His brother's will had required Jones to settle down as a farmer, which Jones tries to do with little success. Having been rejected by Dorothea's father (Judson Laire) as a possible husband because of his questionable past, he decides to return to sea.
Jones was obligated to settle down as a farmer according to his brother's will, but he struggled with this endeavor. He also faced rejection from Judson Laire, Dorothea's father, who deemed him unsuitable for marriage because of his past.  As a result, Jones decided to return to seafaring.