers, and intimated his strong desire to be 
 placed in command of the ship building at Amsterdam and which 
 he did not doubt his ability to man with American seamen. 
 He said that if two or three fast sailing ships could be collect- 
 ed, there was a great choice of enterprises, some of which 
 might succeed, and add more to the interest and honour of 
 America than cruising with twice the force. " It appears to 
 me," he said, " to be the province of our infant navy to sur- 
 prise and spread alarms with fast sailing ships. When we 
 grow stronger, we can meet their fleets, and dispute with 
 them the sovereignty of the ocean." 
 
 Among the various plans for expeditions submitted on this 
 occasion by Jones, was one for entering the British Channel, 
 and burning the shipping and town of Whitehaven, and there- 
 by interrupting the winter's supply of coal for Ireland, chiefly 
 from that place; another to take the bank of Ayr in Scotland, 
 and burn the town, also the towns of Greenock and Port Glas- 
 gow, and the shipping in the Clyde. He considered the fish- 
 ery at Cambletown also an object worthy of attention, and 
 and thought that some very valuable prizes might be found in 
 the Irish ports. While preparations were making for this en- 
 terprise, he suggested that the eastern coast of England and 
 Scotland might be ravaged, the colleries of Newcastle burned, 
 and several towns destroyed or laid under contribution. He 
 had also a project for intercepting the Baltic or West India 
 fleet, or the Hudson's Bay ships. It is quite painful to observe 
 how many of these schemes for annoying the enemy had re- 
 ference to his native country, 
 c 5
 
 58 LIFE Of 
 
 Before this letter could be received, Dr. Franklin addressed 
 a letter to him, well suited to flatter his pride, and gratify his 
 ambition to be on the road to greater distinction ; for it pro- 
 posed the very thing he had asked for, namely, the command 
 of the Indien. 
 
 Franklin stated, that she was the property of the King of 
 France, and, as he had not yet declared war against England, 
 it was proposed to place her under Paul Jones's command, 
 with the commission and flag of the States. The Prince de 
 Nassau, who had already signalized his taste for romantic ad- 
 venture, promised to make the cruise as a volunteer under 
 Jones's command. The ship was to be brought to Brest as 
 a Frencli merchantman, and be there equipped and manned. 
 Franklin mentioned, that the other Commissioners were not 
 acquainted with this proposition as yet, since it was necessary 
 that it should be kept a secret until the vessel should arrive 
 in France, for fear of difficulties in Holland, and interception. 
 As the French ministry had desired that the affair should rest 
 between Franklin and Jones, he suggested to the latter, that 
 it might be best for him to come to Paris to mature the pro- 
 ject. 
 
 After an interval often days, Franklin wrote again to Jones 
 to say, that, in consideration of the disposition and uneasiness 
 of the Ranger's crew, the Commissioners felt an inclination to 
 order her directly back to America. He therefore suggested, 
 whether it would not be advisable for Jones, in consideration 
 of the proposal which had been made by the French ministry, 
 that the ship should be sent back under some other commander. 
 He mentioned, that in consequence of the high opinion the 
 Minister of Marine had formed of Jones's bravery, he had de- 
 termined to give him the frigate in Holland, to bo furnished 
 with as many French seamen as he might desire ; but to act 
 under the commission and flag of Congress ; and, as Jones 
 might like to have a number of Americans, and his own were 
 home-sick, it was proposed to give him an many aa be could
 
 PAUL JONES. 59 
 
 engage out of two hundred prisoners, which the ministry of 
 Britain had at length agreed to exchange for those brought in 
 by the Ranger. The English offered to make the exchange at 
 Calais, where they were to bring the Americans. Nothing 
 was wanting to complete the arrangement, but a list of the 
 Ranger's prisoners, containing their names and rank ; imme- 
 diately after the receipt of which, an equal number were to be 
 prepared, and sent in a ship to Calais, where the Ranger's 
 prisoners were to meet them. Franklin suggested, that, if by 
 these means Jones could get a good new crew, it would be 
 best that he were quite free of the old ; for a mixture might 
 introduce the infection of that sickness he had complained of. 
 But this was to be left to his own discretion. Franklin added, 
 that the Commissioners might place under his orders the Pro- 
 vidence, a new Continental ship of thirty guns, which, as the 
 sage stated with great apparent delight, " in coining out of 
 the river of Providence, had given two frigates, that had been 
 posted to intercept her, each of them so heavy a dose of her 
 eighteen and twelve pounders, that they had not the courage 
 or were not able to pursue her." He stated, that it was de- 
 aired that Jones should come to Versailles, where one would 
 meet him, in order to such a aet dement of plans with those 
 who had the direction, as could not well be done by letter. 
 He said, that the project of giving Jones the command of the 
 ludien pleased him the more, as it was a probable opening to 
 the higher preferment lie so justly merited. 
 
 The intelligence thus communicated to Jones, was of the 
 most gratifying character ; and as the project gradually be- 
 came matured, we find M. de Sartine, the Minister of Mariner, 
 signifying the desire of his sovereign to the American Com- 
 missioners, that they would relinquish to him the sen ices of 
 Captain Jones, to which they readily assented, with the as- 
 surance that they would be happy if his services should be in 
 any respect useful in promoting the designs of the French 
 government.
 
 60 LIFE OF 
 
 In accordance with the hint which he had received from 
 Franklin, Jones proceeded to Paris, and on his arrival has- 
 tened to place his services at the disposal of M. de Sartine, 
 while at the same time he very ingeniously gave it to be un- 
 derstood, that he was not dependent on his patronage, but 
 was well satisfied with his present position and prospects. 
 He wrote, that he should be ungrateful did he not return 
 thanks for the Minister's kind and generous intentions in his 
 favour ; his greatest ambition would be to merit such appro- 
 bation, by services against the common enemy of France and 
 America. He stated, that he had now under his command a 
 ship bound to America, and that, on his arrival there, from 
 the former confidence of Congress he had reason to expect an 
 immediate removal into one of the best American ships ; he 
 had even reason to expect the chief com'mand of the first 
 squadron destined for an expedition, as he had in his posses- 
 sion several similar appointment! ; moreover, when Congress 
 should see fit to appoint admirals, he had assurance that his 
 name would not be forgotten. These, he said, were flattering 
 prospects to a man, who had drawn his sword only upon 
 principles of philanthropy, and in support of the dignity of 
 human nature. But, as he preferred a solid to a shining repu- 
 tation, a useful to a splendid command, he held himself ready, 
 with the approbation of the Commissioners, to be governed by 
 M. de Sartine in any measures that might tend to distress and 
 humble the common enemy. 
 
 The hope, however, on the wings of which Jones had 
 hastened to the Capital, and which had animated him while 
 writing his grandiloquent letter, having for its object to magnify 
 his own importance, and procure for him that of which he 
 was so worthy, a formidable command, and the means of win- 
 ning glory on a great scale, was destined soon to fade away. To 
 be sure, he was kindly received, and hospitably entertained, 
 by many persons of distinction ; but, as the war, which about 
 this time commenced between France and England, enabled
 
 PAUL JONES. 61 
 
 France to carry on hostilities under her own flag, she now re- 
 quired all her ships and seamen for her own armaments, so 
 that Jones, in his subsequent efforts to obtain a better com- 
 mand than that of the Ranger, had to incur the jealousy and 
 opposition of the whole French marine. 
 
 Owing to this state of things, and to some difficulty which 
 Holland is supposed to have thrown in the way of removing 
 the Indien from Amsterdam, for fear of provoking the enmity 
 of England, the project of conferring the command of that 
 ship on Jones, which the Minister had made the pretext of in- 
 viting him to Court, fell through entirely. Instead of it, he 
 was amused with another scheme for the capture of the Bal- 
 tic fleet. Three frigates and two cutters were destined to 
 effect this object, under the command of Jones. One of the 
 frigates lay at Brest, which he was to command in person . 
 the other two and the cutter were at St. Malo. 
 
 Jones felt so sure that he should be appointed to this com- 
 mand, that he went so far as to make inquiries for a chaplain, 
 in order to give greater dignity to his flag. Another previous 
 step of more serious importance, which he took, was to give 
 up the command of the Ranger to his former troublesome 
 lieutenant. Finding Simpson more reasonable before he left 
 Brest, Jones had released him from confinement, on his giving 
 his parole in writing, that he would not serve again in the 
 navy until acquitted by a court-martial. Jones now ad- 
 dressed a letter to the Commissioners, in which he stated, that 
 at the time when he took Lieutenant Simpson's parole, he did 
 not expect to have been long absent from America ; but, as 
 circumstances had now rendered the time of his return less 
 certain, he was willing to let the dispute between them drop 
 for ever, by giving up his parole, which would entitle him to 
 command the Ranger. He said he had no malice towards 
 him, and, if he had unconsciously done him any injury, this 
 would be making him all the satisfaction in his power. If, on
 
 6fc LIFE OF 
 
 the contrary, Simpson had injured him, he was willing to trust 
 to that officer for a suitable acknowledgment. 
 
 It was in virtue of this complete release of Lieutenant 
 Simpson from the obligation not to serve until tried by a 
 court-martial, which Jones had imposed on him as the condi- 
 tion of his release from confinement, that the Commissioners 
 probably made use of their authority to invest Lieutenant 
 Simpson with the command of the Ranger, in order to return 
 in her to the United States, her crew being exceedingly tur- 
 bulent and discontented. Or else, he being the first lieutenant of 
 the Ranger, the command naturally vested in him, when 
 ( 'aptain Jones was detached, at the request of the French 
 Minister of Marine, with a view to more important employ- 
 ment. 
 
 On his return to Brest, Paul Jones found that Count 
 D'Orvilliers had already returned from sea with the French 
 fleet, and had given the command of Jones's proposed flag 
 ship to one of his captains, who had lost his own ship in the 
 course of the cruise. With regard to the two frigates and 
 cutter, at St. Malo, that were to constitute the rest of Jones's 
 squadron, M. de Sartine, finding 1 himself harassed by abundant 
 implication* from French captains to be appointed to these 
 very ships, found it convenient to change his arrangements ad 
 soon UH Jones had departed, and sent the ships oh" at ume, 
 with French commanders, to fulfil Jones's project for the inter- 
 ception of tin- Mallic 1'ieet, in which they met with no success. 
 The result of these various events was, that Paul Jones found 
 not only that his promised command of the expedition against 
 the Baltic fleet had passed into other hands, but also that his 
 late contumacious lieutenant, Simpson, was in command of 
 the Ranger. Among the multiplicity of prospects of honour- 
 able employment which had a few days before been held up to 
 him. he now found himself without a ship. He was naturally full 
 of irritability ; but his rage was unreasonably directed almost 
 wholly at Simpson, who had only accepted the command which
 
 PATTL JONES. 63 
 
 Jones had promised to him before his departure from Portsmouth, 
 and which he had now voluntarily relinquished to him. He 
 wrote to the Commissioners on the 13th of August, that, since 
 his arrival at Brest, five days before, he had neither seen nor 
 heard from Lieutenant Simpson ; but had been creditably in- 
 formed, that it was generally reported in the Ranger, through- 
 out the French fleet, and on shore, that he was turned out of 
 the service ; that the Commissioners had given Simpson his 
 place, with a captain's commission, and that his letter to the 
 Commissioners in Simpson's behalf had been involuntary, and 
 in obedience only to their orders. That these reports pre- 
 vailed, Jones said, was not an idle conjecture, but a melan- 
 choly fact. He therefore sought, nay demanded redress, re- 
 dress by a court-martial, to form which he said that there was 
 now a sufficient number of American officers in Brest and the 
 neighbouring ports. Among the claims which he urged why 
 his wounded feelings should be considered, he said that he had 
 " faithfully and personally fought in the dignified cause of hu- 
 man nature, ever since the American banner first waved on 
 the Delaware and on the ocean." 
 
 The Commissioners very judiciously abstained from losing 
 the time, and employing the services, of our officers in the 
 French ports, by the investigation of this difficulty. Having 
 determined to retain Jones in France, to carry out some pro- 
 jects of the French Ministry for the annoyance of the English 
 coasts, and to despatch the Ranger to the United States under 
 the command of Lieutenant Simpsoii,botli of Avhich measures 
 were settled with the approbation of Jones, they ordered that 
 vessel to return to Portsmouth, where she had been fitted out, 
 and where she duly arrived, having made several pri/.es 011 the 
 homeward passage. In order to put a stop to the injurious 
 reports of which Jones complained, of his having been turned 
 out of the Ranger, he not long after was furnished with an 
 official letter from Franklin and Adams, stating that, as hin 
 removal from the Ranger, and tht- appointment of Lieutenant
 
 64 LIFE OF 
 
 Simpson to command, might be liable to misrepresentation, 
 they certified that it had been done by the Commissioners, at 
 the request of the French Minister of Marine, who was de- 
 sirous of employing Jones on important service ; and that 
 Simpson had been appointed to command the Ranger with the 
 consent of Jones, after he had released him from arrest. As 
 an evidence that Jones's ill opinion of Simpson was not alto- 
 gether prejudice, it may be well here to mention, that he was 
 not again employed in the navy. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Season of Inactivity. Jones's Impatience. His Efforts to Obtain a Command. 
 Writes to Prince of Nassau-Siegen. His Letter is not answered. Writes to the 
 French Minister of Marine. Recapitulation of Claims and Grievances. Letter 
 to the Duke of Rochefoucauld. Denunciation of the Minister of Marine. 
 Letter to M. Chaumont. Letter to the King. Statement of Wrongs. Appea 
 to the Magnanimity of the Sovereign. Determination of Government to buy 
 a Ship for Jonet. Efforts of M. Chaumont. Character of this Gentleman. 
 Jones enters into a Contention with Mr. Arthur Lee. Prolonged Delay. Ad- 
 vice of Poor Richard. Jones adopts it. Visits Versailles. Receives Command 
 of a Ship under the American Flag. Calls her the Poor Richard. 
 
 DURING the five following months, Paul Jones was engaged in 
 ineffectual efforts to secure the fulfilment of that promise of 
 honourable employment, by which the French Minister of Ma- 
 rine had induced him to abandon the Ranger, and the project 
 of returning to the United States. The hopeless inactivity in 
 which he was kept, during this period, was by no means of 
 his own choosing, and he made amends for it, as beat he could, 
 by indefatigable correspondence with every one who could in 
 any way forward his object of obtaining instant employment. 
 Among the personages whom he endeavoured to interest in 
 this matter, was the Prince of Nassau-Siegen, who had enter- 
 tained the intention of accompanying Jones in the Indien, in 
 the character of a volunteer. Jones wrote to him, to say that
 
 PAUL JONES. 65 
 
 the honour which he had proposed to do him, by accompany- 
 ing him on the ocean, had filled his heart with the warmest sen- 
 timents of gratitude. When the Prince's intentions were first 
 communicated to him, he had under his command a ship bound 
 with two frigates for America, where there were now two new 
 ships of eighty guns each, and eight frigates of forty guns each, 
 nearly ready for sea. When he should arrive there, from the 
 former confidence of Congress, he had assurance of an imme- 
 diate removal into one of their best ships, and of being ap- 
 pointed to command the first squadron, destined for any private 
 expedition. Before he came to Europe, Congress had hononred 
 him with several such appointments, and he was assured, 
 that, when admirals were appointed, his name would be 
 remembered. 
 
 " These," he said, " were flattering prospects to a man who 
 had drawn his sword only from principles of philanthrophy, 
 and in support of the dignity of human nature ;" and these 
 were the prospects he had voluntarily laid aside, that he might 
 pursue glory in the Prince's company. " Suffer me not, there- 
 fore," he said, " I beseech you, to continue longer in this shame- 
 ful inactivity ; such dishonour is worse to me than a thousand 
 deaths. I have already lost the golden season, the summer, 
 which in war is of more value than all the rest of the year. I 
 appear here as a person cast off and useless ; and, when any 
 one asks me what I purpose to do, I am unable to answer." 
 
 He told the Prince, that he had been unaccustomed to ask 
 any favours, even from Congress, as he was not in pursuit of 
 interest ; but he besought him to represent his situation to the 
 best of Kings, that they might together be forthwith enabled 
 to pursue glory, and humble the common enemy of humanity. 
 If the ship that was at first proposed, could not be got ready 
 for sea at once, others might be obtained. He mentioned a fine 
 and fast sailing frigate at L'Orient, built on the same construc- 
 tion with the Indien, and mounted with eighteen-pounders ; 
 and there were several others at St. Malo, to whom command"
 
 66 LIFE OF 
 
 ers had not yet been appointed. He avowed the greatest re- 
 liance on the generous intention of that great minister, M. de 
 Sartine, but expressed an unwillingness to intrude on him every 
 day with letters, and in the multiplicity and importance of his 
 affairs, Jones found that his concerns might be forgotten. 
 
 The Prince of Nassau, having abandoned the project of mak- 
 ing the cruise with Jones, as capriciously as he had taken it up, 
 lent him no further aid in procuring a ship, and had not even 
 the ordinary courtesy to reply to the above letter. The gener- 
 ous intentions of that great minister M. de Sartine, whose de- 
 lusive offers had alone occasioned Jones's remaining in France, 
 were equally unproductive of any tangible results, and, in con- 
 sequence, Jones addressed him, on the 13th of September, what 
 he called an " explicit letter." 
 
 ''Honoured Sir, 
 
 " When his Excellency, Dr. 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 of war as the Indien under my 
 command, and under its flag, with unlimited orders. In obe- 
 dience 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 
 Hrest 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 flat-
 
 PAUL JOITEs. 67 
 
 tered with assurances from Messieurs de Chaumont and Bau- 
 donin, that three of the finest frigates in France, with two ten- 
 ders 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 pro- 
 posed 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. Hap- 
 pily 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 around to St. Malo, 
 though I had received no written orders, and neither knew 
 your intention respecting my destination or command, I obey- 
 ed, 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'Or- 
 villiers, who did not sail till some days after my return. He 
 is my friend, and expressed his wishes for my company. I ac- 
 companied him out of the road when the fleet sailed ; and he 
 always lamented, that neither himself, nor any person in au- 
 thority at Brest, had received from you any order that men- 
 tioned my name. I am astonished, therefore, to be informed 
 that you attribute my not being in the fleet to my stay at 
 L'Orient.
 
 68 L1FB OF 
 
 "I am not a mere adventurer of fortune. Stimulated by 
 principles of reason and philanthropy, I laid aside my enjoy- 
 ments 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 in- 
 active. 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 agreeably to your 
 desire, as mentioned to me by M. 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 Hth of last month from the English Admiralty, be- 
 cause 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 be- 
 stow 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. 
 
 " I am happy to hear that the frigates from St. Malo hare 
 been successful near Shetland. Had Count D'Estaing arrived 
 in the Delaware a few days sooner, he might have made a 
 most glorious and easy conquest. Many other successful pro- 
 jects may be adopted from the hints I had the honour to draw 
 up ; and if I can still furnish more, or execute any of those
 
 PAUL JONES. 69 
 
 already furnished, so as to distress and humble the common 
 enemy, it will afford me the truest satisfaction. 1 am ambi- 
 tious to merit the honour of your friendship and favour ; and 
 am fully persuaded that I now address a noble minded man, 
 who will not be offended with the honest freedom which has 
 always marked my correspondence." 
 
 Not too confident in the unassisted justice of his cause, 
 Jones soon after sought the friendly interest of the Duke de 
 Rochefoucauld in a letter, in which he very injudiciously 
 launched forth into bitter invective against the Minister 
 whom he had, the month before, so respectfully addressed. 
 He pronounced the minister's behaviour towards him incom- 
 prehensible ; denied the connexion with the Court ; and said 
 that he hae given up absolute certainties, and far more flatter- 
 ing prospects than any of those which had been held out to 
 him.. What inducement, Jones asked, could he have for this, 
 but gratitude to France for having first recognized our inde- 
 pendence ? And, having given his word to stay for some time 
 in Europe, he had been unwilling to take it back, especially 
 after having communicated the circumstances to Congress. 
 The Minister, after possessing hirr>self of his schemes and 
 ideas, had treated him like a child five times successively, by 
 leading him on from great to little, and from little to less. 
 Does such conduct, he asked, do honour either to his head or 
 to his heart ? Nor had he offered the least apology for any of 
 these five deceptions ; nor assigned any good reason to that 
 venerable and great character, Dr. Franklin, who had been 
 made the instrument of entrapping Jones into this cruel state 
 of inaction and suspense. 
 
 He complained moreover, that M. de Sartine had lately 
 written a letter to Count d'Orvilliers, proposing to send him 
 home, " dans une bonne voiture, in an easy coach." This, he 
 said, was absolutely adding insult to injury, and was, besides, 
 the proposition of a man whose veracity he had not exp-
 
 70 LI'E OF 
 
 rienced on other occasions. He said that he might, during 
 the summer, with the Ranger, joined with two other American 
 frigates, then in France, have given the enemy sufficient foun- 
 dation for its fears in Britain, as well as Ireland, and could 
 since have been assisting Count D'Estaing, or acting sepa- 
 rately with an American squadron. Instead of this, he had 
 been chained down to shameful inactivity here, after having 
 written to Congress, to reserve no command for him in Ame- 
 rica. Feeling convinced that the noble and generous breast 
 of his correspondent would feel for his unmerited treatment, 
 Jones besought him to interest himself with the Duke de 
 Chartres, that the King might be made acquainted with his 
 situation, as he had been taught to believe that he had been 
 detained in France with his Majesty's knowledge and appro- 
 bation, and he felt sure he was too good a prince to detain 
 him for his disadvantage or dishonour. 
 
 To M. le Ray de Chaumont, a rich and influential indivi- 
 dual, who had taken a lively interest, from the first, in our re- 
 volutionary struggle, had made advances for the purchase of 
 military stores to be shipped to America, and had exerted him- 
 self at court to procure Jones a suitable command, he a few 
 days later addresed himself on the same subject, and witH 
 greater familiarity. M. de Chaumont had offered him, with 
 many encomiums on his valour, the command of a ship of his 
 own, to befitted out as a privateer, as so many difficulties oc- 
 curred to prevent his getting a ship of war. To this proposi- 
 tion he replied, with many thanks for the kindness intended to 
 him, that he was not his own master ; and, as a servant of 
 what he called the Imperial Republic of America, honoured 
 with the friendship and favour of Congress, he could not, of 
 his own authority or inclination, serve either himself, or even 
 his best friends, in any private line whatever. He held him- 
 self to be the servant of America, devoted wholly to her in- 
 terest and honour. He said that he had believed the minister 
 at the beginning, but now, having been deceived BO often, lie
 
 PAUL JONES. 71 
 
 would doubt him even though he were to swear again by the 
 Styx; for it seems he had taken this oath in affirmation of one 
 of his promises to Jones. Jones had written to him several 
 respectful letters, to none of which he had condescended an 
 answer. Jones said that the secrecy, which he had been re- 
 quired to observe respecting the minister's intentions in his 
 favour, had been inviolable; and he had been so delicate with 
 respect to his situation, that he had been considered every- 
 where an officer disgraced and cast off for discreditable rea- 
 sons. This had been his situation ever since his return from 
 Paris, more than two months before ; and he had already lost 
 nearly five months of his time, the best season of the year, and 
 such opportunities of serving his country, and acquiring ho- 
 nour, as he could not again expect during the war. Jones 
 protested that his sensibility could not brook this unworthy 
 situation, and if the ministers did not make a direct written 
 apology to him, suitable to the injury which he had sustained, 
 he would, in vindication of his sacred honour, painful as it 
 would be, publish in the gazettes of Europe an account of his 
 treatment. 
 
 As the minister had invited him to stay in Europe, by the 
 laws of hospitality it was his duty to make offers. And, if he 
 did not confer the command of the Indien, as first proposed, 
 Jones insisted that he could not in honour now offer less than 
 an equivalent force. He said that he would accept of nothing 
 that sailed slow, or was of trifling force, and, final ly, that he 
 should expect a reply to his demands immediately, and that it 
 would afford him the truest satisfaction, if his honour should 
 be made whole, and the misunderstanding happily removed. 
 
 Wearied with feeding his famished hopes upon no more sub- 
 stantial aliment than the delusive promises of men in power, 
 and half frantic with impatience at such prolonged inactivity, 
 Jones at length bethought himself of making a last appeal to 
 the magnanimity of the sovereign. He accordingly drew up 
 a succinct history of his wrongs in a letter to the King of
 
 72 LIFE o* 
 
 France, which he enclosed to Dr. Franklin, to be placed in the 
 King's hands by the Duke de Rochefoucauld or the Duchess of 
 Chartres, if they were disposed to do him that kindness. He 
 expressed the hope that Dr. Franklin would find the letter to 
 the King entirely free from asperity or ill-nature. He had 
 been, and was still, he said, in the eyes of Brest and the 
 French marine, considered as having incurred the Doctor's 
 displeasure, and being consequently in disgrace. The Com- 
 missioners' refusal of his bill, his journey to Paris without any 
 visible reason, the cabals and representations of Lieutenant 
 Simpson, and his long inactivity, were held to be so many cir- 
 cumstantial proofs, and his dishonour was now so firmly be- 
 lieved everywhere, that it was in vain for him to attempt any 
 defence of himself. Such a situation, he said, destroyed his 
 peace of mind ; and was incompatible with his sensibility ; 
 yet he was far more affected by the indignity that had been 
 thus cast upon Dr. Franklin and America, than on his account. 
 His heart could not forgive the minister, until he should make 
 whole his injured honour, by a direct apology and atonement 
 for the past. 
 
 The letter to the King is written with Jones's characteristic 
 ability. It paid due homage to the virtues of the sovereign, 
 and forcibly set forth the services which he himself had ren- 
 dered to the common cause, his claims to distinction, tli,' 
 promises which had been made to him of speedy employment, 
 and the way in which those promises had been forfeited. He 
 stated, that, after he had given up the command of the Ranger 
 and remained in France at the express request of M. de Sartine, 
 that Minister had not even condescended to answer his letters, 
 also that the Prince of Nassau had treated him with equal 
 incivility. He begged the King to observe, that he was not 
 an adventurer in search of fortune, of which he thanked God 
 he had a sufficiency. When the American banner was first 
 displayed, he had drawn his sword in support of the violated 
 dignity and rights of human nature ; as the King, by espous-
 
 PAUL JONES. 73 
 
 ing the cause of America, had become the protector of the 
 rights of human nature, Jones hoped that he would not allow 
 him to remain any longer in such insupportable inactivity. 
 
 Owing to the advice of Franklin, and the more favourable 
 aspect which Jones's prospects for employment began about 
 this time to assume, this letter was not delivered. In conse- 
 quence of the influence of M. le Ray de Chaumont, M. de 
 Sartine had determined to purchase, at the King's expense, the 
 best armed ship that could be found, to be fitted out under 
 the American flag, and placed under the command of Jones. 
 The gentleman who had been instrumental in effecting this 
 favourable determination, and who was charged with carrying 
 it into effect, had held the highly important public offices of 
 Grand Maitre des Eaux et Forots and Intendant of the In- 
 valids. He took an early and enthusiastic interest in the suc- 
 cess of our Revolution, and not only aided us by his influence 
 at court, but freely placed his large fortune at the disposal of 
 our government by furnishing large quantities of military stores, 
 for which he only asked to be repaid when our independence 
 should be fully established. He, moreover, courteously placed 
 his magnificent hotel at Passy, with all its furniture, at the 
 disposal of the American Commissioners, while they resided 
 at the capital in secret relation with the government, but with- 
 out being recognised. When subsequently called upon by John 
 Adams, to state what rent the Commissioners were to pay, on 
 the ground that it was not reasonable that the United States 
 should be under so great an obligation to a private gentleman, 
 he courteously replied, that, when he had consecrated his house 
 to Dr. Franklin and his associates, he had made it to be fully 
 understood that he should expect no compensation ; because 
 he perceived that they had need of all their means to send to 
 the succour of their country, or to relieve the distresses of their 
 countrymen escaping from the chains of their enemies. He 
 begged that this arrangement, which he had made when the
 
 74 ' LIFK OF 
 
 fate of our country was doubtful, might be permitted to 
 remain. When she should enjoy all her splendour, such 
 services on his part, would be superfluous and unworthy 
 of her; but at present they might be useful, and ho frit; 
 most happy in offering them. There was no occasion, he 
 said, for strangers to be informed of his proceeding in this 
 respect. It was so much the wor.se fur those who would not 
 do the same if they had the opportunity, and PO much the 
 better lor him to have immortali/ed his house by receiving into 
 it Dr. I'ranklin and his associates. 
 
 Such was the character of the gentleman who was charged 
 with carrying the intentions of the government into effect .with 
 regard to Jones; who wrote to him begging him to buy a 
 frigate that sailed fust and AVUS sufficiently large to carry 
 twenty-six or twenty-eight guns, not less then twelvr- 
 pounders, on one deck. " I wish," he says, " to have no con- 
 nexion with any ship that does not sail fast, for I intend to 
 go in harm's way." A vexatious delay, however, of three 
 months still continued to annoy Jones, and make him almost 
 beside himself with impatience. During this period of expec- 
 tation, he wrote a letter to Mr. Arthur Lee, one of the Com- 
 missioners, in reply to a charge of disrespect made by that 
 gentleman against Jones while transmitting some inquiries 
 about the Ranger's prizes ; which letter no doubt served as a 
 great relief to his irritation. It is remarkable, not only as 
 throwing light upon this period of history, but also showing 
 that the tone of respectful entreaty in which lie habitually ad- 
 dressed men in power, while soliciting to be placed in a position 
 to meet danger and win glory, had not its origin in an over 
 obsequious or servile spirit, ami that he could occaasionally, 
 when offended by one of these retort with bitterness and 
 sarcasm. 
 
 After furnishing the information required of him, and refer- 
 ring to a letter to the Commissioners, in which he had previ- 
 ously transmitted a full report on the subject, he defended
 
 fAUL JONE&. 7S 
 
 himself from the charge of disrespect, and then proceeded to 
 active recrimination against Mr. Lee. He charged Mr. Lee 
 with having concurred in dishonouring his draft on the Com- 
 missioners for funds to pay his crew, when he was aware of 
 the obligation which Jones had personally entered into witli 
 them at the time of their enlistment, of which fact the other 
 Commissioners were ignorant. In consequence of this dis- 
 honour of his draft, he had found himself, for more than a 
 month, destitute of funds, with a ship, disabled after a severe 
 engagement, to be put in order, an almost naked crew to be 
 clothed, and a large number of wounded, and two hundred 
 prisoners of war, to be provided for. In reply to a second 
 charge of disrespect brought against him by Mr. Lee, who had 
 refused to furnish copies of some documents which Jones had 
 asked for, he thus indignantly defends himself. " You ob- 
 jected to my receiving copies of some papers that concern me, 
 because you thought that 1 had not made a respectful applica- 
 tion. A copy of it is enclosed, which, though not in the form 
 of an humble petition, I believe it will be difficult to construe 
 into disrespect. True respect can never be extorted ; and I 
 will say of myself, that 
 
 The tribute of respect to greatness due 
 Not the bribed sycophant more freely pays.' " 
 
 Jones's indulgence in this honest outbreak of indignation, and 
 the doubtful compliment conveyed in his quotation, cost him 
 very dear, as we shall see in the sequel. 
 
 Months rolled on without producing any results from M. 
 de Sartine's "final determination" to furnish Paul Jones with 
 a ship. He had been instructed to look out for a suitable one ; 
 but, though he saw several that might be purchased, some 
 difficulty perpetually presented itself to the fulfilment of his 
 wishes. Having made a visit to L'Orient, he found there an 
 uncommonly fine eighty-four gun ship, called the Maruchal de 
 Broglie, which was for sale, but he doubted his ability to man
 
 76 UFE Of 
 
 her; there was also a small frigate, called the Alert, which 
 had been taken from the English, and which he was willing 
 to accept ; and an Indiaman, fourteen years old, called the 
 Due ^e Duras, which he also thought might answer in the 
 absence of a better one. Though ships were thus found, and 
 a solemn promise had been made, still no order had yet been 
 issued by M. de Sartine for the actual purchase of one. 
 
 While in this weary state of suspense, a prey to impatience, 
 anxiety, and mortification, Jones happened one day to be 
 looking over an old number of Franklin's Pennsylvania Alma- 
 nac, when his attention was struck with the saying of Poor 
 Richard ; " If you would have your business done, go ; if not, 
 send." It immediately occurred to him, that the delay of his 
 own business was in no slight degree owing to his having so 
 long remained at a distance, sending letters to court, instead 
 of going to attend it in person. He set out forthwith for the 
 capital, and made such good speed in his errand, that, ere 
 many days had elapsed, he received from the reluctant M. de 
 Sartine, the following conclusive letter, dated at Versailles, 
 on the 4th of February, 1759. 
 
 "To John Paul Jones, Esq., Commander of the American 
 
 Navy in Europe. 
 
 " Sir, I announce to you that, in consequence of the exposi- 
 tion I have laid before the King, of the distinguished manner 
 in which you have served the United States, and of the entire 
 confidence which your conduct has merited from Congress, his 
 Majesty has thought proper to place you in command of the 
 ship Duras of forty guns, at present at L'Orient. I am aoout, 
 in consequence, to issue the necessary orders for the complete 
 armament of that ship. The commission, which was given to 
 you at your departure from America, will authorize you to 
 hoist the flag of the United States, and you will likewise make 
 use of the authority which has been vested in you to procure 
 a crew of Americans ; but, as you may find difficulty in raising
 
 PAUL JOKES. 77 
 
 a sufficient number, the King permits you to levy volunteers, 
 until you obtain men enough in addition to those who will be 
 necessary to sail the ship. It shall be my care to procure the 
 necessary officers, and you may be assured that I shall contri- 
 bute every aid in my power to promote the success of your 
 enterprise. 
 
 " As soon as you are prepared for sea, you will set sail with- 
 out waiting for any ulterior orders ; and you will yourself 
 select your own cruising ground, either in the European or 
 American seas, observing always to render me an exact ac- 
 count of each event that may take place during your cruise, 
 as often as you may enter any port under the dominion of the 
 King. So flattering a mark of the confidence with which you 
 are honoured, cannot but encourage you to use all your zeal 
 in the common cause ; and I am persuaded that you will 
 justify, on every occasion, my favourable opinion of you. It 
 only remains for me to recommend to you to show to those 
 prisoners, who may fall into your hands, those sentiments of 
 humanity which the King professes towards his enemies, and 
 to take the greatest care, not only of your own crew, but also 
 of all the ships which may be placed under your orders. Ac- 
 cording to your desire, I consent that the Duras take the name 
 of the Bon Homme Richard." 
 
 Feeling that his final success in obtaining a command had 
 been owing to his having adopted the good advice which he 
 had met with in Dr. Franklin's Almanac, and out of compli- 
 ment to the sage, for whom his veneration was so unbounded, 
 Paul Jones had asked leave, as appears by M. Sartine's letter, 
 to give the ship of which the command was now conferred 
 upon him, the name of the Bon Homme Richard, the Poor 
 Richard ; a name which his heroism was destined to render as 
 enduring as his own.
 
 78 UFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Object of the French Government in giving Jones a Command. Arrival of the 
 Alliance frigate in France. She is added to the Expedition. Lafayette pro- 
 poses joining it. Force and Character of the Squadron. Advice of Franklin 
 to Jones with Regard to Co-operation. Instructions for the Cruise. Treat- 
 ment of Prisoners. Jones's Gratification with his Instructions. Object of 
 the Expedition changed. Lafayette withdraws, to join in the Invasion of 
 England. The Squadron is employed in Convoys. The Richard and the 
 Alliance get foul. The Squadron returns to refit. Orders for a new Cruise. 
 Mutinous Spirit of the Richard's Crew. Agreement entered into by all the 
 Commanders. Cause of future Contention. Mixed Character of the Expe- 
 dition. 
 
 THE original object of the French government in employing 
 Jones, and furnishing him with a naval command, seems to 
 have been to take advantage, not only of his brilliant courage 
 and seaman-like skill, but also of his commission as an Ameri- 
 can officer, and of the American flag which he was entitled to 
 display, to carry on a more harassing system of warfare on the 
 British coasts than they would have been justified in doing 
 under their own flag. Jones's favourite system, from the first, 
 had been to retaliate for the burnings and devastation with 
 which the British had visited our shores ; and, as the obser; 
 vance hitherto of civilized rules of warfare had prevented them 
 from enacting the same scenes on the coast of France, the 
 coasts of England could be more effectually annoyed under 
 the American flag. In addition to the Bon Horame Richard, 
 four or five vessels of inferior force, two of them being fire- 
 ships, were to be placed under the command of Jones, and a 
 body of five hundred picked men, taken from the Irish brigade, 
 were to embark under the immediate orders of the Chevalier 
 Kit/.-Maurice. The object of this expedition was to destroy 
 the shipping and town of Liverpool. M. le Ray de Chaumont 
 was appointed the confidential agent of the French govern-
 
 PAUL JONES. ^9 
 
 ment for the equipment of the squadron, and had charge of 
 all the purchases. 
 
 The moment that Jones received his appointment, releasing 
 him from such 10ng inactivity, he bestirred himself in his pre- 
 parations with characteristic zeal. He proceeded forthwith 
 to Nantes, to engage seamen from among the Americans cap- 
 tured on board of English ships. The sailors were pleased 
 with the name of the Poor Richard, and entered readily. 
 Jones, too, had a very persuasive way with sailors, and would 
 walk for an hour on the pier with a single sailor whom he was 
 desirous of securing, and rarely failed of success. About this 
 time Lafayette arrived from the United States in the Alliance, 
 a new American frigate of thirty-six guns, which had been 
 named out of compliment to the resent alliance with France. 
 With the same friendly motive towards that nation, the com- 
 mand of her was conferred on a Frenchman, by the name of 
 Pierre Landais, who had recently arrived in the United States, 
 as master of a merchant ship laden with military stores. Ac- 
 cording to a subsequent statement of Jones, Landais obtained 
 the command by representing, that he had been a captain in 
 the French navy, had commanded a ship of the line, and held 
 an important station in the arsenal at Brest ; moreover, that 
 the estimation in which he was held in his own country would 
 have enabled him to choose whatever honourable station he 
 Avas willing to accept; but his desire to serve America had in- 
 duced him to abandon his country, and even to refuse the cross 
 of St. Louis, that he might be free to abjure the religion of his 
 forefathers. Landais had, in fact, belonged to the French 
 navy ; but he forgot to mention the material circumstance of 
 his having been dismissed from it on account of infirmity of 
 temper. Congress, having thus received the impression that 
 Landais was in favour at the Court of Versailles, thought to 
 pay that court an additional compliment by appointing him to 
 the command of the Alliance. On the passage out, he had 
 betrayed utter professional incompetence, coupled with a fitful
 
 80 LIKE OF 
 
 irritability of temper which had thoroughly disgusted every- 
 body. A mutiny was concerted among some Englishmen of 
 the crew, who designed taking the ship into England, and 
 narrowly failed of success ; which the exertions of Lafayette 
 greatly aided in preventing. 
 
 Lafayette, having heard of the projected expedition under 
 Paul Jones, immediately conceived a desire to take part in it. 
 His wish being encouraged by the Court, Jones was summoned 
 to Paris to consult on the projected change in the expedition, 
 consequent upon the accession of Lafayette. It was decided 
 that Lafayette should embark with a body of seven hundred 
 picked men, assigned to him by the King. Franklin having 
 received his credentials as ambassador by the Alliance, Jones 
 applied to him to add that fine and uncommonly fast frigate to 
 his squadron, and, the French government having joined in the 
 request, it was readily, though as it afterwards proved, in 
 an evil hour, granted. 
 
 Some idea of the character of this armament may be drawn 
 from the following extract from Jones's Journal for the King, 
 though he doubtless exaggerates the real defects of his force 
 in order to magnify the glory which he subsequently won with 
 it. " The cannon had not arrived for the Bon Homme Richard, 
 and she was in great haste mounted with a battery of indif- 
 ferent twelve-pounders. Six old-fashioned long eighteen- 
 pounders were mounted in the gun-room : and ports were cut 
 to fight them, six on one side. Thus, with the guns on the 
 quarter-deck and forecastle, the Bon Homme Richard mounted 
 forty guns ; and, with the Alliance of thirty-six," the Pallas of 
 thirty-two, the Cerf of eighteen, and the Vengeance of twelve, 
 composed the little squadron. A crew was hastily procured 
 for the Bon Homme Richard from among the English prisoners, 
 and by enlisting raw French peasants and volunteers. Cap- 
 tain Jones had not more than thirty Americans among the 
 crew. In the Alliance there had been a mutiny on the pas- 
 eage from America, and the captain and officers were ready to
 
 PAUL JONES. 81 
 
 cut one another's throats. The first and second lieutenants 
 deserted. The Pallas, a merchant ship, had been built for the 
 King, and hastily fitted at Nantes. The Vengeance was 
 bought by the Commissary, and fitted in the same manner. 
 The Cerf, a fine cutter, was alone well fitted and manned." 
 
 In the belief that Lafayette would take part with Jones in 
 the expedition, Franklin addressed to the latter some admira- 
 ble advice, to regulate their conduct towards each other while 
 acting together. He remarked, that it had been observed'that 
 joint expeditions of land and sea forces, often miscarry through 
 jealousies and misunderstandings between the officers of the 
 different corps. This, he said, must happen where there were 
 little minds, actuated more by personal views of profit or 
 honour to themselves, then by a sincere desire of good to their 
 country. Knowing both Lafayette and Jones as he did, he 
 felt confident that nothing of the kind could happen between 
 them, and that it was therefore unnecessary for him to recom- 
 mend to either of them that condescension, mutual good will, 
 and harmony, which contribute so much to success in such un- 
 dertakings. He said, that he looked upon this expedition as 
 an introduction to more extensive commands, and as a kind 
 of trial of their abilities, and fitness in temper and dispositions 
 for acting in concert with others, and therefore felt assured 
 that nothing would happen that could give impressions to 
 their disadvantage, when greater affairs should come under 
 consideration. As the Marquis was a major-general in our 
 service, he of course was superior in rank, and must have the 
 entire command of the land forces, committed by the King to 
 his care ; but the command of the ships was to belong wholly 
 to Jones, in which Franklin felt persuaded, that, whatever au- 
 thority Lafayette's rank might in strictness give him, he would 
 not have the least desire to interfere. There was honour 
 enough, he said, to be got for both, if the expedition was con.- 
 ducted with a prudent unanimity. 
 D 5
 
 3 LIFE OF 
 
 The letter concerning Lafayette was accompanied by in- 
 structions most creditable to the heart of the sage, and to the 
 country which he represented. After directing the manner in 
 which the squadron was to co-operate with the land forces, 
 he proceeded to give directions for the treatment of prisoners, 
 and of captured towns, iu honourable contrast with the pro- 
 ceedings of the enemy on our own coast. When they became 
 known to the British public, they called forth everywhere un- 
 measured commendation, and threw 110 little discredit on the 
 ministry. 
 
 " You are to bring to France all the Englishmen you may 
 happen to take prisoners, in order to complete the good work 
 you have already made such progress in, of delivering by an 
 exchange the rest of our countrymen now languishing in the 
 jails of Great Britain. As many of your officers and people 
 have lately escaped from English prisons, either in Europe or 
 America, you are to be particularly attentive to their conduct 
 towards the prisoners, whom the fortune of war may throw 
 into your hands, lest resentment of the more than barbarous 
 usage by the English in many places towards the Americans 
 should occasion a retaliation, and an imitation of what ought 
 rather to be detested and avoided, for the sake of humanity 
 and for the honour of our country. In the same view, al- 
 though tho English have wantonly burnt many defenceless! 
 towns in America, you are not to follow this example, unless 
 when a reasonable ransom is refused, in which case your own 
 generous feelings, as well as this instruction, will induce you 
 to give timely notice of your intention, that sick and ancient 
 persons, women and children, may be first removed." 
 
 Jones received this admirable counsel, and these enlightened 
 orders, in the same high-minded spirit in which they were con- 
 ceived. In replying to a letter from Lafayette, which had ac- 
 cooapaoidd them, and in which he had announced his intention 
 oi' taking part in the cruise? Jones professed his readiness to 
 eo-operate heartily with him, and assured him that so flatter-
 
 PAUL JONES. 83 
 
 ing a proof of his esteem and friendship had made an impres- 
 sion on his mind that would attend him while he lived. And 
 to Dr. Franklin, he wrote, that the letter he had received from 
 him, together with his liberal instructions, would make a 
 coward brave. He told him that he had called up every senti- 
 ment of public virtue in his breast, and it should be his pride 
 and ambition, in the pursuit of his instructions, to deserve suc- 
 cess. Few prospects, he said, could afford him so true a satis- 
 faction as that of rendering some acceptable service to the 
 common cause, and at the same time of relieving from capti- 
 vity his unfortunate fellow countrymen still in the hands of 
 the enemy. 
 
 At this conjuncture, Spain was on the point of joining in the 
 alliance against England, and hopes were conceived of obtain- 
 ing the mastery of the seas by the junction of the French and 
 Spanish fleets, so as to cover an invasion of England, for which 
 preparations were made on a grand scale in the adjacent pro- 
 vinces of France. It was to take part in this meditated grand 
 invasion, that Lafayette was withdrawn from the humbler ex- 
 pedition of Jones ; which was in reality more formidable, be- 
 cause it was more likely to take effect. 
 
 The expedition being thus abandoned, it was desirable to 
 find employment for this expensive armament, and, instead of 
 the daring project of destroying Liverpool and its shipping, 
 Jones was assigned to the less congenial service of driving the 
 enemy's cruisers out of the Bay of Biscay, and giving convoy 
 to vessels bound from port to port along the coast. He sailed 
 from L'Orierit on this service on the 1 9th of June. In the night 
 of the 20th, the Bon Ilomme Richard and the Alliance got foul 
 of each other, by which accident, the former lost her head, cut- 
 water, jib-boom, and spritsail-yard, and the latter her mizen- 
 mast. The character of Captain Landais, which had exhibited 
 itself in a very odious light on the passage out from America, 
 and which in his new association had already begun to show 
 the jealousy, insubordination, and braggart insolence which,
 
 84 LIFE OF 
 
 belonged to it, led to the impression that the collision was not 
 avoided by him. As, however, the lieutenant of the Bon Homme 
 Richard, who had the watch at the time, was subsequently 
 broken for his conduct on this occasion, the blame could not 
 have belonged wholly to Landais ; though he, it seemed, be- 
 haved infamously at the time; for it was solemnly attested by 
 the officers of the squadron, that, instead of giving the neces- 
 sary orders to prevent the collison, and afterwards remaining 
 on deck to assist in the extrication of his ship, he went below 
 to load his pistols. The base desertion of his station at a cri- 
 tical moment, when the fate of his ship was at hazard, showed 
 a shrinking from duty and responsibility, and a want of pre- 
 sence of mind, whilst the search for his pistols, real or affected, 
 to be used against his commading officer, evinced a braggart 
 disposition to shed blood, which was doubtless assumed to 
 cover the timidity with which the jeopardy of his ship had af- 
 fected him. This anecdote will be found very characteristic 
 of the man in after scenes of much greater peril. 
 
 On the last day of June, Jones returned to L'Orieut to repair 
 the damages sustained in his collision with the Alliance. Dur- 
 ing this cruise, he transmitted a draft for thirty pounds for the 
 use of his relations. It was sent circuitously through a friend 
 in Dublin, under a feigned name, but from some accident or 
 dishonesty, never reached its destination. Soon after his return 
 to L'Orieut, he received instructions from Dr. Franklin with 
 regard to his future movements. He was directed to proceed, 
 with the vessels under his command, to the west coast of Ire- 
 land, and cruise off the Orcades, the Cape of Derneus, and the 
 Dogger Bank, in order to take the enemy's property in those 
 seas. All pri/.ea were to be sent to Dunkirk, Ostend, or Bergen 
 in Norway, according to the proximity of either of those ports, 
 and be addressed to the persons M. de Chaumont should name 
 About the 15th of August, he was directed to proceed to the 
 Texel, where he would find further orders. 
 
 In writing to Franklin on his return to L'Orient, Jones re-
 
 PAUL JONES. 85 
 
 turned to the old theme, his desire to obtain the command of 
 the Indien, and stated, that if the Court was still disposed to 
 give him that ship, he thought he could make a useful cruise 
 towards the Texel with the force under his command, and af- 
 terwards bring that ship out with the crew he now had. He 
 found great fault with the dull sailing of the old Bon Homme 
 Richard, and her defects of every description. Franklin's re- 
 ply betrays as much gentle impatience as the sage was proba- 
 bly capable of feeling. He said he had no other orders to give ; 
 for, as the Court was at the chief expense, he thought they had 
 the best right to direct. When a thing had been once deter- 
 mined on in Council, they do not care to resume the consider- 
 ation of it, having much business on hand, and no time for 
 reconsideration. By way of comfort, however, he mentioned 
 in confidence that the cruise had been ordered to terminate at 
 the Texel, with the view of getting out the Indien. 
 
 During Jones's cruise in the Bay of Biscay, a mutinous 
 spirit had exhibited itself among the Englishmen of his crew, 
 who had entered the service as Americans, in order to escape 
 from prison, and in the hope, perhaps, of afterwards returning to 
 the allegiance of their own flag. Two quarter-masters were 
 implicated as ringleaders in a conspiracy to take the ship. It 
 was necessary to hold a court-martial for the trial of those of- 
 fenders ; and a knowledge of those circumstances, thus reaching 
 M. de Sartine, created a distrust with regard to the efficiency 
 of the Bon Homme Richard, which gave Jones great annoy- 
 ance. The result of the court-martial was, that the quarter- 
 masters were severly whipped, instead of being condemned to 
 death, as Jones, from a letter written about this period, seems 
 to have apprehended. As a cartel arrived at Nantes with one 
 hundred and nineteen American prisoners at this conjuncture, 
 and efforts were made to enter them for the Bon Homme Rich- 
 ard, it is probable that the character of her crew was much 
 improved before she again put to sea. At the request of M. 
 de Sartine, Lieutenant-Colonel de Chamillard de Warville was
 
 86 LIFE OF 
 
 received on board of the Richard as commander of marines, and 
 the cruise was also extended so as to take in the whole of 
 September. 
 
 Before the squadron put to sea, M. le Ray de Chaiimont pro- 
 duced an agreement for the signature of Jones, and the other 
 commanders, in conformity with an intimation which he had 
 made to him two months previously, that such a document 
 would be required. By this agreement, styled a concordat, the 
 five captains, Jones, Landais, Cottineau, Varage, and Ricot, 
 bound themselves, unless detached from the squadron by or- 
 der of the Minister of Marine, to act together by virtue of the 
 commission which they had received from the United States. 
 In the event of the death of the commander-in-chief, the next 
 officer in rank was to succeed him. The division of pri/.e- 
 money to the crews was to be regulated by the American 
 laws ; but the proportion of each vessel was to be decided by 
 the French Minister of Marine and the American ambassador, 
 under whose joint orders the squadron acted. A copy of the 
 American laws was annexed to the concordat. All pri/es were 
 to be consigned to M. le Ray de Chaumont, who 'furnished the 
 expenses of the armament. He was not to pay the pri/.e- 
 moiiey of any individual of the squadron except to his order, 
 and was to be personally responsible to each for the amount 
 of his share. Armed vessels, whether French or American, 
 could unite Avith the squadron by mutual consent. 
 
 Thoirrh .Jones signed the paper, he subsequently made it the 
 subject, of bitter complaint. Ho ascribed to it most of the dis- 
 cord and insubordination which occurred during the cruise ; 
 and no doubt the novel feature, in a military expedition, of the 
 inferior commanders becoming parties to an agreement, by 
 which the commander-in-chief was also bound, instead of be- 
 ing subject to his unconditional orders, contributed to 
 the disorder of which the discordant materials compos- 
 ing the expedition were likely to be in themselves suf- 
 ficiently productive. In the Bon Homme Richard, whilst the
 
 PAUL JONES. 87 
 
 commander was by birth a Scotchman, a part of his officers 
 were American and a part French. Of his crew, one third 
 might be Americans, half of the remainder Englishmen, and 
 the rost French volunteers, to act as marines, and guard the 
 doubtful fidelity of the English, who had entered to escape 
 from prison. The captain of the Alliance was a Frenchman, 
 by character jealous, irritable, incompetent, and treacherous, 
 whilst his officers and crew were all Americans. Of the 
 other vessels, the officers and crews were entirely French, 
 though all bore equally the flag, and acted under the commis- 
 sion, of the United States. As the squadron was about to 
 put to sea, it was joined by two privateers, the Monsieur of 
 forty guns, and the Grandville of fourteen. The two priva- 
 teers did not, however, enter into the concordat, but remained 
 in company by voluntary agreement. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Departure of the Squadron from L'Oricnt. Incipient Insubordiation. A Priva- 
 teer parts company. Makes the coast of Irleand. Desertion of the Richard* s 
 Barge. Loss of another. Insolence of Landais of the Alliance. Desertion 
 of the two Vessels. The Squadou encounters a severe Gale. Separation of 
 Ships. The Richard passes between Scotland and the Western Isles. Falls in 
 with the Alliance off Cape Wrath. Capture of two valuable Prizes. They 
 arc sent to Norway. Renewed Insolence of Landais. The Alliance parts 
 Company. The Squadron of the Firth of Forth. Project of a Descent 
 upon Leith. His Captains oppose the Enterprise. They yield their Con- 
 sent. The Squadron enters the Firth. Is taken for an English Force. Re- 
 quest sent to Jones for Ammunition. Summons prepared for Leith. Ap- 
 proach to Kirkaldy. Prayer of Mr. Shirra. Gale out of the Firth. The 
 Squadron driven off. Project against Hull and Newcastle. Evils of the 
 Concordat. 
 
 HAVIKG issued general orders for the government of the dif- 
 ferent commanders, assigned to each vessel its station in the 
 order of sailing, and appointed two points of rendezvous in 
 the case of separation, Jones put to sea from L'Orient on the
 
 88 LIFE OF 
 
 14th of August, 1779. His squadron amounted, with the two 
 privateers, to seven sail; a force says he, " which might have 
 effected great services and done infinite injury to the enemy, 
 had there been secrecy and due subordination. Unfortunately 
 there was neither. Captain Jones saw his danger ; but his 
 reputation being at stake, he put all to the hazard." 
 
 On the 18th, the squadron re-captured a large Dutch ship 
 which had been taken a few days before by an English priva- 
 teer. The captain of the Monsieur, which was the boarding 
 vessel, took a number of articles out of this prize, and then 
 manning her, ordered her into port, without reference to the 
 commander-in-chief, who was in sight. Jones, however, 
 countermanded the orders, and despatched her for L'Orient, 
 which doubtless gave offence to the captain of the Monsieur, 
 as he disappeared that evening, and did not rejoin the squadron. 
 
 On the 23d, the squadron made Cape Clear, the extreme 
 southern point of Ireland, having taken several prizes on the 
 passage. It being calm, Jones sent his boats in-shore to cap- 
 ture a brigantine. Soon after it became necessary to lower 
 the barge, and send her a-head to tow, so as to keep the ship 
 from drifting into a dangerous bay. At dusk, the barge's 
 crew cut the tow line and pulled for the shore. {Several shots 
 were fired without effect, and Mr. Cutting Luut, the master, 
 went with another boat and several marines in chase of 
 them, and pursuing too far, a fog came on which prevented his 
 return. On the following day Captain Landaiscame on board 
 the Commodore's ship, and reproached him in the most insult- 
 ing and disrespectful manner for losing his boats, telling him 
 that he, Landais, was the only American in the squadron, that 
 he should hereafter follow his own opinion with regard to 
 chasing, notwithstanding Jones's orders, and, moreover, that 
 if Jones kept the squadron three days longer in that situation, 
 it would inevitably be taken. In a regular service, such in- 
 solence and insubordination would be inconceivable. The 
 disaffected character of Jones's crew, and the great proportion
 
 PAUL JONKS. 89 
 
 of Englishmen it contained, are also made manifest by the de- 
 sertion of the barge, which usually contains the best and most 
 trusty men. He reports to the Ambassador, that, by the ad- 
 vice of Captain Cottineau, and with the free consent of Cap- 
 tain Varage, he had sent the Cerf in to reconnoitre the coast, 
 and endeavour to find the boats and people, the next day, 
 while the squadron stood off and on in the south west quarter, 
 in the best possible situation to intercept the enemy's merchant 
 ships. Thus, before giving orders of indispensible necessity, 
 as a superior officer, we find him taking the advice of one cap- 
 tain, and obtaining the free consent aud approbation of ano- 
 ther. It is necessary, however, to take all these circumstances 
 into consideration, in order to estimate the difficulties with 
 which he was surrounded, and the glory which, in defiance of 
 them, he was still able to achieve. 
 
