LAUNCH OF THE "UNITED STATES"--WAR WITH FRANCE--BARRY COMMANDS THE
AMERICAN FLEET IN THE WEST INDIES--CAPTURES THE "SAN PAREIL"--AGAIN
SENT TO THE WEST INDIES--BARRY FIRES ON THE FRENCH BATTERIES AT BASSE
TERRE--TO FRANCE AGAIN--DEATH OF OUR HERO.
The frigate "United States" though launched in May, 1797, was not ready
for sea until July, 1798, when, on 3d July, the new Secretary of the new
Department--the Navy--Hon. Benjamin Stoddert, directed Captain Barry "to
proceed to sea with the first fair wind," and expressing President
Adams' "conviction that nothing on your part will be wanting to justify
the high confidence reposed by him and your country in your activity,
skill and bravery."
He was directed to cruise "from Cape Henry to Nantucket," to "defend
this extent of coast against the depredations of the vessels sailing
under authority or pretence of authority of the French Republic," and to
"afford all possible protection to the vessels of the United States
coming on or going off the coast," in conjunction with Captain Dale.
Captain Barry was authorized "to subdue, seize and take any armed French
vessel which should be found within the jurisdictional limits of the
United States or elsewhere on the high seas, with apparel, guns and
appurtenances." On July 11, 1798, Secretary Stoddert notified Barry that
information was received that "the French have considerable force in the
West Indies" and that "it is thought that a small squadron under the
command of an officer of your intelligence, experience and bravery might
render essential service and animate your country to enterprise by
picking up a number of prizes in the short cruise of these islands."
So Barry was directed to take the "Delaware," Captain Stephen Decatur;
the "Herald," Captain Sever, and a revenue cutter of 14 guns from Boston
"and to proceed to the West Indies and so dispose of the vessels as to
afford the greatest chance of falling in with French armed vessels," to
"look into St. John's, the principal harbor of Porto Rico and after two
or three days' cruising, return to the continent."
"The object of the enterprise," said the Secretary, "is to do as much
injury to the armed vessels of France and to make as many captures as
possible." He closed saying, "It is scarcely necessary for me, in
writing to a brave man who values his own country, its government and
its laws, to suggest the usefulness of inculcating upon those under his
command the propriety of preserving in their language and conduct the
same respect which he himself feels for those constitutions and those
characters which deserve the respect of all. It is time we should
establish an American character. Let that character be a love of country
and a jealousy of its honor. This idea comprehends everything that ought
to be impressed upon the minds of all our citizens, but more especially
of those citizens who are seamen and soldiers."
Barry was directed, when at St. John [San Juan], to write the Governor
requesting that the American seamen who had collected there to return to
the United States should be permitted to do so, but as the United States
was at peace with Spain no hostile measures were to be taken to obtain
them if the civil authorities should not produce them. Barry and Decatur
sailed northward and off the coast of New England. On July 26, 1798,
they sailed for the West Indies, the revenue cutter not being ready to
proceed with them. The "United States" and the "Delaware" returned to
Philadelphia September 21, 1798. Captain Barry had captured the French
schooner "Le Jaleux," of 14 guns and 70 men and also the "San Pareil,"
of 10 guns and 67 men, belonging to Guadeloupe. The "San Pareil," in
1794, captured the vessel on which Charles and Catharine, children of
Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, were returning from England. Proceeding
to the West Indies the "San Pareil" fell in with the "Pallas" bound to
the Kennebeck and compelled her to take the passengers and crew to
Boston. [Rowland's _Carroll_ II, p. 200.]
Now Barry had captured the "San Pareil." The crews were imprisoned at
New Castle, Del., until November 6th, where it was alleged, by opponents
of the Adams administration, they were cruelly treated by being
neglected and uncared for. "The government allowed nothing, though it
furnished blankets. The French Consul had neither funds nor orders to
give his countrymen relief." Secretary Stoddert, then resident at
Trenton, New Jersey, because of the yellow fever, wrote President Adams,
at Quincy, Massachusetts, that "Barry returned too soon. His reason,
apprehensions from the hurricanes in the West Indies at this season.
Upon the whole, it is better than to have kept the ships sleeping on our
own shore, though the result of the enterprise falls very far short of
my hopes."
