p430  XXIX.

Fleet Commander in the West Indies

"I am sorry that Captain Barry has not fully answered your expectations," John Adams wrote Secretary Stoddert, on October 10, 1798, "but I hope you will soon send him out again. The hurricanes are now passed, and there is no longer danger from them. We must sweep the West India seas."

Such an objective was already the Secretary of the Navy's ambition. That was why all vessels sent cruising off the American coast had been ordered into port by mid‑November. Prior to leave of absence — to move his family from Georgetown — Stoddert had completed arrangements "to have as much Force as possible in readiness in the month of December to proceed to the West Indies." He felt certain the three frigates, six or seven of the twenty to twenty-four gun ships, and some vessels of smaller size could be employed there to advantage during the winter months, "when there will be little danger of enemy vessels on our Coasts."

Through summer and fall the navy had expanded. One additional ship had been purchased, the General Washington, converted to war purposes and mounted with thirty‑two guns. Patriotic citizens in many seaports had embarked enthusiastically upon building vessels-of‑war, and presenting them to government at six percent, annual interest charge, but no repayment of principal. Three ships — the Portsmouth and Adams, of twenty-four guns each, and the Merrimack, of twenty‑two guns — and two brigs — the Norfolk and Richmond, each of eighteen guns — had already been launched and commissioned. Still under construction were two frigates, two more ships and two more brigs. Likewise, work had been resumed by government upon the remaining three frigates authorized during Washington's  p431 administration. Then, there were a half-dozen revenue cutters, transferred from the Treasury to the Navy Department, and other small craft.

When Stoddert began his leave of absence, on October 17, he informed Secretary of State Pickering, officiating in his absence, that eleven vessels-of‑war, including the three frigates, were in service, four more would be ready by January, and three more in February, while a total of nine were building.

To Pickering came Barry's report of his return with the storm-damaged United States, together with long indents for supplies. By that time, Humphreys and the Commodore were already on the frigate. The matter of supplies was entrusted to a clerk in the Navy Department, who informed Barry that, as the United States had been expected at Newport, "no Steps were taken here to procure the Articles included in your several Indents." The clerk seemed aggrieved a storm should disarrange plans, but would urge Tench Francis to provide needed items.

With the yellow fever vanquished by cold weather, government offices returned to Philadelphia on November 14. Two days later, Stoddert arrived to resume Adams's project "to sweep the West India seas." To assist him, before the month ended, he had five of his principal captains on hand — Barry, Truxtun, Dale, Decatur and Thomas Tingey. He assigned them a room in the navy office, with "pen Ink & paper" provided, and requested, first, a report upon how defective regulations "for the Government of the Navy" could be improved. After that came the winter's campaign. The plan evolved was a comprehensive one, contemplating control of navigable waters around and between the islands in the long arc of the West Indies, from the tip of North America — the Florida keys — to the South American mainland.

Decatur, in the Delaware, supported by a sixteen gun brig, was to be stationed off Havana, to protect the trade.

Tingey, in the Ganges (Dale again was going to China in a merchantman) was assigned to guard the windward passage between Cuba and Hispaniola, and would be reinforced by "two or three Vessels of inferior force."

The bulk of the navy would go to the eastern half of the arc — the Lesser Antilles — from Porto Rico to Tobago. Guadaloupe,  p432 in the center of this long chain of islands, was the major French base for war‑vessels of the Republic and for privateers. To stifle French aggressions, two squadrons were created.

From Porto Rico to St. Christopher was assigned to Truxtun, with injunctions to pay attention to every island to leeward of his base at St. Christopher. In addition to the Constellation, he would have, eventually, a ship and two brigs.

From St. Christopher southward to the South American mainland, and embra­cing Guadaloupe, would be Barry with the strongest force — the United States, Constitution, General Washington, Merrimack, and, in time, four or five other vessels. His base was to be Prince Rupert bay in the British island of Dominica. In an emergency, the Commodore would command the entire fleet from Cuba eastward, but, otherwise, each squadron should be independent in its operations.

