The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1905-10-04

cover the remains Oh Jonh
tr7o=I Paul Jones in Paris, l
Isal lall wrote and published in
these columns the follow
ing historical article relating TO this re-
markable man. l reproduce it now in
response to the public desire for facts
concerning the naval hero. l have
nothing to add to it, save that he is
now TO have his imposing tomb on the
soil of the country he fought to save
and advance in new destiny.
Among the remarkable men identi-
fed as leaders with the American Rev
olution-and no patriotic cause ever
produced more of them-John Paul
Jones is conspicuous for courage, abil-
ity and success rs n naval commander.
Classed by the enemy as ''rebel' and
pirate" and his very name used as
terror to children. still this was at the
time when Washington was also called
rebel" when Franklin was de-
nounced as a "hoary- headed traitor"
and Samuel Adams and John Hancock
were considered as meriting "condign
punishment"
The valorous and desperate achieve
ments of Jones at Whitehaven, near
his early Scottish home and on board
the Bon Homme Richard, in the cap
ture of the Scraps, forty-four guns,
drew upon him not only denunciation,
but the vivid picturing of fancy in the
books of the day, to which generations
in Great Britain have clung. AS a
matter of fact, his sublime courage and
his fierce purpose were dedicated to the
cause of American liberty, which he
espoused with his earliest years, and
his severity was only what he cOnsid-
cred just retaliation for the atrocities
enacted in this country by the British
commanders. He wished ''to put an
end to the burnngs in America by
making one good fire of the English
shipping"
He was the earliest officer of the
Navy with a spirit and capacity for
daring exploits necessary in contest
of the feeble against the strong. and
the one also who gave the first ideas.
and put them into execution, for per-
manent American Navy.
With some difficulty 1t has been
learned that the remains of this illus
trious man are in an obscure cemetery
in Paris. It is proposed to remove them
to this country, as he died a naval
hero and a steadfast patriot. His pri-
vatc papers were in the possession of
first one and then a second gentleman
of this city. and finally passed to the
hands of a third person.
I propose to draw more especially
from this source some interesting par
ticulars in regard to Jones, who was
lot less brave with his sword than
gallant with tongue and pen.
John Paul Jones was born ut Arbeg-
lang. Kirkcudbright Scotland, on July
G. 1747. His father was John Paul,
gardener. At twelve he went to sea,
sailing from Whitehaven. He had
brother in Fredericksburg, Va, and he
came 10 this country before he was
thirteen. He became n mate and mas
ter of vessels. In 1913, his brother
having died. he took charge of his es-
tates, and about this time changed his
name to Jones.
Before the colonies had declared their
Independence the maritime aggressions |
of Great Britain caused the American |
Congress to proceed to reprisals. 1t |
was therefore resolved to have small |
naval force Jones Immediately offered |
his services He was appointed a First |
Lieutenant December 90, 1915. He was
the first man 10 hoist the flag which |
was then used.
His commission rs Captain, issued |
by order Of Congress and signed by |
John Hancock, dated at Philadelphia, |
October 10, 177G, says: "To John Paul
Jones, Esquire. We, reposing especial
trust and confidence in your patriotism,
valor, conduct and fidelity, do by these
presents. constitute and appoint you |
to be Captain in the Navy of the |
United States of North America, titted |
out for the defense of American liberty |
and for repelling hostile invasion"
He interested himself in giving opin- |
ions as to the organization of a Navy. |
Many of his plans We're adopted. He |
recommended the appointment of Com
missioners of Dock Yards to superin- |
tend the building and outfit of ships of
war. Had it not been for his eXertions
1t is probable that the Navy would !
have gradually disappeared.
The following resolutions of Con-
gress show how directly Jones was as
sociated with the adoption Of the pres
ent flag:
In Congress, June IA, 1777.
Resolved, That the flag of the Thir-
teen United States be thirteen stripes,
alternate red and white; that the
Union be thirteen stars, white in
blue field, representing a new constella-
ton.
Resolved, That Captain J. Paul
Jones be appointed to command the
ship Ranger"
He was the first to hoist the Stars
and Stripes. Arriving at Brest, in the
Ranger, he delayed his salute to the
French feet until he was assured that
xr-o,,IJ ho aud bn 4b,,e bo 4 !