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John Paul Jones

On commemorating the lives and services of the naval commanders distinguished in the history of our country, it is but just to place Paul Jones among the first.  He was the first to hoist the American flag in a regular American man of war.  He gained the most brilliant victory won upon the ocean during the war of independence; and though out the whole of his splendid career he exhibited a degree of courage and ability, which has been surpassed by none of those who have succeeded him in the brilliant line of our naval heroes.

            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 predilection for a sea-faring life; and while yet a mere child, he hoisted his flag onboard 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 skills 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 Carsethorn, might be remarked the ardent and enterprising mind of one who felt that he was born to future command.

            At the time of which we speak, the town of Dumfries carried on a very considerable trade in tobacco with America; and as the Nith was not navigable to foreign vessels, the cargoes were unshipped at Carsethorn, near the mouth of that river.  There, from his earliest years, Paul had opportunities of conversing with mariners from the discontented colonies; and it is probable that he thus first imbibed that enthusiastic attachment to the United States, and those revolutionary principles, which exerted so decided an influence on his conduct when he grew up to maturity, and eventually led him to renounce his allegiance, and raise his hand against the country which gave him birth.

            His partiality for 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 respectable merchant in the American trade.  His first voyage was made onboard the Friendship, Captain Benson.  His course was steered for the Rappahannoc, and before he had completed his thirteenth year, he had landed on the shore 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 favour of America were confirmed, and from that period, as he afterwards expressed himself to Baron Van der Capellan, that because “the country of his fond election.”

            In the meantime, his intelligence and good conduct acquired him the esteem and confidence of his employer, who promised to give him a substantial proof of his favour, by promoting him to the command of a vessel; and we would have kept his word, had not the embarrassed state of his affairs deprived him of the power to do it.

            Our adventurer, being at length freed from the trammels of apprenticeship, made several voyages to the coast of Africa; but he soon became disgusted with a traffic which had too long been the disgrace of civilised nations, and confined his services to the command of vessels engaged in a more reputable and legitimate commerce.

            In the year 1773, he 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 usual in that part of the island in which he was born.

           The visit revived and revetted the attachment which young Paul Jones had conceived for America; and in spite of the native ardour and restless activity of his mind, he resolved to withdraw from the vicissitudes of a sea faring life, to fix his residence in that country, and to devote the remainder of his days to retirement and study.  He was not little aware of the turbulent scenes in which he was destined soon to perform a part, nor of the conspicuous figure he 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 fairly broke off all connection with the parent country.  Towards the conclusion 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 onboard their vessels.  It now appeared that Paul 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 Britain, he could no longer remain an inactive spectator.  Having only just completed his twenty-eight year, he was full of bodily vigour and of mental energy, and he conceived that his natural skill would qualify to be a distinguished asserter of the rights of the colonists.  He was immediately appointed first lieutenant of the Alfred, one of the only two ships belonging to Congress, and onboard that vessel, before Philadelphia, he hoisted the flag of independent America with his own hands, the first time it was displayed in a national ship.  In the course of a very active and successful campaign, having found means to gain the confidence of the Marine Committee by his zeal and intrepidity, he had not served many months before the President sent him a captain’s commission.

                In November 1777, he sailed for France, in the Ranger, a new sloop-of-war of eighteen guns, with despatches of the victory of Saratoga.  It was intended that, “as a reward for the important services” which he had already rendered to America, he should be appointed to the command of the Indian, a fine frigate, just built for Congress at Amsterdam, and that the Ranger should act under his orders; but the American commissioners at Paris found it their best policy to assign this vessel over to the King of France, and Captain Paul Jones continued with the Ranger.  Having convoyed some merchant ships at Quiberon Bay, he there received from the French commander the first salute that was ever given to the flag of Congress.  Eager to retaliate upon British for some predatory exploits of her sailors on the American coast, and exasperated by the resolution which the English government had taken, to treat all the supporters of independence as traitors and rebels, Captain Paul Jones soon after this entered the Irish Channel, and approached his native shores, not as a friend, but as a determined enemy.  On the night of the 22^nd April 1778, he came to anchor in the Solway Firth, almost within sight of the trees, which sheltered the house in which he first drew the breath of life.  Early next morning, he rowed for the English coast, at the head of thirty-one volunteers, in two boats, with the intention of destroying the shipping (about two hundred sail,) which lay in the harbour of Whitehaven.  In this daring attempt he would probably have succeeded without difficulty, had not the strength of the opposing tide retarded his progress so much, that day began to dawn before he could gain the shore.  He despatched the smaller of the two boats to the north of the port to set fire to the vessels, whilst he led the remainder of the party in person to the more hazardous duty of securing the fort, which was situated on a hill to the south.  It was a cold morning; and the sentinels, little aware that an enemy was so near, had retired into the guard room for warmth, affording Jones an opportunity to take them by surprise, of which he did not fail to avail himself.  Climbing over the shoulders of the tallest of his men, he crept silently through one of the embrasures, and was instantly followed by the rest.  Their first care was to make fast the door of the guard room, and their next to spike the cannon, thirty-six in number.  Having effected this without bloodshed, they proceeded to join the detachment which had been sent to the north; and finding that a false alarm had deterred them from executing their orders, Jones instantly proceeded to set fire to the vessels within his reach.  By this time, however, the inhabitants were roused, and the invaders were obliged to retreat, leaving three ships in flames, of which one alone was destroyed.

            On the same day with this adventure, another memorable occurrence took place, which contributed, for a time, to add greatly to the odium which the first had brought on his name in Britain, but which, in the end, enabled him to prove that he was possessed of the most disinterested and heroic qualities.  In cruising off the coast of Galloway, it occurred t him, that, if he could get into his power a man of high rank and influence in the state, he should be able, by retaining him as a hostage, to ensure to the American prisoners of war more lenient treatment than was threatened by the British government.  Knowing that the Earl of Selkirk possessed a seat in St. Mary’s Isle, a beautiful peninsula at the mouth of the Dee, and being ill informed with regard to the political connections of that nobleman, he destined him for the subject of his experiment.  With that view, he landed on the Isle, about noon, with two officers and a few men; but before they had proceeded far, he learnt that his lordship was from home, and that there were none but ladies at the house.  Finding his object frustrated, he now wished to return; but his crew were not so easily satisfied.  Their object was plunder; and as they consisted of men in a very imperfect state of discipline, and with whom it would have been dangerous to contend, he allowed them to proceed.  He exacted from them, however, a promise that they should be guilty of no violence; that the men should not enter the house, and that the officers, after having made their demands, should accept of what might be put into their hands without scrutiny.  These conditions were punctually obeyed.  The greater part of the Selkirk plate was carried off in triumph by the crew, and Paul Jones was, for a time, stigmatised as a freebooter; but he nobly vindicated his character, by taking the earliest opportunity of purchasing the whole of it, out of his own private funds, and remitting it safe to its original owner, without accepting the smallest remuneration.  National prejudice has misrepresented this transaction; and in order to heighten the popular indignation against our hero, it has been common to state, that this attempt on the persons, and as it was supposed the property, of Lord Selkirk, was aggravated by ingratitude, his father having eaten of that nobleman’s bread.  Nothing can be more false.  Neither Mr. Paul, nor any of his kindred, ever was in the Earl’s employ, or had ever the most distant connection with his lordship or his family; and in a correspondence which took place between our hero and Lady Selkirk, relative to the restitution of the plate, a most honourable testimony was gratefully paid by the latter to the Captain’s character.