Yet the Secretary had when reporting to the President that Barry had
been sent to the West Indies "to be employed while the French have but
little force" and that "the hurricane season" was near, had yet "hopes"
that neither Barry nor Decatur had been able to satisfy. By direction of
the President both were, on September 28, 1798, sent out again--"Decatur
to cruise from the Delaware to Cape Henry and Barry to cruise from the
Delaware along the eastern coast northward"--though the Secretary had
informed the President "it is not to be apprehended that our coasts will
be much molested by French cruisers," as they had no force in the West
Indies equal to ours "and it was not probable they could send a force
from Europe." Barry and Decatur were ordered to return about November
15th. Barry on the cruise was "to protect the trade from Delaware to New
Hampshire, while Decatur did the same from New York to the Chesapeake."
Barry sailed from New Castle on October 8th without "a single article
for the ship but ballast and," so he wrote Mrs. Barry, "my reason for
going to sea without these is the European ships are expected any day
and should any of them be taken and I lying in the harbor, the merchants
may blame me and no other, although it would not be my fault." Barry
returned on November 9th "totally unexpected," as an "accident had
prevented the 'United States' from getting to Newport," where the ship
had been expected to appear.
On November 29, 1798, Captains Barry, Dale, Truxtun and Tingley were
directed to report upon "a proper system for the government of the
Navy." He had previously recommended the establishment of Navy Yards and
organization of a Navy Department. The War Department had, previous to
1798, directed all naval affairs. At the opening of Congress in
December, 1798, President Adams, in his Message, declared the law of
France, that "neutral vessels with British fabrics or produce, although
the entire property belonging to neutrals, were liable to seizure," was
an "unequivocal act of war on the commerce of the nation it attacks,"
and so "whether we negotiate with her or not, a vigorous preparation for
war will be alike indispensable." He urged the increase of the Navy.
Congress in February, 1799, added six 74's and six 18's to the naval
force at a cost of $2,400,000. The naval appropriation for 1799 amounted
to $4,594,677.
On December 7, 1798, Captain Barry was placed in "immediate command" of
the frigates the "United States," the "Constitution," the "George
Washington," the "Merrimac" with four or five more vessels of nearly the
same force as the latter (24 guns). The fleet was to be employed in the
West Indies in active operations for the "protection of our commerce and
for the capture or destruction of French armed vessels from St.
Christopher's as far as Barbadoes and Tobago," and to "pay considerable
attention to Cayenne and Curricoa and even to the passage from the
United States to Laguayra, on the Spanish Main, to which place our
citizens carry on considerable trade," but above all, Barry was "to
relieve our commerce from the piccaroons and pirates continually issuing
from the Island of Guadeloupe."
Captain Truxtun was assigned "from St. Christopher's to Porto Rico,"
with two or three vessels of 14 and 18 guns. Captain Decatur, with one
brig of 16 guns, "the vicinity of Havana," and Captain Tingley in the
"Ganges," "between Cuba and Hispaniola," to give security to the trade
of Jamaica.
The expedition was designed "to rid those seas as well of French armed
vessels as of the pirates which infest them."
Barry was directed to "proceed as early as possible to Prince Rupert's
Bay in the Island of Dominica, where the other vessels" of his command
were ordered to rendezvous and he was to "commence operations." Under
Barry's command on this expedition were Charles Stewart, Stephen
Decatur, Jacob Jones, all of whom became famous in naval annals and
obtained the highest positions. Barry's training and discipline
developed heroes after his death. When the squadron reached the West
Indies, Barry's command consisted of the frigate "United States," the
"Constitution," Captain Samuel Nicholson; the "George Washington,"
Captain Patrick Fletcher; the "Merrimac," Captain Moses Brown; the
"Portsmouth," Captain Daniel McNeill; the "Pickering," Master-Commandant
Edward Preble; the "Eagle," Lieutenant Hugh George Campbell; the "Herald,"
Lieutenant Charles Russell; the "Scammel," Lieutenant J. Adams, and the
"Diligence," Lieutenant J. Brown. The vessels sailing from Norfolk,
Virginia, in company with Barry's frigate the "United States" were the
"Constellation," of 36 guns; the "John Adams," the "Congress," the
"Little Adams," the "Little York," all of 32 guns; the "Connecticut,"
the "Boston," the "General Green," of 36 guns; the "Siren" and "Argus,"
of 16 guns, and the "Enterprise," 14 guns. All ships "must claim your
attention as well as your own," directed Secretary Stoddert.
