The following letters have been received by the author from Thomas Jefferson, Esq., James Madison, Esq., and the Honorable Joseph" Story, one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the United States.

"DEAR SIR,

Monticello, February 14, 1825.

During my residence in Paris, I was much acquainted with Commodore John Paul Jones, whose life you propose to write, and had much to do with him; yet my memory is so decayed that from that source I can furnish you nothing worth a place in his history. I believe I cannot better comply with your request than by sending you all the papers relating to him in my possession. His letters to me, which are many, will probably throw some lights, which you may not possess, on his occupations during that period. His death happened after I left Paris, and I presume you know that the National Assembly, then sitting, expressed their respect for him by wearing mourning. I shall be glad if what I furnish may add any thing material to the establishment of that fame which he truly merited. Be pleased to accept for yourself the assurance of my great respect, (Signed) THOMAS JEFFERSON."

"DEAR SIR,

Montpellier, April 28, 1825.

I have received your letter of the 23d instant, enclosing a copy of your prospectus of a biography of John Paul Jones. The subject you have chosen for your pen, gives you an opportunity of doing justice to an individual whose heroism will fill a brilliant page in the history of the American Revolution.

I am sorry it is not in my power to add to the materials you have derived from other sources. I must regret, also, that my personal acquaintance with Captain Jones was so slight and transient, that I ought not to attempt a view of his character. His bust, by Houdon, is an exact likeness; pourtraying well the characteristic features stamped on the countenance of the original.

With respect and good wishes, (Signed)

JAMES MADISON."

"DEAR SIR,

Washington City, February 17, 1825.

General La Fayette not having your address, has sent me the papers herewith enclosed, relative to Captain John Paul Jones, requesting them to

be delivered to you.

Yours, very respectfully,
(Signed)

JOSEPH STORY."

INTRODUCTION.

IT is in the revolutions of empires that truly great men make themselves known. In the tranquil scenes of peace the human intellect, with little excitement, and without a grand object, is inert, exhausted in common pursuits, or wastes itself in placid contemplation, or in the pleasures of life. When powerful sentiments animate the heart, and enlightened views direct us to the attainment of benefits calculated to secure the freedom, happiness, and prosperity of the human race, the soul expands, the mental faculties assume their natural proportion and energy, and, in defiance of the artificial distinctions of society, genius, and talents, however originally obscure, burst from concealment, shine with resplendent lustre, and manifest themselves in actions which command the esteem and admiration of the world. The history of all nations, ancient as well as modern, attest the truth of this assertion; and France in particular, within the last thirty-five years, furnishes proof in abundance, that whatever distinctions are created by systems of social order, in behalf of birth and fortune, nature distributes her favours without regard to wealth or rank.

Of all the political revolutions, the incidents of which are recorded in the annals of nations, that of the British American Colonies was the most daring and manly. In other instances, the poverty of an exchequer, the feebleness of a sovereign or ministry, or the derangement of public affairs, has been seized upon as affording a favourable opportunity for emancipation and independence. But in that of the British American Colonies, the people vindicated their rights and contended for their liberties, when Great Britain was the preponderating power of Europe; when she had men of the first capacity in the cabinet, illustrious warriors in the field, a navy which defied the fleets of all other powers, and pecuniary resources over which her treasury had unlimited control. Notwithstanding these prodigious advantages the people of the colonies did not hesitate to remonstrate, to re

sist encroachments, and finally to appeal to arms. They did not disguise from themselves the fearful odds of such an encounter; but relying on the justice of their cause, on the divine protection, and on the intelligence of their community, they firmly supported their claims, triumphed over the formidable armaments of Great Britain, and established their title to unrestricted sovereignty with a courage and a constancy which have been acknowledged and applauded in every quarter of the globe.

The generous devotion which the people of the colonies exhibited in the cause of freedom, attracted the sympathy of patriotic and liberal minds in France, in Germany, and even in Scotland, England, and Ireland, from which the united colonies derived a vast moral force. Individuals from each of those countries resorted to the standard of America, previously, as well as subsequently to the declaration of independence. The Marquis de la Fayette, the Barons Steuben and De Kalb, General Montgomery, and Lord Stirling are names familiar to the ears of the fathers of the revolution, and their descendants. To these may be added that of John Paul Jones, whose chivalric spirit and undaunted valor, whose active disposition and nautical skill, were themes of eulogy at the court of Versailles, matter of astonishment and jealousy to that of London, and whose reputation and renown spread terror on the seas and along the shores of Great Britain and Ireland.

