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

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.

LIFE

AND

CHARACTER

OF THE

CHEVALIER JOHN PAUL JONES.

JOHN PAUL JONES was the son of Mr. John Paul, a respectable gardener. He was born at Arbigland, in the parish of Kirkbean, and stewartry of Kirkcudbright, in the month of July, 1747, and received the rudiments of his education at the parochial school. The contiguity of his residence to the shore of the Solway Firth, inspired him with an early predeliction for a sea-faring life; and while yet a mere child, he hoisted his flag on board his mimic ship, and issued audible mandates to his imaginary officers and crew, with all the consequence of a legitimate commander. Nor was he content with this. As his skill in manoeuvring improved, he ventured to criticise the nautical knowledge of practical sailors; and in the eager and confident tone with which, from the eminence on which he took his station, he thundered forth his orders to the vessels which were entering the port at Carse-thorn, might be remarked the ardent and enterprising mind of one who felt that he was born to future command.

His partiality to a sailor's life was so determined that his friends resolved to indulge it; and accordingly, at the age of twelve, he was sent across the Firth to Whitehaven, where he was bound apprentice to Mr. Younger, a respect

B

able merchant in the American trade. His first voyage was made on board the Friendship, Captain Benson. His course was steered for the Rappahannoc, and before he had completed his thirteenth year, he landed on the shores of that country which he was destined to adopt as his own. His home, while the ship was in port, was the house of an elder brother, who, having married a native of Virginia, had previously settled there. Here his early prepossessions in favor of America were confirmed, and from that period had become the country of his fond election.

Our adventurer, being at length freed from the trammels of apprenticeship, made several voyages to foreign ports, and in the year 1773, again went to Virginia to arrange the affairs of his brother, who had died there without leaving any family; and about this time, in addition to his original surname, he assumed the patronymic of Jones, his father's christian-name having been John. This custom, which is of classical authority, has long been prevalent in Wales, and in various other countries, although it is not practised in that part of the island in which he was born.

This visit revived and rivetted the attachment which young Paul Jones had conceived for America; and in spite of the native ardor and restless activity of his mind, he resolved to withdraw from the vicissitudes of a sea-faring life, to fix his residence in the country, and to devote the remainder of his days to retirement and study. He was little aware of the turbulent scenes in which he was soon to perform a part, nor of the conspicuous figure he was to make in them.

The discontents of the colonists had by this time occasioned much commotion, and their murmurs became daily deeper and more frequent, till at last they broke off all connexion with the parent country. Towards the latter part of the year 1775, it was determined by Congress to fit out a naval force to assist in the defence of American independence, and an anxious search was made for friends to the cause who should be at once able and willing to act as officers on board their vessels. It now appeared that Jones had, in his romantic schemes of tranquil enjoyment, falsely estimated the natural bent of his genius. With deep interest he had watched the progress of those political events which were to decide the fate of his adopted country; and, when an open resistance was made to the dominion of Brifain, he could no longer remain an inactive spectator. Ha