About this time some unexpected troubles arose in our country.
France and England had been at war for years. The French were anxious
that America should join in the quarrel; and when they could not bring
this about by persuasion, they tried to use force.
French cruisers were sent to the American shores to capture merchant
vessels while on their way to foreign ports.
You may be sure that this roused the people from one end of the United
States to the other. Preparations for war with France were begun; and
the first great need was a better navy.
At the close of the Revolutionary War, all work on government vessels
had been stopped. Those that were unfinished were sold to shipping
merchants. Even the ships of war that had done such good service, were
sold to foreign countries. In this way, the entire American navy passed
out of existence.
But now the President, John Adams, went to work to establish a navy that
should give protection to American commerce.
In the spring of 1798, a naval department was organized, with Benjamin
Stoddert as the first Secretary of the Navy. The following summer was
busy with active preparations. Six new frigates were built, and to these
were added a number of other vessels of various kinds.
Captain Christopher Perry was given command of one of the new frigates
that were being built at Warren, a small town near Bristol, Rhode
Island. This vessel was to be called the _General Greene_.
In order to superintend the building of this vessel, Captain Perry, with
his wife, left his quiet home in Westerly, and went to stay in Warren.
Oliver, then not quite thirteen years old, remained at home to take
charge of the family.
He saw that his sister and brothers went to school regularly. He bought
all the family provisions. Each day he wrote to his father and mother,
telling them about home affairs. In the meantime, he was busily
planning what his work in life should be.
His mother had taught him that a man must be brave, and always ready to
serve his country. She had told him many stories of battles fought long
ago in her native land across the sea.
Oliver had lived most of his life in sight of the sea, and had spent
many hours with seamen. It is not strange, therefore, that he should
decide,--"I wish to be a captain like my father."
He had heard of the troubles with France, and he longed to help defend
his country. And so at last he wrote to his father, asking permission to
enter the navy. It was a manly letter, telling all his reasons for his
choice.
The consent was readily given, and Oliver soon afterward received an
appointment as midshipman on his father's vessel, the _General Greene_.