The prize is a donation of 100,000 francs, to be awarded to the inventor of the best apparatus for the saving of life in cases of maritime disaster, and is to be open to universal competition. This sum is now on deposit with the American Security and Trust Company, of Washington, D. C., whose reliability is beyond question, and will be paid over to the successful competitor when a decision shall have been rendered by an appointed jury, and formally communicated to the Secretary of State through the Commissioner-General of the United States to the international exposition at Paris in 1900. The juror selected on behalf of the Government of the United States is Lieut. William S. Sims, U. S. N., naval attaché of the embassy of the United States at Paris. It is understood that the French Government will name a juror who, in conjunction with Lieutenant Sims, will select a third, to be chosen from one of the citizens or subjects of a state whose nation is a competitor. In considering the award the jury will be governed by the following conditions: (1) The total amount of the prize may be awarded to a single individual, on condition that the invention is of sufficient practical value and importance to justify the proposed award. (2) Should several persons enter inventions of equal value the jury, as it shall consider right and just, may award a portion of the prize to each. (3) Should none of the inventions entered into be of sufficient value to entitle it to the prize, the jury may reject any and all of them, but at the same time shall be empowered to indemnify competing inventors in such amounts as may be deemed advisable. The essential details as to this prize have been agreed upon between Mr. Ferdinand W. Peck, Commissioner-General of the United States to the Paris Exposition of 1900, and the Hon. Alfred Picard, Commissioner-General of the Universal International Exposition of 1900. They have also had the substantial assent and approval of the French federal authorities to the end that the competition for the prize may take place during the exposition. In order that notice may be given to the different governments and that the fullest publicity and widest competition may be assured, it is necessary that you take an early opportunity to formally acquaint the Government of France with the desire of the heirs of the late Mr. Pollok and urge its cordial cooperation furthering their humane purpose. The instructions to competitors will be issued in due season by the jury, with the sanction and approval of the authorities of the French exposition. These will be distributed upon application. Correspondence, however, may be addressed to the members of the jury at Paris, or to Mr. Charles J. Bell, president of the American Security and Trust Company, No. 1405 G street, Washington, D. C., U. S. A. A similar instruction has been addressed to your colleagues accredited to all governments with which the United States has diplomatic relations. They have been directed to request that the information be given the widest possible publicity. I am, etc., ALVEY A. ADEE, No. 532.] Mr. Vignaud to Mr. Hay. EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your instruction, No. 657, of August 11, concerning the Anthony Pollok Memorial Prize. The Department explains the character of this prize, the conditions on which it is to be awarded, and states that as the French and American commissioners-general have obtained the substantial assent and approval of the French authorities to the end that the competition for the prize may take place during the exposition, it is necessary that this embassy take an early opportunity to formally acquaint the Government of France with the desire of the heirs of the late Mr. Pollok and urge the cordial cooperation in furthering their humane purpose. Some months ago when the Commissioner-General acquainted Mr. Picard with the generous intention of the heirs of Mr. Pollok, it was intimated to him that before he (M. Picard) could take any action in the matter it would be desirable to submit it to the French Government through the diplomatic channel. In view of this information and at the request of Mr. Woodward, our assistant commissioner-general, the ambassador, in a letter dated May 27, explained to Mr. Delcassé the character of the prize, warmly recommended it to his attention, and solicited his moral cooperation in the scheme. Under date of June 15 Mr. Delcassé replied that he had submitted the proposition to the minister of marine, who would be pleased to support it. It seems therefore that the substantial part of your instruction has been already complied with. I shall, nevertheless, avail of an early opportunity to mention the matter again to Mr. Delcassé and furnish him with additional information contained in your dispatch. I inclose herewith a copy and translation of Mr. Delcassé's note above mentioned. I have, etc., HENRY VIGNAUD. [Inclosure.-Translation.] Mr. Delcassé to Mr. Porter. Mr. AMBASSADOR: You were good enough on the 27th of May last to inform me of the generous thought of the heirs of your compatriot, Mr. Anthony Pollok, who perished in the catastrophe of the Bourgogne, and you asked me whether the Government of the Republic would receive with favor the creation of a prize of 100,000 francs to be awarded at the exposition of 1900, and by an international jury, to the inventor of the best life-saving system. The minister of marine to whom I hastened to make known this interesting communication now informs me that he is quite disposed to lend his moral support to the work in question, and that he will facilitate by every means in his power the realization of the humane idea conceived by the heirs of Pollok. Accept, etc., DELCASSÉ. No. 555.] Mr. Porter to Mr. Hay. EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, Referring to my No. 537 of September 14, informing the Department that