            The day succeeding the two events just mentioned, Paul Jones encountered the Drake, a King’s ship of twenty guns, in Carrick Fergus bay, and took her after a very brave resistance, in the course of which the English captain and his first lieutenant were mortally wounded.  With this and another large prize, Captain Jones returned to Brest, after an absence of twenty-eight days of very active service, in which, besides taking and destroying many valuable vessels, he had thrown the coasts of Scotland and Ireland into consternation, occasioned the Irish Volunteers to be embodied, and obliged the English government to expand considerable sums in fortifying the harbours.

            A teasing period of hopes and disappointments followed.  The French ministry, to testify their good will to the Unites Sates, had promised to furnish Paul Jones with a ship, in which, however, he was to display the American flag; but, after various written memorials, no progress seemed to have been made towards the fulfilment of this engagement.  At length he determined to apply in person, and having gone to Paris, he soon obtained the command of the Due de Duras of forty guns.  The name, however, he changed to Le Bon-Homme Richard, in compliment to the wise saying of Poor Richard, “If you would have your business done, come yourself; if not, send.”  In this vessel, badly manned, and not much better furnished, Paul Jones sailed as Commodore of a little squadron, consisting, besides his own ship, of the Alliance of thirty six guns, the Pallas of thirty-two, the Serf of eighteen, the Vengeance of twelve, and two privateers, which requested leave to share the Commodore’s fortunes.  After taking several prizes, the Serf, the privateers, and at length the Alliance, deserted the squadron.  The Commodore’s good fortune, however, did not desert him.  On the 15^th September, he was, with his own ship, the Pallas, the Vengeance, and several prizes, at the entrance into the Firth of Forth, where they made every necessary disposition to seize the guard ship, and two cutters, that rode at anchor in the roads, and to lay Leith, and perhaps Edinburgh, under contribution.  The wind, which was fair, in the night, opposed them in the morning.  However, on the 16^th, the little squadron continued all day to work up the Firth.  At this time a member of the British Parliament observing them from the coast of Fife, and mistaking them for the King’s ships, sent off a boat to inform the Commodore that he was greatly afraid of Paul Jones, and to beg some powder and shot.  Our hero, much amused with the message, sent him a barrel of gunpowder, with a civil answer to quiet his fears, and an apology for not including shot in the present.

                Next morning at day break, every thing was in perfect readiness to commence the engagement, and two tacks more would have brought the strangers alongside their enemies, when, at that critical moment, a sudden gale of wind swept down the Firth, raging with such violence, as completely to overpower them, to sink one of the prizes, and drive all the rest of the squadron fairly out to sea.  By this failure, the captains of the Pallas and Vengeance were so much disheartened, that they could not be prevailed on to renew the attempting.

            Continuing their cruise, after various adventures, the squadron suddenly discovered the homeward bound British Baltic fleet, off Scarborough castle, escorted by the frigate Serapis, and the Countess of Scarborough.  After a long engagement, in which Paul Jones displayed the most astonishing skill, intrepidity, and presence of mind, the Countess of Scarborough struck to the Pallas, and the Serapis to the Bon-Homme Richard, which latter ship was reduced to so shattered a state, that next morning, after all hands had left her, she went to the bottom.  The Serapis was not in much better condition, the Commodore having, with his own hands, lashed the two ships together, to prevent the enemy from availing himself of his superiority in weight of metal.  The following is Paul Jones own account of this famous battle: -

            “Soon after this a fleet of forty-one sail appeared off Flamborough Head, bearing N.N.E.  This induced me to abandon the single ship which had then anchored in Burlington Bay; I also called back the pilot boat, and hoisted a signal for a general chase.  When the fleet discovered us bearing down, all the merchant ships crowded sail towards the shore.  The two ships of war that protected the fleet at the same time steered from the land, and made the disposition for battle.  In approaching the enemy, I crowded every possible sail, and made the signal for the line of battle, to which the Alliance showed no attention.  Earnest as I was for the action, I could not reach the Commodore’s ship until seven in the evening, being then within pistol-shot, when he hailed the Bon-Homme Richard.  We answered him by firing a whole broadside.

            “The battle being thus begun was continued with unremitting fury.  Every method was practised on both sides to gain an advantage, and rake each other; and I must confess that the enemy’s ship, being much more manageable than the Bon-Homme Richard, gained thereby several times an advantageous situation, in spite of my best endeavours to prevent it. 

            As I had to deal with an enemy of greatly superior force, I was under the necessity of closing with him, to prevent the advantage, which he had over me in point of manoeuvre.  It was my intention to lay the Bon Homme Richard athwart the enemy’s bow; but as that operation required great dexterity in the management of both side’s sails and helm, and some of our braces being shot away, it did not exactly succeed to my wish.  The enemy’s bowsprit, however, came over the Bon-Homme Richard’s poop by the mizzenmast, and I made both ships fast together in that situation, which, by the action of the wind on the enemy’s sails, forced her stern close to the Bon-Homme Richard’s bow, so that the ships lay square alongside of each other, the yards being all entangled, and the cannon of each ship touching the opponents.

