IV. CHRONOLOGY

1747, July 1759 to

1766.

1768.

[Numbers at right of page denote references, see pp. 186-193.]

6. Born at Arbigland, Scotland ..........

Apprenticed. Went to sea on the Friendship.
Visited his brother, William Paul, in Virginia...
Made voyage as third mate of slaver King George..
Chief mate of the Two Friends, of Kingston, Jamaica
Returned to Scotland in the John.........

I 2

3

4

5

6

Made master and supercargo of the John; sailed for the West
Indies ...

7

1770, Aug.

8

5. Wrote from St. George, Granada, to Mr. Craik regarding his private business, his ship, and the care of his mother..... 1770, Nov. 27. Made a Freemason [entered apprentice] St. Bernard's Lodge, Kilwinning No. 122. Kirkcudbright, Scotland....... 1771, Apr. 1. Date of certificate of high approval from owners of the John. Same year visited his family in Scotland for last time...... 1772, June 30. Date of affidavit sworn to before Governor Young, of Tobago, exonerating Jones from charges made against him................. 1772, Sept. 24. In London. Wrote to his mother and sisters; enclosed copy of affidavits establishing his innocence in the case of Mungo Maxwell....

Commanded the Betsey..

9

ΙΟ

II

1772.

1773, Jan. 30. 1773.

Evidence in Jones's behalf given before Mayor of London....
In Virginia...

Assumed the name of Jones in North Carolina

1774.

Jones's brother, William Paul, died. Date taken from tomb-
stone in St. George's Churchyard, Fredericksburg, Va.
William Paul's will dated 1772...

17

1775, Apr. 25. Wrote to Joseph Hewes, Robert Morris, and Thomas Jefferson desiring a naval appointment..

1775, May -. Visited French ship Terpsichore, Commodore Kersaint, in

Hampton Roads. Met Louis Philippe, Égalité..........

18

1775, June 24.

Marine Committee desired Jones's views on naval affairs.
Appeared before the committee at Philadelphia.

1775, July 18.a
1775, Aug. 25.a Requested by Marine Committee to fit out the Alfred .......
1775, Sept. 14, Sent, through Hon. Joseph Hewes, replies to inquiries from
or Oct. 3.a
1775, Dec.

Congress on naval affairs....

3. "B. P." wrote to Earl Dartmouth that the "Continental flag
was this day hoisted on the Black Prince [later the Alfred]
at Philadelphia".

a Buell, "Paul Jones, Founder of the American Navy." These statements are not supported by the Journals of the Continental Congress.-COMPILER.

165

1775, Dec.

7. Jones appointed first of the first lieutenants in the Continental
Navy by Congress. Ordered to the Alfred ....

1775, Dec. 22. Appointments of December 7 confirmed by Congress..
1775, Dec.
Offered command of the Providence or Fly. Preferred remain-
ing on the Alfred ......

27

1776, Jan. 1776, Feb.

-. Hoisted the American flag on the Alfred, flagship of Com-
mander-in-Chief Esek Hopkins. (Entry above, No. 24,
indicates December 3 as the date)...

28

1775, Dec.

or

9. Commodore Hopkins's fleet sailed from Philadelphia under
the "Union flag" as used by General Washington at Cam-
bridge. Jones first lieutenant of flagship Alfred

1776, Feb. 17. The fleet left the Delaware on expedition...

1776, Mar.

1. Fleet anchored off Abaco. Jones piloted the Alfred into New
Providence.

1776, Mar. 17. Fleet sailed from New Providence with captured military
stores and the governor and other important prisoners....
Schooner Hawk and bomb brig Bolton captured ...
Alfred and Cabot engaged the Glasgow. She escaped. Hop-
kins's squadron put into New London..

1776, Apr. 4-5.

1776, Apr. 6.

1776, Apr. 14. Jones wrote Honorable Mr. Hewes account of the expedition. Sent extract from log of the Alfred.

1776, May

I. Ordered to attend the court-martial of Captain Whipple, cap-
tain of the Alfred..........

1776, May 10. Jones ordered by Hopkins to command the Providence.
1776, May 18. Providence arrived off New York......
1776, May 19. Jones explained to Hewes reasons for declining the command
of the Fly; says new commission has not been sent him....
1776, June 6. Desired command of one of the new ships being constructed
by order of Congress

......

1776, June 10. In obedience to Commodore Hopkins's order, pursued an
armed sloop in sight off New London. She escaped
1776, June 13. Ordered to convoy the Fly and other vessels carrying Gov-
ernment supplies....

1776, June 18. Ordered to Boston by Hopkins..
1776, June 20. Colonel Tillinghast requested by Jones to get his private Log
of the Alfred from that ship and send it to him.

1776, Aug. 1776, Aug.

1. Arrived in the Delaware with convoy from Boston..

45

1776, Aug. 16. 1776, Aug. 21.

1776, Sept.

1776, Sept.

to Sept. 28.

1. After a sharp action escaped from the British frigate Solebay,
near Bermuda. Later encountered and escaped from the
Milford, off Cape Sable.................