Stoddert and his plans board believed these arrangements would give perfect security to American commerce in those waters, and teach "the Inhabitants of the hostile Islands" to fear "the power of the United States." In their deliberation, neither the Secretary of the Navy, Barry, Truxtun, nor the others anticipated what would prove a serious problem — the clamorous demands of merchants for naval convoys for their cargoes. Its solution, as we will find, seriously retarded those sweeping operations John Adams desired.

* * *

Repairs to the United States had moved with celerity. The frigate had been moored to a Chester wharf, and an accommodation ladder built to facilitate workmen passing from shore to ship. Barry went back and forth between Chester, Philadelphia and Strawberry Hill, but Stoddert kept him chiefly occupied at the navy office, so re‑outfitting was largely in the hands of Lieutenant Ross. Only in the matter of supplies was there delay. Purser Wadsworth found it impossible to get his indents filled by Francis. He appealed to Barry, and even complained to Stoddert. The latter rapped him over the knuckles — "you ought to have known how to get this without application to me" — but, nevertheless, gave Francis a dressing-down.

Two days later, after Navy Department clerks and messengers had failed to find Francis in the city, the Secretary was wrathful:

Thus, fearful of the "Ise" in the river, Stoddert asked Barry: "Would it not be proper to move the Frigate down to reedy island as quick as possible?" The Commodore assured him it would, as repairs were completed, and he hoped to depart within the week. Barry received his sailing instructions on December 7. On his way southward, an express delivered him a letter from Ross, written that same morning from off Chester:

Barry boarded the United States that night and took command. They dropped down to Marcus Hook, on December 8, and to New Castle next day. Long overdue supplies reached them there. On the afternoon of December 12, they weighed, and, within an hour, were aground on the eastern ridge below New Castle. The frigate was warped off without damage after midnight. She reached Bombay Hook, on December 14, where a pilot boat overtook her with a note from Stoddert:

When, on December 18, the United States went out between the capes, "material stores" were on board, but not her purser. Wadsworth, in final efforts to speed up Francis, had "missed the boat." So, too, had Surgeon Gillasspy. The latter had been on leave in New York. He reached Philadelphia to learn the frigate had sailed, and dispatched a note of regret to Barry,  p434 as "you may possibly be in the bay, and chance may direct it." He was sure "you have as good medical assistance as any of the Ships." So ended the gallant Gillasspy's services in the United States. To fill his shoes was Dr. Rush's one‑time apprentice, Surgeon's mate John Bullus.

There were other personnel changes. John Darnley had replaced William McRea as lieutenant of marines, and three new midshipmen could be gathered into the ship's schoolroom for education in the arts of seaman­ship and navigation — States Rutledge, Joseph B. Hennesey, and Charles Ludlow. The latter would rise in time to become a commander in the navy. Of greater importance to Barry was the fact that the Navy Department had approved his recommendation of the previous summer, and had increased the personnel of the frigate to 400. Her complement was divided: fifty commissioned and warrant officers, 120 able seamen, 150 ordinary seamen, thirty boys, and fifty marines. Every man‑jack of them was in perfect health when the frigate put to sea.

* * *

The sailing instructions Stoddert had given Barry reviewed the proposed disposition of the American force in the West Indies, and revealed that a tremendous area had been prescribed for the squadron. The Commodore had assumed he should engage "in active operations for the protection of our Commerce, and for the Capture or destruction of French armed Vessels from St Christopher as far as Barbadoes and Tobago." It came as a shock to learn his numerically small force was also expected "to pay considerable attention to Cayenne and Curicoa, and even to the passage from the United States to Laguayra on the Spanish Main." From LaGuaira to Cayenne is a stretch of South American coast about •1200 miles long. Of course, the Secretary of the Navy understood that "your Efforts must be directed to relieve our Commerce, from the piccaroons, and pirates, continually issuing from the Island of Guadaloupe." These efforts were to be maintained actively "until the month of April, and perhaps May."

