Fairly afloat—twenty-nine years of age—healthy, well-knit, though of light and slender frame—a commissioned officer in the American Navy the young gardener saw with joy, the shores receding as the fleet steered for the Bahama Isles.
The result of this expedition was the capture of New Providence with a hundred cannon and abundance of military stores.
And the capture was brought about by the perseverance and daring of young Paul Jones.
J. T. Headley (Arranged)
THE FIRST SALUTE
That Flag and I are twins, born at the same hour.... We cannot be parted in life or death. So long as we shall float, we shall float together. If we sink, we shall go down as one.
Paul Jones
June 14, 1777, was a great day for the United States and for Paul Jones.
On that self-same day, Congress passed two famous Resolutions;—and Commander Paul Jones and the Flag of the Nation were “born at the same hour”:—
Resolved: that the Flag of the Thirteen United States be thirteen Stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen Stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.