“Resolved—That the flag of the Thirteen United States of America be Thirteen Stripes, alternate Red and White; that the Union be Thirteen Stars on a Blue Field; Representing a New Constellation:
“Resolved—That Captain John Paul Jones be appointed to command the ship Ranger.”
Paul Jones’ remarks upon the resolutions were significant: “The flag and I are twins; born the same hour from the same womb of destiny. We cannot be parted in life or in death. So long as we can float we shall float together. If we must sink, we shall go down as one.”
Before the Ranger was launched, Jones was informed that he was to be the bearer of most important news to France. This news was the daily expected surrender of Burgoyne, the surrender that was so powerfully to affect the result of the war for independence. As to his fitness for conveying such a message, Lafayette attested thus: “To captivate the French fancy, Captain Jones possesses, far beyond any other officer in your service, that peculiar aplomb, grace of manner, charm of person, and dash of char acter,” a compliment better understood when it is remembered that an alliance with France against Great Britain was then sought by Congress.
The Ranger lay in the harbor of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, ready for sailing, and Jones with his own hands raised the flag to the masthead, the first American flag to fly over a man-of-war. Jones had already brought credit to the American navy by the capture of prizes in American waters; now he was to serve his country’s interests off the coast of England.
The tang of autumn was in the air when he set sail for France. Fulfilling his mission at Nantes, Jones set out for Brest, where the fleet of France was anchored. Would the Stars and Stripes, the symbol of the New Republic across the sea, be recognized by salute? The question was in every mind aboard ships, and the answer eagerly awaited in the United States. A note couched in the diplomatic and elegant terms of which Paul Jones was master, was sent by him to the admiral of the French fleet, inquiring whether or not the flag would receive recognition. “It will,” came back the answer. With that the Ranger glided gracefully through the fleet of ships; and Old Glory, in all the radiance of her new birth and coloring, waved response from the masthead to her first salute from European powers. We, even after the long lapse of intervening years, feel still the thrill of her exultation.
Two months later the alliance between America and France was signed. The Duchess de Chartres became greatly interested in the young naval officer; and, having it in her power to advance his interests, she one day at a dinner presented him with a fine Louis Quintze watch that had belonged to her grandfather, saying, “He hated the English; and I love the Americans.”
Paul Jones’ response to the gift was as graceful as had been the presentation. “May it please your Royal Highness, if fortune should favor me at sea, I will some day lay an English frigate at your feet.” Two years later he did this and more.
France had promised Jones a new ship better suited to his capabilities than the Ranger. But diplomatic affairs between nations move slowly, and in this case the waiting became tedious. Jones had exhausted the pleasures of court circles to which he had been admitted and he longed for the life of the sea. He finally preferred his request directly to the king and shortly afterward was given, not the great sea monster he had been led to expect, but an insignificant looking craft called Le Duras. In compliment to Dr. Franklin’s magazine of the name and in humorous comment of the ship’s appearance, he renamed it the Bon Homme Richard, meaning the Poor Richard. But with the Poor Richard, as with the human form, the spirit which animated it was the controlling power; and the valor of Paul Jones was to send the name of the Bon Homme Richard ringing down through the ages of all time.
As Captain Jones of the Ranger, he had captured the Drake, in a big sea fight, and surprised England; and now, as Commodore Jones, he was to win distinction as the greatest of naval heroes.