           “When this position took place, it was eight o’clock, previous to which the Bon-Homme Richard had received sundry eighteen-pound shots below the water, and leaked very much.  My battery of twelve- pounders, on which I had placed my chief dependence, being commanded by Lieutenant Dale and Colonel Weibert, and manned principally with American seamen and French volunteers, was entirely silenced and abandoned.  As to the six old eighteen-pounders that formed the battery of the lower gun-deck, they did no service whatever, except firing eight shot in all.  Two out of three of them burst at the first fire, and killed almost all the men who were stationed to manage them.  Before this time, too, Colonial de Chamillard, who commanded a party of twenty soldiers on the poop, had abandoned that station after having lost some of his men.  I had now only two pieces of cannon, (nine-pounders,) on the quarterdeck, that were not silenced, and not one of the heavier cannon was fired during the rest of the action.  The purser, M. Mease, who commanded the guns on the quarterdeck, being dangerously wounded in the head, I was obliged to fill his place, and with great difficulty rallied a few men, and shifted over one of the lee quarterdeck guns, so that we afterwards played three pieces of nine-pounders upon the enemy.  The tops alone seconded the fire of this little battery, and held out bravely during the whole of the action, especially the main top, where Lieutenant Stack commanded.  I directed the fire of one of the three cannon against the main mast, with double headed shot, while the other two were exceedingly well served with grape and canister shot, to silence the enemy’s musketry and clear her decks, which was at last effected.  The enemy were, as I have understood, on the instant of calling for quarters, when the cowardice or treachery of three of my under officers induced them to call to the enemy.  The English Commodore asked me if I demanded quarters, and I having answered him the most determined negative; they renewed the battle with double fury.  They were unable to stand the deck; but the fire of their cannon, especially the lower battery, which was entirely formed of ten-pounders, was incessant; both ships was entirely formed of ten-pounders, was incessant; both ships were set on fire in various places, and the scene was dreadful beyond the reach of language.  To account for the timidity of my three under officers, I mean the gunner, the carpenter, and the master-at-arms, I must observe, that the two first were slightly wounded and, as the ship had received various shot under water, and one of the pumps being shot away, the carpenter expressed his fears that she would sink, and the other two concluded that she was sinking, which occasioned the gunner to run aft on the poop, without my knowledge, to strike the colours.  Fortunately for me, a cannon ball had done that before, by carrying away the ensign-staff; he was therefore reduced to the necessity of sinking, as he supposed, or of calling for quarter, and he preferred the latter.

            “All this time the Bon-Homme Richard had sustained the action alone, and the enemy, though much superior in force, would have been very glad to have got clear, as appears by their own acknowledgments, and by their having let go an anchor the instant that I laid them onboard, by which means they would have escaped, had I not made them well fast to the Bon-Homme Richard.

            “At last, at half past nine, the Alliance appeared, and I now thought the battle at an end; but, to my utter astonishment, he discharged a broadside full into the stern of the Bon-Homme Richard.  We called to him for God’s sake to forbear firing into the Bon-Homme Richard; yet they passed along the offside of the ship, and continued firing.  There was no possibility of this mistaking the enemy’s ships for the Bon-Homme Richard; they’re being the most essential difference in their appearance and construction.  Besides, it was then full moonlight, and the sides of the Bon-Homme Richard were all black, while the sides of the prize were all yellow.  Yet, for the greater security, I showed the signal of our reconnaissance, by patting out three lanterns, one at the head, another at the stern, and the third in the middle, in a horizontal line.  Every tongue cried that he was firing into the wrong ship, but nothing availed; he passed round firing into the Bon-Homme Richard’s head, stern, and broadside, and by one of his volleys killed several of my best men, and mortally wounded a good officer on the forecastle only.  My situation was really deplorable; the Bon-Homme Richard received various shot under water from the Alliance; the leak gained on the pumps, and the fire increased much onboard both ships.  Some officers persuaded me to strike, of whose courage and good sense I entertain a high opinion.  My treacherous master-at-arms let loose all my prisoners without my knowledge, and my prospects became gloomy indeed.  I would not, however, give up the point.  The enemy’s mainmast began to shake, their firing decreased fast, ours rather increased, and the British colours were struck at half an hour past ten. 

            “This prize proved to be the British ship of war the Serapis, a new ship of forty-four guns, built on the most approved construction, with two complete batteries, one of them eighteen-pounders, and commanded by the brave Commodore Richard Pearson.  I had yet two enemies to encounter far more formidable than the British I mean fire and water.  The Serapis was attacked only by the first, but the Bon-Homme Richard was assailed by both; there was five feet water in the hold, and though it was moderate from the explosion of so much gunpowder, yet the three pumps that remained could with difficulty only keep the water from gaining.  The fire broke out in various parts of the ship of all the water that could be thrown into quench it, and at length broke out as low as the powder magazine, and within a few inches of the powder.  In that dilemma I took out the powder upon the deck, ready to be thrown overboard at the last extremity, and it was ten o’clock the next day (the 24^th) before the fire was entirely extinguished.  With respect to the situation of the Bon-Homme Richard, the rudder was cut entirely off, the stern frame and transoms were almost entirely cut away, and the timbers by the lower deck, especially from the mainmast towards the stern, being greatly decayed with age, were mangled beyond my power of description, and a person must have been an eyewitness to form a just idea of the tremendous scene of carnage, wreck, and ruin, which every where appeared.  Humanity cannot but recoil from the prospect of such finished horror, and lament that war should be capable of producing such fatal consequences.

             “After the carpenters, as well as Captain Cottineau and other men of senses, had well examined and surveyed the ship, (which was not finished before five in the evening,) I found every person to be convinced that it was impossible to keep the Bon-Homme Richard afloat, so as to reach a port, if the wind should increase, it being then only a very moderate breeze.  I had but little time to remove my wounded, which now became unavoidable, and which was effected in the course of the night and next morning.  I was determined to keep the Bon-Homme Richard afloat, and, if possible, to bring her into port.  For that purpose, the first lieutenant of the Pallas continued onboard with a party of men, to attend the pumps, with boats in waiting, ready to take them onboard in case the water should gain on them too fast.  The wind augmented in the night, and the next day the 25^th, so that it was impossible to prevent the good old ship from sinking.  They did not abandon her till after nine o’clock; the water was then up to the lower deck, and a little after ten we saw, with inexpressible grief, the last glimpse of the Bon-Homme Richard.  No lives were lost with the ship, but it was impossible to save the stores of any sort whatever.  I lost even the best part of my clothes, books, and papers; and several of my officers lost all their clothes and effects.

            “Having thus endeavoured to give a clear and simple relation of the circumstances and events that have attended the little armament under my command, I shall freely submit my conduct therein to the censure of my superiors and the impartial public.  I beg leave, however, to observe, that the force that was put under my command was far from being well composed, and as the great majority of the actors in it have appeared ben on the pursuit of interest only, I am exceedingly sorry that they and I have been at all concerned.”

            Such is the despatch, which Commodore Jones transmitted from the Texel to Dr. Franklin, and afterwards to congress.

