The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-11-23
John Paul Jones.
The Fredericksburg correspondent
of the Richmond Dlspstch saws:


of the Richmond Dispatch says
The announcement thsttheremains
of that distinguished naval hero John
Paul Jones. have been located 10
Paris. France, brings to the light
that the deceased WAS once resident
of this city. According to the records
of the County Court, he came here In
1913 to administer on an estate of his
brother, William Paul, who died here
In l772. William came here ~ 1860,
and shortly afterwards entered the
mercantile business. IN which be was
engaged up TO the time OF his death.
The store occupied by him Is on the
corner of Main aud Market streets,
aud IS the same building in which
George Washington WAS made a
Mason. Tradition also says that one
of the rooms 10 the building was used
by John during mis- residence h're,
which wss nearly two years, as hls
lodging quarters. II was also during
his citizenship here that be received
his appointment from the Colonial
Congress as lieutenant IN the navy
| was here, too, that be added Jones
10 his pstrOnymIc, which, IT IS said.
WAS IN token of the friendly act OF
Col Willie Jones, OF North CsrOlins,
who became his bond man for $500
when he administered on his brother r
estate. HIS first assignment after
receiving his appointment as lleuien
ant. which occurred December -
l77j, was TO the Alfred, on the deck
OF which. it is Ayerred, he, himself.
raised for the first time aboard yes
sci 10 commission from the Continen
usl Congress, the A4g of America.
Aboard this vessel he made he cruise
to the Bahama Islands. 10 May,
l77G, ne was assigned TO the Provl
dence. and IN October Of that year
was gwen a full commission IS cap
tain. By this time be bad acquired
the full confidence and esteem e the
Marine Committee Of Congress, and
IN III sailed 10 the Ranger to Brest
On arriving there, and after some
negotiations, in which he displayed
much adrotness. he obtained So
lutte from the commander OF the
French fleet, which, it is said, was
the first notice Of the kind the
American n4g had received. Al.
through his history the records show
that wherever he was present in bat
tie, success attended his forts. At
the close Of the Revolutionary wal be
WAS offered an important command
against the Turks in the Black Sea,
by the Empress of Russia, which he
accept d, with the stipulation that
be was never to renounce the title OF
an American citizen or be called upon
to fight against France. The skill
aud bravery which he always display
cd attracted the attention OF all
Europe and America. Euglsnd,
const quently, became so incensed at
the bolduess of his operations, carried
on directly under her eyes, that the
British Minister at the Hague, and
the press of Britain generally, en-
deavored earnestly to suppress his
growing reputation by cOsrsely, but
vaioly. endeavoring to brand him
with the epitbets Of rebel, renegsde,
and pirate. Upon bis return to the
United States, in 1871, Congress
unanimously adopted the following
preamble and resolution
Whereas, The Congress entertains
a high sense of the distinguished
bravery aOd military conduct Of John
Paul Jones, Esq, captain IN the navy
of the United States. aud particularly
in his victory over the British frigate
Scraps, on the coast of England
which was attended with clrcum-
stances so brilliant IS to excite
general applause aud admiration:
Resolved, That the Minister
Pleuipotentiary of these United
States communicate to his Mos
Christian Majesty. the high satlsfac
ton Congress has received from the
conduct and gallant behavior of Capt.
John Paul Jones, which have mertted
the attention and appreciation of his
Most Christian Ma jssty, and, that his
NJ ,jesty's offer OF sdorniug Captain
Jones with cross Of military merit,
is highly acceptable to Congress.
This was in honor of the Cross OF
Military Merit, and a magnificent
gold. mounted sword, which was pre-
sented to him before his departure
for America by the King of France
10 1887 Congress also voted him, In
commemofation of his brilliant and
valuable services, a " medal of gold"
Ia December, 1887, he returned to ,,
Paris, where, after a year OF Ill
beslth, be died. on the 18th of July
1892, aged 45 years During his
residence there he was given the
important trust by President Wash.
ipgton Of treating with the Dey OF
Aleiers, on the subject of peace and
ransom of American capiives. 81
far as is known. Fredericksburg WAS
the only home he had in America, and
in view of this an effort will be made
IN have his remains, when they rea ca