 The Cerf, on approaching the shore to reconnoitre, was 
 seen by Mr. Lunt in the ship's boat ; but, as the Cerf was 
 under English colours, he mistook her character, and at- 
 tempting to escape towards the land, was made prisoner. By 
 this means, the Bon Homme Richard lost two of her boats, 
 her master, and twenty of her crew. The Cerf was not again 
 seen, she having returned to France, instead of proceeding to 
 the rendezvous, which had been fixed upon. The Grandville, 
 having made a prize, also lagged behind and parted company. 
 There remained of the original squadron only the Bon Homme 
 Richard, the Alliance, the Pallas, and the Vengeance. As 
 Jones, however, undoubtedly gained strength as he parted 
 with his insubordinate and faithless followers, it was rather 
 to be regetted that the defection had not been greater ; 
 especially would he have gained by parting with the treacher- 
 ous Landais. 
 
 On the night of the 26th of August, it came on to blow 
 heavily from the southwest; and Jones, yielding to the 
 insolent and insubordinate objections of Landais, against 
 remaining longer in that neighbourhood, bore up and ran to
 
 90 LIFE OK 
 
 the northward along the coast of Ireland. LandaiH steered a 
 course two points different from that which Jones had ordered 
 by signal, the Pallas carried away her tiller in the night, and 
 Jones found himself the next morning alone witli the Ven- 
 geance. On the 31st, the Alliance, bein^ oil' Cape Wrath, 
 joined company with a valuable West Indiamau, called the 
 LYtsey, mounting twenty-two guns, which she had taken. As 
 the Alliance came up with her pri/,e, the Bon Homme Richard 
 was in the act of capturing a twenty-two gun ship, called 
 the Union, bound for Canada with naval stores. Landais had 
 the insolent folly to send a message to Jones, to ask whether 
 he should man the ship, as, in that case, he would sufl'er no 
 boat from the Richard to board her. " For the sake of peace," 
 as he says, Jones yielded to these terms, and the pri/.e was 
 manned from the Alliance, while the prisoners were received 
 on board the Richard. On the same day, Jones having made 
 a signal to Landais to chase, instead of obeying, he wore and 
 laid the ship's head the other way. The next morning, a 
 signal was made for him to come within hail of the Richard ; 
 this he did not even answer ; and, on September 3d, he acted 
 in direct violation of Jones's orders, by sending the two 
 valuable prizes, recently taken, to Bergen in Norway, where 
 they were subsequently given up to the English, by order of 
 the Danish government. Their value was estimated to ex- 
 ceed forty thousand pounds sterling. On the evening of the 
 4th, the Commander made signal for all captains to repair on 
 board, which Landais not only refused to do, but, when 
 Captain Cottineau, who had joined company in the Pallas the 
 day before, and M. Chamillard went to persuade him, he used 
 the most insulting language with regard to the Commodore, 
 and said that he would see him on shore, when one of them 
 must kill the other. After this amiable demonstration, he 
 again parted company. 
 
 On the 5th, it came on to blow heavily and continued 
 boisterous for several days. In the mean time the squadron
 
 PAUL JONES. 91 
 
 having doubled the north of Scotland, ran down on the eastern 
 coast, and on the evening of the 13th, came in sight of the 
 hills of Cheviot. On the following day, being off the Firth of 
 Forth, Jones captured several vessels from Leith, by which 
 he learned that the only vessels of war lying in the roads 
 were a twenty-gun ship and three or four cutters. He im- 
 mediately conceived the daring and characteristic design of 
 capturing this force, and then landing his marines, and 
 laying the town under contribution, under the penalty of 
 being immediately burned. Though much weakened, and 
 embarrassed with prisoners, he was anxious to teach the 
 enemy humanity by some exemplary stroke of retaliation, as 
 well as to make a diversion in the north, to favour a formi- 
 dable descent, which he expected would have been made 
 about this time on the south side of Great Britain, under cover 
 of the combined fleet. The wind was favourable to run up 
 the Firth ; but the Pallas and Vengeance being at a distance 
 in the offing, lie stood out to meet them, in order to concert 
 the attack. On communicating his plan to his captains, they 
 started many difficulties and objections. " After spending the 
 whole night," he says, " all his arguments on the side of ho- 
 nour and humanity failed. He then spoke to their ruling pas- 
 sion, and showed them a large heap of gold at the end of the 
 prospect. He was now heard with attention." " They ap- 
 peared to think better of the design," he elsewhere says, " af- 
 ter I had assured them that I hoped to raise a contribution of 
 two hundred thousand pounds on Leith, and that there was 
 no battery of cannon there to oppose our lauding. So much 
 time, however, was unavoidably spent in pointed remarks and 
 sage deliberation that night, that the wind became contrary in 
 the morning." Nevertheless, Jones did not abandon his de- 
 sign, but continued working to windward. 
 
 On the 15th, they captured a small collier, called the Friend- 
 ship, of Kirkaldy, the master of which, Andrew Robertson, 
 agreed, on condition of his vessel being restored to him, to
 
 92 LIFE OF 
 
 pilot the squadron into Leith. On the 16th, the ships being 
 close in with the coast of Fife, under English colours, were 
 taken for King's vessels in pursuit of Paul Jones, who was 
 supposed to be off the coast ; for a large proprietor of that 
 neighbourhood, who was a member of parliament, sent off a 
 boat to the Richard, to ask for powder and shot, that he might 
 have the means of defending himself from the expected visit 
 of the pirate Paul Jones. Jones returned a very polite mes- 
 sage, and sent a barrel of powder, but expressed his regret 
 that he had no suitable shot. In order to make the favour re- 
 ciprocal, and diminish the weight of obligation he was im- 
 posing on the honourable gentleman, he detained one of the 
 boatmen as a pilot. 
 
 Meantime every preparation was made for landing, and a 
 summons was prepared with every prospect of its being not 
 only delivered, but complied with. It was sufficiently tumid ; 
 but perhaps not the less suited to terrify the worthy burghers. 
 A blank capitulation was at the name time drawn up in 
 readiness to be signed by the magistrates. The summons ran 
 as follows. 
 
 " The Honourable J. Paul Jones, Commander-in-chief of 
 the American Squadron,, now in Europe, to the 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 towards the re- 
 imbursement wlu'ch 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
 
 PAUL JONES. 93 
 
 tyranny in America, from which neither virgin innocence nor 
 helpless age has been a plea for protection or pity. 
 
 " Leith and its port now lie at onr 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 pro- 
 pose 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." 
 
 Late in the afternoon of the 16th, the squadron was distinctly 
 seen from Edinburgh Castle, beating up the Firth. Its real 
 character was suspected. The alarm spread far and wide, 
 and the audacity of Jones struck a panic terror far beyond 
 what his force justified, and which was well suited to paralyze 
 any effort at resistance ; arms, however, were distributed to 
 the trades, and efforts hastily made to erect batteries at Leith. 
 On the morning of the 17th, in one of her tacks towards the 
 northern shore the Richard stood boldly up within a mile of 
 Kirkaldy, as if about to make a descent on the town. The 
 simple inhabitants were in an awful consternation. It is re- 
 lated that the minister of the place, the Eev. Mr. Shirra, who 
 was very eccentric and remarkable for the quaint and some- 
 what unseemly hardihood which often characterized his pray- 
 ers, joined his flock on the sandy beach which skirts the town, 
 and commenced supplicating earnestly in the following odd 
 strain. 
 
 " 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
 
 H 
 
 LIFE OF 
 
 puir enow already, and hae naething to spaire. The wa the 
 ween blaws, he '11 be here in a jiffie, and wha kens what he 
 may do ? He 's nae too guid for ony thing. Meickle's the 
 mischief he has dune already. He'll Tmrn 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 
 diuiia turn tho ween about, and blaw the scoundrel out of 
 our gate, I '11 na staur a fit, but will just sit here till the tide 
 conies. Sae tak yere wall o't." 
 
 Such is said to have been the prayer of Mr. Shirra on this 
 occasion, the extravagance of which may have grown in the 
 hands of some waggish editor of the day. Be it as it may, a 
 violent gale just then sprung up, which stranded one of the 
 prizes, and compelled Jones to bear up :uid run out of the 
 Firth. Popular belief among the good people of Kirkaldy 
 long continued to ascribe this gale to a direct manifestation 
 of divine interposition in their favour, brought on by the 
 energetic supplications of (heir worthy minister. Nor did he 
 altogether disclaim the honour ; for, when long after he used 
 to be complimented on the subject, he was wont to say, " I 
 prayed ; but the Lord sent the wind." 
 
 Jones tells us in his official account, that he was nearly 
 within gun-shot of Leith, having made every preparation to 
 land, when the gale freshened to blow with great violence. 
 He made an effort to withstand its force and reach his an- 
 chorage, now finite near; but, after an ineffectual struggle, 
 he was obliged to bear away and run out of the Firth. The 
 gale abated iii the evening; but he was then far from the 
 port ; and, thinking that the alarm had been effectually given 
 far and near, and the proximity of Edinburgh would have 
 enabled the authorities to make formidable preparations to 
 meet him at Leith, he was obliged, though reluctantly and
 
 PAUL JONES. 95 
 
 with many regrets, to abandon his enterprise. Daring as it 
 was, had he been so favoured by the wind as to have reached 
 Leith without warning, which he might have done had his 
 coadjutors lent him hearty co-operation from the first, instead 
 of enlightening him with their " pointed remarks and sage 
 deliberation," the very suddenness of the atack would have 
 doubtless secured its success. The exploit bears the same 
 character of hardihood as the descent on Whitehaven. Had 
 circumstances been more propitious, it would doubtless have 
 been successful. The conception, at any rate, belongs to the 
 highest character of intrepidity. 
 
 Two days after, Jones was already meditating another at- 
 tempt to destroy one of the enemy's towns. It is supposed 
 that his attention was now directed against Hull, or New- 
 castle, probably the latter, as it had been a favourite project 
 of his to cut off the supply of coal for London, which the de- 
 struction of the shipping of that place would have temporarily 
 effected, in addition to the great loss of property. He pro- 
 posed his scheme to Captain Cottineau, of the Pallas. This 
 officer objected to the project, and warned Jones that a delay 
 of two days more on the coast would inevitably lead to their 
 capture. He intimated, moreover, to Colonel de Chamillard, 
 that, unless Jones left the coast the next day, the Pallas and 
 Vengeance would abandon him. It was an evil, that grew 
 out of the concordat, and the inferior commanders being made 
 acquainted with the orders under which Jones acted, that 
 they knew that the period fixed for the termination of the 
 cruise at the Texel had arrived. They were, therefore, anxious 
 to leave a neighbourhood, which they expected would soon be 
 too hot for them. Jones had thought of attempting the pro- 
 ject alone, and protests that he would have done so, with 
 every confidence of success, but for the reproach that would 
 have been cast upon his character as a man of prudence, had 
 the enterprise miscarried. It would have been said, " Was 
 he not forewarned by Captain Cottineau and others ?"
 
 96 LIFE Of 
 
 Jones waa the last man to have others associated with him, 
 with the right to claim an explanation of his views and to 
 pass judgment upon them, as, owing to the nature of the 
 agreement entered into by the various commanders, the dis- 
 trust of the chief, and the indiscreet confidence reposed in the 
 subordinates, was the case on this ill-arranged [expedition. 
 The accuracy of the local knowledge of this coast which 1 e 
 obtained from his prisoners, and his ingenuity in combining it, 
 above all, the freedom from vague apprehension of unseen 
 dangers which left his judgment undisturbed to study and 
 appreciate the real difficulties of any undertaking, enabled 
 him to estimate the chances of success with an accuracy con- 
 vincing to himself, though not obvious to others, less ingeni- 
 ous, and less free from disturbance by the prospect of danger. 
 Others could not see with his eyes. It was an inherent vice 
 in this armament, that its ill-assorted composition, and the 
 principle upon which it was gent out, rendered it necessary 
 they should do so. Jones was a man to be obeyed. Had he 
 been at the head of a regular force of American ships, fitted 
 out at home, imperfectly organized as our navy then was, there 
 is scarcely a limit to the services that he might have effected. 
 There was one service, however, that he did effect in defiance 
 of all obstacles which surrounded him. In the decayed and 
 ill-contrived old ship in which he found himself cast forth upon 
 the ocean, in a scarcely seaworthy condition from the first, 
 and having under his orders a motley collection of officers and 
 seamen of almost every country, he fought a battle, which, for 
 stubborn and resolute courage, and triumphant success, is un- 
 surpassed by any sea-fight of ancient or modern times. This 
 is a service, the value of which will be felt in its animating 
 and encouraging example, so long as we continue to have a 
 name among the nations of the earth.
 
 PAUL JONES. 97 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 The Squadron off Flamborough Head. Discovers the Baltic Fleet. Givw 
 Chase. The opposing Ships approach. State of the Weather. Spectators on 
 Shore. Eccentric Movements of the Alliance. The Action begins between 
 the Richard and the Serapis. Two guns of the Richard burst. The Serapis 
 passes round the Richard. Attempts to cross her Bow. The two Ships get 
 foul. Jones attempts to board. Is repulsed. The Ships separate. The 
 Richard lays the Serapis athwart Hawse. The Ships swing Broadside and 
 Broadside. The Serapis anchors. Terrible cannonade from the Serapis. The 
 Alliance rakes the Richard. Jones superintends the Quarter-deck Battery, 
 Effective Fire from the Richard's Tops. Combustibles thrown on board the 
 Serapis. Explosion on her Main Deck. Alarm lest the Richard should sink. 
 Gunner cries for Quarter. Prisoners released. Desperate Situation of Jones. 
 ( He does not despair. The Serapis strikes. Her Captain delivers up his Sword. 
 Mangled Condition of the Richard. Both Ships on Fire. Removal of the 
 Wounded. The Richard sinks. Comparative Force of the Ships. Victory 
 due personally to Jones. Conduct of Laudais. Jones's Heroism. 
 
 THE battle between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis 
 is invested with an heroic interest of the highest stamp. From 
 the day of his unsuccessful effort to attack Leith, Jones had 
 been cruising off the mouth of the Humber, and along the York- 
 shire coast, intercepting the colliers bound to London, many of 
 which he destroyed. On the morning of the 23d of September, 
 he fell in with the Alliance. This rencontre was a real misfor- 
 tune ; as, in the battle which ensued, the disobedience and mad 
 vagaries of Landais were about to be converted into absolute 
 treason. The squadron now consisted of the Richard, the Al- 
 liance, the Pallas, and the Vengeance. 
 
 About noon, Jones despatched his second lieutenant, Henry 
 Lunt, with fifteen of his best men, to take possession of a brig- 
 antine, which he had chased ashore. Soon after, as the squa- 
 dron was standing to the northward towards Flamborough 
 Head, with a light breeze from south-south-west, chasing a ship 
 which was seen doubling the cape, in opening the view beyond, 
 E
 
 98 LIFE OF 
 
 they gradually came in sight of a fleet of forty-one sail running 
 down the coast from the northward, very close in with the 
 land. On questioning the pilot, the Commodore discovered 
 that this was the Baltic fleet, with which he had been so anx- 
 ious to fall in, and that it was under convoy of the Serapis, a 
 new ship, of an improved construction, mounting forty-four 
 guns, and the Countess of Scarborough, of twenty guns. 
 
 Signal was immediately made to form the line of battle, 
 which the Alliance, as usual disregarded. The Richard crosse d 
 her royal yards, and immediately gave chase to the northward, 
 under all sail, to get between the enemy and the land. At the 
 same time signal of recall was made to the pilot boat ; but she 
 did not return until after the action. On discovering the Ameri- 
 can squadron, the headmost ships of the convoy were seen to 
 haul their wind suddenly, and go about so as to stretch back 
 under the land, towards Scarborough, and place themselves 
 under cover of the cruiser ; at the same time, they fired signal 
 guns, let fly their top-gallant sheets, and showed every symp- 
 tom of confusion and alarm. Soon afterward, the Serapis was 
 seen stretching to windward, to get between the convoy and 
 the American ships, which she soon effected. At four o'clock, 
 the English cruisers were in sight from deck. The Countess 
 of Scarborough was standing out to join the Serapia, which 
 was lying to for her, whilst the convoy continued to run for 
 he fort, in obedience to the signals displayed fromtlu' Scrapis, 
 which was also seen to fire guns. At half past five, the two 
 ships had joined company, when the Serapis made sail by the 
 wind ; at six, both vessels tacked, heading up to the west \vanl, 
 across the bows of the lUchard, so as to keep their position be- 
 tween her and the convoy. 
 
 The opposing ships thus continued to approach each other 
 slowly, under the light southwesterly air. The weather was 
 beautifully serene, and the bree/.e being off the land, which 
 was now close on board, produced no ripple on the wut-r, 
 which lay still and peaceful, offering a fair field to the com-
 
 PAUL JONES. i) i) 
 
 batants about to grapple in such deadly strife. The decks of 
 the opposing vessels were long since cleared for action, and 
 ample leisure remained for reflection, as the ships glided to- 
 wards each other at a rate but little in accordance with the 
 impatience of the opponents. From the projecting promon- 
 tory of Flamborough Head, which was less than a league dis- 
 tant, thousands of the inhabitants, whom the recent attempt 
 upon Leith had made aware of the character of the American 
 ships, and the reckless daring of their leader, looked down 
 upon the scene, awaiting the result with intense anxiety. The 
 ships also were in sight from Scarborough, the inhabitants of 
 which thronged the piers. The sun had already sunk behind 
 the land, before the ships were within gun-shot of each other ; 
 but a full harvest-moon rising above the opposite horizon, 
 lighted the combatants in their search for each other, and 
 served to reveal the approaching scene to the spectators on 
 the land with a vague indistinctness which rendered it only 
 the more terrible. 
 
 We have seen, that the Alliance had utterly disregarded the 
 signal to form the line of battle, when the Baltic fleet was 
 first discovered and our squadron bore down upon them. 
 She stood for the enemy without reference to her station, and, 
 greatly outsailing the other vesselu, was much sooner in a 
 condition to engage. Captain Landais seemed, for once, to 
 be actuated by a chivalrous motive, and likely to do something 
 to redeem the guilt of his disobedience. The officers of the 
 Kichard were watching this new instance of eccentricity, for 
 which Landais's past conduct had not prepared them, with no 
 little surprise ; when, after getting near to where the Serapis 
 lay, with her courses hauled up and St. George's ensign, the 
 white cross of England, proudly displayed, he suddenly hauled 
 his wind, leaving the patli of honour open to his commander. 
 While the Pallas stood for the Countess of Scarborough, the 
 Alliance sought a position in which she could contemplate the 
 the double engagement without risk, as though her commander
 
 100 LIFE OF 
 
 had been chosen umpire, instead of being a party interested 
 in the approaching battle. Soon afterward, the Serapis was 
 seen to hoist the red ensign instead of St. George's, and it was 
 subsequently known that her captain had nailed it to the flag- 
 staff with his own hand. 
 
 About half-past seven, the Bon Homme Richard hauled up 
 her courses and rounded to on the weather or larboard quarter 
 of the Serapis, within pistol-shot, and steered a nearly parallel 
 course, though gradually edging down upon her. The Serapis 
 now triced up her lower deck ports, showing two complete 
 batteries, besides her spar-deck, lighted up for action, and 
 making a most formidable appearance. At this moment, Cap- 
 tain Pearson, her commander, hailed the Bon Homme 
 Richard, and demanded, " What ship is that ?" Answer was 
 made, " I can't hear what you say." The hail was repeated : 
 " "What ship is that ? answer immediately, or I shall be under 
 the necessity of firing into you !" A shot was tired in reply by 
 the Bon Homme Richard, which was instantly followed by a 
 broadside from each vessel. Two of the three old eigh teen- 
 pounders in the Richard's gun-room burst at the first fire, 
 spreading around an awful scene of carnage. Jones imme- 
 diately gave orders to close the lower deck ports, and abandon 
 that battery during the rest of the action. 
 
 The Richard, having kept her head-way, and becalmed the 
 sails of the Serapis, passed across her forefoot, when the Sera- 
 pis, luffing across the stern of the Richard, came up in turn 
 on the weather or larboard quarter ; and, after an exchange 
 of several broadsides from the fresh batteries, which did great 
 damage to the rotten sides of the Richard, and caused her to 
 leak badly, the Serapis likewise becalmed the sails of the 
 Richard, passed a-head, and soon after bore up and attempted 
 to cross her forefoot, so as to rake her from stem to stern. 
 Finding, however, that he had not room for the evolution, and 
 that the Richard would be on board of him, Captain Pearson 
 put his helm a-lee, which brought the two ships in a line ahead,
 
 PAUL JONES. 101 
 
 and, the Serapis having lost her head -way by the attempted 
 evolution, the Richard ran into her weather or larboard quar- 
 ter. While in this position, neither ship being able to use her 
 great guns, Jones attempted to board the Serapis, but was re- 
 pulsed, when Captain Pearson hailed him, and asked, " Has 
 yo*tir ship struck ?" To which he at once returned the discou- 
 raging answer, " I have not yet begun to fight !" 
 
 Jones now backed his topsails, and the sails of the Serapis 
 remaining full, the two ships separated. Immediately after, 
 Pearson also laid his topsails aback, as he says in his official 
 report, to get square with the Richard again ; Jones, at the 
 same instant, filled away, which brought the two ships once 
 more broadside and broadside. As he had already suffered 
 greatly from the superior force of the Serapis, and from her 
 being more manageable and a faster sailer than the Richard, 
 which had several times given her the advantage in position, 
 Jones now determined to lay his ship athwart the enemy's 
 hawse ; he accordingly put his helm up, but some of his braces 
 being shot away, his sails had not their full power, and, the 
 Serapis having stern-way, the Richard fell on board of her far- 
 ther aft than Jones had intended. The Serapis's jib-boom 
 hung her for a few minutes, when, carrying away, the two 
 ships swung broadside and broadside, the muzzles of the guns 
 touching each other. Jones sent Mr. Stacy, the acting master, 
 to pass up the end of a hawser to lash the two ships together ; 
 and, while he was gone on this service, assisted with his own 
 hand in making fast the jib- stay of the Serapis to the Richard's 
 mizzen-mast. Accident, however, unknown for the moment 
 to either party, more effectually secured the two vessels toge- 
 ther ; for, the anchor of the Serapis having hooked the quarter 
 of the Richard, the two ships lay closely grappled. In order 
 to escape from this close embrace, and recover the advantage 
 of his superior sailing and force, Captain Pearson now let go 
 an anchor, when the two ships tended round to the tide, which 
 was setting towards Scarborough. The Richard being held
 
 102 LIFE OF 
 
 by the anchor of the Serapis, and the yards being entangled 
 fore and aft, they remained firmly grappled. This happened 
 about half-past eight, the engagement having already conti- 
 nued an hour.* 
 
 Meantime the tiring had recommenced with fresh fury from 
 the starboard sides of both vessels. The guns of either ship 
 actually touched the sides of the other, and some of them 
 being opposite the ports, they entered those of the opposite 
 ship when in the act of loading, and the guns were discharged 
 into the side or into the open decks. The effect of this can- 
 nonade was terrible to both ships, and wherever it could be 
 kept up in one ship, it was silenced in the other. ( )ccasional 
 skirmishing with pikes and pistols took place through the 
 ports, but there does not appear to be any concerted effort to 
 board from the lower decks of the Serapis, which had the ad- 
 vantage below. 
 
 The Richard had already received several eighteen-pound 
 shot between wind and water, causing her to leak badly ; the 
 main battery of twelve-pounders was silenced; as for the 
 gnn-room battery of six eighteen-pounders, we have seen, 
 that two out of the three starboard ones burst at the first fire, 
 killing most of their crews. During the whole action but 
 eight shots were fired from this heavy battery, the use of 
 which was so much favoured by the smoothness of the water. 
 The bursting of these guns, and the destruction of the crew, 
 with the partial blowing up of the deck above, so early in the 
 action, were discouraging circumstances, which, with a less 
 
 As considerable difference will be observable between the account of this 
 battle, given in Mr. Cooper's " Naval History " and the above, it is proper to 
 state, that Mr. Cooper has followed Mr. Dale's description of the manoeuvres an- 
 tecedent to the ships being grappled; whilst, in the present account, more re- 
 liance has been placed on those of the two commanders, who directed the 
 evolutions. Mr. Dale was stationed on the Richard's main deck, in a compara- 
 tively unfavourable position for observing the manoeuvres. The evolution of 
 boxhauling his hip, ascribed by Mr. Cooper to Captain Pearson, would, under 
 the circumstances, have been highly unseamanlikc,
 
 PAUL JONES. 
 
 103 
 
 resolutely determined commander, might well have been deci- 
 sive of the fate of the battle. 
 
 Colonel Chamillard, who was stationed on the poop, with a 
 party of twenty marines, had already been driven from his 
 post, with the loss of a number of his men, probably by the 
 raking fire of the Alliance. This ship kept studiously aloof, 
 and hovering about the Pallas and Countess of Scarborough, 
 until the latter struck, after half an hour's action, when Lan- 
 dais endeavoured to get information as to the force of the Se- 
 rapis. He now ran down, under easy sail, to where the 
 Richard and Serapis lay grappled. At about half-past nine, 
 he ranged up on the larboard quarter of the Richard, of course 
 having the Richard between him and the Serapis ; though the 
 brightness of the moonlight, the greater height of the Richard, 
 especially about the poop, and the fact of her being painted 
 entirely black, whilst the Serapis had a yellow streak, could 
 have left no doubt as to her identity ; moreover, the Richard 
 displayed three lights at the larboard bow, gangway, and 
 stern, which was an appointed signal of recognition. 
 
 Landais now deliberately fired into the Richard's quarter, 
 killing many of her men. Standing on, he ranged past her 
 larboard bow, where he renewed his raking fire, with like 
 fatal effect. To remove the chance of misconception, many 
 voices cried out, that the Alliance was firing into the wrong 
 ship ; still the raking fire continued from her. Captain Pearson 
 also suffered from this fire, as he states in his report to the 
 Admiralty, but necessarily in a much less degree than the 
 Richard, which lay between them. There is ample evidence 
 of Landais having returned there several times to fire on the 
 Richard, and always on the larboard side, or the opposite one 
 to that on which the Richard was grappled with the Serapis. 
 
 While the fire of the Serapis was continued without inter- 
 mission from the whole of her lower-deck battery, the only 
 guns that were still fired from the Richard were two nine- 
 pounders on the quarter-deck, commanded by Mr. Mease, the
 
 104 LIFE OF 
 
 purser. This officer having received a dangerous wound in 
 the head, Jones took his place, and, having collected a few 
 men, succeeded in shifting over one of the larboard guns ; os 
 that three guns were now kept playing on the enemy, and 
 these were all that were fired from the Richard during the re- 
 remainder of the action. One of these guns was served with 
 double-headed shot and directed at the main mast, by Jones's 
 command, whilst the other two were loaded with grape and 
 canister, to clear the enemy's deck. In this service, great aid 
 was rendered by the men stationed in the tops of the Richard, 
 who, having cleared the tops of the Serapis, committed great 
 havoc among the officers and crew upon her upper deck. 
 Thus, while the action was carried on with decided advantage 
 to the enemy on the lower decks, from which they might have 
 boarded with a good prospect of success, as nearly the whole 
 crew of the Richard had been driven from below by the fire of 
 the Serapis, and had collected on the upper deck, above, it 
 was equally in our favour. In addition to the destructive fire 
 from the tops of the Richard, great damage was done by the 
 hand-grenades thrown from her tops and yard-arms. The 
 Serapis was set on tire as often as ten or twelve times in va- 
 rious parts, and the conflagration was only with the greatest 
 exertions kept from becoming general. 
 
 About a quarter before ten, a hand-grenade, thrown by one 
 of the Richard's men from the main-top of the Serapis, struck 
 the combing of the main hatch, and, glancing inward upon the 
 main deck, set fire to a cartridge of powder. Owing to mis- 
 management and defective training, the powder boys on this 
 deck had brought up the cartridges from the magazine faster 
 than they were used, and, instead of waiting for the loaders 
 to receive and charge them, had laid them on the deck, where 
 some of them were broken. The cartridge fired by the grenade 
 now communicated to these, and the explosion spread from 
 the main-mast aft on the starboard side, killing twenty men 
 and disabling every man there stationed at the guns, those
 
 PAUL JONES. 105 
 
 who were not killed outright being left stripped of their clothes 
 and scorched frightfully. 
 
 At this conjuncture, being about ten o'clock, the gunner and 
 the carpenter of the Richard, who had been slightly wounded, 
 became alarmed at the quantity of water which entered the 
 ship through the shot-holes, which she had received between 
 wind and water, and which, by her settling, had got below 
 the surface. The carpenter expressed an apprehension that 
 she would speedily sink, which the gunner mistaking for an 
 assertion that she was actually sinking, ran aft on the poop to 
 haul down the colours. Finding that the ensign was already 
 down, in consequence of the staff having been shot away, the 
 gunner set up the cry, " Quarter ! for God's sake, quarter ! 
 Our ship is sinking !" which he continued until silenced by 
 Jones, who threw at the recreant a pistol he had just dis- 
 charged at the enemy, which fractured his skull, and sent him 
 headlong down the hatchway. Captain Pearson, hearing the 
 gunner's cry, asked Jones if he called for quarter, to which, 
 according to his own words, he replied " in the most deter- 
 mined negative." Captain Pearson now called away his 
 boarders and sent them on board the Richard, but, when they 
 reached her rail, they were met by Jones himself, at the head 
 of a party of pikemen, and driven back. They immediately 
 returned to their ship, followed by some of the Richard's men, 
 all of whom were cut off. 
 
 About the same time that the gunner set up his cry for 
 quarter, the master-at-arms, who had been in consultation with 
 the gunner and the carpenter, in regard to the sinking condi- 
 tion of the ship, hearing the cry for quarter, proceeded, with- 
 out orders from Jones, and either from treachery or the 
 prompting of humane feelings, to release all the prisoners, 
 amounting to more than a hundred. One of these, being the 
 commander of the letter-of-marque Union, taken on the 31st 
 of August, passed, with generous self-devotion, through the 
 lower ports of the Richard and the Serapis, and, having
 
 106 LIVE OF 
 
 reached the quarter-deck of the latter, informed Captain 
 Pearson, that, if he would hold out a little longer, the 
 Richard must either strike or sink. He, moreover, informed 
 him of the large number of prisoners who had been released 
 with himself, in order to save their lives. Thus encouraged, 
 the battle was renewed from the Serapis with fresh ardour. 
 
 The situation of Jones, at this moment, was indeed hope- 
 less, beyond anything that is recorded in the annals of naval 
 warfare. In a sinking ship, with a battery silenced every- 
 where, except where he himself fought, more than a hundred 
 prisoners at large in his ship, his consort, the Alliance, sailing 
 round and raking him deliberately, some of his officers coun- 
 selling surrender, whilst the inferior ones were setting up dis~* 
 heartening cries of fire and sinking, and calling loudly for 
 quarter; the chieftain still stood undismayed. He imme- 
 diately ordered the prisoners to the pumps, and took advan- 
 tage of the panic they were in, with regard to the reported 
 sinking of the ship, to keep them from conspiring to overcome 
 the few efficient hands that remained of his crew. Mean- 
 wink', the action was continued with the three light quarter- 
 deck guns, under Jones's immediate inspection. In the moon- 
 light, blended with the flames that ascended the rigging of 
 the Serapis, the yellow main-mast presented a palpable mark, 
 against which the guns were directed with double-headed 
 shot. Soon after ten o'clock the fire of the Serapis began to 
 slacken, and at half past ten she struck. 
 
 Mr. Dale, the first lieutenant of the Richard, was now or- 
 dered onboard the Serapis, to take charge of her. He was ac- 
 companied by Midshipman Mayrant and a party of boarders. 
 Mr. Mayrant was ran through the thigh with a boarding-pike, as 
 he touched the deck of the Serapis, and three of the Richard's 
 crew were killed after the Serapis had struck, by some of the 
 crew of the latter who were ignorant of the surrender of their 
 ship. Lieutenant Dale found Captain Pearson on the quarter- 
 deck, and told him he was ordered to send him on board the
 
 PAUL JONES. 107 
 
 Richard. It is a remarkable evidence of the strange character of 
 this engagement, and the doubt which attended its result, that 
 the first lieutenant of the Serapis, who came upon deck at this 
 moment, should have asked his commander, whether the ship 
 alongside had struck. Lieutenant Dale immediately answered, 
 " No, sir ! on she contrary, he has struck to us." The British 
 lieutenant, like a true officer, repeated the question to his com- 
 mander, " Have you struck, sir ?" Captain Pearson replied, 
 " Yes, I have." The lieutenant replied, " I have nothing 
 mbre to say," and was about to return below, when Mr. Dale 
 informed him, that he must accompany Captain Pearson on 
 board the Richard. The lieutenant rejoined, "If you will 
 permit me to go below, I will silence the firing of the lower 
 deck guns." This offer Mr. Dale properly declined, and the 
 two officers went on board the Richard, and surrendered 
 themselves to Jones. 
 
 Pearson, who had risen, like Jones, from an humble station 
 by his own bravery, but who was as inferior to Jones in 
 courtesy, as he had proved himself in obstinacy of resistance, 
 evinced from the first a characteristic surliness, which he 
 maintained throughout the whole of his intercourse with his 
 victor. In surrendering he said, that it was painful for him 
 to deliver up his sword to a man, who had fought with a 
 halter round his neck. Jones did not forget himself, but re- 
 plied, with a compliment, which, though addressed to Pearson, 
 necessarily reverted to himself, " Sir ! you have fought like a 
 hero, and I make no doubt but your sovereign will reward 
 you in a most ample manner." 
 
 As another evidence of the strange mclce which attended 
 tliis engagement, and of the discouraging circumstances under 
 which the Richard fought, it may be mentioned, thateight or ten 
 of her crew, who were of course Englishmen, got into a boat, 
 which was towing astern of the Serapis, and escaped to Scar- 
 borough during the height of the engagement. This defection, 
 together with the absence of the second lieutenant with fifteen
 
 108 LIFE OF 
 
 of the best men, the loss of twenty-four men on the coast of 
 Ireland, added to the number who had been sent away in 
 prizes, reduced Jones's crew to a very email number, and 
 greatly diminished his chance of success, which was due at 
 length solely to his own indomitable courage. 
 
 Meantime, the fire, which was still kept up from the lower- 
 deck guns of the Serapis, where the seamen were ignorant of 
 the scene of surrender which had taken place above, was ar- 
 rested by an order from Lieutenant Dale. The action had 
 continued without cessation for three hours and a half. When 
 it at length ceased, Jones got his ship clear of the Serapis, and 
 made sail. As the two separated, after being so long locked 
 in deadly struggle, the main-mast of the Serapis, which had 
 been for some time tottering, and which had only been BUB-*- 
 tained by the interlocking of her yards with those of the 
 Richard, went over the side with a tremendous crash, carry- 
 ing the mizzen-topmast with it. Soon after, the Serapis cut 
 her cable and followed the Richard. 
 
 The exertions of captors and captives were now necessary 
 to extinguish the flames, which were raging furiously in both 
 vessels. Its violence was greatest in the Richard, where it 
 had been communicated below from the lower-deck guns of 
 the Serapis. Every effort to subdue the flames seemed for a 
 time to be unavailing. In one place they were raging very 
 near the magazine, and Jones, at length, had all the powder 
 taken out and brought on deck, in readiness to be thrown 
 overboard. In this work the officers of the Serapis voluntarily 
 assisted. 
 
 While the fire was raging in so terrifying a manner, the 
 water was entering the ship in many places. The rudder had 
 been cut entirely through, the transoms were driven in, and 
 the rotten timbers of the old ship, from the main-mast aft, 
 were shattered and almost entirely separated, as if the ship 
 had been sawn through by ice ; so much so, that Jones says, 
 that, towards the close of the action, the shot of the Serapis
 
 PAUL JOKES. 109 
 
 passed completely through the Richard; and the stern-post 
 and a few timbers alone prevented the stern from falling down 
 on the gun-room deck. The water rushed in through all 
 these apertures, so that at the close of the action, there],were 
 already five feet of water in the hold. The spectacle, which 
 the old ship presented the following morning, was dreadful 
 beyond description. Jones says, in his official report, that "a 
 person must have been an eyewitness to form a just idea of 
 the tremendous scene of carnage, wreck, and ruin, that every- 
 where appeared. Humanity cannot but recoil from the pros- 
 pect of such finished horror, and lament that war should pro- 
 duce such fatal consequences." 
 
 Captain Pearson also notices, in his official letter to the 
 Admiralty, the dreadful spectacle the Richard presented. He 
 says, " On my going on board the Bon Homme Richard, I 
 found her to be in the greatest distress ; her counters and 
 quarters on the lower deck entirely drove in, and the whole 
 of her lower-deck guns dismounted ; she was also on fire in 
 two places, and six or seven feet water in her hold, which 
 kept increasing upon them all night and the next day, till they 
 were obliged to quit her, and she sunk with a great number of 
 her wounded people on board her." * The regret which he 
 must, at any rate, have felt in surrendering, must have been 
 much augmented by these observations, and by what he must 
 have seen of the motley composition of the Richard's crew. 
 
 On the morning after the action, a survey was held upon the 
 Poor Richard, which was now more than ever, entitled to her 
 name. After a deliberate examination, the carpenters and 
 other surveying officers were unanimously of opinion, that the 
 ship could not be kept afloat, so as to reach a port, if the wind 
 should increase. The task of removing the wounded was now 
 
 * This was a mistake. Jones says, in his official letter ; " No lives were lost 
 with the ship, hut it was impossible to save the stores of any sort whatever. I 
 lost even the best part of my clothes, books, and papers; and several of my 
 officers lost all their clothes and effects."
 
 110 LIFE Of 
 
 commenced, and completed in the course of the night and fol- 
 lowing morning. The prisoners who had been taken in mer- 
 chant ships were left until the wounded were all removed. 
 Taking advantage of the confusion, and of their superiority of 
 numbers, they took possession of the ship, and got her head in 
 for the land, towards which the wind was now blowing. A 
 contest ensued, and, as the Englishmen had few arms, they 
 were speeedily overcome. Two of them were shot dead, several 
 wounded and driven overboard, and thirteen of them got pos- 
 session of a boat and ecaped to the shore. 
 
 Jones was very anxious to keep the Richard afloat, and, if 
 possible, to bring her into port, doubtless from the very justi- 
 fiable vanity of showing how desperately he had fought her. 
 In order to effect this object, he kept the first lieutenant of the 
 Pallas on board of her, with a party of men to work the pumps, 
 having boats in waiting to remove them, in the event of her 
 sinking. During the night of the 24th, the wind had freshened, 
 and still continued to freshen on the morning of the 25th, when 
 all further efforts to save her were unavailing. About nine 
 o'clock, it became necessary to abandon her, the water then 
 being up to the lower deck ; an hour later, she rolled as if 
 losing her balance, and settling forward, went down bows first, 
 her stern and mizzen-mast being last seen. "A little after 
 ten," says Jones in his report, " I saw with inexpressible 
 grief, the last glimpse of the Bon Ilomme Richard." The grief 
 was a natural one, but far from being destitute of consolation ; 
 the closing scene of the Poor Richard, like the death of Nelson 
 on board the Victory, in the moment of winning a new title 
 to the name, was indeed a glorious one. Her shattered shell 
 afforded an honourable receptacle for the remains of the Ameri- 
 cans who had fallen during the action. 
 
 The best commentary that we can offer on the battle be- 
 tween the Richard and Hera pis, is to be found in the faithful 
 narrative in which we have embodied all the facts that har p 
 been related with regard to it, from whatever source they can
 
 PAUL JONES, 111 
 
 be derived. It is strongly corroborative of the truth of the va- 
 rious statements, that they do not, in any respect, differ ma- 
 terially from each other. In Sherburne's " Life of Paul Jones," 
 we find a detailed statement of the relative force of the Rich- 
 ard and the Serapis, which, from its particularity, is doubtless 
 correct. It, moreover, agrees with the relative rates of the 
 two vessels, as given by the commanders. The Richard is 
 called by Captain Pearson a forty-gun ship, while the Serapis 
 is stated by the pilot, who described her to Jones when she 
 was first made, to have been a forty-four. Jones and Dale also 
 give her the same rate. The Richard, as we have seen, mounted 
 six eighteen-pounders in her gun-room, on her berth-deck, 
 where port -holes had been opened near the water ; fourteen 
 twelve and fourteen nine-pounders on her main-deck, gangways 
 and forecastle. The weight of shot thrown by her, at a single 
 broadside, would thus be two hundred and twenty-five pounds. 
 With regard to her crew, she started from L'Orient with three 
 hundred and eighty men. She had manned several prizes, 
 which, with the desertion of the barges's crew on the coast of 
 Ireland, and the absence of those who went in pursuit under 
 the master, and never returned, together with the fifteen men 
 sent away in the pilot boat, under the second lieutenant, just 
 before the action, and who did not return until after it was 
 over, reduced the crew, according to Jones's statement, to three 
 hundred and forty men at its commencement. This calculation 
 seems a very fair one ; for, by taking the statement of those who 
 landed on the coast of Ireland, as given in a contemporary Eng- 
 lish paper at twenty-four, those who were absent in the pilot 
 boat, being sixteen in number, and allowing five of the nine 
 prizes taken by the Richard, to have been manned from her, 
 with average crews of five men each, the total redaction from 
 her original crew maybe computed to be seventy men. Eight 
 or ten more escaped, during Hie action, in a boat towing astern 
 of the Serapis. To have had three hundred and forty men at
 
 112 LITE OF 
 
 the commencement of the action, ae Jones states he had, he 
 must have obtained recruits from the crews of his prizes. 
 
 In the muster-roll of the Richard's crew in the battle, as 
 given by Mr. Sherburne, from an official source, we find only 
 two hundred and twenty-seven names. This can hardly have 
 been complete ; still the document is interesting, inasmuch as 
 it enumerates the killed and wounded by name, there being 
 forty-two killed and forty wounded. It also states the coun- 
 try of most of the crew ; by which it appears that there were 
 seventy-one Americans, fifty-seven acknowledged Englishmen, 
 twenty-one Portuguese, and the rest of the motley collection 
 was made up of Swedes, Norwegians, Irish, and East-Indians. 
 Many of those not named in this imperfect muster-roll, were 
 probably American?. 
 
 With regard to the Serapis, her battery consisted of twenty 
 eighteens on the lower gun-deck, twenty nines on the upper 
 gun-deck, and ten sixes on the quarter-deck and forecastle. 
 She had two complete batteries, aud her construction was, in 
 all respects, that of a line-of-battle ship. The weight of shot 
 thrown by her single broadside was three hundred pounds, 
 being seventy-five pounds more than that of the Richard. Her 
 crew consisted of three hundred aud twenty ; all Englishmen, 
 except fifteen Lascars, and, as such, superior to the motley 
 aud partially disaffected assemblage of the Richard. The su- 
 periority of the Serapis, in sue and weight, as well as efficiency 
 of battery, was, moreover, greatly increased by the strength 
 of her construction. She was a new ship, built expressly for 
 a man-of-war, and equipped in the most complete manner by 
 the first of naval powers. The Richard was originally a mer- 
 chantman, worn out by long use and rotten from age. She 
 was fitted, in a make-shift manner, with whatever refuse guns 
 and materials could be hastily procured, at a small expense, 
 from the limited means appropriated to her armament. 
 
 The overwhelming superiority thus possessed by the Sera- 
 pis, was evident in the action. Two of the three lower-deck
 
 PAUL JONKs. 113 
 
 guns of the Richard burst at the first fire, scattering death on 
 every side, whilst the guns of the Serapis remained serviceable 
 during the whole action, and their effect on the decayed sides 
 of the Richard was literally to tear her to pieces. On the 
 contrary, the few light guns which continued to be used in 
 the Richard, under the immediate direction of her commander, 
 produced little impression on the hull of the Serapis. They 
 were usefully directed to destroy her masts and clear her 
 upper deck, which, with the aid of the destructive and well- 
 sustained fire from the tops, was eventually effected. The 
 achievement of the victory was, however, wholly and solely 
 due to the immoveable courage of Paul Jones. The Richard 
 was beaten more than once ; but the spirit of Jones could not 
 be overcome. Captain Pearson was a brave man, and well de- 
 served the honour of knighthood, which awaited him on his 
 arrival in England ; but Paul Jones had a nature which never 
 could have yielded. Had Pearson been equally indomitable, 
 the Richard, if not boarded from below, would, at last, have 
 gone down with her colours still flying in proud defiance. 
 
 The wounded of the Serapis appear, by the Surgeon's report, 
 accompanying Captain Pearson's letter to the Admiralty, to 
 have amounted to seventy-five men, eight of whom died of 
 their wounds. Of the wounded, thirty-three are stated to 
 have been "miserably scorched," doubtless by the explosion 
 of the cartridges on the main deck. Captain Pearson states, 
 that there were many more, both killed and wounded, than 
 appeared on the list, but that ho had been unable to ascertain 
 their names ; the list of killed on board the Serapis does not 
 appear in the account published by Mr. Sherburne. Jones 
 states the number of wounded on board the Serapis as more 
 than a hundred, and that the killed were probably as numer- 
 ous. The surviving prisoners, taken from the Serapis and the 
 Countess of Scarborough, amounted to three hundred and 
 fifty ; the whole number of prisoners, including those previ-
 
 114 LIFE OF 
 
 onsly taken from captured merchant vessels, amounted to near 
 five hundred. 
 
 During the engagement between the Richard and Serapis, 
 the Pallas, commanded by Captain Cottineau, seems to have 
 done her duty. She engaged the Countess of Scarborough, 
 and captured her after an hour's close action. The Pallas was 
 a frigate of thirty-two guns, and the Countess of Scar- 
 borough a single-decked ship, mounting twenty six-pounders. 
 The Alliance, in the course of the night, also fired into the 
 Pallas and the Countess of Scarborough, while engaged, and 
 killed several of the Pallas's men. Subsequently to the en- 
 gagement, it was attested by the mass of officers in the 
 squadron, that about eight o'clock the Alliance raked the Bon 
 Homme Richard with grape and cross-bar, killing a number 
 of men, and dismounting several guns. He afterwards made 
 sail for where the Pallas and the Scarborough were engaged, 
 and, after hovering about until (lie latter struck, communi- 
 cated by hailing with both vessels, and Ihen stood back to the 
 Richard, and, coming up on her luboard quarter, about half 
 past nine, fired again into her; passing along her larboard 
 beam, he then luffed up on her lee bow, and renewed his 
 raking fire. It was proved, that the Alliance never passed 
 on the larboard side of the Serapis, but always kept the 
 Kichard between her and the enemy. The officers of the 
 Richard were of opinion that Landais's object was to kill 
 Jones and disable his ship, so as afterwards to have himself 
 an easy victory over the Serapis. As it was, he subsequently 
 claimed the credit of the victory, on the plea of having raked 
 the Serapis. There can be little doubt that he was actuate 'il 
 by jealous and treacherous feelings towards Jones, or by base 
 timidity.* The Vengance also behaved badly; neither she- 
 nor the Alliance made any prizes from among th<? fleet of 
 
 * Several of these circumstances have a strange similarity to what has oc- 
 curred in our own times, in the battle on Lake Erie, of which the writer pro- 
 poses to treat at large, in a life of Commodore Perry,
 
 PAUL JONES. 115 
 
 merchantmen, and the whole escaped under cover of Flam- 
 borough head, and the adjacent harbours. Lieutenant Henry 
 Lunt, who was absent in the pilot-boat with fifteen of the 
 Richard's best men, lay in sight of the Richard, during the 
 action, but " thought it not prudent to go along-side in time 
 of action." His conduct at least involved a great error of 
 judgment, which no doubt he lived to repent. 
 
 The conduct of Jones throughout this battle displayed great 
 skill and the noblest heroism. He carried his ship into action 
 in the most gallant style, and while he commanded with 
 ability, excited his followers by his personal example. "VVe 
 find him, in the course of the action, himself assisting to lash 
 the ships together, aiding in the service of the only battery, 
 from which a fire was still kept up, and, when the Serapis 
 attempted to board, rushing pike in hand, to meet and repel 
 the assailants. No difficulties or perplexities seemed to appall 
 Mm or disturb his judgment, and his courage and skill were 
 equalled by his immovable self-composure. The achieve- 
 ment of this victory was solely due to his brilliant display of 
 all the qualities essential to the formation of a great naval 
 commander.
 
 116 LIFK 0V 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Damages of the Serapis repaired. The Squadron steers for Dunkirk. Joaes's 
 Colleagues run for the Texel. The Serapis follows. Arrival in the Texel. 
 The English Squadron appears off the Port. The Squadron refits. Jones 
 visits Amsterdam. His enthusiastic Reception. Shows Himself on the Ex- 
 change. His Appearance. Sympathy of the Dutch for America. The 
 British Minister demands a Surrender of Jones and his Prizes. Not com- 
 plied with. The Squadron allowed to refit. Jones takes Possession of a 
 Fort on the Texel, as a Hospital for the Wounded. Agreement for an ex- 
 change of Prisoners. Franklin's Opinion of the Victory. Arrest of Landais. 
 Charges against him. Fights Captain Cottineau. Challenges Jones. Escapes 
 to Paris. Jones's Perplexities. The Squadron ordered to depart. The 
 Prizes and French Ships hoist French Colours. Jones removes to the Al- 
 liance. Renewed Orders to depart. Prisoners re-embarked. Part of them 
 delivered to France. 
 
 WHEN Jones took command of the Serapis, he hastened to 
 erect a jury main-mast and repair her damages. Having 
 beheld the melancholy spectacle of the sinking of the Poor 
 Richard, he shaped his course for Dunkirk, which port he was 
 desirous of making, as the most favourable point for ex- 
 changing his prisoners, on account of its proximity to Eng- 
 land. The squadron encountered contrary winds for ten days 
 subsequent to the action. At length, Jones's " colleagues," 
 as he styled the captains under his command, insisted upon 
 proceeding to the Texel, instead of beating up for Dunkirk, 
 and actually bore away and left him to windward, which 
 obliged him to follow. 
 
 Jones ascribes this and all the other insubordination, of which 
 he was the victim, to the unfortunate " concordat," which M. 
 Chaumont had induced him to sign with the other captains, 
 and which substituted a species of joint agency for the prin- 
 ciple of unquestioning obedience. The inferior commanders 
 were, moreover, as Jones alleges, made acquainted, by M. 
 Chaumont, with the destination, object, and proposed dura-
 
 PAUL JONES. 117 
 
 tion of the cruise. From this they learned that Jones had been 
 ordered to terminate his cruise in the Texel, and were indis- 
 posed to allow him the exercise of his discretion in seeking first 
 another port, for reasons which seemed good to him, but were 
 not foreseen by Franklin, when the orders were given. 
 
 Submitting to this affront with the best grace that he was 
 able, which was not a very good one, Jones bore away in pur- 
 suit of his disorderly followers, and anchored on the 3d of Oc- 
 tober, in the Texel. As he entered the roads, an English 
 squadron, consisting of a sixty-four and three frigates, which 
 had arrived at Flamborotigh Head the day after he left it, 
 and which had been ever since in pursuit of him, hove in sight. 
 The Dutch commander in the roads objected to the entry of the 
 squadron ; but Jones insisted on running into the harbour and 
 anchoring, pleading the necessities of his situation, as an ex- 
 umse for taking the hospitalit)' which was not voluntarily ten- 
 dered to him. The British ships remained in the offing, block- 
 ading the port. 
 
 Having made arrangements for the immediate refittal of the 
 Serapis, which required new spars and rigging nearly through- 
 out, and for preparing the Countess of Scarborough to proceed 
 to Dunkirk with the prisoners, if it should become necessary, 
 Jones went to Amsterdam to take part in the negociation 
 likely to grow out of his entry into the port of a country in 
 alliance with England, and to meet the remonstrances which 
 the British Minister was sure to make against his claims to a 
 hospitable reception. 
 
 The fame of his achievement, which had preceded him, and 
 which spread far and wide throughout the civilized world, 
 wherever heroism had admirers and England enemies, secured 
 him a brilliant welcome to the commercial capital of Holland. 
 The dismay and rage felt in England at finding her coasts 
 again invaded by the ships of her former colonies, in defiance 
 of her invincible fleets, and at the capture of one of her finest 
 ships by an enemy of greatly inferior force, after an action uu-
 
 118 LIFE OF 
 
 surpassed for its sanguinary and desperate character, was only 
 equalled by the exultation and sympathy everywhere felt 
 among those who had so long quailed before British maritime 
 power, and the despotic spirit with which it was exercised. 
 If then the press of England gave way to unmeasured vituper- 
 ation of the "pirate" who had defied her power, humbled her 
 pride, and broken the charm of her invincibility on the ocean, 
 that of Europe generally was as unmeasured in the eulogy, 
 with which it welcomed the triumphant chieftain. 
 
 On the 7th of October, Jones arrived at Amsterdam, and 
 with characteristic and pardonable vanity, made his appear- 
 once at the Exchange. In a contemporary letter, published in 
 a London newspaper of the day, ho is described as being of 
 middling stature, with a stern countenance, and swarthy, 
 weather-worn complexion. He wore a continental uniform, 
 picturesquely set off by a Scotch bonnet edged with gold, to 
 give him more the air of a hero of romance. His reception 
 was most enthusiastic ; business is represented to have given 
 way to lively interest and curiosity, and the crowd pressed 
 round him with cheers and compliments, until he was com- 
 pelled to withdraw to a room, fronting the public square, whence 
 the anxiety of the multitude could be gratified by a sight of his 
 person. 
 
 On the following day, the Commodore made a flying visit to 
 the Hague, from which he returned the day after. Nor does it 
 appear that he again visited the Court, though pressingly in- 
 vited to do so by many distinguished persons, who were de- 
 sirous of hospitably entertaining him, and offering him the 
 homage of their admiration. " Duty," he replied to the cor- 
 respondent who had forwarded to him some invitations, "must 
 take the precedence of pleasure. I must wait a more favour- 
 able opportunity to kiss the hands of the fair." 
 
 The enthusiasm awakened by the heroism of Jones was not 
 merely gratifying to his own vanity. It rendered essential 
 service to the country of his adoption, and the cause in which
 
 PAUL JONES. 119 
 
 he was BO heartily engaged. Holland was bound by treaties 
 with England, somewhat compulsory, perhaps, on her part, to 
 make common cause with her against every enemy. The me- 
 mory of her former naval, and her still existing commercial 
 rivalry, must have made her hail with pleasure the discom- 
 fiture of her powerful ally. Naval stores and munitions of 
 war, for the assistance of the United States, in their struggle 
 for independence, had already been covertly shipped from Hol- 
 land. She was already meditating an accession to the armed 
 neutrality, against the blockades and naval assumptions of 
 England, then maturing under the influence of Russia, and to 
 which Holland became a party in the course of the following 
 year. The citizens of Holland were openly, and her govern- 
 ment secretly, desirous of our success ; from enmity to Eng- 
 land, no less than from enthusiasm in the generous cause in 
 which we fought. 
 