The instructions urged the exchange of prisoners — no bargain being too bad which would relieve American seamen from captivity; the maintenance of cordial relations "with all other  p435 Nations" but the French; and strict injunctions to encourage "A Spirit of Enterprise and Adventure" in the officers of the squadron. The old warning was repeated — "You are not allowed by our Laws, to recapture an American Vessel, taken by the Vessels of any of the powers at war, except those of the French." National honor was still nebulous!

So sailed the United States, south by east over the trade route to Barbadoes, giving another matchless performance of speed to make her the joy of Commodore and crew. Four Yankee merchantmen were spoken enroute, and once, in a gale, the frigate pitched in heavy seas, which "washed away part of the head grating." Some ten leagues northeast of Dominica, on the morning of December 29, a ship was observed astern, pursuing them. Barry ordered the frigate cleared for action, whereupon the pursuer "hauled up on a wind to the NtWd." The United States wore and stood after her. When within gunshot, the stranger showed American colors, and hoisted a recognition signal. The frigate replied in kind, and fired a gun to leeward. So did the quarry, and "At ½ 11 the chace hove to seeing we overhauled her so fast." At noon Barry hailed, and the reply coming back across the sunlit sea was:

"This is United States ship-of‑war George Washington, Patrick Fletcher commanding. And happy am I to meet you again, Commodore Barry."

The second of Barry's squadron, coming from Providence, Rhode Island, had arrived simultaneously with the flagship! Her captain was the same Patrick Fletcher, who had served as second lieutenant on the Alliance until the mutiny of officers at L'Orient in the fall of 1782. But that was sixteen years ago. The Commodore let bygones be bygones as he answered the cheery greeting with a request to proceed with him to Dominica. Twenty-four hours later, the United States ran down the leeward side of that island, and veered into Prince Rupert bay. As she came to anchor, flying the Commodore's broad blue pennant, her 24‑pounders began to speak — a salute of thirteen guns. The British fort made answer, gun for gun. Outdistanced even in that short run, the General Washington entered the harbor several hours later.

Operations began next day. Barry sent his consort upon a northward patrol toward Guadaloupe, and sailed the United  p436 States southward for Martinico, a former French island in British possession since 1793. The Commodore lay off St. Pierre, Martinico, on January 3, 1799, while letters were sent ashore for various merchants and for John Gay, the American agent. Proceeding down the western coast, the frigate entered the harbor of Fort Royal. Vice Admiral Thomas Harvey, in his Britannic Majesty's ninety-eight gun ship‑of-the‑line Prince of Wales, lay at anchor there. Says Lieutenant Mullowny's log: "Saluted Admiral Harvey 13 guns, which was answered, same No. Came to anchor, saluted the Fort at Fort Royal, which was also answered with the same No."

That night, Barry and his officers dined on the Prince of Wales. They discussed the proposed American operations, with the admiral a little skeptical as to intent in view of no actual declaration of war. They agreed over their cups, however, that neither British nor American squadrons should claim shares "on pretence of being in Sight when a Capture was made by one or the other."

The United States started back for Prince Rupert bay at dawn, arriving January 6. The General Washington, too, had returned, empty-handed. That afternoon two more American vessels-of‑war came in, the Montezuma, Captain Alexander Murray, and the brig Norfolk, Captain Thomas Williams. Neither was part of Barry's fleet. Both had been in the West Indies since the previous fall. Williams had orders to join Truxtun at St. Christopher, while Murray was acting under orders from Stoddert as an independent command. Injuries to the Norfolk's masts had brought them to Dominica, where Murray was delighted to meet "my old Friend Commodore Barry."

Barry and Fletcher were off, at dawn on January 8. They kept together for a day, when the General Washington stood eastward, and the United States made a circle of Guadaloupe. In coming south along the west coast of the island, on January 12, she ventured close in. A battery from the town of Deshaies opened fire, and another battery farther south joined in. Nine shots were fired at the frigate, two passing overhead, the others falling short. Barry saved his fire, and continued along the shore, returning to Prince Rupert bay on January 13.

