Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-04

England. i liz ofiSlHdl papers dIC dii tucTC,
and no tolerable history can be written without
free and full use of them. A copy the en-
tire mass Of those papers, as far as they relate
to this country, ought to be obtained and depo-.
sted in the national archives at Washington.
The governments the proper organ for manag-.
ing this business, and we can hardly imagine
an act more honorable, or more indicative of
wisdom, good sense, or patriotism, than an et-
fort to procure such copy through our minis
ter at London. 1t cannot be supposed that the
British cabinet will at this day have any obec-
ton to copies being taken, Of papers relating
solely TO this couatry, especially when we con-
slider the enlightened and liberal men Of whom
that cabinet is now composed.
There is much room for zeal in finding out
and collecting manu- scripts, at present III the
hands Of individuals, which have direct bear
ing on the origin and events Of the Revolution
This is the grand period in orr national histo-
ry, upon which future ages will look back with
peculiar interest, and mark as prominent e.
pooh in the progress of mankind. The cores
pondence of the officers of the army, the tirst
governors of the states, the delegates IN lon
gress, and other leading men OF the times,
should be eagerly sought, and rescued from The
fate which is impending over it. Much OF this
we know has already been lost by the careless
ness or indisc retion Of those into whose hands
it has fallen. II will all gradually disappear,
unless seasonably deposited in the safe keeping
Of some public body, where perpetual watch
fulness will be exercised over it.
The history of some private manuscripts has
already been curious Our readers will recol-
lect, that two or three years ago, large bun
die of letters was broughtto light in New-York,
which proved 10 be the private correspondence
Of Paul Jones. When Paul Jones left Ameri-
ca for the last time, he committed to the care
Of his friend, John Ross, of Philadelphia, seve-
raj packages of manuscript papers, consisting
Of letters, journals, and vouchers of his landed
and other property in America. A power OF
attorney was afterwards sent to Mr.. Robert
Hyslop, merchant Of New York, to receive
these packages in trust for The heirs Of Paul
Jones. An agent came to this country and
settled the pecuniary affairs, but the papers
on being examined, were allowed 10 remain
in the hand Of Mr. Hislop, in trust, as un-
divided property belonging equally to all the
heirs of Paul Jones. At length Robert Hys
op died, and the papers then fell into the
hands of his executor, John Hyslop, baker,
in New York: This is brief explanation Of
the somewhat singular circumstance, OF papers
of this sort having been discovered in bakers
shop. they were valuable, as containing the
of some of the most eminent
leaders Of the Revolution.
Another remark we may add respecting the
papers Of Paul Jones. BY his will he left all
his effects 10 his two sisters, who resided at or
near Dumfres in Scotland, TO be divided equal
ly between them and their children, in as many
shares a, there were individuals in the two ia 1
miles, constituting his two sisters guardians
of their respective children during their mino-
rty. In 1898, one Of the sisters, and the hus-
band Of the other, went to Paris, 10 recover
debt due from the French government to Paul
Jones, and took with them 10 Scotland, among
other things, all the papers left by him. A d.
vision OF the effects and papers was immediate
ly made, by gentleman appointed for the pur-
pose, with the mutual consent OF the parties,
who bound themselves to abide by his decision.
This gentleman pursued an extraordinary course |
in regard to the papers He portioned them out
in two parcels, by weight and measure, just as
they happened to come to hand, without regard |
10 their value or connection. The two families |
resided for some time III Scotland, and when
Dr.. Duncan eight or nine years ago, prepared |
the short biographical sketch OF Paul Jones, for |
he Edinburgh Encyclopaedia, he appears to
have had access to the papers. Since that time
2 branch of one Of the families has removed to
America, and brought hither part OF the pa
papers, all, it is presumed, which the branch |
had in its possession.
few years ago. a niece Of Paul Jones who
inherited from her mother the portion OF papers
that fell to her lot, made an overture to the his
Iorical society of New-York to publish them
The negotiation was not successful, but the
were sent out to New York tor IN
specIion, where they now remain IN the hands
Of an individual in trust for the owner. They |
are fair copies, collected into four volumes, the
three first Of which relate chiefly to the part the
author took in the American Revolution. The
as, volume is written in French, and is devoted |
wholly TO his services in Russia. The contents
Of all the volumes are chiefly letters and official
papers, some of which have been published
To the first volume is prefxed memoir of his
life, but by what hand we know not. There is
also short narrative Of the transactions in
which he was engaged during the American |
var, but the substance of this is nearly the same
as that, which he presented to the king OF
France. 1t is mistake, however, which some
way or other crept into the Edinburgh Ency- |
clopedia, that Paul Jones has left any thing,