The "Constellation" "cruised for about three months without finding any
game," until she captured the "Insurgente," of 50 guns and 700 men of
whom 350 were killed or wounded. The "Constellation" met a French, 74,
later but the enemy being of superior force the "Constellation" "got out
of reach." The next day the "United States" met the same French vessel
and after an exchange of a few shots, Captain Barry also thought it
advisable to withdraw, as his ship had become "dismasted" and had to go
to Bermuda for repairs, while the "Constitution" was "much disabled in
her mast and spars." Later Captain Nicholson captured the "Carteret,"
packet "and took her to St. Pierre" and again chased a French privateer
into a harbor near that port.
On February 30, 1799, the "United States," under Barry, gave chase to a
French privateer. A well-aimed 24-pound shot was sufficient to "cut the
career of the privateer short," for the ball went through her hull so
that she quickly began to fill and settle. Captain Barry ordered the
boats of his frigate to the rescue of the crew. Midshipman Stephen
Decatur being in the first boat to reach the wreck and rescue the crew.
"They were plaintively imploring for help," wrote an eye-witness, "with
earnest gesticulations, not only from men but from God and although it
is 'true they had abolished all religion they had not, it seemed, forgot
the old way of invoking the protection of the Omnipotent.'"
The vessel was the "Amour de la Patrie," of 6 guns and 80 men. All her
crew were saved. The "United States" also captured the "Tartufe," of 8
guns and 60 men. Desiring to relieve himself of his prisoners and hoping
to make exchange of Americans imprisoned at Guadeloupe, Captain Barry
sailed to Basse Terre flying a flag of truce, but was fired on by the
French batteries. Hauling down the flag Barry returned the fire and
battered the walls so effectively that the marks of the American shot
were visible for many years. The "Merrimac," Captain Moses Brown,
captured "Le Bonapart le Phenix," 14 guns, 128 men, and "La Magiciene,"
14 guns, 63 men. The "Portsmouth" took "La Bonapart" (No. 2), "Le
Bullante," "Le Tripon" and "Le Bon Pere," of 6 guns and 52 men. Seven
other captures made by the squadron.
It is not within the scope of this narration to record the operations
of the fleet or the exertions of the several commanders of the
respective vessels composing it, but much that was creditable to our
naval forces was done though little that could be called brilliant or
conspicuous, beyond the capture of the "Insurgente" by Truxtun and
the "Amour de la Patrie" and "Tartufe" by Barry. The main service of
the fleet was in protecting our merchant vessels and convoying them
to safe waters.
Commodore Barry was not in good health while on this expedition. This,
the Secretary of the Navy, writing to him, 15th March, 1799, chose to
"attribute to vexation for not being able to fall in with the French"
than to the effects of the climate. He had the "most entire confidence"
that when joined by the other vessels Barry would "afford the greatest
possible protection to our commerce and punish the depredation on it."
Barry had been joined by the "Constitution," the "Washington" and the
"Merrimac" and would later have under his command the "Portsmouth," the
"Herald," the "Pickering," the "Diligence," the "Scammel" and the
"Eagle." Secretary Stoddert notified him, and also that if his health
obliged him to return, Captain Truxtun would take command of the fleet
and of the operations.
On St. Patrick's Day, 1799, Captain Barry was at Prince Rupert's Island.
The Hibernian Society of Philadelphia for the Relief of Emigrants from
Ireland were, the same day, at dinner at Shane's Tavern and drank to the
toast of
"COMMODORE BARRY AND THE NEW NAVY."
On April 8, 1799, Captain Barry was at Bridgetown, Barbadoes. For that
port he had, as the youthful Captain of the schooner "Barbadoes," sailed
from Philadelphia on October 2, 1766, almost a third of a century
previous. What thoughts must have moved him we may conjecture at the
change in his own circumstances and in that of the country of his
adoption which had taken place. Then, at twenty-one, he was commander of
his first vessel, a trading schooner of 60 tons. He had since made
effective war upon the enemy of his native land and of his adopted
country. He now entered Bridgetown the commander of a squadron of the
chief armed vessels of his country. During the War for Independence he
had acted in cooperation with French naval forces, now he was protecting
the commerce of his country from the depredations of the French and
inflicting punishment upon such as came in his path. He had made war on
British naval vessels and taken captive many as well as those of
England's merchant marine. Now he and his country were acting in accord
with England in opposition to and in restraint of the French.
Friends had become enemies and enemies had become friendly, so much so
that a Barbadoes paper, on his arrival there, could declare: "Whatever
good fortune attends Commodore Barry will but increase the public esteem
which he already possesses, as to see merit rewarded is the generous
wish of every British bosom."