 A treaty had already been secretly negociated between Mr. 
 Laurens and the grand pensionary of Amsterdam, the know- 
 ledge of which reached the British cabinet by the capture of 
 Mr. Laurens. Among papers thrown overboard by him, pre- 
 vious to his capture, but recovered from the water, was a copy 
 of the treaty. This awakened the attention of the British 
 government to what was passing in Holland. Its able minister 
 at the Hague, Sir Joseph Yorke, was instructed to watch the 
 movements of the court narrowly, and exact the rigorous ful- 
 filment of its treaties. With this view, he addressed the go- 
 vernment on the 9th of October, communicating the fact, that 
 two of the King's ships, the Serapis and the Countess of Scar- 
 borough, had arrived in the Texel a few days before, " having 
 been attacked and taken by force, by a certain Paul Jones, a 
 subject of the King, who, according to treaties and the laws of 
 war, can only be considered as a rebel and a pirate. Sir Jo- 
 seph Yorke accordingly demanded that immediate orders 
 should be given for the arrest of the ships, with their officers
 
 120 LIFE OK 
 
 and crews. He also solicited that the wounded Englishmen 
 might be landed, to be cured at the expense of England. 
 
 The government of Holland was of course greatly embar- 
 rassed by this demand, and by the conflict which it occasioned 
 between their treaty obligations to England, and their strong 
 sympathies in the success of our cause. Franklin is said to 
 have a double object in ordering Jones to terminate his cruise 
 at the Texel : in the first place, to get out the Indien, the com- 
 mand of which he still hoped to secure for Jones ; and, in the 
 second, to involve Holland in a difficulty with England, grow- 
 ing out of the hospitality to be afforded to our flag, and thus 
 to increase the chances of an open declaration in our favour. 
 
 The result showed his characteristic sagacity. When war 
 was eventually declared by England against Holland, the 
 chief complaint against Holland, set forth in the manifesto> 
 wan the hospitality which she had extended to the American 
 squadron and its prizes; suffering "an American pirate to re- 
 main, neveral weeks, in one of her ports, and eren permitting 
 part of his crew to mount guard in a fort on the Texel." It 
 waa not until the 25th, that the Dutch government replied to 
 .Sir Joseph, informing him that Holland had, for a century, 
 strictly abstained from deciding as to the legality of the cap- 
 tures of vessels brought into her ports. She simply opened 
 her ports to give shelter to captors and their prizes, from 
 storms or disasters, and obliged them to put to sea without 
 unhiding. The government declined passing any judgment 
 either upon Paul Jones or the legality of his captures. It had, 
 however, already evinced its willingness to discharge the 
 offices of humanity, by the orders it had given with regard to 
 the wounded prisoners. The States-General had previously 
 deliberated on the subject, and after consultation with the 
 courts of Admiralty, decided to suffer the ships to make such 
 repairs as were actually necessary for their putting to sea ; 
 also to land the wounded for their recovery. They declined 
 all responsibility for the escape of the prisoners, the care of
 
 PAUL JONES. 121 
 
 whom was thus relinquished to the captors, instead of their 
 being placed in the hands of Sir Joseph Yorke, in conformity 
 with his demand. 
 
 By virtue of an order from the Prince of Orange, the Com- 
 modore now remove his wounded to a fort on the Texel. 
 He bad authority to place sentinels to guard his prisoners, and 
 to raise the drawbridge over the ditch, at his pleasure, for 
 their greater security. He completed his arrangements for 
 their safe keeping, by appointing Lieutenant-Colonel Weiberfc 
 to the command of the hospital, and of the troops stationed 
 for the care of the prisoners. About the same time, he se- 
 cured himself still further against the chances of desertion 
 among his prisoners, and set wholly at rest the question of 
 his property in them, hitherto contested by Sir Joseph Yorke, 
 by entering into an agreement with Captain Pearson, for the 
 exchange of all his prisoners, amounting to five hundred and 
 four, for an equal number of Americans ; and it was agreed 
 between the contracting parties, that all the prisoners landed 
 in the fort should be considered as such until their regular 
 exchange ; so that in the event of any of them deserting, an 
 equal number of Americans should be released in England, 
 and sent to France by the first cartel. 
 
 Of all the sympathy and admiration which Jones's achieve- 
 ment excited far and wide, and among all the congratulatory 
 epistles which it called forth, the dearest to his heart, as well 
 as the most honourable to his reputation, was that of Frank- 
 lin. The sage wrote to him as follows; "For some days 
 after the arrival of your express, scarce any thing was talked 
 of at Paris and Versailles, but your cool conduct, and perse- 
 vering bravery during that terrible conflict. You may believe 
 that the impression on my mind was not less strong than that 
 of others ; but I do not choose to say in a letter to yourself 
 all I think on such an occasion." 
 
 He subsequently adds ; " I am uneasy about your prisoners ; 
 F 5
 
 122 LIFE OF 
 
 I wish they were safe in France. You will then have com- 
 pleted the glorious work of giving liberty to all the Ameri- 
 cans that have so long languished for it, in the British prisons ; 
 for there are not so many there, as you have now taken." 
 This passage must have been peculiarly gratifying to Jones. 
 From the outset of his cruise in the Ranger, it had been a fa- 
 vourite object with him to procure the release of all the Ame- 
 rican prisoners in England, by capturing Englishmen. It was 
 this, which suggested the project of seizing the person of Lord 
 Selkirk ; and which was the source of the greatest gratifica- 
 tion to him, in the capture of the Drake. By his last cruise, 
 he had, at length, prepared the completion of the humane 
 task which he had assigned to himself, and Franklin's letter 
 gave him the gratifying assurance that " the glorious work" 
 was about to be accomplished. 
 
 Many of his letters of this period evinced a lively interest 
 in the fate of a Captain Cunningham, whom he supposed to 
 be a continental officer, but who was probably the captain of 
 a privateer, at that time a prisoner in England. Jones AVHS 
 desirous of exchanging Captain Pearson for him, and this he 
 had the satisfaction eventually to effect. Some complaint 
 had been made by Captain Pearson to Jones, of a want of at- 
 tention to the comforts of his men, and of courtesy to himself. 
 
 In the course of his reply, Jones, after having vindicated 
 himself from the charges, goes 'on to say ; " I know not what 
 difference of respect is due to rank, between your service and 
 ours ; I suppose, however, the difference must be very great 
 in England, since I am informed that Captain Cunningham, 
 who bears a senior rank, in the service of America, to yours 
 in the service of England, is now confined at Plymouth, in a 
 dungeon and in fetters." The interest taken by Jones in the 
 fate of Captain Cunningham, and of the American prisoners in 
 England generally, the whole of whom it was his proud work 
 to have been the means of releasing, is conclusive as to the 
 eminently humane feelings by which he was characterized.
 
 PAUL JONES. 123 
 
 His bravery was both equalled and adorned by his sympa- 
 thetic humanity for the sufferings of his fellow-men. 
 
 With regard to Captain Pearson, so far from having any 
 just motive of complaint against the Commodore for failing 
 in courtesy to him, he was himself grossly rude to Jones 
 throughout the whole of his intercourse with him, and inva- 
 riably repelled all his efforts to soothe his irritation, and treat 
 him with civility. Captain Pearson had a large quantity of 
 plate on board the Serapis, of which Jones, having lost all his 
 own in the Richard, necessarily made use until he could re- 
 place his furniture. Pearson had been allowed to go on parole 
 to the Helder with his officers. Jones now had all the plate, 
 arms, and effects of every description, belonging to Captain 
 Pearson, packed and sent to him by a lieutenant, with his 
 polite compliments. Pearson rudely replied that he could re- 
 ceive nothing from the hands of a rebel. He intimated, how- 
 ever, that if his plate were offered to him by Captain Cotti- 
 neau, who was an officer of the French King, it would be re- 
 ceived. Jones magnanimously overlooked this intolerable in- 
 solence and caprice, and sent the plate in the form which had 
 been pointed out. It was received without one word of 
 thanks or compliments to the generous victor. 
 
 In reply to the complaint which Paul Jones had made, in 
 his official report, of the conduct of Landais, during the cruise 
 generally, and especially during the engagement with the Serapis, 
 Franklin testified his strongest displeasure, as well as that of the 
 French court, at the behaviour of this miserable man. He directed 
 that he should be sent to Paris, in reality to get him out of the 
 way, but ostensibly with the view of furnishing him an oppor- 
 tunity of offering what he had to say in his justification, as it 
 was not then convenient to order a court for his trial. Jones 
 was instructed, at the same time, to furnish a list of charges 
 alleged against him, together with the evidence in support of 
 them, that Franklin might be able to give a just accour.t of 
 his conduct to Congress. In the event of his failing to obey
 
 124 LIFK OF 
 
 Franklin's order to repair to Paric, Jones was directed to 
 arrest him. 
 
 In the mean time, Landais, instead of being overwhelmed 
 with shame at his own baseness, put himself forward as the 
 hero of the engagement with the Serapis, and insisted that his 
 raking fire had caused her to surrender, though ample evidence 
 existed, that it could only have reached her through the sides 
 of the Richard. He, moreover, affected a perfect independ- 
 ence of Jones, and made requisitions for supplies, without con- 
 sulting him. After figuring as a hero, at Amsterdam, he made 
 his appearance at the Hague, with the same object of self- 
 glorification, when he was arrested in mid-career, by Frank- 
 lin's summons to Paris. The charges against him, required 
 by Franklin, were presently forwarded. They were not drawn 
 up in the name of Jones, but began as follows ; " We, the 
 officers of the American squadron, now at the Texel, this 
 thirtieth day of October, 1 779, do attest and declare upon our 
 words of honour, as gentlemen, that all the following articles, 
 which \VG subscribe, respecting the conduct of Peter Landais, 
 Captain of the Frigate Alliance, are really and truly matters 
 of fact. In witness whereof we hereunto sign our names and 
 qualities ; and will, at any time hereafter, be ready to prove 
 the same upon oath if required." 
 
 The charges stated, among other things, that Landais had 
 behaved withdisrespect and impertinence to the commander-in- 
 chief of the squadron, on many occasions ; that he had dis- 
 obeyed the signals ; that he very seldom answered them ; that 
 he purposely separated from the squadron on two occasions ; 
 that when the Bon Homme Richard came in sight of the Alli- 
 ance and Pallas, off Flamborough Head, Landais told Captain 
 Cottineau, that if the sail proved a fifty-gun ship, they must 
 run away, though he must have been sure that the Pallas, 
 from her dull sailing, would be captured ; that, though a long 
 way ahead, when running down for the Baltic fleet, Landaia 
 lay out of gun-shot to windward, and allowed the Richard to
 
 PATTL JONES. 125 
 
 pass into action ; that, an hour after the action between the 
 Richard and the Serapis had commenced, the Alliance raked 
 the Richard Avith cross-bar and grape shot, and killed a num- 
 ber of her men ; that, after an absence of two hours, she re- 
 turned again, and fired a whole broadside into the Richard's 
 quarter, being then not more than three points abaft the 
 Richard's beam ; and that, soon after, the Alliance crossed the 
 Richard's bow and repeated a third time her fire upon the 
 Richard ; that the Alliance never passed on the off-side of the 
 Serapis, and that the Serapis could not bring a single gun to 
 bear on the Alliance during the engagement ; and that Cap- 
 tain Landais had acknowledged, since the battle, that he 
 would have thought it no harm if the Richard had struck, for 
 it would have given him an opportunity to retake her, and to 
 take the Serapis. 
 
 This fearful amount of testimony, and more to the same ef- 
 fect, was subscribed by no fewer than nineteen officers of the 
 different ships, each testifying to the truth of the particular 
 facts Avhich had fallen under his observation, and many of 
 them accompanied their affidavits with detailed statements 
 of what they had individually seen. The first lieutenant, 
 master, and master's mate of the Alliance testified to the con- 
 clusive fact, that the Alliance had never been on any other side 
 of the Serapis than that on which the Richard lay, or once in 
 a situation to be fired on by the Serapis ; and also, that the 
 crew of the Alliance repeatedly told Captain Landais that he 
 was firing on the Avrong ship ; and some of them refused to 
 fire. Several of the officers expressed the firm conviction that 
 Landais's object must have been to kill Jones, and distress the 
 Richard, so as to compel her to strike, and afterwards recap- 
 ture her and take the Serapis ; others attributed his conduct 
 either to the same motive or to cowardice. Mr. Mease sums 
 up his evidence by saying, " The behaviour of our consorts 
 upon this day was very mysterious ; but that of Captain Lan- 
 dais was of such a cast ; as, in my opinion, most unavoidably
 
 126 LIFE OF 
 
 announce him to the public as a man devoid of conduct, a man 
 of infamous principles, or a rank coward." Before Landais 
 disappeared from the scene, he contrived to vary his eccentri- 
 cities, and vindicate his claim to one sort of courage, by a 
 duel with Captain Cottineau. They had disagreed on the 
 cruise, and Landais doubtless found cause of offence in Cotti- 
 neau's testimony against him. Landais was the challenger. 
 They met on the Helder island, with small swords. Landais 
 was a thorough master of his weapon, and succeeded in badly 
 wounding his far worthier antagonist. Being in the mood, he 
 now sent a similar invitation to the Commodore who replied 
 by sending officers to arrest him. Upon this Laudais made 
 his escape, and proceeded to Paris in fulfilment of Dr. Frank- 
 lin's order. 
 
 Having thus, for the present, got rid of the traitorous coad- 
 jutor who had so long harassed him, and so sensibly impeded 
 his services in the cause of his country, the situation of Joues 
 was still surrounded with annoyance and dilTiculty. The com- 
 bined French and Spanish fleets had now iv turned to Brest, 
 and the British cruisers were at liberty to blockade Jones in 
 tlie Texel, and beset his track in every direction, even if he 
 should succeed in eluding the blockade. The Dutch govern- 
 ment was unceasing in its demands upon him to hasten to sea ; 
 and' the Prince of Urange, who was under the influence of the 
 British minister, and who did not share the sympathy of the 
 Dutch people on behalf of Jones, continued to harass him with 
 constant injunctions to depart. Finding that the oflieer, who 
 commanded the Dutch ships in the Texel roads, was disposed 
 to be too indulgent, the Prince of Orange superseded him, and 
 appointed Vice- Admiral Reynst to take his place, and use every 
 exertion in driving the Americans to sea ; thirteen men-of-war, 
 anchored in the Texel, were placed under his orders for this 
 purpose. 
 
 To increase the obstacles in the way of the equipment of 
 the ships, the weather proved very bad, and repeated gales of
 
 PAUL JONES. 127 
 
 wind prevented them from communicating with the shore. On 
 the 4th of November, Jones wrote to the Due de Vauguyon, 
 French minister at the Hague, who, being the agent of the 
 French King, as owner of all the ships except the Alliance, 
 took an interest in, and exercised, in connexion with Franklin, 
 a control over all his proceedings, that he had been waiting a 
 fortnight for the water which was to have been sent to him 
 from Amsterdam in tanks, and that at the end of that time he 
 was informed, that it could only be procured by his sending 
 up his own casks ; the provisions, too, that had been ordered 
 on the 9th of October, had not yet arrived, the spars sent from 
 Amsterdam had been spoiled in the making, and none of the 
 iron work for the Serapis had been yet completed, so that he 
 was now without hinges to hang the lower-deck ports. The 
 bread which was sent twice a week from Amsterdam, he said, 
 was of so bad a quality that his men were absolutely falling 
 ill from the use of it. Most of his officers and men had lost 
 their clothes and bedding in the Bon Homme Richard, and 
 these articles had not yet been replaced. In addition to so 
 many motives for discontent among the men, he was unable 
 to assure them that their property in the prizes would be made 
 good, should they be lost or captured in proceeding to France 
 before their sale. He begged the minister to authorize him to 
 assure the men, that, at all hazards, they should not lose their 
 pri/.e money, and that they should soon receive a supply of 
 clothes and bedding, or money to purchase them, in which 
 case lie hoped to be able to restore them to good humour. 
 
 In the mean time, Sir Joseph Yorke, having failed in his 
 efforts to induce the Dutch government to detain the Serapis 
 and Countess of Scarborough, together with their crews, as 
 illegal captures, for want of being made by vessels having 
 proper commissions granted by a sovereign power ; and hav- 
 ing equally failed in his attempt to get possession of the per- 
 son of the pirate Paul Jones, which last purpose he is said to 
 have attempted to effect, after failing with the government, by
 
 128 LIFE OF 
 
 instigating the magistrates of Amsterdam and even private 
 individuals to lay hands on him ; endeavoured by every means, 
 to force the American squadron at once to sea, that it might 
 fall into the hands of the blockaders. By his unremitting ex- 
 ertions, aided by the influence of the court, he procured a re- 
 solution to be passed by the States- General, on the 19th of 
 November, in which they disavowed any intention of recog- 
 nising the independence of the American Colonies, thereby dis- 
 avowing the treaty which had been signed by the authorities 
 of the city of Amsterdam ; whilst they still refused to pass 
 upon the legality of the captures of the ships brought into their 
 port by the American squadron, they insisted that they had 
 proved their unwillingness to render aid to the captors, by 
 ordering that they should be furnished with no munitions of 
 war, nor other articles, except such as were indispensable to 
 their putting to sea ; they expressed their readiness even to 
 compel them to sail, so soon as they could keep the sea, and 
 the wind should permit, and, in consequence, directed the Ad- 
 miralty college of Amsterdam to advise the American com- 
 mander, that, as the approaching season of winter would 
 make his departure inconvenient, it was necessary that he 
 should seize the first opportunity of sailing. They stated that 
 such was their serious intention, and required the Prince of 
 Orange to order the officer, commanding in the Texel, to per- 
 mit no delay, and even to use force, if necessary, to compel 
 the departure of the squadron. 
 
 The French government, having knowledge of the turn that 
 the affair was likely to take, had prepared, in the mean time, 
 to save the King's property from almost certain capture, by 
 covering it with its own recognised flag, to which Holland 
 could not refuse a more prolonged hospitality. In order to 
 be beforehand with this measure when it was seen to be un- 
 avoidable, the French Minister of Marine, had addressed a 
 letter to Dr. Franklin, informing him that " circumstances re- 
 quire that the expedition of the squadron, under the orders of
 
 PAUL JONES. 129 
 
 Mr. Jones, should terminate in the Texel. It seems indispen- 
 sable to give a new destination to the different ships which 
 compose it. You are at liberty, Sir, to dispose of the Ameri- 
 can frigate, the Alliance, according to the views you may en- 
 tertain in relation to the service of the United States. I pray 
 you only to observe to Mr. Jones, or any other officer to whom 
 you may intrust the command, that he must not have any sub- 
 ject of the King on board that frigate." 
 
 The French Ambassador at the Hague received instructions 
 with regard to this measure on the 12th of November, and 
 immediately sent orders to Jones through Mr. Dumas, the 
 American agent, to suspend the sailing of the squadron, but 
 to lose no time in completing the preparations for departure. 
 It does not appear from this message that Jones was imme- 
 diately made aware of the sudden reduction of his command , 
 which had been determined on, and of his contemplated re- 
 moval from the noble ship which his courage had won. He 
 could not, however, have been long kept in ignorance of it, as 
 Franklin's order, dated the 15th, to deliver up to the Ambas- 
 sador, all the ships belonging to the French King, together 
 with his prizes and the prisoners taken in them, must soon 
 have arrived. In obedience to this order, Jones assumed the 
 command of the Alliance, whilst that of the Serapis was con- 
 ferred on Captain Cottineau of the Pallas. The exchange was 
 effected silently, in the dead of night. Jones parted with the 
 Serapis with infinite reluctance. He considered her the finest 
 ship of her class that he had ever seen ; she was, moreover, a 
 proud trophy of his valour, and as such he felt that he was 
 abandoning what was eminently his own. 
 
 The change to the Alliance, too, in the state in which she 
 then was, he represents as " most disagreeable and mortify- 
 ing." She was, in point of model and construction, an admi- 
 rable ship, being of perfect beauty, and unsurpassed for her 
 sailing qualities. But the madness and imbecility of Landais, 
 had reduced her to a miserable condition, Whilstjf Jones's
 
 130 LIFE OF 
 
 exertions had resulted in the complete equipment of the Serapis, 
 he found the Alliance in a wretched state of disorganization . 
 Her sails and cables had been destroyed by negligence ; the 
 officers and men were la/y, intemperate, and insubordinate, and 
 epidemical diseases, brought on by want of cleanliness and order, 
 prevailed among the crew ; her battery and small arms were 
 out of order, and the powder had become damaged by leakage 
 or want of turning. From the stores and armament of the 
 Serapis, Jones was, however, able to supply the principal de- 
 ficiencies, and was soon in a condition to put to sea. 
 
 "While these preparations were going on, our hero was not 
 even allowed the seaman's comfort of a growl at the hardship 
 of his case, and the little ceremony with which he had been 
 treated. It was probably the policy of the French court to 
 prolong the stay of the squadron as much as possible under 
 the American flag, which the ships must have continued for 
 gome time to wear; for we find the Dutch Admiral still un- 
 remitting in his urgent demands for the sailing of the squadron, 
 accompanied by threats of appealing to force to compel it. 
 On one occasion he sent his flag-captain to the ships of the 
 squadron to read aloud a proclamation for them to depart, and 
 in a few days after, with a still more urgent message. Jones 
 now announced his readiness to depart, whenever he should 
 have a leading breeze. On this last occasion, when the flag- 
 captain visited the Serapis, to go through the formula of his 
 warning to depart, he was informed that she was no longer 
 under the command of Paul Jones ; but that Captain de Cot- 
 tineau de Kloguene had taken possession of her in the name 
 of the King of France. The French flag was also displayed 
 on board of the prizes, and of all the ships of the squadron ex- 
 cept the Alliance, which alone continued to wear the American 
 flag. The Dutch Admiral being somewhat astounded at this 
 unexpected intelligence, appealed to the Prince of Orange for 
 fresh instructions, and was directed by him not to proceed any 
 farther with regard to those of the vessels whose commanders
 
 PAUL JONES. 131 
 
 exhibited French commissions, but to carry out his previous 
 instructions, so far as the Alliance was concerned. He, at the 
 same time, charged him not to allow any of the prisoners still 
 in the fort to be carried on board the Alliance. 
 
 Notwithstanding this order, Jones persisted in embarking 
 all his surviving wounded prisoners from the fort, an d with- 
 drew his garrison. His motive for doing so, notwithstand- 
 ing the instructions of Franklin, consequent upon an agree- 
 ment between him and the French Minister, was the conven- 
 tion that he had entered into with Captain Pearson, for the 
 exchange of these particular prisoners. He had effected the 
 exchange of Captain Pearson for Captain Cunningham, whom 
 he now had the pleasure to receive on board his ship, and had 
 still one hundred prisoners, whom he was determined to keep 
 to be exchanged for the Americans, whom Captain Pearson 
 had stipulated to have liberated. The rest of his prisoners, 
 confined on board the prizes, he with great regret, relinquish- 
 ed to the p'rench Ambassador; for his humane desire to be the 
 means of liberating Americans made him value his prisoners 
 more even than his prizes. The result was, that the prison- 
 ers delivered to the French Ambassador were exchanged at 
 the Texel for Frenchmen, France agreeing to return an equal 
 number of Englishmen, at a more convenient point, to be ex- 
 changed for Americans. 
 
 The British government did not sanction the convention 
 entered into between Jones and Pearson, for an exchange of 
 prisoners ; because they hoped to recapture them on the pass- 
 age of the squadron to France. Out of this danger of recap- 
 ture grew the expediency of transferring the prisoners to 
 France. Jones does not seem, by his correspondence, to have 
 been entirely aware of the object of the transfer, or he would 
 scarcely have insisted upon carrying away so many hundred 
 prisoners, including the wounded who had been landed, not- 
 withstanding the agreement made bet ween the French govern- 
 ment and Dr. Franklin, and the express orders of the latter.
 
 132 
 
 He seems, on this and other occasions to have disliked hie in- 
 structions, and to have obeyed them unwillingly, from want 
 of clearly appreciating the motives for which they were given. 
 His self-will was, however, fortunate on this occasion, as 
 France never completely fulfilled her engagement to return an 
 equal number of prisoners. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Dissatisfaction of Paul Jones. Contemplates returning to America. Is offered 
 a French Privateer's Commission. Rejects it with Disdain. Is ready for Sea. 
 Refuses to hoist French Colours. Receives a soothing letter from the French 
 Ambassador. His Anger Appeased. The Alliance sails. Finds the Coast 
 clear of Blockaders. Passes the Downs and Straits of Dover. New Year's 
 Day. Verses to a Lady. The Alliance sails badly. Singular Arrangement ' 
 of Ballast. Goe into Corunna. Mutinous Disposition of the Crew. Makes 
 a short Cruise. Enters L'Orient. Jones's Health impaired. , 
 
 ON the 1st of December, the Alliance was ready for sea, 
 whenever the wind should become favourable. It continued, 
 however, a-head, with heavy gales, until nearly the close of 
 the month, and Jones, deprived of his squadron, his prizes, and 
 most of his prisoners, lying under the guns of the Dutch fleet, 
 drawn up in battle array to drive him out of the port, whilst 
 twelve sail of the British crusiers lay in the offing ready to 
 capture him, was in a lit mood to dwell on whatever was 
 painful in the history of his life, and to sum up all the disap- 
 pointments and mortifications of which his ardent spirit had 
 been the victim. Disgusted with the court of France, wearied 
 with the way in which it had so long deluded him with the 
 prospect of a formidable command, after it had formally in- 
 vited him to give up the Ranger, and seeing in its recent with- 
 drawal of his squadron and prizes, less a motive of state 
 policy than a studied injury to himself, he began to look with
 
 PAtL J6NfeS. 133 
 
 satisfaction to the prospect of returning to the United States. 
 In a letter, of the 5th of December, to Robert Morris, he says, 
 " I am persuaded you will observe with pleasure, that my 
 connexion with the 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 connexion with them is at an end. 
 In the course of that connexion, I ran ten chances of ruin and 
 dishonour, for one of reputation ; and all the honours of profit 
 that France could bestow, should not tempt me again to un- 
 dertake the same service with an armament equally ill-com- 
 posed, and with powers limited." With this letter he for- 
 warded a memorial to Congress, termed by him a " refreshing 
 memorial," recapitulating the nature of his services in the 
 cause of Independence, and complaining of the imperfect man- 
 ner in which those services had been requited. He dwelt par- 
 ticularly, and with reason, upon the injustice which had been 
 done him by the line of rank established on the 10th of Octo- 
 ber, 1776. 
 
 The detention of the Alliance in the Texel not only afforded 
 Jones time to brood over his disgusts, and aggravate them 
 by his morbid sensibility to neglect, whether real or imaginary, 
 but also exposed him to an affront, which he felt more deeply 
 and resented more indignantly, than any that he had yet re- 
 ceived. This was the offer from M. de Sartine, through the 
 Duke de la Vauguyon, of a French commission to command 
 the Alliance, as a letter-of-marque. In disdainfully rejecting 
 this insulting proposition, Jones expressed himself in such un- 
 measured language as, doubtless, greatly relieved him. The 
 following passages are taken from his reply to the Duke 
 " Perhaps there are many men in the world who would es- 
 teem aa 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 
 etter -of-marque ! I should, my lord, esteem myself inex-
 
 13-1 LIFE OF 
 
 disable, were I to accept even a commission of equal or su- 
 perior denomination to that I bear, unless I were previously 
 authorized by Congress, or some other competent authority in 
 Europe." 
 
 " 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 sup- 
 pose me capable of disgracing my present commission. I con- 
 fess that 1 never merited all the praise bestowed on my past 
 conduct, but I also feel that I have far less merited such a re- 
 ward. 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 cannot continue 
 my esteem, praise or censure from any man is to me a matter 
 of indifference. I am much obliged to them, however, for 
 having, at last, fairly opened my eyes, and enabled me to dis- 
 cover truth from falsehood. "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 a 
 one without application to court." 
 
 Jones immediately enclosed a copy of this letter to Frank- 
 lin, to whom he always unbosomed himself in his troubles ; 
 and wrote to him in the following strain, expressing himself 
 in no very elegant terms of the time-serving, promise-making, 
 and promise-breaking M. de Sartine : " I hope the within 
 copy of my letter to the Duke de la Vauguyou 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 
 rascal whatever; or that the commission of America should 
 be overlaid by the dirty piece of parchment which I have this 
 day rejected! They have played upon my good humour too 
 long already ; but the spell is at last dissolved. They would 
 play me off with assurances of the personal and particular 
 esteem of the King, to induce me to do what would reader
 
 PAUL JONES. 135 
 
 me contemptible, even in the eyes of my own (servants. Ac- 
 customed 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 each other's understanding to live together.' " 
 
 In the same letter, Jones announced his determination to de- 
 part with the first wind, notwithstanding the presence of the 
 British Squadron off the Texel. He expressed the hope that he 
 had recovered the trim of the Alliance, which had been en- 
 tirely lost by Landais, and that the length of the nights at 
 that season, in those high latitudes, would enable him to elude 
 all pursuit ; at any rate, he promised that the Alliance should 
 not be given away. She was well manned, having four hun- 
 dred and twenty-seven souls on board, nearly all Americans, 
 and he had every confidence, not only that he should keep her, 
 but that he should make some prizes and add to the number 
 of his prisoners, before his arrival at L'Orient. At this time 
 he constantly impressed on his officers and crew, that the Al- 
 liance was a match for any British ship, not mounting more 
 than fifty guns. 
 
 While still wind-bound, the Dutch Admiral sent Jones a 
 message, on the 16th of December, requesting him to come 
 on board of his ship ; which he declined doing. On the fol- 
 lowing day the Admiral wrote to him, asking to be informed 
 whether the Alliance was a French or an American vessel ; if 
 the first, the Admiral expected him to show his commission, and 
 display the French ensign and pendant, announcing it by firing 
 a gun ; if an American, that he should lose no occasion to de- 
 part. At the same time, the Chevalier de Lironcourt, the 
 French Commissary of Marine at Amsterdam, urged Jones to 
 satisfy all parties by hoisting French colours, and assured him 
 that the commission that had been offered him was only in- 
 tended for the exigency, and was not offered him with any 
 idea of wounding him," Jones, however, still refused to wear
 
 136 ii" 0* 
 
 any other than the American flag, and sent word to the Admiral, 
 that under that flag he should proceed to sea, whenever tin- 
 pilot would undertake to carry the ship out. At the sumo 
 time he took occasion to expre ss to the Admiral's nag-captain, 
 his indignant sense of the daily threats and annoyances of 
 every sort to which he had been subjected, and begged him to 
 say to his chief that though the ship which bore his flag was 
 a sixty-four, if she and the Alliance were at sea together, 
 the Admiral's insults and menaces would not be for a 
 moment tolerated. From this time until the Alliance's de- 
 parture, no further messages were received from the Admiral. 
 Before the wind became fair, Jones received from the Duke 
 de la Vauguyou, in answer to his abrupt epistle, the follow- 
 ing mollifying communication, filled with abundance of cheap 
 promises, which were never performed, but which had, at 
 least, the effect to send him away in a somewhat better 
 humour. " I perceive with pain, my dear Commodore, that 
 you do not view your situation in the right light. I can 
 assure you that the ministers of the King have no intention to 
 cause you the least disagreeable feelings, 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 merit. It cannot fail to excite you to give 
 new proofs of your /.eal for the common cause of France and 
 America. I flatter myself that I shall be able, before long, to 
 provide you the means of increasing, still more, the glory you 
 have already acquired. I am already exerting all the interest 
 I promised you ; and if my views are realized, as I have t'vcry 
 reason to hope, you will have reason to be perfectly content, 
 but I must beseech you not to impede my efforts, by indulging 
 in the expression of those strong sensations to which you ap- 
 pear to give way, and for which there is really no foundation. 
 You appear to possess full confidence in the justice and
 
 PAUL JONES. 137 
 
 kindness of the King ; rely upon the same sentiments on the 
 part of his ministers." 
 
 That Jones was softened By this communication is evident 
 from the first sentence of his reply ; " I have not a heart of 
 stone, but 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 to me." He, however, did not retract his 
 complaints of the treatment which he had received, but 
 repeated them. He mentioned, moreover, that the Chevalier 
 de Lironcourt had recently reproached him with the ex- 
 pense that France had been at to give him reputation in 
 perference to twenty captains of the French navy, far better 
 qualified, who had solicited th e command which had been 
 conferred upon him. The fact is indictive of the jealousy 
 which Jones's position had awakened among the French 
 officers, and accounts very satisfactorily for the subordinate 
 spirit of his " colleagues," while it shows how much better 
 would have been his chance for achieving fame, had he sought 
 it in a single well-equipped American ship. 
 
 At length, on the morning of the 27th of December, Jones 
 had the satisfaction of announcing himself at sea in the Alliance ; 
 whence he wrote to Mr. Dumas, by the pilot, as follows; "I 
 am here, my dear Sir, with a good wind at east, and under my 
 best American colour? , so far you have your wish. What may 
 be the event of this critical movement, 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 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." 
 
 Shortly before the departure of Jones, there had been eight
 
 138 LIFE OF 
 
 British ships cruising off the southern entrance of the Texel, 
 and four more off the northern. It appears from a despatch 
 of Jones to Congress, that no fewer than forty sail, consisting 
 of ships of the line and frigates, had been stationed to intercept 
 him. Two out of the number, he says, wen.- wrecked. The 
 number is doubtless exaggerated ; though it is known from 
 the English papers, ihat sixteen sail of men-of-war were al- 
 ready in pursuit of him, previous to his capture of the Serapis. 
 In one of his interviews with the Dutch Admiral, in which he 
 had been urged to depart, Jones had told him, with something 
 of the boasting which belonged to his character, that he was 
 unable to fight more than three times his force, though he was 
 ready to depart whenever there was a possibility of getting 
 clear. Fortunately for him, he was not called upon to en- 
 counter even the modest allowance of enemies, for which he 
 professed his willingness to compound. The gales which he 
 experienced immediately before his departure, and which had 
 even endangered the Alliance, at her moorings in the Texel 
 roads, probably drove the blockaders to a distance. At any 
 rate, he was able to dash out under his " best American 
 colours," which the effort that had been made to compel him 
 to substitute French colours for them, made him still prouder 
 to display. The Alliance bore away along the coast, the mo- 
 ment she was clear of the mouth of the harbour ; and, keep- 
 ing as close in with the Flemish banks, which formed the 
 weather shore, as safety would allow, she thus got to wind- 
 ward of the British fleet, stationed in the north sea for her 
 interception. Favoured by the strong east wind, she the next 
 day passed through the Straits of Dover, with colours set, run- 
 ning close to the Goodwin Sands, in full view of the fleet an- 
 chored in the Downs, only three or four miles to leeward. On 
 the following day, being the 29th, she ran past the Isle of 
 Wight, near enough to reconnoitre the fleet at Spithead, still 
 showing her colours. On the 1st of January, 1780, ahe was 
 fairly out of the channel, having passed in eight to windward
 
 PAUL JONES. 139 
 
 of several British two-deckers, which were doubtless on the 
 look-out for her, but which- she had the good fortune to 
 evade. 
 
 Having thus escaped from the " purgatory" of his tortures 
 in the Texel, and the manifold dangers from capture which 
 seemed to him so much less formidable, and finding himself 
 once more on the open ocean of adventure, with a staggering 
 breeze, in the beautiful Alliance, Jones was in a mood to wel- 
 come the new year with cheerful exultation, and the delusive 
 hope that it would be freer from annoyance and perplexity 
 than the last, though it could not be more glorious. His feel- 
 ings broke forth into poetry, a mode of expression in which, 
 in his moments of leisure, when addressing the fair, he some- 
 times indulged. While in the Texel, the daughter of Mr. 
 Dumas, partaking of the enthusiasm of her father and of 
 society generally, had offered the homage of her muse to the 
 victorious chieftain. It had occasioned him much self-reproach 
 that his unremitting occupations, in fitting out his ships and 
 maintaining his stand against the pretensions of Sir Joseph 
 Yorke, the threats of the Dutch Admiral, and the mortifica- 
 tions inflicted upon him by his French friends, had prevented 
 him from responding in fit terms to the compliment of his gentle 
 correspondent. Remembering that it was better for him to 
 acquit himself, at this late period, of his obligation as a man 
 of gallantry, than to omit doing so altogether, he now perpe- 
 trated the following verses, which, though not the best that 
 are found among his papers, are far from being discreditable 
 to a rude " sea king," as the lady seems, in her verses, to 
 have styled him. They are dated off Ushant, on the 1st of 
 January, 1780. 
 
 " Were I, Paul Jones, dear maid, ' the king of sea,' 
 I find such merit iu 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 sides should wait, 
 And gladly sing in triumph of thy state,
 
 140 1IFE Of 
 
 V!ft ! vivat ! the unhappy virgin muse ! 
 
 Of liberty the friend, who tyrant power pursues !' 
 
 " Or, happier lot ! where fair Columbia free 
 From British tyranny, and youth stilt mine, 
 I'd tell tender Ule to one like thee 
 With artless looks and breast a* 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, 
 A* 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." 
 
 Shaping his course to the southward, Jones cruised off Cape 
 Finisterre, in the hope of making some prizes. He found, 
 however, that there was little hope of this, on account of the 
 defective sailing of the Alliance. He had been mistaken in 
 supposing that he had recovered the trim of this ship, as this 
 had been effectually destroyed by an arrangement of the ballast 
 which Landaia had made at L'Orient, on his arrival from 
 America, and which Jones had not probably before discovered. 
 This arrangement corresponded with the mad imbecility and 
 ignorance which Landais betrayed in all his acts. It consisted 
 in extending the ballast along the ceiling, from the sternpost 
 to the stem ; a considerable portion of it being stowed in the 
 fore and after peaks, and even laid on the breast-hooks and 
 transoms at the very extremities of the ship ; " an idea," Jones 
 remarked, "which Landais might, without vanity, call his 
 own." The consequence of this arrangement was, that she 
 strained and pitched violently, losing her head-way at every 
 ML 
 
 There is no axiom of seamanship better established than that 
 the ballast should be stowed as nearly amidships as possible. 
 It then occupies the fullest part of the ship, where there is
 
 PADL JONES. 141 
 
 greatest buoyancy, and its weight is sustained by the upward 
 pressure of the water which is displaced. The bow and stern 
 have comparatively little buoyancy, and are chiefly sustained 
 by the strength of the materials connecting them with the rest 
 of the ship. Hence the removal of weight to the extremities, 
 besides unduly straining a ship, also increases her vibrations 
 in a seaway; thereby fatiguing the spars, upon which less 
 sail can be carried, and tending, moreover, to arrest and 
 diminish her headway. This defect of the Alliance could only 
 be remedied in port, by breaking out the hold. Moreover, 
 her sailing was much diminished by her canvass being old and 
 thin. 
 
 Under these circumstances, Jones saw little motive in pro- 
 longing his cruise, and, being threatened with a gale, he put 
 into Corunna, on the 16th of January. Here the Alliance was 
 hospitably received by the Spanish authorities. Having 
 scrubbed the ship as low as she could bo reached, by slightly 
 careening her, and procured an additional anchor, Paul Jones 
 prepared to put to sea on the 28th of January. 
 
 At this time, so much discontent existed among the crew, 
 that they absolutely refused to weigh the anchor, unless they 
 should first receive a portion of their pay or prize-money. 
 The officers and crew of the Poor Richard were particularly 
 destitute, as most of them had lost every thing when she went 
 down. At Amsterdam Jones had received some money, from 
 which he had advanced five ducats to each of the officers, and 
 one to each of the men. This sum was so ridiculous when 
 compared with their wants, that many of them instantly threw 
 overboard what they received. The credit of the Confedera- 
 tion was very bad, both at home and abroad ; and the sum 
 which Jones had received at Amsterdam, besides what had 
 been advanced by France for the expense of the ships, was 
 probably a very small one. The officers and crew took up 
 the opinion, that, small as it was, Jones had reserved a large
 
 142 LIFE OF 
 
 portion of it for himself. Hence, and from their destitution of 
 clothes, the causes of their discontent. 
 
 Fanning states, that Jones prevailed upon the meu to return 
 to their duty, and get the ship under weigh, by promises of 
 running directly for L'Orient, where they were to receive their 
 prize-money. When the ship, however, was fairly at sea, he 
 summoned his officers into the cabin and acquainted them 
 with his wish to cruise two or three weeks before putting into 
 L'Orient; he touched, in an eloquent strain, upon all the 
 topics which were likely to excite them, and concluded by 
 telling them that if by cruising a few days they could carry in 
 a British frigate, of their own or of superior force, it would 
 add to the lustre of their former victories, and be the means of 
 handing their names down honourably to the latest posterity. 
 The officers withdrew his imagination from these visions 
 of glory, by representing the mutinous condition of the crew, 
 and the unromantic fact, that they had no clothes but those 
 they stood in. At this, Jones lost all patience. " I do not 
 want your advice," he said, with a contemptuous sneer, 
 " 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 !" He concluded his harangue with an 
 emphatic stamp of the foot, and so broke up the assembly. 
 
 The Alliance accordingly cruised for a few days to the west- 
 ward of Cape Finisterre, but so much discord occurred among 
 the original officers of the Alliance and those who had come 
 from the Richard, who were continually quarrelling about the 
 relative merits and courage of Jones and Landais, and so 
 much discontent existed among the crew, that there was 
 little likelihood of their effecting any brillant service, llaviug 
 fallen in with an American ship, called the Livingston, laden 
 with a valuable cargo of tobacco, Jones convoyed her into 
 L'Orient, where he arrived on the 10th of February. His
 
 PAUL JONES. 143 
 
 health had suffered severely from exposure to winter gales 
 arid constant watching ; and his eyes were almost blind with 
 inflammation. He, therefore, went immediately on shore in 
 search of necessary repose. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Jones finds the Serapis at L'Orient. Proposes Repairs on the Alliance., and the 
 Purchase of the Serapis. Franklin remonstrates against the Expense. En- 
 treats Jones to practice Economy. Orders the Alliance to prepare to return 
 Home. Arms to be transported to America. Jones's Promise of Frugality. 
 His Mode of keeping his Promise. Alterations in the Alliance. Jones is 
 charged with Enmity to the French. Defends Himself from the Charge. 
 Landais obtains Leave to return to America. Proceeds to L'Orient. Asks the 
 Command of the Alliance. Reply of Franklin. Intrigue of Arthur Lee to 
 place Landais in Command. Discontent of the Crew about Prize-money. 
 Fate of Prizes in Norway. Disposal of other Prizes. Jones visits Paris. 
 Flattering Reception. Contemporary Account of Paul Jones. 
 
 ON the arrival of the Alliance at L'Orient, Jones found the 
 Serapis in the harbour. The Countess of Scarborough had put 
 into Dunkirk, where she remained until sold. Jones wrote 
 immediately to Dr. Franklin to report his arrival and the events 
 of his cruise; he also entered into a detailed statement of the 
 condition of the Alliance, and of the repairs which would be 
 necessary to enable her to proceed on another cruise. He 
 stated, that on her passage from Boston to Brest she had 
 broached to, while scudding before a gale of wind, and had 
 been nearly lost. In that sitaation a sea had struck her with 
 such force on the cut-water, as to wrench it considerably to 
 one side. When she was hove down, on her arrival, Captain 
 Landais had satisfied himself with ordering the part which 
 projected to be dubbed away, instead of having it got back 
 into its place and properly secured. Afterwards, when he had 
 abandoned the Richard on the coast of Ireland, he had steered 
 his ship in the trough of the sea, which had not only strained
 
 144 LIFE OF 
 
 the ship very much, generally, but loosened the cut-water again. 
 In order to repair this damage Jones was desirous of heaving 
 the ship out, and aaked leave at the same time to sheathe her 
 with copper. She also required new sails and rigging. In 
 the same letter Jones expressed an ardent wish that the Serapis 
 should become the property of the United States. 
 
 In reply, Franklin told him, that the Alliance could not pos- 
 sibly be repaired at the expense of the French court, in whose 
 service she had been cruising ; especially, since the damages 
 wliich she had sustained were attributed by Jones more to the 
 negligence and incompetence of Captain Landais, than to the 
 accidents of the cruise. The whole expense, therefore, would 
 have to fall on him, as the agent of the American government ; 
 and he said that he was ill provided to bear it, having so many 
 unexpected demands upon him from all quarters. The Sage 
 resorted to humble entreaty to moderate Jones's passion for 
 what, to a government having a flourishing exchequer, would 
 doubtless have been a judicious expenditure. " I therefore 
 beg," he wrote, " you would have mercy on me, put me to as 
 little charge a possible, and take nothing that you can possi- 
 bly do without. As to sheathing with copper, it is totally out 
 of the question. I am not authorised to do it, if I had money ; 
 and I have not money for it, if I had orders. The purchase of 
 the Serapis is in the same predicament." 
 
 Franklin had determined to despatch the Alliance to the 
 United States, and he expressed a wish that Jones should take 
 fifteen thousand stands of arms, which he hoped to obtain from 
 the French government, and also one hundred and twenty 
 bales of cloth, for the army, if he could find room for it. He 
 mentioned several persons who were desirous of taking pas- 
 sage with him to America, and expressed the hope that Jones 
 would be able to accommodate them. Among the number was 
 Mr. Arthur Lee, formerly one of the American Commissioners 
 at Paris, before the recognition of our independence by France, 
 and the appointment of Dr. Franklin as our minister. The
 
 PAUL JONES. 145 
 
 connection of this gentleman with the Alliance wast destined 
 to be a source of the greatest possible annoyance to Jones, of 
 insult to Dr. Franklin, and of injury to the public service. 
 Franklin urged Jones to make his preparations with the least 
 possible delay, and acquaint him when he was ready for sea> 
 that he might forward his despatches. 
 
 Jones expressed his readiness, in reply, to meet the wishes 
 of the Minister. " I feel your reasons," he wrote, " for 
 urging frugality ; and, as I have not hitherto been among the 
 most extravagant servants of America, so you may depend 
 on it my regard for you will make me particularly nice in 
 my present situation. It will give me very great pleasure to 
 be able to carry to America the supplies of arms and clothing 
 you mention, and I hope to be able to cram a great part, if 
 not the whole, into the Alliance. I will pay the most cheer- 
 ful regard to the accommodation of the four gentlemen that 
 you mention as passengers. I hope they will agree together, 
 and I shall be happy in showing them attentions." 
 
 It would seem, that, notwithstanding Jones's promises to 
 have mercy on Franklin's exchequer, and observe frugality, 
 his desire to improve the Alliance, which under other circum- 
 stances would have been so commendable, must have betrayed 
 him into considerable expenditure. In his answer to various 
 interrogatories, made to him by a Committee of Congress, on 
 his return to the United States, having for their object to as- 
 certain the causes which delayed the arrival of the arms and 
 cloth, anxiously expected for the army from France, he made 
 a very long list of the defects of the Alliance, which he had 
 remedied in refitting her at L'Orient. " The bowsprit," he 
 said, " was too long, ran out too much in a horizontal line, 
 and was loose. The topmasts, yards, and rigging were large 
 enough for a sixty-gun ship, and the tops were so ill-made, 
 and so narrow, as to give the masts no proper support. It is 
 impossible to imagine a worse arrangement than that of the
 
 146 UFK OF 
 
 store-rooms. They were divided and subdivided into little 
 closets, nooks, and winding passages, and instead of being 
 adapted to contain the ship's stores, appeared only fit to lodge 
 dirt, and increase the quantity of rats, already immense. The 
 magazine was not only inconvenient, but very insecure from 
 fire. There was no fit orlop for the cables, and the sail-room, 
 could contain, at most, only one of the spare courses. The 
 deck was burnt through under the hearth, and the bottom of 
 the copper burnt out. Many obstructions of useless hatch- 
 ways were in the way of the recoil of the guns ; and the gang- 
 ways were so ill-contrived, as neither to afford a convenient 
 passage from the quarter-deck to the forecastle, nor cover the 
 men at the guns in the waist. The mizzen-mast stood too 
 close to the main-mast. The ship was very crank, plunged 
 very deep in a head sea, and could neither work nor sail as a 
 frigate. I began to put that ship in order immediately on 
 taking command ; and, after my arrival at L'Orient, tfie es- 
 sential repairs were finished early in April, by the crew of the 
 ship and four or five American carpenters. The materials of 
 the old arrangement did not fall much short of finishing the 
 new. Judges have allowed, that when the business was 
 finished every thing about that frigate was perfect. I know 
 not what was the amount of the disbursements." 
 
 No doubt the amount of the disbursements was sufficient to 
 distress Dr. Franklin, if not to disturb his equanimity. These 
 extensive alterations, at the moment, were the more inju- 
 dicious as they deferred the period of the ship's readiness to 
 proceed to the United States, where they could have been so 
 much more cheaply made, and where her coming, with the 
 supplies for the army, was so anxiously expected by General 
 Washington. As to the particular alterations themselves, 
 apart from these circumstances, they were eminently judicious 
 and expedient, as well as indicative of Jones's high qualifi- 
 cations as an accomplished seaman. It is a little remarkable, 
 iiat many of the defects which Jones corrected in the
 
 PAUL JONES. 147 
 
 Alliance are still found in our ships of war at the present day ; 
 such as the drooping bowsprit, the excessive dimensions and 
 weights of masts and yards, the stepping of the mizzen-mast 
 too far forward, and the defective arrangement of the sail and 
 store-rooms. With regard to the useless hatchways on board 
 of the Alliance, of which he complains, we have now passed 
 to the other extreme, and, with the view of leaving abundant 
 space for working the guns, and of shifting them from side to 
 side, our ships have not now sufficient hatches to let the men 
 up rapidly from below, and furnish light and ventilation to 
 the lower deck. 
 
 In his intercourse with society at L'Orient, Jones found 
 that an opinion prevailed there, that his feelings towards the 
 French people were of an unfriendly character. The opinion 
 had its origin probably in the indignant manner in which he 
 had rejected the French commission to command a privateer, 
 which had been offered to him by M. de Sartine, towards the 
 close of his stay in the Texel. It was in his nature to give 
 way to very strong expressions in conversation on the same 
 subject. Perhaps, also, Frenchmen might have been found t 
 vindicate the imaginary wrongs of their countryman, the mis- 
 erable Landais. There must have been something plausible 
 about the appearance or manners of the individual. This only 
 will account for the important command which had been in- 
 trusted to him, and for his having found the means, when 
 covered with merited disgrace, to propitiate friends of some 
 sort. Be it as it may, Jones thought it necessary to enter into 
 a laboured vindication of his feelings towards France in let- 
 ters, which he wrote almost immediately after his arrival at 
 L'Orient, to Lafayette and the Duke de la Vauguyon. 
 
 In his letter to Layfayette, he gives the following summary 
 of his political faith. " I am a citizen of the world, totally un- 
 fettered by the little mean distinctions of country or of cli- 
 mate, which diminish or set bounds to the benevolence of the 
 heart. Impelled by principles of gratitude and philanthropy,
 
 148 LIFE OF 
 
 I drew my sword at the the beginning of the American revo- 
 lution, and, when France BO nobly espoused that great cause, 
 no individual felt the obligation with truer gratitude than my- 
 self. When the court of France soon after invited me to re- 
 main for a time in Europe, I considered myself as highly ho- 
 noured by the application that was made to the American com- 
 missioners. Since that time I have been, at every instant, and 
 still am, ready to do my utmost for the good of the common cause 
 of France and America. As an American officer, and as a man, 
 I affectionately love and respect the character and nation of 
 France, and hope the alliance with America may last forever. 
 I greatly love and esteem his most Christian Majesty, 'as the 
 great ally of America, the best of kings, and the amiable friend 
 and ' protector of the rights of human nature' ; therefore he 
 has very few of his own subjects who would bleed in the pre- 
 sent cause with greater freedom than myself, and none who 
 are more disinterested. At the same time, I lament the cala- 
 mities of war, and wish, above all things, for an honourable, 
 happy, and lasting peace." These were no doubt the honest 
 sentiments of Jones's heart, and, making due allowance for the 
 slang of the day about universal philanthropy, which Jones 
 perhaps felt more strongly than most who talked about it, 
 were creditable to his character. 
 
 About this time, Landais applied to Dr. Franklin for leave 
 to proceed to the United States, in order to be tried on the 
 charges which had been preferred against him, for his conduct 
 in the battle with the Serapis. The leave was granted to him 
 and money advanced to pay his passage to the United States. 
 He moreover applied to Dr. Franklin for an order to Jones, to 
 deliver up some trunks and other effects, said to have been left 
 by him on board the Alliance. There could have been no ne- 
 cessity for this, as Jones had no motive for retaining any thing 
 belonging to him. Still Franklin wrote to state the demand 
 which Landais had made, and took occasion to speak of him 
 as follows. " I find him so exceedingly captious and critical,
 
 PAUL JONES. 149 
 
 and so apt to misconstrue, as an intended injustice, every ex- 
 pression in a language which he does not understand, that I 
 am tired of writing any thing for him or about him, and am 
 determined to have nothing farther to do with him. I make 
 LO doubt, however, that you will deliver his things to any per- 
 son he may empower to receive them, and therefore think such 
 an order unnecessary." 
 
 Furnished with this pretext for withdrawing himself from un- 
 der the surveillance of the French government, Landais wrote 
 to obtain a passage to the United States, in the American ship 
 Luzerne, then about to sail from L'Orient under convoy of the 
 Alliance, and soon after proceeded to that place with the os- 
 tensible abject of recovering his effects and embarking. When 
 at L'Orient, however, his ulterior object soon manifested it- 
 self to be the recovery of the command of the Alliance. 
 On the 17th of March he wrote to Franklin, requesting his 
 opinion with regard to himself, and asking to be reinstated in 
 the command which had been conferred upon him by Con- 
 gress. 
 
 The reply of the Sage showed, that he could sometimes be 
 stern in his justice. "No one ever learned the opinion I 
 formed of you from inquiry made into your conduct. I kept 
 it entirely to myself. I have not even hinted it in my letters 
 to America, because I would not hazard giving to any one a 
 bias to your prejudice. By communicating a part of that 
 opinion privately to you I can do no harm, for you may burn 
 it. I should not give you the pain of reading it, if your de- 
 mand did not make it necessary. I think you then, so im- 
 prudent, so litigious, and quarrelsome a man, even with your 
 best friends, that peace and good order, and consequently the 
 quiet and regular subordination so necessary to success, are, 
 where you preside, impossible. These are within my observa- 
 tion and apprehension. Your military operations I leave to 
 more capable judges. If, therefore, I had twenty ships of war 
 in my disposition, I should not give one of them to Captain
 
 150 
 
 Landais. The same temper which excluded him from thi> 
 French marine, would weigh equally with me. ( )f course I 
 should not replace him in the Alliance." 
 
 Unfortunately for Captain Landais, and still more unfortun- 
 ately for the country which had most unwisely called- him to 
 its service, he had not the rare gift of seeing himself as others 
 saw him. His good opinion of himself was overweening. He 
 determined, if possible, to recover by intrigue the station 
 which was refused to him by the competent authority. In 
 attaining this object lie was encouraged and abetted by Mr. 
 Arthur Lee, who had come down to L'( >rient to take passage 
 in the Alliance. This gentleman probably bore a secret re- 
 sentment against Jones for the spirited but just remonstrance, 
 which he had addressed to him when in the command of the 
 Hanger, on the subject of dishonouring his draft to meet 
 necessary expenditures, and fomenting discontent among his 
 crew, lie was also annoyed at Jones's unwillingness to re- 
 receive his carriage and an unusual quantity of baggage on 
 board of the Alliance, to the necessary exclusion of some of 
 the military stores, which Dr. Franklin was so anxious to ship 
 by her, to meet the urgent wants of "Washington's aimy. His 
 jealousy, moreover, of Franklin made Landais respectable in 
 his eyes, because the Sage despised him, and induced him, 
 with the other motives we have mentioned, to lend a secret 
 but successful aid in driving Jones out of the Alliance, to 
 make room for Landais. By what extremely insidious means 
 this was effected will be seen hereafter. 
 