The Montezuma and Norfolk were about ready to sail, and Murray had agreed to convoy some twenty odd merchantmen  p437 northward beyond the danger of capture. When the merchant fleet and its escorts cleared the harbor, on January 15, the Commodore accompanied them for a short distance, and stood off to windward of Guadaloupe. By disappearing at that moment, he missed opportunity to meet Truxtun, in the Constellation, who intercepted the fleet an hour or two later. Returning after a profitless three days, Barry met Fletcher to the southward of Dominica on January 18. They proceeded in company, and observed a large ship southwest of Prince Rupert bay. An exchange of signals identified the Constitution. The third of Barry's squadron had arrived, having left Boston on December 29.

Samuel Nicholson came on board⁠a — the same noisy, blustering Sam of Revolutionary days. His visit was lengthy and voluble. When he departed, it was late in the afternoon of January 19. The three vessels stood past Prince Rupert bay, and through the northern channel to windward, sweeping toward the little island of Marie Galante, southeast of Guadaloupe. Here the Constitution carried away her main topgallant yard. For several days the trio patrolled the waters east of Guadaloupe, until, having lost more spars and sprung his foremast, Nicholson was forced to signal Barry that he "could not carry Sail." The United States hove to until the Constitution came up.

"Stand on till you weather Deseada island," Barry called. "Then shorten sail till daylight, and follow me into port."

The General Washington was dispatched to swing around Guadaloupe, while the Commodore escorted the crippled Constitution to Prince Rupert bay, arriving January 24. Immediately Nicholson came on board with a formal note. As his ship was much disabled in her masts and spars, would Barry please "order a Survey of Carpenters & such other Officers as you shall think proper." Trust Sam Nicholson to make a ceremony out of a simple request. Barry told him to survey his own masts and spars and make prompt repairs.

A letter from Truxtun, awaiting the Commodore at Dominica, proposed an extensive convoy system for merchantmen, and virtually committed Barry to it. The commander on the St. Christopher station wrote he had "assured the Consignees of Vessels, and many Masters, that as you have a Squadron to  p438 Windward, I was certain on a proper Application being made to you, that you would order them a Convoy for all Vessels bound to the United States from Barbadoes, Saint Vincent, Grenado, Martinica, and other islands." With the limited force at his disposal, the Commodore could not possibly provide convoys, patrol the waters around Guadaloupe in force, and detach vessels to look into the ports on the South American coast. This latter part of his orders had to suffer, even with the arrival of another unit of his squadron, the ship Merrimack, of twenty‑two guns, Captain Moses Brown, from Boston. She came into Prince Rupert bay with the General Washington, on January 27.

Leaving his consorts at anchor — the Constitution making repairs, the General Washington and Merrimack taking in supplies and ballast — Barry sailed out on January 29, heading south for Martinico. Off St. Pierre, he hove to and sent in notification that a convoy for America would be provided in about ten days. Contrary winds retarded his return. Boats from the Constitution had to join those from the frigate to tow her into Prince Rupert bay on the afternoon of the last day in January.

The squadron was ready to sail, and the Commodore detailed his plan of operations. They were to clear the port the following afternoon with seven merchantmen. North of Dominica, the United States would veer eastward and proceed to Barbadoes, returning via Martinico. After passing Guadaloupe, the others were to separate; the General Washington to continue north beyond the islands as convoy to the merchant ships; the Constitution to cruise to windward of Guadaloupe, the Merrimack to leeward. By February 10, the latter vessel should be off St. Pierre to escort merchantmen from Martinico to Dominica. Inasmuch as Barry's visit to Barbadoes was also to collect merchantmen, it can be seen that convoy duty was already responsible for disrupting any broad cruising. He was making the best possible distribution of the few ships under his command.

