The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-25

grave reasons to suspect that the first per-
son who so asserted. one James Bsyard
Stafford. practiced fraud. This dag Is
now treasured as one Of the most valuable
relics in the navy department in spite Of
the doubts cast upon its genuineness. The
matter however, promises to cause an in
vestigation. as result OF the researches
made by the navy department
The nag is of red. white and blue. with
only thirteen stars in the blue field and the
name number of stripes. For nearly cen
fury this flag has been accepted as genuine.
II was unfuried with great fervor at the
United States Centennial Exposition at
Philadelphia I'm 1876, james Bayard Stat
ford. OF New Jersey, appeared before the
marine committee of the continental con-
gress with this heg. asserting that ne pad
taken It from the staff OF the Bon Honiiae
Richard Just before that vessel sank, after
the memorable battle. On the strength of
hts assertions the flag was presented to
him for bravery. This was in 1884. 1--WE
years after the night. The relic vas pre-
served by Stafford and his widow until her
death, August ., 1861. when II came into .he
possession OF their daughter, Miss Ssrah
Smith stafford, who died recently and will
ed II to her brother. Samuel Bayard Stat
ford by whom IL has been presented to the
government.
So long az the flag belonged to private
persons, says the New York sun no search
ing test OF authority rad been made Now
that Il IL government property a careful
Investigation has been made to find out "
It is the original flag and il Is asserted
gravely that h Is not. Doubt Is even cast
upon the fact Of Stafford being In the naval
fight at all. The facts OF the Investigation
are best set forth In the language OF one
who has looked into the matter:
Besides the allegation OF Stafford him
self, sworn to before a notary public and
the marine committee Of the continental:
congress. there are only two authorities
available which affirm that Stafford was on
the Bon Homme Richard In Prehie's
History OF the Flags OF America page ~.
Is statement that ten days before the
battle between the Bon Homme Richard
and the Scraps Paul Jones captured a
British vessel OF war and her prize. An
armed ship, called the Kitty. commanded
by Capt. Philip Stafford. The Enslishmen
had put the kltty's crew in irona The
crew OF the Kitty volunteered to serve on
board the Richard and In the service Of
Paul Jones. in gratitude AZ their release
Among these volunteers was James BAY
ard stafford. a nephew Of the captain Of
the Kitty. Being educated, ne was mace
an officer on board the Richard when the
Bon Homme Richard was sinking the Gag
was seized by a sailor and transferred by
Jones 10 the serapls and accom- panied him
to the Alliance whenh he assumed comma I'd
OF that frixate.
This accounts. apparently. fot the pres
onro Of Stafford on board the Richard.
whcr it was nnt shown hy any records
az the navy department. This presence
Gf stafford, however, can be proved .a
De e mistake. since there 10 no evidence
that he Wss on the Rlchard on the very
next PAGE ~ this same Prehls's history IL
the statement that the flag was shot away
during the fight. and that Stafford
plunged overheard aud recovered H. There
are many misstatcments In this history.
which was compiled more or less accord
ing 20 tradition and hesrs&y on rage ~
Sc says that the dag was secured when the
bon Homme Richard was sinking which
was AZ 70 o'clock tn the morning OF sep
temher Is That Paul jones carried mis-
aAS as stated. from the schuyiklu river.
which he left GA June "A. IN. to the Bon
homfnc Richard IS a xlariug error. as he
meantime took the Ranger 70 Europe.
sailed into The northern seas % Great
Britain. ard captured the Drake. sGoop
cf war before be saw the Hon Homn1s
Richard.
THAT one James RayNra Stafford asa
AI3ege THAT he bad seen service on the
Bon Honame Richard and that the seere-
tary pro TEN Of the marine COMMITTEES Of
congress IN i7St twhen Pau Jones was In
Europe did In response, apparently, 20
an apptcaticn from Stafford give hlru
a Gag that had been worn ~ the Alliance
r. true, as the following authentic records
prove beyond doubt:
" Philadelphia. Monday. Dec. IL Ils4
James Bayard Sthnurd-Sif Z arm
directed BY the marine committee 20
inform you that on last Thursday the
9sh they decided % bestow upon you.
for your ulsrttnrious services through
the late war. Paul Jones starry Tag OF
the Bon Homme Richard which was
transferred Pa tnc Alitance, g boarding
sword Of said ship. and a rnusket cap-
ture1 from the Scraps II you write
to Capt John Brown. Of the navy yard
which ship v0u wish them sent BY 10
New York they viii BE forwarded 20
YOU. Your humble SrrVant
JAMES NiEYI.ER
Secretary Fro Tenn