The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-05-29
JOURNAL OF A NAVAL OFFICER
DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR;.
TCon,inued.l
KEPT BIT JOHN rREvErT, OF NEWPORT.

(Con,inued.l
Al L'Orlent found my old friend and
Commodore, Paul Jones. He was on board
n sloop-of- war called The Areal, and ready
to sail for America. The next day went
on board his ship; there found Mr. Ma
,hnniel Tanning and Mr.. Thomas Potter,
with whom had long been acquainted
They invited me to dine with them, and as
was going down to dinner saw Commo-
dore Jones walking the quarter deck, but as
he did not speak to me, was not amind to
speak to him. Talking with Tanning and
Potter, ] said was surprised shat the Com
modore did net speak to me. They made
this reply: he seldom speaks to any OF the
officers; and found by their talk they did
not like him. | said he will send for me as
soon as he knows am on board they said,
no, but in few minutes a midshipman
came down to the berth, aud said the Com
inodore requested me to come up there. |
went, aud after asking me n few questions,
where had been, &c. he informed me he
should sail in few days for America, and
said he, will give you a good chance if
you will go with me, and provide any thing
you want. told him there was one Amer
lean on board the Amazune, that should
like to have 60 with me, and he appeared
well pleased. After a short time ] went
below aud dned with Messrs. Potter and
Tanning, and found the Commodore had
treated the most of his officers with disrespect
and had grown more naughty than when
formerly sailed with him, and | told Fan
ming and Potter that I was going on
board the French frisate, and from thence
on share, and would think more sbost 60
ing. They both of them laughed at me and
said you have not got out of our ship yet,
and you will find hard work TO get out. !
said but little about it, but thought that
knew Con. Jones better than they did, for
| had sailed with him ever since he went as
Lieutenant. went on the quarter deck
aud spoke to the Capt. of the Areal, as the
Commodore had gone on shore, and told
him had notion of going on board the
French frigate. lie said, have no such
let any man go out Of the ship. said no
more, aud at IL o'clock at night the Com
modore found his way on board. All this time
Potter and Tanning kept laughing, and tell
ing me that should not 60 out Of the ship
until l got to America; for said Potter. we
have got Gov. Wards son, of Rhode Island,
Oh board, and he was first mate Of large
French ship, that sailed out Of L'Orient,
and every American who is at this place, if
the Commodore says the word, is sent on
board; and, said Fanning, there are now on
shore, confined IN Jail, several Of our under
officers, and they will stay there until we
are ready for sea. said but little more,
and tried to make myself easy until the next
morning. After we had breakfasted, | went
on deck, and soon after, the Commodore
made his appearance, on the quarter deck.
found orders had been given to the boat
swain to have the barge manned to put the
Com. on shore, and Immediately wen,
on the quarter deck and informed the Com
modore in the presence Of The Captain, tina,
in the course Of the day ] should like to %
ON board of the French ship 20 see my old
companion Capt. Parker, of Ipswich Mass,
and to see if could not get him to 60 with
US TO America, and likewise to go OIL shore
to view the town. He turned to the Capt
Of the ship and said, when Mr.. Trcveu is
ready, put him on board or ashore, where
he wishes to go. ! did no, make myself in
haste about it, but waited for bin, to 60 on
shore frst. and I was determined that usi-
tner Parker nor syseIf should 20 with him
to America. went down and saw nv
ir'enas Tanning and Potter, and told them
the success had met with. and they an.
pesred to be surprised at his letting me ou,
Of the ship. l did no, tell them nv in,eu.
ton, but went on board the French shin
and Capt. Parker and myself wen, on ,bor,
wen, to the Jail and saw the officer, ,ber,
confined, and they told me whs, ,,es,m.n,
they had received from Cs,r. Jones'. ,b.o
took rsmble all over the city Of L'Orien,.
aud then went on board the French ffiy.,,
again.