Life of John Paul Jones

Front matter

Class,

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT

Life of John Paul Jones

Preface

I COMMENCED writing the Life of Paul Jones with the impression, received from early reading, that he was a reckless adventurer, incapable of fear, and whose chief merit consisted in performing deeds of desperate daring. But I rise from the careful examination of what he has written, said, and done, with the conviction that I had misjudged his character. I now regard him as one of the purest arid most enhghtened of patriots, and one of the noblest of men. His name should be enrolled upon the same scroll with those of his intimate friends, Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and Lafayette.

As this exhibition of the character of Admiral Jones is somewhat different from that which has been presented in current literature, I have felt the necessity of sustaining the narrative by the most unquestionable documentary evidence. Should any

Vf PREFACE.

one, in glancing over the pages, see that the admiral

is presented in a different light from that in which

he has been accustomed to view him, I must beg

him, before he condemns the narrative, to examine

the proof which I think establishes every statement.

The admiral had his faults. Who has not ?

But on the whole he was one of nature's noblemen.

His energies were sincerely and intensely devoted

to the good of humanity. He was ambitious. But

it was a noble ambition, to make his life sublime.

He was a man of pure lips and of unblemished life.

His chosen friends were the purest, the most exalted,

the best of men. He had no low vices. Gambling,

drinking, carousing, were abhorrent to his nature.

He was a student of science and literature ; and in

the most accomplished female society he found his

social joy. While forming the comprehensive views

of statesmanship and of strategy, and evincing

bravery unsurpassed by any knight of romance, he

was in manners, thought, and utterance, as unaffected

ts a child.

John S. C. Abbott.

CHAPTER I. Tke Early Life of John Paul y<ma

His Birth and Childhood. — Residence and Employments in Scotland. — His Studious Habits. — First Voyage to America. — Engaged in the Slave Trade. — Reasons for Abandoning it. — False Charges against him. — His Sensitiveness to Obloquy. — Espouses the Cause of the Colonies. — Developments of Character. — Extracts from his Letters. 9

CHAPTER n.

TTie Infant Navy.

Rescuing the Brigantine. — Commissioned as Captain. — Escape from the Solway. — Conflict with the Milford. — Adventures at Canso and Madame, — Return with Prizes. — Expedition to Cape Breton. — Wise Counsel of Jones. — Brilliant Naval Campaign. — Saving the Prizes. — Value of the Mellish. — ^Misnon to Prance. — Disappointment — Sails with the Ranger. . 3a

CHAPTER HI

Bearding the British Lien.

Aid from France. — Plan for the Destruction of the British Fleet. — The American Flag Saluted. — Bold Movement of Captain Jones. — Cruise along the Shores of England. — Capture o# Prizes. — Salutary Lessons given to England. — Operations in the Frith of Clyde. — At Carrickfergus. — Attempt upon the Drake. — Burning the Shipping at Whitehaven — Capture of tlie Plate of Lord Selkirk. . . .... 56

VlU CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.

Captain yones at Nantes and at Brest.

PAGE

Correspondence with Lord Selkirk. — Terrible Battle with the ship Drake. — Capture of the ship. — Carnage on board the Drake. — Generosity to Captured Fishermen. — Insubordination of Lieutenant Simpson. — Embarrassments of Captain Jones. — Hopes and Disappointments. — Proofs of Unselfish Patriotism. — Letter to the King of France. — Anecdote of Poor Richard 7^

CHAPTER V.

Cruise of the Bon Homme Richard.

Plans of Lafayette. — Correspondence. — Humane Instructions of Franklin. — Proposed Invasion of England. — Sailing of the Squadron. — Conduct of Pierre Landais. — The Collision.— Adventures of the Cruise. — Insane Actions of Landais. — Plan for Capture. — Plan for the Capture of Leith and Edinburgh. 100

CHAPTER VI.

The Bon Homme Richard and the Serqpis.

Leith Threatened. — The Summons. — Remarkable Prayer. — Wide-spread Alarm. — Continuation of the Cruise. — Insubordination of Landais. — Successive Captures. — Terrible Battle between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis. — The Great Victory 133

CHAPTER VII.

Result of the Victory.