 Karly in April the repair and improvements of the Alliance 
 were completed, and most of the military stores intended for 
 the army, including fifteen thousand muskets and one hundred 
 thousand pounds of powder, were already embarked. The 
 battery of twenty-eight eighteen, and twelve nine-pounders, 
 which Jones had contracted to have cast at Angoulemc the 
 year before, for the Bon Homme Richard, but which had only 
 arrived at L'Orient after her departure, was alo taken on
 
 PAUL JONES. 151 
 
 board. A cartel had arrived with American prisoners, in ex- 
 change for those whom Jones had retained on board of the 
 Alliance, and many of them having entered for that ship, add- 
 ed to the strength and efficiency of her crew. She was 
 therefore^ ready to sail, and Franklin was desirous that she 
 should depart forthwith, in company with a large convoy, 
 which was about to put to sea. The officers and men of the 
 Alliance were, however, very anxious to receive their prize- 
 money, for the captures during the late cruise, before putting 
 to sea. Jones shared their feelings on his own account, and 
 was, moreover, desirous as their commander, that they should 
 be gratified in their reasonable request, which he urged un- 
 remittingly in his letters to the Minister. Franklin exerted 
 himself to attain this object, which was surrounded with many 
 difficulties. 
 
 With regard to the two armed ships Betsey and Union, each 
 mounting twenty-two guns, and having on board military 
 and naval stores on the account of the British government, 
 valued together at not less than forty thousand pounds sterling, 
 we have seen that they were sent by Landais, without autho- 
 rity from Jones, to Bergen in Norway, where they had arrived 
 on the 13th of the previous September, in charge of two officers 
 of the Alliance. The French consular agent in that port had 
 orders from his government to render the same service to 
 American vessels and their prizes as to those of France. An 
 attempt was made to sell the prizes, which was vehemently 
 opposed by the British C'onsul. Soon after, these vessels were 
 given up to him, on his demand, by order of the Danish 
 government, on the ground, that it did not recognise the in- 
 dependence of the United States. The Danish government 
 was justified in refusing to allow the sale of these prizes 
 within its ports ; but there was no colour of justice in deliver- 
 ing them up to their original owners. It might have ordered 
 them to put to sea ; and would scarcely have impeded them 
 had they attempted to do so ; but Landais had given no orders
 
 152 LIFK OF 
 
 to the prize-masters, except to take them to Bergen, and the 
 French Consul wanted the discretion and energy to do quickly 
 what the circumstances rendered necessary. These valuable 
 prizes were therefore lost to the captors. 
 
 In the case of the Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough, 
 the French government proposed to value them in the usual 
 way, and purchase them into the service. Franklin approved 
 of this arrangement ; but as it would require time to carry it 
 into effect, he proposed, that if it should not be effected before 
 the Alliance was ready for sea, she should not wait. As, how- 
 ever, the crew of the Alliance might require some supplies for 
 the voyage, he authorized Jones in this case to draw upon him 
 for twenty-four thousand livres to be advanced to them, but 
 enjoined upon him not to exceed that sum. 
 
 The crew of the Alliance would probably have been very 
 well satisfied with this project, had they not, as Dr. Franklin 
 states in his reply to a question, proposed to him by the Board 
 of Admiralty, " been encouraged by some meddling passengers 
 to persist. The King would have taken the prizes and paid 
 for them at the rate per gun, which he pays for warlike vessels 
 taken by his ships, but they raised a clamour at this, it being 
 put into their heads, that it was a project for cheating them, 
 and they demanded a sale by auction. The Minister, who 
 usually gives more when ships are taken for the King, than 
 they will produce by auction, readily consented to this when I 
 asked it of him ; but then this method required time to have it 
 inventoried and advertised in differents ports to create a fuller 
 concurrence of buyers." 
 
 From Jones's answer to a committee of Congress, as to the 
 cause of the long detention of the Alliance, we learn, that 
 among the "meddling passengers" engaged in the bad design 
 of exciting discontent and mutiny among the crew of the 
 Alliance, foremost stood the quondam commissioner, Mr. 
 Arthur Lee, who endeavoured to persuade them that they had 
 been sailing with Jones in a privateer, and that they would be
 
 PAUL JONES. 153 
 
 detained in Europe during the war, and get nothing at last. 
 "I found it impossible," he says, "to reason them into good 
 humour, so as to go to sea ; they positively declared they 
 would not weigh anchor till they were fully paid, and wrote 
 to this effect to Mr. Franklin." In consequence of those diffi- 
 culties, Jones determined, in an evil hour, to make a visit to 
 Paris, with the hope of being able, by his personal exertions, 
 to urge forward the sale of the prizes, and the distribution 
 among his officers and men of their share of the proceeds. He 
 was urged to pursue this course by most of the Americans 
 waiting at L'Orient to take passage in the Alliance, or under 
 her convoy. Mr. Arthur Lee was no doubt among the most 
 urgent in counselling this measure, as it left him a clearer field 
 to set in motion the various springs of intrigue, that were ne- 
 cessary to fulfil his favourite project of defeating the measures 
 of Dr. Franklin, and mortifying Jones, by depriving him 
 of the command of the Alliance, to bestow it on the 
 degraded Landais. Nor can Jones himself be freed from 
 all blame, for abandoning his ship at this critical moment. 
 The desire to accelerate the sale of his prizes was his main, as 
 it was his ostensible, motive. He was, doubtless, also influ- 
 enced in no small degree by the wish to appear once more, 
 surrounded with the brighter halo of glory, conferred by his 
 recent achievement, at that court where he had already been 
 so graciously received, and of tasting again the intoxicating 
 pleasure of being praised by fair and high-born lips. It was a 
 hero's weakness, and if he had not possessed it in such an 
 eminent degree, he might also have failed to carry so far the 
 love of desperate enterprise which has rendered his name so 
 celebrated. 
 
 Paul Jones arrived in Paris towards the middle of April, 
 and immediately accompanied Dr. Franklin to wait upon the 
 Minister of Marine, M. de Sartine. In one part of his corrres- 
 pondence, Jones says, the minister "gave us a reception as 
 cold as ice, did not say to me a civil word, nor even ask if my
 
 154 LIFE OF 
 
 health had not suffered from my wounds, and the uncommon 
 fatigue I had undergone. The public did me more justice than 
 the minister, and I owe to the King alone the flattering marks 
 of distinction with which I was honoured." In his answers 
 to the committee of Congress, in whose eyes he had no dispo- 
 sition either to disparage his own brilliant deeds or the esti- 
 matioa in which they were held in other lands, he makes a 
 very different statement. " Mr. Franklin went with me to 
 the minister, who, contrary to my expectations, gave me 
 the most friendly welcome, and sent immediate orders 
 to publish the inventories, and adverti/.e the sale of all the 
 prizes." Contradictions of this character occur not unfre- 
 quently in Jones's correspondence. He was betrayed into 
 them by the fervour with which he thought and felt, on occa- 
 sions when his pride and vanity were interested, and the 
 strong terms in which he habitually expressed himself. It is 
 certain, at any rate, that his wishes were promptly complied 
 with, for the sale of the pri/.es, and the proper orders issued. 
 He readily obtained the loan of the Ariel, of twenty guns, 
 to assist the Alliance in transporting the military stores, then 
 ready at L'Orient, to be forwarded to the army under "Wash- 
 ington. His reception by the King was also most flattering, 
 and from the court as well as the public, enthusiastic. He 
 himself states, that " he was received in Paris, as well as in 
 other parts of the kingdom, with flattering applause. Both 
 the great and learned sought his acquaintance and honoured 
 him with particular marks of friendship. At court, he was 
 always received with a kindness which could only have 
 arisen from a fixed esteem." 
 
 Nor were the fair backward in offering to our hero the 
 homage so willingly render to the brave. A chivalrous devo- 
 tion to the gentler sex formed part of his character. He ap- 
 pears to have spoken French with some fluency, and to have 
 had a strong natural taste for music and poetry, irregularly 
 cultivated in those hours of leisure at sea, which his occupa-
 
 PAUL JONES, . 155 
 
 tions left him. His desire to please, assisted by the reputation 
 won for him by his heroism, and perhaps the very distinction 
 which must have been perceptible between his untutored 
 devotion, and the more regulated approaches of court-bred 
 admirers, doubtless gave a peculiar piquancy to his manners. 
 At any rate, he is known to have so far improved his ac- 
 quaintance with many distinguished ladies of the court, as 
 subsequently to be found corresponding with them. Perhaps 
 to one of his scribbling propensities, and whose peculiar posi- 
 tion as a hero and a stranger, placed him in a class by him- 
 self, not much excuse or encouragement was required to jus- 
 tify the opening of a correspondence. Among those who 
 
 thus honoured him with their friendship, were Madame T , 
 
 a daughter of Louis the Fifteenth, and a lady of rank, Madame 
 la Presidente D'Ormoy, and the Countess de Lavendahl. 
 With the first of these ladies, who is believed to be the person 
 with whom he long corresponded, under the name of De la 
 his friendship seems to have passed the bounds of the pla- 
 tonic. The letters of Delia indicate the most passionate and 
 devoted love, and a readiness to give up every thing for its 
 object. 
 
 Some letters written by an English lady, residing at Ver- 
 sailles, went the rounds of the English press, at this period. 
 In one of them the proceedings of our hero are thus chronicled. 
 " 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 honoured him with every 
 mark of politeness and distinction. The verses are after this 
 fashion : 
 
 " Insulted freedom bled ; I felt her cause, 
 And drew my sword to vindicate her laws, 
 From principle, and not from vain applause,
 
 156 LIFE OF 
 
 I've done my be*t ; self-interest far apart, 
 And self-reproach a stranger to any heart, 
 My ze&l 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." 
 
 In a subsequent letter the subject was thus resumed by the 
 fair correspondent. We introduce here, what she adds, though 
 somewhat out of date, in order iiotto leave the fair fame of bis 
 lady-love, even for a few pages, under any injurious imputa- 
 tion. "Since my last, Paul Jones drank tea and supped here. 
 If I am in love with him, for love I may die. 1 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. Be- 
 sides this she is possessed of youth, beauty, and every other 
 female accomplishment. He is gone I suppose for America. 
 They correspond, and his letters-are replete with elegance, 
 eentiment and delicacy. She drew his picture,* a striking like- 
 ness, and wrote some lines under it, which are much admired 
 and presented it to him. Since he received it, he says, 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." 
 
 Now in possession of Lieutenant Pinkham, U.S.N., to whom it] was re- 
 cently presented by Miss Janctte Taylor, niece of Paul Jones.
 
 PAUL JONES. 157 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Proceedings on Board the Alliance. Letter of the Officers to Dr. Franklin 
 about Prize-money. Mutinous Demand of the Crew for the Restoration of 
 Landais. They express a favonrable Opinion of his Qualifications. Frank- 
 lin's noble Reply. Warning Order to Landais. The King offers Jones tho 
 Cross of Military Merit. Also a gold Sword. Jones returns to L'Orient. 
 Instructions from Franklin. Muntiny on Board [the Alliance. Landais 
 takes the Command. A legal Exposition by Arthur Lee. Its artful Charac- 
 ter. Lee's Jealousy of Dr. Franklin. Jones proceeds to Paris. Returns 
 to L'Orient. The Alliance removes out of Port. Jones prevents her being 
 stopped. Applies for the Scrapis. Takes Command of the Ariel. Fu rther 
 Vagaries of Landais. He sails. 
 
 WHILST, however, our hero remained at court, basking in the 
 sunshine of royal favour, caressed by courtiers and smiled upon 
 by the fair, every thing on board the Alliance, his proper 
 scene of action, was going to destruction. Scarcely had Jones's 
 back been turned upon the ship, when Mr. Arthur Lee began 
 to set his schemes into motion for the overthrow of Franklin's 
 view, and Jones's authority on board the Alliance. The effect 
 was first manifested in a letter to Franklin, on the 12th of 
 April, signed by the officers of the Alliance, expressing their 
 alarm at not receiving either wages or prize-money, when the 
 ship was so nearly ready to sail. Franklin replied, that he 
 had already advanced twenty-four thousand livres, for the im- 
 mediate wants of the officers and crew, on account of their 
 discharge. With regard to the prize-money, he had nothing to 
 do with its distribution, which remained with the agent, M. 
 Chaumont. In consequence of having been repeatedly informed 
 that the proposed method of selling the prizes to govern- 
 ment by a valuation in the usual manner, had excited discon- 
 tent among the officers and crew, he had procured the consent 
 of government to their being sold at auction ; though he was of 
 opinion, that the first method proposed would have been more 
 for their interest. The plan now adopted, in conformity with
 
 158 LIF OF 
 
 their wishes, would still require time unless the prizes were to 
 be sacrificed. 
 
 By the 29th of May the schemes were so far matured, that 
 Landais -wrote on that day to Franklin, to inform him, that 
 since his application of the 17th of March, to be replaced in 
 command of the Alliance, he had been waiting patiently for 
 his orders to 'that effect ; thus utterly disregarding Frank- 
 lin's positive refusal to comply with his request, coupled with 
 his cogent reasons for it, and the humiliating assurance, that 
 if he had the disposal of twenty ships of war he " would not 
 give one of them to Captain Landais." With this new appli- 
 cation Landais now enclosed to Franklin a mutinous letter, 
 which he had procured to be writted and signed by one hun- 
 dred and fifteen of the crew of the Alliance, " declaring that they 
 would not raise the anchof, nor sail from L'Orieut, till they 
 had six months' wages paid to them, and the utmost farthing 
 of their pri/e-money, including the ships sent into Norway, 
 and until their legal captain, P. Landais, was restored to 
 them." Tlu> evidence of Laudais's participation in this mu- 
 tiny was rendered manifest, not only by his enclosing it, but 
 also by the fact of his name being interlined, with his own 
 hand, being in fact his signature. 
 
 It was rumoured on board the Alliance, that Jones had been 
 backward in demanding justice for his oflicers and crew, from 
 those functionaries who were heaping honours on himself ; and 
 that he not only neglected those by whose exertions he had 
 achieved his glory, but had fraudulently joined M. de Chaumont 
 in withholding from them their just rights. Though the noto- 
 rious disagreement between Jones and M. de Chaumont ren- 
 dered this fabrication eminently absurd, it so far influenced 
 fourteen of the original officers of the Alliance as to induce 
 them to join in a letter to Dr. Franklin, in which they express- 
 ed the belief, that the ship's crew was unanimous in favour 
 of Captain Landais. They also gave it as their opinion, that 
 te was a capable officer, whose conduct off Scarborough had
 
 PAtTL JONES. 159 
 
 been misrepresented to his disadvantage. They moreover, 
 considered themselves bound to obey him as their legal captain 
 according to the rules and regulations of the navy. These 
 fourteen officers were evidently, from Franklin's answer, among 
 those who had originally belonged to the Alliance, and who, 
 having shared her dishonour in the battle with the Serapis, 
 were thus forced into sympathy with their commander, 
 and excited to hatred against the chief who had denounced 
 their conduct as it deserved. Their interpretation of navy 
 regulations was aided by the legal acumen of Mr. Lee, who 
 had been very profuse and urgent with his opinions in the same 
 sense. 
 
 Franklin's reply to this disgraceful document does equal 
 credit to his justice, his kindness, and his ingenuity. It was 
 eminently suited to soothe and restore them to a sense of duty 
 and honour ; but it was addressed to unworthy ears, and per- 
 verted by malignant influences. The Sage expressed no little 
 surprise, that the officers of the Alliance, having a year before 
 made complaints against Landais, coupled with the statement 
 from him, that they were all leagued against him, should now 
 wish to be placed again under his command. " I have re- 
 lated," he says, "exactly to Congress the manner of his leav- 
 ing the ship, and though I declined any judgment of his ma- 
 nrevres in the fight, I have given it as my opinion, after exam- 
 ining the affair, that it was not 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 had it 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 pub- 
 licly known, that you had the strongest aversion to Captain 
 
 Landais, who had 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
 
 160 UE OK 
 
 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-, that Captain Landais was 
 skilful in keeping out of harm's way, and that you, therefore, 
 thought yourselves safer with the latter. For myself, I believe 
 you to be brave men and lovers of your country and its glori- 
 ous 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 respect- 
 fully to your commander, and I am persuaded he will do the 
 same to you. Thus you will not only be happier in your voy- 
 age, but recommend yourselves to the future favours of Con- 
 gress and of your country." 
 
 On the same day he wrote to Landais, expressing his aston- 
 ishment, that he should be still at L'Orient, when he had sup- 
 posed him long before on the way to America to be tried, for 
 which purpose he had furnished him with money to defray his 
 expenses. With regard to his application for the command of 
 the Alliance, he thus briefly replied. " I waive any further 
 dispute with you ; but I charge you not to meddle with the 
 command, or create any disturbance on board her, as you will 
 answer the contrary at your peril." 
 
 In the mean time, Jones, having heard of the intrigues that 
 were going on at L'Orieut, for the overthrow of his authority 
 on board of the Alliance, prepared to depart for that place, 
 and actually set out on the last day of May, probably without 
 
 having yet heard of the mutinous demands which t&t> civv 
 
 ,- 
 
 had addressed to Dr. Franklin. In taking leave of the 'court, 
 he was careful to fortify himself for his return to America, by 
 ample vouchers of the high character of the services which he 
 had rendered to the common cause of France and America. 
 They consisted of a brief but strong recommendation from 
 Franklin to the President of Congress, given at the solicitation
 
 PAUL JONES. 161 
 
 of Jones, as is apparent from the following passage: "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 ;" also of a letter from M. 
 de Sartiue, to the same gentleman, stating that the King had 
 charged him to express his perfect satisfaction with Jones's 
 services. " He has offered," the letter states, " as a proof of 
 his esteem, to present him with a sword, which cannot be 
 placed in better hands, and likewise proposes to Congress to 
 decorate this brave officer with the Cross of Military Merit." 
 It further stated in the sequel, " If, after having approved of 
 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 expe- 
 dient to secure the success of his enterprises." In this clause, 
 written, no doubt, at Jones's suggestion, we see the dawning 
 already of a new hope for active employment on the enemy's 
 coast. In addition to these honourable testimonials, M. de 
 Sartine wrote to Jones himself, accompanying a packet 
 for the French Minister in the United States, which con- 
 tained the cross of the order of Military Merit, with 
 which Jones was to be invested if Congress consented. " But 
 at any rate," he wrote, " that you should have a proof of the 
 King's approbation and munificence, his Majesty has ordered 
 a gold-headed sword to be made for you, which will be imme- 
 diately delivered to you, and he has the greatest confidence in 
 u will make of it for his glory, and that of the 
 :i States." 
 
 When Franklin received the letter in which Landais informed 
 him that he was patiently waiting for his orders, to resume 
 the command of the Alliance, accompanied by the letter of 
 the fourteen officers of the Alliance, giving their opinion that 
 
 H
 
 162 LIFE Of 
 
 the crew was unanimously in his favour, that he was a ca- 
 pable officer, whose conduct, in the battle off Scarborough, 
 had been misrepresented, and that he was their legal captain, 
 whom they felt bound by the regulations of the service to 
 obey ; as well as by the mutinous demand of the one hundred 
 and fifteen seamen of the Alliance, that their wages and prize- 
 money should be paid, and their legal captain, P. Landais, re- 
 stored to them before they would put to sea ; Jones had al- 
 ready arrived at L'Orient. To that place Franklin imme- 
 diately wrote to him, informing him of the nature of these 
 various communications, and of the measures which he had 
 adopted in consequence. He had gone at once to the govern- 
 ment and exhibited the documents, which produced an imme- 
 diate order to the authorities of L'Orient for the arrest of 
 Landais, to be tried for his life, as an emigrant without the 
 King's permission, and, as such, subject to be punished for his 
 misdemeanour by the laws of France. Franklin directed that 
 those sailors who had signed the mutinous letter should not 
 receive any portion of the money which it was proposed to 
 advance before the departure of the Alliance, on account of 
 the prizes, and that all such as were unwilling to trust to their 
 country to see justice done to tnem, should be put on shore to 
 await the sale of the prizes, at their own expense. Franklin 
 ended his letter with the following pithy advice : : " 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 cha- 
 racter of a great chief, your abilities in policy." 
 
 Before this pithy, though not very encouraging, advice was 
 received, together with the government order for the im- 
 prisonment of Landais, and the salutary admonition of the 
 officers who had signed the approbatory letter in his favour, 
 the affair had already b_>en brought to a crisis and terminated 
 in the ejectment of Jones and the installation of Landais in 
 the command of the Alliance. Immediately on his arrival
 
 PAUL JONES. 163 
 
 from court, Jones prosecuted his preparations to depart with 
 the Alliance and Ariel, which had now been added to his com- 
 mand, in order to complete the transportation of the military 
 stores, intended for the army. Several American vessels, 
 having cargoes to the amount of two millions of livres, were 
 ready to sail under his convoy. 
 
 Jones had gone on board of the Alliance, as usual, in the 
 prosecution of his duty, and had always been respectfully re- 
 ceived and met with a ready obedience. Having, however, 
 heard that his authority to command the Alliance had been 
 called in question, and being now perhaps first informed of 
 the letters written by Landais, and by the officers and the 
 crew to Franklin, having for their object to displace him, he, 
 on the morning of the 13th of June, mustered his crew upon 
 the quarter-deck, and caused his commission to be read aloud 
 to them, together with the order from Franklin, while in the 
 Texel, to take command of the Alliance, and a more recent 
 order to carry her to Philadelphia, to which port he had been 
 directed to send her by the board of Admiralty. After reading 
 those documents, he addressed the crew, inculcating upon 
 them their obligations, and urging them to the faithful per- 
 formance of their duty. He asked, in conclusion, that who- 
 ever had any complaint to make against him should now step 
 forward. No reply being made, Jones took it for granted that 
 there was nothing to fear from insubordination, and soon went 
 on shore to confer with the commander of the arsenal, with 
 regard to the equipment of the Ariel. 
 
 As soon as Jones landed, Landais dispatched a letter to Mr. 
 James Degges, the first lieutenant of the Alliance, directing 
 him to retain the command of the ship from any one who 
 should attempt to assume it, contrary to the resolution of Con- 
 gress, by which it had been entrusted to him, until he should 
 receive a favourable answer from Dr. Franklin, which he 
 thought could not be denied to him, unless he had an order 
 from Congress to remove him. On the receipt of the expected
 
 164 LIJE OF 
 
 order, he would repair on board to resume the command. 
 When Lieutenant Degges had received this letter, he mustered 
 the crew and read it to them. He had, no doubt, been pre- 
 pared for this act of insubordination, by the constitutional 
 commentaries of Mr. Lee, which, together with the insinua- 
 tions as to Jones's betrayal, had not been thrown away on the 
 crew. They declared at once for Landais, who, opportunely 
 arriving at this crisis, without waiting for the order from 
 Dr. Franklin, to resume the command, which he knew never 
 would arrive, walked over the side and took possession of the 
 ship. Lieutenant Dale and the other officers who had come 
 with Jonea from the Richard, had not been called up to take 
 part in these proceedings, their dinner hour having been fixed 
 upon for the execution of the plot. Aroused by the cheers, 
 they came upon deck, and found Landais parading up and 
 down, in the presence of the officers and crew, with his com- 
 mission in his hand, and haranguing them in broken English. 
 They were all sent ashore with little ceremony. 
 
 As both a key and commentary to this transaction, and what 
 has gone before it, we are here tempted to insert a letter from 
 Mr. Arthur Lee, of this very date, a copy of which, no doubt, 
 came into the possession of Laudais this very day, to serve as 
 anthority for the step which he was taking. 
 
 "Sir, When you showed me yesterday the authorities, un- 
 der which you conceive you have a right to command the Al- 
 liance frigate, I told you it was not in my power to give you 
 an opinion upon them without seeing those of Captain Landais ; 
 and that I would not give an opinion in this matter but in 
 writing. Since that, I have seen the authorities of Captain 
 Landais, and I now shall state them both, with my opinion 
 upon them ; which 1 hope may be of use in preventing any fur- 
 ther contest, which cannot but be disgraceful and injurious to 
 those who are in the wrong. 
 
 " The authorities you showed me consisted of a commission 
 of Congress, oppointiug you a captain in the marine of the
 
 PAUL JONES. 165 
 
 United States, and a late order from Dr. Frank lin to you to take 
 command of the Alliance, and carry her where she is ordered 
 by the Admiralty. This order from Dr. Franklin does not re- 
 cite or allege any power from Congress to take the command 
 from Captain Landais, and put another in bis place. 
 
 " The authorities Captain Landais laid before me, were a 
 commission from Congress, like yours, appointing him captain 
 in the service ; a resolve of Congress, giving him the command 
 of the Alliance frigate ; and a letter of instructions for that 
 purpose, from the Marine Committee. 
 
 " From these documents it is clear, beyond a possibility of 
 doubt, that Captain Landais commands that ship, under the 
 full, direct, and express order of Congress ; and that no such 
 authority appears, to dismiss him from the command. In this 
 situation, Captain Landais must answer at his peril for the 
 frigate intrusted to him, till he receives an order of Congress 
 to deliver her to another. If any such order exists, those who 
 have it do infinite wrong to the service in not producing it, to 
 prevent any disturbance. If there is no such order, the sub- 
 jects of the United States, who attempt to divest Captain 
 Landais of the command he holds from the sovereign power, 
 or to disturb him by violence in the exercise of it, commit a 
 high crime against the laws and sovereignty of the United 
 States, and subject themselves to proportionate punishment. 
 
 " This, Sir, is my opinion, founded upon a cool and candid 
 consideration of the authorities on both sides; which alone 
 ought to determine our judgments and our actions. You are 
 at liberty to show this letter to whom you please, or to send it 
 to Dr. Franklin. Should it prevail upon you to urge the mat- 
 ter no further, till you know whether there is authority of Con- 
 gress for what you are doing, I shall think 1 have rendered no 
 less service to you personally, in preventing you from commit- 
 ting a rash and illegal action, than to the public, the honour of 
 which must be committed by such a contest in a foreign port. 
 When I see such things threatened, my duty to my country,
 
 166 LIFE or 
 
 and the love of law and order, call upon me to do whatever is 
 in ray power to prevent them." 
 
 This is an able letter, but its ability, exercised as it was for 
 the mischievous perversion of truth, and in violation of the in- 
 terests of the country, only renders it the more reprehensible. 
 Mr. Lee knew, better than any one, that the Alliance had been 
 placed at the disposal of Dr. Franklin, who represented our 
 country, with full powers, for the purpose of forwarding the 
 great object of annoying England. For this object she had 
 been put under the orders of Jones. Her commander had wil- 
 fully disobeyed these orders on various occasions. In battle 
 he had basely deserted his duty and station, and adding 
 treachery to desertion, had fired upoa the flag which he served 
 under, and killed many of the citizens of the United States, 
 boldly avowing afterwards, that he would have thought it no 
 harm if the Richard had struck, as it would have given him 
 an opportunity to retake her and take the Serapis. For these 
 offences, Dr. Franklin had removed him from the command 
 of the Alliance, and conferred it on Jones. Landais had ac- 
 quiesced in this removal, had solicited leave to proceed to 
 the United States for trial, and obtained money to pay his ex- 
 penses. Jones had been seven months in the command of the 
 Alliance. None of these facts are noticed in Mr. Lee's letter. 
 Under these circumstances, his affected horror of disturbance, 
 his apprehension of the disgrace and injury which it was likely 
 to reflect on the country, his pretension to a cool and candid 
 consideration of the circumstances, when he had left the most 
 essential ones unadverted to, and, finally, his claim to render 
 a service to Jones personally, by inducing him to abstain from 
 what he considered rash and illegal, make this letter very un- 
 worthy of Mr. Lee, and of the real services, which his genius, 
 learning, and enthusiastic love of liberty had already enabled 
 him to render to the cause of his country. 
 H It is not easy to account very satisfactorily for Mr. Lee's 
 course in this transaction. Several reasons may be assigned,
 
 PACI. JONES. 167 
 
 none of which are very creditable. He had had a difficulty 
 the year before with Jones, in which the conduct of the latter 
 had been more spirited than respectful. It would seem also, 
 from a letter written by Jones to Robert Morris, at this time, 
 that he had objected to the space which Mr. Lee's baggage, 
 carriage, and family would occupy in the Alliance, if taken to 
 the exclusion of the soldiers' clothing, so much need ed by the 
 army. In this letter he says, " I found the Alliance at the en- 
 trance of Port Louis, and every necessary disposition was 
 made to stop her from going out ; but my humani ty would 
 nofc suffer me to remain a silent witness of bloodshed, between 
 the allied subjects of France and America. My having pre- 
 vented that scene of horror, has been no small disappointment 
 to the wicked hearts and empty heads of Captain Laudais 's 
 principal advisers. One of these two would-be great men 
 will now have his carriage, baggage, and family transported 
 from hence in the space on board the Alliance, that should 
 have been occupied by the soldiers' clothing ; while the red- 
 ribboned Commodore has taken advantage of the confusion, 
 and inveigled away from the continental service a number of 
 seamen, that I had redeemed from English dungeons, and fed 
 for three months on board the Alliance, in order to man the 
 Ariel." 
 
 The red-ribboned Commodore, here spoken of, was Commo- 
 dore Gillon, an officer in the service of South Carolina, who 
 had been sent out by that State to purchase and equip men-of- 
 war for the defence of its own coasts. By a singular arrange- 
 ment made with an influential courtier, who had procured 
 from the King the loan of the Indien, Gillon had got possession 
 of that ship which Jones had been so ambitious of command- 
 ing. If Jones was at the time aware of this arrangement, it 
 must have added no little poignancy to his resentment against 
 Gillon, for aiding in the intrigues which had driven him from 
 the Alliance, and enticing away his sailors to man a ship, 
 which had been withheld from him after so many promises.
 
 168 1IFB OF 
 
 As for the ruling motive of Mr. Lee's conduct, it is, perhaps, 
 more truly unfolded in the sequel of the same letter ; and cer- 
 tainly is not well suited to commend his memory to the vene- 
 ration of the American people. 
 
 It will be remembered, that Mr. Lee had been associated 
 with Franklin and Deane, as a commissioner, previous to the 
 recognition of our independence by France. When, in conse- 
 quence of that event, Franklin was invested with the sole con- 
 trol of our relations as minister, Mr. Lee continued Commis- 
 sioner to Spain, which country he had already visited in that 
 capacity. He hoped to have been made minister to that court, 
 but Congress appointed Mr. Jay, from the belief that he would 
 be more acceptable to Spain, and more useful to the country. 
 This rendered Mr. Lee exceedingly discontented. He had 
 been, while a member of the English bar, before the Revolu- 
 tion, associated with Dr. Franklin, as the agent of Massachu- 
 setts, with power to take Dr. Franklin's place, in the event 
 of his absence or death. At that time he frequently aspersed 
 Dr. Franklin in his correspondence, and impeached the purity 
 of his motives. When Mr. Lee was associated in the commis- 
 sion to France, as a reward for the distinguished services 
 which he had already rendered to the American cause, a dis- 
 agreement grew up between Mr. Lee and Mr. Deane, which 
 afterwards extended itself to Dr. Franklin. A recapitulation 
 of these facts gives a colour of probability to Jones's mode of 
 accounting for Mr. Lee's interference. 
 
 " I am convinced that Mr. Lee has acted in this manner, 
 merely because I would not become the enemy of the vener- 
 able, the wise, and good Franklin, whose heart, as well as 
 head, does and will always do honour to human nature. I 
 know the great nnd good, in this kingdom, better perhaps 
 than any other American, who has appeared in Europe since 
 the treaty of alliance, and if my testimony could add any thing 
 to Franklin's reputation, I could witness the universal vene- 
 ration and esteem with which his name inspires all ranks, not
 
 PAUL JONES. 169 
 
 only at Versailles and all over this kingdom, but also in Spain 
 and Holland. And I can add from the testimony of the first 
 characters of other nations, that, with them, envy itself is 
 dumb when the name of Franklin is but mentioned. 
 
 On the very afternoon of the mutiny, Jones, after consulting 
 with the French Admiral, with whom he was dining at the 
 time, wrote by express to Franklin, relatingihe circumstances 
 which had taken place. In the course of this letter he men- 
 tioned what had occurred in the morning, when he had asked 
 the crew at muster, whether any of them could speak a word 
 to his disadvantage, and they answered they could not. He 
 wrote, " I am certain that the people love and would readily 
 obey me." The proofs they had given of this love were very 
 extraordinary, to be sure, but even if it did not exist at all, 
 except in the imagination of Jones, or perhaps only in his let- 
 ter, it would have been far more honourable to Jones, as well 
 as more to his interest, if he really wished to recover the com- 
 mand, to have gone at once on board of the Alliance with his 
 officers, as soon as he heard that Landais had taken possession 
 of her. There could scarcely have been any open opposition 
 from the officers and crew, and from the relative conduct of 
 the two chiefs in battle, we cannot but think that Landais 
 would have quailed beneath his eye. If he had ventured upon 
 personal violence, Jones, being in the right, would not have 
 been blameable for the consequences. From evidence of the 
 circumstances, the conclusion is irresistible, either that Jones 
 behaved weakly in yielding his right, and abandoning the 
 post to which duty bound him, or, which is more likely, that 
 he was not particularly anxious to retain the command of the 
 Alliance, and leave France. 
 
 Instead of encountering the " scene," with Landais, which 
 
 he told the French commander he was desirous of avoiding, 
 
 though it would probably have been of very short duration, 
 
 Jones immediately followed his express to court. He found 
 
 B 5
 
 170 HFE OF 
 
 that orders had already been despatched to L'Orient to detain 
 the Alliance and arrest Landais. Franklin had also written 
 to Landais and the officers of the Alliance, commanding them 
 to yield obedience to his orders. He had also written to Jones 
 that, having been informed by several gentleman from L'Orient, 
 that it was understood there that the mutiny on board of the 
 Alliance had been advised and promoted by Mr. Arthur Lee, 
 whom he had ordered Jones to receive as a passenger, that 
 order was so far withdrawn as to leave it to Jones's discre- 
 tion, whether to take him or not. He said that this need not 
 obstruct Mr. Lee's return to America, as he might exchange 
 places with some of the passengers on board the ships going 
 out under convoy of the Alliance. 
 
 Having been absent rather more than six days, including 
 nearly two that he spent at Versailles, Jones found himself 
 again at L'Orient, on his return from his fruitless errand, on 
 the morning of the 20th of June. He found that during the 
 preceding night, the Alliance had been warped from the inner 
 roads to Port Louis. There was still a narrow strait, enclosed 
 by rocks and commanded by batteries, which it was necessary 
 for her to pass before she would be in the outer roads of Groix. 
 The commander of the port had caused a barrier to be moved 
 across the narrow entrance to Port Louis, and had given orders 
 to sink the Alliance if she should attempt to pass it. The French 
 commander now sent a boat on board with an officer bearing 
 the King's order, for the arrest of Landais. He refused to 
 surrender himself. The letters from Franklin to Landais, and 
 to the officers and men of the Alliance, containing his positive 
 orders for their submission, were then delivered. They were 
 equally disregarded. 
 
 At this conjuncture, Jones, having his ship completely in his 
 power, with the certainty of being able to reduce her to terms, 
 interfered to have the order to tire upon her if she should at- 
 tempt to pass, revoked, and the barrier removed from before 
 the strait. He took great credit to himself for this forbearance.
 
 PAUL JONES. 171 
 
 In writing to Franklin, on the 21st, he says : " Had 1 even re- 
 mained silent an hour longer, the dreadful work would have 
 been done. Your humanity will, I know, justify the part I 
 acted, in preventing a scene that would have rendered me mi- 
 serable for the rest of my life." Few commanders would have 
 ventured, in the presence of enemies, and with the clearest 
 justice on their side, to attempt this hazardous and necessarily 
 murderous passage. The crew of the Alliance, accustomed as 
 they were to mutiny, would not have hesitated to repeat for 
 the third time the scene which they had first enacted with 
 Landais, on the passage from America. Jones must have known 
 his man sufficiently to be convinced, in his own mind, that 
 there would have been no " dreadful work" at all. The com- 
 mandant called his chief officers together, and they signed a 
 paper setting forth the preparations which had been made to 
 stop the Alliance, and their great admiration of Jones's mag- 
 nanimity, in causing them to be suspended. This paper was 
 too clearly got up at Jones's suggestion. Throughout the 
 whole of his career he evinces the same passion for fortifying 
 himself with affidavits and certificates. Meanwhile Jones had 
 his certificate, and Landais, what he equally appreciated, the 
 mouth of the harbour open for his egress. He quietly warped 
 his ship through the narrow passage between the rocks, and 
 cast anchor in the open roads of Groix. 
 
 In evidence that Jones was not earnest in carrying out, with 
 singleness of purpose, Franklin's ardent and patriotic desire, 
 that he should put to sea without delay in the Alliance, with 
 the military stores so urgently required by Washington, we 
 find him, by the next post after that in which he had advised 
 Franklin of the circumstances attending the withdrawal of 
 the ship from under the control of the authorities, and of the 
 fate of the King's letter of arrest, and of his own orders, 
 urging the expediency of procuring the loan of theSerapis. That 
 ship had just been purchased by the King, for two hundred 
 and forty thousand livres. Upwards of five hundred tons of
 
 172 LIFK OF 
 
 public stores yet remained to be shipped for America. The 
 Ariel would not he aV.le 1o carry the whole of it, and Jones's 
 new project v/.is to lit. the Srrapis out to carry Ihe remainder, 
 arming her for the purpose as a transport, whilst the Ariel 
 should accompany her as a cruiser. He hoped to be able to 
 obtain from the Alliance, and from among the American sea- 
 men in the port, a sufficient number of men to man both ships. 
 On his arrival in the United States, the Serapis could be fitted 
 as a cruiser, and, together with the Ariel, and such other ships 
 as he hoped Congress would be ready to place under his com- 
 mand, carry out some one of the projects for the annoyance 
 of the enemy, which he had so often submitted to the French 
 government. 
 
 Such was the new scheme which Jones produced, with a 
 readiness which showed that he must have long meditated on 
 it. He had originally given up the command of the Serapis 
 with reluctance and mortification. He was desirous to take 
 her to America with him in any shape, in order to exhibit her 
 as a trophy won by his valour, and thus to make more present 
 to men's minds, the reality of his achievement. Franklin's 
 reception of this scheme was far from being encouraging. His 
 answer betrays some dissatisfaction with the efforts of Jones 
 to recover the command of the Alliance. He had not received 
 Jones's} letter of the 2 1st of June, and he wrote: " I only 
 know by other means, that the Alliance is gone out of the port ; 
 and that you are not likely to recover, and have relinquished, 
 the command of her. So that affair is over ; and the business 
 is now to get the goods out as well as we can. I am perfectly 
 bewildered with the different schemes that have been proposed 
 to me for this purpose, by Mr. Williams, Mr. Ross, yourself, 
 and M. de Chaumont. Mr. Williams was for purchasing ships ; 
 I told him I had not the money, but he still urges it. You and 
 Mr. Ross propose borrowing the Ariel ; I joined in the appli- 
 cation for that ship. We obtained her. She was to convey 
 all that the Alliance could not take. Now you find her insuf-
 
 PAUL JONES. 173 
 
 ficient. An additional ship has already been asked, and could 
 not be obtained. I think, therefore, it \vill be best that you 
 take as much into the Ariel as you can, and depart with it. 
 For the rest, I must apply to the government, to contrive some 
 means of transporting it in their own ships. This is my pre- 
 sent opinion ; and when I have once got rid of this business, 
 no consideration shall tempt me to meddle again with such 
 matters, as I never understood them." Franklin terminated 
 his correspondence on this subject, by directing the command- 
 ing officer of the Alliance, for the time being, to take on board 
 all the military stores that were ready, and deliver them at 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Meantime Landais being completely beyond the control of 
 Jones, the latter kept up upon him, from on shore, a brisk dis- 
 charge of orders, which he received with studied contempt. 
 This discharge was begun, on the same day that the ship 
 warped out into the outer roads, by an order carried by Lieu- 
 tenant Dale, for the delivery of some seamen required for the 
 Ariel, together with his own baggage, stores, and barge. An 
 " impertinent note" was Landais's only reply to the order. It 
 does not appear, whether Jones's effects came on shore on 
 this occasion. "When they did come on shore, his trunks were 
 broken open, his papers scattered, and many of his effects 
 missing. Not discouraged by this reception, he wrote again 
 on the 28th, ordering Landais not to sail without his instruc- 
 tions, and in the mean time to send eighty of his best riggers 
 on shore, with all the carpenters, to assist in equipping the 
 Ariel. Mr. M. Livingston Avas charged with this letter, Lieu- 
 tenant Dale having probably been too much disgusted with 
 his previous reception to desire to repeat his visit. Landais 
 answered briefly. " I send the under-named people on shore, 
 being such as I do not find necessary for the service of the 
 United States of America, oh board this sbip ; if you have any 
 authority for taking them, you will do it." The names of 
 twenty-two men were added below. Op the following day
 
 174 HFE OF 
 
 Jones wrote to Bay, that the boat was sent back for the re- 
 mainder of the men mentioned in his order of the previous day. 
 Landais ordered the officer bearing the letter to remain in the 
 boat alongside of the Alliance, and hold the letter open to- 
 wards him. Having made out the contents, he ordered him to 
 be gone. The Alliance soon after sailed, carrying away, in 
 irons, in her hold, many of the old crew of the Bon Homme 
 Richard, who adhered to Jones, and refused to assist in get- 
 ting under way. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Equipment of the Ariel. Correspondence. Jones receives the Sword presented 
 by the King. Offers to intrust it to a Lady. Addresses the Count of Ver 
 gennes. Unaccountable Delay in the Departure of the Ariel. One Month 
 passed in the Roads of Groix. Puts to Sea. Dreadful Hurricane. Critical 
 Situation of the Ariel. Anchors in the open Ocean. Masts cut away. Rides 
 out the Gale. Jury-Maste rigged. Returns to L'Orient. Effects of the Gale. 
 Correspondence resumed. Application for a larger Ship. Is rejected. News 
 of Landais's Disgrace. Delay of the Ariel. Piize-Money not paid. Ariel 
 puts to Sea. Encounter with an English Ship. Enemy strikes. Afterwards 
 escapes. Ariel arrives at Philadelphia. 
 
 THE month of July seems to have been less employed by Jones 
 in urgent efforts to get off in the Ariel, with part of the resi- 
 due of the military stores, than in corresponding with Madame 
 
 T , Madame Lafayette, Madame d'Ormoy, and such other 
 
 ladies connected with the court as he had contrived, in his 
 various visits to Paris, to interest in his fortunes. He enter- 
 tained them with accounts of his past achievements, com- 
 plaints against Messrs, de Chaumont, Lee, and Landais, and 
 new schemes for expeditions against the ports and commerce 
 of England, in the course of which, if sent forth unshackled 
 by any "concordat?' or "sage deliberation" of " colleagues," 
 he hoped yet to strike a blow against the common enemy, 
 " that should resound throughout the universe." 
 
 Early in July, Jones received the sword which the King
 
 PAUL JONES. 175 
 
 had ordered to be presented to him. It was mounted in gold, 
 and bore on the blade, surrounded by the blended emblems of 
 America and France, the following inscription : " VINDICATI 
 
 MARIS LUDOVICCS XVI. REMUNERATOR STRENUO VINDICI." 
 
 Within a few days after the reception of this sword we find 
 Jones addressing the Countess de Lavendahl, and begging her 
 to become the depositary of it. He thus gives his reasons 
 for the request. " I hold the sword in too high estimation to 
 risk its being taken by the enemy ; and therefore propose to 
 deposit it in the care of a friend. None can be more worthy 
 of that sacred deposit than you, Madam ; and if you will do 
 me the honour to be its guardian, I shall esteem myself under 
 an additional obligation to deserve your riband, and to prove 
 myself worthy of the title of your knight." The lady declined 
 accepting the charge. She had taken some Umbrage at a 
 previous letter which he had written to her, sending a lock of 
 his hair, and expressing his regret that he could not send even 
 his heart. She had intimated to him, that his letter must have 
 been misdirected, and begged leave to introduce him to the 
 Count, her husband, who was passing through L'Orient, with 
 the request, that he would show him every civility in his 
 power. 
 
 In reply to the letter, in which the lady declined accepting 
 the guardianship of the sword, Jones thus expressed himself; 
 " I am sorry that you have found it necessary to refuse me the 
 honour of accepting the deposit mentioned in my last, but am 
 determined to follow your advice, and be myself its guardian. 
 A day or two before I wrote to you last, I had received a 
 challenge from Sir James Wallace, who, hi the Nonesuch, a 
 ship of the line, copper-bottomed, and of superior swiftness, 
 declared he waited in sight for my departure. Had I com- 
 manded an equal force, I hope you will believe I would have 
 employed my time otherwise than in writing you any proposi-
 
 176 LIFK OF 
 
 tion for the safety of a weapon, that I should have hoped to 
 use immediately with success."* 
 
 On the 2d of August, Jones addressed himself directly t 
 Count de Yergennes, the Prime Minister, informing him that 
 he was nearly ready to sail for the United States, and telling 
 him how happy he should be to carry with him to Congress 
 the interest of the French government for his promotion, and 
 especially its request that he might be constantly employed, 
 with a sufficient force, in such enterprises as might be best 
 suited to distress the common enemy. He adverted to various 
 projects of annoyance, which he had previously laid before the 
 Minister of Marine, and which had merited his approbation ; 
 and suggested, that circumstances were not so altered as to 
 affect their present expediency. If such expeditions as he 
 wished to undertake were prepared in America, he should be 
 able, with the greater certainty, to surprise the enemy by an 
 unexpected blow. He wished to alarm their colonies, as well 
 as their own coasts. England having carried on the war 
 against America in a more barbarous spirit than the usages of 
 war would have permitted her to adopt against a European 
 power, conferred on America the right to retaliate. Our 
 speaking the same language with the enemy would enable us 
 to surprise them more effectually. " This is not theory," he 
 concluded, " for I have proved it by my experience ; and if I 
 have opportunity I will yet prove it more fully." 
 
 It does not appear, that the French government made any 
 
 This sword was sent by Jones's heirs to his valued friend, Robert Morris, to 
 whose favour he had owed his opportunities for distinguishing himself. Mr. 
 Morris gave this sword to Commodore John Barry, at that time the senior offi- 
 cer of the Navy of the United States. On the death of this distinguished 
 veteran, he bequeathed the sword by his will to his intimate friend and fellow- 
 townsman, Commodore Richard Dale, who, having been the first lieutenant of 
 the Poor Richard, and, consequently, second in command in the celebrated ac- 
 tion in which the Scrapis was taken, seemed the most proper person to possess 
 this trophy of so memorable a victory. It now remains in possession of Com- 
 modore John Montgomery Dale, son of Commodore Pale,
 
 PAUL JONES. 177 
 
 further application on behalf of Jones's promotion, and em- 
 ployment against the common enemy, than had already been 
 done through the urgent recommendation which M. de Sartine 
 had addressed, in the previous May, to the President of Con- 
 gress. His suggestions, however, were approved, and every 
 assistance which the government could render was promised 
 to him, in the event of his appearing again in the European 
 seas in command of an expedition. 
 
 We have seen, that Franklin had taken leave of Jones and 
 his grievances on the 23d of June, when the difficulty about 
 the Alliance was brought to a conclusion, and Jones returned 
 to his old request of obtaining the Serapis, by telling him to 
 take what military stores he could on board the Ariel, and de- 
 part forthwith in that ship. Towards the close of July, sup- 
 posing him to be ready for sea, he forwarded his despatches 
 for the United States by the Count de Vauban, who was to 
 take passage in the Ariel. What could have detained the 
 Ariel in the harbour of L'Orient, from this time to the 4th of 
 September, when she moved out into the open road of Groix* 
 does not appear, either from Jones's correspondence, or from 
 his answers to the Board of Admiralty, when questioned on 
 the subject. The delay can only be attributed to his unwil- 
 lingness to depart, owing to his desire to receive the prize- 
 money for his crew ; the pleasure which he took in prose- 
 cuting his correspondence with the French ministers and his 
 fair friends about the court; and perhaps the fascinations of 
 his Delia. His reasons must have been private ones, having 
 nothing to do with the wishes of Dr. Franklin, who was most 
 urgent for his departure, though tired perhaps of telling him 
 so, or with the obligations of his duty. 
 
 The Ariel still remained in the open roads of Groix, from 
 the 4th of September to the 7th of October. He attributes 
 his detention to storms and contrary winds. During that 
 time, however, he might certainly have got to sea, though the 
 wind was a-head, and, by stretching to the southward, placed
 
 178 UFK OF 
 
 himself in a position to effect his passage across the Atlantic. 
 On the 7tb, he at length put to sea, with a fair wind and plea- 
 sant weather. As the wind was light, but little progress was 
 made, and on the following day, before the ship was well clear 
 of the land, the wind chopped round a-head, and commenced 
 blowing a most furious gale. The ship was put under reefed 
 courses, which was all she could carry, and her head laid to 
 the northward, in the hope of fetching out clear of the coast. 
 In stretching along the land, she had reached as far as the 
 Penmarque rocks, a very dangerous reef, off the cape of that 
 name, and only a league distant from the land, when the hur- 
 ricane blew with such violence as to smother the ship, obliging 
 Jones to furl the courses, and preventing him from showing e.ven 
 so much as a staysail. The ship was very deep, and lay buried in 
 the water by the mere force of the wind on her hull and spars, 
 her waist lying constantly buried, and even he r lower yards 
 frequently dipping as she rolled. It was too dark to discover 
 the land or the reef, but the lead with which Jones kept fre- 
 quently sounding with his own hand, showed that they were 
 shoaling the water rapidly ; there was no room to veer and 
 get her head the other way. The ship leaked badly, and one 
 of the chain-pumps became choked, and would deliver no 
 water. Destruction seemed almost inevitable ; Jones said' 
 that never before did he "fully conceive the awful majesty of 
 tempest and of shipwreck." 
 
 The only remaining resource was to anchor. A consulta- 
 tion of the superior officers was hastily held upon the quarter- 
 deck, and this alternative was determined on. The best bower 
 anchor was let go, but the ship continued to drive broadside 
 to, and nearly on her beam-ends ; the anchor did not even 
 bring her head to wind. Two additional cables were 
 spliced on and veered out; still she drove. In this extre- 
 mity the foremast was cut away; the anchor now began 
 to hold, and the ship came head to wind. The step of the 
 mainmast had twisted off, while the ship was on her
 
 PAOL JONES. 179 
 
 beam-ends, and now, as she lay rolling head to wind, 
 and bringing up suddenly at every sea, it surged from 
 side to side and jerked with such violence that Jones 
 feared it might part below the main-deck, or even work 
 through the ship's bottom. He ordered it to be cut away 
 above the spar-deck ; but before this was effected the chain- 
 plates broke, and the mast parted by the main-deck, and, fall- 
 ing aft, carried with it the mizzen-mast, and one of the 
 quarter-galleries. Her motion without her spars was so vio- 
 lent that the most practised seamen could not keep their legs. 
 Thus, stripped to the mere hull, with nothing but the bowsprit 
 left, the Ariel rode for two days and nearly three nights close 
 to windward of a reef, upon which, had she struck, every 
 soul must have perished. On the morning of the 12th, the 
 gale had so far moderated as to allow the wreck to be cleared, 
 and the business of erecting jury-masts commenced. The 
 cable was hove short, but the anchor could not be weighed, as 
 it had probably caught a rock. The cable was therefore cut, 
 and the Ariel returned in miserable plight to L'Orient. The 
 gale had created fearful devastation along the whole of the 
 neighbouring coast, which was strewed with wrecks and the 
 bodies of the drowned ; vessels had been driven from their an- 
 chors even in the port of L'Orient. Under these circumstances 
 the preservation of the Ariel was wonderful. It showed that 
 nothing had been omitted, that seamanship could suggest, to 
 save her ; and the fact, that no lives were lost, is creditable 
 to Jones's coolness and the humane efforts to keep his crew 
 out of danger, which he must necessarily have exerted through- 
 out the whole scene of terror and destruction. 
 
 Once more within the reach of the port, Jones returned to 
 his epistles to Dr. Franklin, to the Secretary of Legation, Dr. 
 Bancroft, to Madame d'Ormoy, and to the whole train of his 
 correspondents. "I have returned," he wrote, "without lau- 
 rels, and, what is worse, without having been able to render 
 service to the glorious cause of liberty." To make up for
 
 180 LIFE OF 
 
 these deficiencies he had brought back a fresh stock of mate- 
 rials for correspondence. On the 13th, he wrote to Dr. 
 Franklin, that by the assistance of the commander of the ar- 
 senal the repairs had been commenced with great activity. 
 He paid the highest compliments to the spirited exertions of 
 his officers during the gale; the passengers, he said, had 
 shown "a manly spirit and true greatness of mind, even 
 when death in all its pomp stared them in the face;" the con- 
 duct of every person in the vessel had merited his fullest ap- 
 probation. To Madame d'Ormoy he wrote in a more poetic 
 strain. " I know not why Neptune was in such anger, unless 
 he thought it an affront in me to appear on his ocean with BO 
 insignificant a force." To avoid exciting the sea-god's indig- 
 nation in a similar way, he had already commenced a fresh set 
 of applications for a larger ship. 
 
 The Count de Vauban, who had returned to Paris, engaged 
 to use all the interest he could to procure the loan of the 
 Terpsichore frigate. Jones wrote to the Duke de la Roche- 
 foucault, Mr. Deane, and Dr. Bancroft, to aid him in the ap- 
 plication which he at the same time made to the Marquis de 
 Castries, the new Minister of Marine, for the loan of the 
 Terpsichore. It does not appear that he made any effort to 
 engage Dr. Franklin to forward this object; the positive 
 manner in which the Sage had declined wasting his influence 
 in a useless effort to procure the loan of the Serapis, was still 
 fresh in his memory. At the same time that Jones made his 
 application to the Marquis de Castries, he enclosed him copies 
 of the various projects for expeditions against England, 
 which he had laid before his predecessor. " Permit me, my 
 Lord," he wrote, "to congratulate your Excellency on the 
 happy choice his Majesty has made, in appointing a disinter- 
 ested patriot of your liberal mind and comprehensive under- 
 standing to govern the royal navy of this kingdom. . Believe 
 me, my Lord, I anticipate, with a heart-felt pleasure, the 
 happy events of your administration ; and I shall rejoice in-
 
 PAUL JONES. 181 
 
 deed to be found worthy of your Excellency's protection, and 
 to be made instrumental, under your direction, in concert 
 with the Congress, in putting an honourable end to the war." 
 He also intimated to the Minister, that his confirmation of 
 the flattering testimonial with which M. de Sartine had fur- 
 nished him, in his letter to the President of the Congress, 
 would be most acceptable to him. The Minister caused him 
 to be informed, that the previous letter being the act of the 
 King could not be strengthened by his testimonial. With re- 
 gard to the Terpsichore, she was bound to the East Indies 
 with despatches, and could not, therefore, be substituted for 
 the Ariel. 
 
 One gratifying piece of intelligence qualified the discourag- 
 ing replies which Jones received to his various letters to his 
 correspondents in the capital. He had heard, on his return to 
 L'Orient, of the arrival of the Alliance at Boston, and of Mr. 
 Arthur Lee's having reached Philadelphia. In mentioning the 
 fact to Dr. Bancroft, he said, ".We know nothing further, 
 except that no guns were fired, no bells were rung, nor bonfires 
 made, in consequence of so great an event." Dr. Franklin 
 had received a letter from a friend in Boston, the substance of 
 which was transmitted to Jones by Mr. Temple Franklin. It 
 stated that the Alliance had arrived, and that the circum- 
 stances under which she had left France were considered 
 irregular and illegal. The officers and crew had become dis- 
 satisfied with Landais during the passage, and compelled him 
 to relinquish the command. The passengers also were highly 
 incensed against him, and among the most rabid was Mr. 
 Arthur Lee. On the arrival of the ship, Landais's conduct on 
 the passage became the subject of a court of inquiry. Mr. 
 Lee's evidence went to proye that he was insane. The re- 
 sult of this investigation, which did not embrace the dam- 
 natory charges perferred against him by Jones, and substanti- 
 ated by the certificates of so many officers, was his summary 
 dismissal from the service. As an offset to this consolatory
 
 182 LIFE OF 
 
 information of the result of the friendship between Mr. Lee 
 and Landais, Jones found himself involved at L'Orient in a 
 mortifying dispute with Captain Truxtun, subsequently so 
 celebrated as the captor of the Insurgent. Captain Truxtun 
 was at L'Orient in command of the letter-of-marque ship In- 
 dependence, of Philadelphia, and very improperly presumed 
 to hoist a broad pendant upon his ship, in defiance of the 
 resolution of Congress. Jones took this in great dudgeon, 
 and ordered him to strike his pendant. This he refused to 
 do, and, after an angry correspondence, continued to wear it. 
 Nothing remained for Jones but to vent his feelings for the 
 indignity in a letter to the Board of Admiralty. " Is not 
 this," he wrote, " bidding defiance to Congress and the con- 
 tinental flag ? Congress will judge what punishment is equal 
 to such a crime, when committed in sight of the flags and 
 forts of an illustrious ally." 
 
