[Footnote 24: By resolution of the Marine Committee, dated September 5, 1776, this was, for captains: "A coat of blue cloth with red lapels, slashed cuffs, a stand-up collar, flat yellow buttons, blue breeches, and a red waistcoat with yellow lace." In Jones' case the "flat yellow buttons" were made of gold and the lace was woven of the same precious tissue. Nothing was too good for him, for the rank he supported, and the cause he upheld.] [Footnote 25: See Appendix No. IV.] [Footnote 26: Italics mine.] [Footnote 27: Italics mine.] [Footnote 28: Italics mine.] [Footnote 29: As this is the last appearance of Pearson in our pages, it may be interesting to note that when he returned to England he was knighted for "his gallant defense of the Serapis against a greatly superior force"; in addition to which the merchants of London presented him, and Captain Piercy as well, with very valuable services of plate for their efficient protection of their convoy. Pearson afterward rose to high rank in the British service. He certainly had protected his convoy, for all of them escaped, and the gratitude of the merchants was natural. On the other hand, he had been beaten by an inferior force, and merited no honors on that score. As a matter of fact, the Serapis alone, to say nothing of the Countess of Scarborough, was nearly a match for Jones' whole squadron. Suppose, for instance, that Jones had been in command of the Serapis and Pearson of the Richard. Does anybody doubt that Jones could have beaten the Richard, the Alliance, and the Pallas with the Serapis alone? But it is unprofitable to discuss this question further. When Jones heard of these honors, he is reported to have made the following remark: "He has done well, and if he get another ship and I fall in with him again, I will make a duke of him." There is a grim humor about his comment which is highly pleasing, in spite of Jones' subsequent repudiation of it.] [Footnote 30: Italics mine.] [Footnote 31: Italics mine.] [Footnote 32: Italics mine.] [Footnote 33: For another specimen of Jones' verse-writing, see page 277.] [Footnote 34: "Louis XVI, the rewarder, to the mighty deliverer, for the freedom of the sea."] [Footnote 35: Italics mine.] [Footnote 36: Evidently Truxtun learned the lesson well, for in the war with France he became one of the sternest and most severe disciplinarians in the naval service, in spite of which his crews adored him. See my books, Reuben James, A Hero of the Forecastle; and American Fights and Fighters.] [Footnote 37: That was beyond his power. They never did and to this day do not "esteem" him other than a pirate. His courage and ability are, however, alike unquestioned by friends and foes.] [Footnote 38: The remarks of John Adams as to the need of a great navy are even more apposite now than they were then.] [Footnote 39: Nearly $40,000, equivalent in that day to much more than at present.]