3 Captured off northeast coast of America, 16 vessels, destroyed
fishery at Canso and shipping at Isle Madame. Sent in 8
prizes, burned 8.

List of prizes..

8. Received a captain's commission from the President of Con-
gress. "The first naval commission under the United
States," or "since the Declaration of Independence"......
Marine Committee proposed to Jones the command of the
Hampden; he chose to remain on the Providence..
Ordered to watch for French vessel with supplies....
Sailed from the Delaware with orders to "cruise against
enemy for six weeks or more".

1776, Oct. 1776, Oct.

7. Arrived at Newport, R. I., in the Providence...

10. Commissioned captain in the Continental Navy (new list
made by Congress: Jones No. 18).....

1776, Oct. 17. Wrote Robert Morris an account of cruise. Made suggestions
for improvement of the Navy and plans for an expedition
against enemy's African trade.....

22. Took command of expedition to Cape Breton.
27. The Hampden disabled, had to put back...

1776, Oct.
1776, Oct.
1776, Nov. 2. Jones sailed with the Alfred and Providence.
1776, Nov. 10. Captured brig Active off Louisburg..

1776, Nov. 13. Captured transport Mellish, with 10,000 suits of uniform.
Took 150 prisoners..

1776, Nov. 16. Captured ship Hetty...

1776, Nov. 18. The Providence parted company from Alfred in the night...
1776, Nov. 24 Captured 5 vessels, one a privateer of 16 guns. Destroyed a
to Nov. 30.
transport, ashore at Canso Straits. Burned buildings at Isle
Royale.

7. Chased by frigate Milford; escaped with loss of only one of
the prizes....

1776, Dec.

64

1776, Dec.

IO Arrived at Boston.

65

or Dec. 15.

1777, Jan. 12.

Explained to Mr. Hewes failure to release the Americans at
Cape Breton coal mines.....

66

1777, Jan. 14. Superseded by Hinman in command of the Alfred, by order of

Protested to Marine Committee against this injustice....
Marine Committee ordered Jones to command a fleet of six
vessels for an expedition to Pensacola....

1777, Feb. 10. Wrote Robert Morris concerning the Navy...

1777, Mar. 17. Appointed by Congress to command one of the three ships

purchased "until a better can be had"

1777, Mar. 25. Ordered to Boston to select and fit out a ship.

1777, Apr. 7. At request of President of Congress submitted plans for organization and government of Navy.

Letter to Mr. Mawey regarding money due him and care of
his mother. Written from Boston..

75

1777, May 9. Ordered to proceed to France in Amphitrite. To take officers and men to man a fine ship to be purchased for him in Europe. Letter to Commissioners in Paris

76

1777, May 23. In Boston, shipped men for Amphitrite.. 1777, May 26. Wrote to the "Secret committee"

78

77

1777, June 14. Ordered to command the Ranger, first called the Hampshire, building at Portsmouth, N. H.; and Stars and Stripes adopted as National ensign by act of Congress.

1777, June 18. Appointment to the Ranger sent by Marine Committee... 1777, July 1, 2. Orders received by Jones at Boston

Stars and Stripes hoisted on a United States man-of-war for
first time; the Ranger, or the Raleigh......

82

1777, July 12. Jones announces to Captain Roach, former commander of

Ranger, his arrival at Portsmouth and his orders.

83

1777, July 29. Directions to Lieut. Elijah Hall regarding men's pay 1777, Aug. 2. Advertised for crew for Ranger....

84

85

1777, Sept. 6. Ordered by Marine Committee to proceed to France to report to the Commissioners. The Indien, at Amsterdam, promised him.....

1777, Oct.

29

or 30. 1777, Nov.

Reported to Marine Committee the many hindrances in fitting
the Ranger for sea. Will sail "with first favorable wind”.
1. The Ranger sailed from Portsmouth, N. H..........

1777, Nov. 26. Captured two brigs (Green says 23d and 25th)
2. Anchored off Nantes. Forwarded papers to Paris

1777, Dec.

1777, Dec.

5. Jones visited the Commissioners at Paris.....

1777, Dec.
II. Gave a detailed account of voyage in letter to Jacob Wendell..
1778, Jan. 10. Commissioners directed an advance of 500 louis d'or to be
paid Jones for expenses of ship......

1778, Jan. 16. Commissioners give Jones "unlimited orders"

1778, Feb.

1. Fired 13 guns in honor of Mr. Thomas Morris, Continental
agent at Nantes, recently deceased ....

1778, Feb. 12. Ranger sailed from Nantes for Quiberon Bay
1778, Feb. 13. Anchored in Quiberon Bay at 7 p. m. (or 6 p. m.)
1778, Feb. 14. Received from Admiral La Motte Piquet, commanding French
squadron, first salute to the Stars and Stripes from a foreign
power. Gave 13 and received 9 guns......

1778, Feb. 15. Sailed through the French fleet in the American brig Inde-
pendence, Captain John Young; saluted the French squadron
with 13 guns and received 9 in return.....