 Paul Jones continued to prolong his stay at L'Orient more 
 than two months from the time of his putting back dismasted. 
 The expenses of refitting the Ariel were proportioned to the 
 time employed in them, and of course very grievous to the 
 frugal spirit and empty purse of our venerable minister. To 
 add to Franklin's distress, the arms that had been shipped in 
 the Ariel, were so much damaged that it was necessary to 
 discharge them, and they were not again taken on board of 
 the Ariel. Jones continued urgent in his demands and solici- 
 tation in every quarter, for the payment of the prize-money 
 due to his officers and men, from the cruise which had termin- 
 ated in the Texel. The proceeds had not yet been rea lized 
 and Franklin, in reply to the urgent appeals which had been 
 made to him, could only write from his sick-bed, on the 4th 
 of Decemb e r, that he would use his best efforts to see justice 
 done to his countrymen. " I hope," he wrote, " soon to see 
 an end of that affair, which has met with so many unac- 
 countable obstructions. I enclose despatches for Congress, 
 which are to be sunk in case of danger. I wish you to make
 
 PAUL JONES. 183 
 
 the best of your way to America, and that you may have a 
 prosperous voyage." 
 
 In .consequence of waiting for further despatches, which 
 Jones had learned from some unofficial source," not sufficient 
 to justify the detention, were still to be sent, a fair wind was 
 lost. The delay enabled him to make his valedictory, in due 
 form, to his various correspondents ; among others to Madame 
 d'Ormoy, to whom he expressed his gratification at her having 
 mentioned him "to so great a man as the King of Prussia." 
 He furthermore beguiled the time by an elegant entertain- 
 ment to some distinguished friends, who had treated him with 
 civility. The ship was tastefully prepared by spreading her 
 awnings, so as to convert the quarter-deck into a ball and 
 banqueting room. A curtain of pink-coloured silk hung from 
 the awning to the deck, decorated with alternate mirrors and 
 pictures, "some of which latter partook of the prurient cha- 
 racter of the French taste of that day. Between the mirrors 
 and the pictures were wreaths of artificial flowers. The deck 
 was laid with carpets. These arrangements were made under 
 the superintending care of a French lady, of Jones's acquaint- 
 ance ; while cooks and waiters from the shore made liberal 
 preparations for the feast. When all was ready, at the ap- 
 pointed hour, Jones despatched three of his boats ashore, the 
 crews of which were neatly dressed in uniform, and decorated 
 with the American and French cockades united. The ship 
 too, was dressed with flags. At three o'clock the company 
 arrived, consisting of many persons of rank of both sexes, 
 splendidly dressed. Fanning says, that, "Jones received 
 them, as they came up the ship's side, and conducted them to 
 their seats on the quarter-deck, with a great deal of ease, 
 politeness, and good nature." At half past three, the com- 
 pany sat down to an elegant dinner, from which they did not 
 rise till sunset. All hands were at quarters, prepared, by 
 Jones's order, to exhibit a representation of the capture of 
 the Serapis. At eight o'clock, as the moon rose, the evening
 
 164 LIFE OF 
 
 being much the same as on that memorable occasion, a gun 
 was fired, on the forecastle, as a signal to commence. It was 
 immediately followed by a tremendous explosion of great 
 guns, small arms, rockets, and grenades. The tops, as in the 
 action with the Serapis, were kept in a complete bla/e. The 
 scene was splendid, but the din was awful. The ladies, be- 
 side themselves with terror, begged Jones to have mercy on 
 them, and the action was prematurely arrested, at the end of 
 an hour. The Admiral's band, which had been lent for the 
 occasion, now struck up a lively air and the dance bogan. It 
 continued with unabated spirit until midnight, when the 
 company was set on shore by the boata, with the same 
 regularity with which they came off, except, as Fanning says, 
 that some of them were " half seas over." The officers 
 gallantly attended them to their very doors. 
 
 On the 18th of December, the Ariel was at length ence more 
 at sea, on her voyage to Philadelphia. Owing to the lumbered 
 condition of the ship, and the important nature of the des- 
 patches, which had been intrusted to Jones, he was not parti- 
 cularly anxious to meet with any of the enemy's cruisers. He 
 had also discovered that a conspiracy existed among the English 
 part of the crew to take the ship. To defeat, this design, 
 part of the marines were kept constantly under arms, and the 
 officers and passengers prepared to defend themselves. With 
 a view, therefore, to avoid the enemy's ships, he followed an 
 unfrequented track, and took the southern passage along the 
 edge of the trade winds. Nothing particular occurred until 
 the Ariel had reached the meridian of Barbadoes, which they 
 were passing, in latitude 26, when a large sail was discovered, 
 which immediately gave chase to the Ariel. She came up 
 very fast, and her rate of sailing showed her to be a cruiser. 
 It was, however ge tting dark, and Jones hoped to escapeunder 
 cover of the night. But in the morning the stranger was 
 still in sight, and an engagement had become inevitable, if the 
 ship should prove an enemy. The Ariel was therefore cleared
 
 PAUL JONES. 185 
 
 for action ; still every effort was made to conceal her force, 
 and to prevent the display of her armament. As the day 
 drew on, the lightness of the wind prevented the stranger 
 from getting alongside. Having ascertained that the force 
 of the pursuing vessel did not exceed his own, Jones ordered a 
 stern-chaser to be fired occasionally, aud showed a desire to 
 crowd more sail and escape, which led to a display of increased 
 eagerness, on the part of the enemy, to come up. 
 
 As the night closed in, Jones, having determined to fight, 
 shortened sail to bring the stranger alongside. He, at length, 
 came up on the lee-beam of the Ariel. Both ships wore English 
 colours, and a conversation of some length ensued between the 
 two commanders. The stranger proved to be the British ship 
 Triumph. It does not appear whether she was a King's 
 cruiser or a privateer; but it is most probable, from the tone of 
 the conversation, that she was a privateer. Jones had the in- 
 genuity to learn from her captain all the information that he 
 desired, concerning the state of war in America. After ob- 
 taining this information, he ordered the captain to lower his 
 boat and come on board with his commission. He excused 
 himself from this, on account of Jones's not having told him 
 who he was ; he also stated that his boat was leaky. Jones 
 told him to consider the consequences of refusing, and gave 
 him five minutes to decide. He said he could answer for 
 twenty guns ; and that he and his people had shown them- 
 selves to be Englishmen. 
 
 Upon this Jones yawed his ship, so as to make her drop on 
 the enemy's weather-quarter, when he put his helm up, and 
 crossed her stern, hoisting American colours, and delivering 
 his broadside within pistol-shot. The action was continued 
 on the lee-beam of the Triumph. The fire from the Ariel's bat- 
 tery and tops, Jones represents as having been kept up with 
 steadiness and destructive effect. The enemy made a feeble 
 resistance of about ten minutes, when he struck his colours, 
 z
 
 186 LIFE OF 
 
 and cried for quarter. The Ariel's fire ceased and the crew 
 gave three cheers. Meantime the Triumph, having got on the 
 Ariel's bow, made all sail to escape. The Ariel was quickly 
 under a press of canvass in pursuit ; but the Triumph had so 
 much advantage in speed, that she drew quickly ahead, and 
 was soon out of gun-shot. Jones was very indignant at this 
 proceeding, and vents his rage, in his journal, to the following 
 effect. "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." 
 
 After this action, the plot of the mutineers, to get possession 
 of the ship, was so far discovered, that twenty of the ring- 
 leaders were identified and put in irons. No further incident 
 of note occurred, until their arrival in Philadelphia, which took 
 place on the 18th of February, 1781, three years and nearly 
 four mouths after Jones's departure from Portsmouth in the 
 Ranger. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The board of Admiralty investigate the Delay of the Military Stores. Jones 
 questioned by the Board. Resolution of Congress in his Honour. Is invested 
 with the French Order of Military Merit. Answers Questions of the Board. 
 His Answers pronounced satisfactory. Board recommends him to the Atten- 
 tion of Congress. Vote of Thanks to him. Receives a letter from Washing- 
 ton. Applies for Restorati on of Rank. Application unsuccessful. Appointed 
 to the America, Ship of the Line. Endeavours to settle his Accounts. Visits 
 Head- Quarters of the Army. Proceeds to Portsmouth. Backward Condition 
 of the America. Jones's Occupations. Letter from John Adams, on Naval 
 Affairs. Construction of the America. Jones's Description of her. She is 
 given to France. Is launched. Jones goes to Philadelphia. Prospect of 
 Commanding the Indien. Disappointment. 
 
 WHEN Jonea arrived in Philadelphia, he found the board of 
 Admiralty engaged in investigating the causes of the delay of
 
 PAUL JONES.' 187 
 
 the military stores, which had long since been expected from 
 France in the Alliance, and under her convoy. The delay had 
 caused great distress to the army, and occasioned much dis- 
 satisfaction to General Washington, to Congress, and to the 
 country. The board had already reported, as one of the causes 
 of delay, that Landais had regained command of the Alliance, 
 from which he had been suspended by Dr. Franklin, through 
 the advice of Mr. Arthur Lee, and notwithstanding that Dr. 
 Franklin, by the direction of the marine committee, had the 
 sole management of our marine affairs in Europe. 
 
 On the day after the Ariel's arrival, a metion was made to 
 summon Jones to appear before the board, to give all the in- 
 formation in his power on the subject under deliberation. This 
 was subsequently superseded by a motion to submit to him a 
 series of written questions, the answer to which would em- 
 brace a complete history of all his transactions, since his de- 
 parture from Portsmouth in the Ranger. While Jones was 
 preparing his answers to these questions, the letter addressed 
 by the French Minister of Marine, at the King's order, to the 
 President of Congress, was laid before that body ; and on the 
 27th of February, the following resolutions were adopted : 
 
 " 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 par- 
 ticularly 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 ac- 
 ceptable to Congress."
 
 188 tlFK OF 
 
 Permission being thus promptly granted for Jones's invest- 
 ment with the order which the King had been desirous of con- 
 ferring upon him, the French minister, M. de la Luzerne, 
 gave a splendid entertainment to the members of Congress, 
 and the most distinguished inhabitants of Philadelphia, in 
 whose presence, he, in the name of the King, invested the 
 Commodore with the decoration of Knight of the Order 
 of Military Merit. He subsequently wore habitually his 
 decoration, and retained the title of Chevalier, by which 
 beloved to be addressed. 
 
 Our newly created knight was, in a few days, ready with 
 his answers to the queries which the board of Admiralty had 
 proposed to him; and these answers being received, as in all 
 respects satisfactory, though we must confess that, being in 
 possession, through Jones's voluminous correspondence, of 
 more facts than he thought proper to lay before the board, 
 they are not conclusive to us, as to his having used every dili- 
 gence in hastening to America with the military stores, he was 
 again a candidate for fresh honours from Congress, and fresh 
 testimonials of public favour. On the 29th of March, the 
 board delivered in their report upon the whole subject, which 
 had been referred to them. In the course of it, they expressed 
 themselves entirely satisfied, that the delay in the arrival of 
 the military stores and clothing " had not been owing in any 
 measure to a want of the closest attention to that business, 
 either in the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, or 
 in Captain Jones ; who had, on the contrary, made every ap- 
 plication and used every effort to accomplish that purpose ; but 
 that it was owing to Captain Landais's taking the command of 
 the Alliance, contrary to the express orders of Dr. Franklin. ! 
 
 The board further went on to state the nature and extent 
 of the services which Jones had rendered to the country dur- 
 ing his absence, and, after a brief history of all that he had 
 performed, summed up as follows : " Ever since Captain 
 Jones first became an officer in the navy of these States, he
 
 PAUL JONES. 189 
 
 has shown an unremitted attention in planning and executing 
 enterprises, calculated to promote the essential interests of 
 our glorious cause: That in Europe, although in his expedition 
 through the Irish channel in the Ranger he did not fully ac- 
 complish his purpose, yet he made the enemy feel that it is in the 
 power of a small squadron, under a brave and enterprising 
 commander, to retaliate the conflagration of our defenceless 
 towns : That returning from Europe, he brought with him the 
 esteem of the greatest and best friends of America ; and hath 
 received from the illustrious monarch of France that reward 
 of warlike virtue which his subjects receive, by a long series 
 of faithful services or uncommon merit. The board are of 
 opinion that the conduct of Paul Jones merits particular at- 
 tention, and some distinguished mark of approbation from the 
 United States, in Congress assembled." 
 
 This report, when brought before Congress, was referred to 
 a committee, by whose recommendation the following resolu- 
 tion was passed on the 14th of April , " 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 power of the 
 enemy ; and in general, for the 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 Con- 
 gress 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." 
 
 It would seem that Jones had taken occasion to address 
 Washington, in order to vindicate himself, in his eyes, from 
 all blame on account of the detention of the military stores, 
 and to provoke from him some opinion, as to the conduct of 
 our military affairs. It had the effect of drawing from Wash-
 
 190 LIFE OF 
 
 ington a fresh testimonial to add to those which he had already 
 received ; testimonials which he so highly valued, which he so 
 ingeniously drew forth, and which, in his visits from land to 
 land, he knew so well how to use advantageously. The letter 
 is dated from head-quarters, at -New Windsor, on the 19th of 
 May, and ran as follows : 
 
 " 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 in me to determine. 
 Instances of bravery and good conduct, in several of our offi- 
 cers, have not, however, been wanting. Delicacy forbids me 
 to mention that particular one which has attracted the admira- 
 tion of all the world, and which has influenced a most illus- 
 trious monarch to confer a mark of his favour, which can only 
 be obtained by a long and honourable service, or by the per- 
 formance of some brilliant action. 
 
 " That you may long enjoy the reputation you have so just- 
 ly acquired, is the sincere wish of, Sir, your most obedient 
 and very humble servant, 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON." 
 
 These nattering testimonials and the gratifying reception 
 that awaited the Chevalier, wherever he appeared, did not, 
 however, leave him without something to desire. The injus-
 
 PAUL JONES. 191 
 
 tice which had been done to him in the arrangement of naval 
 rank, adopted in October, 1776, by which thirteen captains 
 were placed over his head who had not entered the service 
 until some time after his appointment, still rankled in his 
 bosom, and excited him to seek for redress. The moment for 
 doing so seemed most propitious. He therefore addressed a 
 memorial to Congress, on the 28th of May, recapitulating his 
 claims to stand above those who had besn so unjustly placed 
 over him, and respectfully praying for redress. His memorial 
 was referred to the same committee, with the exception of one 
 new member, which had reported the approbatory resolutions 
 in his favour, passed by Congress, in the previous month. 
 Jones states, that the committee reported that he had been 
 very unfairly treated, and that to do him justice, as well as to 
 reward him for his services, they were of opinion that he 
 should be promoted to the rank of Rear- Admiral. Before Con- 
 gress, however, had time to act upon the report, Jones says, 
 that opposition was made to his promotion, by one or two of 
 those captains who had been originally placed over him, at 
 the first appointment of officers in the navy. In consequence 
 of this opposition, the report of the committee was returned 
 for further consideration, and it does not appear that it was 
 again taken up. The same cause which defeated the creation 
 of the grade of Admiral, in the service at that time, has 
 operated ever since ; namely, jealousy among the older offi- 
 cers, as to whom the rank should be first conferred on. 
 
 Soon after this occurrence the Board of Admiralty was dis- 
 solved, and Robert Morris, the Minister of Finance, was also 
 appointed Minister of Marine. On the 23d of June, this gentle- 
 man was authorized by a resolution of Congress, to take mea- 
 sures for speedily launching and equipping the ship of the line 
 America, then on the stocks at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. 
 It was at the same time resolved, that Congress would pro- 
 ceed, three days thereafter, to the appointment of a commander 
 for that vessel. Accordingly on the 26th, Congress proceeded
 
 192 LIFE OF 
 
 to ballot for the commander, and the result was Jones's una- 
 nimous election. As the America was the only ship of the line 
 we had, and as the other captains were desirous also of ob- 
 taining command of her, the decision of this question was con- 
 sidered by Jones as settling in his favour, in another mode, 
 the question of rank, which had recently been under consider- 
 ation. He conceived that since the act of Congress, of the 
 15th of November, 1 776, establishing assimilated rank between 
 the navy and army, made the captain of a ship of from twenty 
 to Torty guns equal only to a lieutenant-colonel, whilst a cap- 
 tain of a ship of forty guns and upward was made equal to a 
 colonel, he, being the only officer intrusted with so large a 
 command, was thus, in effect, placed at the head of the navy 
 list. The conclusion seems to be drawn from sufficient pre- 
 mises. He was accordingly, for the time being, entirely satis- 
 fied, as appears from the following passage in his journal. 
 " 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 him a command suitable to that rank." 
 
 Justice having thus been done to him in the matter of his 
 rank, which was, to use his own noble expression, so near to 
 his heart, because it " opened the door to glory" ; it only re- 
 mained for him to seek justice in another particular, which, if 
 it were less near his heart, could not be altogether neglected. 
 This was the settlement of his accounts with Congress, which 
 was largely in arrears to him, both for pay and for advances 
 on account of the public service. It does not appear, indeed, 
 that Jones had received anything from his first entry into the 
 service on account of pay. On the contrary, he had paid off 
 the crews of the Alfred and the Providence from his own re- 
 sources, and actually left the United States in the Ranger, 
 fifteen hundred pounds, currency, in advance to the United
 
 FAUL JONES. 193 
 
 States. The money for this purpose, and for his subsistence 
 during this long period, he must have derived from prize- 
 money. Owing to the delay in distributing what had been 
 realized from the captures made by the squadron recently un- 
 der his command, he had not only come to the United States 
 without funds, but had left considerable debts in Europe. To 
 defray these, and place himself in funds for his current ex- 
 penses, he now laid his accounts before Robert Morris, the 
 Minister of Finance and Marine. They exhibited a balance in 
 his favour of more than thirteen thousand dollars. The po- 
 verty of the treasury prevented the immediate liquidation of 
 this balance, and we find Jones petitioning the President of 
 Congress, on the 28th of June, for an advance of a thousand 
 dollars on account of what was due to him, to enable him to 
 defray his small debts in Philadelphia, and proceed to New 
 Hampshire, in order to testify by his conduct his very grateful 
 sense of the high honour which Congress had done him, by 
 conferring upon him the command of the America. 
 
 Towards the middle of August, Jones left Philadelphia for 
 Portsmouth. On his way he made a visit to the head-quarters 
 of the allied army, under Washington and Kochambeau, then 
 encamped at White Plains, in West Chester county, New York. 
 He was no doubt received there with the distinction due to 
 his gallantry, which Washington had so elegantly recognised 
 in the letter already quoted. The only circumstance, how- 
 ever, attending this visit, which has been chronicled, was the 
 advice given him, that the people of the eastern states might 
 take offence at the display of his cross as a Knight of the Or- 
 der of Military Merit, which he wore conspicuously upon his 
 breast. On leaving head-quarters he therefore discontinued 
 wearing it. 
 
 At the- close of the month he reached Portsmouth, and found 
 to his great regret, that the America was less advanced to- 
 wards completion than he had been led to hope. So far from 
 I 5
 
 194 LIFE OF 
 
 being nearly ready for launching, and in a condition to put to 
 sea within six months, as had been stated at Philadelphia, the 
 ship was not more than half-built. Even the materials for her 
 completion had not been purchased, and the resources of the 
 country were so entirely absorbed in providing for the com- 
 bined army, which was about making its movement for the 
 capture of Lord Cornwallis, in Virginia, that but scanty funds 
 could be found for the construction of the America. Some- 
 thing, however, was done ; for Jones went to his task with 
 characteristic energy, grumbling, as he advanced, at the slow 
 progress of what he pronounced " the most lingering and dis- 
 agreeable service he was charged with during the period of 
 the lie volution." He was, however, sustained in his toils by 
 the cherished hope of appearing again in the European seas, 
 with his flag on- board of the America, and a combined 
 squadron of French and American frigates under his orders, to 
 resume and carry into effect some of those plans for the an- 
 noyance of the enemy, which he had so often proposed to the 
 two governments. 
 
 The task of superintending the construction of the America, 
 thougli Jones devoted himself to it most faithfully, did not, 
 however, occupy the whole of his time. He had collected a 
 valuable library of professional works in the course of his 
 wanderings, and he now found leisure to prosecute a variety 
 of studies in naval tactics, the construction and equipment of 
 ships, the police of fleets and dockyards, and other branches 
 suited to enlighten and adorn the noble profession of the sea- 
 officer. These studies he now made conducive to the skilful 
 execution of the duty in which he wis engaged. Nor did he 
 fail to prosecute his extensive correspondence with the great 
 and the fair. Among the most gratifying of the letters which 
 he received while at Portsmouth, was one from John Adams, 
 then minister at the Hague, congratulating him upon his ap- 
 pointment to the America. It is remarkable, as evincing that 
 lively perception of the value to us of our navy, and interest
 
 PAUL JONES. 195 
 
 in its advancement, which none of our patriots seem ever to 
 have felt so strongly ; not even those of the present day, who 
 can look back upon our history and see how time has set its 
 seal upon the truth of John Adam's opinions. Many of the 
 truths contained in the following letter are of present appli- 
 cation : 
 
 " 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 inatten- 
 tion of my countrymen to their navy ; it is a bulwark as 
 essential to us as it is to Great Britain. 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 
 Paul Jones, engaged with an equal British force, I apprehend 
 the event would be so glorious for the United States, and lay 
 so sure a foundation for their prosperity, that it would 
 be a rich compensation for a continuance of the war." 
 
 From Lafayette, who took passage in the Alliance for 
 France, soon after the fall of Cornwallis, in which the Marquis 
 had taken so brilliant a part, Jones received an affectionate 
 greeting, on the eve of the Alliance's departure. From this 
 letter it would seem, that Jones had seriously contemplated 
 repairing to the army to serve under the immediate orders of 
 his friend. Lafayette expressed great regret at not being able 
 to see Jones, as he had much to say to him. He begged him to 
 write to him by every good opportunity, but not often in ciphers, 
 unless the matter was very important. Lafayette had a great 
 horror of Jones's mysterious ciphers, in which he dealt very 
 profusely, furnishing to most of his correspondents a key to 
 their interpretation.
 
 196 LIFE OF 
 
 Though the Chevalier had not been able to realize his-half- 
 formed wish, of assisting iu the downfall of Cornwallis, he did 
 not fail to join heartily in the rejoicings which took place at 
 Portsmouth for its celebration. On this occasion he resumed 
 his decoration of the Order of Military Merit, which, with the 
 title of Chevalier, he continued ever afterwards to wear, as he 
 found that the good people of those parts did not take offence 
 at the foreign bawble which had been apprehended. On the 
 occasion of the birth of the French Dauphin, Jones celebrated 
 the auspicious event by mounting a battery on the America, at 
 his own expense, from which royal salutes were tired at re- 
 peated hours during the day, the flag of France being con- 
 spicuously displayed on board the ship, in connection with 
 our own. In the night the ship was illuminated, and made 
 a brilliant display of fire-works. This manifestation of 
 zeal and good feeling, produced from the French minister a 
 highly complimentary letter. The succeeding anniversary of 
 our Independence was celebrated by Jones after the same 
 fashion, and, as on the former occasion, much to the delight of 
 the inhabitants, who lined the banks of the river and testified 
 their applause. 
 
 During the construction of the America, Jones had, at one time, 
 the prospect of burning powder in a way more according with 
 his past habits. When the enemy became aware that it was 
 intended to complete and equip the America, they became 
 anxious to destroy her. Intelligence of their intentions hav- 
 ing been communicated to Jones, both by Washington and the 
 Minister of Marine, he organized a night-guard for her protec- 
 tion, composed of the mechanics who were engaged in 
 building her. The foremen took command of the guard in 
 turn, and Jones himself frequently attended in person, Large 
 whale-boats, filled with men, and palling with muffled oars, 
 were seen occasionally passing and repassing the ship; but 
 she was so well watched that the project was at length aban- 
 doned.
 
 PAUL JONEB. 197 
 
 Though Jones found his task of superintending the construc- 
 tion of the America lingering and disagreeable, and therefore 
 uncongenial with his impatient and restless temperament, he 
 still seems, thus relieved by festal celebrations and an occa- 
 sional prospect of strife, to have prosecuted his task with 
 characteristic zeal. The architect of the ship, Mr. Hackett, 
 received great credit from Jones, for the skill which he had dis- 
 played in planning her model. Jones, however, introduced 
 many alterations in the arrangement of her upper-works, which 
 seem to have been very judicious. He also designed the sculp- 
 tured ornaments with which the ship was decorated, and takes 
 evident pride and pleasure in detailing them in his journal. 
 " The plan which Captain Jones projected for the sculpture ex- 
 pressed dignity and simplicity. The head was a female figure 
 crowned with laurels. The right arm was raised, with the 
 fore finger pointing to heaven, as appealing to that high tribu- 
 nal for the justice of the American cause. On th,e left arm wa 
 a buckler, with a blue ground and thirteen silver stars. The 
 legs and feet were covered here and there with wreaths of 
 emoke, to represent the difficulties of war. On the stern, un- 
 der the windows of the great cabin, appeared two large figures 
 in bas-relief, representing tyranny and oppression, bound and 
 biting the ground, with the cap of liberty on a pole above their 
 heads. On the back of the starboard-quarter gallery was a 
 large Neptune ; and on the back part of the larboard- quarter 
 gallery, a large Mars. The America was fifty feet six inches 
 in the extreme breadth, and measured a hundred and eighty- 
 two feet six inches on the upper gun-deck. Yet this ship, 
 though the largest, of seventy-guns, in the world, had, when 
 the lower battery was sunk, the air of a delicate frigate ; and 
 no peraon, at the distance of a mile, could have imagined she 
 had a second battery. The workmanship waa far superior to 
 any before seen in naval architecture ; and it would only have 
 been necessary that the Abbe Raynal should have seen the 
 America, to have induced him to give the world a different
 
 198 LIFE OF 
 
 idea of the continent, of which that elegant ehip bore the 
 name." 
 
 Toward the close of the summer of 1 782, the noble ship which 
 Jones so enthusiastically describes, was nearly completed, and 
 he had the near prospect of reaping the reward of his patient 
 labours, by seeing her, ere long, floating proudly on the ocean, 
 to bear bis banner into nobler strife, than the inierior force of the 
 ships, which he had hitherto commanded, had permitted him 
 to encounter. But this reward of his labours he was not des- 
 tined to enjoy. A squadron of French line-of-battle ships, un- 
 der the Marquis de Vaudreuil, happened to enter the harbour of 
 Boston about this time, when one of them the Magnifique, 
 stranded, and was, most unfortunately, lost. As these ships 
 had approached our coast, for the purpose of aiding in the tri- 
 umph of our cause, Congress considered her as lost in our ser- 
 vice. As well therefore, to show our gratitude to the king of 
 France for his valuable.friendship, as to indemnify ,him for thig 
 particular loss, it was determined to present the America to 
 him, to take the place of the Magnifique. A resolution of 
 Congress was passed to that effect, on the 3d of September, 
 and the unpleasant intelligence was communicated to Jones by 
 Robert Morris, on the following day. 
 
 In forwarding a copy of the resolution of Congress, Mr. Mor- 
 ris expressed the great regret that he felt on Jones's account, at 
 this unlooked-for disposition of the America, and the sincere 
 sympathy which he felt in his disappointment at the near pros- 
 pect of reaping fresh laurels, in so fine a vessel, on his favourite 
 field of adventure. He begged Jones to continue bis in- 
 spection of the ship until she was launched, and then to re- 
 pair to Philadelphia, when he would explain his future views for 
 the employment of Jones afloat. Though Jones vented some 
 expressions of vexation, in his journal, at the inferior fact of 
 the act of Congress, not having mentioned his name, while dis- 
 possessing him , so summarily, of his command, and regretted that 
 the honour which had been done him, by bis unanimous ap-
 
 PAUL JONES. 109 
 
 pointments should have kept him so long on an irksome and dis- 
 agreeable service, when he might have been so much more 
 congenially employed in reaping laurels at Yorktown, by the 
 side of Lafayette, he betrayed no irritation in his reply to 
 Mr. Morris. This gentleman was so pleased with it, that he 
 immediately wrote, to say to him that the sentiments which 
 he expressed, would always reflect the highest honour on 
 hia character, and that they had made so strong an im- 
 pression upon his mind, that he had immediately laid an ex- 
 extract of the letter before Congress, which he did not doubt 
 would view them in the same light. 
 
 On the 5th of November, the America was ready to be 
 launched. The situation of the island on which she was built 
 rendered this operation extremely difficult. On one side of the 
 buildiug-slip, lay a ledge of rocks, which ran nearly parallel 
 with the direction of the keel two thirds of the way across the 
 river, which was not more than two hundred yards wide, and 
 the opposite shore of which was bounded with rocks. Over 
 thia ledge of rocks, which so slightly diverged from the direction 
 which the ship must first take, the flood-tide continued to run 
 with rapidity for more than an hour after high water. As it 
 was necessary to launch the ship at the top of the tide, 
 there was obviously very great danger that she would be swept 
 against the ledge. The rocky character of the bottom prevented 
 Jones from fixing stoccades in the river to conduct the ship 
 out clear of this reef, and he was obliged to effect the object 
 by the use of cables and anchors alone, which he seems, from 
 his description, to have effected with great ingenuity. 
 
 The flags of America aud of France being displayed over 
 the stern, in friendly union, and all being ready, Jones took 
 his station on the highest part of the platform, leading from 
 the ground to the bow of the ship. At the top of the tide the 
 wedges were driven to lift her into her cradle, and the blocks 
 upon which she was built being split from under the keel, she 
 gradually put herself in motion. Stout cables had been se-
 
 200 LIFE OP 
 
 cured to anchors on the shore,bitted and ranged on the deck 
 and stoppered with ropes that would break at a given pressure, 
 and check the ship completely at an estimated distance. Jones, 
 from his conspicuous station, watched the motion of the ship, 
 and, by concerted signals, marked the moment when the an- 
 chors at the bows were to be let go in succession. The ship 
 ran safely along the reef, was checked when clear of it, and 
 dropped with the tide past it into the channel. " The opera- 
 tion," in the words of Jones, " succeeded perfectly to his wish, 
 and to the admiration of a large assembly of spectators." The 
 ship, being securely moored, was immediately delivered up to 
 the Chevalier de Martigne, the former commander of the Mag- 
 nifique, and Jones departed on the following morning for Phi- 
 ladelphia. 
 
 The views of Robert Morris, with regard to the employment 
 of Jones, when thus displaced from the command of the Ame- 
 rica, proved to have for their object to place him in command 
 of a very heavy frigate, called the South Carolina, then in the 
 service of the State after which she was named. This ship 
 was the Indien, which had been originally built at Amsterdam 
 by the American Commissioners ; and to assume the command 
 of which, Jones went to Europe in the Ranger. We have seen 
 that Jones's object was defeated by the transfer of the Indien 
 to the French Government, owing either to the inability of the 
 Commissioners to pay for her, or to difficulties made by the 
 Government of Holland, to the equipment in its port of a ves- 
 sel intended to act against an ally in behalf of her insurgent 
 colonies. The King of France, not long after, having no use 
 for this ship, and being probably influenced by court favour, 
 lent her to the Chevalier de Luxembourg, who entered into a 
 contract with Commodore Gillon, to loan her to the State of 
 South Carolina for three years, on condition that the Chevalier 
 should receive one fourth of the proceeds of her prizes. This 
 Commodore Gillon had commanded the small naval force em- 
 ployed by the State of South Carolina, for the protection of its
 
 PAUL JONES. 201 
 
 coasts. Being desirous to procure increased means of annoy- 
 ing the enemy, Commodore Gillon had been sent to Europe to 
 procure ships ; and several cargoes of agricultural produce 
 had been forwarded, to place him in funds. He procured the 
 loan of the Indien on the terms we have mentioned, and called 
 her the South Carolina. We have seen that he was one of the 
 abettors, in conjunction with Mr. Lee, of the scheme for re- 
 placing Landais in command of the Alliance. Jones charged 
 Commodore Gillon with inveigling men away from the Alliance, 
 which were, no doubt, carried to the Texel to man the South 
 Carolina. With that ship Commodore Gillon had sailed on a 
 species of privateering cruise, and, after numerous captures of 
 merchantmen, put into the Havana; there he had joined a 
 Spanish expedition against New Providence, which was at- 
 tended with success. He then proceeded with his ship to 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 As the United States had made considerable advances to 
 Commodore Gillon in Holland, to enable him to sail, in order 
 that he might bring over some clothing for the army, Mr. Mor- 
 ris conceived the project of obtaining the control of this un- 
 commonly fast, as well as formidable ship, in order to place 
 her, with some other vessels, at once under the command of 
 Jones, with a view to his executing some one of his often pro- 
 posed enterprises against the enemy. In this project Mr. Mor- 
 ris was heartily seconded by M. de la Luzerne, the French 
 Minister. It seems that no payment had yet been made to the 
 Chevalier de Luxembourg for his share of the prizes which the 
 ship had made. He had therefore authorized the French Mi- 
 nister to attend to his interests, and this gentleman had now 
 joined Mr. Morris in the effort to induce Commodore Gillon, 
 and the State which he represented in the matter, to relinquish 
 the control of the ship. Though Commodore Gillon was sorely 
 embarrassed by these various claimants, and even wanted funds 
 for the refitment of his ship, he contrived to evade the legal 
 processes by which it was attempted to stop her, and sent her
 
 202 LIFE OF 
 
 to sea under another commander. She had scarcely cleared 
 the Capes of the Delaware, when she was captured by the 
 Diomede, Astrea, and Quebec, three of the enemy's frigates, 
 stationed to intercept her. Thu^, for the third time, ended 
 Jones's prospect of getting the command of this noble ship. 
 He was disappointed again in this instance, as in that of the 
 America, which he had built, and of the Serapis, which he had 
 taken from the enemy. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 The French Fleet bound to the West Indies. Jones desires to embark in it. 
 Applies to Congress for Permission. Obtains it. Reception on Board the 
 Triumphant. Fleet sails. Calls off Portsmouth. Steers for the West In- 
 dies. Arrives at Porto Rico. Sails for Porto Cabello. Inactivity of the 
 Fleet. Jones's Impatience. He becomes ill. Intelligence of a general 
 Peace. Fleet sails for St. Domingo. * Testimonials from the General and 
 Admiral. Jones proceeds to Philadelphia. Visits Bethlehem. Project for 
 Rustication. Plan for improving the Navy. Jones offers his Services to re* 
 cover Prize-Money. Sails for Europe. Traverses England. Arrives in 
 France. Applies himself to his Mission. Obstacles to an Adjustment. Ob- 
 tains a favourable Decision. Payment delayed. Is referred to L'Orient. 
 Fresh Delays. Final Payment. Returns to Paris. Scheme of a Voyage to 
 the Northwest Coast. 
 
 DISAPPOINTED a second time, within a period of little more 
 than two months, in the hope of once more putting to sea 
 with an independent command, the desire to be again afloat, 
 after a prolonged sojourn of nearly two years on the land, 
 still continued uppermost in the mind of Jones. A French 
 fleet of ten sail of the line, under the orders of the Marquis de 
 Vaudreuil, then lay at Boston, on the eve of sailing for the 
 West Indies, where it was to join the combined French and 
 Spanish fleet, expected from Cadiz, under the Count d'Estaing, 
 and, after overpowering the British fleet, was to make a de- 
 scent on Jamaica and the other English possessions in those
 
 PAUL JONES. 203 
 
 j. i. ^ HT * ned fleet > when the expected junction should 
 tercept the M- 
 
 . f .ad, according to Jones's estimate, have amounted 
 
 , sail of the line ; a greater fleet than was ever be- 
 voy fro 1 " 
 ^ Bought together. A formidable army was to be embarked 
 
 in it, and the projected expedition held out the promise of an 
 exhibition of war, both by sea and land, on a brilliant scale. 
 
 Jones conceived at once the desire of embarking in this ex- 
 pedition. His enthusiasm was excited by the idea of behold- 
 ing this splendid naval display, from which he hoped to ob- 
 tain a practical insight into the evolutions of fleets, on the 
 grandest conceivable scale. Nor was he without the expec- 
 tation of having an opportunity to assist as an amateur, at the 
 side of the Count d'Estaing, to whom his local knowledge of 
 the West Indies, and particularly of Jamaica, could not fail to 
 render him useful. As soon as the project was conceived, 
 Jones hastened to put it in train for execution ; and on the 
 29th of November, he addressed a request to Mr. Morris, that 
 unless Congress had some important service to intrust to him, 
 he might be ordered to embark with the Marquis de Vaudreuil, 
 as a volunteer in pursuit of a professional knowledge, in order 
 to qualify him to serve his country more effectually, when her 
 navy should be hereafter increased. Mr. Morris forwarded 
 this application to Congress on the same day, with a state- 
 ment that the present condition of our resources did not per- 
 mit him to employ Jones, and that he felt great concern at 
 the little probability of being able to render his talents useful 
 to the country which he had already served so faithfully and 
 with such great disinterestedness. Mr. Morris went on to 
 state that Jones's present desire to join the Count d'Estaing, 
 in order to acquire knowledge which might hereafter render 
 him still more useful to his country, should he be again called 
 to the command of a squadron, was consistent with all his 
 former conduct, and that he himself would do injustice to his 
 own feelings as well as to the interest of his country, did he 
 not warmly recommend Jones to the notice of Congress,
 
 V 
 
 204 LIFE OP 
 
 whose favour he had merited by the most B lF cel y cleared 
 The request thus made and seconded, was immediaf ed "V *" e 
 in the most complimentary terms, by the following res? 1 ^ 68 * 
 " Resolved, That the agent of marine be informed that Col 
 gress, having a high sense of the merit and services of Cap- 
 tain J. P. Jones, and being disposed to favour the aeal mani- 
 fested by him to acquire improvement in the line of his profes- 
 sion, 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." 
 
 Being furnished with commendatory letters from Mr. Morris 
 and the French Minister, Jones repaired at once to Boston, 
 where he was kindly received by the Marquis, on board his 
 flag-ship, the Triomphant. She was very much crowded, in 
 consequence of the mass of Rochambeau's army, under the 
 orders of Baron de Viomenil, being embarked in the fleet, and 
 in transports under its convoy. Jones mentions that sixty 
 officers dined daily at the Admiral's table. It was a goodly 
 number; but Jones states it for the purpose of showing the 
 distinction with which he was lodged, and which the crowded 
 state of the vessel of course enhanced. While the Baron de 
 Viomenil was lodged on the larboard side of the after-cabin, 
 the starboard side, he says, was assigned to him. 
 
 On the 24th of December, the fleet put to sea, and stood off 
 Portsmouth, in order to join company with the Auguste and 
 the Pluton, liue-of-battle ships, lying in that port under the 
 orders of the Count de Vaudreuil, brother to the Admiral. 
 The America was not yet ready for sea. None of the ships 
 joined the Admiral. The wind blew strong on shore, and after 
 having separated from part of the convoy, the fleet was driven 
 into the Bay of Fundy. Being extricated from this difficulty* 
 it stood for the West Indies, and, making Porto Rico, re- 
 mained for ten days at its rendezvous, in sight of the harbour 
 of St. John's. It was ascertained that Admiral Hood was 
 cruising off Cape Francois, with sixteen sail of the line to in-
 
 PAUL JONES, 205 
 
 tercept the Marquis, whilst Admiral Pigot, with an equal 
 force, awaited him off St. Lucie. Having joined a large con- 
 voy from France, the Admiral stood past Porto Rico, as if 
 bound down the south side of St. Domingo, and then hauling 
 to the southward in the night, balked the vigilance of some 
 of Admiral Hood's frigates, which had seen the French fleet 
 in the Mona passage. 
 
 Porto Cabello had been fixed on as a general rendezvous for 
 all the French and Spanish ships in the American seas, as well 
 as for the combined French and Spanish squadron, expected 
 from Cadiz, under the Count d'Estaing. For this port the 
 Marquis de Vaudreuil now steered. Owing to an imperfect 
 appreciation of the leewardly current which exists in those 
 seas, or to very bad management of some sort, the squadron, 
 under the Marquis, fell to leeward of its port. Three weeks 
 were lost in beating to windward. The Burgoyne line-of- 
 battle ship, getting too near the shore in the night, struck on 
 a rock and was lost with two hundred of her crew. The 
 transports were lost sight of to leeward, and not being able 
 to work up, bore away for St. Domingo. On the 18th of Feb- 
 ruary, 1783, the Triomphant arrived in Porto Cabello, where 
 the Auguste and the Pluton were lying. The rest of the ships 
 of war soon after got in. Nothing had been heard of the 
 Spanish ships from Havana, under Solano ; nor of the com- 
 bined fleet under D'Estaing, although the Marquis was himself 
 nearly two months behind the period fixed for the rendezvous. 
 
 The fleet continued until the month of April to await the 
 expected junction, without any news of the causes that had 
 prevented it. Jones had partially gained his object of observ- 
 ing the management and evolutions of a considerable fleet, 
 and had personally received the greatest kindness from the 
 Admiral, and from the naval and military officers with whom 
 he was associated. But he had expected more stirring event?, 
 and the delays and disappointments were uncongenial to his 
 impatient spirit. The only outlet that Jones now found for
 
 206 IIFE OF 1 
 
 his activity was in a return to his correspondence, which he 
 resumed with fresh vigour, addressing letters to mdst of the 
 persons, both in America and France, to whom he had formerly 
 been in the habit of writing. In a letter addressed at this 
 time to Lafayette, he expresses himself towards England with 
 an exasperation which could only have been excited by the 
 rancorous manner in which the press of that country had 
 stigmatized him as a traitor and pirate. There had been ru- 
 mours of peace, which were not immediately verified. Jones 
 thus adverted to the subject ; " Humanity has need of peace ; 
 but, though I was led to expect it from the late speech from 
 the throne, I begin to fear that it is yet at some distance. 
 There seems to be a malignity in English blood, which cannot 
 be cured, till in mercy to the rest of mankind it islet out, that 
 the disease may not become epidemical. 
 
 To render the situation of the fleet more irksome and dis- 
 tressing during this long detention at Porto Cabello, disease 
 now began to make ravages in the ships, and Jones himself 
 fell ill of intermittent fever. The period of the fleet's delay 
 was, however, drawing to a close. Notwithstanding Jones's 
 prognostication, that the malignity of English blood would 
 require to be much diluted before peace could be realized, the 
 provisional articles of a treaty had already been agreed on at 
 Paris before he wrote. The circumstance, that this negocia- 
 tion was pending, with u near prospect of completion, had 
 probably prevented the sailing of the combined fleet for its 
 rendezvous, and the contemplated junction at Porto Cabello. 
 
 The pleasing intelligence was brought by a frigate to Porto 
 Cabello from France by the way of Martinique, and, on the 
 8th of April, being the day after that which had been fixed for 
 the cessation of hostilities in those seas, the fleet sailed for 
 Cape Francois, in St. Domingo. Even Jones, to whom war 
 seemed a native element, gave way to the universal feeling of 
 gratulation, and he placed on record, the following testimony 
 of his joy, in which, however, the pleasure of seeing England
 
 PAUL JONES. 207 
 
 humbled, seems to have predominated. " The most brilliant 
 success, and the most instructive experience in war, could not 
 have given me a pleasure comparable with that which I re- 
 ceived, when I learned that Great Britain had, after so long 
 a contest, been forced to acknowledge the independence and 
 sovereignity of the United States of America." 
 
 The French fleet arrived at Cape Franfois after a passage of 
 eight days. Here it found the Spanish fleet from Havana. 
 Jones continued to suffer from fever, and he immediately took 
 passage in a vessel bound to Philadelphia. He was careful, 
 however, before leaving the fleet, to secure favourable testi- 
 monials of his conduct and character from the Admiral and gene- 
 ral-in-chief, both of whom wrote to the French minister in the 
 United States, expressing themselves in his behalf, in the most 
 complimentary manner, and begging the minister to use his in- 
 terest in recommending him to the favourable regard of Con- 
 gress. The Baron de Viomenil spoke of him in the following 
 commendatory terms. " Mr. Paul Jones, who will have the 
 honour of delivering this letter, has for five months conducted 
 himself among us with such wisdom and modesty, as add in- 
 infinitely to the reputation gained by his courage and exploits. 
 I have reason to believe, that he has preserved no less grati- 
 tude and attachment towards France, than patriotism and de- 
 votion to the cause of America. Such being his claims to at- 
 tention, I take the liberty of recommending his interests near 
 the President and Congress to your favourable regard." 
 
 Thus armed, Jones arrived at Philadelphia on the 18th of 
 May, 1783. The intermittent fever which had attacked him 
 at Porto Cabello, continued to afflict him on the passage to 
 Philadelphia, and after his arrival. His constitution was much 
 shattered, and with a view of restoring it, and breaking the 
 fever, he removed to the village of Bethlehem, where he passed 
 the summer. While in the "West Indies, and suffering from 
 disease, he had formed the project of purchasing a farm and 
 retiring to the country, until his services afloat should be again
 
 208 UFH OF 
 
 required. He had heard of a large estate, situated near Newark 
 in New Jersey, which was for sale at a price far below its 
 value, and wrote from Porto Cabello, to a friend to endeavour 
 to turn some assets, which he had left in his hand, into money, 
 and to purchase the estate for him. He thought, that, as the 
 estate was only ten miles from New York, which would pro- 
 bably become one of our first naval ports, it would be a very 
 desirable residence for him. That he carried his views a step 
 further than the solitary possesion of an estate in the country, 
 is evident from the following passage in his letter. " If the 
 peace should, as I wish it may, be concluded, I wish to esta- 
 blish myself on a place I can call my own ; and to offer my 
 hand to some fair daughter of liberty." He uow found that 
 nothing had been received on his account for the prize-money 
 due to him in France ; and that his other claims had not been 
 liquidated. The purchase of the estate was therefore out of the 
 question, and the "fair daughter of liberty," who was to form 
 its graceful appendage, waa equally unattainable. 
 
 With the recovery of his health, Jones began to seek conso- 
 lation for his recent disappointment in more stirring hopes. He 
 employed his time in drawing up a detailed statement of his 
 views on the naval service of the country, and urged the neces- 
 sity of starting with a settled system, in which every thing 
 should be provided for, and which should be based upon a 
 careful observation of the condition and organization of other 
 navies, and an extended and liberal view of what was required 
 in our own. He adverted to the glaring mistakes which had 
 been made in the original organization of our navy, and the 
 evil consequences which they had occasioned ; and strongly 
 inculcated the importance of setting out right, when our finances 
 would again permit us to establish a navy. He remarked, that 
 as we were a young people, we should not be ashamed to learn 
 from those who were more experienced than ourselves in naval 
 affairs. To do this more effectually, Jones proposed to the 
 minister of marine, that a handsome frigate should be fitted
 
 PAUL JONfes, 209 
 
 Out and despatched under a proper person, to make an exten- 
 sive cruise in the European seas, touching at the principal 
 ports of the various powers, and offering to each the hospitality 
 of our own harbours, and commercial advantages to be secured 
 by reciprocal treaties. He further proposed, that after this 
 initiatory step should have been taken, to ask leave to visit the 
 various dock-yards, and examine carefully into all the details 
 of the systems pursued in them ; the models of the ships, di- 
 mensions of spars, mode of supplying materials of construction, 
 stores, and provisions, the complements of men and officers to 
 various classes, rate of wages and mode of paying them, police 
 of dock-yards and ships, line of distinction between officers of 
 each arrangement of naval schools and hospitals, and in general 
 whatever might be useful in carrying out a systematic plan for 
 the organization of a navy. Jones further proposed as a sequel to 
 this plan, that when the finances of the country would admit 
 of it, a fleet of frigates should be kept in commision for the 
 practice of evolutions, and for perfecting the officers in every 
 branch of their duty, by the competition which is only to be 
 found where a number of vessels are brought together. 
 
 His views throughout evinced an enlightened appreciation 
 of the best irfeans of creating an efficient and respectable 
 marine, and a lively zeal for the attainment of the object, 
 which he himself was desirous of being personally engaged in 
 forwarding. He was of course the " proper person" to com- 
 mand the "handsome frigate," which was to '-'display our 
 flag" in Europe, and fulfil these various functions of offering 
 the hospitality of our ports, inviting to an interchange of com- 
 mercial treaties, and collecting the necessary information for 
 the establishment of our navy on an enlightened and prosperous 
 foundation. 
 
 The poverty of our exchequer prevented the fulfilment of 
 this well-conceived project. Jones, finding no employment in 
 the United States, and not being able to realize his day-dream 
 K
 
 >10 LUTE OS 
 
 of an estate in the country, if he continued to entertain it, for 
 want of funds, now offered his services to Congress, to proceed 
 to France, and recover the prize-money for captures made by 
 the squadron under his orders, which, after an interval of more 
 than four years from the time the Serapis was taken, still con- 
 tinued unpaid. 
 
 By an act of Congress of the 1st of November, 1 783, and on 
 the recommendation of a committee, of which Mr. Arthur 
 Lee was one, it was resolved, that Jones should be sent to 
 France in the packet Washington, then on the eve of sailing 
 from Philadelphia, with power, under the direction of the 
 American minister, to solicit and receive the money due for 
 prizes made in the European seas by ships under his command, 
 He was authorized to receive for himself the commission 
 usually allowed in such cases, and was required to give bonds 
 for the faithful discharge of his trust, and the due p ayment of 
 the money he might recover to the minister of finance for the 
 benefit of the concerned. It is an evidence of the honourable 
 estimation in which Jones was held, as a man of integrity, that 
 he found no difficulty in finding friends to sign bonds for him 
 to the amount of two hundred thousand dollars. 
 
 The Washington sailed from Philadelphia, on the 10th of 
 November. She was bound to Havre ; but, meeting with a 
 head wind in the channel she put into Plymouth on the 20th 
 day out, and as Jones had important despatches in charge, he 
 went by post to London, where, meeting with Mr. Adams, and 
 being informed by him, that his despatches for Dr. Franklin 
 probably contained powers for concluding a commercial treaty 
 with England, he continued his journey to Paris, where he ar- 
 rived on the 5th day after his departure from Plymouth. Dr. 
 Franklin immediately recognized his authority to solicit the 
 payment of the prize-money due to the officers of the Richard 
 and Alliance. He had, as usual, come duly backed by letters 
 from the French minister in the United States. He was, in 
 consequence, kindly received by the Marechal de Castries,
 
 PAUL JONES. 211 
 
 still Minister of Marine, with whom he dined ; and by whom 
 he was presented to the King. The King received him 
 graciously, and expressed a readiness to advance his fortunes. 
 Jones now set about this business with characteristic energy, 
 and displayed as much inflexible perseverance in bringing his 
 shuffling creditors about the French court to terms, as he had 
 done in sterner contests. The prizes for which payment was 
 claimed of the captors' share, had all been sold four years be- 
 fore ; yet payment had all this time been withheld, notwith- 
 standing that the American Consul-general had been specially 
 charged to demand it. Not discourged by this circumstance, 
 Jones forthwith addressed himself to the Marechal de Castries 
 enclosing Dr. Franklin's acknowledgment of his authority to 
 solicit payment of the prize-money, due to the crews of the 
 Richard and Alliance, and begging that their quota might be 
 immediately paid into his hands. 
 
 By the direction of the French minister, an account was 
 now made out from papers furnished by M. de Chaumont, in 
 which the American captors were charged the same per 
 centage on their shares, for the benefit of the Hospital of In- 
 valids, as was customarily deducted from prizes taken by 
 French men-of-war, for the support of that benevolent insti- 
 tution. A charge was also made for the repairs of the Sera- 
 pis, and Countess of Scarborough at the Texel ; and their 
 other expenses while employed in the safe keeping of the 
 prisoners captured on board of them. In the concordat, or 
 written agreement under which the squadron had sailed from 
 L'Orient, it had been decided, that the division of the proceeds 
 of prizes should be made in conformity with the American 
 laws, but that the proportion of the whole, coming to each 
 particular vessel, should be regulated by the joint decision of 
 the French Minister of Marine, and the American minister 
 plenipotentiary at the court of France. Now the American 
 prize-laws gave captors the whole value of captured British 
 shijw of war, aad half the value of merchantmen ; but, as the
 
 212 LIFE OF ' 
 
 proportion coming to each vessel was to be settled by agree- 
 ment between the French Minister of Marine, and our resident 
 minister, advantage was taken of the circumstance, to attempt 
 bringing the general distribution of the prize-money withiu 
 the control of the French laws. Jones combated this attempt 
 manfully, and urged very justly, that there could be no pro- 
 priety in compelling American seamen to contribute to the 
 support of the Hospital of Invalids, from which they could 
 not derive support. Some of the very persons, from whom it 
 was attempted to withhold a portion of their pri/e-money, 
 had already been pensioned by Congress for wounds received 
 during the engagement with the Serapis. There might have 
 been some colour of justice, in charging the prizes with their 
 removal to a French port, as they could not be sold for the 
 benefit of the concerned in Holland, as well as for such repairs 
 as were absolutely necessary to enable them to put to sea. 
 Jones contended, however, that no repairs were necessary to 
 effect this object, as the Serapis performed well under jury- 
 masts. With regard to the support of the prisoners brought 
 into the Texel, Jones was able, in resisting the charge against 
 the prizes on this account, to fortify himself with the opinion 
 of Dr. Franklin, who wrote to Jones, in answer to his queries, 
 that he "certainly should not have agreed to charge the 
 American captors with any part of the expense of maintaining 
 the five hundred prisoners in Holland, till they could be ex- 
 changed, when none of them were exchanged for the Ameri- 
 cans in England, as was your intention, and as we both had 
 been made to expect." 
 
 The result of this matter was, that Jones, after nearly a 
 year of persevering, urgent, and not always over-polite solici- 
 tation, procured the allowance of his claims, on behalf of the 
 crews of the Richard and Alliance, without any of the deduc- 
 tions by which it had been attempted to abate the already in- 
 considerable amount. On the 23d of October, 1784, the 
 Marechal de Castries signed the account for the re-partition
 
 PAUL JONES. 213 
 
 of the proceeds of the prizes, in conformity with the terms 
 upon which Jones had insisted ; and furthermore the King 
 generously relinquished his half of the proceeds of the captured 
 merchant ships, awarded to him by the American laws. Ad- 
 ditional delay was, however, still made in the settlement of 
 some of the accounts, so as to defer the payment from day to 
 day, and from month to month, until Jones, losing his patience, 
 wrote again, in June, 1785, to De Castries, and somewhat 
 sarcastically reminded him of his promise, so often made, for 
 the immediate payment of the money. " From the great num- 
 ber of affairs more important that engage your attention," he 
 wrote, "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 hut 
 necessity could have prevailed on me to take the liberty of 
 reminding your Excellency of your promise." 
 
 To get rid of this disagreeable quickener of ministerial 
 memory and unreasonable claimant for the fufilment of pro- 
 mises, Jones was now directed to apply to the Koyal Auditor 
 at L'Orient, for the payment of the money which was lodged 
 in his. hands. He was informed, however, that security would 
 first be required of him for the application of the money about 
 to be paid to him. Having satisfied the minister on this head, 
 by a reference to the bonds which he had already given in the 
 United States, he set out for L'Orient in July, 1785, with 
 many misgivings as to fresh troubles awaiting him in the final 
 settlement of his claim, and renewed delay from the reluctance 
 of the Auditor. 
 
