SLANDERED IN RUSSIA--A SLAVONIC REWARD FOR FAITHFUL SERVICES.
Patiomkine did not reach St. Petersburg until the middle of February,
and while waiting for him Jones busied himself with formulating
suggestions for a political and commercial alliance between Russia and
the United States, one feature of which involved an attack upon
Algiers. In addition to holding a large number of American prisoners
in captivity, the Algerines had made common cause with the Turks, and
had been present in large numbers before Otchakoff. When Patiomkine
did arrive, the project was submitted to him, but it was not thought
expedient to attempt it at the time, lest it should result in the
irritation of England. During this time the commodore wrote to
Jefferson and learned for the first time that all the letters he had
written since he entered the Russian service had been intercepted.
When he examined the official reports concerning his actions, which
had been forwarded from the Liman, he found that he had been grossly
misrepresented, and the reports were false even to the most trifling
details.
His situation was very different from what it had been when he entered
St. Petersburg before. Antagonized secretly by Patiomkine, and openly
by Nassau and the English at court, his favor appreciably waned. The
old story about the insubordinate carpenter whom he had punished in
the West Indies was revived, and in its new version the carpenter
became his nephew, and it was stated that he had flogged him to death.
This was the precursor of a more deadly scandal. His occasional
invitations to court functions became less and less frequent, and the
coldness in official circles more and more marked. Finally, in the
month of April, when he appeared at the palace to pay his respects to
the empress, he was refused admittance, and unceremoniously ordered to
leave the precincts.
This deadly insult, this public disgrace, which of course at once
became a matter of general knowledge, was due to a most degrading
accusation made against his character. To discover the origin of this
slander is difficult indeed. In the first flush of his anger Jones
specifically charged that his English enemies, whose animosities were
not softened by time, were the authors of the calumny. It is
impossible to believe that any English officer could descend to such
depths, nor is it necessary to credit the report that his disgrace was
due to them. The Russian court was as full of intrigue as that of an
Oriental despot. Jones was out of favor. He had succeeded in creating
powerful enemies for himself in Nassau and Patiomkine. The latter
gentleman had negatived a promising plan in the hope of thereby
pleasing England, with whom Russia was now coquetting. If he were the
instigator of the cabal against Jones, he might have thought the
disgrace of the man they hated would gratify the English people. If he
could bring this about without compromising himself he would not
hesitate to take the required action. Nassau had very strong reasons
for hating Jones, who made no secret of his contempt for that pseudo
princeling. At any rate, whatever the source or origin, there is no
doubt as to the situation.
Jones was accused of having outraged a young girl of menial station,
who was only ten years old! The charge was false from beginning to
end. It had absolutely no foundation, but with the peculiar methods in
vogue in Russia, it was not easy to establish his innocence. He was
not only presumed, but was declared guilty, without investigation. The
advocate he employed was ordered to abandon his case, and he found
himself in the position of one condemned beyond hope with no
opportunity for justification. He was ever jealous on the point of his
personal honor, and to see himself thus cruelly stigmatized at the
close of a long, honorable, and brilliant career nearly drove him
frantic. After exhausting unavailingly every means to force a
consideration of his case and an examination of evidence which he
succeeded in securing with great difficulty, he fell into despair and
seriously contemplated suicide. He was not the man that he had been.
Already within a few years of his death, although only forty-one, his
constitution was so broken that his strength was seriously undermined.
Providence raised up for him a friend in the person of de Ségur, the
French ambassador at Catherine's court. This man should be held in
eternal gratitude by all Americans--nay, by all who love honor and
fair play--for he did not permit himself to be influenced, as is the
wont of courtiers, by the withdrawal of royal favor from the
chevalier, whom he had known in happier days and under more favorable
circumstances. He had been Jones' friend when he had been in the
zenith of his career, and he remained his friend in this nadir of his
misfortunes. The part that he played in the transaction can be best
understood by his own statement, confirmed by two letters written by
Jones. The first letter is addressed to Patiomkine. It had been
written before the visit of de Ségur:
"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
honoured me. As I served all my life for honour, 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. . . .
