Reverse.—The fort of Sandusky, with the enemy arrayed in front; American flag flying on the tower; columns of smoke from the fort, &c.
Legend.—Pars magna fuit.
Exergue.—Sandusky, 2d August, 1813.
PAUL JONES.
John Paul Jones was born on the 6th of July, 1747, at Arbigland, in the parish of Kirkbean, Scotland.
The residence of his father was near the shores of the Solway, one of the most beautiful and picturesque points of the Frith, where our young hero passed his hours of pastime in launching his “tiny bark” on the waters, and issuing to his supposed officers and crew his naval commands. At the age of twelve years, having made known his determination to lead a seafaring life, it was deemed proper to yield to it by his reluctant parents. Accordingly, he was apprenticed to a merchant at Whitehaven, on the opposite side of Solway Frith, in the American trade.
He made his first voyage before he was thirteen, in the ship Friendship of Whitehaven, bound for the Rappahannock. His elder brother, William, had married and settled at Fredericksburg, in Virginia, where Jones found a happy home during his stay in America.
Although his first visit was of but short duration, he appears to have become greatly prepossessed in favor of America. These feelings he fostered under circumstances which made them keen and enduring, being so intimately connected with his first impressions of a naval life. His master, finding his affairs embarrassed, was induced to cancel the indentures of Jones, who now found himself at liberty to think and act as he pleased; but his fixed determination was the sea. He fortunately obtained the appointment of third mate of the ship King George, of Whitehaven, a vessel engaged in the slave trade. After making one voyage, he shipped as chief mate on board the brigantine Two Friends, of Kingston, Jamaica, engaged in the same traffic.