            The Commodore now took the command of the Serapis, erected jury-masts, and with some difficulty conveyed of his prizes to the Texel.  Paul Jones, who never suffered the interests of his fellow citizens to be lost sight of, exerted all his influence with the French court to have it arranged that his prisoners should be exchanged against American prisoners in England, and be completely succeeded.  Dr. Franklin, the minister of the United States at Paris, soon cheered his heart, by writing to him that “he had then completed the glorious work he had so nobly begun, by giving liberty to all the Americans who then languished for it in England.”  On this occasion, too, the King of France directed his ambassador at the Hague to communicate to Commodore Paul Jones the high personal esteem he bore for his character, especially for his disinterestedness and humanity.

            The Captain of the Alliance being ordered to Paris, to answer for his insubordination, Jones took the command of that vessel; but he now found himself environed with dangers.  The Dutch were summoned to deliver him up to the vengeance of the English government, as a pirate and a rebel; and they were most reluctantly constrained to order him out to sea, where an English squadron was watching to pounce upon him as their certain prey.  The acceptance of a commission from the King of France would have saved him from this dilemma, and the ambassador from his Most Christian Majesty repeatedly urged him to adopt that alternative but he thought his honour engaged to decline it.  He would not, at whatever risk, abandon the flag of his beloved America.  He, however, contrived to make his escape, passing the Straits of Dover, and the Isle of Wight, before the very beards of the English fleets.

            Towards the close of 1780, our hero sailed for America in the Ariel with important despatches and having encountered in his passage the Triumph, an English vessel of twenty guns, he forced her to strike. 

            A little before this time, the King of France had testified his approbation of Paul Jone’s services, by presenting him with a superb gold sword; and a letter from M. de Sartaine now reached the President of the United States, requesting liberty “to decorate that brave officer with the cross of the order of military merit.”  The demand was laid before Congress, and a law having been passed on the 27^th February, acceding to it, he was formally invested by the Chevalier de la Luzerne, at a public fete given to the members of that legislative body.  In April following, on the report of a committee, Congress passed a vote of thanks to the Chevalier Paul Jones “for the zeal, prudence, and intrepidity with which he had sustained the honour of the American flag; for his bold and successful enterprises to redeem from captivity those citizens of America who had fallen under the power of the enemy; and in general, for the good conduct and eminent services by which he had added lustre to his character, and to the arms of America.”

            During the remainder of the war with England, he had no opportunity to signalise himself.  After it was over, Congress, as an expression of gratitude, caused a gold medal to be struck, with appropriate legends and devices, to perpetuate the memory of his valour and services.  The annexed engraving, executed in the ruled manner from a duplicate of the medal, by Mr. Asa Spencer, the inventor of the machine for medal ruling, gives an accurate resemblance of it.

            In 1787, the United States having charged the Chevalier with a mission to the court of Denmark, he set sail for that country in the month of November, and passing through Paris in his way was strongly solicited to assume the command of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea.  Soon after his arrival at Copenhagen, a courier, sent express by the Empress Catharine, conveyed to him an urgent invitation to St. Petersburgh.  Although he saw many reasons for declining to engage in the service of that potentate, he was flattered by the offer, and felt himself bound at least to thank her Majesty in person.  He, therefore, set out instantly for her Court, by the way of Sweden; but at Greshelham found the passage of the Gulf of Bothnia blocked up by ice.  After several unsuccessful attempts to proceed to Finland by the islands, he conceived that it might be practicable to affect his object by doubling the ice to the southward.  The enterprise was formidable, and altogether new; but our hero was not easily daunted.  Without making known his intentions to his companions, he set sail from Greshelham one morning very early, in an open boat about thirty feet long, followed by a little one to haul over the ice.  Towards evening, having got nearly opposite to Stockholm, our adventurer, producing his pistols, ordered the astonished boatmen to pursue the route, which he had secretly devised.  Resistance was vain, and he was obeyed.  All night the wind was favourable, and they hoped to reach the coast of Finland in the morning; but they found themselves opposed by an impenetrable barrier of ice.  Neither was it possible from the state of the weather to return.  The only resource was to make for the Gulf of Finland.  When night came on, they steered by the aid of a pocket compass, lighted by the lamp of the Chevalier’s carriage; and, at the end of four days, after having lost the smaller of their two boats, they terminated a perilous and fatiguing voyage at Revel, in Livonia. 

            The Chevalier was graciously received at the Court of St. Petersburgh; and longer opposing the wishes of the Empress, attached himself to her service, under this single condition, “That he should never be condemned unheard.”

            He proceeded, without delay, with the rank of Rear Admiral, to take the command of the fleet stationed at the Liman, or mouth of the Dneiper, and oppose the Turkish fleet under the Captain Pacha.  On the 26^th May 1788, he hoisted his flag onboard the Wolodimer.  His squadron was supported by a flotilla under the Prince of Nassau, and land forces under Prince Potemkin.  Our limits forbid us to follow Admiral Jones through this campaign.  It afforded him many opportunities of displaying his characteristic intrepidity and professional skill; but mean jealousy and malignant cabals deprived him of much well trained glory.  He was, however, invested with the order of St. Anne, as an acknowledgement of his fidelity; and, on his arrival at St. Petersburgh, he was told that he was destined for a more important service.  Disgusted, however, by the intrigues of selfish men, he left Russia in August 1789, and never returned.

            The remainder of his days he spent partly in Holland, and partly in France.  He collected a number of important documents relative to the public transactions in which he had actively concerned; and as if he had foreseen that he was not to be long live, he devoted much of his leisure to the arrangement of his affairs, and to the preparations of papers, which should exhibit his character and services in their true light to his friends and to posterity.  

            He died at Paris of dropsy in the chest, in July 1792, having barely completed his forty-fifth year.  His funeral was attended by a deputation o the National Assembly, and M. Marron pronounced an oration over his tomb.

Richard Dale

Ones’ lieutenant in the famous action with the Serapis, is the subject of the present memoir.

            Richard Dale was born on the sixth of November 1756, in Norfolk county Virginia.  He is descended from a family highly respectable, though not wealthy.  His parents were both natives of Virginia.  His father left five children of whom Richard was the eldest.  Having manifested, from an early period of life, a strong predilection for the sea, his friends were induced to comply with his wishes.  Accordingly, when only twelve years of age, he entered onboard a vessel commanded by his uncle, with whom he sailed from Norfolk for Liverpool, in November 1768.  He returned the following summer, and remained at home until the spring of 1770, when he was bound apprentice to colonel Thomas Newton, a respectable merchant of Norfolk.  In the employ of that gentleman he made several voyages to the West Indies, during which nothing of moment occurred, except two accidents, which are worthy of notice only as being the commencement of a series of misfortunes that awaited him.  The first was a fall which is received from the spars, lying across the belfry and the gallows, a distance of eighteen or twenty feet, without however, sustaining any material injury.  The other was of a nature no less formidable.  As the vessel was going rapidly before the wind, he was knocked overboard by the jib-sheet, and was not, without much difficulty, rescued from so perilous a situation, after having been in the water about an hour.

