Jones conceived that if he could obtain possession of this nobleman’s person, he could demand an exchange for some distinguished American prisoner. He remained in the bay of Kirkcudbright till the following morning, when he started with two boats and about twenty men, among whom was Johnson, who relates the particulars of this singular adventure. Johnson was in the first boat with Jones, who commanded it himself; the other was commanded by Simpson, his first lieutenant. They landed on part of the grounds, not more than two hundred yards from the house; some laborers were at work near by, of whom they inquired if Lord Selkirk was at home; they were informed that he was in London, consequently, his end was frustrated. On receiving this information they prepared to return to their boats, when his officers, of whom there were four, expressed a wish to repair to the Abbey and demand the family plate, pleading as an excuse, that it was the universal custom of the English on the American coast. Jones, in his official report, says, after some hesitation, he reluctantly consented, charging them to insult no person on the premises, especially Lady Selkirk. During this delicate embassy, Jones withdrew behind some trees, where he could perceive what was going on. Simpson, with ten of his sailors, went to the house. Lady Selkirk was at breakfast when they presented themselves at the window, and supposing them to be the crew of a revenue cutter, sent a servant to inquire their business, and to offer them some refreshment. Simpson entered the room on the return of the servant, and stated his errand to Lady Selkirk.
Her ladyship made no resistance, but sent the servant to collect the remainder of the plate, requesting that the teapot, which was then on the table, might be emptied and placed with it. After being collected, it was carefully packed in baskets, and the party, having performed their errand, withdrew to their boats, where Paul Jones met them. They soon regained their ship, when the prize they had made was safely repacked, and they set sail for the coast of France.
During their voyage from Scotland to France he fell in with an English vessel called the Drake; a sharp conflict ensued, which lasted more than an hour, when the Drake surrendered, and was towed in safety into Brest, a seaport of France. On the very day of his arrival at Brest, Jones wrote the following eccentric epistle to Lady Selkirk, which one of his biographers calls “the queerest piece of epistolary correspondence extant.”
“Madam,—It cannot be too much lamented, that in the profession of arms, the officer of fine feelings and real sensibility, should be under the necessity of winking at any action of persons under his command which his heart cannot approve; but the reflection is doubly severe, when he finds himself obliged, in appearance, to countenance such actions by his authority. This hard case was mine, when, on the 23d of April last, I landed on St. Mary’s Isle.
“Knowing Lord Selkirk’s interest with his king, and esteeming as I do his private character, I wished to make him the happy instrument of alleviating the horrors of hopeless captivity, when the brave are overpowered and made prisoners of war. It was, perhaps, fortunate for you, madam, that he was from home, for it was my intention to have taken him on board the Ranger, and detained him until, through his means, a general and fair exchange of prisoners, as well in Europe as in America, had been effected.
“When I was informed by some men whom I met at landing, that his lordship was absent, I walked back to my boat, determined to leave the island. By the way, however, some officers who were with me could not forbear expressing their discontent, observing that in America no delicacy was shown by the English, who took away all sorts of moveable property, setting fire not only to towns and to the houses of the rich, without distinction, but not even sparing the wretched hamlets and milch-cows of the poor and helpless, at the approach of an inclement winter.
“That party had been with me at Whitehaven; some complaisance, therefore, was their due. I had but a moment to think how I might gratify them, and at the same time do your ladyship the least injury. I charged the officers to permit none of the seamen to enter the house, or to hurt any thing about it; to treat you, madam, with the utmost respect; to accept of the plate which was offered, and to come away without making a search, or demanding any thing else. I am induced to believe that I was punctually obeyed, since I am informed that the plate which they brought away is far short of the quantity expressed in the inventory which accompanied it. I have gratified my men; and when the plate is sold, I shall become the purchaser, and will gratify my own feelings in restoring it, by such conveyance as you may please to direct.
“Had the earl been on board the Ranger the following evening, he would have seen the awful pomp and dreadful carnage of a sea engagement; both affording ample subject for the pencil as well as melancholy reflection for the contemplative mind. Humanity starts back from such scenes of horror, and cannot sufficiently execrate the vile promoters of this detestable war;
For they, ’twas they unsheathed the ruthless blade,
And Heaven shall ask the havoc it has made.