Dreadful Spectacle. — Sinking of the Bon Homme Richard. — Escape of the Baltic Fleet— Sails for the Texel, — Interesting Correspondence. — Suflfenngs of the American Prisoners. —

CONTENTS IX

Barbarity of the English Government. — Humanity of Captain Jones. — The Transference from the Serapis to the Alliance. —Extracts from the British Press. — Release of Prisoners. . T4i

CHAPTER VIII.

Commodore jfones at Court.

0*fcr of a Privateersman. — Indignant Reply. — The Renown of Commodore Jones. — Successful Retreat. — Cruise through the Channel. — Poetic Effusion. — Enters Corunna. — Letter to Lafayette. — Embarrassed Finances of Franklin. — Intrigues of Landais. — His Efforts to Excke Mutiny. — Testimony against him. — Commodore Jones at Court 172

CHAPTER IX.

The Mutiny of Landais.

The Visit of Jones to Versailles. — Intrigues of Landais. — The Alliance Wrested from Jones. — Complicity of Arthur Lee. — Magnanimity of Jones. — Strong Support of Dr. Johnson. — Honors Conferred upon Jones. — Strange Career of Landais. — His Life in America, and Death. — Continued Labors and Embarrassments of Jones. — His Correspondence. . . ;<^3

CHAPTER X.

The Return to America.

Fitting the Ariel.— Painful Delays.— The Sailing.— Terrible Tempest. — The Disabled Ship. — Puts back to L'Orient. — The Second Departure. — Meets the Triumph. — Bloody Naval Battle. — Perfidious Escape of the Triumph. — The Ariel Reaches America. — Honors Lavished upon Jones. — Appointed to Build and Command the America. — Great Skill D.splayed. — The Ship given to frauce -The Launch. 214

X CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XI.

Thg War Ended.

Promise of the South Carolina. — A New Disappointment. — The Great Expedition Planned. — Magnitude of the Squadron — The Appointed Rendezvous. — Commodore Jones Joins the Expedition. — His Cordial Reception. — Great Difficulties and Embarrassments. — The Rendezvous at Port Cabella. — Tidings a' Peace. — Return to America. — New Mission to France. ,....,... 236

CHAPTER XII.

The Difficulties of Diplomacy.

Courteous Reception in Paris. — Compliment of the King. — Principles of Prize Division. — Embarrassing Questions. — Interesting Correspondence. — The Final Settlement. — Modest Claims of Commodore Jones. — Plan for a Commercial Speculation. — Its Failure. — The Mission to Denmark. — Return to America 358

CHAPTER XIII.

Letter to Mr. Jefferson. — The Marquise de Marsan. — Unfounded Charges and Vindication. — Flattering Application from Catherine II. — His Reception at the Polish Court. — Jones receives the Title of Rear-Admiral. — English Indolence. — Letter of Catherine II. a8«

CHAPTER XIV.

Thf Russian Campaign.

Admiral Jones repairs to the Black Sea. — Designs of Catherine II. — Imposing Cavalcade. — Turkey Declares War against Roasia. — Daring Conduct of Admiral Jones. — A Gredi

/ CONTENTS. Xi

rAOB

Officer Alexiana.— The Prince of Nassau Siegen. — Annoyances of Admiral Jones from Russian Ofi&cers. — Battle in the Black Sea. — Jones yields the Honor to the Prince of Nassau. 29S

CHAPTER XV.

Adventures in tfie Black Sea.

The First Battle. — Folly of the Prince of Nassau. — Inefficiency of the Gun-boats. — Burning of the Greek Captives. — Humanity of Jones. — Alienation between the Admiral and th** Prince of Nassau. — The Second Conflict. — Annoyances ot the Admiral. — Hostility of the English. — Necessary Employment of Foreign Seamen. — Disgrace of Nassau. — Transference of the Admiral to the Baltic. . . . . .316

CHAPTER XVI.

Retirement and Death.

The Return to Cherson. — Sickness and Sadness. — Oczakow Stormed. — The Wintry Journey to St. Petersburg. — Mental Activity. — Calumniated by the English. — The Admiral's Defence. — Slanderous Accusation. — His Entire Acquittal. — Testimony of Count Segur. — Letter to the Empress. — Obtains Leave of Absence. — Returns to France. — Life in Paris. — Sickness an i Death 33]

CHAPTER I.