They sailed per schedule, on February 1. As usual, the fleet United States drew ahead of her consorts. Even her sister forty-four gun frigate could not keep up with her. "Our ship outsails every vessel we meet," one of Barry's officers recorded proudly. "In six hours we run the Constitution hull under." When they parted, Guadaloupe lay dead ahead. Due east wore the frigate,  p439 passing into the open sea. Darkness had fallen 'ere the Commodore veered south by east to windward of Dominica. Through the night, the next day and the following night, the United States proceeded on her way to Barbadoes. On Sunday morning, February 3, to windward of Martinico, a sail was sighted. For five hours they pursued, and, by mid‑afternoon, were almost in gunshot of the quarry, an armed schooner.

"To the astonishment of all hands," said young Decatur, "she attempted by short stretches to get to windward of us directly under our battery."

It was foolhardy to present so fair a target to Yankee gunners. Three 24‑pound shot in succession shrieked at her. The third went clear through the little vessel at the water-line. Down came the schooner's sails, and up rose "a most lamentable howl." Decatur was amused: "Though 'tis said they have abolished all religion, they have not forgot the old way of imploring the protection of the omnipotent with gestures, professions and protestations."

This same midshipman was in the first boat to near the stricken victim. Observing her sinking condition, he called to the Frenchmen to run her alongside the frigate. The naked crew — they had stripped for the inevitable swim — obeyed. The schooner swung nearer, but foundered within a cable length of the United States. Her floundering hands were picked up by the boats. The whole lot of them, fifty-eight in number, were rescued and herded up the gangway ladder, where the Commodore learned he had destroyed L'Amour de la Patrie, Captain Pierre Solimniac, a six gun privateer.

Off Barbadoes, three days later, Barry sent word into Bridgetown, that, if merchantmen were ready by February 12, he would convoy them northward. He circled the island several times before running into Carlisle bay, and exchanging salutes with the fort. That night, he dined with the governor. Mullowny noted with pride, that at the Commodore's "entrance of the Governors house he was saluted with 13 Guns." Odd, indeed, it must have seemed to John Barry to have so much good British powder expended in honoring him, he who once had sailed in and out of Bridgetown unnoted.

The merchant fleet — fourteen American and three English sail — followed him out of Carlisle bay on February 12. He led  p440 them by way of Martinico, and lay off St. Pierre for twenty-four hours, collecting vessels that had missed the Merrimack's earlier convoy. The United States came into Prince Rupert bay on February 15, to find Murray, in the Montezuma, and Captain John Brown, in the revenue cutter Diligence, at anchor there. The latter, from Wilmington, North Carolina, was under orders to join Barry's squadron.

A message was awaiting the Commodore from Surinam, down on the Spanish Main. It reported a number of Yankee merchantmen blocked up by French privateers. As he had no available vessel to send to convoy them northward, he wrote a brief note to Truxtun, asking for one of the latter's brigs. Barry had hoped to send the Merrimack on this assignment, but was told that ship's convoy from Martinico had been so far to leeward of Dominica that Captain Moses Brown had sent in word he would continue with it to St. Christopher. Murray, who seemed to turn up at most opportune times, agreed to take charge of the Barbadoes convoy. So, the order to Truxtun was entrusted to Captain John Brown, of the Diligence, who sailed at noon.

To negotiate an exchange of prisoners, now that he had L'Amour de la Patrie's crew in the hold, became the Commodore's next purpose. He set forth on February 16, and the Montezuma and her merchantmen sailed with him. Murray parted with the United States off Basse Terre road. Barry drafted a letter to General Desfourneaux, who had succeeded Victor Hughes as general French agent. Lieutenant Mullowny was directed to take it a shore under a flag of truce. The lieutenant's boat had proceeded some distance, when a recall signal was hoisted.

"The moment I obeyed the signal," Mullowny reported, "they the French fired from the shore 2 shots which fell about 100 yards short of the boat."

So ended the first effort at exchange. Thereafter Barry swung in a long circle around Guadaloupe, met the Constitution off Marie Galante, on February 20, and accompanied the latter into Prince Rupert bay the following morning. Riding at anchor in the harbor were two reinforcements for his fleet; the Portsmouth, of twenty-four guns, Captain Daniel McNeill, and the revenue cutter Scammel, Captain John Adams. Both had sailed from New Hampshire in January.

 p441  On the Portsmouth had come passenger Purser Wadsworth. Also, there was a dispatch from Stoddert — a ringing declaration that no American warship should permit any vessel of any foreign power to detain or search it, or take men from it "so long as you are in a capacity to repel such outrage on the honor of the American Flag." National honor was awakening at last! In harbor also was the Diligence, back from St. Christopher with glorious news — Truxtun, in the Constellation, on February 9, had taken the forty gun French frigate L'Insurgente!

