The National tribune., 1898-05-26

anu subsequently, 70 liic Nd
and / had Just 100 in excess of it. No
English 50-gun ship had as many men in
her regular complement as had on the
Alliance; and my experience in the Ranger
and the Richard had taught me that men
mean more than guns in the rating of a
ship, provided that the men are American
sailors and the Commander knows how to
use them.
Besides this the Alliance was a much
smarter sailer, quicker worker and shiftier
handler than any British ship oil any rate,
and was in perfect ship shape a,ow and
aloft to a rope yarn. This, with my great
deck force To work ship, would have en-
abled me tn lay an enemy on board very
early in the action, with any reasonable
luck. And ] was sure that If could once
lay that crew on beard an English ship
anywhere near our rate the rest OF the
action would take care OF itself. No one
who knew their feelings as / did could
doubt the result.
The conduct in battle OF an American
sailor who had suffered in an English
prison was something to make one shudder.
/ had upwards OF Il hundred such ON the
Richard. Without the least disparacement
of their shipmates who had not had that
woeful experience, / feel free to say that
they and their example were what made
the English ensign trail on the Scraps"
EFFORTS FOR A NEW SQUADRON.
Soon after the Alliance arrived at l'Orient
Jones went to Paris 10 arrange for q new
squadron. He hoped To obtain about six
ships, including The Scraps, which by
that time had eluded The English feet
off the TeXel and come round to Brest
and the Alliance which he at once put in
hand for thorough refit. He had no doubt
that a new squadron was to be had almost
for the asking. All France was ringing
with his praises. All doors were open TO
linn. Even the Queen, Marie Antoinette,
honored him with an autograph letter of
congratulation.
But ne soon found that a subtle influence
was working against him in official circles
The achievements that had extortcd the
unbounded admiration OF everyone who
hated England and loved TO see her
naughty flag trailed, aroused the jealousy
of the French navy. Unable to conquer
English ships themselves the French Off
GERS determined that Paul Jones should
not have another chance to put them to
shame in the eyes of their own people
So, by the intrigueS and articles which
none know so well how to contrive as the
cabais Of a regular service, Jones found
every effort to obtain new squadron
thwarted. Not only this, but through an
unfortunate dlssension among the Ameri-
can Commissioners themselves the ALI /
ance through the selfish scheming of
Arthur Lee, was restored 10 Landais for
no better reason than that Mr.. Lee wanted
TO use her as a packet ship to bring him !
and his MISUNDERSTANDING his J
horses and carriages America (
This was sad and shameful sequel to 1
the career that Jones had begun V hen he |
set sail in the little Ranger from Ports |
mouth. n. H., and which had found its !
zenith in the most wonderful victory ever /
won at sea. Arthur Lee was soon brought I
to bitter repentance OF his share in il when |
all the facts came out in the Landais |
court martial the next Summer. He had |
to sit silent under the sting of a rebuke (
from the lips OF George Washington in |
which the words unworthy motives" and |
"dishonorable conduct" were used.
But that did not mend the wrong that !
had been done to Paul Jones' and il was
never mended From that time to the end |
of the war OF Independence he got no other |
sea command. The Marine Committee |
employed him to superintend the building |
OF the America, of "A guns, at Portsmouth |
n. H., but just as he had got her ready for |
sea the Continental Congress gave her to |
the King of France in place of the Magni- |
fique, "a, lost in aiding our cause. But |
the war was then over TO all practical in
tents.
After the America had been turned over
to the French navy, Commodore Jones
was invited by Admiral the Marquis de
Vaudricul, commanding the French fleet
in American waters, 10 accompany him on
board his flagship, the Triomphante, in an
expedition against Jamaica. Jones &C
cepted this invitation, and spent about
five months in the capacity of guest and
honorary Aid de Camp to the French Com
mander- Chief.
While cruising i'm the West Indies. await
ing a junction with the Spanish feet under
Admiral Don SOlanO, VaudrieuI received
news OF the definitive peace and sailed 70
france, sending Commodore Jones in one
of his frigates TO Philadelphia.