I had again communicated with the foreign office with reference to the Anthony Pollok prize, and transmitted copies of the printed circular received with your No. 658, I now send a copy and translation of a note from Mr. Delcassé in reply to my communication. The minister states that the circular will be given to the press, and that the French commissioner-general will have an understanding with Mr. Peck for the organization of the competition. I am, etc., [Inclosure-Translation.] Mr. Delcassé to Mr. Porter. HORACE PORTER. PARIS, October 12, 1899. MR. AMBASSADOR: Your excellency has been good enough to inform me, by two letters of the date of May 27 and September 7 last, of the determination taken by the heirs of Mr. Anthony Pollok for the founding of a prize of 100,000 francs destined to reward the best life-saving apparatus in case of an accident at sea. Your excellency has sent to me at the same time three copies of notice given out by the Government of the United States on the same subject, asking me to assure it the greatest possible publicity, and to let you know what measures the Government of the Republic means to take for the organization of the competition where the award of the "Anthony Pollok" prize will be decided. The minister of commerce, whom I desired to consult, has just informed me, and I have the honor to advise your excellency of it, that his department has caused to be given to the press the public communications which are necessary. On the other hand, Mr. Picard, in accord with the commissioner-general of the United States, has made a project of ruling, relative to the organization of the competition, for the judgment of the apparatus exhibited and for the award of the prize. This project of ruling will be rendered definite upon the return of the commissioner of the United States, who is now traveling, and will be communicated to the interested exhibitors. Accept, etc., BURIAL PLACE OF PAUL JONES. Mr. Porter to Mr. Hay. DELCASSÉ. No. 558.] EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Referring to Mr. Vignaud's letter of June 28, in reply to your note of June 14, concerning the remains of Paul Jones, I am now in position to inform you that the place where he was buried has been found and that I have also procured a copy of the official report of the burial, which took place under orders from the French National Assembly. The original report was destroyed at the burning of the city hall of Paris in 1871, but, fortunately, a well-known archeologist and writer who died some time ago, Charles Read, made a copy of the document, which has just been found among his papers. The burial place of Paul Jones was at the time a Protestant cemetery, upon which buildings are now erected, but a French archæologist, M. de Recaudy, who, at the request of this embassy, took the matter in hand and made this interesting discovery, believes that he could locate within 8 or 10 yards the spot where the body was interred, and he is confident that a careful excavation of the place would result in the discovery of the remains of the hero. I inclose herewith a copy of a report which M. de Recaudy has addressed to me on the subject, which is of great interest. M. de Recaudy suggests to me that a committee be formed of persons interested in the matter, who would provide for the funds to purchase the property and make the proper excavations with the view of having the remains transferred to the United States, should they be found. The coffin, in all probability, was of wood, and unless there was a metallic plate bearing the name of the deceased, or a sword or some article not perishable, it might be difficult to identify whatever may be left of the body. I submit these suggestions to your appreciation, and can only say that I will cheerfully cooperate in any action having in view the removal to the United States of the remains of Paul Jones. I also inclose a photograph showing the main buildings now standing on the site of the Protestant cemetery mentioned in the "report." The structure to the right bearing the sign "Encadrements" is supposed to stand on the spot where Paul Jones was buried. I have, etc., HORACE PORTER. [Inclosure.] M. de Recaudy to Mr. Porter. PARIS, October 29, 1899. REPORT IN REFERENCE TO THE SITE OF THE BURIAL OF THE REMAINS OF COMMODORE JOHN PAUL JONES, AND AS TO THE MEANS OF FINDING THEM. Paul Jones died in Paris on the 18th of July, 1792, and was buried on July 20 of the same year, as is established by the burial register, of which the following is a transcription: "On this the 20th day of July, 1792, year IV of Liberty (year I of Egalite), at 8 o'clock in the evening and in conformity with the decree af the National Assembly of the day previous, in presence of the deputation of the said Assembly, composed of Messieurs Brun, president of the deputation of the aforesaid Assembly, Bravet, Cambon, Rouyer, Brival, Deydier, Gay-Vernon, bishop of the Department of the Haute-Vienne, Chabot, episcopal vicar of the Department of the Loir-et-Cher, Carlier, Petit, Le Josnes Robouaume; and a deputation of the Consistory of the Protestants of Paris, composed of Messrs. Maron, Pasteur, Perreaux, Bénard, Mouquin, and Empaytaz, anciens, John Paul Jones, native of England and a citizen of the United States, first sea officer (premier officier de mer) in the service of the said United States, aged 45 years, and died on the 18th of this month at his residence situated at No. 42 rue des Tournon, in consequence of dropsy of the chest (hydropisie de poitrine), in the sentiments of the Protestant religion. The said burial took place in the presence of us, Pierre Francois, Simonneau, commissioner of the King in these precincts and commissioner of police of the section of Ponceau; in the presence of Messieurs Samuel Blackden, colonel of dragoons in the service of the State of North Carolina; of