Why did the Scot, Paul Jones turn traitor to UK and hero to the US as John Paul Jones?

Question

Not what he did for the US, e.g. sinking the Brit Flag Ship off Whitby etc, I know that, but why did he turn?

Answer 1

Sir,

I do not believe that Admiral Jones ever felt any sense of being
anything but a Scot then a "citizen of the world". He was very distainful of England and English law and the class system. In one of his many raids around the "UK" he stopped of ashore to seize a "Lord Selkirk" who Jones' father had been a gardener.
whatever, the Americans took the family silver plate from Lady
Selkirk (it was one of Jones' Lt's who took it from Lady Selkirks hands") Commodore Jones was enraged and eventually he purchased it as to return same to her.

In this letter he explains to her Ladyship (this was not his first letter) that he fought as an "not just a a mere American" but for "the rights of men", his sense of honor was such.

Interesting story, true as the letters and silver still exist.

Then again as a Welsh-American perhaps I view history differently? ;-)

Answer 2

John Paul Jones

Answer 3

It is innate in Scots to despise the English

Answer 4

Maybe because he was a Scot, and not a Sassenach- therefore had little sympathy to the regime which was occupying his home country...?

Answer 5

he's a hero because he fought brillantly and well. he was an inspirering man in his time. you never heard "i have not yet begun to fight"? he captured the serapis after his own ship had begun to sink too