           In 1775, we find him the chief officer of a valuable brig belonging to Colonel Newton, in which, to the entire satisfaction of his employer, he continued to the spring of the following year.  A period had now arrived that opened to his adventurous disposition, prospects much more congenial and tempting than those which arise out of the service of the merchant.  The war of the revolution had commenced; and he had too much of the feelings and temperament of the soldier to remain inactive.  He is accordingly, presented to us in the early part of the year 1776, engaged as lieutenant onboard a vessel of war, belonging to the state of Virginia, which was fitting out not far from City Point, near Norfolk.

            While in the execution of his orders to go to Sandy Point, in James river, in a small river craft, for the purpose of procuring cannon, he was captured by a tender belonging to the Liverpool frigate, carried to Norfolk, and put onboard a prison ship, in which he was confined for several weeks.

            During the time he remained in this situation, he was visited by Bridges Gutterridge, who had been his schoolmate, but who had not yet declared in favour of the popular cause, having then the command of a tender in the service of the enemy.  After much solicitation, and many plausible and seductive arguments, our young adventurer was induced to join the fortunes of his former companion and friend.  In May (1776) they made a cruise together up the river Rappahannock, during which they had an engagement with several pilot boats, and were happy to escape, with the loss of several men killed; young Dale himself being badly wounded, having received a musket ball in his head.  He was carried to Norfolk, where his wound confined him a long time.  This period he improved to the salutary purposes of reflection, and of firmly resolving, to use his own words, “never again to put himself in the way of the balls of his country.”  Soon after his recovery, upon his return from Bermuda-whither he had gone with William Gutteridge-he was captured by Captain John Barry, commander of the United States brig Lexington, and on the same day entered as a midshipman onboard said brig.  This occurred in July 1776.  Not long afterwards the brig, whilst cruising, was struck with lightning; Dale, with many others, was prostrated senseless, upon the deck.  They were all, however, providentially restored in a few minutes.  Soon after this the brig arrived at Philadelphia.  Date still continued in the same vessel the command of which now devolved on Captain Hallock-Captain Barry having been appointed to the command of a frigate.

            The Lexington sailed in the autumn of 1776 for Cape Francois, and a cruise.  On her return to the United States, in December following she was captured by the Liverpool frigate, off the capes of Virginia.  In consequence of a sudden and tremendous gale, the captors could only take out the captain and five of her crew: Dale, who was then master’s mate, being one of the numbers.  The officers and crew, who remained onboard, retook the brig and carried her into Baltimore.  Dale was landed, with some of his fellow prisoners, at Cape Henlopen, in January 1777.  He immediately repaired to Philadelphia, which he had no sooner reached, than he was ordered to join the Lexington again, now commanded by Captain Henry Johnson.  This vessel sailed from Baltimore for Bordeaux, in February or March, with despatches.  Her passage was short and very successful, many valuable prizes being taken by her, without delay she proceeded to Nantz, to join the United States ship Reprisal, of sixteen six-pounders, Captain Wicks, and a cutter, commanded by Samuel Nicholson, carrying ten four-pounders; the three vessels to cruise in company, under the command of Captain Wicks.    

            This little squadron sailing from Nantz on a cruise, in May 1777, took and sunk many prizes, and did great injury to the coasting trade of the British islands.  In the English Channel they fell in with an English seventy-four, which gave them chase.  In consequence if this it became necessary for the vessels of the squadron to separate.  They soon afterwards reached French ports; the Reprisal having had a very narrow escape, which was not effected without the loss of her guns.

            After a detention of the vessels, by the French government, for more than two months for some cause, which was never explained-young Dale, sailed in the Lexington from Morlaix for the United States, on the 18^th September 1777.  On the following morning, discovering a cutter ahead, lying by, they made all sail and stood directly for her.  They soon discovered her to be an English cutter, mounting ten six-pounders.  The cutter, between seven, commenced an action and eight o’clock a.m.; at which time, such had been the extreme negligence of the commanders of the Lexington, in not making the necessary preparations for action, that there was not even a match ready.  They were, therefore, obliged to fire their guns by means of their muskets, until matters were in a state of better preparation.  The action became very warm.  A calm succeeding, the Lexington could not get as near the enemy as was wished.  The action was sustained for nearly two hours with the most determined resolution.  This, considering the manifold and heavy disadvantages under which the American vessel laboured, was not a little astonishing, and must be regarded as evincive of that heroic, unconquerable gallantry, which is now an acknowledged characteristic of American seaman.  Being, however, much cut to pieces, with the loss of several brave officers and men, and having expended almost their last shot, the American commander deemed it prudent to avail himself of a breeze, which just then sprang up, to crowd sail and get off.  In this he succeeded for a short time; but between one and two o’clock p.m., the cutter overtook him.  The action was renewed with increased obstinacy on both sides.  Having maintained the unequal conflict for one hour-not only the shot of every description, but all the iron, and other articles, which could be used as a substitute for shot. Being expended-the brig reduced literally to a wreck-the first lieutenant, sailing-master, captain of marines, and a number of men being killed, and many more officers and men severely wounded, -no alternative was left but to strike their flag to the cutter.

            Notwithstanding its unsuccessful issue, we cannot but consider this action as reflecting lustre upon the American name; particularly when we take into view, the great superiority in the crew of the cutter, which exceeded that of the Lexington in numbers, but also consisted entirely of, picked men.  Of the Lexington, on the other hand, both the officers and crew were without experience, but few of them having ever been in an engagement before.

            About three or four days after this action, the surviving officers and crew of the Lexington arrived in Plymouth.  The former underwent a rigorous examination before twelve judges, the object of which was to ascertain to what country they belonged.