 These misgivings were too well realized. When Jones pre- 
 sented his demand for the payment of the prize-money, he 
 was met by a claim from a merchant of L'Orient, by the name 
 of Pnchilberg, who presented a power of attorney which had 
 been given to him by the officers and crew of the Alliance, 
 while at L'Orient, under the hope that he would be able to
 
 214 LIFE OP 
 
 procure their share of the prize-money for them before their 
 departure from the port. It did not appear that Puchilberg 
 had advanced any money to the signers of the power of at- 
 torney ; still there was a disposition to pay over to him the 
 share of the crew of the Alliance ; especially that of Captain 
 Landais, on account of his being a native of France. Jones 
 resisted this claim manfully, both at L'Orient and at court. In 
 his letters to Mr. Jefferson, who had succeeded Dr. Franklin 
 as minister, he gave conclusive reasons why Mr. Puchilberg 
 was not a proper person to receive the prize-money of the 
 crew of the Alliance. With the exception of Captain Landais, 
 the whole ship's company were Americans, and resident in 
 the United States. Landais had renounced his allegiance as 
 a French subject, as well as his religion as a Roman Catholic, 
 had become an American citizen, and was still a resident of 
 the United States. Mr. Puchilberg had given no bonds for 
 the faithful application of the funds, had no muster-roll of the 
 crew of the Alliance, was unacquainted with the American 
 law for the distribution of the prize-money, and could not 
 therefore do justice to the crew, most of whom were in the 
 United States, even if he were inclined to do so. 
 
 In defiance of Mr. Puchilberg's pretensions, and the count- 
 less devices which were adopted, to avoid or defer the pay- 
 ment of the prize-money, it was, at length, forthcoming to- 
 wards the close of September, 1785. The gross sum made 
 over to him amounted to a little more than one hundred and 
 eighty-one thousand livres. The resolution appointing Jones 
 agent for the recovery of this prize-money, had authorized him 
 to receive the commission usually allowed in such cases for 
 the amount he should recover. Not deeming this commission 
 a sufficient compensation for his time and services, Jones now 
 charged the captors with forty-eight thousand livres for his 
 expenses during the time he had been employed in recovering 
 the money. This sum, with his share as captain of the 
 Ridiard, amounting to more than thirteen thousand livres,
 
 PATTL JONBS. 215 
 
 made his portion upwards of sixty-one thousand livres ; while 
 that which remained for the officers and crews of both vessels, 
 was reduced to one hundred and twenty thousand livres. 
 After further deducting some shares, which Jones paid per- 
 sonally to a few of the captors who happened to be on the 
 spot, a residue of one hundred and twelve thousand livres, 
 was placed by Jones in the hands of Mr. Jefferson , and trans- 
 mitted to Congress, to te divided among the captors. It ap- 
 pears from a letter addressed many years after to Paul Jones, 
 by the French Minister of Marine, that he at this time received 
 fifteen thousand livres from the Treasury, to pay the American 
 part of the crew of the Richard. Of this sum, no mention is 
 made ip the settlement of his account. 
 
 The share of the prize-money which the chevalier reserved 
 for himself, seems very exorbitant. He, however, represents 
 that no one but himself, with the exception of Dr. Franklin, 
 who would never have any thing to do with the business, 
 knew enough of the circumstances under which the expedition 
 was fitted out, to have been enabled to follow the matter up 
 so as to recover any thing. The money seems to have been 
 retained in the hands of M. Chaumont, who was in advance 
 to the government for this very expedition, far beyond the 
 proceeds of the prizes, and who was moreover largely in ad- 
 vance to the government of the United States. Jones accounts 
 for the extravagant amount of his expenses, during the time 
 that he was engaged in recovering this prize-money, being 
 more than five thousand a year, by ascribing it to the expense 
 imposed upon him by the distinguished position he occupied 
 at Paris, and his familiar personal acquaintance with the 
 great men of the day. In magnifying the dignity of his po- 
 sition, he almost fancied himself of more consequence than an 
 ambassador; "I went to court," he said, "much oftener, 
 and mixed with the great much more frequently, than our 
 minister plenipotentiary ; yet the gentlemen in that situation 
 consider their salary of two thousand sterling a year, as
 
 216 LIFE OF 
 
 scarcely adequate to their expenses." Jones's frequent appear- 
 ance at court may have had its uses in bringing about the pay- 
 ment of the claim he was authorized to sue for; but the 
 claimants, when they came to divide the miserable residue, 
 would doubtless have been willing to compound for a smaller 
 display of wealth on the part of their representative. The 
 unjustifiable extravagance of Jones's style of living may be 
 best understood by stating the fact, that he charged his 
 shipmates for his expenses, during less than two years, more 
 than Washington did the people of the United States, for 
 his household expenses, throughout the Revolutionary War. 
 By the statement of the Chevalier's account, too, his oAvn 
 share as a captor is taken apparently from the gross amount 
 recovered, and not from the net amount, after his own ex- 
 penses were deducted; so that, though more interested in the 
 recovery than any other, he does not seem to have borne his 
 due share in the expenses. On the other hand, it appears in 
 his favour, that his accounts were approved by Mr. Jefferson, 
 and eventually by Congress ; though the board of Treasury, 
 which had them under consideration, considered his charges 
 excessive. 
 
 Immediately after the remittance of the residue of the prize- 
 money to Mr. Jefferson, the Chevalier returned to Paris, and 
 having now money in both pockets, resumed his connexion 
 with the great and fair. At the request of the Masonic Lodge 
 of Nine Sisters, of which he was a member, he had his bust 
 taken by Houdon, a distinguished sculptor of the day, (af- 
 terwards employed by the State of Virginia to come to 
 America and make a statue of Washington,) and multiplied 
 copies of it, which he presented to his most distinguished 
 friend*. The bust is said to be a perfect likeness of him. 
 An attempt having been made to exact duties upon two 
 copies of it, that were shipped to Philadelphia, it excited 
 his indignation beyond measure. " They are not merchandise," 
 hu wrote to Dr. Morris, " aud I Hatter myself, that my zeal
 
 PAUL JONES. 217 
 
 and exertions for the cause of America will not be requited 
 with such a mark of dishonour. 1 would rather hear that the 
 busts were broke to pieces, than consent that they should be 
 subject to a duty. He also completed his journal, narrating 
 all his adventures and achievements, a copy of which was laid 
 before the King, and others circulated among those distin- 
 guished persons of either sex, whose regard he was desirous of 
 winning. 
 
 Views, however,- of more active employment continued to 
 occupy his attention. While Jones was at L'Orient, and sub- 
 sequently to his return to Paris, his mind was much occupied 
 with a scheme which Ledyard, the celebrated American tra- 
 veller, had suggested to him, for a trading voyage to the Pacific 
 Ocean, in search of furs to be sold at China. The original 
 project, concerted between Ledyard and Jones, was to procure 
 a couple of armed vessels from the French government through 
 Jones's influence at court. A factory was to be established on 
 the north-west coast of America, in which Ledyard was tore- 
 main with a small force. One of the vessels was to be em- 
 ployed under Ledyard's orders, in trading along the coast, 
 whilst Jones was to depart for China, as soon as a single cargo 
 of furs should be collected by both vessels. He was after- 
 wards to return to the coast, by which time loads would be 
 procured for both vessels, proceed with them to China, and, 
 having exchanged them for silks and teas, repair to Europe, 
 take on board fresh cargoes, and return to the north-west 
 coast, where Ledyard wss to remain in the mean time, col- 
 lecting furs, and cultivating a good understanding with the 
 Indians. 
 
 The undertaking having fceen found impracticable on this 
 extensive scale, it was narrowed down to a single vessel of 
 two hundred and fifty tons ; and the scheme was so far matured 
 between the two, and the whole details of the expedition, the 
 cost of the outfit, the expense of purchasing furs, their value at 
 K 5
 
 218 IIFB or 
 
 China, the cost* of the eturn cargo for Europe, and the vaet 
 balance of profits to accf.'ie to the concerned in the enterprise, 
 were carefully estimated. The vessel was to be purchased, 
 and fitted out tinder the French flag, and loaded with a suit- 
 able cargo for barter with the Indian tribes of the north-west 
 coast of America. She was to sail on the 1st of October, for 
 the north-west coast, by the way of Cape Horn and the Sand- 
 wich Islands ; where she was expected to arrive in April. By 
 the following October, she was expected to be ready to sail 
 with a full cargo of furs for Japan or China, whichever might 
 offer the best market. Having exchanged her furs for Eastern 
 merchandise, she was to return to Europe after a contemplated 
 absence of only a year and a half. The expenses of this ex- 
 pedition were estimated to amount to less than twenty thou- 
 sand dollars, while the net profits were fixed at more than 
 five times that sum. The fortunes, that have been so easily 
 made by those who first had the enterprise and sagacity to 
 enter into this remote trade, prove that the estimates of Led- 
 yard, founded as they were on observations made upon the 
 spot, were not exaggerated. Jones saw the feasibility of the 
 project, and was allured by the tempting prospect of united 
 gain and adventure which it presented. He would have wil- 
 lingly embarked both person and fortune in the enterprise. 
 But his own means were not sufficient to furnish the outfit, and 
 failing to induce capitalists to share his faith and join in the 
 undertaking, it was reluctantly abandoned. He subsequently 
 invested part of his prize-money in a joint speculation with 
 Dr. Bancroft, to introduce quercitron bark among the English 
 dyers. About this time, he no doubt found an abundant out- 
 let for his spare funds, in a connexion which he appears, from 
 the subsequent correspondence, to have formed or renewed 
 
 with Madame T . He induced the Marchioness de Marsan 
 
 to present her to the King, who received her graciously, and 
 promised to provide for her. From the Chevalier's subsequent
 
 PAUL JONES, 219 
 
 correspondence, the impression is irresistible, that she at this 
 time bore him a son. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Negocistion concerning Prizes delivered up by Denmark. Position of the Claim. 
 Previous Negotiation. Jones determines on going to Copenhagen. Proceed, 
 to Brussels. Failure of Funds. Goes to the United States. Prepares to 
 retnrn to Europe. Solicits a letter to the French King. Project for re- 
 demption of Captive Seamen. Also for Naval Asylum. Difficulty about 
 accounts. Settled on Jones's Terms. Congress votes Jones a Gold Medal, 
 Writes a letter to the French King, in Behalf of Jones. Singular Scene with 
 Landais. Letter to Madame T . ... Departure for France: Prospect of 
 Employment in Russia. Visit to Copenhagen. Flattering Reception. Ne- 
 gotiation fails. Jones is pensioned by Denmark. Invited to St. Peters- 
 burgh. Accepts the Offer. Difficulties about Rank. Objection to subor- 
 dinate Command. Jones communicates his Decision to Mr. Jefferson. So- 
 licits an Appointment as American Rear-Admiral. 
 
 THE resolution of Congress appointing Jones agent to solicit 
 payment of the prize-money due to his officers and crews, ex- 
 tended to " all the prizes taken in Europe, under his com- 
 mand." It became of course, a very important part of his 
 duty, to give his attention to the case of the two English 
 armed ships, Union and Betsey, which had been sent into 
 Bergen by Landais, and had been so unjustly given up to 
 England by the Danish government. The prizes had been va- 
 lued as worth, at the lowest estimation, forty thousand pounds 
 sterling. A third prize, called the Charming Polly, was also 
 given up about the same time. Immediately after the news of 
 this gross violation, by Denmark, of the hospitality due to 
 neutrals, and of the laws of nations, had reached Dr. Frank- 
 lin, he had addressed the Danish Prime Minister, protesting 
 against his unjust decision, and demanding the return of the 
 prizes, if they had not sailed from the kingdom, or the pay- 
 ment of their full value. The minister replied evasively,
 
 220 1-1 FE OK 
 
 though with many compliments, and concluded by referring 
 Franklin, for further explanations, to the Danish minister at 
 Paris. From this gentleman nothing could be extracted be- 
 yond further compliments and fresh evasion. In this position 
 the affair remained, until the recognition of our independence by 
 Denmark ; soon after which, the Danish government instructed 
 its minister in London, who was about visiting Paris, to en- 
 deavour to gain the intimacy and favourable regard of Dr. 
 Franklin, as a step towards procuring a similar treaty between 
 the United States and Denmark, to that which had been 
 entered into between the United States and Hoi and. This 
 letter was exhibited to Franklin, who, in consequence, ad- 
 dressed the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, and intimated 
 that the readiest way to prepare the United States for so de- 
 sirable a bond of friendship, woold be for Demark to redress 
 the injustice which she had done to the United States, by the 
 delivery of the prizes to England, in consequence of the impor- 
 tunities of her minister. 
 
 The result of this proposition had been that the Govern- 
 ment of Denmark solemnly recognised the injustice of its 
 own act and the validity of the claim, by offering to pay ten 
 thousand pounds for its adjustment. Dr. Franklin declined 
 an adjustment on these terms, upon the ground that the value 
 of the prizes should form the true measure of compensation, 
 and that this should first be inquired into. Some further ne- 
 gociations towards the settlement of this claim took place 
 between John Adams, our minister at London, and the Danish 
 minister at the same court ; but with no better result, as is 
 evident from a letter of Mr. Adams to Jones, dated in July, 
 17~r>, which he concludes by saying, "As there is a Danish 
 minister now in Paris, I should advise you to apply to him ; 
 for the foreign ministers in general at the court of Versailles 
 have less weight upon their spirits in all things relating to 
 America, than those at London. Cash, I fancy, is not an 
 abundant article in Denmark, and your claim has probably
 
 PAUL JONES. 221 
 
 delayed and suspended all negotiations with Mr. Jefferson and 
 with me respecting a commercial treaty, for which three years 
 ago there was no little zeal." 
 
 Conceiving that his presence might be necessary in the 
 United States, to settle his accounts connected with the reco- 
 very of the prize-money, and attend to the distribution of the 
 residue falling to his officers and crew, Jones had meditated 
 transferring his agency for the recovery of the value of the 
 prizes delivered up by Denmark, to Dr. Bancroft, and return- 
 ing to America. Learning, however, that Congess had, in the 
 previous June, directed that the amount which had been paid 
 over to the board of treasury should by it be distributed to 
 the officers and crews of the Richard and Alliance, entitled 
 to receive the same, he gave up the idea of returning to Ame- 
 rica, and determined at once to proceed to Copenhagen to at- 
 tend personally to the recovery of the claim against Denmark. 
 Mr. Jefferson approved of this course, furnished Jones with 
 proper credentials, and procured for him a letter from the 
 French Prime Minister to the French representative at Copen- 
 hagen. 
 
 Thus prepared to appear advantageously at the Danish 
 court, Jones set out from Paris in the spring of 1787 ; but got 
 no further on his way than Brussels, when the want of funds, 
 occasioned by his failing to receive an expected remittance 
 from the sale of some bank stock he had ordered to be dis- 
 posed of in America, induced him to turn back, and carry into 
 effect his original project of a visit to the United States. His 
 business in the United States was very briefly concluded ; for 
 we find him on the 18th of July acquainting Mr. John Jay, 
 then Minister of Foreign Affairs, of his approaching depar- 
 ture for Europe, to resume his agency at Copenhagen for the 
 recovery of the claims. He stated his intention of going by 
 way of Paris, in order to procure additional recommendations 
 for the advancempnt of hi?? errand, and intimated to Mr. Jay 
 how flattering it would bo to him to carry with him a letter
 
 222 UFE OF 
 
 from Congress to his Most Christian Majesty, thanking him 
 for the squadron which he had placed under our flag. " And 
 on this occasion, Sir," he continued, " permit me, with becom- 
 ing diffidenee, to recall the attention of my sovereign to the 
 letter of recommendation I brought with me from the court 
 of France. It would be pleasing to me, if that letter should 
 be found to merit a place on the journals of Congress. Per- 
 mit 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, em- 
 blematic of the happy alliance ; an honour which his Majesty 
 never conferred on any other officer." 
 
 After much further modest recapitulation of his claims and 
 services, Jones concluded by calling the minister's attention 
 to the situation of our unhappy fellow-citi/ens in slavery at 
 Algiers, whither they had been conducted, while in their law- 
 ful pursuits, by the corsairs of that piratical regency. He 
 said, that their hopeless condition was a deep reflection on 
 our national character in Europe, begged leave to influence 
 the humanity of Congress in their behalf, and suggested as an 
 expedient for their redemption, that a tax of a shilling a 
 month should be levied on the wages of all seamen, and ap- 
 propriated to that purpose. This tax, he thought, would 
 create a fund not only sufficient to redeem all our fellow-citi- 
 zens in captivity at Algiers, but also to create an institution 
 for the reception of superannuated and disabled seamen, on 
 the plan of Greenwich Hospital in England, except that it 
 would be for the benefit of the commercial marine. This be- 
 nevolent project of Jones, so characteristic of the interest 
 which he took in the fate of captive seamen, throughout the 
 whole of his career, is creditable alike to his humane feelings 
 and his ingenuity. His proposition may have suggested the 
 idea, subsequently adopted and still enforced, of a tax on the 
 pay of seamen, levied under the title of " Hospital Fund," 
 on their return voyages into the ports of the United States,
 
 PAUL JONES. 223 
 
 from which a home in sickness and old age is secured to 
 them. 
 
 Jones had so far arranged his private affairs, as to be ready 
 to return to Europe in July. He was, however, anxious pro- 
 bably to procure a response from Congress to the letter which 
 had been written by order of the King when he returned in 
 the Ariel, and besides, there was some difficulty about the 
 settlement of his accounts, connected with the proportion of 
 the prize-money which he had reserved to himself. The board 
 of treasury either considered it too great, or conceived that, if 
 it were not too great, he had reserved it without sufficient au- 
 thority, as the resolution of Congress merely authorized him to 
 receive " the commissions usually allowed." The delay in 
 the settlement of the question was prolonged by the fact, that 
 Congress was not in session, as the convention was then deli- 
 berating on the adoption of the federal constitution. The re- 
 port of the board of treasury, when it was at length made, was 
 unfavourable to Jones's claim for so large a portion of the 
 prize-money. He became very indignant at the report, and, 
 in a letter to the chairman of the committee to which the re- 
 port of the board of treasury had been referred, made the fol- 
 lowing very absurd complaint of an encroachment on his dig- 
 nity, of which he was always disposed to entertain an exag- 
 gerated estimate. " The board of treasury have been pleased, 
 in their report, to treat me as a mere agent, though employed 
 in that delicate concern. In France I was received and 
 treated, by the King and his ministers, as a general officer, 
 and a special minister from Congress." Eventually his claim 
 was allowed ; the fact of his having already received and dis- 
 posed of the money, contributing, no doubt, to narrow down 
 and simplify the question. 
 
 How well Jones was able to advance his interests with 
 Congress, may be understood from the fact of his success, not 
 only in procuring the sanction of his accounts, but also a 
 unanimous resolution of that body, " That a medal of gold be
 
 224 LIFK OF 
 
 struck, and presented to the Chevalier Paul Jones, in comme- 
 moration of the valour and brilliant services 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 Honor- 
 able Mr. Jefferson, minister plenipotentiary of the United 
 States at the court of Versailles, have the same executed with 
 the proper devices." 
 
 In addition to this singular honour, the following letter 
 was addressed by Congress to the King of France. " Great 
 and beloved Friend : We, the United States in Congress as- 
 sembled, in consideration of the distinguished marks of appro- 
 bation, with which Your Majesty has been pleased to honour 
 the Chevalier John Paul Jones, as well as from a sensR 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 pro- 
 fession, we cannot forbear requesting of your Majesty, to per- 
 mit him to embark in your fleets of evolution, where only it 
 will be probably in his power to acquire that degree of know- 
 ledge, Avhich may hereafter render him most extensively 
 useful. 
 
 " Permit us to repeat to your Majesty, our sincere assur- 
 ances, 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 16th day of October, 
 in the year of our Lord 1787, and of our sovereignty and in 
 dependence the twelfth." 
 
 On the 25th of the same month, Congress passed resolutions
 
 PAUL JONES. 225 
 
 instructing our minister at Versailles, to represent to His 
 Danish Majesty, that the United States were sensibly affected 
 by the circumstance of his Majesty having caused a number of 
 their prizes to be delivered to Great Britain during the late 
 war; and that not only a sense of the justice due to the in- 
 dividuals interested in those pri/es, but also an earnest desire, 
 that no subject of discontent rr.ight check the friendship which 
 they wished might subsist, and increase, between the two 
 countries, prompted them to remind his Majesty of the trans- 
 action, and request that as a restitution of the prizes was not 
 practicable, he should render a compensation equal to their 
 value. The minister was directed if he thought proper, to 
 despatch the Chevalier, Paul Jones, or any other agent, to the 
 Court of Denmark, to prosecute the claim; but no ultimate 
 conclusion of the business was to be made, without the appro- 
 bation of the minister. The agent so employed was to be al- 
 lowed five per cent., for all expenses and demands, upon the 
 money he might recover, which was to remain in the hands of 
 the minister to await the further order of Congress. 
 
 During his stay in New York, a very singular difficulty took 
 place between the Chevalier,- and his quondam colleague, the 
 extraordinary Landais. Landais had been in the habit of 
 making Paul Jones the subject of his daily conversation, and 
 of fierce threats of dire punishment, whenever they should 
 meet. One day in October, the Chevalier happened to be 
 standing in Water Street, engaged in conversation with a 
 friend of the name of Milligan, when Landais was seen com- 
 ing down the street towards them. Milligan mentioned the 
 circumstance to Jones, whose back was turned towards Lan- 
 dais, but he continued his conversation without turning. Lan- 
 dais approached slowly, wearing a vindictive smile on his 
 countenance, and when a few yards off, having spit upon the 
 pavement, muttered the words, " I spit in his face !" Mr. 
 Milligan asked Jones if he had understood what Landais had 
 said. He answered, he had not, and remained perfectly trail-
 
 226 LIFE or 
 
 qnil. As Mr. Milligan did not repeat Landais's expression , 
 Jones continued for some days ignorant of it. The remark 
 probably partook of the nature of an aside at the theatre, and 
 was put forth more for Landaia's own comfort, and as a sub- 
 ject for future self-glorification, than to be audible to his 
 enemy. Landais's object soon after evinced itself in exag- 
 gerated reports of what had occurred, circulated to Jones's 
 disadvantage. To these, the latter replied by publishing Mr. 
 Milligan's statement, as substantially given above, of what 
 had really occurred, briefly adding, that his respect for the 
 public had induced him to establish the falsity of Peter Lan- 
 dais's report by the only witness present ; " having discharged 
 that duty," he said, " I shall not condescend to reply to any 
 thing that may be said or published by a person of his known 
 character." 
 
 As this eccentric individual has so often crossed the path of 
 Jones, to mar his projects and occasion him annoyance, the 
 reader may be curious to hear what subsequently became of 
 him. He had fixed his residence in Brooklyn, where he lived 
 with the strictest economy, on a small annuity purchased by 
 his arrears of prize-money, having received four thousand dol- 
 lars from Congress, to be deducted from his portion of what- 
 ever might be recovered from Denmark, for the prizes given 
 ijp to England. Though his income was of the narrowest, 
 very little exceeding two hundred dollars a year, he had a mor- 
 bid feeling of independence, which never suffered him to re- 
 ceive an obligation, which he was unable to return. Even an 
 offer to pay his ferriage over a river, he has been known to re- 
 ceive as an insult, and reject with disdain. During the latter 
 years of his life, he was a constant petitioner to Congress for 
 his share in the value of the prizes, sent into Norway and 
 illegally given up by Denmark, five thousand dollars more, as 
 he conceived, being due to him on that account. From sav- 
 ings set apart from his income, he contrived every other year 
 to make a visit to the seat of government, in order to attend
 
 PAUL JONES. 227 
 
 personally to the furtherance of his claim. During these visits, 
 he frequently exhibited his captious irritability. On one oc- 
 casion, having heard that a member of Congress had spoken 
 slightingly of him, he put on his faded continental uniform, 
 and mounting his small sword, repaired to the gallery of the 
 House of Representatives, where he gave it to be understood, 
 that he was very much at the service of any gentleman, who 
 wished for a little honourable satisfaction. He vapoured a 
 great deal among the youthful wags, who were wont to col- 
 lect about him, and threatened, if there were any bad blood in 
 Congress, he would draw it out. Like his modern imitator, 
 he never ceased affirming that he, and not Paul Jones, had 
 captured the Serapis. He died in the summer of 1818, aged 
 eighty-seven years, and was buried in St. Patrick's Cathedral 
 Yard. He had, therefore, probably returned into the bosom 
 of the Catholic Church, which he is said to have abjured on 
 his first entry into the service of America. 
 
 Towards the close of the Chevalier's stay at New York, he 
 
 addressed a letter to Madame T , through Mr. Jefferson, 
 
 which explains the nature of his relation with that lady. She 
 had just informed him of the death of the Marchioness de 
 Marsan, her protectress, who had filled the station of gover- 
 ness to the King's sisters. The following is part of his reply. 
 "No language can convey to my fair mourner, the tender sor- 
 row 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. 1 cannot but flatter myself, that you have your- 
 self gone to the King in July, as he had appointed. I am 
 sure, your loss will be a new inducement for him to protect
 
 228 LIFE OF 
 
 you, and render yon justice. He will hear you, I am sure ; 
 and you may safely unbosom yourself to him, and ask hie ad- 
 vice, -which cannot 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'Artois, his 
 brother, would, on your personal application, render you good 
 offices by speaking in your favour. I shall like it better, how- 
 ever, if you can do without him. I am almost without money, 
 and much pu//.led to obtain a supply. 1 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 im- 
 possible 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 let- 
 ters from me ! Summon, my dear friend, all your resolution ! 
 Exert yourself, and plead your own cause. You cannot fail 
 of success. Your cause would move a heart of flint! Pre- 
 sent 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 !" 
 Jones's remark, that the deceased lady had been " more than 
 
 a mother" to Madame T , and the assurance that she would 
 
 have been a mother to him also, had she lived, might lead to 
 the inference, that she really bore that relation to Madame 
 
 T , as well as that Jones contemplated making this lady 
 
 his wife. His unwillingness, that she should use the influence 
 of the Count d'Artois, (since, Charles the Tenth,) except in the 
 last extremity, when it is remembered that she was actually 
 his aunt, being the daughter of Louis the Fifteenth, his grand- 
 father, is a painful commentary on the morals of the times. It 
 is not to be wondered at, that the dethroned monarch should,
 
 PAUL JONES. 229 
 
 in hia declining years, have become so gloomy and remorseful 
 a devotee. 
 
 On the llth of November, Jones sailed from New York in a 
 vessel bound to Holland, which had agreed to land him in 
 France ; and took what proved his final leave of America. 
 The wind being a-head to reach a French port, he was put on 
 ahore at Dover, and proceeded to London, where he passed 
 several days, during which he conferred with Mr. Adams, on 
 the subject of the mission on which he expected to be em- 
 ployed. He then proceeded to Paris, where he arrived on the 
 llth of December. On the same evening, he had an inter- 
 view with Mr. Jefferson, and presented his despatches. Mr. 
 Jefferson now communicated to him a piece of intelligence, 
 well suited to arouse his ambitious and aspiring spirit. Mr. 
 Simolin, the Russian ambassador at Versailles, had intimated 
 to Mr. Jefferson, in conversation on the subject of some recent 
 disasters of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, that it would 
 be a very valuable acquisition to the navy of the Empress 
 Catharine, his mistress, if she could procure the services of 
 the Chevalier in the war she was then waging against the 
 Turks. 
 
 The intimation, thus made to Mr. Jefferson, does not appear 
 to have been acted upon during Jones's sojourn in Paris. He 
 was, however, sounded on the subject, on the part of the 
 Russian minister, and, in the midst of an affected coyness, pro- 
 bably evinced his real impatience to enter upon the brilliant 
 career, which seemed thus to open on him. Still, no distinct 
 proposition was at this time made to him. He was so far in- 
 fluenced by the prospect of soon commanding a fleet himself, 
 that he forebore for the present to deliver the letter Irom Con- 
 gress to the King, asking permission for him to embark in his 
 fleet of evolution. At the close of January, 1783, he received 
 from Mr. Jefferson his credentials for prosecuting his claims at 
 the court of Denmark. On the morning of the 2nd of Feb- 
 ruary, being the day fixed for hia departure, he went, by invi-
 
 230 LIFE or 
 
 tation, to breakfast with Mr. Littlepage, Chamberlain of the 
 King of Poland, for the purpose of meeting Mr. Simolin, the 
 Russian minister. In the course of the interview, Mr. Simo- 
 lin treated Jones with great attention, and informed him, that, 
 in consequence of the knowledge which he had obtained of 
 Jones's character, during his residence in England as ambassa- 
 dor, and since his removal to France, he had already proposed 
 to his sovereign to intrust the Chevalier with the command of 
 her fleet in the Black Sea, and soon expected that advanta- 
 geous proposals would be made to him in consequence. Jones 
 expressed his gratitude for the compliment, and probably bis 
 readiness to comply with the Empress's orders, though he 
 has not placed the fact on record. After Mr. Simolin had left 
 the house, Mr. Littlepage informed Jones, that Simolin had 
 written to his court, " if her Imperial Majesty should confide 
 to Jones the chief command of her fleet on tbe Black Sea, with 
 carte blanche, he would answer for it, that iu less than a year 
 Jones would make Constantinople tremble." 
 
 With this compliment tingling in his ears, and his imagina- 
 tion filled with brilliant visions of glory and distinction, he 
 set forward for Copenhagen, having in view the double object 
 of recovering the prize-money, and being nearer to St. Peters- 
 burg to receive the proposals of the Empress. He arrived 
 there on the 4th of March, after having suffered severely from 
 fatigue and cold. He was at this time only forty years old ; 
 but his constitution was already beginning to yield to the 
 hardships of his profession, aided by the wear and tear of an 
 excitable and impatient temper. 
 
 In a few days, Jones was so much improved in health, as to 
 be able to wait on Baron de la Houze, the French minister, by 
 whom he was cordially welcomed, and who soon after pre- 
 sented him to the King, and all the different members of the 
 royal family. He thus chronicles his interview. "I had a 
 very polite and distinguished reception. The Queen dowager 
 conversed with me for some time, and eaid the moat civil
 
 PAUL JONES." 231 
 
 things. Her majesty has a dignity of person and deportment, 
 which becomes her well, and which she has the secret to re- 
 concile with great affability and ease. The Princess Royal is 
 a charming person, and the graces are so much her own, that 
 it is impossible to see and converse with her, without paying 
 her that homage which artless beauty and good nature will 
 ever command. All the royal family spoke to me, except the 
 King, who speaks to no person when presented. His Majesty 
 saluted me with great complaisance at first, and as often 
 afterwards as we met in the course of the evening. The 
 Prince Royal is greatly beloved and extremely affable; he 
 asked me a number of pertinent questions respecting America. 
 I had the honour to be invited to sup with his Majesty and the 
 royal family. The company at table, consisting of seventy 
 ladies and gentlemen, including the royal family, the ministers 
 of state, and foreign ambassadors, was very brilliant." 
 
 Having taken this initiatory step so much to his satisfaction, 
 Jones now bethought himself of the business which had brought 
 him to Copenhagen, and accordingly addressed Count Bernstorf, 
 the Minister of Foreign Affairs, enclosing to him a copy of the 
 act of Congress, by which the American minister at Versailles 
 had been directed to demand of Denmark indemnification for 
 the prizes which she had given up. He mentioned, that he 
 had seen the despatches from Mr. Jefferson, with which he had 
 been charged, and that it was therefore unnecessary for him 
 to enlarge upon the subject ; so he simply confined himself to 
 calling the minister's attention to the act of Congress, " the 
 act," he added in parenthesis, " by which I am honoured by a 
 gold medal ;" and concluded by telling him how happy he was 
 in being the chosen " instrument to settle the delicate national 
 business in question with a minister, who conciliated the 
 views of the wise statesman with the noble sentiments 
 and cultivated mind of the true philosopher and man 
 of letters." 
 
 It does not appear, that this flattering allocution produced
 
 232 LIKE OF 
 
 any favour able effect ; for we find Jones at the end of a wei> k 
 again addressing the minister, and assuring him how sensible 
 he was to the favourable manner in which he had been received. 
 He said, however, that though particularly flattered by the 
 polite attention with which he had been honoured at every 
 conference, he had remarked with pain, that the subject of hi* 
 mission was avoided. He therefore told the minister, that a 
 man of his liberal sentiments could not be surprised at hi rf 
 expecting impatiently a prompt and categorical answer in 
 writing, to the demand contained in the act of Congress, 
 which had been brought under his notice. 
 
 Though the prompt and categorical answer, which Jone 
 required, was not forthcoming, an evasive one was sent in it 
 place, which terminated the negociation. The Danish minister 
 avoided speaking at all on the subject of the indemnity claimed 
 for the prizes, which had been surrendered. He contrived to 
 mix up Jones's demand with the previously pending negocia- 
 tion for a treaty of amity and commerce, and said that nothing 
 could be further from the wishes of the King, than to abandon 
 a negociation which had only been temporarily suspended, to 
 avoid the inconvenience of a precipitate arrangement. He pro- 
 mised, on behalf of the King, that the negociation should be re- 
 sumed so soon as the new constitution, whch he denominated 
 " an admirable plan, so worthy of the wisdom of the most en- 
 lightened men," sh ould be adopted by the states. The ministe- 
 repeated to Jones the invincible obstacle to treating with 
 him,which he had previously adverted to in conversation, 
 growing out of Jones's want of plenipotentiary powers ; and 
 said that it would likewise be contrary to usage, to change 
 the seat of the suspended uegociation from Paris to Copen- 
 hagen. As there does not seem the least colour of common 
 sense in thus disregarding Jones's demand for a consider- 
 ation of a claim, which came commended to their notice 
 by an act of Congress, transmitted through our minister 
 at Paris, and as Jones would never, under other circum-
 
 PAUL JONES. 233 
 
 stances have permitted himself to be thus put off, it seems 
 not unlikely, that, when he found that nothing would be 
 immediately done with reference to the claim he himself 
 procured the removal of the seat of negociation to Paris, that 
 he might be left at liberty to proceed to St. Petersburg. He, 
 in fact, states this to have been the case, in his subsequent 
 correspondence. Soon after this occurrence, Jones received 
 from the Danish government a [patent for a pension of fifteen 
 hundred crowns a-year, as an acknowledgment " for the re- 
 spect he had shown to the Danish flag, while he had com- 
 manded in the European seas." Jones never mentioned to his 
 most familiar correspondents that this pension had been settled 
 on him, nor was its existence known until several years after- 
 ward, when he applied ineffectually for its payment. He then 
 first communicated the fact to Mr. Jefferson in terms that are 
 certainly apologetical. " The day before I left Copenhagen, 
 the Prince Royal had desired to speak with me in his apart- 
 ment. 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 ar- 
 rival, 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 explana- 
 tion. 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 
 appears moreover from his correspondence with the Danish 
 Prime Minister, that he had consulted him as to accepting the 
 offer which the Empress of Russia had made to him, and had 
 been advised by the minister to accept it. An awkward coin- 
 cidence with regard to this pension is, that it was dated on 
 the very day that he agreed to suspend the negotiation and
 
 234 UFK 01 
 
 remove it to Paris. The alleged motive for conferring and re-s 
 ceiving it, is ao flimsy as to awaken well-grounded suspicious 
 aa to the nature of the transaction, unless Tre adopt the opinion 
 of the Crown Prince with regard to the Chevalier, " a man 
 like you ought to be excepted from ordinary rules." 
 
 Meantime, the negociation for entering the naval service of 
 Russia, being of greater personal interest to Jones, was soon 
 brought to a successful issue. In consequence of the intima- 
 tion which the Russian minister had made to his court, that 
 Jones might be induced to enter the service of the Empress, 
 orders were transmitted to Baron Krudner, the Russian Mi- 
 nister at Copenhagen, by express, to offer him the rank of cap- 
 tain commandant, equivalent to that of major-general in the 
 army, and to invite him to repair as aoon as convenient to 
 court. He was informed that it was the intention of the Em- 
 press to give him a command in the Black Sea, nnder the or- 
 ders of the Prince Potemkin. He was excited by Baron Krud- 
 ner, to take advantage of the opportunity which now offered 
 itself to add to the laurels which he had already won ; and 
 was assured that, in pursuing glory in the cause of so magna- 
 nimous a sovereign, he might depend upon the most distin- 
 guished reward and every advantage of fortune. 
 
 Jones immediately determined to abandon his business in 
 Copenhagen, and proceed to St. Petersburg, with a view to 
 taking service in the Russian army. In his reply to Baron 
 Krudner, he expressed dissatisfaction with the rank which was 
 offered to him in the place of the more appropriate one of rear- 
 admiral, to which he considered himself entitled. He laid all 
 his various testimonials, which he had so diligently collected, 
 before the Russian minister, and wrote regarding them as fol- 
 lows : " You will discover, I presume, that my talents have 
 been considerable ; lut that loving glory, I am perhaps too 
 much attached to honours, though personal interest is an idol 
 to which I have never bowed the knee. The unbounded ad- 
 miration and profound respect, which I have long felt for the
 
 JONES. 235 
 
 gloriouR character of her Imperial Majesty, forbids the idea 
 that a sovereign so magnanimous should sanction any arrange- 
 ment that may give pain at the outset to the man she deigns 
 to honour with her notice, and who wishes to devote himself 
 entirely to her service." In allusion to what had been said 
 about acting under the orders of the Prince of Potemkin, he 
 began already to betray impatience of any control. " A con- 
 joint command," he wrote, " is hurtful, and often fatal, in mi- 
 litary operations. There is no military man, who is so entirely 
 master of his passions as to keep free of jealousy, and its con- 
 sequences, on such occasions. Being an entire stranger, I have 
 more to fear from a joint authority than any officer in her Ma- 
 jesty's service. 
 
 Having formed his determination to accept service in the 
 Russian navy, Jones wrote to Mr. Jefferson on the 8th of April, 
 1788, to give him an account of the unfavourable termination 
 of his negociation. He flattered himself, however, that his 
 visit to Copenhagen would be attended with a good effect, by 
 leading to the renewal, at Paris, of the negociation fo 7 - a ti-eaty 
 between the two countries. He suggested to Mr. Jefferson, 
 that it would be advisable to introduce into such a treaty a 
 stipulation for the admission of the United States into the 
 armed neutrality. He thought that such a measure would 
 afford great pleasure to the Empress of Russia, and promised 
 on his arrival at St. Petersburg to mention the subject to her. 
 He acquainted Mr. Jefferson with his intention to enter the 
 Russian service, and told him, that he relied upon his friend- 
 ship to justify to Congress the important step he was about to 
 take with Mr. Jefferson's advice. He thought, that as Con- 
 gress had passed acts, recommending his employment in the 
 French fleets, in order to improve himself in naval science, it 
 could not fail to approve of his occupying the high station 
 which had been allotted to him, and in which he would qe 
 called, himself, to direct the evolutions of fleets, and prac- 
 tice the art of naval warfare on an extended scale, instead
 
 or 
 
 of acting the part of a simple observer. He protested that he- 
 had not forsaken hia country, and that he would never re- 
 nounce the glorious title of a citizen of the United States. 
 
 " If," he continued, " Congress should think I deserve the 
 promotion that was proposed when 1 was last in America, 
 and should condescend to confer on me the grade of rear-ad- 
 miral, from the day I took the Serapis, 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." 
 It was not the fact, that the Empress had offered Jones a rank 
 equal to that of rear-admiral. On the contrary, he was com- 
 plaining at this very time of that title being withheld from 
 him ; and his chief object in now seeking to obtain from Con- 
 gress, what during his absence could only be an honorary dis- 
 tinction, was to use it as a lever in Russia, to raise himself to 
 the same rank. This is evident from what he afterwards 
 says ; " I ask for nothing ; and beg leave to be only under- 
 stood 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." 
 
 As Paul Jones was about setting out from Copenhagen, 
 Baron Krudner brought him a thousand ducats, to defray his 
 expenses to St. Petersburg. He mentions, that he endeavoured 
 to induce the Baron to take it back ; but, as he refused to do 
 BO, Jones determined not to use it by the way, having money 
 of his own, and to return it at St. Petersburg, in the event of 
 his declining to accept the station which might be offered to 
 him.
 
 PAT7L J9NES. 237 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Jones leaves Copenhagen. Arrives at Stockholm. Finds the Oulf of Bothnia 
 frozen. Crosses the open Baltic. Perilous Adventure. Arrival at Revel. 
 Arrival at St. Petersburg. Presentation to the Empress. Is created Rear- 
 Admiral. Receives a Letter from the Empress. Departure for the Black 
 Sea. Interview with Potemkin. Siege of Oczakow. Jones Appointed to 
 the Command of a Squadron in the Lima, The Prince of Nassau in Com- 
 mand of the Flotilla. Arrival at Cherson. Uncivil Treatment of the Ru- 
 sian Admiral. Visit to the Squadron at Schiroque. Tour of Observation. 
 Jones hoists his Flag in the Wolodomer. Changes the Position of the Squa" 
 dron. Holds a Council of War. Jealousy between Jones and Nassau. En. 
 gagement between the Russian and Turkish Squadrons. Cruelty of Nassau. 
 Potemkin dines with Jones. Reconciles Jones and Nassau. Second Battle. 
 Brilliant Exploits of Jones. Unjust Distribution of Rewards. Capricious 
 Conduct of Potemkin. Offensive Orders. Correspondence between Potem- 
 kin and Jones. Jones superseded. Interview with Potemkin. Jones departs 
 from the Black Sea. 
 
 TOWARDS the middle of April, 1788, Jones started from Co- 
 penhagen for St. Petersburg, by the way of Sweden. Having 
 remained a single day at Stockholm, he went to Gresholm to 
 embark, but found so much ice, that he was unable either to 
 cross the Gulf of Bothnia, or even to reach the islands which 
 He midway in the channel. After several ineffectual attempts 
 to cross iu that direction, Jones, believing, as he says, that 
 the Empress would be impatient for his arrival , determined to 
 attempt doubling the ice to the southward in the open Baltic. 
 For this purpose, he hired an open passage-boat about thirty 
 feet long, and took a smaller boat in tow to drag over the ice, 
 in case of abandoning the larger boat. 
 
 Jones did not make his project known to the boatmen, lest 
 they should have been unwilling to undertake so dangerous an 
 enterprise. He therefore first attempted to cross to the interme- 
 diate islands, in the direction of the coast of Finland. Having 
 made a little progress in that direction, he steered to the south, 
 betweeenthe ice and the Swedish shore, where he barely found
 
 238 LIFE OF 
 
 room to pass. At nightfall, being nearly opposite Stockholm, 
 " pistol in hand ," he compelled the reluctant boatmen to put 
 out into the Baltic, and steer for Finland. The wind continued 
 fair during the night, and the iiext morning the coast of Fin- 
 land was in sight, but at a great distance, and so bound with 
 ice as to render it unapproachable. As the wind blew strong 
 from the Swedish shore, it was impossible to put back ; it only 
 remained for Jones to skirt along the ice until he came to the 
 entrance of the Gulf of Finland. Meantime, the second night 
 came on squally. In the course of it the small boat was 
 swamped, and the men who were in it were saved with diffi- 
 culty. Jones had provided himself with a small compass, and 
 fixing the lamp of his travelling carriage so as to throw a light 
 on it, the boatmen were able to keep the boat's head in the 
 right direction. On the fourth day, Jones landed safely at 
 Revel, where the performance of such a perilous adventure ex- 
 cited no little astonishment. In Sweden it was for some time 
 reported, that he had perished in a storm in the Gulf of Fin- 
 land. 
 
 Having rewarded the boatmen who had reluctantly shared 
 his perils, and furnished them with the means of procuring a 
 new boat, provisions for their homeward voyage, and a pilot 
 to conduct them, when the weather should be more favourable, 
 Jones set forward for St. Petersburg, where he arrived on the 
 evening of the 23rd of April.* On the 25th of April, he was 
 presented by Count Segur the French minister, to the Empress, 
 who received him very graciously, and immediately conferred 
 on him the coveted rank of rear-admiral. Jones was over- 
 whelmed with the courtesy with which he was received. In 
 accepting employment under the Empress, he made no condi- 
 tions, and only proffered one request, which seemed to carry 
 with it a foreboding of future disgrace ; " never to be con- 
 demned unheard." 
 
 The individual whom the sovereign delighted to honour, of 
 
 * The dates during Jones's sojourn in Russia are according to old style, eleven 
 days behind our mode of computing time,
 
 PAUL JONES. 289 
 
 course found abundant favour in the e yes of others. The Che- 
 valier's distinguished reputation as a naval hero was, for the 
 moment, not a little enhanced by the romantic adventure which 
 had attended his arrival in Revel. Nobles, statesmen, and 
 foreign ministers besieged his door ; and invitations to enter- 
 tainments at court and in the highest circles, left him without 
 an unoccupied moment. These unusual marks of favour, and 
 the elevated rank with which Jones had been instantly in- 
 vested, occasioned great discontent among the foreign officers 
 already in the Russian navy. The English, particularly, 
 affected great horror in being thus superseded by an English 
 " pirate," and former " smuggler" ; and thirty officers addressed 
 a memorial to their chief and countryman, Admiral Greig, 
 threatening to throw up their commissions if they were asso- 
 ciated with him. This, however, did not prevent his appoint- 
 ment. The difficulty was avoided by not employing those offi- 
 cers under Jones's immediate command. 
 
 In writing to Layfayette, Jones gave way to the exultation 
 which his present brilliant prospects awakened in him. This 
 letter abounds in enthusiastic praises of the Empress, and 
 enters into various projects for a closer political union between 
 Russia and France. It also suggests the great advantage which 
 America might derive from joining the armed neutrality, and 
 from a close commercial intercourse with Russia. 
 
 The letter in which Jones replied, in Copenhagen, to Baron 
 Erudner's proposal for him to enter the Russian navy, had 
 evinced some misgivings as to being placed under the orders 
 of the Prince Potemkin. He appears to have recurred to this 
 objection in conversation with the Empress, who in conse- 
 quence addressed to him the following letter, when on the eve 
 of departure for the Black Sea. 
 
 "Sir: A courier from Paris has just brought from my 
 envoy in France, M. de Simolin, the enclosed letter to Count 
 Besborodko. As I believe that this letter may help to con- 
 firm to you what I have already told you verbally, I have
 
 240 LIFE f>y 
 
 sent it, and beg you to return it, as I have not even had i^ 
 copied, so anxious am I, that you should see it. I hope tha^ 
 it will efface all doubts from your mind, and prove to you 
 that you are to be connected only with those who are most 
 favourably disposed towards 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 valour and skill, on the 
 element on which you are to serve. 
 " Adieu ! I wish you happiness and health. 
 
 " CATHARINE." 
 
 The letter alluded to, mentioned one which M. de Simolin 
 had shortly before received from Prince Potemkin, requesting 
 him to induce the Chevalier Paul Jones to repair to his head- 
 quarters that he might employ his talents at the opening of 
 the campaign; and begging him to assure Jones that he, 
 Potemkin, would do all that depended on him to make Jones's 
 situation advantageous, and to procure for him occasions of 
 displaying his skill and valour. Jones may have had a well- 
 founded distrust of the overbearing character ofPotemkin, 
 but his pretension to be independent of the military com- 
 mander with whom he was to co-operate, and who was 
 carrying on a war at a great distance, from the seat of govern- 
 ment, was very unreasonable. 
 
 On the 7th of May the Chevalier left St. Petersburg, bear- 
 ing a letter from the Empress to Potemkin, and a purse lined 
 with two thousand ducats, for the expenses of his journey 
 and outfit. His appointments were fixed at eighteen hundred 
 roubles a year.* He arrived at St. Elizabeth, the head-quarters 
 of Potemkin, on the 19th, where he was received with dis- 
 tinction and kindness. As the character of this singular in- 
 dividual had an important influence over the fortunes of 
 
 The rouble at thit time was worth about 96 cent.
 
 PAUL JONES. 241 
 
 Jones, it may not be amiss here to recall its most striking 
 features. Originally the lover of the Empress, his valour, 
 political sagacity, and commanding temper gave him a control 
 over her mind which she was never able to shake off. He 
 shared and flattered her passion for the overthrow of the 
 Turkish empire, and the establishment in Constantinople, on 
 the throne of the Caesars, of the grandson who had been 
 named Constantino, with a view to the restoration of the 
 Empire of the East. It was this scheme of conquest, and 
 his desire to obtain the cross of St. George, which could only 
 be conferred on a commander-in-chief after a victory, which 
 had excited the war in which Jones had now come to take 
 part, and in which the Turks had been forced, by systematic 
 outrages, to take the initiative. Haughty,'; irritable, and 
 despotic, Potemkin was not the sort of person with whom 
 Jones could give way with impunity to his own querulous 
 discontent. As it was, they met with a mutual disposition to 
 be pleased with each other. Potemkin required the services 
 of a skilful and dashing sea officer, and Jones was habitually 
 prone to honour the great and powerful. The first object of 
 Potemkin was to get possession of the fortified town of Oc- 
 zakow at the junction of the Bog with the Dnieper, which 
 formed the maritine frontier of the Turks in this direction. The 
 place wa invested by land. The fort of Kinburn, laying on 
 the south side of the Dnieper, immediately opposite Oczakow, 
 was in possession of the Russians, and held by Suwaroff, with 
 a strong garrison. The Capitan Pacha had come to the suc- 
 cour of Oczakow with a hundred and twenty small vessels 
 and barges, and lay at anchor in front of the place, beyond 
 the reach of the guns of Kihburn. Jones was appointed to 
 flip command of the squadron intended to oppose the Capitau 
 Pacha. His force consisted of a single line-of-battle ship, 
 the Wolodomer, which, on account of the shoaliness, had 
 only twenty-six guns mounted, five frigates and five sloops, 
 L 5
 
 242 HFB OF 
 
 mounting from sixteen to twenty-four guns, and four smaller 
 vessels, making in all fourteen sail. He was stationed in the 
 Liman, as that narrow arm of the Euxine is called which 
 forms the mouth of the Dnieper. The ships were badly con- 
 structed, drew too much water for the general navigation of 
 the Black Sea, were too crank to carry the heavy guns that 
 were mounted on them, and sailed badly. In all these re- 
 spects Jones found the Turkish ships superior to those he was 
 to command ; besides being much more numerous. 
 
 In addition to Jones's squadron, a considerable number of 
 Russian gun-boats and barges were stationed in the Liman. 
 By a great mistake, the command of this flotilla was made en- 
 tirely distinct from that of the squadron. The two forces 
 were to act in unison when practicable, but each had its dis- 
 tinct commander. The commander of the flotilla was the same 
 Prince of Nassau Siegen who had volunteered to accompany 
 Jones in his projected expedition in the Indien, in 1799, and 
 who had subsequently abandoned his purpose without expla- 
 nation or excuse, or even exercising the ordinary courtesy of 
 replying to Jones's letters. This nobleman who seemed to 
 possess the spirit of adventure without the abilty to pursue it 
 with success, had subsequently been engaged in an unsuccess- 
 ful attempt to take the island of Jersey, and afterwards passed 
 some time at the siege of Gibraltar. On the breaking out of 
 the war between Russia and Turkey, he had tendered his ser- 
 vices to the former, and been placed in command of the fleet of 
 the Black Sea. He is said to have been unsteady in his pur- 
 pose and of very humble capacity, though extremely arrogant 
 and presumptuous. No two persons could have been more ill- 
 suited to act harmoniously together than Jones and Nassau, 
 yet the former was now places in command of the squadron, 
 while the latter retained command of the flotilla, each inde- 
 pendent of the other, and both having motives for jealousy and 
 hatred. 
 
 Having been informed that the army would soon be concen-
 
 PAUL JONES. 243 
 
 trated about Oczakow, and that Potemkin would bring up 
 his head-quarters, Jones set forward to assume his command 
 on the 20th of May. He was accompanied by an officer of 
 Potemkin's staff, who had orders to place him in command. 
 At Cherson, at that time the chief Russian naval station on 
 the Black Sea, Jones received a foretaste of the jealousy and 
 annoyance which awaited him in the new service which he 
 had entered. Rear-admiral Mordwinoff, who was at the head 
 of the Arsenal at Cherson, received him with studied disgust, 
 and, though ordered by Potemkin to furnish him with all the 
 particulars concerning his command, abstained from making 
 any communications to him, or delivering to him the rear- 
 admiral's flag, to which he was entitled. 
 
 After a short delay at Cherson, Jones proceeded to the 
 Roads of Schiroque, between the mouths of the Dnieper and 
 Bog, where the squadron was at anchor, and went immediately 
 on board the Wolodomer. The squadron of ships had been 
 hitherto commanded, under the orders of Nassau, by Brigadier 
 Alexiano, a, Greek, originally a subject of Turkey, who had 
 distinguished himself as a corsair against the Turks. Alexiano 
 was naturally annoyed at being superseded, and threatened 
 to retire from the service. He was eventually, however, per- 
 suaded by Potemkin to remain. In order to make himself ac- 
 quainted with the localities of the proposed scene of action, 
 and also to give time for the angry feelings of Alexiano and 
 some of his Greek followers to subside, Jones now made a visit, 
 with the officer who accompanied him, to Kmburn, to ex- 
 amine the entrance of the Dnieper, and reconnoitre the position 
 and strength of the Turkish fleet and flotilla. Observing tha^ 
 there was no fortification on the extreme point of Kinburn, 
 which commands the entrance into the Liman, Jones persuaded 
 Suwaroff to erect one. It was afterwards very useful. On 
 his return to the squadron, the discontent of Alexiano seemed 
 to have disappeared, and Jones hoisted his flag on board the 
 Wolodomer. This occurred on the 26th of May.
 
 244 LIFE OF 
 
 In the course of a few days the ships and flotilla were rein- 
 forced by troops to complete the complements of their crews, 
 and on the 29th of May the whole armament got under weigh 
 and stood for the entrance of the Bog, off which it anchored, in 
 a line forming an obtuse angle, so as to command the passage 
 into the Liman, thus covering Cherson, which was without 
 fortifications, guarding the free passage of the Bog for the army 
 of Potemkin, and keeping the Turks in check from attempting 
 to carry Kinburn. Jones had every confidence in his ability to 
 make good his position, though Nassau and Alexiano, having 
 commenced intriguing against him, endeavoured to unsettle 
 SuwarofPs faith in the efficiency of the flotilla, by represent- 
 ing to him that the vessels which composed it, having been 
 constructed to convey the carriages of the Empress in her 
 famous triumphal visit to Cherson, a few years before, to sur- 
 vey the empire which she was about to grasp for her own, were 
 so slight that they would probably sink with the weight of 
 their guns, at their first discharge. Soon after assuming the 
 command, Jones, having, as he says, no orders from Potemkin 
 assembled a council of war on board the Wolodomer, in con- 
 formity with the naval ordonuance of Peter the Great. He 
 opened the council with an eloquent speech, in which he en- 
 deavoured to inculcate the importance of a perfect understand- 
 ing between the squadron and flotilla ; and urged that, for- 
 getting all personal considerations, they should unite heart 
 and hand in the determination to conquer. The council ap- 
 proved of the position which the squadron occupied, and it in 
 remarkable, as showing that Jones's superiority was so far 
 recognised by the Prince of Nassau, that he attended the coun- 
 cil which Jones had convened, and at which he presided. 
 
