CAPTAIN BARRY OFFERS HIS SERVICES TO PRESIDENT WASHINGTON IN CASE OF
WAR AGAINST THE ALGERINES.
In 1793 France and England engaged in war, seized each other's vessels
on the American coast and often within American waters. The Algerines
were committing depredations on American commerce. Hence a naval force
was necessary. When Congress assembled in December, 1793, the building
of frigates early engaged attention, not only to protect commerce from
the ravages of the Algerines but from the aggressions of France as well
as from the violation of our neutrality by England.
The United States was without a ship.
Captain John Barry was prompt to offer his services to his country.
On March 19, 1794, he wrote President Washington:
"_Sir_:--Finding that the Government have partly determined to fit
out some ships of war for the protection of our trade against the
Algerines, I beg leave to offer myself for the command of the
squadron, conceiving myself to be competent, thereto assuring your
Excellency that should I be honored with your approbation, my utmost
abilities and most unremitting attention should be exerted for the
good of my country and also to approve myself worthy of the high
honor shown by your Excellency.
"To your Obedient, Humble Servant,
"March 19, 1794.
"HIS EXCELLENCY. [Signature: John Barry]"
A week later, March 27, 1794, Washington signed an Act declaring that
"the depredations of the Algerine Corsairs on the commerce of the United
States rendered it necessary that a naval force should be provided for
its protection."
This Act is the foundation of our present Navy.
Congress ordered the building and equipment of three frigates of
forty-four guns and three of lesser weight and tonnage.
On June 5, 1794, public announcement was made of the appointment of six
Captains to superintend the construction and to take command of the
vessels thus ordered. The notice sent to Captain Barry read:
"WAR DEPARTMENT, June 5, 1794.
"_Sir_:--The President of the United States, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, has appointed you to be a Captain of one of the
ships provided, in pursuance of the Act to provide a naval armament,
herein enclosed.
"It is understood that the relative rank of the Captains is to be in the
following order:
John Barry,
Samuel Nicholson,
Silas Talbot,
Joshua Barney,
Richard Dale,
Thomas Truxtun.
You will please to inform me as soon as convenient whether you accept or
decline the appointment.
"I am, Sir, etc.,
"To "HENRY KNOX,
CAPTAIN BARRY." _Secretary of War_.
Captain Barry at once accepted, saying:
"STRAWBERRY HILL, June 6, 1794.
"The honor done me in appointing me Commander in the Navy of the United
States is gratefully acknowledged and accepted by,
Sir,
Your Most Obedient,
Humble Servant,
[Signature: John Barry]
The original is in the Force Collection in the Lenox Branch of the New
York Public Library.
The commission was not signed nor issued by Washington until February
22, 1797, when the frigate the "United States," built under the
superintendency of Barry, was ready for launching at Philadelphia. The
original commission is in possession of Barry's grand-niece, Mrs. W.
Horace Hepburn, of Philadelphia.
Captain Barney declined appointment because of the rank--the
fourth--assigned him. Captain James Sever was appointed but given the
sixth place. Captain Nicholson, at Boston, on June 14, 1794,
congratulated Captain Barry on his "honorable appointment to the Command
of our Navy."
"Captain Barry," says Cooper's _History of the Navy_, "was the only one
of the six surviving Captains of the Revolutionary War who was not born
in America, but he had passed nearly all his life in it and was
thoroughly identified with his adopted countrymen in interest and
feeling. He had often distinguished himself during the Revolution and,
perhaps, of all the naval Captains that remained, he was the one who
possessed the greatest reputation for experience, conduct and skill. His
appointment met with general approbation. Nor did anything ever occur to
give the Government reason to regret its selection."
So the County Wexford Irish Catholic boy had become the
Commander-in-Chief of the new Navy of the new Constitutional United
States. Appointed by Washington, "the Father of His Country," Barry thus
became "the Father of the American Navy," in the many distinguished sons
of the sea who were trained under him.
His commission reads, "to take rank from the fourth day of June, one
thousand seven hundred and ninety-four."
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.
--_William Collins_.