Jones had great defects of character; but most of them sprang from his want of early education. He was not a mere adventurer—owing his elevation to headlong daring—he was a hard student as well as a hard fighter, and had a strong intellect as well as strong arm. He wrote with astonishing fluency considering the neglect of his early education. He even wrote eloquently at times, and always with force. His verses were as good as the general run of poetry of that kind.
Paul Jones was an irregular character, but his good qualities predominated over his bad ones. And as the man who first hoisted the American Flag at sea, and received the first salute ever offered it by a foreign Nation, and the first who carried it victoriously through the fight on the waves, he deserves our highest praise and most grateful remembrance.
With such a Commander to lead the American Navy, and stand before it as the model of a brave man, no wonder our Navy has covered itself with glory.
J. T. Headley (Condensed)
SOME OF HIS SAYINGS
I will not have anything to do with ships which do not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm’s way.
(During the fight with the Serapis) Don’t swear, Mr. Stacy, we may at the next moment be in Eternity; but let us do our duty.
I have not yet begun to fight!
I have ever looked out for the honour of the American Flag.
I can never renounce the glorious title of a Citizen of the United States.