While Truxtun, by the Diligence, had promised to send a brig, Barry lost no time in dispatching the Portsmouth and Scammel for Surinam. Then, on February 22, he essayed another effort to exchange prisoners. This time no unfriendly guns greeted Mullowny when that lieutenant went ashore at Basse Terre. He returned with General Desfourneaux's secretary, M. Deschamps, who, amid many protests that there was no war, agreed to accept the fifty-eight Frenchmen from L'Amour de la Patrie, and liberate an equal number of Americans. From Basse Terre, the Commodore continued north, to leeward of Guadaloupe, and met the brig Richmond, Captain Samuel Barron, dispatched to him by Truxtun. As he now had no need for this vessel, he ordered her to return to St. Christopher. The meeting gave James Barron opportunity for a reunion with his elder brother.

Parting from the Richmond, Barry stood eastward. On February 26, eastward of Marie Galante, he espied two suspicious sail. Within an hour, he overtook one, the 430 ton ship Cicero, from Liverpool, which had been captured by the French privateer Democrat, of twelve guns and 100 men. Midshipman Caldwell and a prize crew were thrown on board, and the United States set off after the fleeing privateer. Night came on with the shores of Marie Galante looming too close for comfort, and pursuit was abandoned. When they returned to the Cicero, Caldwell had a gruesome tale. The Britisher had put up a stiff battle, and the scene which had confronted the young midshipman was one to "make your heart shudder."

"Never were men more inhumanly mangled," he said, " and much of it done after they had given up. The French had been in possession of her about 36 hours, during which time not one of the poor fellows who had been wounded, had been dressed, nor  p442 a single bucket of water thrown on the deck. They were in a perfect gore of blood, insomuch, that when the ship would roll with the heave of the sea, the blood in the cabin run from side to side in a perfect current."

Thirty-three French hands —- the prize crew from the Democrat — were thrust into the frigate's hold, while the Englishmen, including a little boy whose arm had been severed by a French cutlass, were carried to the frigate's sick bay and given medical attention. Southward sailed the United States with the Cicero to St. Pierre, where John Gay libeled against the British vessel in admiralty court, and Caldwell was left to look after the crew's interest in the prize.

On March 3, the frigate returned to Dominica. There, much to Barry's disgust, he found the Scammel, her bowsprit sprung, and minus twenty of her crew. Enroute to Surinam, she had been disabled in a storm. Captain McNeill, of the Portsmouth, deliberately had taken off the twenty hands, leaving a skeleton crew to get her to port.

"Such unwarrantable conduct merits notice," Barry reported later, "and I think ought not to pass with impunity . . . if I had it in my power he should never treat another public Vessel in that manner."

Aside from the damaged Scammel, Barry's force in Prince Rupert bay consisted of the Diligence. The Constitution had gone to Antigua with a passenger, a Mr. Ellery, of Rhode Island, who had arrived in the Portsmouth bearing a letter from Stoddert requesting Barry to render "any services conveniently in your power" in aiding the said Ellery to reach Antigua, where he had "important business to transact." The General Washington had not returned from shepherding the February 13 merchant fleet northward; nor was the Merrimack back from her convoy duty. The Commodore sent the Scammel, when repaired, to St. Pierre to escort back any merchantmen which might be ready, and dispatched the Diligence on a scout to windward of Dominica.