Informed the Marine Committee of exchanging salutes .. 3. Sailed from Quiberon Bay....

8. Anchored in Camaret Bay.

99

1778, Feb. 22.

100

1778, Mar.

ΙΟΙ

1778, Mar.

102

1778, Mar. 23.

1778, Mar. 25.

Sailed up to Brest. Exchanged salutes with French Admiral..
Wrote Silas Deane and John Ross that he was to receive salute
of gun for gun when leaving Brest

103

104

1778, Apr.

2. Count d'Orvilliers saluted Ranger with 10 or II guns when
she left Brest, about 5 p. m..............

II Ranger sailed from Brest in company with French frigate
Fortuna....

107

1778, Apr. or 15.

14 Captured brig Dolphin off Cape Clear.

108

1778, Apr. 17. Captured ship Lord Chatham; sent her to Brest.. 1778, Apr. 19, Sunk schooner and sloop taken off coast of Ireland.

20.

1778, Apr. 21. Captured a fishing boat. Bad weather prevented surprising

and boarding the Drake, 20 guns

1778, Apr. 22. Captain Jones and 31 volunteers landed at Whitehaven.
Spiked guns, burnt shipping, including ship Thompson..
1778, Apr. 23. Jones and 12 men landed at St. Marys Isle to capture Earl of
Selkirk. Selkirk, being absent, men took 160 pounds
weight of silver. List of names of landing party........
1778, Apr. 24. After fight of one hour and five minutes, H. B. M. S. Drake
surrendered to the Ranger.

Burden, of the Drake, and Lieutenant Wallingsford, of the
Ranger, with military honors....

1778, Apr. 25. Captured brig Patience. Let fishing boat go.

Buried Captain

115

1778, Apr. 26. Lieutenant Simpson given command of the Drake. Relieved

of command by Jones because of disobedience of orders. A
brig captured by Ranger

116

1778, May

6. Lieut. Elijah Hall sent on board the Drake to supersede Lieu-
tenant Simpson

117

1778, May

7. Lieutenant Hall ordered to follow Ranger and take the Drake
into Brest...

118

1778, May

8. The Ranger reentered Brest with the Drake..

119

Jones wrote Lady Selkirk courteous letter. Will return her
silver. Inventory of silver

120

1778, May 9. Reported the result of expedition to American plenipotentiaries at Paris...

1778, May 10. Hoisted Continental colors on the prize Patience 1778, May 11. Prisoners sent on board the Patience..

121

122

123

1778, May 27. Reported to Marine Committee actions from April 10 to May 27...

124

1778, May 27. Informed Doctor Bancroft of need of funds for crew, and surprise at the dishonoring of his draft

125

1778, June

1778, May 28. Reports death of Lieutenant Dobbs, R. N., of the Drake 1. Thanked Doctor Franklin for his expressed approval

126

127

1778, June

3. Explained his financial embarrassment; had advanced £1,500
of his own money; received no wages..

128

1778, June

1778, June

5. Submitted plans for combined operations against the British,
to American plenipotentiaries and French minister of marine.
6. Sailing in company with the Boston, Capt. S. Tucker, off Isle
Dieu; visited the ship

129

130

1778, June 10. Informed by Doctor Franklin that he is to have the Indien, building at Amsterdam .....

131

1778, July 4. Proposed to the plenipotentiaries that Lieutenant Simpson return to America in command of the Ranger. Celebrated anniversary of independence on Ranger..

132

1778, July 12. Letter to Mr. Grand regarding qualifications requisite in a

133

134

Protestant chaplain for his ship....

1778, July 27. Lieut. Simpson took command of Ranger.
1778, Aug. 6. Informed General Washington that, at the request of the
French minister of marine, he will remain in France. Begs
the General's acceptance of a pair of epaulettes he sends.
Men of Whitehaven expedition recommended to plenipo-
tentiaries

1778, Aug. 10. Informed that the plenipotentiaries will recommend to Con-
gress those who took part in the landing at Whitehaven...
Requested the plenipotentiaries to order a court-martial........
Capt. Abr. Whipple, of the Providence, requested by Jones to
summon a court-martial to try Lieutenant Simpson....
Recommends to Congress all who landed at Whitehaven...

1778, Aug. 22. Commissioners order court to try Simpson. 1778, Sept. 6. Charges against Simpson withdrawn.....

141

142

1778, Sept. 13. Having been informed that he can not get the Indien and pre-
vented from going on expedition with Count d'Orvilliers,
asked Sartine's permission to return to America......
1778, Sept. 21. Requested the Duc de Chartres to aid him in his efforts to get
a ship or some active duty......

143

144

1778, Oct. 16.

Ranger arrived at Portsmouth, N. H

145

1778, Oct. 19. Implored King Louis XVI to aid him to get a ship. The Duchess de Chartres presented the letter...

146

1778, Nov. 21. Explanatory letter replying to Mr. Arthur Lee.

147