"A bad woman has accused me of violating her daughter! If she had told
the truth I should have had candour enough to own it, and would trust
my honour, which is a thousand times dearer to me than my life, to the
mercy of the empress. I declare, with an assurance becoming a military
character, that I am innocent. Till that unhappy moment I have enjoyed
the public esteem, and the affection of all who knew me. Shall it be
said that in Russia a wretched woman, who _eloped_ from her _husband_
and _family_ in the country, _stole away her daughter_, lives here in
a house of bad fame, and leads a debauched and adulterous life, has
found credit enough on a simple complaint, unsupported by _any proof_,
to affect the honour of a general officer of reputation, who has
merited and received the decorations of America, of France, and of
this empire?
"If I had been favoured with the least intimation of a complaint of
that nature having found its way to the sovereign, I know too well
what belongs to delicacy to have presented myself in the presence of
the empress before my justification.
"My servant was kept prisoner by the officers of police for several
hours, two days successively, and threatened with the knout.
"After the examination of my people before the police, I sent for and
employed Monsieur Crimpin as my advocate. As the mother had addressed
herself to him before to plead her cause, she naturally spoke to him
without reserve, and he learned from her a number of important facts,
among others, that she was counselled and supported by a distinguished
man of the court.
"By the certificate of the father, attested by the pastor of the
colony, the daughter is several years older than is expressed in the
complaint. And the complaint contains various other points equally
false and easy to be refuted. For instance, there is a conversation I
am said to have held with the daughter in the Russian language, of
which no person ever heard me pronounce two words together; it is
unknown to me.
"I thought that in every country a man accused had a right to employ
advocates, and to avail himself of his friends for his justification.
Judge, my prince, of my astonishment and distress of mind, when I
yesterday was informed that the day before the governor of the city
had sent for my advocate, and forbidden _him_, at his peril, _or any
other person_, to meddle with _my cause!_
"I am innocent before God, and my conscience knows no reproach. The
complaint brought against me is an infamous lie, and there is no
circumstance that gives it even an air of probability.
"I address myself to you with confidence, my prince, and am assured
that the friendship you have so kindly promised me will be immediately
exerted in my favour; and that you will not suffer the illustrious
sovereign of this great empire to be misled by the false insinuations
and secret cabals of my hidden enemies. Your mind will find more true
pleasure in pleading the cause of an innocent man whom you honour with
your friendship than can result from other victories equally glorious
with that of Oczakow, which will always rank among the most brilliant
of military achievements. If your highness will condescend to question
Monsieur Crimpin (for he dare not now _even speak to me_), he can tell
you many circumstances which will elucidate my innocence. I am, with
profound respect, my lord, your highness's devoted and most obedient
servant," etc.
This letter was accompanied by certificates which fully established
the character of the wretched woman by whose agency his ruin had been
sought. The letter is dignified and touching. It is the passionate
protest of an innocent man against an accusation concerning that which
he had ever held dearer than life--his honor. It carries conviction
with it. Incidentally it throws much light upon the Russian legal
methods of that day. Never does Jones appear in a better light. But it
was sent to an utterly unresponsive man. Honor, justice, innocence,
were idle words to Patiomkine. No reply was made to the note, and
Jones abandoned himself to despair. The narrative of de Ségur is taken
from his memoirs, and, excepting in some minor details, is
substantially correct:
"The American rear admiral was favourably welcomed at court; often
invited to dinner by the empress, and received with distinction into
the best society in the city; on a sudden Catherine commanded him to
appear no more in her presence.
"He was informed that he was accused of an infamous crime: of
assaulting a young girl of fourteen, of grossly violating her; and
that probably, after some preliminary information, he would be tried
by the courts of admiralty, in which there were many English officers,
who were strongly prejudiced against him.