What a change!
This praise arose from the fact that Barry meeting the French privateer
"Democrat" took from her the British Letter-of-Marque, "Cicero," which
had been captured by the "Democrat." The darkness debarred Barry from
capturing the "Democrat" also. The "Cicero" was of 450 tons and 50 men.
Her Captain and three of the crew had been killed and thirty-six
wounded. She had been in possession of the French for thirty-six hours
when retaken by the "United States" with the prize crew of thirty taken
prisoners. These he left at Guadeloupe in French possession. As there
were no American prisoners there Barry thought it better to do so than
to have them on the "United States" frigate "to eat more than they were
worth."
On April 15, 1799, the Navy Department recalled the "United States," the
"Constitution" and the "Washington," "with all possible expedition." The
other vessels were left in command of Captain Truxtun. Barry, in the
"United States," arrived at New Castle, Delaware, May 9, 1799, and
within a month at the opera it was sung that "the gallant Barry" was "by
all Columbia's sons adored." He was then in Philadelphia after leaving
Lieutenant Charles Stewart in charge of the frigate. Barry was, on 13th
May, directed to discharge the crew whose time expired that or next
month, so as to give them "an opportunity of spending their money," that
they might the sooner re-enlist for another year. Officers were directed
"to open rendezvous for recruiting a crew." In the meantime Captain
Truxtun had arrived at Norfolk and was received with "every mark of
respect and attention." Captain James Barron was there also, but on June
2d Barry requested his return to Philadelphia as necessity obliged his
presence, as the President had directed the Secretary of the Navy to
send "us as soon as possible to protect our defenceless coast."
Lieutenant Stewart, almost daily, sent reports of the overhauling work
going on preparing the frigate for a voyage. The French privateers were
active along the coast harassing the merchantmen, and so audacious as
even to enter our harbors.
This made "the public mind very uneasy." So on June 29th the frigate
sailed under orders to cruise along the coast to Charleston and after
remaining there "long enough to let the citizens know" he was "in the
vicinity"; he was to "proceed further south, indeed as far as the River
St. Mary's," if he could return to Hampton Roads by the middle of July,
where the "Constitution," Captain Talbot, would join the "United
States," as it was intended to send both to the coasts of France and
Spain. This did not come to be, however, as it was found necessary to
have the vessels in the West Indies as soon as they could operate there.
Barry received "the President's command" that "taking the 'Constitution'
with you, you proceed on a cruise to the Western Isles, to Madeira and
Teneriffe and thence returning by Cayenne, Surinam and the Windward
Islands, and reaching Guadeloupe about the middle of October where
further orders would be handed" him. Then both frigates were to proceed
to San Domingo and enter the port of Cape Francois, so they might be
seen by General Touissant with whom and the people he was to "endeavor
to cultivate a good understanding." After remaining two or three days
there he was to return to New York, leaving Captain Talbot in the
"Constitution" at San Domingo to take command of that station. Barry was
given leave, however, if time did not permit his going to Madeira and
Teneriffe as well as the Western Isles, he might proceed no further than
the Western Isles.
"The protection of our commerce is the great object of the naval
armament," said the Secretary, but on July 27th he notified Barry, "the
projected enterprise to Europe must be given up," the frigate "United
States" had to "remain on our coast for our protection at home." The
"Constellation" was to be employed in the same way. Barry was to
"proceed from Hampton" southward as far as St. Mary's River and thence
back along the coast and take the best chance of falling in with the
enemy until about September 10th, when he was to return to New York if
the frigate could pass the bar--if not then to proceed to Newport, to
which latter he did, where he remained until sailing for France.
"On October 20, 1799, from Newport Harbor, R.I., Captain Barry notified
the Hon. Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, that Owen Smith whom he had
recommended as a midshipman for frigate 'United States' had, in many
instances, 'behaved himself in a manner very unbecoming a gentleman, and
as I conceive it my indispensable duty to prevent every person of bad
conduct from getting a footing in the infant navy, I have, at his own
request, discharged him. Your nephew, Mr. Williamson, has been too
tenderly brought up to follow sea life; I think his father had better
seek some other mode of life for him.'" (Crimmins' MS.)
The cruise ordered took six weeks, but no record of captures appears.
