THE HISTORY OF COMMODORE JOHN BARRY. A. D. 1745-1803. BY MARTIN I. J. GRIFFIN. Edited by Francis T. Furey, A.M. CHAPTER XI.-CONTINUED. THE WAR WITH FRANCE-BARRY PROTECTS AMERICAN COMMERCE-GIVEN AUTHORITY TO CAPTURE HOSTILE FRENCH VESSELS-CRUISE IN THE WEST INDIESCAPTURES THE "Le Jaloux "-RETURNS TO PHILADELPHIA MAKES A FRUITLESS CRUISE TO THE EASTWARD. Secretary Stoddert reported to President Adams the progress of events, thus: NAVY DEPARTMENT, 30th. July, 1798. JOHN ADAMS, Esq., President of the United States. SIR-By letters previously received from Stephen Higginson, Esq., of Boston, I had been taught to expect that both the Herald of 20 guns and the Boston cutter of 14 guns, would have been prepared to join Captain Barry at Cape Cod or Nantucket road about the 20th instant. Barry arrived at the place of destination about the time appointed, but found the Boston vessels in an unprepared state, and I have reason to conclude from his letters to me that he has proceeded with Decatur only, on his expedition to the Islands. This I believe is a circumstance not to be regretted for from all the information I can get there is no probability that Barry will meet in the West Indies a force superior to his own. At this season of the year, and during the months of August and September and a part of October the British armed ships are less alert in the West Indies than at other times, in consequence of apprehension of danger from the hurricanes. Some of their frigates are now in own ports as being more secure from the elements than the Islands. Our own force, on our own coasts, it is not to be doubted is well known to the French, and having no force in the Islands equal to ours (except three light frigates blocked up by the British at Cape François) it is not to be apprehended that our coasts will be much molested by their cruisers, at least for some months to come, unless indeed, they could send a force from Europe, which is far from being probable. The French Islands having no authorized intercourse with the United States must depend in a great degree on captures for supplies of bread and salt meat. Not having much to fear from the British about the Islands, during the hurricane season, and not daring to send their cruisers on our coasts, it is likely that a greater number of them than usual will be employed during the season in the neighborhood of the Islands. The hurricanes, I understand, are not so very dangerous as they are generally believed to be. It is not oftener than once in four or five years that much injury is done by them, and at such times the danger is partial and extends not beyond one or two Islands. Under such circumstances and impressed with the opinion that the American Navy should be taught to disregard problematic dangers and that our force should be employed while the French have but little force, in destroying what little they have and in producing a scarcity of provisions and the consequent discontent, flowing from such a source, in their Islands, I have the honor, sir, to submit for your consideration the following proposed arrangement: To leave the coast from the east end of George's Bank to Long Island to be guarded by the Herald, captain Sever, of 20 guns, and the Boston Cutter of 14 guns. From Long Island to Cape Henry the Baltimore of 20 guns, and two cutters, one of which of 10 guns, is now out and another of 14 guns will be ready by the end of this week to sail from New York. From Cape Henry to our Southern extremity, by one of the frigates and two cutters, which will proceed from hence to the southward in a short time. This distribution will leave one frigate and the ship Montezuma, of 20 guns, as soon as she can be prepared for sea, which I hope will be by the 20th or 25th of August, to be employed in any enterprise, and these, if you, sir, approve, I would propose to send on a cruise among the Islands as soon as the latter can be prepared. It is likely that Barry and Decatur will leave the Island on their return about the time this second expedition would leave our coasts and by the time Barry returns it is to be presumed that the Ganges, Captain Dale, who must shortly return into port, to refit, may be prepared to join the other frigate which till then will be kept on the southern station, in a third expedition to the Islands. By keeping up incessant attacks on the French cruisers on their own ground they will in a degree at least be prevented from coming on ours. In about three months our force will be so increased as to admit of more frequent attacks, or attacks with stronger force. I have the honor to be, with highest respect and esteem, * * * * * * * * * Claypoole's Advertiser, September 12th, 1798, said: "The Floating Castles of the United States have by this time made their appearance in the West Indies, not for the purpose of taking vengeance on our foes, but to convoy in security the earnings of our hardy navigators to our shores. The United States, Captain Barry, and The Delaware, Captain Decatur, are now supposed to be there." That there was a necessity for their presence we may well judge when The Advertiser, on August 2d, reported that a schooner had arrived at Baltimore on the 29th |