That left the United States to watch the island of Guadaloupe. On that mission, Barry proceeded to sea on March 7. He hove to off Basse Terre, and Mullowny went ashore to effect exchange of the Frenchmen taken out of the Cicero. To windward  p443 of the island, on March 13, he met Nicholson returning from Antigua, and the sister frigates sailed in company. That afternoon, they encountered two new vessels for Barry's squadron — the ship Herald, of twenty guns, Lieutenant Charles C. Russell, and the revenue cutter Pickering, Lieutenant Edward Preble. They had sailed from Boston, on February 12, and brought with them the storeship Polly. The Commodore welcomed the Polly, as "she came very opportunely for I had but three days Beef and Pork on board."

What pleased him more, when the squadron sailed into Prince Rupert bay, on March 14, was to find the Merrimack and Scammel at anchor, the latter with a number of merchantmen from Martinico. That same day, the General Washington arrived; also, the revenue cutter Eagle, Captain Hugh G. Campbell, from Savannah. For the first time since putting into Prince Rupert bay in December, Barry had a worthwhile squadron to command. It consisted of two frigates (United States and Constitution), three ships (General Washington, Merrimack and Herald), and four revenue cutters (Pickering, Scammel, Diligence and Eagle).

* * *

John Barry sat in the great cabin of the United States, on March 16, acknowledging dispatches of January 16 and February 2 from Secretary Stoddert. Through the stern windows, he could see the other vessels of his squadron at anchor in the bay, overhauling their rigging, watering, and taking in supplies from the Polly. Stoddert's orders contained little of importance. The Secretary wanted him to recommend lieutenants and midshipmen for promotion, cautioned him to watch Sam Nicholson, against whom there was clamor in the states, and assured him "Public opinion is getting more and more in favor of the Navy."

"I hoped when I last wrote you," the Commodore began his reply, "I should have been able, by this time, to have given you a good account of the French Cruisers and their Prizes, but it appears to me, they are all gone to some other part of the world; for e'er since I came into these Seas, I have been constantly cruising and every Vessel under my command, except  p444 such as were employed convoying Americans, and every French Cruiser we have seen two miles from the land, has been taken except one."

As to the merits of his officers, he was sure Ross and Mullowny would make good captains, but he particularly wanted to recommend James Barron, who "is as good an Officer and as fit to command as any in the service." Unqualified also were his endorsements of Sailing-master Meade, and Midshipmen Banning, Somers and Decatur, who would make "good Lieutenants for small ships or Brigs."

"About the middle of April," he continued, "I will leave this and take Nicholson with me, and cruise on our Coast to protect the European Ships." Behind the decision to come home were two reasons. One of them he put in the letter to Stoddert: "the time of so many of my people expiring about the middle of May, will compel me to be in the Delaware about that time." The other, he had hinted of in an earlier letter. That was his own health. Ever since arriving in the West Indies, Barry had been sick. He had carried on, racked by frequent attacks of asthma, but had almost reached the end of endurance. Now he was looking forward to Strawberry Hill, reunion with Sarah, and peaceful retirement.

Regardless of ill health, the Commodore resumed intensive combing of the islands as soon as his consorts were ready for sea. Convoy duty deprived him immediately of two of his ships, as the General Washington and Pickering had to be sent northward, on March 17, with thirty‑six sail of merchantmen. Likewise, the following day, he dispatched the Herald and Scammel to reconnoiter the Spanish Main, and escort through the Caribbean sea any vessels found at Surinam. Prior to that he had sent the Diligence to St. Pierre to bring back Midshipman Caldwell, the little cutter returning, on March 18, with a letter from John Gay announcing the sale of the Cicero to have turned out "better than I expected."

Barry led the remainder of the squadron — United States, Constitution, Merrimack and Eagle — forth from Prince Rupert bay on March 20. They stood south, rounded Dominica to the eastward that night, spoke several British war vessels next day, and, on March 22, having veered northward, ran in to reconnoiter Pointe de Petre harbor, on the southern coast of  p445 Guadaloupe. Two large ships, supposedly French frigates, were anchored there, too well covered by land batteries to admit of attack. Strong currents carried the American vessels to leeward toward Basse Terre, where they observed "4 Ships at Anchor entirely strip't 10 Schooners appeared to be arm'd & 7 Sloops, three of which were arm'd." Again, shore defenses precluded any cutting‑out enterprise.

