Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-02-17


nephew and representative Of Paul
Jones, Mr.. London, Of Charleston,
sc. This gentleman in 1916 was
in Washington awaiting the pas
sage of a bill by congress, awarding
him the land claim of his distin-
guished uncle, Paul Jones, which
had been allowed by the executive
of Virginia. Hon. E. w. Hubbard,
then member OF congress from
Virginia, had in 1874 prepared a
report on Virginia land claims, in
which the committee indorsed that
of Paul Jones. This naturally at
tracted Mr.. London to him, aud
learning that Mrs. HUBBARD was a
descendant of Willie Jones, he re-
peated to both Colonel Hubbard
and herself the cause of his uncle's
change of name, and added that
amongst his pictures hung a por-
trait of Allen Jones.
Mr.. London was a cultivated and
highly intelligent gentleman, but
in exceedingly delicate health, and
the suspense and anxiety of his
long waiting on the action of con-
gress no doubt hastened his death,
which occurred before he had re-
ceiyed the reward of the splendid
genius which had made our arms
as splendid on sea as on land. He
left one child, an interesting little
girl.
But what of the Scraps of a
hundred years ago? Let us see.
The 23d of September, 1779, round
Marlborough Head, swept into
sight his majosty'S man-of-war the
Scraps. Newly built, thoroughly
equipped, superbly manned, with a
reputation for unriyaled speed, she
moved majestically to the south
with fleet of forty sail and a con-
voy. Awaiting her was a battered
Indiaman, owned by the king ol
France, commanded by a man
whose hands had been the first to
raise our battle flag Ia pine under
which coils o rattlesnake, with
reared head ready to strike, and the
motto, "Don't tread on me"), who
in his first cruise of sixteen weeks
as captain gained sixteen prizes,
who after weary delays in a ship
"crank and slow" had crossed the
ocean, and firing the ship of White
haven made his name a terror to
the British coast, and who now,
still neglected by congress, owed
his vessel to. Louis and his small
squadron to the efforts of Frank
lin. OF this squadron but two were
with him, Of these one put out to
sea as soon az she had ascertained
the force Of the enemy, and Che
movements of the other were yqscil-
lating and uncertain.
But there was no uncertainty OF
hesitancy on board the "Le Bon
IIomme Richard" +" where the men,
fred by the dauntless courage and
invincible spirit of their leader.
made ready Tor battle. Night came
on, and, glass in hand, Paul Jones
watched the enemy gradually near-
ling tho Scraps, with the Countess
! Of Scarborough in her wake. Al
last was heard the hail from the
Scraps, but the reply being equiv
ocal, a simultaneous broadside was
delivered. At the FIRST fire two Ql
the American guns bursting, blew
up the deck, and all the heavy guns
we're deserted. For all hour the
cannoaadipg vas fast and terrific
then a lull, in which tle English
captain called out, "Haye you
struck colors?" to which rang out
the COOL. stegp answer, 81 have not
yet begun to fghtW Shortly 8fteI
| the two ships came foul, and Baul
Jones himGelf lashcd the enemy's
head gear to his mizzenmast and
the battle ragged. Once defeat
seemed inegEtable, when the Alliance
approaching, whether through
treachery or confusion it was mover
decided, opened fire not on the
Scraps buth her c6G2snrt, "Le Bon
Hommc Richard" and after a icsG icT
death-dealing pounds retired.
Still when the morning broke
gray and chill, shorn of her glory
stripped Of her pride, over the bleak
waves Of the North sea drifted the
Scraps, the prize of American
proves, and an eternal witness tC
the deathless fame Of her victor
Europe was electrified with thC
wonderful news, and the fame o
Paul Jones was at its height. A
Versailles and Paris he was oaresset
and courted. Men and women
kings and subjects, wed in theil
efforts to do him honor,
From the princely hands of Louis
/ XIV he received a sword Of gold
with tho inscription, "Vindicat
Ludoyicus XVI, RemHneratuI
Ctronno Uindio; y from Eronklir