"As soon as this order was known every one abandoned the unhappy
American; no one spoke to him, people avoided saluting him, and every
door was shut against him. All those by whom but yesterday he had been
eagerly welcomed now fled from him as if he had been infected with a
plague; besides, no advocate would take charge of his cause, and no
public man would consent to listen to him; at last even his servants
would not continue in his service; and Paul Jones, whose exploits
every one had so recently been ready to proclaim, and whose friendship
had been sought after, found himself alone in the midst of an immense
population; Petersburg, a great capital, became to him a desert.
"I went to see him; he was moved even to tears by my visit. 'I was
unwilling,' he said to me, shaking me by the hand, 'to knock at your
door and to expose myself to a fresh affront, which would have been
more cutting than all the rest. I have braved death a thousand
times--now I wish for it.' His appearance, his arms being laid upon
the table, made me suspect some desperate intention.
"'Resume,' I said to him, 'your composure and your courage. Do you not
know that human life, like the sea, has its storms, and that fortune
is even more capricious than the winds? If, as I hope, you are
innocent, brave this sudden tempest; if, unhappily, you are guilty,
confess it to me with unreserved frankness, and I will do everything I
can to snatch you, by a sudden flight, from the danger which threatens
you.'
"'I swear to you upon my honour,' said he, 'that I am innocent, and a
victim of the most infamous calumny. This is the truth. Some days
since a young girl came to me in the morning, to ask me if I could
give her some linen or lace to mend. She then indulged in some rather
earnest and indecent allurements. Astonished at so much boldness in
one of such few years, I felt compassion for her; I advised her not to
enter upon so vile a career, gave her some money, and dismissed her;
but she was determined to remain.
"'Impatient at this resistance, I took her by the hand and led her to
the door; but, at the instant when the door was opened, the little
profligate tore her sleeves and her neck-kerchief, raised great cries,
complained that I had assaulted her, and threw herself into the arms
of an old woman, whom she called her mother, and who certainly was not
brought there by chance. The mother and the daughter raised the house
with their cries, went out, and denounced me; and now you know all.'
"'Very well,' said I, 'but can not you learn the names of those
adventurers?' 'The porter knows them,' he replied. 'Here are their
names written down, but I do not know where they live. I was desirous
of immediately presenting a memorial about this ridiculous affair,
first to the minister and then to the empress; but I have been
interdicted from access to both of them.' 'Give me the paper,' I said;
'resume your accustomed firmness; be comforted; let me undertake it;
in a short time we shall meet again.'
"As soon as I returned home I directed some sharp and intelligent
agents, who were devoted to me, to get information respecting these
suspected females, and to find out what was their mode of life. I was
not long in learning that the old woman was in the habit of carrying
on a vile traffic in young girls, whom she passed off as her
daughters.
"When I was furnished with all the documents and attestations for
which I had occasion, I hastened to show them to Paul Jones. 'You have
nothing more to fear,' said I; 'the wretches are unmasked. It is only
necessary to open the eyes of the empress, and let her see how
unworthily she has been deceived; but this is not so very easy; truth
encounters a multitude of people at the doors of a palace, who are
very clever in arresting its progress; and sealed letters are, of all
others, those which are intercepted with the greatest art and care.
Nevertheless, I know that the empress, who is not ignorant of this,
has directed under very heavy penalties that no one shall detain on
the way any letters which are addressed to her personally, and which
may be sent to her by post; therefore, here is a very long letter
which I have written to her in your name; nothing of the detail is
omitted, although it contains some rough expressions. I am sorry for
the empress; but since she heard and gave credit to a calumny, it is
but right that she should read the justification with patience. Copy
this letter, sign it, and I will take charge of it; I will send some
one to put it in the post at the nearest town. Take courage; believe
me, your triumph is not doubtful.'"
The contents of the letter which Jones was advised to copy and send
are not now ascertainable, but the following letter was written to the
empress; and, while it is so evidently in Jones' own peculiar and
characteristic style as to admit of no doubt as to its authorship, he
probably embodied in it the suggestions of de Ségur and substituted it
for the copy proposed:
"St. Petersburg, _May 17, 1789_.
