Read Ebook: The Story of Commodore John Barry by Griffin Martin I J Martin Ignatius Joseph

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Barry's instructions permitted him, after his placing Lafayette "in France," to cruise in search of prizes until March 1st. The "Alliance" sailed from L'Orient on February 10, 1782, and returned after seventeen days without making any captures, the vessels met being neutral ships.

On March 16, 1782, the "Alliance" sailed from L'Orient for return to America and here again disappointment came. All the vessels spoken on the voyage "none were of the enemy." On May 10th the "Alliance" arrived off the Delaware Bay. The British frigate "Chatham," of 64 guns, and the "Speedwell," sloop-of-war, barred entrance to the river, and off New York two more frigates joined in the chase of the "Alliance," but she, having a speed of fifteen knots an hour, succeeded in escaping the much superior force and getting to New London, Connecticut, on May 13th. This incident was one of traditionary interest among the veterans of the old time wooden navy.

"Not a prize this trip! Hard luck indeed," wrote Barry to John Brown, Secretary of the Board of Admiralty, to whom also he wrote that Robert Morris had sent him orders to join the French frigates at Rhode Island and be under their command. "Mr. Morris," wrote Barry, "must be unacquainted with his rank or he must think me a droll kind of a fellow to be commanded by a midshipman. I assure you I don't feel myself so low a commander as to brook such orders. I suppose he will be much offended. I assure you although I serve the country for nothing I am determined no midshipman shall command me, let him be a chevalier or what he will."

Barry wrote from New London to Mr. Brown: "I never was in such a damn country in my life. You never was in so miserable a place in your life. All the people here live five miles from home. Not a house have I been in but the tavern and one Irishman's." The tavern was kept by Thomas Allen, an Irishman from the island of Antigua, whose "antipathy to the British was abnormal"--and so we may well believe he was a kindred spirit to that of Commodore Barry.

Though Captain Barry thought he had "hard luck" in not taking a prize, yet the log-book of the "Alliance," a copy of which he sent the Committee of Investigation, relates that on April 3d he fell in with two privateers, gave each of them a broadside, one of them struck, the other ran; hove out a signal for the "Marquis La Fayette" to take charge of the privateer that had struck while the "Alliance" went in chase of the other, "which we shortly after took." The record again shows Captain Barry did as he usually had done--captured two vessels in a battle.

Though he brought in no prize he yet was not unmindful of Mrs. Barry, but brought her a carpet and "a wash kettle full of claret," and doubtless other luxuries of the time as well as advising her "not to stay so much at home," as it "was clever to visit one's friends now and then, besides it is helpful to good health," added the gallant Captain.

A MOST SUCCESSFUL CRUISE--NINE PRIZES.

On August 9th Barry took the schooner "Polly" bound from Bermuda to Halifax with a cargo of molasses, sugar and lime and sent her to Boston. On August 19th arrived at the Bermudas after chasing several vessels, among which was the "Experiment," of 18 guns, which escaped into St. George's Harbor. On the 23d Barry sent Captain Tufts, of the "Polly," to inform the Governor that unless all the American prisoners were released he would remain for three weeks and hinder vessels going in or coming out which, said Barry, he "could effectively do as their whole force was not sufficient to cope with the 'Alliance.'" On August 25th Barry chased the privateer "Hawk" and took from her the sloop "Fortune," which she had captured. The "Hawk" escaped.

The "Alliance" continued cruising and chasing vessels until August 30th, when learning from a brig from Guadeloupe bound for Rhode Island, that a large fleet had sailed from Jamaica, Captain Barry concluded to attempt to overhaul by running northeast. On September 8th he captured a Nantucket brig returning from a whaling cruise. It had protection papers from Admiral Digby and permission to bring the oil to New York, then in British possession as during almost all the war. At this time the "Alliance" was off the Banks of New Foundland, where on September 18th the capture of a brig, one of the Jamaica fleet, was made. Barry learned that the convoy--the "Ramilie," of 74 guns--had foundered in a gale and that the fleet he was in search of had scattered.

On September 24th Barry took two ships--on 27th he captured another. On the following day he captured a dismantled ship and all of the fleet from Jamaica he had been in search of and ordered them to L'Orient, France, where the "Alliance" with the prizes arrived October 17th, and the prisoners, except those who had entered into American service, were sent on shore. Most of the prisoners belonged at Glasgow where they had families. Otherwise these also would have entered under Captain Barry. "The separation," records Kessler, "was more like the separation of old friends than that of individuals of nations at war." Their treatment on the "Alliance" while prisoners was good. The officers were given quarters with officers--the privates placed with the privates of the "Alliance," enjoying fare alike. No confinement, no abridgment of food nor any labor required of them.