 On the 7th of June, an encounter took place between the 
 Russian and Turkish flotillas, which resulted in the retreat of 
 the latter with the loss of two vessels, which were burnt. 
 During this engagement, Jones fought in the flotilla, and, part 
 of the time, he was in the same boat with the Prince of Nas-
 
 PAUL JONES. 245 
 
 au, where he represents himself as giving the necessary or- 
 ders along the line. He says, though he had directed the 
 whole affair, he relinquished all the credit of it to the Prince, 
 as the action had been sustained by the flotilla. He repre- 
 sents the Prince as having spoken little during the action ex- 
 cept in praise of Jones, though soon after, he assumed a very 
 haughty tone towards him. It seems that Jones, in his report 
 of the battle to Potemkin, gave Nassau credit, among other 
 things, for having taken his advice, with regard to the direc- 
 tion of his flotilla, in good part. Jones showed this to Nassau, 
 before it was sent, who did not object to any part of it, 
 though he afterwards took offence at the expression. A few 
 days after, he addressed a letter to Jones, proposing that the 
 squadron and flotilla should advance nearer to the Turkish 
 fleet, which had taken post under the batteries of Oczakow. 
 Jones objected to this movement, as it would leave the Liman 
 and Cherson open to the enemy, and constitute an abandon- 
 ment of that defensive system which Jones had adopted, and 
 of which Potemkin had approved. Out of this difference of 
 opinion and mutual jealousy, augmented by an ill-suppressed 
 contempt on the part of Jones, for Nassau's weakness and 
 instability, grew a disagreement which, though outwardly 
 often reconciled, augmented from day to day to the great in- 
 jury of the public service. 
 
 On the 16th of June, the Turkish fleet, having been rein- 
 forced, approached very near the Russian with the intention 
 of attacking. One of the largest Turkish ships, bearing an 
 admiral's flag, having grounded, the rest of the fleet anchored 
 in a line. During the night, the wind became favourable for 
 the Russian fleet, and, at daylight on the following morning, 
 Jones made the signal to weigh. The squadron and flotilla 
 now bore down on the Turkish fleet, which immediately 
 weighed or cut their cables, and attempted to escape in the 
 greatest confusion. The Wolodomer steered for the Capitan 
 Pacha'a ship, and had approached within pistol-shot, when
 
 246 LIFE OF 
 
 the Turk grounded, and Alexiano, without orders from Jones, 
 let go the Wolodomer's anchor, under the pretence of saving 
 her from grounding, as he said there was only fifteen feet of 
 water a-head. Meantime the Russian flotilla having lagged 
 behind, Jones's ships were much annoyed on the right by the 
 Turkish flotilla, a bomb from which sunk one of the frigates 
 alongside of the Wolodomer. The Chevalier now took to 
 his boat, and went in quest of the Prince of Nassau, to 
 endeavour to persuade him to proceed with his flotilla to dis- 
 lodge the Turkish gun-boats. But the Prince was altogether 
 taken up in firing upon two Turkish ships which were 
 aground, keeling over too much to bring any guns to bear, 
 and moreover under cover of the guns of the Russian ships, of 
 which they might be considered prizes. These two Turkish 
 ships were soon set on fire by means of a species of bombs, 
 called Brandkugel, which were perforated with holes and 
 filled with combustible matter; and their crews perished 
 miserably in the flames. The flag of the Capitan Pacha having 
 been shot away with the mast on which it was hoisted, and 
 the great inclination of the ship causing it to fall into the wa- 
 ter, it was drawn up by the boatmen, and delivered to the 
 Prince. The Pacha himself had abandoned his ship, and as- 
 sumed the command of the flotilla. Being unable to with, 
 draw the Prince from the burning ships to attack the Turkish 
 flotilla, Jones sent Alexiano and Brigadier Corcasoff to per- 
 form this service ; and they soon succeeded in dislodging them 
 and driving them under the walls of Oczakow. 
 
 Part of the squadron still remained within the Liman, and 
 the Russian squadron and flotilla took a position to prevent it 
 from running out, without passing under the guns of the fort, 
 which Su waroff had erected on the extreme point of Kinburn 
 by Jones's advice. During the night, the Capitan Pacha at- 
 tempted to pass out secretly with the remains of his squadron* 
 but nine of his largest vessels groun ed on the sand-bank* 
 which stretched from Oczakow until within cannon-shot o
 
 PAUL JONES. 247 
 
 the new fort. A constant fire was kept up on the grounded 
 vessels during the whole night. In the morning, Suwaroff 
 sent a request for the men-of-war to take possession of the 
 ships that had grounded. Jones was desirous of sending 
 frigates to perform the service ; but Alexiano represented to 
 him, that the strength of the current at that point might occa- 
 sion their loss. The flotilla was therefore despatched on this 
 service under the Prince of Nassau, accompanied by Alexiano. 
 They immediately commenced a fire of Brandkugela upon the 
 grounded ships, and seven out of the nine were soon in flames. 
 No effort had been made to save either the ships or their 
 crews. In vain did the Turks throw themselves on their 
 knees, and invoke pity by cries and by signing the cross. 
 More than three thousand of them were mercilessly consumed 
 in the flames. 
 
 Meantime the whole Russian army had concentrated before 
 Oczakow. Potemkin made Jones a visit on board of the 
 Wolodomer ; he was attended by the chief officers of his staff. 
 The whole party remained to dinner, and it appears that 
 Nassau was also there; for in the course of the entertainment, 
 Potemkin employed the Prince de Ligne and Mr. Littlepage, 
 to persuade Nassau to make some explanations to Jones. 
 This they effected, and the two commanders embraced in the 
 presence of the whole company, in token of their complete 
 reconciliation. This was the second effort of Potemkin to 
 establish a good understanding between the two chiefs. A 
 fortnight before, he had written to Jones as follows ; " I re- 
 gard perfect union between you, as the foundation of all the 
 services that your talents and your known valour give you 
 both the power of rendering to my country ; and I cannot 
 strongly enough recommend to you to live in perfect under- 
 standing with the Prince of Nassau." 
 
 Harmony being thus ostensibly established between the two 
 nava commanders, Potemkin gave orders to the Prince of 
 Nassau to destroy the Turkish flotilla, which lay under the
 
 248 LIFE OF 
 
 walls of the besieged city. Jones was to render every possi- 
 ble assistance with the squadron. On the 1st of July, Potem- 
 kin, having attacked by land, to make a diversion, the Russian 
 flotilla advanced within gun-shot of the Turkish, and opened 
 its fire. Jones, after having assisted, with the boats of the 
 squadron, in towing up the flotilla abreast of that of the 
 enemy, cast off the tow-lines, and dashed on to capture five 
 Turkish galleys, which lay under the guns of Fort Nassau, 
 within range of canister shot. They were moreover within 
 gun-shot of the Turkish flotilla, and the batteries of Oczakow, 
 and the enterprise was full of peril. He boarded and carried 
 the first galley, and then passed on to the second, which was 
 that of the Capitan Pacha, which he carried in like manner. 
 An inexperienced young officer who accompanied him, imme- 
 diatately cut the cable of the Pacha's galley, and she drifted 
 in under the fort and grounded. Jones attempted to run a 
 warp to the wreck of a fire-ship, which the Turks had at- 
 tempted to send among the Russian flotilla, as it approached ; 
 but found that he had not sufficient length of rope. He im- 
 mediately despatched a lieutenant to the Wolodomer for a 
 cable and anchor, and at the same time removed the prisoners, 
 fifty-two in number, which he had taken from the two galleys. 
 In the interval, he was exposed to a close fire from the flotilla 
 and batteries. Meantime the remaining three of the five 
 galleys were burnt by the Brandkugels with all on board. 
 
 After waiting for some time for the cable and anchor, Jones 
 went to assist in bringing up the flotilla. While engaged in 
 this, he saw, to his regret, that fire had broken out in the 
 Pacha's galley. His first thought was, that the slaves had 
 found means to escape, and had fired the vessel. He .ascer- 
 tained afterwards, that Nassau and Alexiano being together 
 in a boat on the outside of the flotilla, and perceiving Jones's 
 intention, had sent a Greek caique to fire the galley. The 
 whole number of slaves chained on board the galley, most of 
 them doubtless Christians, and who had not been removed
 
 PAUL JONES. 249 
 
 with the rest of the crew, perished miserably without the 
 power of escape. Two large vessels were also burnt near the 
 fort, making six vessels in all that were burnt with their 
 crews. The only prisoners were those which Jones had res- 
 cued from the two galleys. This mode of warfare was at 
 variance with Jones's habits, and pained him inexpressibly. 
 To spare life was not in accordance with the sanguinary spirit 
 in which the war was conducted. 
 
 The engagement over, Jones, whose conduct on this occa- 
 sion is represented by Mr. Littlepage, as having been brilliant 
 in the extreme, withdrew on board the Wolodomer to attend 
 to the further prosecution of his duty, whilst Nassau and 
 Alexiano hurried to head-quarters to entertain Potemkin with 
 an account of their achievements. Jones takes a quiet plea- 
 sure in mentioning that the rain fell in torrents, while they 
 were on their way to the quay. The propriety of such move- 
 ments was soon after manifest, when Nassau, for his pre- 
 vious services in the month of June, found himself re- 
 warded with a valuable estate, having three or four thousand 
 peasants on it, the military order of St. George, and authority to 
 hoist the flag of rear-admiral on the day on which Oczakow 
 should capitulate. Alexiano also received a considerable 
 estate, and a promotion of two grades. As, however, he had 
 caught a violent fever, in consequence of exposure in the 
 storm, on his way to Potemkin's head-quarters, and died the 
 day after he heard of his good fortune, Jones had not so much 
 occasion to envy him. As for Jones himself, he received the 
 order of St. Anne, an honour with which he said he should 
 have been entirely satisfied, had the services of others been 
 requited in the same proportion. All the officers of the flo- 
 tilla were promoted one grade, and received the gratuity of a 
 year's pay. Many of them, moreover, were decorated with 
 orders of distinction. Subsequently, twenty-four swords, 
 decorated with massive gold, were sent by the Empress for 
 distribution. One of them, studded with diamonds and erne-
 
 250 LIFK OF 
 
 raids, was given to Potemkin ; another, studded with dia- 
 monds, to Nassau; the rest were distributed among the 
 officers of the flotilla. The officers of the squadron, almost 
 all of whom had been bred to the sea, and had done their duty 
 well in all the engagements, received neither promotion, mark 
 of distinction, nor gratuity. These slights were no doubt 
 owing to the arts of Nassau, and his superior favour with 
 Potemkin. 
 
 Mr. Littlepage, who had been instrumental in getting Jones 
 to enter the Russian service, and was himself now employed 
 as a commander in the squadron, had written to Jones the 
 following excellent advice : " Prince Potemkin has conceived 
 a high esteem for you, but he loves Nassau. If ever mutual 
 interest dictated union between two persons, it is between 
 you and the Prince of Nassau at the present moment. The 
 reverse will be to the prejudice of both. In the name of 
 friendship reflect upon this." The appeal of friendship was 
 however disregarded. Jones, instead of rising superior to 
 Nassau by his actions, and trusting to their quiet agency to 
 give him a mental ascendancy in the end, was petulant, irri- 
 table, and jealous, in proportion as Nassau was absurd, con- 
 ceited, and boastful. Potemkin lost patience at this trifling 
 with the public service, and became at length disgusted with 
 both of them. Nassau in the mean time found most favour 
 with him, and turned it to good account. 
 
 The sequel of Jones's services in the Liman does not afford 
 any remarkable event. The squadron under his orders conti- 
 nued to be employed in the blockade of Oczakow on the side 
 of the Liman. On one occasion, in the absence of the Prince 
 of Nassau at Sevastopol, to ascertain if the squadron there 
 had received much injury in a recent engagement with the 
 Turkish fleet, Potemkin proposed giving Jones the command 
 of the flotilla, to make an attack on Oczacow. Nassau, 
 however, returned and resumed the command of the flotilla. 
 On another occasion, he offered to give him the command
 
 PAOL JONES. 251 
 
 of the fleet at Sevastopol, that he might come out with it, 
 attack the Turkish fleet before Oczakow in the rear, and 
 destroy it, or at any rate make a junction with the squadron 
 in the Liman. Jones was not again called upon to effect any 
 important movement, though he was occasionally engaged in 
 partisan attacks. 
 
 On the 20th of July, Potemkin, having noticed two of the 
 enemy's gun-boats anchored under Fort Nassau, apparently 
 in readiness to go out, conjectured that they were about to 
 sail with despatches. He asked Jones if it were possible to 
 capture them. Jones undertook the service, and started at 
 eight o'clock from the Wolodomer with five armed launches. 
 He found one of the gun-boats ashore, and attempted, under 
 a heavy fire from the battery, to get it afloat. This he was 
 unable to effect. He then proceeded to the other gun -boat, 
 which had been boarded by Lieutenant Edwards with three 
 launches. He found that Edwards had been driven away 
 with a loss of several men, after having cut the gun- 
 boat's cables. Jones boarded the gun-boat from which 
 Edwards had been repelled, and succeeded in carrying her, 
 with the loss of several men. He towed the vessel out under 
 a heavy fire, and anchored her opposite Potemkin's head- 
 quarters. 
 
 In a similar enterprise which he undertook in October, the 
 Chevalier was less fortunate. Having been one afternoon to 
 head-quarters to make a report, Potemkin showed Jones, with 
 his telescope, a very heavy gun on the bow of the outermost ves- 
 sel of the Turkish flotilla, and told him that he should like to 
 see it pitched overboard. Jones pronounced the thing to be 
 easy of execution, and fell readily into the Prince's whim. As, 
 however, he did not imagine that Potemkin attached any spe- 
 cial importance to the enterprise, so as to make it proper for 
 him to execute it in person, he confided it to Lieutenant Ed- 
 wardg. This officer found the crew of the vessel numerous 
 and on the alert, and he was repulsed with loss ; at daylight
 
 252 LIFE OF 
 
 he returned to the Wolodomer to report his failure. Jones 
 made a report of the circumstances to Potemkin, in which he 
 offered himself to perform the service on the following night. 
 Lieutenant Edwards carried the report, and brought back a 
 message from Potemkin that he accepted Jones's offer. Ed- 
 wards did not, however, return with the answer until eleven 
 o'clock at night. The wind and current were both ahead, and 
 the rain fell in torrents. Nevertheless Jones set forward with 
 five armed boats. His progress, however, under these disad- 
 vantages, was so slow that he found himself at daylight still 
 distant from the enemy's flotilla. Under these circumstances 
 he returned to the Wolodomer, to prevent giving any alarm, 
 with the intention of renewing the attempt at an earlier hour 
 the following night. Without waiting to receive Jones's re- 
 port, Potemkin sent orders for him to abandon the enterprise, 
 as he had intrusted it to other ships. The weather continued 
 favourable for several successive uighfs, but the "other ships," 
 as Jones remarks, did nothing. His mortification was exces- 
 sive ; but still greater awaited him. 
 
 On the 13th of October, being the day after Jones had re- 
 ceived the order to abandon the trifling enterprise in which he 
 had failed from want of time to perform it, Potemkin sent 
 Jones the following order ; " As the Capitan Pacha has been 
 observed passing in his Kirlangitch from the grand fleet to the 
 smaller vessels, and as before quitting this he may resolve to 
 attempt something, I request your Excellency, as the Capitan 
 Pacha is superior in vessels, to hold yourself in readiness to 
 receive him courageously, and drive him back. I require that 
 the preparations be made without loss of time, if not, you will 
 be made answerable for every neglect. I have already ordered 
 the flotilla to approach. Potemkin Tauricien." 
 
 At the bottom of this order is found written in Jones's 
 hand, " A warrior is always ready, and I had not come there 
 an apprentice." It would have spared him much future re- 
 gret, if he had confined himself to this brief testimony to the
 
 PAUL JONKS. 253 
 
 unpalatableneag of this order. He might have benefited by 
 the example of Nassau, who had already departed in disgrace. 
 Unfortunately he entered, in reply, into a laboured defence of 
 himself, which implied some blame in Potemkin. He pro- 
 mised, somewhat sarcastically, that his followers would do 
 their duty " courageously," though they had not yet been re- 
 warded for the important services which they had already 
 performed; and added, that it was on the sacred promise 
 which he had made to them of demanding justice from Potem- 
 kin, on their behalf, that they had consented to stifle their 
 grievances and remain silent. 
 
 Several additional letterd passed, having reference to the 
 arrangement of the squadron and flotilla so as to guard against 
 an attack from the Pacha. Jones very imprudently mixed up 
 his business communications with complaints of ill-treatment 
 on yarious occasions, especially with regard to the pitching 
 the gun overboard. " I leave to your Highness," he wrote, 
 "as you have a noble heart and magnanimous soul, to judge 
 whether I ought not to have been offended at your sudden or- 
 der of the next morning, before you had heard any reasons I 
 had to offer." The gross flattery of this passage did not make 
 its censure palatable. In objecting to one of Potemkin's or- 
 ders with regard to the position of part of the squadron, Jones 
 put forth the following expression ; " Every man, who thinks, 
 is master of his own opinion ; and this is mine." This might be 
 very good doctrine in the United States, but was not well 
 suited to be addressed, in Russia, to the man whom rumour 
 has even accused of striking the Empress, and to whom she 
 herself, in rendering an account of some of her measures at 
 the other extremity of the empire, once wrote, more in earnest 
 perhaps than she fancied, " Have I done right, my master ?" 
 
 The result of Jones's being "master of his own opinion," 
 and failing to keep it to himself, was the arrival of an order 
 the next day from Potemkin, given in conformity with Jones's 
 opinion, It terminated very ominously, however, with the
 
 254 LIFE 09 
 
 expression which had already given offence. "Should the 
 enemy attempt to pass to Oczakow, prevent him by every 
 means, and defend yourself courageously." Jones appended 
 to the order the following expression of conscious, though 
 wounded pride ; " It will be hard to believe that Prince Po- 
 temkin addressed such words to Paul Jones !" By way of 
 further commentary upon the independence of Jones's opinions, 
 Admiral Mordwinoff arrived on the following day, being the 
 18th of October, to take command of both the squadron and 
 flotilla ; a piece of information which was communicated to 
 Jones in the following softened terms. " 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 Vice- Admiral Mordwinoff, 
 your Excellency may, in consequence, proceed on the voyage 
 directed ; especially as the squadron in the Liman cannot now, 
 on account of the advanced season, be united with that of 
 Sevastopol." 
 
 Jones says, that some malicious persons persuaded Potem- 
 kin, that he had ridiculed his military conduct in the siege of 
 Oczakow ; and vented strictures on his unnecessary delays iu 
 reducing the place. If such were the case, his enmity is easily 
 accounted for. He in vain attempted to change the purpose 
 of Potemkin ; expressed his regret for the hastiness of his ex- 
 pressions, his readiness to do all that could be required of a 
 man of honour to continue in the service, and his willingness 
 to perform any duty which the Prince could point out for the 
 good of the empire. Potemkin was inexorable. It only re- 
 mained for Jones to take his leave. Affecting to find an honour 
 in being called by the Empress, who in fact had nothing to do 
 with it, to a command in the northern seas, rather than a dis- 
 grace in being dismissed from his command in the Euxine, 
 Jones thus wrote to Potemkin. " I am much nattered, that 
 her Majesty yet deigns to interest herself about me ; but what 
 I shall for ever regret is, the loss of your regard. I will not
 
 PAUfc JONES. 255 
 
 say, that it is 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 i s a just 
 God, it will be difficult for him to do as much. I wish you, 
 my Prince, complete success in your military operations, and 
 continued happiness during the rest of your life." 
 
 It was a poor way to soothe the ungovernable Potemkin, to 
 charge the persons who were near him, with being the authors 
 of his disgrace. In the interview to which he subsequently 
 admitted Jones, to take leave, he was careful to undeceive 
 him on this point, to which Jones probably again imprudently 
 adverted. " Don't believe," he exclaimed, rising and stamp- 
 ing his foot with rage, " that any one leads me ! no one leads 
 me ! not even the Empress." With regard to the Prince of 
 Nassau, and his pretensions to have effected great services 
 with his flotilla, Potemkin disavowed having ever been de- 
 ceived or influenced by him. "He pretended," Potemkin 
 said, "that all was done by himself ; but I have never been 
 deceived by him. I have always known him for what he is." 
 In fact, Potemkin had some time before taken offence at 
 Nassau's presumption in offering, if he were intrusted with an 
 assault of Oczakow, to effect a practicable breach in a weak 
 part of the fortress, which he had discovered, and which could 
 easily be made wide enough for the passage of a regiment. 
 Offended at this vain boast, Potemkin sarcastically inquired 
 of him, how many breaches he had opened at Gibraltar. 
 Nassau, who had reaped no laurels there, was in turn offend- 
 ed, and applied to the Empress for his recall. It was granted* 
 and he was soon after intrusted with the command of the 
 Russian galley fleet in the Baltic. Assisted by some able offi- 
 cers, he gained a victory over the fleet of Sweden, which had 
 now declared war against Russia. Subsequently, in an en-
 
 256 i.i KE en- 
 
 gagement with a Swedish fleet of half the size of his own, 
 commanded by Gustavus the Third, Nassau, being less judi- 
 ciously advised, was shamefully beaten. His arrogance, how- 
 ever, led him to ascribe the reverse to a desire, on the part of 
 his Russian followers, to tarnish his glory. In this insolent 
 spirit, he wrote to the Empress. " Madam ! I have had the 
 misfortune to fight against the Swedes, the elements, and the 
 Russians. I hope your Majesty will do me justice." He was 
 a favourite with the Empress, and she received him kindly, 
 loaded him with wealth and honours, but did not again employ 
 him. He subsequently entered the service of Prussia. De- 
 spite of the brilliancy of his title, he appears to have been an 
 adventurer, more needy than Paul Jones, while he was far 
 less suited to win distinction by honourable enterprise. 
 
 In order to get rid for ever of this captious and eccentric 
 Prince, who had so unfavourably ir.flnenced the fortunes of 
 our hero, we have anticipated some events, which could not 
 of course have been disclosed in the interview with Potemkin. 
 Jones could sympathize heartily with Potemkin in his con- 
 tempt for the man ; and he was no doubt soothed by the ad- 
 mission which the Prince now made, that he had done wrong 
 in dividing the command of the squadron and flotilla. Their 
 accordancy in condemning Nassau, after their disagreement 
 on so many other subjects, seemed to put Potemkin in a bet- 
 ter humour, than at the beginning of the interview, and to pre- 
 pare him for the request, which Jones, according to his cus- 
 tom, probably made, for a testimonial of good conduct to be 
 presented to the Empress. At any rate, he did not commence 
 his journey without the following complimentary, though 
 guarded epistle. 
 
 "Madam. In sending to the high throne of your Im- 
 perial Majesty, Rear- Admiral Mr. Paul Jones, I take, with 
 submission, the liberty of certifying to the eagerness and 
 /eal, which he has ever shown for the service of your Imperial 
 Majesty, and to render himself worthy of the high favour of
 
 PAUL JONES. 257 
 
 your Imperial Majesty. From the most faithful subject of your 
 Imperial majesty. Potemkin Tauricien." At the moment of 
 taking leave, Potemkin became still more gracious; and, 
 finally, dismissed our hero with the following charge, and an 
 assurance, which would have been more encouraging, had it 
 accorded better with the experience of the past. " Rely upon 
 my attachment ! I am disposed to grant you the most solid 
 proofs of my friendship for the present, and for the future." 
 
 Having heard that a report was in circulation in the army, 
 that he had been deprived of his command, because the offi- 
 cers of his squadron were unwilling to serve under him, Jones 
 had a paper drawn up, contradicting the report, and en- 
 deavoured to procure signatures from the officers. Russia 
 was not, however, the country for certificates. The officers 
 admitted to Jones, in the presence of witnesses, that the state- 
 ment contained nothing but pure truth, yet they declined sign- 
 ing it for imperative reasons. It only remained for Jones to 
 depart with the certificate which he had received from the om- 
 nipotent Potemkin, lamenting, asjie went, " that the mind is 
 not always free ; and that men sometimes dare not render ho- 
 mage to truth." 
 
 On the 19th of November, Paul Jones embarked in an open 
 galley for Cherson. The weather was excessively cold, the ice 
 was already beginning to form in the Dnieper, and he suffered 
 so much from the exposure during three days which the voyage 
 occupied, that on his arrival at Cherson, he found himself 
 dangerously ill. It was nearly a month before he was in a 
 condition to resume his journey. On the 6th of December, he 
 again set forward, on which day he learned, on his arrival at t. 
 Elizabeth, that Oczakow had been taken by storm. The gar- 
 rison was eleven thousand strong ; but they were completely 
 benumbed by the severity of the weather. The past inactivity 
 of Potemkin, who had long been negociating to bribe the go- 
 venor into a surrender, had not prepared them for any measure 
 of vigour. The Russian army being strung with fresh vigour by 
 the cold, rushed briskly to the assault, at dawn of day, in six co- 
 M
 
 258 LIFE OP. 
 
 lumns. The Turks became panic stricken, and the assailants were 
 every-where triumphant ; neither the garrison nor the peaceful 
 nhabitants were spared, and the number of the slaughtered was 
 estimated at thirty thousand. Jones also learned, and perhaps 
 the weakness of human nature made him learn it with satisfac- 
 tion, that Admiral Mordwinoff, after having been intrusted 
 with full powers, without which he had declined accepting the 
 command, had committed various blunders, provoked the dis- 
 pleasure of Potemkin, and had been dismissed from his station 
 in disgrace. The fact is so far favourable to Jones, that it 
 showed that it was not an easy task to please Potemkin. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Paul Jones returns to St. Petersburg. Submits new Projects. His Suggestions 
 to Mr. Jefferson. He falls Into Disgrace. Imputation against his character. 
 Is charged with Immorality. Defended by Count Segur. Jones addresses 
 the Empress. Is pronounced innocent. Asks for Employment. Receives 
 Leave of Absence. Submits new Projects. Departs from Russia. Arrives at 
 Warsaw. Intimacy with Kosciusko. Journey to Vienna. Arrival at Am- 
 sterdam. Contemplated Service in the Swedish Navy. Jones resumes his Ame- 
 rican Correspondence. Addresses the French and Russian Ministers at Copen- 
 hagen. Visits London. Supposes himself in Danger. Motives for not visit- 
 ing his Relations. Returns to Paris. Appeal to Potemkin. Letter to his 
 Sister. Attempt to reconcile his Family. 
 
 PAUL JONES arrived at St. Petersburg on the 28th of Decem- 
 ber, 1788. His second entry into the capital of Russia was 
 made under very different circumstances from the first. In 
 coming from Sweden to offer his services to the Empress, no 
 opposition of seasons or elements could arrest or turn him 
 from his path. Now, after a journey, which he had purposely 
 prolonged by loitering on the way, he was again in the capi- 
 tal, a disappointed man, doubtful of the favour of the sove- 
 reign who had not long before so graciously received him, and 
 prepared to find enemies and detractors in so many who had 
 been too happy to reflect upon him the sunshine of the court. 
 "Willing, however, to test his position in the favour of the 
 Empress, he asked an interview on the day after his arriral
 
 PAUL JONES. 259 
 
 and was admitted on the following day to a private audience, 
 in which he presented the letter of Potemkin. In this inter- 
 view he received the assurance, that, on the arrival of Po tern- 
 kin, some decision would be made with regard to his future 
 employment. 
 
 Potemkin did not arrive until the middle of February of the 
 following year. And, as a month and a half was too long a 
 time for Jones's impatient temperament to leave him idle, he, 
 in addition to personal applications for service, sent in a pro- 
 ject for forming a political and commercial alliance with the 
 United States. He represented this alliance, and the com- 
 merce which would spring from it, as the best means of form- 
 ing a school for seamen. The commerce of the Black Sea was 
 very advantageous to Russia; but it would always be inter- 
 rupted by the Turks, until Russia had a formidable fleet in that 
 sea, commanded by an experienced admiral, with a properly 
 instructed staff. This fleet would form at the same time a 
 school of evolutions, and keep the Turks in check, and, when 
 the favourable moment arrived, place the key of Constantino- 
 ple in the hands of the Empress. In connexion with this pro- 
 ject, he suggested the advantage to Russia of having a port on 
 the Asiatic side of the Euxine, to serve as a sentinel-post on 
 the Turks, and pointed out a peninsula between Sinople and 
 Constantinople, which he thought well suited to that purpose. 
 Of course the author of the scheme was to be intrusted with 
 its execution, and when Jones adverted to the commanding 
 admiral, he was thinking of himself. 
 
 On the arrival of Potemkin, Jones submitted his project to 
 him also. Potemkin encouraged him with the assurance that 
 it contained some good ideas, but that he did not think it ex- 
 pedient to adopt it at that time, lest it might increase the irri- 
 tation of England. To Mr. Jefferson he suggested the same 
 project of an alliance between Russia and the United States, 
 which, while it should concede to Russia the right to enlist 
 seamen for her fleets in America, shnuld secure in return to 
 the latter the free navigation of the Black Sea, after the con-
 
 260 LIFE 01 
 
 elusion of the war. Inasmuch as the Turks and Algerines had 
 united their forces before Oczakow, he drew the conclusion, 
 that, if the United States were still bent on making war upon 
 Algiers, the treaty might provide fora combined attack. Jones 
 thought that in such a case he could obtain command of the 
 Russian force destined to act in conjunction with that of the 
 United States. His object no doubt was to take the initiative 
 in a treaty between the two countries, and thus make himself 
 of consequence to both, and bring back from Mr. Jefferson 
 some manifestation in favour of his project upon Algiers, 
 which might fortify his application for employment. In pre- 
 vious letters he had asked Mr. Jefferson to send him some in- 
 formation concerning Madame T . Interest, however, had 
 
 as much to do with his inquiries as love. He mentioned that 
 besides supplying her from his purse, he had been foolish 
 enough to borrow for her four thousand and four hundred 
 livres. Subsequently he had given her money to pay off 
 the debt, and he was anxious to learn if she had done so. He 
 also begged Mr. Jefferson to have four gold medals struck for 
 him from the die which Congress had instructed Mr. Jefferson 
 to have made in honour of the victory over the Serapis. He 
 was desirous of presenting one of these to Congress, one to 
 the King of France, and another to the Empress. He com- 
 pleted his catalogue of requests by asking Mr. Jefferson to 
 send copies of his bust to a number of friends in America, 
 whose names he forwarded. 
 
 It does not appear that Jones's first letters, written from 
 the Black Sea, were received ; for he learned, with great morti- 
 fication, that the letter from St. Petersburg, proposing an 
 alliance between Russia and the United States, was the only 
 proof his friends had received of his existence since his depar- 
 ture from Copenhagen. It proved to him both that his letters 
 had been intercepted, and that his career in the Liman had 
 not been truly represented ; on examination of the official re- 
 ports which had been forwarded from the scene of war, he 
 pronounced them false even, in their most trifling details.
 
 PAUL JONES. 261 
 
 Among the complaints which Jones made in his journal, pre- 
 sented afterwards to the Empress, of the depreciation of his 
 services, and the imperfect manner in which they had been 
 requited, he mentioned the splendid offers which the Empress 
 was reported about this time to have made to Admiral Kins- 
 bergen to quit Holland and enter the service of Russia. He 
 was offered the rank of vice-admiral, the order of Alexander 
 Newsky, and twenty thousand roubles a year. He was said, 
 however, to have refused these offers, because he had lately 
 married a wife with a fortune which enabled him to live in 
 independence at home. Jones said that when he entered the 
 Russian service, he had stipulated nothing with regard to his 
 personal interests. " I have a soul too noble for that," he says, 
 " and if my heart had not been enlisted for her Majesty, I 
 would never have drawn my sword in her cause. I have now 
 nothing for it but, like Admiral Kinsbergen, to marry a rich, 
 wife; but I have sufficient to support me wherever I choose, 
 and I know enough of the world to be a philosopher." 
 
 Causes, however, were at this time in operation to con- 
 vince Jones that he was not so immovable a philosopher as he 
 fancied himself. His favour at the court was found to be 
 sensibly on the wane. At first at a loss to what circumstance 
 to attribute it, he at length came to the conclusion that it was 
 owing to the enmity of the English, by which he had been 
 steadily pursued since his arrival in the country. They could 
 not forgive him his abandonment of his native country in her 
 struggle with the colonies, the terror which he had spread along 
 her coasts, and his brilliant triumphs over her arms. On his 
 arrival, he had been stigmatized with the epithets of smuggler, 
 renegade, and pirate. The old story of the carpenter whom 
 he had flogged while in the West India trade was now re- 
 vived, and converted into an accusation of his having mur- 
 dered his own nephew. In his journal he takes occasion to 
 disprove the charge, asserts that he never had a nephew under 
 his command, and mentions that he has one dear nephew, 
 then pursuing his studies, whom he had intended for the Rus-
 
 262 MFE OF 
 
 sian navy when his age would admit. " Instead of erabruing 
 my hands in his blood, he will be cherished as my son." "With 
 regard to his treatment of his crews, he mentions, that al- 
 though he delightful in good discipline, as indispensable to 
 the success of military operations especially at sea, where 
 men are crowded into such close contact, he had always been 
 able to secure it without flogging, though in the American 
 navy the regulations were the same as in the English, where 
 this punishment was frequently inflicted. It appears from con- 
 current testimony that Jones did not frequently punish hirf 
 sailors ; at the same time his difficulties in every ship which 
 he commanded show, that he was not able to win their att'ec- 
 tions. 
 
 He defended himself from the general charge of cruelty, by 
 instancing his strenuous and effectual efforts to release the 
 American prisoners from their painful bondage. " If," he 
 says, " I have sacrificed my personal tranquillity and my do- 
 mestic happiness, with a portion of my fortune and ray blood' 
 to set at liberty these virtuous and innocent men, have I not 
 given proofs sufficiently striking that I have a heart the most 
 sensitive, a soul the most elevated ? I have done more than 
 all this. So far from being harsh and cruel, nature has given 
 me the mildest disposition. I was formed for love and friend- 
 ship, and not to be a seamen or a soldier ; as it is, I have 
 sacrificed my natural inclination." It is quite evident that 
 the evil opinion of others did not have the effect of sinking 
 our hero in his own. He was an enthusiast in his own favour ; 
 and as he repeats, in more than one place, the same estimate 
 of himself, and the same belief that his inclination led him to 
 turn with aversion from the horrors of war in search of a life 
 of " calm contemplation and poetic ease," it is reasonable to 
 think that the opinion was as sincere as it was mistaken. 
 
 A passage in Paul Jones's journal conveys the idea, that, 
 among his enemies and detractors, persons of more importance 
 were numbered than the English officers whom he had super- 
 seded in rank. "It is painful, for the honour of human
 
 PAUL JONE8. 263 
 
 nature," he writes, "to reflect how many malevolent and de- 
 ceitful persons surround the great, and particularly crowned 
 heads. I speak from my own unhappy experience." He 
 mentions that malicious misstatenaents had been made to 
 Prince Potemkin, while he served under him in the Liman, of 
 his having ridiculed the Prince's military conduct in prose- 
 cuting the siege of Oczakow. These reports may have come 
 from the prince of Nassau before he quarrelled with Potemkin ; 
 and the same individual may have aided now in effecting his 
 ruin with the Empress, both being candidates to succeed Ad- 
 miral Greig in the command of Ihe Baltic fleet. At all events 
 his favour at court declined rapidly. His occasional invitations 
 to dinner and other court entertainments became infrequent. 
 At length they ceased entirely, and on his appearing, in the 
 month of April, to pay his respects to the Empress, he was un- 
 ceremoniously ordered away. 
 
 The cause of this sudden disgrace is supposed to have been 
 a conspiracy at this time set in motion by Paul Jones's 
 enemies to blast his moral character, and ruin him entirely 
 with the Empress, who, however notoriously unscrupulous 
 herself, could not countenance a glaring breach of decency in 
 an officer high in rank in her service. Instigated, as it is 
 stated in Segurs's " Memoirs," by the enemies of Jones, a 
 woman of bad character accused him of assaulting her daugh- 
 ter, a girl only twelve years old. This report was quickly 
 borne to court, and occasioned his dismissal from the royal 
 presence. The discreditable etory, and the account of his 
 disgrace, spread far and wide. Jones found himself suddenly 
 abandoned by his friends, no door was open to him, people 
 avoided speaking to him in the street, no advocate would take 
 charge of his cause, and even his domestics abandoned his 
 service. One only friend gave him an opportunity of relating 
 his story, and, being convinced of his innocence, generously 
 came forward in his defence. The Count de Segur, then 
 French Ambassador at St. Petersburg, having known Jones in 
 America, where he had served under Rochambeau, called at
 
 264 LlfK OF 
 
 hi lodgings to hear what he had to say in his defence. He 
 found him plunged in grief, his pistols were before him on the 
 table, and he seemed to be meditating some desperate act 
 The visit of Count Segur affected him to tears. He said 
 that he had been unwilling to knock at the Count's door, and 
 expose himself to a fresh affront, which would have been more 
 cutting than all. He had braved death many times ; now he 
 wished for it. The Count urged him to resume his composure, 
 and if he were innocent, to endeavour to prove it, and thus 
 destroy the calumny by which he was assailed ; if not, to con- 
 fess his offence frankly, and the Count would endeavour to aid 
 his escape. 
 
 Jones protested on his honour, that he was innocent, and 
 a victim of the most infamous calumny ; he said, that, some 
 days before, a young girl had come to him in the morning, to 
 ask if he could give her some linen or lace to mend. Having 
 no work for her, he had given her some money, and dismissed 
 her; but she seemed determined to remain. Impatient at her 
 resistance, he had taken her by the hand and led her to the 
 door ; but at the instant when the door was opened, she com- 
 menced shrieking, and complained that he had assaulted her. 
 She then threw herself into the arms of an old woman, whom 
 she called her mother. The mother and daughter immediately 
 raised Ihe house with their cries, and then went and denounced 
 him to the police. 
 
 Thus in possession of the facts, the benevolent ambassador 
 went forth, and set on foot various inquiries as to the character 
 of the persons, who had brought this infamous charge. The 
 result was, the collection of conclusive evidence, as to their 
 unworthiness of belief, and a strong impression on the mind 
 of Segur, that the whole affair had its origin in a conspiracy 
 to destroy Paul Jones. In a letter which Jones addressed to 
 Potemkin in his own defence, he wrote ; " After the examina- 
 tion of my people before the police, I sent for, and employed, 
 Monsieur Crimpin as my advocate. As the mother had ad- 
 dressed herself to him before, to plead her cause, she naturally
 
 PAITL JONES. 265 
 
 spoke to him without reserve, and he learned from her a num- 
 ber of important facts ; among others, that she was counselled 
 and supported by a distinguished man of the court." Aa 
 another evidence of secret interest of this sort at work against 
 him, Jones mentions in the same letter the following fact ; " I 
 thought that in every country, a man accused had a right to em- 
 ploy counsel, and to avail himself of his friends for his justifi- 
 cation. 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 forbid- 
 den him, at his peril, or any other person, to meddle with my 
 cause. I am innocent before God ! and my conscience knows 
 no reproach. If your Highness will condescend to question 
 Monsieur Crimpin, for he dares not now even speak to me, he 
 will tell you many circumstances which will elucidate my 
 innocence." 
 
 The benevolent Segur, having at length possessed himself 
 of various certificates to overthrow the evidence of Paul 
 Jones's accusers, advised him to address the Empress in his 
 own vindication. This he did, in a very able letter, in which, 
 after recapitulating the circumstances under which he entered 
 her service, and his exertions in her cause, he goes on to say : 
 " 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 de- 
 vote 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 
 to appear before you till I was completely exculpated." 
 
 He went on to state the difficulties which had been thrown 
 in the way of his exculpation, by the withdrawal of his advo- 
 M 5
 
 266 UJT B OF 
 
 cate, but that he had still been able to collect conclusive proof 
 of his innocence, which he begged the Empress to order to be 
 investigated, when it would clearly appear, as he said, " 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. 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 com- 
 mit 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 use- 
 ful to your Majesty, and may again be so, especially in the 
 Mediterranean, where, with insignificant means, I will under- 
 take to execute 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 ren- 
 der, the hope of renewing them at some future day." 
 
 Segur charged himself with forwarding this letter, dated 
 on the 17th of May, 1789, by the post from a neighbouring 
 town, so as to prevent its being intercepted. It reached the 
 Empress, and was attentively read. She ordered the requested 
 investigation, and being convinced of Paul Jones's innocence, 
 revoked her orders excluding him from court, and subsequently 
 received him with her former kindness. Projects of expedi- 
 tions began once more to effervesce in his mind. On the 6th 
 of June, he had an interview with Count Besborodko, in which 
 he offered, to cut off the commerce in corn, rice, and coffee, 
 between Constantinople and Egypt, and the coast of Syria
 
 PAUL JONES. 267 
 
 and thus compel the Turks to withdraw a portion of their fleet 
 from the Black Sea. To effect this service, Jones asked for 
 five old English East-Indiamen, mounted each with from forty 
 to fifty guns. They could proceed to Naples under the Eng- 
 lish flag, as if on a trading voyage ; and there he would com- 
 mission them, and induce most of their crews to enter the 
 Russian service ; seamen, to complete their crews as men of 
 war, could readily be enlisted in Naples and Malta. Tke plan 
 contemplated the employment of a couple of French vessels, 
 trading to Smyrna, to furnish the squadron with constant in- 
 telligence of what was passing at Constantinople. This scheme, 
 like all those of Jones's, was original, ingenious, and well con- 
 ceived, and involved a complete attention to details. He 
 doubtless underrated, however, the difficulty of keeping such 
 an expedition secret, and the obstacles which the British go- 
 vernment would be likely to throw in the way of its equip- 
 ment. The minister appeared pleased with the project, pro- 
 mised to submit it to the Empress, and proposed, at any rate, 
 to give Paul Jones a command in the Black Sea, with which 
 he might force his way into the Mediterranean. 
 
 In a subsequent visit, the minister promised Jones that he 
 should be informed, within two days, whether it was the 
 Empress's pleasure to give him a command, or the temporary, 
 leave of absence, for which he had conditionally asked, in hia 
 letter of the 17th of May. The two days, and many more, 
 having glided by without the promised decision, Paul Jones 
 wrote on the 24th June, to refresh the minister's memory, and 
 to ask leave to call on the following day to receive it. He took 
 occasion to remark, that the minister's proposal of placing him 
 in command of a squadron in the Black Sea, might be very 
 advantageously blended with his own, with regard to the 
 squadron of East-Indiamen, which might form a junction under, 
 his orders. In conclusion, he reminded the minister, that he 
 was the only officer who had made the campaign of the Liman 
 without promotion. 
 
 The bubbling well-spring of expeditionary projects, which
 
 268 LIFE OF 
 
 was now overflowing from Paul Jones's inventive brain, was 
 however, effectually checked on the 27th of June, by his being 
 officially informed that his request for a leave of absence was 
 granted, and that he was permitted to absent himself from the 
 empire for two years. His salary was to continue. This no- 
 tification was equally unexpected and unwelcome. He had no 
 choice, however, but to accept it with a good grace, and de- 
 part accordingly, On the 7th of July he was admitted to an 
 audience to take leave of the Empress, and on kissing her 
 hand she wished him a pleasant journey, or, as it was more 
 expressively said in French, " bon voyage !" 
 
 Jones did not, however, commence the realization of this 
 wish, without taking occasion to speak his mind with some 
 freedom to the minister, with whom he had been in corres- 
 pondence. He wrote to him, on the 14th of July,' to say, that 
 he had called, two days before, to ask for his commission, his 
 passport and the leave of absence which her Majesty had 
 thought fit to grant him. " Though I have perceived," he 
 wrote, " on several occasions, that you have shunned giving 
 me an oppoitunity to speak with you, I made myself certain 
 that this could not occur at a last interview ; and I confess I 
 was very much surprised to see you go out by another door, 
 and depart without a single expression of ordinary civility ad- 
 dressed to me, at the moment of my departure, to console me, 
 for all the bitter mortifications I have endured in this empire. 
 Before coming to Russia, 1 had been connected with several 
 governments, and no minister ever either refused me an audi- 
 ence, or failed to reply to my letters. I am aware that your 
 Excellency is sometimes teased by importunate persons ; but as 
 I am a man of delicacy in every thing, I desire to be distin- 
 guished from the crowd." 
 
 Without stopping to dispute Jones's claim to be a man 
 of delicacy, we must say that he exhibited very little tact in 
 thus opening a letter in the sequel of which he requested, 
 as he was soon again to be connected with his old friends, 
 constituting the government of the United States, to be
 
 PA.TJL JONES. 269 
 
 appointed to forward the project of an alliance between 
 Bussia and the United States, in conformity with a proposi- 
 tion, which he had previously laid before the government. He 
 also stated, upon what authority it is not now easy to discover 
 that the United States were about to propose to the European 
 powers to form a confederation for making war against the 
 Barbary pirates, until they should be annihilated as maritime 
 powers. He thought that it would be worthy of the august 
 sovereign of Russia to place herself at the head of so honour- 
 able an alliance, and said, in conclusion, that it would give 
 him pleasure to be appointed to make known to the United 
 States, the intentions of the Empress, on these two points, 
 trusting that he would be able to acquit himself of so honour- 
 able a duty to the minister's satisfaction. 
 
 These suggestions seem to have been thrown away on the 
 minister, but in other respects his civility was shown by the 
 promptness with which he forwarded the passport on the suc- 
 ceeding day. Paul Jones did not, however, depart until the 
 end of the following month. Long after, in a letter to Potem- 
 kin, he ascribes this detention to the agency of the govern- 
 ment, to whom his enemies had made a representation that he 
 was about to take service in the Swedish navy. He mentions 
 this imputation with a sneer ; but after occurrences render it 
 neither impossible nor unlikely that propositions of this nature 
 had already beenmade to him, or that the thought of accepting 
 them had passed through his mind. 
 
 Towards the close of August, Jones took his final leave of 
 the Russian capital. The disinterested and benevolent friend- 
 ship of Count Segur accompanied him on his way, enabling 
 him to carry with him commendatory letters to the French mi- 
 nisters at the various courts on the way, and to persons of the 
 highest rank and station in Paris, explaining the circumstances 
 under which he left Russia, and vindicating his character from 
 the aspersions which had been cast upon it. Scgur also pre- 
 pared a newspaper paragraph to the same effect, and forwarded 
 it to the Count Montmorin, then Minister of Foreign Affairs, to
 
 270 LIFE OF 
 
 be published in the Gazette de France, and other journals of 
 the capital. M. Genet, Secretary of the French Legation, 
 whose father had been a warm friend of Paul Jones, also wrote 
 to his sister, the distinguished Madame Cam pan, stating the 
 circumstances under which Jones left Russia, and the un- 
 founded nature of the calumnies which had been circulated 
 against him, in order that she might correct any rumours to 
 his disadvantage which might be circulated at Versailles, aad 
 thus prepare his friends about the court to receive him with 
 their wonted kindness. M. Genet also charged himself with 
 receiving and transmitting Jones's arrears of pay as they fell 
 due. This is the same person who subsequently acted so ex- 
 traordinary a part in the United States, as representative of 
 the French Republic. 
 
 Paul Jones had intended to proceed to Copenhagen, with 
 the double motive, doubtless, of prosecuting his claim on ac- 
 count of the prizes sent into Norway, and being at hand to 
 receive propositions from Sweden. On his arrival at Warsaw, 
 he was advised by his friends not to appexr at the courts of 
 Berlin or Copenhagen, as, in the unfriendly state of those 
 courts towards Russia, advantage might be taken of the cir- 
 cumstance, to strengthen the insinuation that he was inclined 
 to enter the navy of Sweden. He therefore remained in War- 
 saw two months, and it is not wholly improbable that the in- 
 fluence of Russia may have detained him there. During this 
 time he was kindly received by the titular King and his court, 
 and hospitably entertained by the nobility. He employed his 
 leisure in preparing a copy of his journal from the beginning 
 of his service in the United States, down to the conclusion of 
 the campaign in the Liman, for the perusal of the Empress 
 Catharine, which he followed with a letter expressive of his 
 anxiety to regain her " precious esteem." 
 
 While at Warsaw, Paul Jones became intimate with Kosci- 
 usko ; their mutual services in giving freedom to America, 
 though rendered on different elements, created a bond of sym- 
 pathy between them, and brought them together as friends.
 
 PA0L JONKS. 271 
 
 Kosciusko was then deep in the unfortunate conspiracy to 
 throw off the yoke of Russia, which broke out a few months 
 after, and which the treachery of Prussia, which power had 
 chiefly instigated it, rendered so disastrous. It is certain that 
 the project of Paul Jones's entering the Swedish navy was the 
 subject of discussion between them. On the 2d of November, 
 Jones wrote to Kosciusko to announce to him that he should 
 depart on that day for Vienna, on his way to Holland, and to 
 give his address in Amsterdam. At Vienna he was unable to 
 have an audience of the Emperor, who was ill ; and he 
 achieved nothing that can be gleaned from his correspondence, 
 beyond delivering a fan and some other trifles to a young lady 
 in a convent, from her mother, the Countess de Valery, in War- 
 saw. With the young lady he also deposited a pencil-marked 
 copy of Thomson's " Seasons," to be presented to her mamma, 
 to whom he addressed a just eulogium of a work which was 
 evidently a favourite with him. As Berlin is in the direct track 
 from Warsaw to Amsterdam, the three places forming, in fact, 
 a right Hue on the map, it is not easy to account for his turn- 
 ing so entirely aside from his path as to go to Vienna. It is 
 very likely that the influence of the Russian government was 
 exerted to keep him out of the reach and influence of courts 
 which were in enmity with it. Though the Empress had re- 
 linquished the services of Paul Jones with little ceremony, she 
 did not, perhaps, contemplate with indifference the chances of 
 his meeting her fleets at the head of her enemies. This feeling- 
 was probably expressed by Baron Krudner, the Russian minis- 
 ter at Copenhagen, who had probably been directed to watch 
 Paul Jones's movements, when he wrote to him in reply to a 
 letter which he had received from him, and, after speculating 
 on the probable continuance of the war, said : " At all events 
 I flatter myself, as a good Russian, that your arm is still re- 
 served for us." 
 
 At Amsterda*m, Paul Jones received the expected letter 
 from Kosciusko, which was evidently considered of import- 
 ance, as it was personally delivered to Jones's bankers., and a
 
 272 LIFE OF 
 
 receipt taken. It mentioned that the Swedish minister at 
 Warsaw had informed him that both himself and the Swedish 
 minister at Amsterdam had orders to make propositions to 
 Paul Jones. Kosciusko states his ignorance of their purport ; 
 but as he immediately adds an expression of his wish to see 
 Paul Jones fighting against oppression and tyranny, they could 
 only have had reference to his accepting a command in the 
 Swedish fleet to act against Russia. A document of this 
 period among his published papers is suited to throw some 
 light on this subject. It seems to have been prepared for pub- 
 lication in the event of his accepting an appointment in the 
 Swedish navy, and was designed to prepare the public mind 
 for so sudden a transition. It was as follows : " Notice. The 
 Rear-Admiral Paul Jones, desirous of making kuown un- 
 equivocally his manner of thinking in relation to his military 
 connexion with Russia, declares : 1. That he has at all times 
 expressed to her Imperial Majesty of Russia, his vow to pre- 
 serve the condition of an American citizen and officer. 2. 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 when war might be waged against his Majesty's in- 
 terest. 3. That circumstances which the Rear-admiral could 
 not have foreseen 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." f 
 
 The distinct declaration that he could never be engaged 
 against America or France, coupled with his failure to declare 
 the same thing with regard to Russia, at a moment, when he 
 was announcing his probable abandonment of her service, 
 plainly prove, that lie contemplated serving against her. Paul 
 Jones was not particular as to the banner under which he 
 served. The cause was to him of inferior importance, to the 
 opportunity of winning glory. When he had once brought him-
 
 PAUL JONES. 273 
 
 self to fight against his own country, in defence of freedom and 
 universal philanthropy, he could easily have persuaded himself, 
 if necessary, that the cause of the Empress against the Turks 
 was a pious and Christian one. And so with regard to 
 Sweden against Russia, Kosciusko had expressed the fervent 
 hope of seeing him fight against " oppression and tyranny." 
 The favours which he had received in Russia had been balanced 
 in his own mind, by the services which he had rendered, and 
 ten times cancelled by the circumstances of his expulsion, as 
 his leave of absence might perhaps be most properly denomi- 
 nated. The chances of meeting his once treacherous and 
 capricious friend, his subsequent presuming, and vain-glorious 
 rival, and his late supposed concealed enemy, the Prince of 
 Nassau, in deadly conflict, each at the head of an opposing 
 fleet, must have offered to his mind no slight temptation. 
 Their comparative merits as courageous and skilful captains 
 might then have been fairly tested in the presence of the world. 
 What is most reprehensible in Paul Jones's probable readiness 
 at this time to change his flag, and fight against that which he 
 had so recently fought under, was the inconsistency of such 
 feelings with his simultaneous expressions of regard for the 
 Empress, and of his ardent desire to retain her "precious 
 esteem." At any rate, there is little doubt that his failing to 
 follow Kosciusko's suggestion with regard to entering the 
 service of Sweden, was not owing to his own reluctance. 
 This is manifest from his reply to Kosciusko. 
 
 " You propose, if I am not mistaken, that I should apply to 
 a gentleman at the Hague, who has something to communicate 
 to me. But a moment's reflection will convince you, that con- 
 siderations of what I owe to myself, as well as the delicacy of 
 my situation, do not permit me to take such a step. If that 
 gentleman has any thing to communicate to me, he can either 
 do it by writing, by desiring a personal conference, or by the 
 mediation of a third person. I have shown your letter to my 
 bankers, and they have said this much to the gentleman from 
 whom they received it ; but this message, they say, he received
 
 274 LIFE OF 
 
 with an air of indifference." Thus, whatever desire the 
 Swedish government might have had to procure the services 
 of Paul Jones, had probably ceased. 
 
 Paul Jones made use of his abundant leisure at Amsterdam, 
 by resuming his former habits of active correspondence. He 
 wrote to Washington, to enclose a friendly letter from Count 
 Segur, and to congratulate him on his election to the station 
 of the President, under the new constitution ; he dealt pro- 
 fusely, as usual, in those extravagant compliments to which 
 he was naturally prone, and which his French associations had 
 taught him to express with familiar dexterity. " In war," he 
 wrote, "your fame is immortal, as the hero of liberty! In 
 peace, you are her patron, and the firmest supporter of her 
 rights !" He alluded to the unsuccessful result of his nego- 
 ciation with Denmark, for indemnity for his prizes, and put 
 forth the following sentiment. "I was received, and treated 
 there with marked politeness ; and if the fine words I received 
 are true, the business will soon be settled. I own, however, 
 that I should have stronger hopes, if America had created a 
 respectable marine ; for that argument would give weight to 
 every transaction with Europe." 
 
 He also wrote to Mr. Charles Thomson, then secretary of 
 Congress, and, in the course of his letter, begged him to make 
 inquiry about a small but convenient estate near Lancaster, 
 which that gentleman had mentioned to him as being for sale ; 
 and asked his advice with regard to the purchase. In a letter 
 to Mr. John Ross, who took charge of his funds in the United 
 States, he also adverted to the same subject, and intimated 
 an intention to return to the United States in the course of 
 the summer, in which case it would be his wish to purchase a 
 little farm, where he might live in peace. To his most vener- 
 ated friend, Dr. Franklin, he also wrote, enclosing the docu- 
 ments, with which the friendship of Count Segur had fur- 
 nished him, in order, as he writes, to " explain to you in some 
 degree my reasons for leaving Russia, and the danger to which 
 I was exposed, by the dark intrigues and mean subterfuges of
 
 f&VL JONES. 275 
 
 Asiatic jealousy and malice." He expressed the hope that 
 Franklin's friendship, which he had always been ambitious to 
 merit, would be exerted to use the documents which he en- 
 closed to him, for his justification in the eyes of his friends in 
 America, whose favourable opinion had ever been so dear to 
 him. 
 
 He also wrote to Mr. John Parish, a merchant of Hamburg, 
 enclosing letters to the French and Russian ministers at Co- 
 penhagen. After thanking Mr. Parish for the kindness which 
 he had received from him, when he passed through Hamburg, 
 on his journey to Copenhagen, he concluded by saying jocosely, 
 that as he was then master of his time, he would perhaps visit 
 Hamburg in the coming spring, " and pay court to some of 
 your kind, rich old ladies. To be serious, I must stay in Eu- 
 rope till it is seen what changes the present politics will pro- 
 duce, and till I can hear from America; and if you think I 
 can pass my time quietly, agreeably, and at a small expense 
 at Hamburg, I should prefer it to the fluctuating prospects of 
 other places." 
 
