T5648-We Laid the Cornerstone of the American Navy - Joseph Hewes

“We Laid the Cornerstone of the American Navy.”
At 46 years old, Joseph Hewes of North Carolina put everything on the line for the cause of independence—his wealth, his connections, and ultimately, his health. As a seasoned merchant who had spent two decades trading with Britain, he knew the risks of rebellion more intimately than most. But when war came, Hewes turned his maritime knowledge to a new purpose: helping build a navy for a nation that had none. In Congress, he oversaw the commission of America’s first warships and helped manage the funds to outfit them. He championed a daring young sailor named John Paul Jones, who would go on to become the Revolution’s most legendary naval commander. As John Adams later remarked, Hewes helped lay the cornerstone of the American Navy. He died in 1779, worn down by years of relentless public service. But his legacy lives on in every vessel that sails for liberty. He gave all—would you?

Categories: American History