Lot 476
1780 Account of the Capture of the Seraphis By John Paul Jones. The Pennsylvania Journal And Weekly Advertiser, Philadelphia, February 9, 1780, 16 x 10 in., 4 pages. Page 3 holds the first U.S. account of the encounter of John Paul Jones' Bon Homme Richard with the British frigate Seraphis, which resulted in the sinking of the Bon Homme Richard and the capture of the Seraphis. Part of the reason that Jones' ship sank was that it was fired upon by an American privateer in Jones' squadron--Captain Landas of the ship Alliance. Landas was later court martialed for this traitorous action and was retired from the naval service.
The entire front page, plus two columns on page 2, are dedicated to an examination (taken from The Parliamentary Register of London), of British Generals Cornwallis and Howe in their military operations against the American Army. Especially interesting is a cross examination concerning Washington's brilliant escape, when surrounded by the British Army, from Long Island to New York. Other Revolutionary War news includes the foundering of the British ship Vulture, the same ship that carried the unfortunate Major André to meet Benedict Arnold off of West Point, and the ship on which Arnold would escape. The paper is on grayish, lightly-toned paper, tattered at the edges and separated at the seam; fold lines do not affect Jones article. A wonderful addition for the Revolutionary War collector, especially for the John Paul Jones enthusiast. Rare.
Estimated Value $1,500 - 2,000.
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