Several officers of the "Ramilie" were captives. The treatment they received from Captain Barry was so different from the usual treatment of American officers by the British commanders, it "made them blush for their country," notes Kessler, the Master's Mate. The captures numbered three ships, one snow, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop, all merchant vessels, variously loaded--nine prizes. Four other prizes were brought by the "Alliance" to L'Orient and four sent to America. They were sold at auction.

The shares of the United States as shown by Robert Morris' accounts were:

The "Kingston," 75,834.11.3 livres or ,083.39

The "Commerce," 104,263.12.5 livres or ,308.08.

The "Britannia," 43,620.18.5 livres or ,077.85.

The "Anna," 71,656.11.5 livres or ,269.60.

The prizes were loaded with rum, sugar, coffee and liquors. One-half the proceeds went to the Government--the other part to the captors. A Captain was entitled to six shares. Captain Barry's report of the cruise, dated October 18, 1782, reads: "A few hours after I sailed from New London I retook a brigantine and sent her in there; proceeded as fast as possible off Bermudas; on my way I took a schooner from that place for Halifax; after cruising off there for twelve or fifteen days I retook a sloop from New London and sent her to Cape Fran?ois. Finding the prizes I had taken of little value either to myself or the country and in all likelihood should be obliged to return into port soon for want of men, was determined to alter my cruising ground. I, therefore, thought it best to run off the Banks of New Foundland. On my way thither I fell in with a whaling brigantine with a pass from Admiral Digby; I manned her and sent her to Boston. A few days after, off the Banks of New Foundland, I took a brigantine from Jamaica bound to London loaded with sugar and rum and sent her for Boston; by this vessel I found the Jamaica fleet was to the eastward of us. I then carried a press of sail for four days. The fifth day I took two ships that had parted with the fleet. After manning them, and a fresh gale westwardly, I thought best to order them to France. A day or two after I took a snow and a ship belonging to the same fleet.

"Being short of water, and a number of prisoners on board, the westwardly winds still blowing fresh and the expectation of falling in with some more of them, I thought it best to proceed to France, with a determined view to get those I had already taken in safe and after landing the prisoners to put out immediately; but meeting with blowing weather and high sea, I lost the sails of the head and was in great danger of losing the head, which accident obliged me to put in here, where I arrived yesterday with the four prizes. After repairing the damages and getting what the ships may want I shall put to sea on a cruise."

While at L'Orient, Captain Barry was invited by Lafayette to come to Paris, but as he had been "indisposed with a fever which confined him for ten days" and the ship ready to sail, he could not accept, but wrote the Marquis he envied the Captain who was to take him to America, but as that pleasure could not be his, Barry hoped to command the ship that would convey Lafayette back to France, when he would visit Paris and "have the honor of seeing Lady Fayette," an honor his brother who since was lost at sea had had.

OFFICERS OF THE "ALLIANCE" REFUSE TO SERVE--PEACE.

Though in October Captain Barry hoped in a few days to proceed on a cruise it was not until December 8, 1782, that he was ready to sail, which he did the next day. Lieutenants Patrick Fletcher and Nicholas Gardner, John Buckley, Master; James Geagan, Surgeon, and Samuel Cooper, Purser, demanded two-thirds of their wages, "though they had received as much prize-money as they knew what to do with." Captain Barry informed them that he had no authority to pay them and had no money if he had. They refused to go on board the "Alliance" and do their duty. Accordingly, Captain Barry placed them under arrest until tried by Court-Martial in the United States. He was obliged to appoint others, "not adequate to the duty of the stations, 'but necessity knows no law,'" he wrote Thomas Barclay, Consul-General of the United States and Commissioner of the Navy in France, who justified Barry's course and concurred in the appointments he made.

Though Captain Barry, early in December, 1782, had "great reason to think peace was concluded," he decided to make another cruise by "running down the coast of Guinea" and returning to America by way of Martinico, believing "should peace be made there will be a certain time given for vessels to make prizes in certain latitudes."

