He wrote to Benjamin Franklin, expressing himself plainly on that point, and the American commissioner, after several months' delay, had a ship of 40 guns placed under the command of Jones.

Her original name was the _Duras_, but at Jones's request it was changed to the _Bonhomme Richard_.

This was in compliment to Franklin, who was often called "Poor Richard" by his admiring countrymen, because for many years he had published "Poor Richard's Almanac," filled with wise and witty sayings.
This ship was an old Indiaman, in which 42 guns were placed, and the final number of her crew was 304.

The 32-gun frigate _Alliance_, Captain Landais, was put under the orders of Captain Jones and a third, the _Pallas_, was bought and armed with thirty guns.

A merchant brig and a cutter were also added to the squadron.