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We all know that Benedict Arnold was treated poorly by Congress and turned traitor - going from the hero of Saratoga to one of the most hated names in history. John Paul Jones received equally poor treatment from Congress as well from the French. I don't see him abandoning the Colonies cause but what if he finally had enough and decided to become a privateer instead?
Given his track record I easily see one or more merchants eagerly providing him a ship. His reputation will quickly get him a crew, especially as now they're going after rich merchantmen and not warships.
Given that Bon Homme Richard versus Serapis was about the only meaningful victory the US Navy won during the war (not forgetting the convoy Serapis was protecting got away, mostly due to Jones' fellow captains shirking their duty) how does this affect both the war in general and the US Navy in the long term? It's often said that Jones gave the USN its first traditions...