AN EPISODE IN THE LIFE OF PAUL JONES. 183 
against him in any competent court in Scotland within the space 
of six months under the penalty of 1000 merks Scots, and that 
he shall attend the whole diets of court, and not depart without 
leave of the same. ‘The warrant is signed by John Goldie, and 
witnessed by Samuel Clark, clerk to the Court of Vice- 
Admiralty,’’ kept at Dumfries in the bounds betwixt the Water 
of Cree and Galloway and the Borders of England.’’ 
Jones was set at liberty, and twelve days later presented 
his famous petition to the members of Lodge St. Bernard, Kirk- 
cudbright, for admission to the Lodge. ‘The petition (now in 
the possession of Mr Andrew Montgomery of Netherhall, Kirk- 
cudbrightshire) is in the following terms :— 
To the Worshipfull Master Wardens and Remanent Brethren 
of Free Accepted Masons of the Lodge of St. Bernard 
held at Kirkcudbright. 
The Petition of John Paul, Commander of the “John of 
Kirkcudbright.”’ 
Humbly Sheweth,—That your Petitioner for a considerable 
time by past hath Entertained a strong and sincere Regaird 
for your most noble Honourable and Ancient society of free 
and Accepted Masons. But Hitherto not meeting with an 
seasonable opportunity Do now most Humbly Crave the 
Benefits of Receiving and Admitting me Into your fraternity 
as an Entered Apprentice promising assuring and Engaidg- 
ing to you That I shall on all Rules and Orders of your 
Lodge be most obsequient and observiant. That I shall in 
all things Deport behave and act answerable to the Laws 
and Instructions of the Lodge, and in every thing to which 
I may be made Lyable, promising faithful obedience. 
The Complyance of your Right Worshipfull wardens 
and rest of the Brethren will singularly oblidge and 
very much Honour Right Worshipfull your most 
Humble Petitioner and most Humble servant. 
JNO. PAUL. 
I do attest the Petitioner to be a Good man and a person 
whom I have no doubt will in due time become a 
worthy Brother. 
JAMES SMITH. 
From the above it will be seen that the brethren at any 
rate had sufficient confidence in the integrity of Jones, and that he 