            Both officers and men were committed to Mill prison, upon a charge of high treason.  In this loathsome abode, they were subjected to a most cruel and severe confinement.  They were exposed, moreover, to every indignity which was thought due to men considered as rebels, and suffered every privation that could embitter the loss of liberty, or add to the pain and mortification so intolerable to their high and patriotic spirits, of being rendered useless to their country, at this most interesting and momentous crisis.  In this situation they remained four to five months, when, in consequence of a general complaint respecting the treatment of American prisoners, and of the sympathy which their sufferings had excited even in the hearts of their enemies, the sum of sixteen or seventeen thousand pounds sterling, was subscribed for the benefit of these unfortunate men.  The subscribers appointed a committee to inquire into the matter, who, with the sanction of the government, visited the prison, supplied the Americans with money, provisions, and clothing; in short, with every thing that could alleviate their sufferings, and render their condition supportable.  It is gratifying to record such acts of disinterested philanthropy; they dignify and ennoble our nature, and are worthy of universal imitation.  Notwithstanding their situations was thus rendered as comfortable as a state of confinement could be, they were determined upon attempting an escape.  Captain Johnson having communicated his plan to young dale, and every arrangement having been made, they affected their purpose at night, in the month of February 1778.  After wandering about for more than a week, encountering every difficulty, and suffering still more severe privitations, they determined, as the best means of avoiding detections, to divide their company and pursue different courses.  After a variety of adventures, Dale and his companions reached London, and immediately embarked onboard a trading vessel bound to Dunkirk.  The tide being ahead they could not proceed far.  On the same day, while at anchor, an officer, with a press gang came onboard, and arrested them on suspicion of being prisoners from Mill prison.  The following day they underwent an examination, after which they were re-committed to the same prison from which they had escaped.  Here for forty days, they were confined in a dungeon, appropriately denominated the “black hole.”  After the expiration of this term, they were restored to the more enlarged liberty of the prison, but not to all those privileges and indulgences, which had formerly rendered their situation comparatively comfortable. 

            About three months afterwards, Dale was again committed to the “black hole,” for singing what were termed rebellious songs.  In February 1779, he again escaped from prison, repaired without delay to London, where by fortunate management and address, he procured a passport from the proper authority to go to France.  In a very short time he arrived at L’ Orient, where he joined, in the character of masters mate, the renowned Paul Jones, then commanding the American ship “Bon-Homme Richard.”  We have now reached a most interesting epoch in the life of our adventurer.  He had hitherto acted in a very subordinate capacity, contending with difficulties the most discouraging, and adversities that would have subdued to despondency, a spirit less resolute and inflexible than his.  His bosom now beat high with exultation at the opening of brighter prospects.  He beheld in the character of his commander, a pledge of happier fortunes, and enjoyed, in anticipation, a brilliant career of glory.  After three months of unremitting employment, in manning the Bon-Homme Richard, in which great difficulty was experienced, the discriminating eye of Captain Jones selected Dale, to be his first lieutenant.  This mark of approbation, from one who was so good a judge of merit, and knew so well how to appreciate it, gratified his ambition, and encouraged and animated his hopes of fame.

            The Bon-Homme Richard sailed on a cruise about the latter end of July 1779, in company with the Alliance of thirty-six guns, the Pallas of thirty-two guns, the brig Revenge of sixteen guns, and a cutter of ten guns all under the command of Paul Jones.  They cruised very successfully for some time off the coast of Ireland, when upon consultation with the different commanders, except Captain Landais, of the Alliance, who, on account of some misunderstanding, declined any communication with Captain Jones; it was determined to proceed to the North sea with the Bon-Homme Richard, the Pallas, and the Revenge.  The town of Leith being marked out as the first object to attack, every preparation was made to set fire to it, unless the extremity should be prevented by a compliance with their terms-to wit, a ransom of two hundred and fifty thousand pounds sterling.  Fortunately for the town, when they were within a short distance of it, a violent gale sprung up from W.S.W., which obliged them to run down the firth, and go to sea.  Two or three days afterwards, when off North shields, everything was prepared to burn the shipping, and the harbour, but the captains of the Pallas and Revenge, thinking the adventure too hazardous it was abandoned.

             Since the commencement of their cruise, they had taken and destroyed many valuable vessels, and proved a most serious annoyance to the enemy’s trade.

            We come now to the most prominent circumstance in life of our subject.  We allude to the engagement between the Bon-Homme Richard and the Serapis, an English forty-four-an engagement which was certainly one of the most interesting ever fought; and for deeds of gallant intrepidity, and noble daring, is not surpassed, if equalled, by any in the annals of naval history.  Having given Jone’s own account of this battle in the previous article, we shall here notice it more briefly.

            On the nineteenth of September 1779, the Bon-Homme Richard, the Alliance, the Pallas, and the Revenge, being off Flamborough head; on the north east coast of England, a fleet of several hundred vessels was described.  The Alliance joined the squadron that afternoon, having been seen before since she parted company off Ireland.  Her captain refused obedience to the signals from the Bon-Homme Richard, during the chase, and repeatedly fired into the Bon-Homme Richard during the action.  The Revenge took no part in the action.  The chase was discovered to be the Baltic fleet, homeward bound, under convoy of the Serapis, of forty-four, and the Countless of Scarborough of twenty guns.  The commander of the Serapis made a signal for the merchant ships to stand in for the shore.  After some manoeuvring on the part of the enemy, which did not evince a disposition to court an engagement, the Bon-Homme Richard brought the Serapis to close action: about the same time Captain Cottineau, of the Pallas, engaged the Countless of Scarborough.  About ten p.m., the bowsprit of the Serapis got foul of the mizzen rigging of the Bon-Homme Richard.  While in this situation, the two ships were lashed together, the starboard bow of the former to the starboard quarter of the latter.  A boarding party from the Scrapis attempted to board.  The officer who headed the boarders, and many men, having been killed, the rest fell back. The action now became very warm.  The Scrapis let go her anchor, expecting that the two ships would clear each other.  She then bought up with her head to the wind-the Bon-Homme Richard with her stern to the wind alongside of each other.  They remained in that situation till the Serapis struck her colours, which was done about twelve o’clock at night.

            Properly to appreciate this splendid victory, we must take into view the great superiority of the enemy in the strength of his vessel, the number of his guns, the weight of the metal, and the amount of his crew; add to this the disadvantages under which the action was sustained for a very considerable time on the part of the Bon-Homme Richard. 

            The Serapis was what is denominated a double-decked forty-four gun ship-she showed two rows of ports.  She was almost a new vessel, and, in every respect, one of the finest, or, to speak more technically, one of the warmest frigates of her class.  The Bon-Homme Richard was an old ship, having made many voyages to the East Indies, for which trade she was originally designed.  On the score of tonnage both vessels were about equal.

