Chapter XIX: The Last Hours of Kit Carson

XI. ADMIRAL JOHN PAUL JONES THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF REAR-ADMIRAL JOHN PAUL JONES BY JOHN S. C. ABBOTT. CONTENTS CHAPTER I. PAGE The Early Life of John Paul Jones.

His Birth and Childhood.-Residence and Employments in Scotland.-His Studious Habits.-First Voyage to America.-Engaged in the Slave Trade.-Reasons for Abandoning it.-False Charges against him.-His Sensitiveness to Obloquy.-Espouses the Cause of the Colonies.-Developments of Character.-Extracts from his Letters. 9

CHAPTER II. The Infant Navy.

Rescuing the Brigantine.-Commissioned as Captain.-Escape from the Solway.-Conflict with the Milford.-Adventures at Canso and Madame.-Return with Prizes.-Expedition to Cape Breton.-Wise Counsel of Jones.-Brilliant Naval Campaign.-Saving the Prizes.-Value of the Mellish.-Mission to France.-Disappointment.-Sails with the Ranger. 32

CHAPTER III. Bearding the British Lion.

Aid from France.-Plan for the Destruction of the British Fleet.-The American Flag Saluted.-Bold Movement of Captain Jones.-Cruise along the Shores of England.-Capture of Prizes.-Salutary Lessons given to England.-Operations in the Frith of Clyde.-At Carrickfergus.-Attempt upon the Drake.-Burning the Shipping at Whitehaven.-Capture of the Plate of Lord Selkirk. 56

viiiCHAPTER IV. Captain Jones at Nantes and at Brest.

Correspondence with Lord Selkirk.-Terrible Battle with the ship Drake.-Capture of the ship.-Carnage on board the Drake.-Generosity to Captured Fishermen.-Insubordination of Lieutenant Simpson.-Embarrassments of Captain Jones.-Hopes and Disappointments.-Proofs of Unselfish Patriotism.-Letter to the King of France.-Anecdote of Poor Richard. 78

CHAPTER V. Cruise of the Bon Homme Richard.

Plans of Lafayette.-Correspondence.-Humane Instructions of Franklin.-Proposed Invasion of England.-Sailing of the Squadron.-Conduct of Pierre Landais.-The Collision.-Adventures of the Cruise.-Insane Actions of Landais.-Plan for Capture.-Plan for the Capture of Leith and Edinburgh. 100

CHAPTER VI. The Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis.

Leith Threatened.-The Summons.-Remarkable Prayer.-Wide-spread Alarm.-Continuation of the Cruise.-Insubordination of Landais.-Successive Captures.-Terrible Battle between the Bon Homme Richard and the Serapis.-The Great Victory. 123

CHAPTER VII. Result of the Victory.

ixDreadful Spectacle.-Sinking of the Bon Homme Richard.-Escape of the Baltic Fleet.-Sails for the Texel.-Interesting Correspondence.-Sufferings of the American Prisoners.-Barbarity of the English Government.-Humanity of Captain Jones.-The Transference from the Serapis to the Alliance.-Extracts from the British Press.-Release of Prisoners. 148

CHAPTER VIII. Commodore Jones at Court.

Offer of a Privateersman.-Indignant Reply.-The Renown of Commodore Jones.-Successful Retreat.-Cruise through the Channel.-Poetic Effusion.-Enters Corunna.-Letter to Lafayette.-Embarrassed Finances of Franklin.-Intrigues of Landais.-His Efforts to Excite Mutiny.-Testimony against him.-Commodore Jones at Court. 172

CHAPTER IX. The Mutiny of Landais.

The Visit of Jones to Versailles.-Intrigues of Landais.-The Alliance Wrested from Jones.-Complicity of Arthur Lee.-Magnanimity of Jones.-Strong Support of Dr. Johnson.-Honors Conferred upon Jones.-Strange Career of Landais.-His Life in America, and Death.-Continued Labors and Embarrassments of Jones.-His Correspondence. 193

CHAPTER X. The Return to America.

Fitting the Ariel.-Painful Delays.-The Sailing.-Terrible Tempest.-The Disabled Ship.-Puts back to L'Orient.-The Second Departure.-Meets the Triumph.-Bloody Naval Battle.-Perfidious Escape of the Triumph.-The Ariel Reaches America.-Honors Lavished upon Jones.-Appointed to Build and Command the America.-Great Skill Displayed.-The Ship given to France.-The Launch. 214

xCHAPTER XI. The War Ended.

Promise of the South Carolina.-A New Disappointment.-The Great Expedition Planned.-Magnitude of the Squadron.-The Appointed Rendezvous.-Commodore Jones Joins the Expedition.-His Cordial Reception.-Great Difficulties and Embarrassments.-The Rendezvous at Port Cabella.-Tidings of Peace.-Return to America.-New Mission to France. 236

CHAPTER XII. The Difficulties of Diplomacy.

Courteous Reception in Paris.-Compliment of the King.-Principles of Prize Division.-Embarrassing Questions.-Interesting Correspondence.-The Final Settlement.-Modest Claims of Commodore Jones.-Plan for a Commercial Speculation.-Its Failure.-The Mission to Denmark.-Return to America. 258

CHAPTER XIII. The Mission to Denmark.

Letter to Mr. Jefferson.-The Marquise de Marsan.-Unfounded Charges and Vindication.-Flattering Application from Catherine II.-His Reception at the Polish Court.-Jones receives the Title of Rear-Admiral.-English Insolence.-Letter of Catherine II. 280