New-York tribune., 1905-02-09
FIND PAUL J0NEYS BONES?
MAY BE BROUGHT HOME.
Ambassador Porter Thinks He Has
at Last Discovered Them IN Paris.

Washington Feb. S-AmbassadOr Porter has !
some reason to believe that he has at last dis |
covered the remains of John Paul Jones Ever
since he has been in Paris Mr.. Porter, ably sec
onded by Arthur Bailly- blanchard, secretary OF
embassy, has been following every clew that
has fallen in his way in the effort to find the
remains of the heroic American sailor. At times
he felt that he had been successful. but about
four years ago one OF the strongest Of these
clews led TO complete discourasement 1t indi-
Gated that the body OF John Paul Jones. who
died In Paris had been buried in a small urban
cemetery. but a search for this cemetery dis
closed the fact that il had been abandoned
early In the last century, and that it's site was
covered with buildings. leaving little hope that
any remains buried there could be found These
facts were reported TO the State Department at
the time. and there the matter has rested until
recently.
Not long ago. however. MIR. Porter came into
possession of some additional information
which warranted at least the hope that the
sailors skeleton not removed when the
buildings were erected. and that it now reposes
beneath the foundations or within the cellar OF
some OF the dilapidated old flats which stand on
| the ground once occupied by the cemetery
| defect in the clews now at hand lies in the fact
| that they do not indicate under which particu-
| lar building John Paul Jones was buried If
these clews are to be followed, therefore. II will
be necessary to demolish anywhere from one
| to half dozen buildings; the coffin may be
| found at the first excavation it may be nee
| essary to turn over the whole site OF the an
| Gent cemetery.
1t has been suggested that even If remains
were found in the work OF excavation it would
not be possible to identify them after this lapse
Of time as those OF John Paul Jones. Mr.. Por-
| ter however thinks otherwise pointing out that
the American sailor was buried i a lead coffin
| an unusual means OF burial at that date, and
| one likely 10 preserve the body IN fair oondi-
| ton for an indefinite period Of time. 1t is true
that Jones. by bequeathing 10 friends and i'm
| mediate attendants upon his deathsed his
sword. his medals and 1ewelry. which otherwise
would have been found in his coffin, added TO
the difficulty OF Identification. But Mr.. Porter
feels that the herneticaIly sealed coffin II found.
will still contain sufficient evidence for purposes
Of Identification.
| The Ambassador has suggested 10 the Presi-
dent that TO defray the cost of searching for the
remains Of John Paul Jones Congress be asked
10 appropriate a fund of $50 0O0 and the Presi-
dent. 1t is believed. will approve this reeomnen-
dation. 1t Is contemplated. in the event the
placed on United States warship and brought
| TO Washington. 20 be buried In the National
| Cemetery at Arlington. after appropriate cere-
monies in the national capital. II is also eX-
pected that the French government Will avail
Itself OF this opportunity to manifest afresh Its
| appreciation of the gallantry Of John Paul Jones
by formal participation in such ceremonies il
| France as may be incident to the removal of the
| remains from Paris to the warship.