            The Serapis, though rated a forty-four, mounted a greater number of guns; she carried twenty eighteen pounders on her upper deck, and sixes on her quarterdeck and forecastle-the precise number we are unable to state.  The Bon-Homme Richard carried forty-two guns-six eighteen-pounders on her lower deck, twenty-eight twelve’s on her upper deck, and eight nines on her quarterdeck and forecastle.  With respect to the crews of the ships, they nominally, were equal; but from that of the Bon-Homme Richard there had been sent previously to the action, several detachments to man prizes.  Besides this, just before discovering the Baltic fleet, a second lieutenant, a midshipman, and six men, were despatched in a pilot boat to take some small vessels that were in sight; these did not return till after the action; so that the crew was considerably reduced; and there was left onboard but one lieutenant, and a very inadequate number of subordinate officers.  The crew of this ship, moreover, was a heterogeneous compound of Americans, and natives, and subjects of almost all the European nations-so that in conversation many of them could not understand each other. 

            Besides these original disadvantages, there were others of a more alarming nature, which were the consequence of accident during the battle, or of damage received from the enemy, under which, however, the bloody conflict was maintained for one hour.  Two of the eighteen pounders on the lower deck burst the first fire, and did considerable damage; they blew up part of the upper gun deck.  The guns in that direction were no longer serviceable.  Many men were killed and wounded by the accident.  About an hour before the enemy struck their colours, it was reported and believed onboard the Bon-Homme Richard that she was sinking.  So great was the consequent alarm that the master at arms let loose all the prisoners, who had been confined in the after hold, that they might, in the general effort to preserve life take care of themselves.  They became exceedingly terrified, and occasioned much confusion onboard.  The pumps were constantly at work.  The carpenter was ordered into the pump well to ascertain the depth of water in the ship.  His report was, that it was up to his chin.  Lieutenant Dale was then ordered down to the lower deck, to see how near the water was to the lower ports.  To allay the excessive alarm, he reported that he did not perceive that she had settled much in the water.  At this critical juncture, one of the captains, who had been left out of confinement jumped onboard the Serapis, and informed her captain, that if he would hold out a little longer the American ship must strike or sink; adding, that in order to give them a chance for their lives, all the prisoners had been released.  At this dreadful and critical moment, moreover, the action on the part of the American ship was completely at a stand, in consequence of the communication with the magazine being stopped.  The sentinels, who were placed in the passage leading to the magazine, seeing many strange faces, deemed it prudent to bar all access to it.  Lieutenant Dale went below to ascertain the cause of withholding the powder.  He now, for the first time, knew that the prisoners had been let out.  Having explained the matter to the sentinels, and taken the proper precautions against a recurrence of the difficulty he returned to the deck.  By this time the contest was reduced to three guns on the enemy’s lower deck, and three on the quarter deck of the Bon-Homme Richard. 

            About this period a circumstance occurred, which as it is characteristic of Captain Jones, may be worthy of notice.  The surgeon of the ship came up from the cockpit in great apprehension, and asked the Captain if he would not strike, as the vessel was sinking?  “What!  Doctor,” said Jones, “Would you have me strike to a drop of water?  Here, help me get this gun over.”  The doctor, however, not caring to step beyond the sphere of his immediate duty, soon found his way back to the cockpit.

            Our readers will, no doubt, inquire after the fate of the other vessels originally in company with the Bon-Homme Richard.  It will be recollected that the Pallas engaged the Contess of Scarborough.  The action was maintained for some time with Great Spirit.  Victory, at length, declared in favour of the Pallas, the American ship.  It is with pain that we take any notice of Captain Landais, of the Alliance; but his conduct it is a necessary link in the chain of our narrative.  Besides, a statement of it is necessary to account for the comparatively unfavourable result of the engagement-unfavourable so far as regards the appointment of the hopes of the American officers, of taking or destroying the whole of the convoy. 

            Landais paid no regard to the signals from the Bon-Homme Richard during the chase and action; but at the commencement of the action the Alliance took her station between the Serapis and Bon-Homme Richard, and the Countess of Scarborough and Pallas.  In this situation she remained perfectly inactive and aloof from danger, until the Countess of Scarborough struck to the Pallas; whereupon, Landais made sail for the Pallas, to know what ship she had taken, and also to ascertain what ship was engaged with the Bon-Homme Richard.  Upon receiving the information sought for, he made sail towards the latter ship, with the intention, as he afterwards said, of assisting her.  It was not long, however, before he reached her; and when he did, he was hailed and ordered to lay the Serapis aboard on the larboard side-but notwithstanding the night signals were made, and the night was sufficiently light to discover the relative situation of the two ships-disregarding his orders, he fired a broadside into the Bon-Homme Richard, which killed her master’s mate, boatswain’s mate, and wounded many of her men, without doing an injury to the enemy.  After this Landais stood some distance on his course, and then tacking, ran down athwart the stern of the Serapis, and the Bon-Homme Richard’s bows, and fired another broadside, which raked both ships.

            Shortly after this, the Serapis struck her colours.  Lieutenant Dale swung, by means of a rope, from the deck of the Bon-Homme Richard to that of the Serapis.  He was the first onboard, and was followed by a midshipman and several men.  There was but one man on the deck of the Serapis at this time; the rest were below.  Those on the upper deck, not knowing that their flag was struck made a feeble resistance, which was soon overcome, and quiet possession taken of the ship.

             The condition of the ships was such as might be expected from the length and sanguinary obstinacy of the engagement.  They had been lying nearly two hours alongside of each other, at such close quarters, that in loading the guns, the rammers touched the side, or were protruded into the portholes of the other ship.  The wadding lodged in the rigging and hulls; and, at times, both vessels were literally enveloped in flames.

            During the action one of the men in the maintop of the Bon-Homme Richard, ventured out on the main yard, which passed directly over the main hatchway of the Serapis, and dropped some hand grenades into her.  These coming into contact with some cartridges which had been left on the decks, the whole exploded, and the consequences were most destructive, very few of those who were near escaping unhurt.

            Lieutenant Dale, after taking possession of the ship, found himself deprived of the use of one of his legs, in consequence of a severe wound which he had received in the ankle, but which he had scarcely felt during the bustle of the engagement.  On board the Bon-Homme Richard there were forty-nine killed, and sixty-seven wounded; many of the latter having lost there arms and legs.  According to the accounts of the officers of the Serapis, at the time, her amount of killed and wounded were precisely the same.

