He left Cherson on the morning of the 6th of December, 1788. The mercury was then at twenty-six degrees below zero. That very morning, as he soon afterwards learned, the Russians took Oczakow by storm. Eleven thousand soldiers composed the Turkish garrison. In the intensity of the cold, just before the dawn of day, the Russians, in six strong columns, with loud yells, a storm of bullets, and gleaming sabres, rushed upon the Turks, taking them completely by surprise. It was an awful scene of demoniac clamor, blood, and woe. In a few hours the dreadful deed was done. Not one in the garrison, not a Turk in the city, was spared. Nineteen thousand gory corpses, frozen in the wintry blast, strewed the streets of the city. Had the Turks been victorious, the Russians would have been put to the sword with equal ferocity. Such is man in his treatment of his brother. Such, in the main, has been the history of our race since the Fall.
In the swiftly drawn sledges of Russia, Admiral Jones was whirled along over the drear and treeless plains, at the rate of over one hundred miles a day. At Skloff, he made a short tarry, where he was received by General Soritsch, with the most distinguished attention. He reached St. Petersburg on the 28th of the month, after a journey of twenty-two days. The empress invited him to the honor of a private audience on the 31st. He presented the letter from Prince Potemkin. The empress received him kindly. He was informed that a little time must elapse, before it could be decided what new command should be intrusted to him. He was however assured that it should be one certainly of not less importance than that of a squadron in the Black Sea.
The mind of the admiral was always in intense activity. The one thought which seemed ever to engross him ever the promotion of the prosperity of the United States. During the few weeks of repose which were thus forced upon him, he drew up a very carefully prepared plan, of an alliance, political and commercial, between Russia and the United States. The object of this plan was to promote reciprocal advantages, and especially to encourage commerce with the growing Russian settlements on the Black Sea. This document he presented to the Russian vice-chancellor, Count d’Osterman. The count, after carefully examining it, invited the admiral to his cabinet, and said to him:
“The plan is a good one, but I do not think it expedient to adopt it at this time. A commercial alliance between Russia and the United States would still further[further] irritate the British government against Russia. We must postpone the further consideration of this question until we have made peace with the Turks.”
England, in her desire to engross the commerce of the world, wished to cripple that of all other nations, especially that of the United States. The admiral, in his journal, speaks as follows of the efforts of the English to crush him:
“I have been more deeply hurt by those secret machinations against me as regards the empress. My enemies have had the wickedness to make her believe that I was a cruel and brutal man, and that I had, during the American war, even killed my own nephew. It is well known that, from motives of revenge, the English have invented and propagated a thousand fictions and atrocities, to endeavor to blacken the character of the celebrated men who effected the American Revolution. A Washington and a Franklin, two of the most illustrious and virtuous men that have ever adorned humanity, have not been spared by these calumniators. Are they now the less respected by their fellow-citizens? On the contrary they are universally revered, even in Europe, as the fathers of their country, and as examples of all that is great and noble in human character.
“In civil war, it is not wonderful that opposite factions should mutually endeavor to make it believed that each is in the right. And it is obvious, that the party most in the wrong will always be the most calumnious. If there had really been anything against my character, the English would not have failed to furnish convincing proofs of it; for with very slender means, I had been able to give more alarm to their three kingdoms, during the war, than any other individual had done. As an officer, I loved good discipline, which I consider indispensable to the success of operations, particularly at sea, where men are so much crowded, and brought into such close contact. In the English navy, it is known that captains of ships are often tyrants who order the lash for the poor seamen very frequently, and sometimes for nothing. In the American navy we have almost the same regulations. But I looked on my crew as my children, and I have always found means to manage them without flogging. I never had a nephew, nor any other relation under my command. I have one dear nephew, who is still too young for service, but who now pursues his studies.[[H]] Since I came to Russia, I have intended him for the imperial marine. Instead of imbruing my hands in his blood, he will be cherished as my son.
“In short, my conduct has obtained for me the returns most grateful to my heart. I have had the happiness to give universal satisfaction to two great and enlightened nations which I have served. Of this I have received singular proofs. I am the only man in the world that possesses a sword given by the King of France. It is to me a glorious distinction to wear it. I have indelible proofs of the high consideration of the United States. But what completes my happiness is the esteem and friendship of the most virtuous men, whose fame will be immortal; and that a Washington, a D’Estaing, a Lafayette, think the bust of Paul Jones worthy of being placed side by side with their own.”
Malignantly as the admiral was pursued, being far away in a strange land, and removed from the protection of his personal friends, it seemed absolutely necessary that he should speak in his own defence. Even his great namesake, the illustrious Apostle Paul, found himself so situated as to deem it needful commend himself. At this time the most infamous conspiracy was got up, as the admiral and Count Segur both affirm, by the English officers in the navy and the English merchants in St. Petersburg. It was intended utterly to ruin the man whom they had so unscrupulously assailed. Biographical fidelity renders it necessary that this story should be told, notwithstanding the nature of its details. The admiral promptly wrote to his friend, Prince Potemkin, informing him of the cruel slander. His letter sounds like a wail of grief. It was dated St. Petersburg, April 13, 1789.
“My Lord—Having had the advantage to serve under your orders, and in your sight, I remember with particular satisfaction the kind promises and testimonies of your friendship, with which you have honored me. As I have served all my life for honor, I had no other motive for accepting the flattering invitation of her imperial majesty than a laudable ambition to distinguish myself in the service of a sovereign so magnanimous and illustrious; for I never yet have bent the knee to self-interest, nor drawn my sword for hire.