“Therefore, I anchored in the entrance of the bay, at a distance from the French Fleet. But after a very particular inquiry, on the 14th, finding that he had really told the truth, I was induced to accept of his offer; the more so as it was in fact an acknowledgment of American Independence. “The wind being contrary and blowing hard, it was after sunset before the Ranger got near enough to salute La Motte Picquet with _thirteen_ guns, which he returned with nine. “However, to put the matter beyond a doubt, I did not suffer the _Independence_ (an American brig that was with Paul Jones) to salute till next morning, when I sent the Admiral word, that I should sail through his Fleet in the brig, and would salute him in open day. “He was exceedingly pleased, and returned the compliment also with nine guns.” Paul Jones thus had the singular honor of being the first to hoist the original Flag of Liberty on board the _Alfred_; first probably to hoist the Stars and Stripes, which still wave in pride as our national emblem; and first to claim for our Flag the courtesy from foreigners due to a Sovereign State. _Alexander S. Mackenzie_ (_Retold_) THE POOR RICHARD Paul Jones gave up the command of the _Ranger_ in order to take command of a larger ship, promised him by the French Government. But he had a long discouraging period of waiting for the new ship. It was then that he wrote to a French official, those famous words:-- “I will not have anything to do with ships which do not sail fast, for I intend to go in harm’s way.” After months of desperate waiting and after writing many letters, Paul Jones chanced to be reading a copy of Franklin’s “Poor Richard’s Almanack.” These words caught his eye:-- _If you would have your business done, go--if not, send._ So he stopped sending letters, and hastened to Paris to plead his own cause. With the help of Franklin himself, Paul Jones got his ship at last. He named it _Bon Homme Richard_, or _The Poor Richard_. It was while commanding _The Poor Richard_, that Paul Jones gained his famous victory over the British ship, the _Serapis_. MICKLE’S THE MISCHIEF HE HAS DUNE With seven ships in all--a snug little squadron for Jones, had the different commanders been subordinate--he set sail in the _Richard_ from France, and steered for the coast of Ireland. The want of proper subordination was soon made manifest, for in a week’s time the vessels, one after another, parted company, to cruise by themselves, till Paul Jones had with him but the _Alliance_, _Pallas_, and _Vengeance_. In a tremendous storm he bore away, and after several days of gales and heavy seas, approached the shore of Scotland. Taking several prizes near the Firth of Forth, he ascertained that a twenty-four-gun ship and two cutters were in the roads. These he determined to cut out, and, landing at Leith, lay the town under contribution.