           The Bon-Homme Richard being in a very shattered condition, and it being impossible to free her of water, it was thought that to abandon her.  Her crew was accordingly removed to the Serapis.  She sunk the next day. The rest of the squadron sailed for the Texel, where they arrived in eight or ten days.  Here Captain Jones took the command of the Alliance, Landais having been ordered to proceed to Paris, and thence to America to stand a trial for his extraordinary conduct during the cruise and action.  The captain of the Pallas took command of the Serapis.  This Alliance sailed from the Texel, in January 1780, on a cruise, and arrived at L’Orient in the following March.  Jones went to Paris; - Landais, who arrived at L’Orient in his absence, availed himself of this opportunity to attempt a recovery of the command of the Alliance.  By tampering with many of the officers who had served with him and aided by the influence of Artur Less, one of our public functionaries at the French Court, who was not well disposed towards Jones, he succeeded in attaining his object.  Landais endeavoured to prevail upon Lieutenant Dale to join him.  But he remained faithful to his commander, refusing to acknowledge the authority of Landais, and avowed him willing and anxious to attempt the recovery of the ship, even at the hazard of his life.  The King of France authorised Jones to use the guns of the fort to stop the Alliance.  He did not, however, avail himself of this authority, as he was unwilling to hazard the serious consequences that would have ensued to the ship and her crew.  The Alliance sailed for America in July.

             The King accommodated Jones with the Ariel, a British twenty-gun ship that had been captured by a French frigate.  After some time spent in manning her, and preparing her for sea, they sailed for America in October.  They had not proceeded far, when they were reproduced to the greatest extremity of distress, in consequence of a tremendous gale.  They were obliged to return to port, where the refitted and sailing again for America about the 1^st of January 1781, arrived at Philadelphia on the eighteenth of February following.  In May 1781, the bay of Delawaren was such infested by the refugees, who intercepted suppliers going to Philadelphia.  The schooners belonging to the state ere armed and mannded from the Ariel, Lieutenant Dale was ordered by Jones to proceed with them down the bay, to disperse thee marauders, and convoy the full public stores to the city.  This service was successfully executed.   

            About this time Jones was appointed to the command of a seventy for, then building to the northward.  He solicited lieutenant Dale to go with him; a proposal which he declined thinking it would be a long time before she would be ready for sea.

            In June Lieutenant Dale as appointed to the Trumball frigate, of thirty-two guns, commanded by captain James Nicholson, that vessel Saild from the Capes of Delaware, some time in July 1781.  She had been out but a few hours, when she fell in with a British frigate and sloop of war.  They gave chase to the Trumbull.  The latter had her foretopmast and fore topgallant mast carried away in the chase, and was otherwise much crippled in her sails and rigging.  The night being exceedingly dark and stormy Captain Nicholson supposed he might elude the enemy by putting his ship about ahead before the wind; this was found his ship immediately alongside of the enemy, who seemed to have anticipated its manoeuvres.  So great was the surprise, that the Trumbull was entirely unprepared-the men not at their quarters, and it was with great difficulty that they could man even a few of their guns.  Under these circumstances, having been so much crippled by the gale, and the enemy’s force being so vastly superior, the Trumbull struck her colours, after a spirited but short resistance.  Lieutenant Dale was wounded in this recontre.

            The second day after this he arrived ay New York, a prisoner, and was put on parole at Long Island; he was soon afterwards exchanged, and returned to Philadelphia, in November 1781.

            The government having an immediate occasion for his services, he engaged in the merchant service; having no relish for an inactive life.  He entered on board the Queen of France a large ship mounting twelve sixes first as chief officer afterwards as captain.  In the latter capacity he sailed in the spring of 1782, for L’Orient capacity he sailed in the spring of 1782, for L’Orient, in company with a formidable squadron of letters of marquee.  During the voyage they made many valuable prizes.  The Queen of France having separated from the rest of the squadron fell in with a British privateer brig, mounting fourteen sixes.  A severe conflict ensued in which both vessels sustained very serious damage.  They parted by mutual consent.  Captain Dale returned to Philadelphia in February 1783.

           Upon the conclusion of peace, there was no provision made for neither the navy nor its officers.  Captain Dale became interested in a large ship in the London trade in the command of which he sailed for London, in December 1783.  From this period to May 1790 we find him, unremittingly and lucratively employed in the East India trade in which he commanded several of the finest ships engaged in the employ.  In September 1791, he married, and until June 1794, continued engaged in the merchant service.

               About the latter period; the government appointed six captains for the naval establishment, for which provision had just been made.  Captain Dale was one of them, and the fourth in rank.  He was appointed to superintend the building of a frigate of the first class, at Norfolk.  The Government, however, afterwards deferred building her.  He immediately obtained a furlough, and sailed in the command of a valuable ship for Canton.  He continued industriously engaged in this trade till May 1798, when he commanded the ship Ganges.  About this period our disputes with France seemed to be approaching to a crisis.  War was generally expected.  Under this apprehension the government purchased several large ships, for the purpose of converting them into men of war.  Captain Dale was appointed to the command of the Ganges, one of the purchased ships.  She was equipped for service; mounted twenty-nine pounders and had a crew of one hundred and fifty men.  Soon after this, some misunderstanding arose with respect to rank; Captain Dale obtained a furlough until the matter could be adjusted.  In May 1799, he sailed for Canton, in the command of the ship Canton, mounting twenty guns, with a crew of seventy men.  He returned to Philadelphia, in April 1800, and was happy to find that the point of rank had been settled to his entire satisfaction.  He received orders from the navy department to hold himself n readiness, as employment would soon offer.  Accordingly in May 1801, he was appointed to the command of the squadron of observation, about to sail from Hampton Roads to the Mediterranean.  On the twenty-first of May he hoisted his broad pennant onboard the frigate President.  On the first of June he sailed with the squadron, consisting of the following vessels:  the President, Captain James Barron; the Philadelphia, Captain Samuel Barros; the Essex, Captain William Bainbridge; and the schooner enterprise, Lieutenant Andrew Stewart.  The squadron arrived at Gibraltar on the first of July.  They found lying there, the high-admiral of Tripoli, in a ship mounting twenty-six nines and sixes, and two hundred and sixty men; and a brig of sixteen gun, and one hundred and sixty men.  He had arrived only the day before the squadron.  It was very evident that the Bay of Tripoli had declared, or was about to declare war against the United State; and that it was the intention of the Admiral to cruise against the American vessels in the Western Ocean although he disavowed any knowledge of hostile intentions on the part of the Bay his master.  Had the Admiral got out, he would have swept the ocean of the American trade, which at that time was very active in those seas.  It became an object of primary importance to prevent his escape; and for this purpose Captain Samuel Barron, of the Philadelphia frigate, was ordered by the Commodore to lie off Gibraltar, in order to watch the movements of the Admiral, and if he ventured out, to capture him despairing or eluding the vigilance of the blockading squadron, the Admiral very soon dismantled his vessels and discharged his crews; and thus one considerable means of annoyance was, to all useful purposes, destroyed.

            The hostile intentions of the Bay were placed yond a doubt, by authentic information obtained in the Mediterranean.

            After distributin