Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-19
JOHN PAUL JONES.
His Fredericksburg Associations
Claim to His Remains.

FREDERLCKSBURG, VA, November
| 1S.-(Special) THE announcement that the
remains of that distinguished naval hero,
John Paul Jones, have been located in
Paris France, brings to the light that
the deceased was once q resident of this
city According TO the records of the
County Court, he came here in 1913 TO adj
minister on the estate Of his brother,
/ William Paul, who died here in 1772. VIII
/ liam came here I'm 1850. and shortly after
wards entered the mercantile business,
in which he was engaged up to the time
I OF his death. The ore occupied by him
/ IS on the corner OF Main and Market
streets, and is the same building in which
/ George Washington was made a Mason.
Tradition also says that one of the rooms
i'm the building was used by John during
his residence here which was nearly two
years, as his lodging quarters. 1t was
also during his citizenship here that he
received his appointment from the Colo
NAL Congress as lieutenant in the navy.
10 was here. too, that he added Jones 10
his patrOuymic, which, II Is said, was III
token of the friendly act of Colonel VIII
lie Jones. of North Carolina, who became
his bondsman for G5O0 when he admin
istered on his brothers estate. His first
assignment after receiving his appoint
ment as lieutenant. which occurred on
December -. 1175. was 10 the Alfred, on
the deck of which. IL is avcrred, he, him
self. raised for the first time aboard
vessel in commission from the Continen-
tan Congress, the nag OF America. Aboard
this vessel he made the cruise 10 the
Bahama Islands. In May, 1776, he
was assigned 10 the Providence, and I'm
October of that year was given fun
commission as captain. BY this time
he had acquired the full confidence and
esteem of the Marine Committee of Con-
gress, and an 171 sailed in the Ranger TO
Brest. on arriving there, and after
some negotiations, in which he displayed
much adroiness, he obtained salute
from the commander Of the French feet,
which. IT is said. was the first notice OF
the kind the American flag had received. |
All through his history the records show |
that wherever he was present in battle. /
success attended his efforts. At the close /
of the Revolutionary war he was offered /
an important command against the Turks /
i'm the Black Sea, by the Empress I
of Russia, which he accepted, with the 4
stipulation that he was never to re- !
uounce the title Of an American citizen 1
or be called upon TO fight against France. I
The skill and bravery which he always
displayed attracted the attention Of all /
Europe and AMERICA. England, cOnse-
Quently. became 50 incensed at the bold |
ness of his operations, carried on directly |
under her own eyes that the British
Minister at tho Hague, and the press
Of Britain generally, endeavored earnest
ly TO suppress his growing reputation by
cOarsely, but vainly, endeaVoring 10
brand him with the epithets of rebel
RENEGADE. and pirate. Upon his return TO
g "a 1871 ffpnCrTpCC IMAM |
imOusly adopted the following preamble
and resolutions:
Whereas. that the Congress entertain
q high sense of the distinguished bravery
ana military conduct OF John Paul Jones,
ESQ, captain I'm the navy Of the
United States, and particularly in his
victory over the British frigate Scraps,
ON the coast of England, which was at
tended with circumstances so brilliant as
TO excite general applause and admira-
ton:
RESOLVED. That the Minister Plenipo-
Tertiary OF these United states commune
cate TO his Most Christian Majesty, the
high satisfaction Congress has received
from the conduct and gallant behavior
of Captain John Paul Jones, which have
meritcd the attention and appreciation
his Majesty's offer of adjoining Captain
Jones with a cross of military merit is
highly acceptable 10 Congress.
This was IN honor OF the Cross Of Mill
tary Merit. and a magnificent gold
sword. which was presented TO
him before his departure for America
by the King Of France. Ia lIS7 Congress
also voted him. I'm commemoration Of his
brilliant and valuable services, a medal |
# gold" I'm December, 1887, he returned
10 Paris. where, after year of III health
lo died, on the 18th Of July 1872 aged IS
,ears. During his residence there he was
,ivon the important trust by President |
Washington Of treating with the Dey Of
,leiers on the subject Of peace and ran
h m Of American captiyes. SO far as Is
,nown Fredericksburg was the only
,oma he had in America, and IN view
n mis- an effort will be made TO have
Iis remains when they reach America,
.,o,,olt here for interment