The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04

pointed by Congress to make some provi-
sions for navy. and when asked his name
he said. Jones'" and by that name history
mas since known him. The committee would
have paid little attention to his request for
commission had il not happened that one
of it members. Richard Henry Lee. knew
something of the career of the supplieaut
sailor. He was given a commission as first
lieutenant of the Alfred, merchantman
which had been made over into n man-of-
war and placed under the command OF
Commodore Hopkins. To the masthead OF
this vessel Jones, with his own hands
hoisted the first ensign ever shown on an
American man-of-war 1t was the famed
rattlesnake flag, with the motto. Don't
Tread on Me-" BY a remarkable coinci-
dence. some time later, on the Ranger.
Jones displayed at the peak the first bit of
Stars and Stripes bunting ever flung to the
breeze Of an American man -of-war. 4 lit
tie later he had the honor of hearing fired
in recognition of the same flag the first
salute which it ever received from a for
eign nation. the roar of the guns carrying
with ii the acknowledgment by France of
the Independence of the United Colonies.
Undersfzed and Thin.
John Paul Jones physically was not
heroic-looking figure. He was only five
feet tall, of light weight, but in his fight
ing qualities his ounces counted like other
mems pounds. His face was grave and
thoughtful, and his eyes were as sharp
as his cutlass. The fleet in which Jones
sailed under Commodore Hopkins was
miserable affair, and Hopkins was the
weakest of commanders. Jones succeeded
in inducing his superior to sail for Mas
sau. where, under the direction of the
junior officer, vast amount Of British
~, e, hoo 70.
the United States the British frigate Glas-
gov was sighted. but it escaped the
American feet owing to the poor seaman
ship of Hopkins. A court of enquiry was
held, and it was determined that if Jones
suggestions had been carried out the
Glasgow could have been captured or
sunk. Hopkins felt disgraced and became
a bitter enemy Of his subordinate. Short
ly after t.is Jones was made captain OF
the Providence, carrying twelve guns. He
cruised about, capturing many merchant
men, and finally. when off Nova Scotia. he
fell in with the Milford, huge British
frigate, which was diguised as a trading
ship. Jones bore down on it until he was
within pistol shot of the vessel. Then he
discovered his error and by magnificent
seamanship, succeeded in escaping with
out a scratch, although a single well-di-
rected broadside would have sunk his
ship. The Milford chased the Providence,
but was quickly left astern. The British
ship kept firing at the Yankee long after
il was out of range In contempt and de-
rision of this act of the British captain,
knowing that his actions were being
watched through a glass, Jones ordered
single sailor to stand at the stern and
shoot a musket at the pursuer every
time he fired his big bow-chaser.
After serious trouble with the jealous
Hopkins, Jones was finally given command
of the Ranger eighteen guns. He took a
number Of prizes on the way. and finally
put into French port. AT Paris he met
the American Commissioners. Silas Dean.
Benjamin Franklin, and Arthur Lee, and
they secured him an audience at the
French Court. By request he aided in
planning the operations of D'Estaing's
fleet, which was shortly to leave for
America.
The heroic fighting career of Jones was
just about to begin, though with the fame
that he had won in the next few months
came the undying hatred of all the people
of his native country, and there came also
the loss of the only woman he ever loved.
and whom he had hoped one day to make
his wife.-Boston Journal.