Gents Mag 1825 part 2 p.431
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Gentleman's Magazine 1825 part 2 p.431
to our Admiral. But this is all of which we could ever hear. Paul Jones adds, 'The English are very deficient in signals as well as in naval tactics.' P.184.Sir Home Popham has, we believe, most importantly improved the former; and, for the latter, let the late war speak. Pauls says, that he never knew any thing of naval tactics till he was acquainted 'with that great tactician Count d'Orvilliers and his judicious assistant the Chevalier du Pavillion.' p.185. Now those tactics were merely to escape defeat, not to gain victory; but the English broke the line, and what became of the great tacticians? Here ended Paul's days of glory. Except as a diplomatist, and a Rear Admiral under the Russian service, in which he defeated the Turks (as the Greeks have done by fire-ships only), we hear no more of Paul Jones. The Proditori nulla fides followed him wherever he went. His bravery and talent were respected, but his principles were questioned. The Court of Denmark pensioned him, to buy off a dangerous man; and the Empress Catharine made a tool of him as long as he was wanted: but to suppose that the Monarchs of Europe would entangle themselves with him and the republican doctrines of America, was utterly absurd. Catharine soaped his nose with the order of St. Anne, then pulled it, and he retired into France, assigning his dismissal to the intrigues of the English, and died at Paris in June 1791. The National Assembly went into mourning on account of his death, and no doubt wore the same clothes for many of their own relatives, whom the flattery of Paul Jones and the politics of America had brought to an untimely end by the guillotine. We will, however, do justice to the really great personal merits of Paul Jones. Born in obscurity, with the consciousness of superior talents, America presented an opening for the exertion of them, which he never could have found in the old countries, without going through the usual routine of service, which at the age of twenty-eight was impracticable. In commerce he had been unsuccessful; and desperation made him an adventurer. Qualified for a hero, as a warrior, a statesman, and as a gentleman, he showed invincible bravery, masterly diplomacy, and chivalrous courtesy; but what shall we say to his unnatural hostility to his native country, - a country remarkable for nationality. He was a Scotchman, who formed a plan for plundering Edinburgh; he was a fighting Fauntleroy, instead of a banking one; and would have preyed upon the funds and vitals of his relatives, his friends, and countrymen. Most Scotchmen would prefer death. Bernadotte never entered France, and him Napoleon had tried to depose. What had Scotland done to Paul Jones? In short, as an officer, his conduct is a good exemplar, and for that object his life ought to be studied. In all other respects, he was an unnatural parricide. He had not suffered by the American war; nor had his country injured him in any shape. |
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