The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-26
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

and whether or not IL was OF the kind
above quoted.
On page 20 OF the Life OF Rear Ad-
mlral John Paul Jones complied from his
original journals and correspondence,
published by J. y. Lippincott 4 Co,
Philadelphia, 1875. DR.. Syntax will nnd
the following:
ION board OF that ship before Phlla-
delphia Mr.. Jones holsted the flag OF
America with his own hands, the first
tir,e II was ever displayed"
The ship referred to was the Alfred. to
which he was commissioned as "frst OF
the First Lieutrnants" which placed him
next in command to Capts. Saltonstall,
whippie, Blddle and Hopkins. His COM
mission bears date the eth day of Decem-
Der, 1775.
In the appendix OF this life OF John
Paul Jones will also be found the follow
ing interesting correspondence between
Adams and Langdon bearing upon the
question in point:
WILLIAM S. EAsTABRooKs.
"QUtSCY, Jan. "a, 1913
DEAR SIN | feel an Irresistible pro-
pensty to compare notes with you In
order to ascertain whether your memory
the circumstances OF a particular trans
action In the history OF this country. As
II lies In my mind Capt. John Manly APP
piled to Gen. Washington in Cambridge in
1875. Informed him that British trans
ports and merchant ships were frequently
passing and repasslng unarmed and asked
leave to put few guns aboard n vessel
TO cruise for them. Washington. either
shrinking from the holiness OF the enter
prise or doubling his authority, prudenty
transmitted the Information to Congress
in letter When the letter was read
many members seemed much surprised,
but n motion was made and seconded to
commit II to special committee. OPP
position was made 10 this motion and a
debate ensued. but the motion prevailed
by small majority, The committee APP
pointed were John Tangdon, Silas Deane
/ and John Adams. We met and at once
agreed 10 report a resolution authorizing
| G,sn. Washington to At and arm one or
more vessels for the purpose. A more
| animated opposition and debate arose
upon this report. but the resolution was
| carried by a small majority. Under the
authority OF this resolution Washington
/ fitted out Manly. who soon brought In
several prizes. the most important Of
which was that transport loaded with
soldiers. arms, ammunition and that inn
mortal mortar which was called the Con-
gress. and finally drove the British army
I out Of Boston and their feet out OF the
harbor This splendid success Inspired
now courage into Congress They APP
/ pointed a new committee consisting or
yourself. GOV. Hopkins Richard Henry
Lee. Mr.. Gadsden and me to purchase
arm and equip. officer and man ships
/ We met every night and in short tim"
had the Alfred. Columbus. Cabot, Andrew
Doria. Providence. SC. at sen under Com
modore Hopkins. The naval enterprise
/ Of Congress increased fast. They coon
I appointed a committee of one from each
state. OF whom you Were one. and ordered
twelve frigates to be built. NS recoll g.
ton has been melted by late informal ton
from Philadelphia that Paul Jones has
written In his Journal My hand nrst
hoisted the American nag and that Capt.
Barry used to say that the first British
rag struck 20 him Both these vain
boasts | know to be false, and as you
know them To- be so. wish TO have your
testimony to corrohorate mine.
"It ls not decent nor Just that those
emigrant foreigners OF the South should
/ arrorate 70 themselves mort that belongs
20 New England sailors. officers and men.
wishing you a healthy. pleasant year.
I remain your obedent friend.
"JoHS ADAMS"
PORTSMOUTH. Jan. 81. 1913.
'RrsPFCTEp SIR: | had the honor OF
receiving by the last mail your letter OF
the 24th inst nv which see your time
- taken up and your mind continually on
the stretch for the support and honor OF
T our beloved country. You request me to
call to mind Tho circumstances 81 a
particular transaction IN the history OF
this country 20 which ! answer that upon
reading your correct statement OF the pro-
ceedings OF Congress on our naval mat
ters the appointment OF committees 81
/ which We were part tn strurEl" we
had TO begin our little navy and the OPP
posltion that was made ny many members
Of CONGRESS brings to my recollection tho
circumstances that took place In l175, In
all which as far az J can rec"llrct ]
most perfectly coincide with you, The
appointment Of Manly and his successes
must be well known throughout the United
states As to Paul Jones. II my memory
serves me. pretending 10 say that his
hand first holsted the American nag and
Cart Barry the first British nag struck
10 him are both unfounded, as IL Is i'm
pressed on my mind that many prizes
were brouGh, into the New ENGLAND States
before their names were mentioned.
81 am dear sir. always happy 70 hear
from YOU that YOU are In good health and
able stlll to continue your nreemlnen'
services TO your country. Mrs. LanEdon,
who 7 am sorry TO say. has been very un'
well for some time past. Joins me In our
most sincere respects 10 yourself and
your good lady whom we have in CRATE
full remembrance.
THAT your last DAYS may be the best
and hapniest is the wish Of your old
friend and humble serv'Nt,
"JoHH LANGDoN"
woman who has read THE SUN for
forty years asks for Information concern
ing Prof Rlitz who exhibited the trained
canaries He Is said 70 have lived ir
Tarrytown at one time. Forty years
would Just about carry one back TO the
period OF those intellectual fowl. The In
ouiry revives memory cells long dormant
and recalls the green and yellow birds
climbing ladders. performing tho gymnas
tic exercises of the turnerbund. shooting
tiny pieces of artillery. Essentially @
moral show, and at that epoch this com
munity came out strong upon the morals
of its amusement, Prof. Bltz came within
the proper circle and was permitted tC
give his exhibition in church Lecture
rooms and even the American institute
fair along with Swiss bell ringers anc
Bohemian glass blowers. More definite
Information will be welcomed
What becomes OF dead birds? In ridinI
through the country or the city either
never see a dead bird. They certainly mus
die. but does any one ever know what
K