"Madam: I have never served but for honour; I have never sought but
glory; and I believed I was in the way of obtaining both when I
accepted the offers made me on the part of your Majesty, of entering
into your service.... I sacrificed my dearest interests to accept an
invitation so flattering, and I would have reached you instantly if
the United States had not entrusted me with a special commission to
Denmark. Of this I acquitted myself faithfully and promptly.... The
distinguished reception which your Majesty deigned to grant me, the
kindness with which you loaded me, indemnified me for the dangers to
which I had exposed myself for your service, and inspired me with the
most ardent desire to encounter more.... I besought your Majesty never
to condemn me unheard. You condescended to give me that promise, and I
set out with a mind as tranquil as my heart was satisfied....
"At the close of the campaign I received orders to return to court, as
your Majesty intended to employ me in the North Seas, and M. le Comte
de Besborodko acquainted me that a command of greater importance than
that of the Black Sea ... was intended for me. Such was my situation,
when, upon the mere accusation of a crime, the very idea of which
wounds my delicacy, I found myself driven from court, deprived of the
good opinion of your Majesty, and forced to employ the time which I
wish to devote to the defence of your empire in cleansing from myself
the stains with which calumny has covered me.
"Condescend to believe, madam, that if I had received the slightest
hint that a complaint of such a nature had been made against me, and
still more, that it had come to your Majesty's knowledge, I know too
well what is owing to delicacy to have ventured before you till I was
completely exculpated.
"Understanding neither the laws, the language, nor the forms of
justice in this country, I needed an advocate, and obtained one; but,
whether from terror or intimidation, he stopped short all at once, and
durst not undertake my defence, though convinced of the justice of my
cause. But truth may always venture to show itself alone and
unsupported at the foot of the throne of your Majesty. I have not
hesitated to labour unaided for my own vindication; I have collected
proofs; and if such details might appear under the eyes of your
Majesty I would present them; but if your Majesty will deign to order
some person to examine them, it will be seen by the report which will
be made that my crime is a fiction, invented by the cupidity of a
wretched woman, whose avarice has been countenanced, perhaps incited,
by the malice of my numerous enemies. Her husband has himself
certified and attested to her infamous conduct. His signature is in my
hands, and the pastor, Braun, of the district, has assured me that if
the College of Justice will give him an order to this effect he will
obtain an attestation from the country people that the mother of the
girl referred to is known among them as a wretch absolutely unworthy
of belief.
"Take a soldier's word, madam; believe an officer whom two great
nations esteem, and who has been honoured with flattering marks of
their approbation.... I am innocent; and if I were guilty I would not
hesitate to make a candid avowal of my fault, and to commit my honour,
which is a thousand times dearer to me than my life, to the hands of
your Majesty.
"If you deign, madam, to give heed to this declaration, proceeding
from a heart the most frank and loyal, I venture from your justice to
expect that my zeal will not remain longer in shameful and humiliating
inaction. It has been useful to your Majesty, and may again be so,
especially in the Mediterranean, where, with insignificant means, I
will undertake to execute most important operations, the plans for
which I have meditated long and deeply. But if circumstances, of which
I am ignorant, do not admit the possibility of my being employed
during the campaign, I hope your Majesty will give me permission to
return to France or America, granting, as the sole reward of the
services I have had the happiness to render, the hope of renewing them
at some future day...."
Catherine, to her credit be it stated, took the "soldier's word,"
examined the convincing proofs, and, being satisfied of his innocence,
publicly received him at court again and thus openly vindicated him.
New projects immediately began to take shape in his fertile brain. No
bodily weakness could apparently impair his mental activity. With a
half dozen East Indiamen armed for warlike purposes he offered to cut
off the food traffic between Egypt and Constantinople; an idea as old
as the days of the Cæsars, when upon the arrival of the corn ships
from Alexandria depended the control of the Roman plebeians; but the
idea was as good now as it was then, and if he had been intrusted with
the meager force he requested he would have compelled the Turks to
detach ships from the Black Sea fleet, and thus relieve the pressure
on the Crimea.
