The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-05-08
THE STORY OF
PAUL JONES
Our First Great Sea Captains
Career.
ROMANTIC AND VARIED.
Remarkable scotchman Who Became a
Soldier Of Fortune and Was Called
Pirate or the "Bayard of
the Sea-
ROMANTIC AND VARIED


Paul Jones, the hero OF the famous
fight between the Bonhomne Richard
and the Scraps, whose body has just
been found in Paris and will soon be
borne in honor to this country, is per-
haps the most fascinating and romantic
figure of the drama of our war for in
dependence. In praise and in yillifca
ton his eulogists and his yillifers have
run the whole gamut of epithets. He
has been eulogized as the pure souled
patriot and he has been yillifed as
the pirate and buccaneern with NOR
al character that was "detestable.a In
fact he was neither the one nor the
other. With the newly awakened in
terest and the extravagant eulogies
which the bringing Of his body to this
country, for final sepuichre, will call
forth, it is timely to state precisely
what he was and TO briefly record his
life and achievements. He cannot be
called great patriot because his was
not one of those natures that subordi-
nate personal glory and success to the
common welfare. As an American he
should not be ranked with his great con-
temporaries, for his patriotism consist
ed chiefly in pursuing glory in the ser
vice of the land whose cause he had es-
poused half by chance, rather than in
quiet, steadfast labor after the spectacu-
lar opportunity had passed. He was
ready to serve wherever he saw the best
chance for himself, whether il was with
the United States, Russia or France,
though in entering the Russian service
be perhaps stipulated that if needed he.
should be free to return to America.
He was sailor Of fortune and the for
tune he sought was fame. But in no
unworthy sense was he an adventurer.
The deepest thing in his soul, the love
Of glory, made him at once incapable
of meanness and of true patriotism 1t
was love that made him a lonely fig
me, since for it he gave up family and
friends. 1t made him also a ''poseur,"
vain and theatrical, but it spurred him
on to contend with phenomenal energy
against almost overwhelming difficulties
and to conquer them. He was genius.
Washington and Franklin have testified
alike to the force and clarity of his
mind and especially to his personal
fascination. As a naval officer, he had
more than mere courage. lie WAS q
master in naval strategy, in naval sea-
manship and in the command of men.
His methods are worthy of study today.
If the title Of "The Bayard Of the Seas"
given him by Aimee de Thelison, his
nearest friend and the natural daughter
of Louis XIV of France, be too large he
was yet d great sea captain, one Of the
| few greatest, whose achievements
against odds make him worthy of CON
| temptation and honor
| John Paul, which was Paul JONES'
original name, was born in 1747 near
the fishing hamlet of Arbigland, county
of Kircudbright, on the north shore of
Solway Firth in Scotland and was the
son Of Scotch gardener and fisherman
AS q boy he was constantly on the sea
and was famous for his skill and dar-
| ing. He began his actual career on the
sea at the age of Is, as shipmaster's
! apprentice. He was first mate at
is, having already made series of ocean
voyages. For time he was engaged
in the slave trade, which was not con-
sidered at that time. He left it prob
ably not because it revolted him, as
has been claimed, but because it of :
/ fcred no advancement. At 81 he was
put in command Of merchantmen and