The coast had been protected. That was the end to be obtained--not
captures--as a formal declaration of war had not been made by either the
United States or France. Though commonly called "the War with France"
because of actual hostilities having taken place, officially, war did
not exist between the two countries. It is not necessary for our purpose
to detail the political course of the two nations with respect to the
difficulties between them, but when negotiations had so far progressed
that special Commissioners or Ministers were to proceed to France with a
view of arranging a treaty, Captain Barry was, on October 16, 1799,
notified that "the President has decided that the 'United States' shall
carry our envoys to Europe and you will hold yourself in readiness to
perform that service by the first of November at the farthest."
The envoys were Chief Justice O. Ellsworth, R.W. Davis, ex-Governor of
North Carolina, and W.V. Murray, U.S. Minister at The Hague--"Envoys
Extraordinary to the French Republic."
Captain Barry had orders to land them at any part of France they
preferred and to touch at any ports they desired. Captain Barry was
indeed on an old service. He had carried Colonel John Laurens and
Lafayette to France to seek aid for America. Now he carried American
envoys to demand justice for American commerce and the cessation of
hostile measures against its freedom.
The mission President Adams declared was sent at one of the "most
critical, important and interesting moments that ever occurred" in
American history. Again was Barry given the old order so often given him
during his Revolutionary career: "You will not capture anything on the
voyage. This is a mortification to which it is necessary that you should
submit. I hope to salute you an Admiral on your arrival at
Philadelphia."
Captain Barry performed the duty assigned him and landed the envoys in
France. After long negotiations a Treaty of Peace, Commerce and
Navigation was agreed to September 30, 1800, with the First Consul
Bonaparte. It was ratified by the U.S. Senate February 3, 1801, by the
French July 31, 1801, and proclaimed December 31, 1801.
Washington died December 14, 1799. On the 20th Captain Barry received
from the Navy Department a General Order of President Adams that all
vessels should be "put in mourning one week by wearing their colors at
half-mast high." The officers to "wear crape on the left arm below the
elbow for six months."
During the year 1800 the "United States" frigate was not in active
duty--the trouble with France having ceased, other occasions for her
services did not arise. Lieutenant Mullowney was promoted to the command
of the "Ganges" and thirty-five of the seamen of the "United States"
transferred with him.
On July 16, 1800, Lieutenant Charles Stewart was given command of the
"Experiment," Captain Barry expressing the hope that "he will be more
active than he was," a hope which was justified in his subsequent
career. At this time Barry's vessel was undergoing repairs. He wrote the
Secretary, "she will not be out of the carpenter's hands until October."
When she was ready for sea, Barry was directed "to proceed to St. Kitts
and assume command of your squadron on the Guadeloupe station, taking
under your convoy any merchant vessels ready to proceed for the Windward
Islands; you have to protect our commerce to all the Islands and to
guard our merchant vessels against all depredations from Porto Rico as
well as from Guadeloupe and other dependencies of France." Later the
Treaty of September 30, 1800, arrived, when Barry was directed to "treat
the armed vessels of France, public and private, exactly as you find
they treat our trading vessels."
Up to that time seventy-four French vessels had been taken and more than
eighty had been retaken from the French. This was regarded as ample
proof of the value of a Navy and made its advocates so jubilant that
"What think ye of the Navy now?" was tauntingly asked of its former
opponents.
So again Captain Barry's services as Head of the Navy were conspicuous
and useful. But the Federalists, the party of Washington, of Adams and
of Barry, were defeated by the election by the House of Representatives
of Thomas Jefferson.
Reform and Retrenchment were the chief policies of his administration.
With the measures against France, Jefferson's Republicans had had no
sympathy. Their antipathy to Great Britain and their fury against Jay's
Treaty were terrific. The new Congress of Jefferson ordered the
cessation of work on the 74-gun ships, for which timber had already been
collected. Only a quarter of a million of dollars was appropriated for
naval expenditures. All but thirteen of the ships were sold. The new
Navy established by the Act of 1794 was, within seven years, almost
non-existent and would have been wholly so if the policy of the
Jefferson Republicans had been fully carried out. Though that
practically came to pass by the "laying up" of all vessels.
Jefferson was inaugurated March 4, 1801. On the 23d of that month
Captain Barry was notified to "call home all the ships in the West
Indies. You are to make the best of your way to Philadelphia."
At the end of April the frigate "United States" was in the Delaware
River and, on May 1st, the new Secretary of the Navy, General Dearborn,
instructed Barry to bring the "United States" to Washington, "where it
is intended she shall be laid up." There were now Navy yards at
Portsmouth, N.H.; Charlestown, Philadelphia, Norfolk and Washington, in
accordance with the advice Captain Barry had given in 1798 that such
should be established and a Navy Department created.
