HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY FROM THE LIBRARY OF F. L. GAY NOV. 3, 1916 District of Columbia, to wit: BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the nineteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the forty ninth, John Henry Sherburne of the said District, hath deposited in the office of the clerk of the District Court for the District of Columbia, the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as author and proprietor, in the words following-to wit: "Life and Character of the Chevalier John Paul Jones, a Captain in the Navy of the United States during their Revolutionary War. Dedicated to the Officers of the American Navy. Spectimur agendo, 'Let us be tried by our actions.' By John Henry Sherburne, Register of the Navy of the United States. City of Washington-1825.” In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned."-and also to the act, entitled "An act supplementary to an act, entitled an act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints." IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the public seal of my office, the day and year aforesaid. L. S. EDMUND J. LEE, • Clerk of the District Court for the District of Columbia. 36 TO THE OFFICERS OF THE NAVY OF THE UNITED STATES. This work is dedicated to, and placed under your particular patronage. The honor of every individual in the Navy constitutes a common stock, which every one in the service is bound to protect. THE AUTHOR. The following letters have been received by the author from Thomas Jef ferson, Esq., James Madison, Esq., and the Honorable Joseph Story, one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the United States. "DEAR SIR, Monticello, February 14, 1825. During my residence in Paris, I was much acquainted with Commodore John Paul Jones, whose life you propose to write, and had much to do with him; yet my memory is so decayed that from that source I can furnish you nothing worth a place in his history. I believe I cannot better comply with your request than by sending you all the papers relating to him in my possession. His letters to me, which are many, will probably throw some lights, which you may not possess, on his occupations during that period. His death happened after I left Paris, and I presume you know that the National Assembly, then sitting, expressed their respect for him by wearing mourning. I shall be glad if what I furnish may add any thing material to the establishment of that fame which he truly merited. Be pleased to accept for yourself the assurance of my great respect, (Signed) THOMAS JEFFERSON." Montpellier, April 28, 1825. "DEAR SIR, I have received your letter of the 23d instant, enclosing a copy of your prospectus of a biography of John Paul Jones. The subject you have chosen for your pen, gives you an opportunity of doing justice to an individual whose heroism will fill a brilliant page in the history of the American Revolution. I am sorry it is not in my power to add to the materials you have derived from other sources. I must regret, also, that my personal acquaintance with Captain Jones was so slight and transient, that I ought not to attempt a view of his character. His bust, by Houdon, is an exact likeness; pourtraying well the characteristic features stamped on the countenance of the original. "DEAR SIR, With respect and good wishes, (Signed) JAMES MADISON." Washington City, February 17, 1825. General La Fayette not having your address, has sent me the papers herewith enclosed, relative to Captain John Paul Jones, requesting them to be delivered to you. Yours, very respectfully, (Signed) JOSEPH STORY." INTRODUCTION. It is in the revolutions of empires that truly great men make themselves known. In the tranquil scenes of peace the human intellect, with little excitement, and without a grand object, is inert, exhausted in common pursuits, or wastes itself in placid contemplation, or in the pleasures of life. When powerful sentiments animate the heart, and enlightened views direct us to the attainment of benefits calculated to secure the freedom, happiness, and prosperity of the human race, the soul expands, the mental faculties assume their natural proportion and energy, and, in defiance of the artificial distinctions of society, genius, and talents, however originally obscure, burst from concealment, shine with resplendent lustre, and manifest themselves in actions which command the esteem and admiration of the world. The history of all nations, ancient as well as modern, attest the truth of this assertion; and France in particular, within the last thirty-five years, furnishes proof in abundance, that whatever distinctions are created by systems of social order, in behalf of birth and fortune, nature distributes her favours without regard to wealth or rank. Of all the political revolutions, the incidents of which are recorded in the annals of nations, that of the British American Colonies was the most daring and manly. In other instances, the poverty of an exchequer, the feebleness of a sovereign or ministry, or the derangement of public affairs, has been seized upon as affording a favourable opportunity for emancipation and independence. But in that of the British American Colonies, the people vindicated their rights and contended for their liberties, when Great Britain was the preponderating power of Europe; when she had men of the first capacity in the cabinet, illustrious warriors in the field, a navy which defied the fleets of all other powers, and pecuniary resources over which her treasury had unlimited control. Notwithstanding these prodigious advantages the people of the colonies did not hesitate to remonstrate, to re |