AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE oF PAUL JONES. 179 
sheriffdom of Drumfres, which the said John the elder has 
resigned the rights and services due and customary to be per- 
formed; free tenement being reserved to the said John the 
elder. 
Note on James V.’s Charter to Annan.—Before the time of 
the Reformation Saturday was called the Sabbath Day and 
Sunday the Lord’s Day. Sabbati dies (Saturday) and Dies 
Dominicalis (Sunday). So Annan market day was on Saturday. 
1ISth May, 1908. 
Chairman—Dr Martin, Vice-President. 
AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF PAUL Jones. By Mr JosEPH 
RoBIsoN. 
Among the many incidents in the life of John Paul, or, as 
he is better known, Paul Jones, the father of the American 
Navy, none is more mysterious than his arrest at Kirkcudbright 
on a charge of being concerned in the death of one Mungo 
Maxwell, a native of Clonyards, Buittle. Jones followed the 
calling of the sea at an early age, and had made voyages to 
the States and West Indies. In 1766, although only 19 years of 
age, he was appointed chief mate of the brig Two Friends, a 
vessel engaged in the Slave Trade. Disgusted with the diabolli- 
cal cruelties of that trade, he abandoned it on this account. 
This we may well believe, as wanton cruelty, so far as we can 
make out, was never one of the attributes of Jones. He took 
passage home to his native county of Kirkcudbright in the “ John 
of Kirkcudbright ’’ of and to that port, which appears to have 
been then in a much more flourishing condition than it is now. 
Captain M‘Adam was the commander, and both he and his mate 
died of fever on the voyage. The qualities of Jones as a seaman 
came into requisition, as there was no one else on board capable 
of navigating the vessel home. He assumed the command and 
brought her safely to port, and, in recognition of his services the 
owners, Currie, Beck & Company, appointed him master and 
supercargo. So long as he remained in command he retained 
the confidence of his owners, and appears to have made several 