Count Besborodko was pleased with the project, and promised to submit
it to the empress, proposing, at the same time, if this plan fell
through, to give him another command in the Black Sea, with an
adequate fleet, by which he might force his way into the
Mediterranean. About the middle of June, on his applying to this
minister again, he was promised an answer in two days as to the
pleasure of the empress concerning him. Besborodko stated that
Catherine would either give him a command or grant the leave of
absence which he had asked in his letter of the 17th. The minister had
a court memory, however, and not two days, but many, passed without
the information. On the 5th of July Jones wrote again to the minister
in the usual direct way he employed when he was irritated, and asked
for an immediate declaration of intentions regarding him. It was a
high-handed way to address the Russian court, but it brought an
immediate reply. On the 8th of July he was officially informed that
his request for a leave of absence was granted for two years, with
permission to go outside the limits of the empire. His salary was to
be continued during that time.
On the 18th of July he had a farewell audience with the empress, who
treated him very nicely on this occasion. As he kissed her hand in
good-by she wished him _bon voyage_, which was politic but
unsubstantial. He did not leave St. Petersburg immediately, and it was
not until the last of August that he took his final leave of the
Russian capital. During this interval he was detained partly by the
difficulty in collecting his arrears in pay and allowances, and partly
for the reason that he undertook, in spite of the rebuffs he had
received, again to lay before Besborodko and others a project for a
war against the Barbary States, which, of course, came to nothing. He
left Russia a bitterly disappointed man.
The disinterested friendship of de Ségur had not been exhausted by his
previous actions, and he gave additional proofs of his affection by
supplying Jones with letters of introduction to the representatives of
the French Government at the different courts of Europe which he
proposed to visit, and the two following statements addressed to the
French Minister of Foreign Affairs:
"St. Petersburg, _July 21, 1789_.
"The enemies of the Vice-Admiral[48] Paul Jones having caused to be
circulated reports entirely destitute of foundation concerning the
journey which this general officer is about to undertake, I would wish
the inclosed article, the authenticity of which I guarantee, should be
inserted in the _Gazette de France_, and in the other public papers
which are submitted to the inspection of your department. This article
will undeceive those who have believed the calumny, and will prove to
the friends and to the compatriots of the vice admiral that he has
sustained the reputation acquired by his bravery and his talents
during the last war; that the empress desires to retain him in her
service; and that if he absents himself at this moment it is with his
own free will, and for particular reasons, which can not leave any
stain on his honour.
"The glorious marks of the satisfaction and bounty of the king toward
M. Paul Jones, his attachment to France, which he has served so
usefully in the common cause, his rights as a subject, and as an
admiral of the United States, the protection of the ministers of the
king, and my personal friendship for this distinguished officer, with
whom I made a campaign in America, are so many reasons which appear to
me to justify the interest which I took in all that concerned him
during his stay in Russia."
"_Article to be inserted in the Public Prints, and particularly in the
Gazette de France_.
"St. Petersburg, _July 21, 1789_.
"The Vice-Admiral Paul Jones, being at the point of returning to
France, where private affairs require his presence, had the honour to
take leave of the empress, the 7th[49] of this month, and to be
admitted to kiss the hand of her Imperial Majesty, who confided to him
the command of her vessels of war stationed on the Liman during the
campaign of 1788. As a mark of favour for his conduct during this
campaign the empress has decorated him with the insignia of the order
of St. Anne; and her Imperial Majesty, satisfied with his services,
only grants him permission to absent himself for a limited time, and
still preserves for him his emoluments and his rank."
Jones did not lack other friends either, for M. Genet, Secretary of
the French Legation at St. Petersburg, and subsequently Minister from
France to the United States--his extraordinary conduct while he
enjoyed that office will be remembered--whose father had been an old
friend of the commodore's, gave him a most cordial and gratifying
letter of introduction to the celebrated Madame Campan, in which he
specifically states the unfounded nature of the charges which had been
made, and, describing the circumstances in which Jones left Russia,
authorized her to correct any rumors to his disadvantage which might
be put in circulation at Versailles. He also consented to act as
Jones' financial representative, and transmitted to him from time to
time such amounts on his pay as he could wrest from the Russian
Government.