The Early Life of John Paul Jones.

His Birth and Childhood. — Residence and Employments in Soot land. — His Studious Habits. — First Voyage to America.— Engaged in the Slave Trade. — Reasons for Abandoning it. — False Charges against Him. — His Sensitiveness to Obloquy. — Espouses the Cause of the Colonies. — Developments of Character. — Extracts from his Letters.

In the lonely wilds of Scotland there was, about the middle of the last century, a secluded hamlet •called Arbingland. There was a respectable gardener there by the name of John Paul. He had a son born on the 6th of July, 1747, to whom he gave his own name of John. His humble cottage was near the shores of Solway Frith. Young John Paul, like most energetic lads who live within sound of the ocean surge, became impassioned with longings for a sailor's life. When twelve years of age he lO PAUL JONES.

was sent across the bay to Whitehaven, in England, then quite an important seaport. Here he was apprenticed to Mr. Younger, who was quite extensively engaged in the American trade.

The daily intercourse of John with the seamen inspired him with a strong desire to visit the New World. He had received a good commonschool education, such as Scottish boys generally enjoyed at that time, and was also so eager for intellectual improvement that all his leisure time was given to study. He particularly devoted himself to the acquisition of a thoro»xgh knowledge of the theory of navigation. He even studied French. Often at midnight, when many of his companions were at a carouse, he was found absorbed with his books.

When John was thirteen years of age he embarked, as a sailor, on board the ship Friendship, bound for the Rappahannock, in Virginia, for a cargo of tobacco. He had an elder brother, Wil- Ham, who had emigrated to this country, and, marrying a Virginia girl, had settled on the banks of the Rappahannock. John had acquired a high reputation at Whitehaven for his correct deportment, his intelligence, and his fidelity in the dischaige of every duty. He improved his time so well, while in the employment of Mr. Younger, as to lay the founda-

HIS EARLY LIFE. II

tion for that eminence, which he could not have obtained but for this education. He could write his own language correctly, and even with considerable force ; he was a very respectable French scholar, and there were but few ship-masters who could excel him in the science of navigation.

John Paul was but thirteen years of age when, in the year 1760, he crossed the Atlantic and was cordially welcomed in the humble home of his brother, in one of the most attractive valleys of the world. He was delighted with the entirely new scenes which were here opened before him, and became thoroughly American in his feelings. His first visit was a short one, as he returned with his ship to Whitehaven. Soon after this, Mr. Younger failed in business, and Paul was released from his indentures. Thus the precocious boy, who was already a man in thoughtfulness, energy, and earnestness of purpose,, was thrown upon his own resources.

He maae several voyages, and at length shipped as third mate on board the ship King George, which \vas bound to the Guinea Coast of Africa, for slaves. Strange as it now appears, the slave trade was then considered an honorable calling. Men of unquestioned piety, who morning and evening kneeled with their happy children around the family altar, fitted out ships to desolate the homes and steal the children of Africans, and bear them away to life- long slavery. Many a captain, after crowding the hold of his ship with these melancholy victims of his inhumanity, would retire to his cabin, read the precepts of Jesus, " As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise," and would then kneel in prayer, imploring God's blessing. And this was not hypocrisy. So strange a being is fallen man.

We have no indications that any compunctions of conscience disturbed John Paul on this voyage. The most illustrious, opulent, and worthy people of England were engaged in the infamous traffic. Of course it was not to be expected that a boy, scarcely emerging from childhood, should develop humanity above that of the generation in the midst of which he was born. The Friendship bore its freight of human victims to the West Indies, where they were sold. He then, when nineteen years of age, shipped at Jamaica, on board the brigantine Two Friends, for Africa, to obtain another cargo of slaves.

It speaks volumes in favor of the intelligence of John Paul, that he became so thoroughly disgusted with the cruelty of the traffic, desolating Africa with the most merciless wars, and tearing husbands from wives, parents from children, that, upon his return to Kingston, he declared that he would have nothing more to do with the traffic forever. His friends

HIS EARLY LIFE. I J

unite in giving their testimony to this his resolve and it is confirmed by the uniform tenor of his subsequent correspondence.