The "Alliance" sailed from L'Orient on December 9th, but though chasing several vessels, no encounter came about. On December 16th arrived at Porto Sancto--the next day the island of Madeira. Sailed hence and on January 8, 1783, arrived off Martinico. At St. Pierre Harbor Barry found orders for him to proceed to Havana to take in specie for Congress.

On January 12th sailed for Havana and after stopping at St. Eustatia and Cape Fran?ois arrived there January 17th. While off Hispaniola Barry met an English fleet of seventeen sail, but he "got clear of them." The next day met two British cruisers, one of 74 guns. They chased the "Alliance" under the guns of Cape Fran?ois.

On February 13th Captain Barry notified the Governor of Havana that the "Alliance" and "Duc de Lauzun," frigates belonging to Congress, were ready to sail from that port. He requested permission for the frigates to depart as he had "despatches from the Court of France which are very important," and also desired that the American merchant vessels at the port should be permitted to depart under convoy of the "Alliance." The Governor replied that, complying with secret instructions from the King, it was entirely out of his power to grant the permission sought. To which Barry replied that it was somewhat singular for ships of war employed on national objects to be restricted in the same manner as merchant vessels. He then again asked "in the name of my Sovereign for permission for the sailing of the two American ships of war." He withdrew his request for the trading vessels as they were "fully under the influence of the embargo." The Governor replied that he and the Admiral of the Squadron had consulted and decided that permission could not be given then. He advised Captain Barry "to reflect on the immense prejudice that might occur to the common cause of the allied powers and commerce of Spain if any unlucky accident should happen by the enemy taking one of the frigates."

On February 22d, Washington's birthday, Captain Barry issued orders "to exercise the great guns and the small arms every day, to loose the topsails in order the men could learn to do it well, to have wood and water ready for sea." He evidently was having the ship ready for service and action though he had brought the news of peace to the West India Islands.

THE LAST BATTLE OF THE REVOLUTION.

Captain Barry's foresight in having everything ready for war, although the preliminary articles of peace had been signed, was soon manifested. The "Alliance" left Havana on March 6, 1783, in company with the "Duc de Lauzun," commanded by Captain Greene. There also sailed nine Spanish warships. Not knowing where the Spaniards were bound to, Captain Barry decided to make his own way and ordered Captain Greene to follow him.

While the "Alliance" dropped astern, the foremost British frigate shortened sail and would not come near the "Alliance."

Kessler relates that Captain Barry expected the French gunship to assist the "Alliance"; that two of the British kept "at a distance as if waiting to ascertain about the French ship." But though she "approached the Americans fast," she did not join in the encounter. When Captain Barry afterwards "asked them why they did not come down during the action, they answered they thought they might have been taken, and the signal known; that the action was only 'a sham to decoy him.'"

"His foolish action," records Kessler, "thus, perhaps, lost us the three frigates, for Captain Barry commenced the action in the full expectation of the French ship joining and thereby not only be able to cope but to subdue part, if not the whole of them."

The French proposed to give chase. This was done, but the French ship could not keep up with the "Alliance" or the slower "Lauzun." This battle took place on March 10, 1783. The British frigate was the "Sybille," commanded by Captain Vashon, which, on January 22, 1783, had been captured from the French by the British "Hussar," commanded by Captain Thomas Macnamara Russell. Captain Vashon "confessed he had never seen a ship so ably fought as the 'Alliance,' that he had never received such a drubbing and was indebted to his consorts for his escape from capture." He always spoke of Captain Barry in the most magnanimous terms.

"The coolness and intrepidity no less than the skill and fertility in expedients which Captain Barry displayed on this occasion are described in naval annals as truly wonderful; every quality of a great commander was brought out with extraordinary brilliancy."

This is the occasion on which Captain Barry is said to have replied to the hail of the British that his was "The United States ship 'Alliance,' Saucy Jack Barry, half Irishman, half Yankee! Who are you?"

I do not believe this true. It is too bombastic to suit the character of Captain Barry. He could not have called himself "Saucy," for nothing of impetuosity or dare-devilishness was ever manifested in his career. Nor did he ever flippantly call himself "Jack."

"My name is John Barry," was his dignified declaration to Lieutenant Gregory, as we have seen. It embodied respect and determination and dignity of character which he ever maintained.

Let not his admirers lessen that dignity.

