ck of funds
for the payment of his crew and the purchase of provisions. More than
once the inability of the impoverished Continental Congress to provide
the sinews of war had forced him to go down into his own purse for the
necessary funds. All this period of penury he now felt was past. He
could rely upon the king of France for a proper vessel, and the funds
with which to prosecute his work on the seas. Accordingly, when the
"Ranger" was again ready for sea, he turned her over to the
insubordinate Lieut. Simpson, while he himself remained in France with
the expectation of being provided with a better ship.

But the sturdy seaman soon found how vexatious is the lot of him who
depends upon the bounty of monarchs. Ship after ship was put in
commission, but no command was tendered to the distinguished American.
The French naval officers had first to be attended to. Jones made
earnest appeals to the minister of the marine. He brought every
possible influence to bear. His claims were urged by Dr. Franklin, but
all to no avail. At last an appointment came. It was to command an
English prize, lately captured and brought into Brest. Thither went
Jones to examine the craft. Much to his disappointment, he found her
very slow; and this determined him to decline the commission.

"I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast,"
he wrote to a gentleman who had secured for him the appointment; "for
I intend to go in harm's way. You know I believe that this is not
every one's intention. Therefore, buy a frigate that sails fast, and
that is sufficiently large to carry twenty-six or twenty-eight guns,
not less than twelve-pounders, on one deck. I would rather be shot
ashore than sent to sea in such things as the armed prizes I have
described."

Five months of waiting and ceaseless solicitation of the authorities
still left the sailor, who had won so many victories, stranded in
shameful inactivity. He had shrunk from a personal interview with the
king, trusting rather to the efforts of his friends, many of whom were
in high favor at Versailles. But one day he happened to light upon an
old copy of "Poor Richard's Almanac," that unique publication in which
Benjamin Franklin printed so many wise maxims and witty sayings. As
Jones listlessly turned its pages, his eye fell upon the maxim,--

"If you wish to have any business done faithfully and expeditiously,
go and do it yourself. Otherwise, send some one."

Shuttin