S. James, Col. Montflorence, formerly major in the service of the United States; of Marie-Jean Baptiste Benoist Beaupoil, former French officer living in Paris at No. 7 Passage des Petits-Peres, and Louis Nicholas Villeminot, officer commanding the grenadiers of the gendarmerie, which escorted the deputation of the Assembly, and of others who signed with us; Brun, Gay-Vernon, bishop and deputy; Deydier, deputy of the Ain; Rouyer, Francois Cholot, Bénard, J. C. Mountflorence, Petit, Cambon fils ainé, Bravet, Beaupoil, P. H. Carlier, Durvosque, Lafontaine, Simonneau, Jacques Brivial, Villeminot, Robouame deputy, Marron, Perreaux, Mouquin, Empaytaz, R. Ghiselin de Maryland; S. Blackden; Griffith, of Philadelphia.' This document was copied in 1859 by M. Charles Read from a register contained in the archives of the city of Paris, in the building in the Avenue Victoria, which served as a supplementary archives for the Hôtel de Ville. This register bore the serial number 89 and formed part of a series relating to the official status (état civil) of Protestants, and was, for the subject of deaths, composed of five registers. This register, numbered 89, commenced in 1779, related to a cemetery, owned by the Protestants, situated near the Porte St. Martin, between the tree-planted avenue (Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle) and the rue Basse de la Voirie (a street no longer existing). It occupied an area of 256 toises (32 extending along the tree-planted avenue and 8 extending along the road of the Porte St. Martin to the right of the present rue du Faubourg St. Martin). But this cemetery was closed in 1762 by order of the lieutenant of police, under the pretext of completing the extension of the boulevard. It had been opened in 1724 at the instance of Mr. Hop, the Dutch ambassador, who complained to the King of the difficulties connected with the burial of foreign Protestants. When this cemetery was closed another one was opened behind the St. Louis Hospital on a site which is occupied now exactly by the buildings numbered 41, 43, 45, and 47 in the rue Grange-aux-Belles, and number 1 in the rue des Ecluses Saint Martin. The premises were purchased from the religious order of the Lazarists, which owned a vast property in these parts. It is composed of a courtyard and a garden. The entrance was not in the rue de l'Hôpital Saint Louis, now rue Grange-aux-Belles, as might be supposed from the documents, where it is sometimes indicated as behind the St. Louis Hospital, sometimes on the site of the St. Louis Hospital, sometimes in the rue de l'Hôpital Saint Louis, and sometimes, by error, behind the Saint Louis Church, but in the rue des Morts, formerly rue Saint Maur, and to-day rue des Ecluses Saint Martin. No Paris historian explains this naming of the rue des Morts, which was apparently due to a pun which is not unusual in cases like that of the street in question, which was known later by its original name of the rue Saint Maur. The creation of this cemetery was evidently the cause. One enters at first in a courtyard which contained the house of the concierge and various unimportant buildings. Then one descends several steps. One reaches the garden, which extends mostly on a lower level than that of the rue Grange-aux-Belles. Until the year 1777 burials were made exclusively in the garden. At that date it was decided that the Protestants of the Kingdom (French), until then deprived of a decent place for burial (they were buried in fields or gardens), should be henceforth buried in the courtyard, and to avoid any possible confusion between French and foreign Protestants reference should be made for the designation of allotments to the decision of the embassy of Holland. But it had also been decided that a separate register should be kept for each category of dead. It is known that this order was disregarded. It is likely that the other instructions also remained a dead letter. At the time of the Commodore's death the garden must have been long since filled up so as no longer to be a "decent place of burial," as had been desired. Quite recently the owner of the washing establishment (laundry) situated at No. 45 rue Grangeaux-Belles (garden site), wishing to increase the depth of the pit where his boiler was placed, excavated at a depth of 2 meters 50 centimeters a viscous black substance containing fragments of human bones. This unnatural earth constitutes what is technically called "corpse loam" ("le gras de cadavre"). This is the special condition of over-saturated cemeteries. On the courtyard side, on the contrary, the earth that was excavated to make a trench for some water pipes was found to be less impure, and bones, shin bones, and shoulder blades were discovered in a fairly good state of preservation. A tenant who wished to bury a dog found almost at the soil level two skulls. Hence it appears that long before 1792 they had been compelled to bury both categories of the dead in the courtyard, and Paul Jones being one of the latest interments it is probable that his remains are not far from the entrance door, the place most likely to have been used for the latest burials. But this is merely a hypothesis. Was the Commodore ever disinterred? Two authors state that his remains are in the Pere Lachaise. But in this cemetery the only Joneses are Jones (Edward Thomas), died in 1833; Jones (John Quereau), died in 1822; Jones (Charles), died in 1829; Jones (James), died in 1827. A fifth Jones, who died in 1820, is described as George Jones on the tombstone, and as Jones on the register of the administration. Moreover, Charles Jones had taken, in 1820, a perpetual concession for a widow lady named Mathews, who died in 1826; and in a tomb of the Colton-Graves family is found Olivia Augusta Jones. This is the only Jones in the tombs containing several bodies. Consequently the Commodore can not be in Pere Lachaise Cemetery. |