Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1893-03-04
PAUL JONES, GOLD SWORD.
A Philadelphian Possesses Louis XVI's
Gift to the Brave Captain.

Gift to the Brave Captain.
Carefully treasured in the library
of a well-known Philadelphia is a
long case of read leather. heavily
padded and strongly secured. Inside
this case rests scabbord containing
a sword, which Louis XVI of France
presented TO Paul Jones, after the
latter had caused the Scraps to haul
down her coiors by tremendous fight
with his frigate the Bonhomme
Richard.
That battle, which historians say
was one Of the most bitter naval en-
counters ever recorded. occurred Sep
TENDER %, l779. off Marlborough
on the northeast coast of England.
Soon after the sun went down that
evening the Bonhomme Richard
sighted a strange frigate bearing down
upon her. In those days the naval
commander had to be ready for action
at any moment: so when the stranger
hailed the Bonhomme Richard Paul
Jones' crew were prepared.
They waited until the newcomer
was within half a pistol shot, and
then discovered her TO be the Scraps.
Then and not until then the Ameri-
can commander ordered a broadSide.
1t was returned, and before the smoke
cleared away the Scraps was hope
lessly entangled in the Bonhomme
Richards rigging. But Paul was in
for fight, ana he ordered his men
to grapple to the Scraps.
BY the time this was accomplished
the vessels had dri1ted alongside each
other, and there they lay, their can
mons mouths touching each other, as
the calm moon looked down and saw
the men fighting with broadswords
and pistols, marlinspikes and muskets,
while the cannon Delched, the
wounded shrieked, the dying groaned.
But on went the fight, the sea suck
ing in the llfe-blood that trickled
into it. Oh! it was horrible! And
at last. when II o'clock had nearly
come, the Scraps hauled down her
colors.
dul JULIUS Ndo NlLUOl iOt4o III OtlC VI
the most dreadful Of naval encount-
erS
News of the great struggle quickly
sped far away, and, shortly after the
victor reached France, he received
word that King Louis XVI had heard
with wonder and admiration of his
deeds. The whole land was talking
of him, praising or cursing according
to each ones opinion. But on GER
tain day those Frenchmen who cursed
Jones and called him a pirate, held
their tongues For Louis XVI him
self selected magnificent sword, and
sent it personally to the Yankee Com
modore with the expression of admi-
ration and well wishes.
Paul Jones received before and
afterward many gifts from those high
up in the worlds affairs, but none of
them did he value more than this
sword which is preserved here in
Philadelphia.
Upon his death it was given to
Robert Morris who in turn be-
queathed it to Commodore Barry.
The latter gave it to the present
owners grandfather, who was Paul
Jones Lieutenant in that terrific
naval encounter
The sword is long and keen, of ex-
qulsite workmanship, The upper
half Of the blade is heavily enameled
and chased and upon 1t are engraven
two legends One reads
Niye lie Roy
And the other which is Just under
the hilt, is as follows
Lous XVI, Rewarder of the Valiant
Defender of the Freedom of the Sea.
The hilt itself is of solid gold a
mass of intricate engraving and chas-
ing Herewith are published sketches
of the sword and fac-simile of the
signature Of John Paul Jones. Phil
adelphia Press.