The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-07
John Paul Jones, Greatest Of Sea
Fighters.

Navy. by Augustus (. Dueiib 10 d hiN5
raphy. in two volumes, which ILLS long
vacant place in American historical lit
erature. There has never been life
Of the FIRST American admiral which was
at all adequate to the demands OF the sub
iect; and it is time that this work should
he done. Mr. Buell. has. it may be re-
marked at once done the work extreme
" well and has made the most Of the
abundant material at his disposal. The
book ought to find a place in every Ii
brarv of American history in the country.
Paul Jones was unquestionably not only
the greatest American sailor, the com
mander whose achievements oYershado~
those Of all his successors, but he was
the greatest naval commander OF record
ed history. Nelson not excepted. The tsnt
in which he. as commander OF The Ben
bnurne Richard. won his victory ever the
Serapis. remains the most remarkable ma
val battle in history; and the TACT mat
up TO this time there has been no ade-
auate biography of this man Il TO De &C
counted for only by the general lndin''r-
ence TO the history of the navy when is
shown by the American people IN general;
America has never posed as great haNal
power. and the achievements OF her lana
forces nave been allowed to oyersAadow,
by the navy in every war in which the
country has been engaged. Small as IL
has been and hampered as have Deea IT'S
commanders in nearly every conflict ny
the inadeQuscy of the forces and engines
at their command il has still done ITS
full share of work whenever called Upon
and according to trustworthy records &c
complished considerably more IN proper
ton TO its size and strength tnan the
worId-renowned British navy.
1t was Paul Jones who as the founder OF
the American Navy. set this standard OF
efficiency. and none Of his successors have
done more than MAINTAIN the prestige
which he gave it. Those who read the
present biography will understand, II they
never have realized before, the marvellous
force and brilliance Of the man.
AS most people know. the name OF the
first American Admiral was originally John
Paul. and he was bern in the lowlands oil
Scotland, which is a good birthplace LOT
any man who wishes to ct on in the world.
The name of Jones was added to his patro-
mimic at the request of an elderly relative,
William Jones, who made him his heir on
condition of this change Of name. His
mother was Highland woman, which add
ed to the probabilities that he would some
day distinguish himself for the mixture OF
Highland with Scotch blood has generally
been suspicious. The reasons for this are
not far to seek. From the Lowlander came
cautiousness, shrewdness, and logged de-
termination; from the Highland Gael are
derived Imagination, ideality, daring, reck-
less bravery. and great powers Of intuitiVe
judgment. PROFESSIONALLY John Paul was
more Celt than Saxon, taking from his
father only the steadfsstness and good
judgment which tempered his impulsiye-
n holm
even in his most daring exploits. II these
two races are to be thus mixed it is GER
tainly best that the Celt should predomi-
nate. Gladstone was product of the same
intermingling of blood. but in him the
Lowlander so far dominated the other Gle
ment as to make him thoroughly Philistine
and bourgeois, while the Highland imagi-
nation and intuition only produced the eff
feet of indecision at critical moments and
Illogical reasoning where interest conflict
ed with a dimly perceived ideal. But for
sea fighter the temperament Of John Paul
Observation-Disclosures Celt and one-fourth
Lowland fisherman-was perhaps The best
that could have been found. Brought up TO
handle fishing boats, he went to sea at the
age OF twelve, and from that time his life
was spent on blue water.
He was not all sailor. A great part Of
his success vas due 10 his abilities as
man of the world and q diplomat, and to
the fact that he never. for one moment,
considered that any kind OF knowledge or
ability was too lofty for man in his pro-
fsssion. He believed in mans being more
than equal to his business, and that was
one reason why he raised the standards in
his own profession. How clear and definite
his views on this profession were may be
seen in a letter written in 1775 to Joseph
Hewes, apropos Of the founding OF the navy
OF the new Republic. AS the biographef
Justly remarks, this outline of the re-
quirements and duties Of the navy could
hardly be improved even at the present day,
and II would take a most radical change Ia
the conditions under which naval battles
are fought to make it any less applicable
in the future This is the letter, 50 char
acteristic Of Paul Jones and his style Of
thought and expression, and SO completely
embodying his ideals, that e Is worth
quoting in full:
As this is 10 be thu foundation-or / may say
the first keel timber-of a navy. which all
patriots must hope shall become among the fore
Tids- in the world. il should be well begun in
the selection q the first list Of officers. You viii
pardon me. know, II ! say that have enjoyed
much opportunity during my sea life 10 observe
the duties and responsibilities that are put upon
naval officers.
II is by no means enough that an officer Of the
navy should be q capable mariner. He must be
that, Of course. but alsD great deal more lie
should be as well a gentleman OF liberal educa-
ton, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and
the incest sense Of personal honor.
He should not only be able TO express himself
clearly and with force in his own language. bott
with tongue and pen, but he should also be Yersec
IN French and Spanish-for an American oihcei
particularly the former-for our relations VIII
France must necessarily soon become exceedingl,
close IN view Of the mutual hostility Of the two
countries toward Great Britain.
The naval officer should be familiar with I'M
principles Of international law, and the genera
practice Of admiralty jurisprudence, because suci
knowledge may often, when cruising at a oistanc'
from home, be necessary to protect his nag ron
insult or his crew frc=4-Iinposition or injury il
foreign ports
lie should also be conversant with the usage
OF diplomacy and capable Of maintaining, il called
upon. 3 digDifed and judicious diplomatic core
SPONGE, because IL often happens that suddeI
emergencies in foreign waters make him the diplo
matte as well as military representative o. hi
country, and in such cases he may have 10 &C
without opportunity of consulting his civic o.
ministerial superiors az home, and such actiol
may easily involve the portentous issue Of peac
or war between great powers. These are genera
qualifications and the nearer the Officer af
breaches the full possession OF them the NOR
likely he will be TO serve his country well an
win fame and honors for himself
Cunning now TO view the naval officer aboar
ship and in relation 10 those under his command
he should be the soul Of tact, patience, justice
f1nness and charity. No meritorious act Of
subordinate should escape his attention or be lei
20 pass without its reward, II even the Tewar
be only enc word OF approval. Conversely, b
should not be blind TO a single fault In any sui
ordinate though at the same time he should
quick and unfailinR 10 distinguish error froi
malice, thoughtlessness from incompetency, an
well-Ineant shortening from needless OF stupi
bluDder- As he should be universal and imparui
in his rewards and approval Of merit, shoul
he be judicial and unbendiug In his punishnisI
or reprooi OF misconduct.
In his intercourse with suboTdinntes he shoul
ever maintain the attitude OF ;he commando
but that need by no means prevent him from Il
amenities Of cordiality or the cultivation Of goo
cheer within proper limits. Every commandn