Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-19
COUNT sEGUa AND PAUL JONES.

COUNT SEGU2 AND PAUL JONES.
The second number of the American Quar-
terlv Review contains an article on the Memoirs
of Count Segur, an snterprising and instructive
work, recently published in London and Paris
I'm the wear 1889, whilst The Count remained IN
ST, Petersburgh, enjoying the highest CONN
dcnee and regard of the Empress Calharlne-
Paul Jones, whom he styles the celebrated Ame'
rican. saws the Review arrived in Russia "seek.
ing. as he had always done, fresh battles and
adventures" Though he carried no letters oil
Introduction to the French Ambassador, the lat
ter. considering every American as "a compa-
MON in arms" introduced him TO the Empress,
by whom he was most graciously received, and
soon after appointed rear admiral IN the k"s-
sian navy. The British officers in service, de-
clared in consequence, that they wouic resign
their commissions; and Segur mentions, that II
required all the wisdom and authority oil Adj
miral Greig to make them desist from such
resolution, $50 indignant were they at hndlng
that an elevated rank was conferred upon war
rior whom they styled a rebel. pirate, and
felon." 1t is known, probably, To most OF our
re aders tina, Paul Jones was recalled from his
Russian command, through the Vaccinations OF
his enemies, and when again al 81. Petersburgh
consigned to disgrace for certain period "A
mcricans cannot but cherish an interest in the
reputa,iun Of one 10 whose valor and skill thew
were largely indebted in their revolutionary
struggle; il is, therefore, with particular COM
placencv, that we copy the following vin'lica-
ton from the pen Of the Count de Srgur, whose
evidence on the subj ct is irrefragable:-
81 can cite an example which greatly contr-
bu,ed, bv the sad reflections it suggested, to i'm
press, more strongly than ever, upon my mind,
the love OF noble liberty, in spite OF all the
storms which its enemies, and even its friends,
have created. 100 frequently, around it
Paul Jones, sharrr in the victories OF the
Prince dp Nassau, had returned TO Petersburgh;
his enemies unable 10 bear the triumph OF
man whom they treated as vagahond, rebel,
and corsair, resolved 20 DESTROY him is
atrocity hioh ought TO be imputed 10 some en-
vous towards, was, think, very unJust'y attrl-
buted 10 the English officers in the Russian
navy, and to The merchants who were their
countrvmen These, in truth, did not disguise
their animosity against Paul Jones; but 1t would
be unjust to affix upon all base intrigue, which
was, perhaps. but the work of two or three per-
sons, who have continued unknown.
The American Rear Admiral was favorably
welcomed at court; often invited to dinner by
the Empress, and received, with distinction. in
10 the hest society in the city: on a sudden, Ca
tharine commanded him to appear no more in
her presence
He was informed that he was accused Of an
infamous crime; Of assaulling young girl OF
fourteen, Of grossly violating her; and that,
probably, after some preliminary Information,
he would be tried bv the Court Of Admiralty;
in which there were many English officers, who
were strongly prejudiced agaIns, him.
As soon as the order was known, every one
abandoned the unhappy American; no one spoke
TO him, people avoided salu,ing him, and eve
nv door was shut against him. All those, by
whom, but Yesterday, he had been eagerly wei
coined, now fed from him as If he had been in.
tected with plague; besides, no advocate
would take charge Of his cause, and no public
man would consent to listen to him; at last,
even his servants would no, continue in his ser.
vice; and Paul Jones, whose exploits every one
had, So recently, been ready 20 proclaim, and
whose friendship had been sought after, found
himself, alone. IN the midst of an i'm menst po
pulation: Petersburgh, great capital, bee anne
TO him, a DIES RI.
i went 10 see him; he was moved, even to
tears, by my visi,,T was unwilling he said TO
me, shaking me by the hand, to knock al your
door, ana to expose myself To fresh affron,,
which would have been more cutting than all
the rest. have brayed death thousand times,
now wish for it His appearance, his arms
being laid upon the table, made me suspect
some desperate intention.
RESUME said to him, 'your composure anG
your courage Do you not know that human
life, like the sea, has its storms, and tina, for
tune is even more capricious than the winds?
liza, hope, YOU are innocent, brave this sudden
tempest: 1t unhapplly, YOU are guilty, confess it
| to mr., with unreser,ed irankness, and will do
every thing can 10 snatch you, by sudden