Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-26
HONOR NAVAL HERO
Tablet Now Marks House
Where John Paul Jones Lived.

FREDERICKSBURG. Va, November
25.-"The only home in America Of John
Paul Jones' was marked appropriately
today when bronze tablet was unveiled
on the house here where the famous
American naval hero lived when in IT'S
= he was appointed a lieutenant in the
continental navy. The tablet was erect
ed by the Betty Washington Lewis Chap
ter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution and unveiled by little Miss
Josephine Carter Barney, descendant
of a long line of distinguished naval
heroes.
Judge John T. Goolrick delivered the in
troductory address. he stated that John
Paul Jones had been a citizen of Vir-
: GINA and a resident of Fredericksburg
during the entire period Of mis- abode in
this country. William Paul. the only
brother OF the commodore. he said. kept
= "a store and tailor shop in the house
upon which the tablet was erected. Jonn
Paul Jones came here in 1860, remaining
s;about four years, and returned to Scot
LAND. His brother, William Paul. died In
N1IiS and was buried in the graveyard
city, John Paul came here again IN
s1775. and he was living in this mouse
when he was appointed lieutenant in the
continental navy. He ADDED Jones to
entered the navy.
1lIJ VI
-. Ben p. Willis of the Fredericksburg
bar made the dedicatory address. He
said. in part:
1t was Fredericksburg that gave
ito America the head Of her armies. In
sthe war of independence, in the per-
sson of Washington, and 1t was Fred
ericks burg That furnished her navy the
greatest commander OF that war, In
a ZONES.
~ hue American patriots were busy
lighting the BRUSH on land, Others
equally brave, were fighting them at
sea. AS soon as the war began Con-
gress gave seamen letters of marque,
which were permIssions to attack ana
seize any British vessel they met The
eravest and best known Of all the
american seamen OF this time was
Perhaps Paul Jones' most brilliant
achievement was his signal victory in
the famous battle with the Scraps. 1t
was after sunset on the Esd OF Septem-
when the Bon Homme Richard came
within hail of the Serapis,> British
nan-of-war. of Marlborough Head.
Yorkshire
+. Capt. Pearson of the latter frigate
spoke the Richard twice For answer
Jones opened fire. and here was waged
one of the, fiercest naval battles ever
fought. Although Jones ship was afre
from the very beginning, his guns all
disabled. the vessel shot away between
decks and slowly sinking. lie boldly
dashed it fast to the Scraps BY this
time the smoke was so thick that the
British captain could not see whether
the Ameri AN flag had been hauled down,
and shouted. Have you struck YOU.
coiors' but Jones coolly answered, i
have not yet begun to fight
British Forced to Yield.
Such was Jones' pluck that the British
commander was forced to yield, but
as he gave up his sword he haughtily
said: 1t is with great reluctance that
surrender my sword to man who fights
with a halter around his neck Jones
returned the weapon. politely saying:
Capt Pearson, you have fought like Q
hero. and l have no doubt that your
sovereign viii reward you for 1t in the
most ample manner"
The news Of Paul Jones' victory caused
great reJoicings both in America and In
France. and upon his return to the lat.
ter country he was invited to court with
Franklin. Louis XVI heard Jones account
Of the night, presented him q sword and
informed him that his enemy, Capt Pear
son, had just been knighted by George III
for his intrepid action and had received a
new snip. Pau Jones gayly answered
Well. he deserved the honor and II
meet him in his new ship I'll make a lord
Of him.
Upon his return to America, at the
close OF tue WAT. congress gave MIN q
vote of thanks. and he would have been
further honored, but being offered an I'm.
portant command by the Empress of Rus.
sia against the Turks, In the Black sea-
he accepted with the stipulation that he
was never to renounce the title of an
American citizen.
The inscription on the tablet Is "a fol.
lows: This tablet marks the only home
in America of John Paul Jones. He was
appointed lieutenant In the continental
navy while still a resident OF Virginia"