The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-06-29

TERMs sl9SRs1 81 Months ysa5; J; i9 csne. asyane.
tain Pearson, the battle beginning at
seven p. m. when Jones answered the
enemy's hail with broadside. At
eleven O'clock, after four hours of fight
ing the ierceness of which has never
been surpassed, the Scraps surren-
dered. At intervals during the battle
Captain Landais brought up the
Alliance and kept up distressing fire
on the Bon Homme Richard. At ten
o'clock during lull in the fighting
Captain Pearson thought he heard a
cry for quarter on board the American
ship and hailing her wanted to know
if they had struck their colors. Jones'
reply, "No, have just this instant
commenced to fght,' has since become
world famous. A curious fact con-
cerning this battle is that the ship
which surrendered destroyed and sunk
the ship that conquered her. This was
the last battle the intrepid commander
fought for the American cause, but he
was of service to his country in many
other ways up to the time Of his death.
At this period of Jones' career he
was looked upon by many, especially
the London newspapers, as pirate,
but clearly such was not the case.
His nearest approach to an act any
thing like piracy was in 1778 when he
made a foray on st. Mary's Isle, the
castle of the Earl of Selkirk, his pur-
pose being to kidnap the Earl with
view of holding him as hostage for the
better treatment of American prison
ers. Had this been successful un-
doubtedly Jones would have lost much
prestige both at home and abroad.
1t happened that the Earl was away
from home at the time and the only
result of the act was the appropriation
of several pieces of siivcrware by the
landing party. Jones purchased this
silverware from the captors at his
own expense and restored it to it's
owner.
In 1888 Jones was offered a commits
sion in the Russian Navy by Empress
Catharine. The first offer he regarded
as too indefinite as to what rank he
would be given. Shortly afterwards,
tho, he accepted a commission as Rear
Admiral. The victories he won for
Russia did not prevent him from be-
ing made the victim of intrIgues,
caDals, and conspiracies-shatte in
leave of absence August 18th, 1889,
having been sixteen months in the
Russian service.
1t soon became apparent that Jones'
state of health would not permit him
to take an active part in affairs and he
settled down to quiet life in Paris.
In business affairs he was very shrewd
and had accumulated enough wealth
to spend his last days in peace and
happiness. Surrounded by friends he
died in Paris July 18th, 1892, mourned
by all and leaving name that will
be found on the brightest pages of the
history of the United States.
Sailor at twelve, mate at seventeen,
captain at twenty in the merchant SER
vice of the North Atlantic; slave trader,
East Indiaman and Virginia planter
all before he had passed the age Of
twenty-six; naval lieutenant at twenty
eight, captain at twenty-nine, and
commodore at thirty-twO; at thirty
three the ocean hero of the Old World
and the New, a Knight of France, the
most famous sea-victOr of his time,
patronized by kings, petted by duch-
esses of the royal blood, thanked by
congress: and more than all else, the
trusted friend and valued associate of
Washington, Franklin, Jefferson,
Lafayette, Hamilton and Morris; at
thirty-six, selected as special envoy to
the most aristocratic of courts, charged
with the most delicate, difficult and in
tricate of missions-the adjudication
and collection of International claims,
without any guide of precedent or any
commonly recognized code OF prOce-
dure; at forty, voted a gold medal by
congress; at forty y-one, a vice-admiral
In the navy of an empire; at forty-three
) prominent figure in the overture OF
that tremendous drama, the French
RevolutiOn-and dead at forty-fve!
In conclusion it remains for me TO
say that during the past few years the
search for the body of Paul Jones has
been conducted energetically by Ambas.
sador Porter at his own expense and at
, last his efforts have been crowned with
success. President Roosevelt has deslg.
: mated four war ships Of the North
Atlantic squadron to escort the re,
} mains to this country where they Will
be inferred in Arlington Cemetery
Surely this is a fitting tho belated honor
to the founder Of the American Navy
, G. w. F.
!, Note:-The author Of this article explained
that he had culled his Information from various
> sOurcos.-Ed.