Proceeding northward, to leeward of Guadaloupe, the squadron separated. The Constitution continued on toward Barbuda, and the Merrimack, having retaken an American vessel, spoke Barry, who ordered her to convoy her prize to Martinico. To the southeast of Antigua, on March 26, the Commodore took a small French privateer, and an American sloop, the Vermont, which she had captured. The privateer, the schooner Le Tartuffe, was manned as a tender. The Vermont had a cargo of flour, corn, tobacco, dry goods and salt provisions, commodities that would have a good market at St. Pierre. Midshipman Hennesey, with a prize crew, was placed on her and dispatched for Martinico.

One day later, with his Majesty's ship Syren in sight, the United States overhauled a fleeing schooner. She was the Maria, an American vessel in the hands of a French prize crew. She also was ordered to St. Pierre, under escort of the Eagle, where, later, John Gay reported the Syren's captain to be claiming a share in her. An appeal to the earlier understanding with Admiral Harvey brought a statement that the latter recalled some conversation passed "at Table in a light manner," but no decision as to whether a warship in sight when a prize was taken was entitled to a share in the proceeds.

Meanwhile, Barry sailed southeasterly. He entered Carlisle bay, Barbados, on April 8. An island resident, reporting his presence, sang in eulogy: "Whatever good fortune attends Commodore Barry will but increase the public esteem which he already possesses, as to see merit rewarded in the generous wish of every British bosom." And this from an Englishman!

Three days later, the United States dropped anchor off St. Pierre to find the Constitution present. By April 14, Barry and Nicholson were back in Prince Rupert bay with a fleet of merchantmen from Martinico. Time was at hand for the homeward voyage, but, first, the Commodore dispatched the Merrimack  p446 to St. Pierre for a second convoy, entered into correspondence with General Desfourneaux on a further exchange of prisoners, and straightened out the British customs office at Roseau, in southern Dominica, on a dispute as to whether the supply ship Polly had been properly entered.

The United States and Constitution weighed, on April 17, with twenty-five merchantmen to protect. Two days later, they came to off St. Christopher. Truxtun hauled down his broad pennant on the Constellation, and substituted a common long pennant, which floated while the senior captain remained. Barry's stay was of the briefest. He turned over command of the West India station to Truxtun, who lunched that April 19 on the United States. In the early afternoon, Barry and Nicholson sailed out, five more merchantmen under their wing. On April 21, four sail joined them from St. Croix, and the fleet, negotiating the Sail Rock passage, passed into the open sea.

That night on the Constitution, they heard a "cannonading" to windward, and stood toward the sound. They spoke Barry's tender, Le Tartuffe, which reported, "a small Vessel came along side and fird a volley of Small arms on her deck." Whereupon, Nicholson "Wore Ship and tackd in every direction." Tacking in every direction was certainly typical of Captain Sam. Two days later, well north of Porto Rico, the United States ran up close to her sister ship.

"We part here, Captain Nicholson," Barry called. "I'll signal the vessels for New England to follow you; those for Philadelphia and southward to attend me. A safe passage to you, sir."

As the frigate veered away, a rippling cheer for the Commodore ran along the deck of the Constitution. In answer to signal flags the merchant fleet divided, more than half of them standing after the United States whose course was now northwest. That night they spoke the Merrimack with the Martinico convoy, and Barry ordered her to bring up the rear of the long procession.

When north and east of the Bahamas, beyond danger of French cruisers, the United States piled on sail. The frigate, by April 28, was far ahead of the lumbering merchantmen, and out of sight by dawn. Without incident, she ran up the coast,  p447 and entered the Delaware capes. On May 10, Barry stepped ashore at New Castle, twenty-three days in passage from Dominica. But one death on board occurred during the whole cruise, the news­papers recorded with pride. Incongruously enough, the dead man had been the ship's cook.

---

Thayer's Note:

a See E. S. Ferguson, Truxtun of the Constellation, p149.

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