In those days there were selfish people just as now. In January, 1777, a jealous commodore succeeded in depriving Paul Jones of his position as captain. He was now without ship or rank. When he appealed to Congress he was put off with promises from time to time. It was not until May that his petitions were heard.
There were three new ships being built for the navy at Boston. Congress gave him permission to choose one of these and have it fitted out as he wished.
While waiting in Boston for these ships to be finished, Paul Jones wrote many wise suggestions about the management of the navy. Congress at first paid but little attention to these suggestions, but was afterwards glad to act upon them.
These were some of the things he said:
"1. Every officer should be examined before he receives his commission.
"2. The ranks in a navy should correspond to those in an army.
"3. As England has the best navy in the world, we should copy hers."
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.
Before the ship he had chosen was completed, he was ordered to wait no longer in Boston, but to take the Ranger, an old vessel, and sail at once for France. Through the efforts of Benjamin Franklin, the American Minister to France, the French king had acknowledged the independence of the colonies, and was ready to aid the Americans in the war.