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[Illustration: THE ATTACK ON WHITEHAVEN.]




                                THE LIFE
                                   OF
                     REAR ADMIRAL JOHN PAUL JONES.

                                   BY
                           JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.

[Illustration]

                               NEW YORK:
                        DODD & MEAD, PUBLISHERS,
                             762 BROADWAY.

                   _AMERICAN PIONEERS AND PATRIOTS._

------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES

                                   OF

                     REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN PAUL JONES,

                            COMMONLY CALLED

                              PAUL JONES.




                                   BY

                           JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.




                           ------------------

                              ILLUSTRATED.

                           ------------------




                               NEW YORK:
                        DODD & MEAD, PUBLISHERS,
                             762 BROADWAY.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

       Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by
                              DODD & MEAD,
       in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

                                   TO

           THE OFFICERS AND SEAMEN OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY,


                              THIS VOLUME,
      COMMEMORATIVE OF THE HEROIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF ONE OF THE MOST

              ILLUSTRIOUS OF THEIR NUMBER, IS RESPECTFULLY

                              DEDICATED BY

                                                  JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.

FAIR HAVEN, CONN., 1874.




                                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 and most enlightened 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 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 statesmenship and of strategy, and evincing
bravery unsurpassed by any knight of romance, he was in manners,
thought, and utterance, as unaffected as a child.

                                                  JOHN S. C. ABBOTT.




                               CONTENTS.

                             --------------


                              CHAPTER I.
                                                                 PAGE
                 _The Early Life of John Paul Jones._

  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 II.
                          _The 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.—Mission
    to France.—Disappointment.—Sails with the Ranger.              32

                             CHAPTER III.
                     _Bearding the British Lion._

  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 of
    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 the
    Plate of Lord Selkirk.                                         56


                              CHAPTER IV.
                _Captain Jones at Nantes and at Brest._

  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.                                                       78


                              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 Serapis._

  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.                           123


                             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.—Sufferings of the American
    Prisoners.—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.                                                    148


                             CHAPTER VIII.
                      _Commodore Jones at Court._

  Offer 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 Excite 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.              193


                              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 Displayed.—The
    Ship given to France.—The Launch.                             214

                              CHAPTER XI.
                           _The 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 of
    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.                                   258


                             CHAPTER XIII.
                       _The Mission to Denmark._

  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
    Insolence.—Letter of Catherine II.                            280


                             CHAPTER XIV.
                        _The Russian Campaign._

  Admiral Jones repairs to the Black Sea.—Designs of Catherine
    II.—Imposing Cavalcade.—Turkey Declares War against
    Russia.—Daring Conduct of Admiral Jones.—A Greek Officer
    Alexiano.—The Prince of Nassau Siegen.—Annoyances of
    Admiral Jones from Russian Officers.—Battle in the Black
    Sea.—Jones yields the Honor to the Prince of Nassau.          298


                              CHAPTER XV.
                    _Adventures in the 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 the Prince of Nassau.—The Second
    Conflict.—Annoyances of 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 and Death.                                 337

------------------------------------------------------------------------




                              PAUL JONES.

                  ------------------------------------




                               CHAPTER I.
                  _The Early Life of John Paul Jones._

His Birth sand 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.


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 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 common-school
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
thorough 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, William, 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
discharge of every duty. He improved his time so well, while in the
employment of Mr. Younger, as to lay the foundation 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 made several voyages, and at length shipped as third mate on board
the ship King George, which was 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 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 command. 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 and sisters
reveals his feelings, and much of his character, at that time. He was
then but twenty-five years of age.


                                      “LONDON, 24th 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. 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, as
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