This--the last battle of the Revolution--occurred March 10, 1783, after the signing of the Provisional Articles of Peace at Paris, November 30, 1782; after the Preliminary Articles for Restoring Peace, signed at Versailles on January 20, 1783, and also after the Ratification of the Preliminary Articles on February 3, 1783, by the Ministers of the United States, France and Great Britain, by which a cessation of hostilities was agreed upon.

On April 11, 1783, Congress, by Proclamation, ordered the "cessation of arms as well by sea as by land." But, one month prior, Captain John Barry had the final encounter on the ocean in defense of the Liberty and Independence of the United States. He had thus commanded the first Continental cruiser, the "Lexington" and also commanded the last Continental frigate, the "Alliance"; bringing to Congress the first prize brought to Philadelphia and defending and saving the last Continental war money brought to the country on the last armed vessel of the new Nation. He commanded the "Lexington," the first vessel commissioned by authority of the Continental Congress. He commanded the "Alliance," the best vessel the Congress had commissioned and the last in the Continental service. He brought Congress its first prize. He brought Congress its last war money.

On March 25th--Annunciation Day--Congress ordered the recall of all vessels cruising under authority of the United States.

On April 19, 1783, Washington announced the close of the war and the disbandment of the army.

On April 16th the cessation of hostilities was proclaimed in Barry's home city--Philadelphia--to "a vast concourse of people, who expressed their satisfaction on the happy occasion by repeated shouts. The State flag was hoisted and the bells were rung and a general joy diffused itself throughout the city."

New York City had been under British control nearly the whole war. How great the contrast there. "When the proclamation was read nothing but groans and hisses prevailed, attended by bitter reproaches and curses on their King for having deserted them in the midst of their calamities."

Philadelphia, the seat of the "Rebellion," now by success made a "Revolution," was open to the commerce of the world. On May 2d the ship "Hibernia," Robert Scallan, Master, arrived from Dublin and soon, at the store of Clement Biddle his cargo of "gold and silver silks, rich and slight brocades, flannels, Mantuas and fabrics, colored and sky colored tissue and Florentines, tamboured silks and satin, shapes for gentlemen's vests and black Norwich capes" were on sale.

Joy bounded throughout the land. Meetings were held to express patriotic sentiments. The men of Northampton, Pa., did so. The ladies of Northampton followed the next day. Among the "toasts" on the occasion was this: "May the Protestant religion prevail and flourish through all nations."

Yet John Barry, an Irish-born Roman Catholic, had battled all the eight years--from the first to the last of the fight--to win Freedom and Independence for the land in which these Ladies of Northampton "hoped the Protestant religion might prevail."

BARRY VISITS THE "SYBILLE" ON HIS RETURN TO PHILADELPHIA--PEACE IS DECLARED--ORDERED TO AMSTERDAM WITH TOBACCO--THE "ALLIANCE" BECOMES DISABLED--IS ORDERED SOLD.

After Captain Barry had arrived at New London it was nearly three months before he came on to Philadelphia. Mrs. Barry had, in April, gone on to New London. Captain Barry returned home by way of New York. The "Sybille" was there. Captain Barry visited her and was "politely treated" by Captain Vashon. The vessel yet bore the marks of the injury Barry had inflicted and "they said they had not been treated so roughly before," records Kessler. Some of the Hessians were embarked on her for return home. As she had received "eighteen cannon shots her condition was such that pumps had to be manned night and day to keep her from filling five to eight feet of water." That proved how she had been shattered by Barry. Captain Barry, after a brief visit to Philadelphia, returned to Providence Harbor and soon set sail for the Rappahannock River, Virginia, for a cargo of tobacco for Amsterdam, Holland, on public account, to pay the interest on loan negotiated there. This was in August, 1783.

On the way down the Providence River the "Alliance," when going four or five miles an hour, ran against a sunken rock, which "stopped her as quick as thought," related Barry. After remaining on the rock two hours and finding the ship made no water in consequence of the mishap, the "Alliance" proceeded to Virginia where she took on 500 hogsheads of tobacco weighing 530,000 pounds.

The Accounts of Robert Morris show that to meet this Holland Loan, 1837 hogsheads of tobacco weighing 1,937,355 pounds had been sent by Daniel Clarke, Agent of the Finance Department.

On August 24th the "Alliance" sailed from the Capes of Virginia "with good prospects before us and in hopes of a short voyage. But," as Captain Barry reported to Robert Morris on the 26th from the Delaware Bay, "as is often the case when people's expectations are buoyed up with great prospects they frequently find themselves disappointed."

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