 Of the letters enclosed to Mr. Parish, that to the Baron de 
 la Houze, the French Minister at Copenhagen, likewise en- 
 closed copies of the justificatory documents, with which 
 Count Se'gur had furnished him. It also asked for information 
 with regard to the progress of the claim against Denmark. 
 The minister in his answer, expressed his satisfaction at Se- 
 gur's complete vindication of Paul Jones, from the calumny, 
 by which he had been assailed, and for his greater comfort, 
 likened him to Themistocles, when forced to exclaim ; " I do 
 not envy the situation of the man, who is not envied!" He 
 further replied, that nothing more had been done in relation 
 to the claim, with regard to which he had been invested with 
 powers to treat. The letter to Baron Krudner, the Russian 
 minister, enclosed on the same occasion, referred him to the 
 French minister, for a perusal of the documents in relation to 
 the circumstances which had attended his departure from St. 
 Petersburg. He entered into a defence of his services in the
 
 276 LIFE OF 
 
 cause of the Empress, and complained of the manner in 
 which they had been requited ; towards the close of his letter, 
 he alluded to the patent, for the pension of fifteen hundred 
 crowns, which had been forwarded to him by the Danish go- 
 vernment, through its minister at St. Petersburg. It seems 
 that Baron Krudner had had some knowledge of the grant 
 at the time it was made, and had seen the patent in which it 
 was conferred, before it was sent off to St. Petersburg. He 
 was, in fact, as appears from Paul Joues's letter to him, the 
 only person, beyond the parties interested, who had any 
 knowledge of the transaction. Jones now requested him to 
 procure it, to be paid at Amsterdam, and expressed the hope 
 that it would not be paid in Danish bank paper. Baron 
 Krudner replied, that the Danish Prime Minister readily pro- 
 mised to pay the pension at Copenhagen, to any person who 
 might appear on Jones's part duly authorized to receive it ; 
 but that it could only be paid in the money of the country- 
 After such a promise, it is not easy to see how the pension 
 could have been withheld when properly called for; though 
 in Jones's will, the whole amount of it, from the time at 
 which it was granted, is set down as due. 
 
 Among the numerous letters written by Jones at this 
 period, is one to his sister, Mrs. Taylor, which is interesting, 
 as evincing the warmth of affection, with which, after so long 
 a separation, he still turned to the companions of his child- 
 hood. He expresses great solicitude for the welfare of Mrs- 
 Taylor and his younger sister, Mrs. Loudon, who, with their 
 descendants, were the only surviving members of his family. 
 " I have a tender regard," he writes, " 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, to the pursuits we
 
 PAUL JONES. 277 
 
 way be able to adopt for their advantage. When their educa- 
 tion shall be advanced to a proper stage at the school of Dum- 
 fries, 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 be 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." 
 
 Towards the close of April, 1790, Paul Jones crossed over 
 to London for the purpose of settling some accounts growing 
 out of an advance of money which he had made to Dr. Ban- 
 croft, from his share of the recovered prize-money, to enable 
 that gentleman to execute a project which he had undertaken 
 of introducing the Quercitron bark among the English woollen 
 dyers. It appears that Jones was interested in the speculation 
 which had probably been successful, as he now received 
 eighteen hundred pounds sterling for half of his share of the 
 proceeds, and an equal sum was subsequently deposited to his 
 credit with a London banker. He mentions, in a letter of this 
 period, that he escaped being murdered on landing in England : 
 but does not mention the cause or circumstances. Jones 
 seemed always to feel apprehensive of personal violence in 
 visiting London. Popular belief had surrounded him with 
 attributes there, which rendered him an object of hatred and 
 terror. His picture was usually displayed, in the lower class 
 print shops, among those of the most noted pirates ; and one 
 picture of him, which was thus seen by Mr. Fanning, one of 
 his midshipmen in the Richard, represented him completely 
 encircled by pistols sticking in his belt, besides one in each 
 hand, which_he presented Jn the act of firing at two persons 
 kneeling at his feet, while a third had just fallen dead before
 
 278 LIFK Off 
 
 him. Mr. Fanning supposed this to be a popular exaggeration 
 of what occurred on board the Richard, when the three for- 
 ward-officers cried to the Serapis for quarter. 
 
 The question naturally enough occurs, why Jones, who ever 
 expressed in writing to his relations so much solicitude for their 
 welfare, should not have improved the occasion, offered by 
 some one of his visits to England, to go to Scotland, and re- 
 new in person his acquaintance with his family. But it does 
 not appear that he ever visited England but on urgent busi- 
 ness, and then he remained unknown in the vast solitude of 
 the capital. His stay was always the briefest that his affairs 
 would permit, and he seems ever to have been haunted with 
 the idea of hatred on the part of the people, and the apprehen- 
 sion that it might pass into violence. The rancour with which 
 he ever expressed himself towards his native country, his 
 boasting that " though born in Britain he did not inherit the 
 degenerate spirit of that fallen nation, which he at once la- 
 mented and despised," could not be natural. His feelings may 
 have owed something of their intensity to the bitterness with 
 which the British press had denounced him ; but they doubtless 
 were not a little quickened by inward misgivings as to the 
 nobleness of his own course. If, then, he reluctantly visited 
 London, where he was little known, and where seclusion was 
 so easy, with how much more reluctance must he have con- 
 templated a visit to the immediate country of his birth, and 
 the home at once of his youth and of his early manhood, whose 
 coasts he had selected as the favourite scene of his ravages. 
 That Paul Jones did not, therefore, personally visit his kins- 
 men, and while receiving their embraces, encounter the con- 
 tumelious frowns of his early friends and patrons, is no proof 
 of his failing in affection to his family. He always maintained 
 a correspondence with them, and forwarded occasional remit- 
 tances to them from his hard-won earnings. 
 
 Towards the close of May, Paul Jones returned to Paris. 
 In the following July he addressed Potemkin in a very long 
 and laboured vindication of hiu conduct while commanding in
 
 PAUL JONES. 279 
 
 the Liman, coupled with complaints of the manner in which 
 the essential services which he then rendered had been re- 
 quited. He reminded the Prince of his injunction at parting ; 
 " Rely upon my attachment ! I am disposed to grant you the 
 most solid proofs of my friendship for the present and for the 
 future." He now told the Prince that he relied upon his at- 
 tachment, because he knew him to be just and a lover of truth. 
 He relied upon it, because he felt himself to be worthy of it. 
 Time, he said, would teach the Prince that he was neither a 
 mountebank nor a swindler, meaning that he was not like the 
 Prince of Nassau, to whom he delighted to apply those epi- 
 thets, but a true and loyal man. He stated that in all his re- 
 lations with Potemkin he had committed but two faults. The 
 first was in not requiring the complete command of all the 
 naval forces in the Liman, cart blanche ; the second was in 
 having allowed himself to write to Potemkin under feelings of 
 irritation. Paul Jones then insisted that he, under the orders 
 of Potemkin, had conducted all the useful naval operations in 
 the Liman ; he had beaten the Pacha on the 7th of June, con- 
 quered him again on the 17th, and captured his finest ships ; 
 on the 1st of July he had boarded the Turkish galleys under 
 the fire of the batteries of Oczakow ; finally, he had first sug- 
 gested to Suwaroff, as that general always had the nobleness 
 to admit, the erection of the battery on the point of Kinburn, 
 which proved so fatally destructive to the Turks. While he 
 had performed all these services without promotion, rewards 
 of all sorts were showered on those who remained at a distance 
 from danger. The practical purport of the Rear-Admiral's 
 letter was to claim the decoration of the order of St. George, 
 to which the victory of the 17th of June entitled him, to call 
 Potemkin's attention to some of the naval projects which he 
 had laid before the government on previous occasions, and 
 finally to offer his services for their execution, or for any ser- 
 vice, that might be required of him in the prosecution of the 
 war; in conclusion, he informed the Prince, that the Congress 
 of the United States had unanimously granted him a gold
 
 280 LIFE OF 
 
 medal, to commemorate the service which he had rendered the 
 United States in the capture of the Serapis. He said that 
 Congress had ordered a copy of this medal to be presented to 
 every sovereign and academy of Europe, with the exception 
 of those of Great Britain ; suggested the probability of Potem- 
 kin's being numbered among the sovereigns of Europe, in con- 
 sequence of the treaty which he was about concluding with 
 Turkey ; and offered the Prince a copy of his medal in any 
 event, provided it would be acceptable to the Prince as a 
 mark of his attachment to his person. 
 
 The letter which follows in the published collections of his 
 correspondence, is far more creditable to his character, as well 
 as his heart. It was addressed to his favourite sister, Mrs. 
 Taylor, and was perhaps rendered more touching by the de- 
 clining condition of his health. His constitution, shattered by 
 exposure in every climate from his earliest years, and worn 
 by the chafings of an ardent and impatient temperament, 
 throughout the course of a precarious career, checkered by 
 alternate exultation and disappointment, was rapidly yielding 
 to decay, and pains and ailments were ushering in the fatal 
 moment, which should put an end to all his schemes of enter- 
 prise, and aspirations for glory. It is in such seasons, when 
 the mind loses its ability to conceive, and the arm its vigour 
 to execute, that ambition relinquishes its hold, and the heart, 
 forgetting all that has intervened, wanders back to seek com- 
 fort in its early affections. The moment was well suited for 
 Jones to appreciate the value of family affection, and to prompM 
 him to the benevolent effort of reconciling his sisters, who, itP 
 seems, were at variance with each other. After speaking of 
 his own illness, he thus eloquently urges their reconciliation- 
 " I shall not conceal from you, that your family discord aggra- 
 vates 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
 
 PAUL JONES. 281 
 
 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 towards 
 our neighbour in general, how much more is this our duty 
 vrith 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 pro- 
 mote 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 re- 
 conciliation 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." 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Jones's last Efforts to return to the Russian Service. Proposes a New Method 
 of constructing Ships. Declining Condition of his Health. Interests himself 
 in the Liberation of American Captives in Algiers. Advances claims against 
 France for Wages of the Richard's Crew. Resisted by the Minister of Marine. 
 Jones becomes seriously ill. His last Moments. Makes his Will. Dies. A 
 Commission for him to treat for the Liberation of Algerine Captives arrives. 
 His Burial. Funeral Oration. 
 
 IN March of!791, we find Paul Jones agaia eagerly see&ng to 
 
 N
 
 282 LIFC OF 
 
 renew hia connexion with Russia, by solicitations to the Em- 
 press Catharine, to whom he now forwarded copies of docu- 
 ments relating to the campaign of the Liman. He had been 
 led to believe, that his letter and journal addressed to her 
 from Warsaw, had been intercepted by some of those who 
 were criminated in it, and had never reached her hand, It is 
 more likely, that the Empress had dismissed from her mind all 
 idea of again employing Jones ; though he was better pleased 
 to attribute her neglect of him to the interference of enemies 
 He therefore invited her attention anew to one of his naval 
 projects, and tendered his services, as usual, to carry it into 
 execution. He begged to be soon withdrawn from the painful 
 inaction and uncertainty of his present position. The last 
 appeal which Paul Jones made to the justice of the Empress, 
 or to be again employed in her marine, was early in the fol- 
 lowing July, through Baron Grimm, who corresponded di- 
 rectly with her, and filled for her, at Paris, the post of secret 
 agent and spy, catering at the same time for her tastes in the 
 current literature and scandal of the day, and for the interests 
 of her empire. Paul Jones opened his communication to the 
 Baron, by the customary tender of a copy of his bust. He 
 then went on to lay before the Baron, for the information of 
 the Empress, the project of a man whom he had known fifteen 
 years, who had just invented a new construction of ships of 
 war, possessing the following notable advantages. They 
 were to cost less than the old ships, have a more mnjestic and 
 imposing appearence, sail nearer the wind, furnish more 
 space for the accommodation of the crew, protect them 
 better during an engagement, and be less annoyed by smoke. 
 
 Jones knew nothing of the mode by which all these rare ad- 
 vantages were to be obtained, but said, that a long time before, 
 he had, in conjunction with his friend Dr. Franklin, endea- 
 voured to devise a^node of constructing ships, to navigate 
 without ballast, draw less water than the old ships, and at the 
 same time drive less to leeward. He said that the Doctor and 
 he had always encountered great obstacles j as well, indeed,
 
 PAUL JONES. 283 
 
 they might. Since the death of that great philosopher, having too 
 much time on his hands, he had surmounted the difficulties 
 which before had baffled their united researches. Jones stated 
 that the ship-builder, in whose favour he wrote, had proposed 
 going to England, where his invention would probably have 
 been adopted ; but that he, Jones, had persuaded him to offer 
 it first to the Empress. With regard to what his own feeble 
 genius had accomplished in naval architecture, he offered it to 
 the Empress freely and without stipulation. This, notwith- 
 standing his deprecating apology for his feeble genius, he did 
 not consider very trifling ; for he said, he believed he had dis- 
 covered the secret of mounting, on a ship of his proposed con- 
 struction, five batteries of the heaviest calibre. He might well 
 ask if this would not be of immense advantage to the infant 
 marine of the Black Sea, and to the prosperity of the Russian 
 empire. 
 
 Baron Grimm forwarded these propositions to the Empress, 
 but neither the empirical pretensions of Jones's friend, or his 
 own, which he was too good a sailor to have believed in him- 
 self, and which he could only have adopted as a bait to procure 
 for him a recall, produced any favourable effect upon his for- 
 tunes. The Empress did indeed reply to Grimm, concerning 
 Paul Jones's suggestions. She mentioned that a general peace 
 was probable : and that if she should hereafter have occasion 
 for the active services of her Rear- Admiral, she would com- 
 municate directly with him. These various rejections of his 
 offers to return to Russia, led him about this time to speak of 
 resigning his commission, as a rear-adjniral ; but he could 
 scarcely have seriously meditated it, as he clung tenaciously 
 to the title, and had taken care to add his decoration of the 
 Order of St. Anne to those of Cincinnatus and of Military 
 Merit, which already adorned the busts of himself, which he 
 so profusely distributed. In a letter of this period to Lafayette, 
 he speaks of some fur-linings which he had brought from Russia, 
 and which he sent to Lafayette with a request that he would 
 offer part of them to the King as a trifling mark of attachment
 
 234 LIFE OF 
 
 to his person. He said that when his health should be re-esta- 
 blished, M. de Simolin would do him the honour to present him 
 to the King, as a Russian admiral ; after which, it would be 
 his duty to wait on the King as an American officer, with the 
 letter of which Congress had made him the bearer on his last 
 departure from the United States. 
 
 The re-established health, on which Paul Jones's appearance 
 at the French court depended, never came, and he was thus 
 both spared the painful sympathy, which the altered position 
 of the King, now carried forward on those tumultuous waves of 
 revolutionary excitement which were to bear him to a tragical 
 end, must have awakened in one whom he had honoured, and 
 the temptation which his ardent temperament might have be- 
 trayed him into, of embarking in the desperate struggle. Not- 
 withstanding his past familiar use of the words liberty 
 equality, and universal philanthropy, it is not unlikely that 
 his sympathy with the court itself, and some of the individuals 
 who surrounded it, as well as his professional abhorrence of 
 popular violence and mob law, of which he had seen some- 
 thing in the Ranger and the Alliance, would have led him to 
 range himself among the defenders of the throne. Fanning 
 mentions that Paul Jones went about this time, with all the 
 Americans in Paris, to the Constituent Assembly, over which 
 the King presided, to compliment him and the nation on their 
 glorious revolution, on which occasion Jones delivered an elo- 
 quent address on behalf of his countrymen. As his health was 
 rapidly failing, and no mention of the circumstance is found 
 among his papers, the statement is probably incorrect. Mean- 
 time he continued to preserve his relations with the United 
 States, through the medium of his former friends, and es- 
 pecially of Mr. Jefferson, who had become Secretary of State. 
 He intimated that he still considered himself an American of- 
 ficer, by requesting Mr. Jefferson to obtain leave for him to 
 wear the decoration of the Russian Order of St. Anne. 
 
 About this time he encountered an Algerine, who, as cap- 
 tain of a corsair, had taken most of the American prisoners
 
 PAUL JONES, 285 
 
 now detained in Algiers. From him he received accounts of 
 the destitute condition of these unhappy men, whom their 
 country had failed to protect from capture while in the proee- 
 cution of their lawful business, and whom it had made no ef- 
 fort to relieve. The corsair informed him that if these cap- 
 tives were not soon ransomed they would receive the same 
 treatment as the most abject slaves. Paul Jones seems ever 
 to have had a heart peculiarly alive to the helpless condition 
 of captive sailors, which no one of his time did more to re- 
 lieve. He wrote to Mr. Jefferson to say how painfully he was 
 affected by the condition of these unhappy men. Had he lived 
 long enough, he would have learned that his petition in favour 
 of these captives had been heard; and would have enjoyed the 
 satisfaction, so dear to him, of removing their chains. 
 
 The disease under which Paul Jones, with much resistance 
 from a constitution of great natural vigour, was gradually 
 wasting away, appears to have been a complication of liver 
 complaint and dropsy. Though his bodily activity was gone, 
 his mind retained its vigour. He continued his correspon- 
 dence, and, in the opening of 1792, revived a claim against 
 the French government for wages due to the crew of the Poor 
 Richard. His own portion of this claim he estimated at seven 
 thousand livres. He had received nothing from the French 
 government, either as the commander of the ship, or for the 
 expenses of his table. He had certainly been paid by Con- 
 gress, as a captain in the navy, during this time ; but his ser- 
 vices were lent to France during this period, and as the expe- 
 dition cruised entirely at the expense of the King, he might 
 perhaps with propriety claim to be paid by him also for ser- 
 vices out of the line of his ordinary duty. 
 
 M. Bertrand, then Minister of Marine, replied that the same 
 subject had been under consideration by M. de Castries, in 
 1784, on a similar demand from Paul Jones. That minister 
 then decided, that only the wages due to the American por- 
 tion of the crew should be paid to Jones, and fifteen thousand 
 livres were^paid accordingly, under a guaranty from Jones's
 
 286 LIFE Ot 
 
 banker that it should be properly appropriated. The minister 
 stated that no further sums could be paid on the same account, 
 until the mode in which the fifteen thousand livres had been 
 disbursed was first explained ; and he therefore asked for a 
 detailed statement of the particulars, with the corresponding 
 vouchers, as Jones could only be indemnified for what he had 
 advanced of his own funds, and not for what had been paid 
 on the arrival of the crew in the United States. This, Jones 
 says was paid by his order, but leaves it apparently purposely 
 in doubt whether it was from his own purse. 
 
 The letter of M. Bertrand seems very plain and reasonable. 
 It served, however, in Jones's weak and irritable condition, to 
 throw him into frantic rage, in which he penned a long, vio- 
 lent, and rambling reply, containing a long story of all his 
 connexion with the French court, and all the griefs which had 
 attended it. The letter does not throw much additional light 
 on the claim, or vindicate the justice of it, nor does it account 
 at all for the disbursement of the fifteen thousand livres ad- 
 vanced to him on account of the crew of the Richard, concern- 
 ing which the minister asked for explanation and vouchers. 
 It is almost entirely occupied with the relation of his own 
 achievements, and the ingratitude with which they were re- 
 quited, and is, in short, an exaggerated eulogium of himself, 
 coupled with a little denunciation of almost every one else. 
 In the course of the letter he thus denounces the former Minis- 
 ter of Marine, the Mareschal de Castries ; " But the shuffling 
 of a man who can forfeit his word of honour, solemnly pledged 
 who, to hide his disgrace, dares use the name of his sovereign 
 for protection ; the pitiful evasions of such a man cannot sur- 
 prise one who has for many years been accustomed to the 
 baseness and duplicity of some attached to courts." Of him- 
 self he speaks in the following very different strain ; " I pray 
 you, Sir, to lay this letter before the King. It contains many 
 things out of the general rule of delicacy which marks my pro- 
 ceedings, and which, on any other occasion less affecting to 
 my sensibility, would never have escaped from my pen."
 
 PAUL JONES: 287 
 
 Again, in announcing his intention of appearing at court to 
 present the letter from Congress, he says ; "As I have hitherto 
 been the dupe and victim of my modesty, and especially as 
 you appear to make no account of my services and sacrifices, 
 I am persuaded I shall gain much by increasing the number of 
 my judges." As his health declined and bodily strength failed, 
 his disposition to disparage others and to glorify himself, the 
 great error of his character, which had so injuriously affected 
 his fortunes, and stirred up for him so many enemies, grew 
 more inveterate. The violent letter to the minister was not 
 however sent to M. Bertrand, as he was soon after driven 
 from office by the troubles of the times. That it might not be 
 lost, and also to give a specimen of his more tragic vein, he 
 enclosed it, with a copy of the letter to which it was an an- 
 swer, to the new minister. It does not appear that Jones reco- 
 vered the amount of this claim, though something was subse- 
 quently obtained by his heirs from the French government, on 
 account of his own share of the arrears of pay which he de- 
 manded. A temporary want of funds, from inability at that 
 moment to command his resources, rendered him more urgent 
 in his demand. 
 
 This correspondence took place in March. Soon after, hi 
 disease began to assume a more serious character ; he lost hit 
 appetite, grew yellow, and affected with jaundice. Under 
 medical treatment, he gradually grew better, until the begin- 
 ning of July, when his system seemed to fail entirely, and he 
 became suddenly worse. The dropsy now began to manifest 
 itself more openly ; his legs first became much swollen ; and 
 the enlargement subsequently extended upwards, so that he 
 could not button his waistcoat ; he breathed, too, with diffi- 
 culty. His disease had now assumed the character of dropsy 
 in the chest. In this helpless condition, and fast verging to- 
 wards the closing scene of his turbulent career, it is a satisfac- 
 tion to know, that Paul Jones was not, as has been represented, 
 a prey to poverty and want. He was comfortably lodged, 
 and his means enabled him to secure the attendance of the
 
 288 LIFE OF 
 
 Queen's physician. Nor was he friendless at a moment when 
 friends are most valuable. It appears, that his last moments 
 were cheered by the presence of several kind acquaintances, 
 among whom were a French officer by the name of Beaupoil, 
 a Colonel Blackden, and Gouverneur Morris, who had re- 
 cently received the appointment of minister to the court of 
 France. 
 
 Colonel Blackden, who has left the most particular account 
 of his last moments, in a letter to the Admiral's sister, Mrs. 
 Taylor, having for some days noticed the rapid decline of his 
 strength, assumed the friendly, though painful duty of advis- 
 ing him to settle his affairs. This he put off until the 18th of 
 July, when Mr. Governeur Morris drew up a schedule of his 
 property, from his dictation while in a dying state. Thia 
 schedule exhibited various items of bank stock, loan office- 
 certificates, amounts in bankers' hands, arrearages of pay and 
 prize-money from Russia, and of his pension from Denmark, 
 besides lands in Ohio, Indiana, and Vermont, which, after 
 making due allowance for bad speculation and bad debts, must 
 still have left an estate of from twenty to thirty thousand 
 dollars* After completing the schedule, two notaries were 
 sent for, and the dying man proceeded to make his will. It 
 was drawn by Mr. Morris, in'English, and then written down 
 in French by the notaries. The opening clause of it is inter- 
 esting, as exhibiting a picture of the circumstances by which 
 Paul Jones was surrounded in the last moments of his life, 
 and of the dwelling-place which he exchanged only for the 
 final one of the grave. It will be observed, that the near 
 approach of death had at last destroyed his veneration for 
 titles and orders, and the pride with which he reflected on his 
 own. He is no longer Admiral, or Chevalier, but simply a 
 " citizen of the United States." 
 
 "Before the undersigned, notaries at Paris, appeared John 
 Paul Jones, citizen of the United States of America, resident 
 at Paris, lodged in the Street of Tournon, No. 42, at the house 
 
 See note *t the end.
 
 PAUL JONES. 289 
 
 of Mr. Dorberque, hussier audiancier of the tribunal of the 
 third arrondissement, found in a parlour in the first story above 
 the floor, lighted by two windows, opening in the said street 
 of Tournon, sitting in an arm-chair, sick of body, but sound 
 of mind, memory and understanding, as it appeared to the 
 undersigned notaries, his testament as follows : 
 
 " I give and bequeath all the goods, as well moveable as 
 heritable, and all, generally, whatever may appertain to me at 
 my decease, in whatever country it 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 chil- 
 dren shall make up individuals." The will went on to provide 
 that the children should receive their portions on coming of age, 
 until which time the mothers should enjoy it, with charge to 
 provide their children with maintenance and education. If any 
 of the children died before they should be of age, their por- 
 tions were to be divided equally among the rest. Robert 
 Morris was named the sole testamentary executor. 
 
 The will being completed, was signed about eight o'clock 
 in the evening, and his friends, after witnessing it, withdrew, 
 leaving him still seated in his arm-chair. Not long after, the 
 physician arrived to make his customary visit. The arm-chair 
 was found vacant, and there were no signs of the patient in 
 the parlour. On going to his bed-room which adjoined, he 
 was found lying upon his face on the bedside, with his feet 
 resting on the floor. On turning him over, it was found that 
 he was dead. 
 
 Had Jones survived a few days longer, he would have found 
 that the country which he had remembered in his last mo- 
 ments, and of which, unmindful of his titles and honours 
 from other lands, he claimed as his only distinction in his 
 will, to be a citizen, had not forgotten him. He would have 
 found, that the honourable solicitude which he had ex- 
 pressed for his unfortunate countrymen, groaning in captivity 
 at Algiers, had awakened a corresponding feeling in the 
 N 5
 
 290 LIFE OF 
 
 government at home, and led to his appointment as a com- 
 missioner, to treat with the regency of Algiers, for the ransom 
 of all captive Americans, and for the establishment of peace. 
 This consolation, which would have been grateful to his spirit 
 he was not destined to eujoy. 
 
 On the 20th of July, being the second day after his death, 
 the remains of Paul Jones were placed in a leaden coffin, for the 
 convenience of their removal, in case the United States should 
 ever claim them for burial, and conducted to their last resting- 
 place, followed by a respectable concourse, among whom 
 were twelve members of the National Assembly. These at- 
 tended in virtue of the following resolution: "The National 
 Assembly, desirous of honouring the memory of Paul Jones, 
 Admiral of the United States of America, and to preserve, by 
 a memorable example the equality of religious rites, decrees 
 that twelve of its members shall assist at the funeral rites of 
 a man, who has so well served the cause of liberty." After 
 the interment of his remains, the following funeral oration 
 was pronounced over them by M. Marron, a French protestant 
 clergyman. It evinces the prevalent desire in all ages, to 
 turn calamities of this sort to account, and in excited times, 
 especially, to render them politically useful. 
 
 " Legislators ! citizens ! soldiers ! brethren ! and French- 
 men ! We have just returned to the earth the remains of an 
 illustrious stranger, one of the first champions of the liberty 
 of America ; of that liberty which so gloriously ushered in 
 our own. The Semiramis of the north had drawn him under 
 her standard, but Paul Jones could not long breathe the pes- 
 tilential air of despotism ; he preferred the sweets of private 
 life in France, now free, to the eclat of titles and honours, 
 which from an usurped throne were lavished upon him by 
 Catharine. But the fame of the brave man survives ; his 
 portion is immortality. And what more flattering homage 
 can we offer to the manes of Paul Jones, than to swear on his 
 tomb to live or to die free ? Let this be the vow and watch- 
 word of every Frenchman !
 
 PAtTL JONE8. 291 
 
 " Let neither tyrants nor their satellites ever pollute this 
 sacred earth ! May the ashes of the great man, too soon lost 
 to humanity enjoy here an undisturbed repose ! May his ex- 
 ample teach posterity the efforts, which noble souls are 
 capable of making, when stimulated by hatred to oppression. 
 
 "Friends and brethren! a noble emulation brightens in 
 your looks ; your time is precious; your country is in danger ! 
 Who amongst us would not shed the last drop of his blood to 
 save it? Identify yourself with the glory of Paul Jones, in 
 imitating his contempt of danger, his devotion to his country, 
 and the noble heroism, which after having astonished the 
 present age, will continue to call forth the veneration of ages 
 yet to come." 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Review of Jones's Life. Sketch of his Character. His Qualifications for War. 
 Qualities of his Mind. Skill as a Writer. Habits of Study and Self-Culture. 
 Prone to Flattery. Naturally arrogant. Contentious. Sarcastic and con- 
 temptuous. Abounding in Vanity. Allowed no Participation of Glory. 
 Never praised his Subordinates. His Crews not attached to him. Hi 
 Achievements on that Account more difficult. Taste for Expense. Doubt- 
 ful Veracity. Exaggeration. Manners. Address as a Courtier. Defects 
 caused by Education. Personal Appearance. Conclusion. 
 
 IN the course of the foregoing pages, we have seen Paul Jones, 
 after being cradled in obscurity and humbly nurtured, enter, 
 when only twelve years old, without encouragement or pro- 
 tection, upon a career which, in the vast majority of cases, 
 conducts only to the servile and toilsome existence of the com- 
 mon seaman. By the force of his character, he rose rapidly in 
 this profession, and. attained its highest stations, at an un- 
 usually early age. Sedulously employing his leisure moments 
 in study, he readily overcame the disadvantages of his educa- 
 tion, so as always to appear creditably in the position to which 
 his own energy had advanced him. Having no further dis- 
 tinction to win in his own career, fortuitous circumstances 
 connected with his visit to America, and the breaking out of 
 our revolutionary war, opened to him a fresh field for distinc-
 
 292 LIFE OF 
 
 tion. Upon this he entered with ardour. It was a civil war, 
 and he felt free, like other born Britons, whose honour has 
 never been questioned, to take part with those of his fellow- 
 countrymen whom he believed to be in the right. The strug- 
 gle, moreover, found him a resident of America, and his feelings 
 were those of the country in which he lived. Resolute, intel- 
 ligent, indefatigable, brave, he soon rose to rank and distinc- 
 tion, until at length by a victory, unsurpassed in the annals of 
 warfare, he placed his name among the first of naval heroes. 
 He had been the first to hoist the flag of liberty over an Ame- 
 rican cruiser ; the first to carry war into the enemy's waters, 
 to surprise her shores, and to check her devastating inroads, 
 by showing that she was also assailable. The meditated and 
 attempted capture of the Drake, in a British harbour, was a 
 conception of the highest daring ; and her subsequent capture 
 by an inferior force, within sight of the three United Kingdoms, 
 was as brilliant an achievement as any in naval history. To 
 the taking of the Serapis, no commentary can do justice. The 
 simple narration of the combat can alone afford any conception 
 of the heroism displayed by Paul Jones, on that memorable 
 occasion. To these victories, obtained by his valour, and to 
 his solicitude for suffering captives, all the American seamen 
 languishing in the studied and inhuman torments of English 
 imprisonment, owed their release. To the sympathy excited 
 among the people of Amsterdam by his heroism, and to the 
 assistance which this sympathy led them to extend to his ships, 
 was owing the subsequent breach between England and Hol- 
 land, and an important accession of strength to our cause. The 
 liberation of imprisoned American seamen having become a 
 passion with him, led him to make and repeat the suggestion 
 which at length occasioned the deliverance of our fellow- 
 countrymen from Algerine bondage. These were among the 
 services which he rendered to his adopted country. Her gra- 
 titude was first shown by conferring upon him the command 
 of her only line-of-battle ship ; by a solemn and unanimous
 
 PAUL JONES. 293 
 
 vote of thanks from Congress, and by causing a medal to be 
 struck in honour of his achievements. 
 
 The independence of the United States being consummated, 
 the service of his adopted country offered no sufficient field for 
 the employment of his energies, and he yielded to the invita- 
 tion tendered to him by an illustrious sovereign, to lend his 
 arm in a warfare to be urged against a foe, whom the preju- 
 dices of Christians place beyond the pale of their sympathies. 
 After serving usefully the cause in which he embarked, intrigue 
 and jealousy drove him from his post, and calumny at length 
 effected this expulsion from the despotic soil, where he was so 
 ill suited to nourish. He retired reluctantly from the country, 
 in which he had vainly hoped to have added to his honours, 
 and the lustre that already surrounded his name. Defeated in 
 the hope of being permitted to return to it, his shattered frame 
 yielded to the chafing of his irritable and impatient spirit, 
 and he died a victim of wasting cares and disappointed am- 
 bition. 
 
 The character of Paul Jones was composed of great and 
 brilliant qualities blended with glaring defects. He was am- 
 bitious of distinction and glory to the utmost extreme that this 
 feeling can be carried. He had in perfection that element of a 
 great and creative mind, which gives power to conceive projects 
 of national importance, involving extensive combinations ne- 
 cessary to success, and drawing after them important conse- 
 quences. Enterprising and ingenious, wholly free from appre- 
 hension of every sort in the conception of his daring schemes, 
 he was calmly and imperturbably brave in their execution. 
 He did not rush headlong and with frantic rage into battle, 
 desperate as was usually the character of his engagements ; but 
 coolly, and with a deliberate estimate of all the means of suc- 
 cess, and a determination to use them to the utmost. 
 
 Nor had he merely the power to frame and execute import- 
 ant projects, and conceive powerful thoughts, but great felici- 
 ty in conveying his ideas forcibly to others. He wrote with 
 exceeding clearness and vigour, [and possessed in an eminent
 
 294 L1FK OF 
 
 degree the merit, so uncommon among us, of conciseness ; of 
 expressing forcible ideas in few and meaning words. None 
 could better set forth whatever he had to say of interest to 
 others or to himself, or better vindicate his claim to notice and 
 attention. This faculty he owed, of course, to his industry 
 alone. In the midst of the most active pursuits, he ever sedu- 
 lously kept up a taste for study and self-improvement, which 
 enabled him to do more than make up for the defects of his 
 early education, and place himself in information far above the 
 level of those who were found in the same sphere with himself. 
 He valued time as it deserves. When not engaged in the pur- 
 suit of glory, he was fortifying himself by study for future 
 achievements, or recording those which were past. His in- 
 dustry, indeed, was unwearied ; and his example may be of- 
 fered as a useful lesson to those who follow the same profes- 
 sion, and who in the intervals of their duties have so many un- 
 employed hours, which may be devoted to improvement, of 
 which the good effects will be felt throughout their career. 
 
 Paul Jones owed to his native country and his humble sta- 
 tion in it, his obsequiousness to those who were above him, or 
 from whom he had something to ask. This propensity, how- 
 ever, was not naturally congenial to his haughty and intractible 
 character. He was willing enough to succeed in any object 
 by the appropriate use of adulation in his intercourse with the 
 great ; but he never was restrained by any undue awe of them 
 from speaking his mind freely when he suspected any dispo- 
 sition to trifle with him. The natural arrogance of his dis- 
 position and his impatience of control, predisposed him, on the 
 contrary, to trample on opposition and resist any interference 
 with his plans. The slightest obstruction in his path, the least 
 injustice, real or fancied, rendered him frantic ; instead of quiet 
 remonstrance, he resorted at once to furious denunciation, and 
 too often succeeded in making an enemy for life. To this in- 
 firmity of disposition may be attributed his misunderstanding 
 with Le Ray de Chaumont, a gentleman to whom his country 
 owed much, and he himself not a little, It was this gentle-
 
 PAtTL JONES. 295 
 
 man who procured him the command of the expedition fitted 
 out under the American flag by the King of France. M. de 
 Chaumont furnished part of the funds for this expedition from 
 his private fortune. Yet Paul Jones contrived, very unneces- 
 sarily, to quarrel with him. The consequences recoiled upon 
 himself. He was thwarted in the equipment of the ships, 
 and hampered in the concordat ; and the objects of the expe- 
 dition were intrusted to the subordinate commanders, with 
 whom Jones's opposition threw De Chaumont into contact. 
 A ground-work of insubordination was thus laid which wat 
 fatal to most of the objects of the cruise, the character of which 
 was only redeemed at the close by Jones's heroism in the cap- 
 ture of the Serapis. Paul Jones carried with him, moreover, 
 everywhere a dangerous weapon in an indiscreet tongue. This 
 fomented his disagreement with De Chaumont. It is probably 
 the real secret of his disgrace with Potemkin. He was re- 
 ported to have complained of the tardiness with which th is 
 spoiled favourite and barbaric hero prosecuted the siege ofOc- 
 zakow. He denied the allegation ; but it was in his character 
 to have done what was charged against him. He was prone, 
 moreover, to personal contention ; yet indisposed to settle his 
 disputes by personal conflicts. Calmly satisfied in the consci- 
 ousness of his own courage, he reserved it for encounters more 
 likely to contribute to his fame. The natural haughtiness of 
 his disposition evinced itself in his association with his officers. 
 He was too conscious of his superiority in all respects over 
 them. He did not correct or reprove in a way to produce re- 
 formation, without wounding the feelings ; but with sarcasm 
 and contempt. 
 
 The glaring defect of Paul Jones's character, and the foun- 
 dation of many others, was his abounding vanity. This 
 evinced itself in the stress which he laid on the honours he 
 had received from kings and congresses, and which, though 
 not unmerited, were in no slight degree drawn forth by his 
 own well-applied solicitation; in the multiplication of his 
 busts and medals ; and the constant recapitulation, with due
 
 296 LIFE OF 
 
 exaggeration, of his various achievements. No hero, indeed, 
 ever sounded his own trumpet more unremittingly, or with a 
 louder blast. This absorbing vanity led him to claim for him- 
 self the whole glory of his victories. In all his elaborate re- 
 ports of his engagements, except, indeed, during his Russian 
 campaign, where the slight passed upon his officers became a 
 reflection on himself, he is the hero, and the sole hero, of his 
 own tale. The only occasion on which he commends any of 
 his officers, is in small notes at the foot of each of their certi- 
 ficates appended to their charge against Landais, and where his 
 object is to give force to their testimony. It may be said in 
 excuse, that this vanity of distinction, which was the cause of 
 his injustice, in restraining him from giving credit to others, 
 was also the exciting motive of his actions, by so powerfully 
 stimulating him to excel. Still, his unwillingness to commend 
 others, and award to each of his followers his just meed of 
 praise, was a very great fault. A commander can have no 
 more sacred duty than that which he owes in this respect to 
 those who, even in the humblest stations, contribute to his 
 glory. 
 
 To this disposition of Paul Jones to disparage others and to 
 glorify himself, we must look for the frequent evidence which his 
 life affords, of a want of sympathy between him and his officers 
 and crew, and the total absence of any evidence on their part 
 of affectionate attachment to his person. His followers evince, 
 on the contrary, a distrust of his character, and a want of con- 
 fidence in his justice, even with regard to the distribution of 
 the proceeds of their prizes. It is not unlikely that his origi- 
 nal training in the English merchant-service, where the sea- 
 men, having all been subjected to the stern discipline of the 
 King's ships, are insubordinate and uncontrollable when re- 
 leased from it, and where every voyage almost is a prolonged 
 contest between the master and his crew, may have tended to 
 implant in him a feeling of hostility towards seamen, and a 
 disposition to extract from them the greatest amount of ser- 
 vices at the least expense of rewards. His not being an Ame-
 
 PAUL JONES. 297 
 
 rican by birth may have also operated against him in the affec- 
 tions of his crew, though not a great deal, as many of his sea- 
 men were also foreigners. This want of sympathy with his 
 crew was in fact Paul Jones's greatest defect as a naval 
 officer. In one respect, however, it does not detract from his 
 glory ; for it stripped him of a powerful aid, and rendered 
 every achievement more difficult, and more completely his 
 own. 
 
 As an officer, Paul Jones seems to have had correct notions 
 of discipline, and usually succeeded in enforcing it in his 
 ships, except in cases where some rooted cause of discontent, 
 growing out of the poverty of the government, and its irregu- 
 larity in the payment of wages, or his own neglect, had ex- 
 cited among his crews a mutinous disposition. They were 
 generally composed of incongruous materials, and made up of 
 many nations, especially in the ships fitted out in France. His 
 industry, habits of order, and neatness, were conspicuous in 
 the condition of his ships. They were always kept in admi- 
 rable order, and made a fine appearance. As part of the daily 
 etiquette of his ships, he always had two or three of his 
 officers to dine with him, among whom were usually one or 
 more midshipmen. They were expected to appear neatly 
 dressed, and in this he always set them the example. If there 
 was any defect in this particular, the individual was sure to 
 be made aware in some way of his displeasure. If we are to 
 believe an anecdote of Fanning, who was a midshipman in 
 the Richard, Paul Jones was sometimes sufficiently capricious 
 in his hospitalities. Having on one occasion had a dispute 
 with one of his lieutenants, a thing not unusual, as he was 
 very rigorous, and somewhat hard to please, he got into a 
 rage, ordered the lieutenant below, and assisted him with a 
 couple of kicks as he was descending the ladder. Reflecting 
 soon after, however, that he had done more than the occasion 
 called for, he sent his servant to invite the sufferer to dinner, 
 and strangely enough, as the story goes, the lieutenant con- 
 sented to come. Paul Jones's lieutenants Avere appointed by
 
 298 LIFE OP 
 
 himself, and almost entirely the creatures of his will. Even 
 this, however, will hardly account for such an exercise of for- 
 bearance. This anecdote, if exaggerated, is still characteristic 
 of Jones and his fitful temperament. 
 
 Paul Jones is represented, by those who sailed with him, to 
 have been a thorough seaman. This evidence is amply borne 
 out by the history of his various cruises, and by his remarks 
 on the qualities of the different ships in which he sailed, the 
 more or less critical positions in which they were placed, and 
 the manner in which he extricated them. Early training and 
 long experience had occasioned him to see ships in every pos- 
 sible situation. He knew exactly what could be done Avith 
 them ; and was both skilful and daring in the execution of his 
 manoeuvres. This quality he exhibited usefully in the battle 
 with the Serapia, when hi only chance for victory, in the de- 
 cayed and sinking Richard, over a ship of superior force, was 
 in laying her aboard, and referring the issue of the struggle to 
 the superior courage and obstinacy of the commanders. 
 
 Among the defects of Paul Jones's character, was a taste 
 for luxury, display, and profuse expense. This led him to re- 
 serve from the prize-money of his crew, an undue share for 
 himself. For two years and seven months, that he was em- 
 ployed at Paris, in recovering the prize-money for the Ameri- 
 can part of the crews of his squadron, he charged his expenses 
 at nearly forty-eight thousand livres. In the letter of bitter 
 denunciation which Paul Jones, just two months before his 
 death, wrote to the French Minister of Finance, he states, that 
 he was detained four years in Europe, in recovering the prize- 
 money due from the French court for prizes which it had pur- 
 chased, and that in that time, he had spent sixty thousand 
 livres of his money, and had only received thirty thousand 
 livres for his share of the prizes. He intimates of course, that 
 he received nothing more. He thus implies what is untrue in 
 the last part of his assertion, after having stated what was 
 palpably untrue in the first. We cannot, indeed, award to 
 Paul Jones the crowning virtue of veracity. In whatever
 
 PAUL JONES. 299 
 
 concerned himself, his achievements, or his services, he gave 
 way to gross exaggeration. His letters evince perpetual in- 
 stances of the manner in which he would magnify his posi- 
 tion, and the estimation in which he was held in one country 
 in order to promote his elevation in another. As he passed 
 from one side of the Atlantic to the other, he contrived to for- 
 tify himself with fresh credentials, so as to gain new impulse 
 from each rebound. By whatever means, however, he suc- 
 ceeded in advancing himself, he always proved himself worthy 
 of the station which he attained. 
 
 The manners of Paul Jones, like his education, were formed 
 by himself upon his own model. They were doubtless advan- 
 tageously affected at a very early age, notwithstanding his 
 rude associations on shipboard, by the refining nature of the 
 studies, which in every situation he so diligently pursued. 
 Very soon after his entry into our naval service, we find him 
 boldly asserting pretensions, which there must have been ex- 
 ternal circumstances to justify. In appealing from the in- 
 justice which had been done to him, by superseding him in 
 rank, in favour of thirteen officers who had entered the service 
 after him, he says : "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." 
 This was not the way to make friends, though it shows, that 
 he was conscious of no defect in his manners. 
 
 When his victories had opened the French court to him, 
 he was doubtless without success in assimilating himself with 
 those, by whom he found himself surrounded. Though he on 
 one occasion pronounced himself " a man of delicacy in every 
 thing," and on another, complained of having been " the dupe 
 and victim of his modesty,' there is little reason to believe, 
 that he was kept back by an embarrassing diffidence. On 
 board ship, he harangued his officers and crew when occasion 
 required it, with great force and eloquence ; and no doubt, he 
 could talk glibly enough on shore. Endowed with a perfect 
 self-composure and carrying on his shoulders an ingenious
 
 300 LIFE OF 
 
 and well-furnished head, he had little difficulty in making his 
 way in society, and sustaining himself there long after he had 
 ceased to be a novelty. Though his manners are said to have 
 been somewhat conceited and foppish, they could not have 
 been unpleasing, much less rude or brutal, as they have been 
 sometimes represented. Nor was he wanting in elegant tastes. 
 He was fond of music, and is said to have performed pleas- 
 ingly on the flute ; a very common accomplishment indeed 
 among naval officers, but which Paul Jones had probably cul- 
 tivated for years with his characteristic assiduity. He wrote 
 verses also, which were road with pleasure, and which ladies 
 did not disdain to have addressed to them. The eclat of his 
 naval victories over the common enemy of America and France, 
 prepared for him a favourable reception at the French capital f 
 which his appearance and manners did not at all tend to di- 
 minish. With the gayeties of the court, there is reason to be- 
 lieve, that he also shared in its gallantries, which the prevail- 
 ing immorality rendered so contagious. As a courtier exerting 
 himself for the advancement of objects, in which his interests 
 or his pride were concerned, Paul Jones was far from unskilful. 
 He did not, however, keep always to the beaten track in the 
 pursuit of his objects. When obsequiousness and submission 
 failed, the vivacity of his temper led him to break through the 
 barriers that were placed in his way, and bring whatever ne- 
 gotiation he had in hand, to a direct and speedy issue. Nor 
 was this abruptness, though it occasionally failed, as in Russia, 
 after his disgrace was already determined, always unproduc- 
 tive of success. 
 
 After all, it may well be doubted whether the defects of 
 Paul Jones were not rather those of education and circum- 
 stance, than of heart. The rudeness of his early life, the ab- 
 sence of early friends to watch with solicitude over his career, 
 to check what was evil and commend the good, the blunting 
 effects of his ship life, and the demoralization of the slave- 
 trade, were all fruitful causes of moral deterioration. After 
 he entered our naval service, he laboured under some disad-
 
 JPAOL JONES. 301 
 
 vantage in being a foreigner, which his disposition did not 
 lead him to overcome. He had also to contend against the 
 irregularities of a new and ill-established service. Had he 
 entered the British navy with the early advantages of Nelson, 
 with the sympathy, interest, and observation of anxious friends 
 to follow him in his remotest wanderings, enjoying the early 
 lessons of honour taught in a chivalrous profession, and relieved, 
 as he advanced in distinction, from the bickerings and jealousies 
 of an uncertain position, there is no reason to doubt that he 
 would have attained to an equal eminence. He certainly was 
 not inferior to Nelson in courage ; nor was he inferior to him 
 in genius. We will not say that he would ever have been so 
 well beloved by his associates. His heart perhaps was less 
 affectionate ; his character was more sternly moulded. He 
 does not seem to have cherished a single friendship, beyond 
 the sphere of those who were in a situation to be useful to 
 him. His entire correspondence is occupied with matters 
 connected with the gratification of his ambition ; not a single 
 sketch is to be found in it, while rambling through so many 
 lands, of scenery, manners, or any object of ordinary interest. 
 Even his verses were but hymns to his own honour. Of love 
 he seems to have known only the grosser kind, and in that he 
 was a truant. He thought of marriage but as a speculative 
 good, a means of promoting comfort in declining years. Glory 
 was indeed the only true mistress of his idolatry. Still there 
 was nothing of cruelty in his disposition, though this vice has 
 been ascribed to him. He evinced on many occasions his de- 
 testation of it, his sympathy in the sorrows of his fellow-men, 
 and his eager desire to relieve them. This feeling is abun- 
 dantly evinced in his solicitude for the release of captive 
 Americans. 
 
 The personal appearance of Paul Jones is represented as not 
 having been particularly striking or distinguished. He was 
 about five feet high ; slightly made, but exceedingly active, 
 and graceful. Confinement on shipboard had rendered him 
 somewhat round shouldered, and given him a perceptible
 
 302 LIFE OF PAUL JONES.' 
 
 stoop. His frame was naturally vigorous, and capable of en- 
 during great fatigue, exposure, and loss of rest. He had black 
 hair, with dark and piercing eyes, and a naturally brown com- 
 plexion, rendered extremely swarthy by exposure to weather, 
 and, in his early years, to tropical suns. The habitual expres- 
 sion of his countenance was abstracted, thoughtful, and me- 
 lancholy ; it indicated study and habits of seclusion. In mo- 
 ments of excitement it bore the impression of intelligence, and 
 lively perception ; in battle it was fiercely determined ; and 
 sometimes in altercations with his associates or his officers, a 
 dark and scornful sneer would pass over it, which doubtless 
 did not diminish the number of his enemies. 
 
 In balancing the merits and defects of Paul Jones, it cannot 
 be denied that the first greatly predominated ; nor should we 
 be backward in yielding our esteem to a man, who won by 
 is own exertions, and continued for long years to preserve, 
 the friendship of Franklin, Adams, Robert Morris, Jefferson, 
 and Lafayette; men who knew him intimately, and prized him 
 highly. During our Revolutionary war, no one on the ocean 
 so usefully sustained the great cause of American liberty. 
 Nor was the gratitude of America unfelt or unacknowledged. 
 May she ever, in her future wars, command hearts as devoted, 
 minds as ingenious to conceive enterprises for her honour or 
 defence, and arms as heroic to execute them ! 'With this view 
 we would offer the faults of Paul Jones as a warning beacon 
 to our young officers, and his skill, courage, and conduct, as 
 every way worthy of their imitation.
 
 NOTES. 
 
 See p. 33.) 
 
 The French government most unwisely directed the fleet to be equipped at 
 Toulon instead of at Brest, by which more than a month was lost in getting 
 clear of the Mediterranean. When the fleet arrived on our coast, and found 
 that Lord Howe had removed his ships from the Delaware to New York, General 
 Washington sent Colonel Alexander Hamilton with two pilots, to assist D'Es- 
 taing in entering the harbour at New York, when it was hoped that the British 
 force being inferior, would easily be overpowered. The pilots, however, after 
 getting on board, gave it as their opinion that the heavier ships could not enter. 
 Had the harbour been as well known as now, through Lieutenant Gedney's dis- 
 coveries, they would have come to a very different conclusion, and a blow might 
 have been struck, that would have hastened the conclusion of the war. 
 
 (See p. 288.) 
 
 Miss Janette Taylor, niece of Paul Jones, arrived in this country more than 
 ten years ago, for the purpose of soliciting payment of certain sums due to her 
 uncle at his death, by the government of the United States, for interest on 
 money advanced by him for the public service, for unpaid balances of pay and 
 for his share in the value of the prizes sent into Norway, where they were forcibly 
 taken possession of by the Danish government, and given up to England, on the 
 ground, that Denmark did not recognise the independence of the United States, 
 and therefore the legality of captures made by our cruisers. Miss Taylor long 
 since presented a memorial to Congress on the subject of these claims ; but 
 though she has succeeded at various times in interesting several influential 
 members of Congress in her cause, no bill has yet been introduced for her re- 
 lief, and she continues at the end of more than ten years, an ineffectual petitioner 
 for justice. 
 
 With regard to the claim of the heirs of Paul Jones, to be indemnified for his 
 share of the prizes delivered up by Denmark, its justice has been recognised in the 
 case of Lamlais, who received from Congress in 1806, four thousand dollars, to 
 be deducted from his portion of whatever might be subsequently recovered from 
 Denmark in satisfaction of these claims. If itwas thought proper, thus solemnly 
 to consecrate the principle, that government is bound to see justice done to its 
 citizens by foreign states that have wronged them, in the case of a broken and 
 disgraced officer, how much more strongly is it bound to do equal justice to his 
 superior, who commanded in chief the squadron by which the captures were 
 made, and who hadreceived the solemn thanks of Congress," for the zeal, prudence 
 and intrepidity, with which he had supported thehonor of the American flag ; for 
 his bold and successful enterprise, 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, bywhich he had added lustre to his character 
 and to the American arms ;" to whom, moreover, a gold metal had been 
 unanimously voted in commemoration of his services? 
 
 The frizes sent into Norway were never valued at less than forty thousand
 
 304 NOTES. - 
 
 pounds sterling. They were scarcely given up by Denmark, before Dr. Franklin 
 remonstrated against the injustice and illegality of the proceeding, and claimed 
 the restitution of the ships, or indemnity for their value. In a subsequent ne- 
 gociation, Denmark offered to pay ten thousand pounds in liquidation of the 
 claim, the justice of whicli was thus solemnly recognized. Dr. Franklin declined 
 receiving this sum, on the ground, that the value of the prizes should form the 
 just measure of compensation. The claim has often since been insisted upon 
 by our government, and never relinquished. In 1812, the Secretary of State, 
 addressed a letter on the subject to the representative of Denmark in this coun- 
 try, who for want of better arguments, got rid of the claim by characterizing it, 
 as, "a superannuated and abandoned affair." It has, however, never been 
 abandoned by Congress, before which body the subject has been received from 
 time to time, by memorials from the descendants of the captors. 
 
 This question involves not merely the obligation especially incumbent on a 
 free state of seeing justice done to its citizens, an obligation not diminished in 
 this case, by the fact, that the claim is now made in right of one of our earliest 
 benefactors; it involves also a principal of national honour. We have exacted 
 payment of France' and Naples, for unjust spoliations on our commerce. Den- 
 mark has also indemnified us for similar spoliations, under the same decrees of 
 Napoleon. The indemnification was, however, expressly limited to "the last 
 maritime war of Denmark." We should claim at once from her, in terms not 
 to be resisted or evaded, full indemnity for these prizes, thus forcibly seized, 
 and given up to our enemies in violation of the laws of nations, and the rights 
 of hospitality. Until this demand can be prosecuted to justice, the United 
 States should assume the claim of the remaining captors, and their heirs, as they 
 have already done in the case of Landais, putting none of the former on a worse 
 footing than the basest of their associates. Two of the captors, John Buckley, 
 second lieutenant of the Alliance, and Nathaniel Fanning, a midshipman on 
 board the Richard, with possibly one or two others, are still living, though in 
 the course of nature they must soon be beyond the reaeli of our tardy justice. 
 
 This course of at once indemnifying the surviving captors and the heirs of the 
 deceased, has been suggested by Mr. Taliaferro, a member of the committee on 
 Revolutionary claims, to whom Miss Taylor's memorial was last referred. In 
 a letter to Miss Taylor, he thus expresses himself. " In regard to the prizes 
 sent into Denmark, I consider the delay, not to say culpable omission of our 
 government, to have justice done to the captius by Denmark, imposes on us the 
 obligation to satisfy the claimants to those prizes directly, and that our govern- 
 ment, not the claimants, should abide the issue of negociations with Denmark." 
 
 Whether Mr. Taliaferro has had an opportunity of urging his just views, and 
 what success has attended them, we have not the means of knowing. The hopes 
 of Miss Taylor, for speedy justice, have been too often deferred, to leave her 
 very sanguine. The annoyance of this lady at her long, wearisome, and fruitless 
 detention in this country may be readily conceived, and should call for the 
 hearty sympathy of those who have the means of advancing her cause, In a 
 brief statement of the condition of her claim, she thus expresses herself with all 
 the point and vigour, whicli characterize the style of her uncle. " Detaining his 
 representative ten years, in a foreign land, far from her country and her friends, 
 at great inconvenience and considerable expense, is surely a novel mode of rait- 
 ing a monument to the memory of a benefactor." 
 
 FINIS. 
 
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