Some wealthy men offered him a ship if he would take charge of a trading expedition for them. To do this, he must give up his commission in the American navy, and so Paul Jones said, "As a servant of the republic of America, I cannot serve either myself or my best friends, unless the honor of America is the first object."
During these months of waiting, his only weapon was his pen. He wrote letters of appeal to all persons of influence, to Congress, and also to the king of France.
IX.—The Bon Homme Richard.
One day, when Paul Jones was reading "Poor Richard's Almanac," written by Dr. Franklin, he found a paragraph which set him to thinking. It was: "If you would have your business done, go; if not, SEND."
He sent no more letters, but went at once to the French court and pleaded his case there in person. As a result, he was soon after made commander of a vessel which he named the Bon Homme Richard, which means Poor Richard. He did this out of gratitude to Dr. Franklin.
The Bon Homme Richard was an old trading vessel, poorly fitted out for war. But after his long months of waiting, Paul Jones was thankful even for this.
He was also given command of four smaller vessels. One of these, the Alliance, had, for captain, a Frenchman named Pierre Landais, who was afterwards the cause of much trouble. Paul Jones was ordered to cruise with his small squadron along the west coast of Ireland and to capture all the English merchant vessels he could find.
RICHARD DALE.