The Springfield herald., 1905-07-14
ADMIRAL PAUL JONES.
casket Formally Delivered by France
to the United States.

Paris. July I'm the presence of
the highest dignitaries of France. the
diplomatic representatives of many
foreign governments and civil and'
naval officers of the United States.
the body of Admiral Paul Jones was
yesterday formally delivered to the
United States government.
The ceremony was one combining
impressive dignity with brilliant mill
tary and naval pomp in which the sol
diers and sailors of France and sailors
of America united in doing honors to
the illustrious founder of the Ameri-
can navy.
The occasion was unique and prob
ably without parallel, as the funeral
was that Of a revolutionary hero who
had lain neglected in foreign grave
for over n hundred years.
The ceremony of delivering the body
was in the American church on the
Avenue De La Alma at $3.50 in the
afternoon.
The French government had taken
charge of the arrangements and huis-
siers of the foreign office, wearing i'm
pressive silver chains, acted as
ushers.
At the right of the altar sat Am
bassador Mccormick, Senior Special
Ambassador Porter. Junior Special
Ambassador Loomis. United States
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Rear Ad-
miral Sigsbee and other officers of the
American squadron.
Across the aisle sat Premier Rouvier
with other members of his Cabinet,
practically the entire diplomatic corps
and officers of the army and navy.
The members of the diplomatic corps
were in full uniform. Scores of Amer
ican sailors in the naves on either side
of the altar gave fitting background
to the imposing scene.
After brief religious services Cen
eral Porter, with the red saSh of the
grand cross of the Legion of Honor
across his breast, advanced alongside
the casket and formally delivered the
body to Mr.. Loomis as the representa-
tive of the United States government
who accepted it in the name Of tho
government and commanded Admiral
Sigsbee to transport it to the United
States.
AS the surpliced choir took up "My
Country, 'Tis of Thee" the entire as
sembly rose and Joined in the strains
of the patriotic hymn. Eight brawny
sailors from the Brooklyn then stepped
forward. and raising the casket on
their shoulders, bore it slowly from
the church to the waiting gun car.
riage.
This was draped with the national
colors and was drawn by six black
horses.
Heading the procession came a
| squadron of cuirassiers, stretching
| from curb to curb, with a division of
infantry under General Frey. After
them rumbled the gun caisson bearing
the flower-laden coffin, with guards OF
American sailors on either side. Back
of the coffin was a long line of distin
gushed officials, headed by Ambassa
dor Mccormick. Special Ambassadors
Porter and Loomis. Premier Rouvier
and his Cabinet the foreign ambassa-
dors and French generals and ad-
mirals, all walking. according to the
| French custom.
Arriving at the Esplanade Des In
valides, an imposing picture was pre-
sented The French government had
erected large pavilion in which to
deposit the coffin.
The casket was deposited in the
center of the pavilion, while the cor
tege passed. rendering military honors.
Later it was borne to the Invalides
railroad station and placed in fun
eral car. where, guarded by French
and American sailors, it started for
Cherbourg at 10 o'clock last night.