Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-21
power make its presence first felt on the

power make its presence first felt on the
sea.
The entry Of this unexpected COM
| petitor into the arena OF international
commerce was a portent not compre-
| hended by any of those who were to
be most affected by it. 1t was certainly
not comprehended by the delegates to
the Continental Congress. A strong fac
ton was aghast at the notion of buying
and QUILTING warships at national eX-
pense. but the big navy men" won.
On October Is, IT'S, Congress voted for
the purchase Of two warships to inter-
cept British transports. The Lexington
and Reprisal were bought and equipped
The former was given to John Barry as
commander and some authorities main
tain that this Irishman was the real
father of the American Navy and not
Manly, as others contend.
The marine committee of Congress
included John Adams, Stephen Hopkins,
Richard Henry Lee and Joseph Hewes
Because of his experience with ships,
Hewes became the work horse of the
committee. And 1t was to Hewes that
John Paul Jones owed his opportunity
It is strange that so little has been
written concerning this important man,
who was strong in Colonial councils was
ence and whose vote, according to John
Adams, determined its adoption.
HeWes was born of Quaker stock at
Kingston, near Princeton, N. j., in $780,
When a young man he went to Phila-
delphia as trader, but about 1850 re-
moved to Edenton, N. c., probably to
be nearer the West Indies, commerce
with which was highly important Here,
while retaining his interests in Phila-
delphia, he built up prosperous ship
ping business.
It may be assumed that Hewes, as
shipper and judge Of seamen, was i'm
was led to back him with his weighty
support.
When Congress decided to choose a
naval chief, four cap
tains and a list of first, second and
third l1eutenantS, the struggle over these
appointments resolved itself into a bat
tie between North and South.
The New Englanders were astonished
that any one should want to officer a
navy with aught but New Englanders.
They had their lists already hand
picked, cut and dried. They felt hurt
that any one should question their sa-
cred names. But 1t must be said that
they had partly juStifiable argument.
Haven't you," they said, glaring at the
! Southerners, filled the Army with your
precious Washingtons, Lees and other
Virglnians? Keep your Army spoils, but
the Navy Is our meat"
X X X
A ND then they brought out the steam
roller. Only two members refused
to be fattened. Robert Morris Of Phila-
delphia, who was certain that no Navy
ought to be born without Philadel-
phlan in 1t, brought forward the gallant
Nicholas Biddel Of the historic family of
that name. Joseph Hewes, spurred on
by Morris, then planted his feet and
announced that North Carolina must
nave an officer on that list. He named
the unknown John P. Jones'. And the
New Englanders, with low means and
muttered threats to get even, had to
take him.
An examination of this list of ap-
pointees disclosed that most of them
were either relatives or friends of
Stephen Hopkins and John Adams. The
new commander in-chief of the nearly
all-New England Navy was Stephen
Hopkins brother, the Cabot's captain
was ms nephew. the Columbus skipper
was his relative, while the captain of
the Alfred, the flagship was a relative,
WITHIN few months most of them
had lost their ships. been cashiered,
tried on charges. or told to find a port
ana rest. A few Of them did almost
everything except prick themselves with
their own swords. Only two men In
this historic list Of the first American
naval Officers came out of their first
tests with laureis, and they were the
last two chosen-Nicholas Biddle and
John P. Jones. Because he owed his
appointment to Hewes, the latter was
nenceforth known as "the North Caro-
lima captain
John Paul's first task was arming and
manning the flagship Alfred. moored off
the foot Of Walnut street. PHILADELPHIA.