Weekly Clarksville chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 185?-1857, 1857-01-09
MlsCELLANY..
RAUL JoNEsl
rar Daring NAVAL HERO.

The subject Of this sketch, John Paul Jones,
occupies a position in ihe American marine
shared by few others. His exploits we're
always marked by daring confidence in the
utimsie succsss, and achieved EMS in many
cases with remarkably inadequate meSus
He was born in July 6, i747, at Arbis&nd,
In the parish of Kirkbean, Scotland His
fathers name was John Paul. The name O.
Jones was assumed in addition at a later date
His father was gardener, and continued dur
Ing his life in the employ Of Mr. orAik, Of
Arbigland.
TIE early education OF Paul Jones was lim-
ted but through ss far as it went. Atthe early
age Of IL he was regularly apPrinticed TO fol-
low the sea His msster was Mr. Younger,
merchant in the American trade His first
voyage was to America. On arriving at his
destination he found his brother Willism. who
lad been resident here for numbsr of years.
With this brother he remained during the
time he was in port. Jones manifested an
pp,uess for the profession. and made a, this
period several very successful voyages.
III 1857, while returning to Scotland in the
! John, MS passenger, the master and mate
died OF vel os fever, and Jones assumed the
dire ion Of the vessel, which he carried safely
into port. He re.ived the command of the
vessel he had rescued as his reward. Thus
We fiad Jones, at The age Of twenty one, in
Ion cdmu u,nd ofla merchant vessel, an ih-
stzs,Aa of promotion, which. with the existence
Of g,e,t ns-it a,nnds almost uuequaed. 10
the employ Of the owners Of this vessel,
Jones sailed two years, at theend of
which tine The firm dissolved. From
this date, up to his departure America, he fol-
lowed the sea in vori,us capacities, going
twice to the coast of Africa, on slayng ex.
peditions. r.
In 1773, his brother William died in Vir-
gnia leaving him heir to his estate. In order
10 attend to his property he came to America
and it was shortly after his arrival that he
assumed the name of Jones. The reasons for
the adoption of this name have never been
definitely given.
Innes' connection with The American navy
commenced sometime in December IT'S -
He was ordered to the Alfred. twenty four
guns, as first lieutenant. On board this ves-
sci, at Philadelphia, on the 9th of Dec l778,
he hoisted for the first time. the adopted flag
f the United Colonies. This flag bore the
representation Of pine ee ano raitesnake,
with this motto--"Don't Tread ., Me-"
While attached to the Alfred le came frs,
under fire In an engagement with tle Glasgow,
twenty. four guns, off Newport. The Alfred
was badly cut up in this affair, which resulted
in the escape Of the Glasgow into Newport -
In variety of commands which Jonts under.
took about this time, he particularly oistingu-
ished himself by the promptness of action,
and the ability which he displayed in saizing
at once on the best modes Of extricating him.
self from impending danger.
| II was under the command of John Pau,
Jones thai the American vessel. the Bon
Houime Richard, Tough, the English Battle
ship Scraps, on Flsmbo-nugh Head. The
action was particularly noted for the bury with
which it was conducted on both sides Befor.
noticing any of the incidents Of this engage
mcnt, it will be we'll to mention the strength
OF the two vessels engaged. 'fEf
This Bon Homme Richard was formerly an
Indamun belonging 10 tue French, and wa,
called The Due de Duras, She was foOrteer
years old, and although bought for fast snilel
aud sound hull, proved to be dull under sal
aud roIton in timber She was long, single
! decked ship, Her armament, all told, wa
for,y.two guns. The Scraps was new ship
carrying forry-four guns, and about thre'
hundred and fifty men.
I The engagement took place on the 23d o
lSp'embsr l779 At an early hour the ship.
bereae Htngled with each other and con
ti0red sed side by side during the Who'll,
action They we're SO close together that th
ginuers gsre obliged to pass the rsmmers {,
ne ~r~ulls Of TIE lie ports to get them In
! % rA'ir IN o. course the execution dom
ls' his sbot, ~. &c e's terrific, Everywher,
'es'n"2od sih n'erpiagled cheers and gros n
! TIE dea1 were strewn about in every direc
tiar, snd the most awful confusion prevailed
Tho Richard was frequently on 6ro,und at III
close Of the action was in a sinking condition
Her side was almost destroyed by the Serapis
and nothing prevented the quarter and mai
deck but few top iimbers that rename
standing. This len Jones and his comPaion
fighting on a port Of Stage, upheld by slauch
ions that were liable at any moment to civ
way.
The loss on both sides was fearfilly grear
\ FNll aHe hundred and fifty of the Richard
men were killed, and the Scraps lost on
hundred aud seventeen. The Sersps fnsll
struck her eolors, and the bloody carnag
ceased and unon the haaVin0 wave lAoated IN