The naval strength of the British Empire being pre-eminent, the efforts to be made by America on the ocean, were proportionally more difficult and dangerous than those on the land, which, nevertheless, were sufficiently arduous. The services of John Paul Jones, consequently, were highly valuable; and it will be found, in the succeeding pages, that Congress duly appreciated them. He was an experienced navigator, and had an exactness of penetration which enabled him, almost instinctively, to discriminate between what was merely of doubtful execution, and what was wholly impracticable. Hence he was generally successful in his enterprises, scarcely ever failing in an undertaking or expedition, unless through the jealousy or disobedience of others, or the inclemency of the weather.

The labors of John Paul Jones for the furtherance of the American cause, were incessant. Whether in port or at sea, he was indefatigable. He had a genius prone to adventure; and of all the naval commanders of that day, he

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planned and executed, both in America and in Europe, the most annoying expeditions against the enemy. Such was his intrepidity, that he was appalled by no peril, however great; and his presence of mind never forsook him, even in the most sudden and extraordinary emergencies. No one was more deeply embued with a conviction of the vital consequences of the contest to mankind; and no person felt a more honest zeal for its successful issue. His correspondence evinces that he foresaw the glorious destinies of the new American nation, even whilst it was struggling into existence. He was not in the least tainted with the vice of avarice; and, with him, money was uniformly a consideration secondary to the promotion of the public welfare. Tenacious of the rights of those under his command, and as just as he was generous, he enjoyed the friendship and favour of men of probity and honor every where. He was not merely countenanced but caressed at the French court; and kings, nobles, ministers, and ladies of fashion and influence, did not hesitate to reward and sustain him for his brilliant exertions against the marine of England and her commerce.

The character of John Paul Jones has been much misrepresented by those who have heretofore undertaken to write his life. They have, for the most part, depicted him as a plunderer, a pirate, cruel and unprincipled. The venal British press and British antipathies have been the source of this defamation. The present work, written from authentic documents, will redeem his name from the odium hitherto cast upon it. An attentive perusal will satisfy the reader that he was a man of close observation, of profound reflection, and that his style is that of an individual of good ordinary English education, which, indeed, is common to the youth of all classes in Scotland. His correspondence indicates plain sense, without affectation; and, in some passages, it will be discovered that he was not altogether deficient in the sentimental and more refined species of writing. His character, in truth, had a cast of the romantic in it, which gives to the history of his life a most interesting and agreeable complexion. As one of our earliest naval heroes, he merits the respect and veneration of every citizen of the United States; and the statesman and politician, as well as the officers and seamen of our gallant navy, will discover in the incidents of his eventful career illustrations of occurrences in our revolutionary war, which may enlighten their judgments, and furnish an example worthy of imitation.

The reader will doubtless be curious to know in what manner, after a lapse of so many years, the original papers of the Chevalier John Paul Jones came into the possession of the author, who has no hesitation in explaining the source whence he obtained them. Having announced in the public prints his intention of publishing a life of the Chevalier, the author was written to by Mr. George A. Ward, of New-York, stating that accident had thrown the manuscripts in question into his hands. They had formerly been in the custody of the late Robert Hyslop, Esq. of that city; and had subsequently lain as useless rubbish in the apartment of a shopkeeper or tradesman there, from whom Mr. Ward procured them, his attention having been first attracted to them by his having seen the signature of Jones on one of them, at, or through a window. That no suspicion might arise as to their genuineness, those of the letters which had been addressed to General La Fayette, were submitted to the inspection of that illustrious personage at the city of Washington, who has recognised in his own hand-writing, the fact of his having received them. This explanation has relation to a portion of the letters and documents only. A considerable number have been obtained from the Department of State, through the obliging disposition of Mr. Adams, when Secretary.Some have been kindly furnished by Mr. Jefferson, who was cotemporary with Jones, was his friend and patron, and whose enlightened recollection embraces the whole series of revolutionary events.