1798, Barry was given authority to capture French armed vessels. On July 11, 1798, Barry received orders to "take the Delaware, Captain Decatur, under your command and proceed without delay to Cape Cod, where you will be joined by the Herald, Captain Sever, of 20 guns, and a revenue cutter of 14 guns from Boston. With this force you will proceed with all practicable speed to the West Indies and so dispose of the vessels under your command as to afford the greatest chance of falling in with the French armed vessels. The object of the enterprise is to do as much injury to the armed vessels and to make as many captures as possible, consistent with a due regard to the security of our own." The Herald and the Boston cutter were unprepared, and Barry, with Decatur, proceeded on the expedition to the islands. He returned to Philadelphia September 21, 1798, bringing about 100 Frenchmen and negroes as prisoners, mostly from the Le Jaloux, which he had captured. Stoddert, Secretary of the Navy, wrote President Adams that "Barry had returned too soon," his reasons being the apprehension of the hurricanes," and that "the result of the enterprise had fallen very far short of his hopes." On September 28, 1798, orders were given Barry to cruise to the eastward until November 15. On December 7, 1798, the Secretary of the Navy notified Barry that the employment of our naval force in the West Indies this winter had been determined upon, and that the frigates United States and Constitution, the Washington (32 guns), the Merrimac (24 guns), and four or five more vessels of nearly the same force as the latter, will, by order of the President, be under your immediate command, to be employed as your knowledge of those seas and your judgment shall suggest in active operations for the protection of our commerce and the capture or destruction of French armed vessels." On March 15 the Secretary of the Navy wrote Barry in the West Indies to send the Constitution to Boston and the Washington to Newport, and added: "I am sorry your health is not quite restored, which, however, I attribute more to your vexation for not being able to fall in with the Monsieur than to the effects of the climate." Barry himself returned to Philadelphia with the United States in May, leaving the other vessel under the command of Captain Truxton. In June, 1799, after the United States had been refitted, he was again ordered to "protect our defenseless coast." This service was discharged until October 21, when Barry, then at Newport, R. I., received orders. to take Ellsworth, Davie, and Murray to France as envoys extraordinary. On the return of the United States she was again refitted and prepared for service. On December 6, 1800, the Secretary of the Navy directed Barry "to proceed to St. Kitts and assume command of your squadron on the Gandaloupe station," saying that it was "difficult to prescribe the conduct to be pursued toward French national ships, when unofficial accounts say a treaty has been made and no official accounts have been received on the subject." He was instructed, however, to capture such ships if he believed that they still captured American vessels. "And in no state of things will it be right for you to avoid encounters with them should they be sought on their part." News of the treaty having been received, and the Senate having consented thereto on March 23, 1801, orders were sent Barry directing the return of the squadron in the West Indies under his command. At the end of April the United States arrived at Philadelphia. On May 1 Barry was ordered to bring her to Washington, which was now the seat of government. He was also directed to give "his opinion of the respective merits of the most promising officers, so that the President might select the 9 captains, 36 lieutenants, and 150 midshipmen which the act providing for the naval peace establishment empowered the President to name." At Washington the United States, the first ship of the Navy, was dismantled and put out of commission. Barry was permitted to return to Philadelphia, "there to remain until the Government again requires your service, of which you will be reasonably apprised.” On the 11th of June the Secretary of the Navy addressed Barry as follows: "It is particularly pleasing to me to have the gratification of informing you that the President has been pleased to select you as one of those who are to be retained in the service." The records of the Navy Department show the performance of various duties, such as testing cannon, until in August, 1802, Barry had to plead that his health would not permit him to proceed to Havre de Grace, Md., "to prove a number of cannon at Colonel Hughes's works." But he still continued to act with Captains Dale and Bainbridge as examiner of officers seeking promotion. The Tripolitans were at this time giving much trouble to American commerce. On December 22, 1802, Secretary Smith notified Barry that "we shall have occasion to keep a small force in the Mediterranean, and upon the return of Commodore Morris we shall expect your services at that station." But the brave old Commodore was now unfitted by reason of ill health to serve his country and defend its honor. The last scene in his eventful history was approaching. He had braved death and feared it not amid fire of battle. On the 13th of September, 1803, he faced it for the last time. "In the full belief in the doctrines of the Gospel," ran the original inscription on his tomb, "he resigned himself into the arms of his Redeemer." He was buried in St. Mary's graveyard, South Fourth street, Philadelphia. "There are gallant hearts whose glory Columbia loves to name, Whose deeds shall live in story And everlasting fame. But never yet one braver Our starry banner bore Than saucy old Jack Barry, The Irish Commodore." |