From this his second slaving voyage he embarked for Scotland, as a passenger, on board the brigantine John, under the command of Captain Macadam. On the passage the yellow fever broke out. Both the captain and the mate of the ship died. They were left in the middle of the stormy Atlantic, with none of the crew capable of navigating the ship. Fortunately for all, John Paul assumed the com mand. The whole crew gratefully recognized his Authority. Be it remembered that he had not yet finished his twentieth year. He brought the ship safe into port. The owners, Messrs. Currie, Beck & Co., in recompense of the great service he had rendered them, at once gave him command of a ship both as captain and supercargo. In their employment he sailed for two voyages.

On one of these voyages. Captain Paul was accused of whipping, with undue severity, an insubordinate sailor, by the name of Mungo Maxwell. But a legal investigation absolved him from all blame. The accusation, and the trial which was prolonged through six months, caused Captain Paul great annoyance. The following letter to his mother a ltd sisters reveals his feelings, and much of hii

M PAUL JONES.

character, at that time. He was then but twenty-five years of age.

" London, a4th September, 1779.

" My Dear Mother and Sisters,

" I only arrived here last night from the Grenadas. I have had but poor health during the voyage. 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 assured, was the cause of my loss of health. I am now, however, better, and I trust Providence will soon put me in a way to get bread, and, which is far my greatest happiness, to be serviceable to my poor but much valued friends. I am able to give you no account of my future proceedings, as they depend upon circumstances which are not fully determined. " I have enclosed to 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 honor, by maliciously loading my fair character with obloquy and vile aspersions. I believe there are few who are hard-hearted enough to think I have not long since given to the world every satisfaction in my power, being conscious of my innocence before Heaven, who will one day judge even my judges.

" I staked my honor, life, and fortune, for six long months, on the verdict of a British jury, notwithstanding I was sensible of the general prejudice 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 reason and facts will do it, that they have had no foundation for their harsh treatment.

" I mean to send Mr. Craik a copy, properly proved, as his nice feelings will not, perhaps, be otherwise satisfied. In the mean time, if you please, you can show him that enclosed. His ungracious conduct to me before I left Scotland I have not yet been able to get the better of 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 witness for me that I suffered the more on that very account. But enough of this."

The Mr. Craik to whom he here refers was a gentleman of property, in whose employment Mr. Paul's father had formerly been engaged. The whole family were accustomed to look up to him with much reverence. It was perhaps a fault in young Captain Paul that the organ of veneration, a« the phrenologists would say, was not, in him, very fully developed. His knees were not supple in bowing before those who were above him in wealth and rank. Mr. Craik had not fancied the independent boy, and was consequently the more ready to believe the charges which were brought against him.

A rumor reached Mr. Paul, while in the West Indies, that the commercial firm in whose service he was sailing was about to close its operations. This would throw him out of employment. He wrote in the following terms to Mr. Craik, whom as a family friend and patron he highly respected. This letter was written a year before the charge for the maltreatment of Mungo Maxwell was brought against him. It was as follows:

"St. George, Grenada, 5th August, 1770

" Sir,

" Common report here says that my owners are going to finish their connections in the West Indies as fast as possible. How far this is true I shall not pretend to judge. But should that really prove to be the case, you know the disadvantage I must labor under.

" These, however, would not have been the case had I been acquainted with the matter sooner, as, in that case, I believe I could have made interest with some gentlemen here to have been concerned with me in a large ship out of London. And as these gentlemen have estates in this and the adjacent islands, I should have been able to make two voyages every year, and should always have had a full ship out and home.

" However, I by no means repine, as it is a maxim with me to do my best and leave the rest to Providence. I shall take no step whatever without your knowledge and approbation. I have had several very severe fevers lately, which have reduced me a good deal, though I am now perfectly recovered. I must beg you to supply my mother, should she want anything, as I well know your readiness. I hope yourself and family enjoy health and happiness. " I am, most sincerely, sir, yours always,

"John Paul."

