Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-16
A RELIC OF THE REVOLUTION.
Looking for the Boss of the Inaugural
Parade.

Parade.
MR.. STAFFORD TELLS ABOUT JOHN PAUL JONES
FLAa-AN ODD COSTUME, But LOYAL HEART
ACCOMPANYING HIS STORY WITH soSG-How
HE CAME By THE RELICS.
where's the boss of the processiong' said a
weak, piping voice as the door of the reporters
room of The STAR was cautiously opened on
Inauguration day. The ewes of the many
scrlbes who were busy at work turned toward
the door and beheld a sight which for unique
ness was hard to surpass. With one hand Oh
the door a. If afraid 10 venture in. stood an old
man dressed in a costume much resembling A
French buriesque actor. In appearance be
looked not above sixty wears of age He wore
an old continental blouse. and around his waist
was an old army belt in which was carried a
boarding sword or cutlass. The odd-looking
visitor represented himself to be Samuel Bav-
ard Stafford. the only surviving child OF Lieut.
James Ii. Stafford. of the revolutionary navy.
Mr.. stafford was referred to reporter,
and to him he told the following story:
TALE or THE REVOLUTION.
This sword" he commenced taking the old
fashined weapon from his belt. lis the boarding
cutlass of that remarkable parsonage John Paul
Jones. and this nag Ctaking torn aud tattercd
flag from a satchclD Is the starry flag of the
frigate Bon IIomme Richard
But how did yoH come bv them:'
III hat Just what i was about TO tell YOU.
You See at the breaking out Of the revolution
my father was living IN New York. but fed
after the British governor had issued a procls-
nation requiring all citizens to take the oath
of allegiance to the king. Nv father fed to
Newport and entered the service of Capt
Philip Stafford. ms uncle who shortly after
wards itUed out a bark called kittv which
was commissioned in Boston Tor a short cruise
Ii was not long. continued Mr. Stafford be
fore the nifty was captured by the British. and
all hands put IN irons. They didn't remain
that way long. for the Kitty was reca ptured by
John Paul Jones. and the irons we're trans
ferred to the British. so iubilant were the re-
heved prisoners that they volunteered 10 help
faul Jones, and together with my father
shipped aboard the Bon Hommc Richard
AIDED By soSa.
well" continued Mr. Stafford. scratching
his head as if to collect his thoughts they
soon ran across the British frigate Serapis.
and this song about illustrates what happened
Here Mr. Stafford paused. and after striking
the Keynote struck out boldly ia a weak
quavering voice. bat possessing all the fire of a
revolutionary soldier:
Commodore Pearson came ALONGSIDE
M oHa tEgIr, Mhr G. sou " he cried
or II yoH do not broa,lsidr nj rour'
Paul Jones then said TO his men. every one:
wen receive bTua,i>de from THIS bold EngIishman.
Abd- Ike true lankees return II again
He paused in his song for a moment. and
then, as If forgetting something continued:
The contest bloody. both decks ran with gore.
And The sea seemed to blaze as the ten rOared
SAVED THE FLAG.
''Ies. sir" he continued. they were brave
brave boys. The Richard was found TO be sink
ing, and Paul Jones had her dashed to the
Scraps. The flag OF the Richard was shot AWAY,
and then my father leaped into the sea after%~
Securing the banner, he swan 10 the ships
side and caught hold of the ropes British
officer saw him and attempted 70 cnt off his
head with a heavy cutlass. Dodgina the blow,
my father dropped into the sea and again made
an effort TO reach the Richards deck This
time he was not so fortunate as TO escape un-
injured, for in climbing up the ropes he re-
ceiyed a blow which nearly severed his arm
He reached the deck though, still clNging TO
his precious burden, which, like himsNlf was
covered with blood The battle rageA until
at last the Scraps was captured Just as the Rich
ard was sinking. The flag was then hoisted on
that ship, and later hoated at the masthead of
the Alliance, which was afterward transferred
to the charge of Commodore Barry. The ALI
ance was afterWard sold by the government.
My father was subsequently, honorably dis
charged, and on his return to New York re-
celved letter from the naval committee pre-
senting him with the flag
mere Mr. Sldnoru drew forth letter much
the worse for wear, which read as follows:
REwARDISG A HERO.
PHuApELPHIA Pa. Sept II. 1854
JAMES BAYARD STAFFORD SIR: 1 am al rect4d blythe
committee To inform you that last Thursday. the
9th. they decided TO bestow upon you for Your ner
torous services in the late war Paul Jones' starry a
OF the Bon HonTne Richard. which transferred 20
the alliance, boarding swo Of said ship and mus
quet captured from the Scraps.
II you write 10 Capt John Brown at the yard What
ship you wish them sent by they will be forwarded to
you Your humble servant,
JAMES MEYLER,
Secretary pro TEN.
CATER THE WAR"
continued Mr.. Stafford, my father went out
as master of packet, but on account of his
wound i'm the shoulder he was compelled TO
give il up. Nv father said he always kept Paul
Jones flag for revenge, and often when politi-
cal feeling ran high in New Jersey my mother
would wave the banner from her garnet win
dow, and many times came near causing .
riot.
when NV father died" continued Mr.. Stat
ford, The left a will in which he stipulated
that his children or grandchildren should
never sell the starry flag unless forced TO do so
through poverty"
s.Did you ever receive an offer for the fag?'
"we have been offered $1,000 for it, but
twice that amount could not buy it,
The flag was made by the Misses Mary and
81 feet long, and has twelve stars. represent
ing the number of colonies at that time, and 10
to-day in q good state Of preservation"
Besides the flag, musket and cutlass Mr.. Stat
ford has also the original letter bestowing them
on his father; the military hat and plumes OF
Col Perry, Of the Revolution, with his COM
mission and the honorable discharge Of his