Captain Barry sailed the frigate to Washington and on May 23d reported
his arrival in the Potomac, "though his friends had declared that the
President was not aware of the difficulties that would be met in getting
the frigate there," as Mrs. Barry wrote the Captain the day he had
arrived near Washington.
The first frigate of the New Navy was "laid up"--was at rest--had ceased
operations, not because its usefulness was at an end and it might no
more be serviceable, nor would there be occasion for her power as a
protector of American commerce, but because the political policy of the
Party in power did not sanction the possession of a Navy.
So having fulfilled its mission and its commander having obeyed
instructions and brought the first born of the new Navy to the new
Capital of the new nation he was, on June 6, 1801, notified:
"You have permission to retire to your place of residence and there
remain until the government again requires your services."
The frigate "United States" served our country well in the War with
France, in the War with Great Britain, 1812-15, and in subsequent
duties, warlike and peaceful, until the War between the States, 1861-65,
when while laid up "in ordinary" at the Norfolk Navy Yard she was, by
the Confederates, sunk to obstruct the channel. After the war she was
raised and in January, 1866, broken up, though Commodore Hitchcock
endeavored to have her preserved, saying "if her value were only
measured by dollars it may be unwise to attempt her preservation, but
ideas and sentiments cannot be judged by such a standard. What is the
use of being rich and great and powerful if we cannot afford to indulge
becoming sentiments and cherish the memory of the bright deeds of our
history." But she was broken up. All that remains as visible objects of
her are two of her guns on the exhibition grounds of the Navy Yard at
Portsmouth, Va.
The Navy was, on June 11, 1801, by President Jefferson, put on "a peace
establishment." Of the Captains nine were retained, of Lieutenants
thirty-six and of Midshipmen one hundred and fifty. Captain Barry was
"one of those retained," he was notified. Half-pay was allowed from July
1, 1801.
Captain Barry's health was now failing. On returning to Philadelphia he
was, in November, 1801, engaged in proving guns cast by Mr. Lane. The
next year when directed to prove cannon at Colonel Hughes' works near
Havre-de-Grace, Maryland, Barry's health did not permit him to go. On
August 19, 1802, Barry, Dale and Bainbridge were appointed a Board to
examine applicants for admission to the Navy--the Barbary Powers were
again giving trouble to our merchant traders and imprisoning American
seamen, and an idea that a more vigorous navy was needed and that
paying tribute in money was degrading was gaining headway even among the
Republicans. So that on December 22, 1802, the Secretary of the Navy
notified Captain Barry, "We shall have occasion to keep a small force in
the Mediterranean and we shall expect your services on that station."
But the old Warrior-Sailor was nearing another Station. Ill health was
enfeebling him, destroying his wonted activity. The flame of the fire of
his ardor to serve his country was flickering so much as to remind him
that death might be nearing.
So on February 27, 1803, he made his will. During the summer at his
country residence at Strawberry Hill in the Northern Liberties he remain
incapacitated for any further sea or other services useful to the
country, or beneficial to mankind in general. He died September 13,
1803, and was buried from his City home on Chestnut Street below Tenth,
south side, then No. 186. He was interred at St. Mary's graveyard the
next morning, according to the custom of those days. St. Mary's was the
church where Commodore Barry "was a constant attendant when in the
City," as Bishop Kenrick wrote Colonel B.U. Campbell, of Ellicott Mills,
January 15, 1844. [Balto. Archives, C.D. 14.] His estate amounted to
$27,691. He is buried within a few feet of the entrance to the graveyard
in the rear of the church. In the grave with him his two wives are
interred--Mary died in 1771, Sarah in 1831.
Beside him northward lies his friend Captain John Rosseter, also of the
County of Wexford, Ireland.
At the head of his grave to the northward is interred Captain Thomas
FitzSimons, a signer of the Constitution of the United States, an
officer in the Revolution, a merchant of Philadelphia and Representative
in Congress.
Also at the head of Barry's grave, southward, lies the mortal remains of
George Meade, a patriot of the Revolution and a merchant of
Philadelphia.
This is the most Catholic Irish-American historical plot of ground in
the United States.
Three of these patriots were born in Ireland--George Meade, born in
Philadelphia of Irish parents.
Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, wrote
the first draft of the epitaph for the tomb of Captain Barry. It read:
[Illustration]
LET THE PATRIOT, THE SOLDIER AND THE CHRISTIAN
WHO VISITS THESE MANSIONS OF THE DEAD
VIEW THIS MONUMENT WITH RESPECT
BENEATH IT ARE INTERRED THE REMAINS OF
JOHN BARRY
HE WAS BORN IN THE COUNTY OF WEXFORD IN IRELAND
BUT AMERICA WAS THE OBJECT OF HIS PATRIOTISM
AND THE THEATRE OF HIS USEFULNESS.
IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR WHICH ESTABLISHED THE
INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES HE
BORE AN EARLY AND AN ACTIVE PART AS A CAPTAIN IN THEIR
NAVY AND AFTER BECAME ITS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.
HE FOUGHT OFTEN AND ONCE BLED IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM.
HIS HABITS OF WAR DID NOT LESSEN HIS
VIRTUES AS A MAN NOR HIS PIETY AS A CHRISTIAN.
HE WAS GENTLE, KIND AND JUST IN PRIVATE LIFE,
WAS NOT LESS BELOVED BY HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAN BY
HIS GRATEFUL COUNTRY.
THE NUMBER AND OBJECTS OF HIS CHARITIES WILL BE
KNOWN ONLY AT THAT TIME WHEN HIS DUST
SHALL BE REANIMATED AND WHEN HE WHO SEES IN SECRET
SHALL REWARD OPENLY.
IN THE FULL BELIEF IN THE DOCTRINES OF THE GOSPEL
HE PEACEFULLY RESIGNED HIS SOUL INTO THE ARMS OF HIS
REDEEMER
ON THE 13TH OF SEPTEMBER, 1803, IN THE 59TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
HIS AFFECTIONATE WIDOW HATH CAUSED THIS MARBLE TO BE
ERECTED TO PERPETUATE HIS NAME AFTER THE HEARTS OF HIS
FELLOW-CITIZENS HAVE CEASED TO BE
THE LIVING RECORD OF HIS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE VIRTUES.
As cut on the tombstone after revision the epitaph was substantially the
same. "Interred" was changed to "deposited"; "theatre" was stricken out
and "aim" inserted and "honor" added after "usefulness"; "became" was
changed to "was"; "Virtues as a Man" was made to read "the power of the
virtues which adorn private life"; "charitable" was added after "just"
and the sentence relating to the number and objects of his charities
stricken out; "in the 59th year of his age" was omitted.
[Illustration: TOMB OF COMMODORE BARRY, ST. MARY'S GRAVEYARD,
PHILADELPHIA]
In 1876, the original tomb having fallen into decay, a new tomb--the
present one--was erected by contributions of the members of St. Mary's
Church. The epitaph having become illegible the compiler of this record
supplied a copy of the epitaph as it had been cut on the first stone.
But Rev. Wm. F. Martin, the Pastor of the church, had the epitaph cut so
as to read, and now may be seen, as follows:
SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF COMMODORE JOHN BARRY, FATHER OF
THE AMERICAN NAVY.
LET THE CHRISTIAN, PATRIOT AND SOLDIER WHO VISITS THESE
MANSIONS OF THE DEAD VIEW THIS MONUMENT WITH RESPECT
AND VENERATION.
BENEATH IT RESTS THE REMAINS OF JOHN BARRY, WHO WAS
BORN IN THE COUNTY WEXFORD, IRELAND, IN THE YEAR 1745.
AMERICA WAS THE OBJECT OF HIS PATRIOTISM AND THE AIM OF
HIS USEFULNESS AND AMBITION.
AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR HE HELD THE
COMMISSION OF CAPTAIN IN THE THEN LIMITED NAVY OF THE
COLONIES.
HIS ACHIEVEMENTS IN BATTLE AND HIS RENOWNED NAVAL TACTICS
MERITED FOR HIM THE POSITION OF COMMODORE AND TO BE
JUSTLY REGARDED AS THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN NAVY.
HE FOUGHT OFTEN AND BLED IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM, BUT
HIS DEEDS OF VALOR DID NOT DIMINISH IN HIM THE VIRTUES
WHICH ADORN HIS PRIVATE LIFE.
HE WAS EMINENTLY GENTLE, KIND, JUST AND CHARITABLE AND
NO LESS BELOVED BY HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAN BY HIS
GRATEFUL COUNTRY.
