The Life and Adventures of Rear-Admiral John Paul Jones, Commonly Called Paul Jones. John S. C. Abbott

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СКАЧАТЬ am induced to believe that I was punctually obeyed; since I am informed that the plate, which they brought away, is far short of the quantity expressed in the inventory which accompanied it. I have gratified my men. And when the plate is sold I shall become its purchaser, and will gratify my own feelings by restoring it to you, by such conveyance as you shall please to direct.

      “Had the Earl been on board the Ranger the following evening, he would have seen the awful pomp and dreadful carnage of a sea engagement; both affording ample subject for the pencil, as well as melancholy reflection to the contemplative mind. Humanity starts back from such scenes of horror, and cannot sufficiently execrate the vile promoters of this detestable war.

      “ ‘For they, ’twas they unsheathed the ruthless blade,

      And Heaven shall ask the havoc it has made.’

      “The British ship-of-war Drake, mounting twenty guns, with more than her full complement of officers and men, was our opponent. The ships met, and the advantage was disputed, with great fortitude on each side, for an hour and four minutes, when the gallant commander of the Drake fell, and victory declared in favor of the Ranger. The amiable lieutenant lay mortally wounded; a melancholy demonstration of the uncertaintyuncertainty of human prospects, and of the sad reverses of fortune which an hour can produce. I buried them in a spacious grave, with the honors due to the memory of the brave.

      “Though I have drawn my sword, in the present generous struggle for the rights of man, yet I am not in arms as an American, nor am I in pursuit of riches. My fortune is liberal enough, having no wife nor family, and having lived long enough to know that riches cannot insure happiness. I profess myself a citizen of the world, totally unfettered by the little, mean distinctions of climate or of country, which diminish the benevolence of the heart and set bounds to philanthropy. Before this war was begun I had, at an early time of life, withdrawn from sea service, in favor of calm contemplation and poetic ease. I have sacrificed not only my favorite scheme of life, but the softer affections of the heart and my prospects of domestic happiness, and I am ready to sacrifice my life also, with cheerfulness, if that forfeiture could restore peace and good-will among mankind.

      “As the feelings of your gentle bosom cannot but be congenial with mine, let me entreat you, madam, to use your persuasive art, with your husband’s, to endeavor to stop this cruel and destructive war, in which Britain never can succeed. Heaven can never countenance the barbarous and unmanly practice of the Britons in America, which savages would blush at, and which, if not discontinued, will soon be retaliated on Britain by a justly enraged people. Should you fail in this, for I am persuaded that you will attempt it—and who can resist the power of such an advocate?—your endeavors to effect a general exchange of prisoners will be an act of humanity which will afford you golden feelings on your death-bed.

      “I hope this cruel contest will soon be closed. But should it continue, I wage no war with the fair. I acknowledge their force and bend before it with submission. Let not, therefore, the amiable Countess of Selkirk regard me as an enemy. I am ambitious of her esteem and friendship, and would do anything consistent with my duty to merit it.

      “The honor of a line, from your hand, in answer to this, will lay me under a singular obligation. And if I can render you any acceptable service in France or elsewhere, I hope you see into my character so far as to command me without the least grain of reserve.

      “I wish to know exactly the behavior of my people, as I am determined to punish them if they exceed their liberty. I have the honor to be, with much esteem and with profound respect,

      “Madam, yours, etc.,

      “John Paul Jones.”

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