In 1773, John Paul's brother died, in Virginia. He died childless, and left no will. John repaired to his brother's former residence to settle the estate. Here, for some reason which has never been satisfactorily explained, he assumed the surname of Jones, so that he ever afterward became familiarly known as Paui Jones. His subsequent achievements became such, that probably that name will never be obliterated from the memories of men. He had acquired considerable property, which he intrusted to agents at Tobago, and it was all lost.

Captain Jones, weary of the wandering life of a sailor and its unsatisfactory results, was now disposed to devote his days to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and to study, for which he had very strong predilections. In his letters to his friends he often expressed his desire to enter upon a life of " calm contemplation and poetic ease." Man proposes, God disposes. The tumultuous career into which he was led, was not one which he would have sought for himself. He was almost forced into it by the state of the times.

When in the midst of the stormiest scenes, without a family and without a home, he wrote pensively to the Countess of Selkirk, that duty to his country had compelled him " to sacrifice not only his favorite scheme of life, but the softer affections of his heart, and his hopes of domestic happiness." His letters all indicate that he was a thoughtful man, one who deeply pondered the mystery of this our earthly being, and who made frank acknowledgment of his moral and religious obligations.

His favorite poet was Thomson ; and his " Seasons " he read and re-read. It is not possible that any man of frivolous nature should develop a taste

HIS EARLY LIFE. I9

SO serious and so elevating. The loss of all his property at Tobago disheartened him, and repelled him from the risks of a commercial life. This probably decided him to settle down as a planter in Virginia, and to remain satisfied with the humble competence of a cultivator of the soil, in a rural home. He wrote to the Hon. Robert Morris :

" I conclude that Mr. Hewes has acquamted you with a very great misfortune which befell me some years ago, and which brought me into North America. I am under no concern whatever, that this, or any other past circumstance of my life, will sink me in your opinion. Since human wisdom cannot secure us from accidents, it is the greatest effort of human wisdom to bear them well."

From the age of thirteen, America had been the country of his adoption. Increasing years but added to his attachment to the principles of liberty which were being developed here. His innate mental constitution revolted from the feudal subserviency which a haughty aristocracy exacted in Europe. When the struggle was commencing between the mother country and these her infant colonies, Mr. Jones, with all the ardor of his nature, espoused the colonial cause. He then occupied the position of a Virginia gentleman, highly respected for his character and his eadowments. The rank of those with whom he was in aO PAUL JONES.

correspondence indicates his social position. He was not a friendless adventurer, but an intelligent patriot, whose influence was constantly increasing through the sound judgment, the courage, and the spirit of self-sacrifice he was ever exhibiting.

He often expressed deep regret for the painful necessity which compelled him to take up arms against the Government of his native land. But he was struggling for the maintenance of his own rights, and those of his fellow-countrymen, goaded to resist unendurable tyranny. In a letter which he wrote to Baron Vander Capellan, then Dutch minister at the Hague, he says :

" I was indeed born in Britain ; but I do not inherit the degenerate spirit of that fallen nation, which I at once lament and despise. It is far beneath me to reply to their hireling invectives. They are strangers to the envied approbation that greatly animates and rewards the man who draws his sword only in support of the dignity of freedom. America has been the country of my fond election from the age of thirteen, when I first saw it. I had the honor to hoist, with my own hands, the flag of freedom, the first time it was displayed on the DelaA^are, and I have attended it with veneration ever si- ce on th« ocean."

When the war of the Revolution, in £775, commenced, England had a thou'^and war-vessels. The colonies had not one. Congress equipped a naval force of five vessels to resist the most powerful naval armament this world has ever known. Paul Jones ivas appointed first lieutenant of one of these, the ship Alfred. He owed this appointment to the Hon. Joseph Hewes, a member of Congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, who chanced to be acquainted with the rare qualifications of Mr. Jones for the position. Captain Saltonstall commanded the Alfred. fs"^\

On the 14th of November, 1776, the Alfred, a frigate of 44 guns was lying at anchor off Chestnut Street wharf, in Philadelphia. We had then no national banner. As the commander came on board, Lieutenant John Paul Jones, with his own hands, raised the first American naval flag, under a salute of thirteen guns. This flag, it is said, then consisted of thirteen stripes, emblematic of the thirteen colonies, and a pine-tree with a rattlesnake coiled at the roots, as if about to spring. Underneath was the motto, " Don't Tread upon Me." In commemoration of this event. Miss Sherburne wrote an ode, from which we quote two stanzas :

" 'Twas Jones, Paul Jones, who first o'er Delaware's tide From Alfred's main displayed Columbia's pride ; The stripes of freedom proudly waved on high, While shouts of freedom rang for liberty.