FIRM IN THE FAITH AND PRACTICES OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC
CHURCH, HE DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 13TH DAY OF
SEPTEMBER IN THE 59TH YEAR OF HIS AGE.
IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE, A FEW OF HIS COUNTRYMEN, MEMBERS
OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH AND OTHERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED
TOWARDS THIS SECOND MONUMENT, ERECTED JULY 1ST, 1876.
REQUIESCAT IN PACE.
[Illustration: STATUE OF COMMODORE BARRY, FAIRMOUNT PARK, PHILADELPHIA]
In the Centennial year, 1876, the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of
America erected in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, at the foot of George's
Hill, a fountain costing $55,000. One of its five statues of heroic size
is that of Commodore John Barry. The sides of the base contain
inscriptions as follows:
On the east:
JOHN BARRY,
FIRST COMMODORE
OF THE
UNITED STATES NAVY.
BORN IN 1745
IN WEXFORD COUNTY, IRELAND.
DIED SEPTEMBER 13TH, 1803,
AT PHILADELPHIA.
On the west:
DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR HE DISTINGUISHED
HIMSELF GREATLY. HE FILLED THE VARIOUS
COMMANDS ENTRUSTED TO HIM WITH SKILL
AND GALLANTRY. WHEN UNABLE TO FIGHT
ON THE OCEAN HE OBTAINED COMMAND OF A
COMPANY OF VOLUNTEERS
AND FOUGHT AGAINST THE
ENEMY ON LAND.
AMONG HIS EXPLOITS WAS THE CAPTURE, UPON
MAY 29TH, 1781, OF TWO ENGLISH VESSELS,
THE ATALANTA AND TREPASA, AFTER A
HOTLY CONTESTED ACTION WITH HIS OWN
SHIP, THE ALLIANCE.
On the north:
IN JANUARY, 1776, HE COMMANDED
THE BRIG LEXINGTON, THE FIRST REGULAR
CRUISER THAT GOT TO SEA UNDER THE AUTHORITY
OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS AND THE VESSEL
THAT FIRST CARRIED THE AMERICAN FLAG
UPON THE OCEAN.
On March 18, 1895, the Hibernian Society for the Relief of Emigrants
from Ireland, now the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, presented the City
of Philadelphia a copy, by Colon Campbell Cooper, of Gilbert Stuart's
portrait of Commodore Barry, to be placed in Independence Hall. Hon.
Edwin Stuart, President of the Society and Mayor of the City and now
[1908] Governor of Pennsylvania, presided and accepted the portrait on
its presentation by General St. Clair Mulholland, who declared Commodore
Barry to have been "one of the most illustrious of Ireland's sons, a
brilliant child of the wind and waves, a heroic warrior of the sea who
never knew defeat, the Father and Founder of the Navy of the United
States. The Navy that from the beginning has been the admiration and
model of all the nations of the earth."
[Illustration: STATUE OF COMMODORE BARRY, INDEPENDENCE SQUARE,
PHILADELPHIA]
On March 22, 1902, the torpedo boat destroyer the "Barry" was launched
at the Neafie & Levy's shipyard. It was "christened" by Miss Elizabeth
Adams Barnes, the great-great-grandniece of Commodore Barry and daughter
of Captain John S. Barnes, U.S. Navy, retired, of New York City.
In July, 1902, Hon. M.E. Driscoll, of Syracuse, New York, proposed a
Bill in the National House of Representatives appropriating fifty
thousand dollars "to erect in Washington a monument inscribed
"JOHN BARRY
"THE FATHER OF THE AMERICAN NAVY."
At that and the next Sessions of Congress the Bill did not, in either
Session, pass both Houses, but in the Session of 1906 it passed and was
signed by President Roosevelt.
A site near the new Union Depot has been selected and, after the delay,
usual in all governmental monumental projects, the monument will stand
in a most conspicuous location in the Capital of the Nation.
On March 16, 1907, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Philadelphia
presented to the City of Philadelphia the bronze statue of Commodore
Barry which now stands in Independence Square. It cost $10,500: was
designed and executed by Samuel Murray, sculptor, of Philadelphia.
General St. Clair Mulholland, on behalf of the Committee, presented the
statue to the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Rear Admiral Melville, U.S.
Navy, retired, presented it to the City. It was accepted by Hon. John
Weaver, Mayor of the City, who had signed the Bill passed by the City
Council, permitting the erection of the statue in the Square.
[Illustration: [John Barry]]