The Portland daily press., 1883-09-13
The Flag of Paul Jones.
The Flag and Cutlass of the Famous Pri'
vafeer on Exhibition ut the New Eng
land Institute Fair.

Among all the handsome exhibits at the New
England Fair there are none so interesting to
the lover of history'and to the admirer of the
gallant patriots of the Revolution as the faded
and tattered flag exhibited in music hail. Next
to the music stand, in a somewhat secluded
spot, are to be seen the first United States flag
ever honored by foreign power, the flag of
the Bon Homme Richard, Paul Jones's famous
sloop, and also the cutlass used by Paul Jones
in his many battles.
TIE relics are in the possession of Mr.. Sam
uel Belgard Stafford Of Maryland, kinsman
of Paul Jones, and the son Of Lieutenant
Stafford Of the Revolutionary Navy. In his
genial, quaint, old-fashioned way Mr. Stafford
tells the interesting history of the flag and
sword. His father, at the breaking out Of the
war, was merchant in New York. Summon
ed by the English Governor to swear allegiance
TO the British crown, the patriotic merchant
refused, and when force would have been us
ed, fed to Newport, II. 1. Here, in company
with other daring spirits, he fitted out sloop-
of-war, the "Kitty," and joined our list Of
privateers. The little sloop, however, was no
match for the superior vessels OF Old England,
and finally after a noble struggle, yielded to
the conqueror. Stafford and all who survived
the fight were cast into irons, and British
crew placed In charge Of the vessel. But 1t
was not long before Paul Jones, in his Bon
Homme Richard" sighted the captured vessel,
and for him to see was to conquer. The res
OF the Richard, !" and then 1t was that Lieu
tenant Stafford first saw that honored flag
which be was soon to save from tho hands OF
the British.
On the night of the 23d Of September, 1779,
occurred that eventfdl fight between the Bon
Homme Richard and the British brig Serapis
of the coast OF England. The vessels had
locked together, and boarders were thrusting
and repelling one another with their cutlasses
and pixies. Suddenly ball from British
sharpshooter struck the flagstaff of the priva-
teer. The American flag half fell, caught on
the lines, and then lurch OF the vessel sent IL
floating down into the sea. There was cry
Of triumph from the English tars, but it lasted
only a.moment, for Lieutenan. Staffon, drop
ping cutlass and pistol, plunged headiohg into
the water, seized the fallen ensign with one
hand, swan to the ship and clambered up the
side. In an instant he Is darting up the
shrouds, reaches the mast head, and is about
TO fasten the banner again in its place when o
blow from behind crashes through his shoulder.
daring British sailor is close beside him, eager
to gain the trophy. But the Lieutenant con-
quers, and the flag is saved. Below, on the
deck, Paul Jones, himself, with his trusty
blade, is leading the ons aught, and his heavy
blows and cheering words cannot but lead TO
victory The Scraps is conquered; the Amer
lean flag is safe, and the sword Of Paul Jones
rests uncontaminatsd by the enemy's grasp.
This flag and this sword are now on exhibi-
tion at the Institute Fair, held by the son Of
that gallant Lieutenant Stafford. The flag
after the sinking OF the Bon Homme Richard,
was placed at the mast head of the Alliance,
where 1t fioated until 1854. Robert Morris
then purchased the Alliance, but the flag, tho
cutlass OF Paul Jones and large musket were
bestowed on Lieutenant Stafford as the ono
most worthy TO possess them. In 1888 the
Lieutenant died, and the historical relics then
passed through the hands Of his widow Sarah
Smith Stafford, to the present possessor.
Mr.. Samuel B. Stafford is pleasant gentle-
man, somewhat advanced in years, but as
agreeable and ready in conversation as the
youngest of those round him, while II Is an abb
solute pleasure to hear the words OF heartfelt
patriotism which fall so naturally from his
lips. The flag was great object of interest at
tue Baltimore sesqui-centennial, and was also
at the Yorktown centennial. Mr.. Stafford has
recently received letter from the Acting Sec
retary OF the Navy, which reads as follows:
Sir,-It is understood that you have the
flag Of Paul Jones'-the first American flag
saluted by a foreign gsvernment-and a
boarding cutlass used by him, and that
you would ike,to have them displayed on
one of the vessels Of the United
States Navy, during the centennial celebration
at Newburg, N. Y, commencing Oct. 18th
next Rear Admiral George a. Cooper will
be of Newburg at the date named, in his flag
ship, the Tennessee, and you have permission
to confer with him concerning the most advis-
able way to exhibit these historic relics.
Very respectfully
EARL ENGLISH,
Acting Secretary Navy.
The genuineness Of the relics is proved by
far back as Dec. 18th. i7Si. 1Ssfaff ord has
twice been urged to sell the flag for 5000, but
money cannot purchase the family relic, with
its history and traditions, from the patriotic
old gentleman.-l Boston Journal.