"Through England's fleets thou dashed in bold amj. On Albion's coast spread terror and dismay; Thy cannons' thunder shook her rock-bound shore, Her Lion trembled midst his boastful roar

The little squadron, consisting of the ships Alfred and Columbus, the brigantines Andrew Doria and Cabot, and the sloop Providence, sailed from the Bay of Delaware on the 17th of February, 1776, to make a descent on the British Island of New Providence, to seize a quantity of military stores which were deposited in the forts there. The squadron was armed in all with one hundred guns and about one thousand men. Ezekiel Hopkins was commander-in-chief of the fleet. The fleet was not ready to saij until the middle of February. Struggling through vast masses of ice, the vessels passed Cape Henlopen on the 17th of the month.

In this important enterprise John Paul Jones was only a lieutenant. But it should be remarked that there were three grades of lieutenant, and that he was placed at the head of the first grade. He was offered a captain's commission, to take command of the Providence, v/hich carried twelve guns and one hundred and fifty men. Modestly this exrraordinary man declined the responsible position, not deeming himself fully qualified to fill it. Subsequently, in a letter to the Hon. Robert Morris, he wrote :

" When I came to try my skill I am not ashamed to own that I did not find myself perfect in the duties of a first lieutenant. However, I by no means admit that any one of the gentlemen who so earnestly sought after rank and the command, -was. at the beginning, able to teach me any part of the duty of a sea-officer. Since that time it is well known there has been no comparison between their means of acquiring military marine knowledge and mine. If midnight study and the instruction of the greatest and most learned sea-officers can have given me advantages, I am not without them. I confess, however, I am yet to learn. It is the work of many /ears' study and experience to acquire the high degree of science necessary for a great sea-officer. Cruising after merchant-ships, the service on which Dur frigates have generally been employed, affords, I may say, no part of the knowledge necessary for conducting fleets and their operations. There is now perhaps as much difference between a single battle between two ships, and an engagement between two fleets, as there is between a single duel and a ranged battle between two armies."

While the fleet was fitting and manning. Lieutenant Jones had superintended all the affairs on board the Alfred. It was not until a day or two before the squadron sailed that Captain Saltonstall appeared and

J4 PAUL JONKS.

took the command. On the 4th of March the squadron anchored at Abaco, one of the Bahama Islands, about one hundred miles north from New Providence. On the passage they had captured two small sloops from New Providence. They learned from the crew of these vessels, that the forts were not strongly garrisoned, and that they contained large magazines of all military stores.

The commander was not skilful either as a seaman or a soldier. Through mismanagement the enterprise came near proving a total failure. Jones was born to command. Without any effort on his part, his superior mind and knowledge naturally assumed ascendency. Seeing that all things were going wrong, he suggested sailing round to the west of the island, landing the marines about nine miles from the fort, and then, by a rapid marcli, to make the assault. Mr. Jones promised himself to pilot the vessels to a safe anchorage. With some reluctance Captain Saltonstall gave his assent. Jones took the pilot with him to the foretopmast-head. From that point they could see every reef and rock, and trace out the channel. The marines landed undei cover of the guns. There was no force sufficient to oppose them. Captain Saltonstall, by his injudicious movements, had given ample warning of his approach, to that the gover time, during th«

night, to load two sloops with ammunition <ind send them away. This might easily have been prevented bv ordering the two brigantines to lie off the bar.

The island was surrendered by the governor The guns, and all the governmental property in the forts, were embarked on board the vessels. All private property was sacredly respected. And this was done when the officers of the English Government were laying our villages in ashes, and hounding on the savages to assail our defenceless frontier with the torch and the tomahawk. The governor and two othor military men were brought off as prisoners.