notwithstanding a British for two gan slip, and two irigates were actively cruising in the capes of the Delaware, he successfully performed the duty assigned to him. He captured some of the enemy's

small cruisers, and compelled the rest to keep in port. Prior to the declaration of independence, he was transferred to the command of the frigate Effingham, and in the succeeding winter he displayed fresh proofs of his enterprising and patriotic spirit. The frigate being useless, in consequence of the suspension of the navigation, he sought other means of aiding the cause which he had espoused. With a mind fruitful of resources as it was daring and skilful in the use of them, he exhibited on land the prowess and sagacity by which he had acquired distinction upon the ocean. Having obtained the command of a company of volunteers, and some heavy cannon, he assisted in the operations at Trenton, and continued with the army during the winter campaign, performing important services, and winning admiration and respect. When the British obtained possession of Philadelphia, he took the frigate up the river Delaware, with the hope of saving her from the enemy. When within a few miles of the city, and in a situation in which, without risk to himself, he might have traitorously advanced the cause of Great Britain, an offer was made to him of fifteen thousand guineas, and the command of the frigate in the king's service, if he would bring in the ship. The bribe was indignantly rejected, and the answer returned by Captain BARRY, "that he scorned any offer they could make him." The frigates Washington and Effingham were subsequently burnt by a detachment of soldiers sent by Lord Howe for that purpose.

Whilst Captain BARRY was deprived, by the occupation of Philadelphia by the enemy, of an extensive sphere of usefulness, his daring spirit, impatient of restraint and incapable of inactivity, was continually exerting its power in hazardous enterprises. Supplies of provision for the army were, at times of urgent necessity, procured through his instrumentality. On one memorable occasion, he manned two boats belonging to the frigates, and proceeded down the river with such secrecy and despatch, that the first knowledge of his expedition was conveyed to the enemy by the destruction of their vessels. Consternation and dismay agitated the hostile ranks, and facilitated the work of ruin which marked his rapid progress. Two large ships, and a schooner carrying eight guns and thirty-two men, were taken and destroyed. The courage which inspired the small, but heroic band, is not alone sufficient to account for his wonderful success, but it must be ascribed to a combination of daring bravery and consummate skill, by which the diminutive power under his control was directed with unerring rapidity and irresistible force.

The trophies of his valor, productive of no personal benefit to himself, nor calculated for mere display, consisted of articles eminently serviceable to the American army, which was then in great want of them.

In September, 1778, he was appointed to the command of the frigate Raleigh, of thirty-two guns, which then lay at Boston, and on the 25th, went to sea. He was not long upon the ocean before his courage and abilities were subjected to a new trial by the appearance of a British fleet, from which he in vain endeavored to escape. With the view of getting into a harbor he sailed for land, which he succeeded in approaching, the enemy being in full chase; but to his infinite grief not a man on board was acquainted with the coast, or knew of a harbor in the vicinity, so that before he could reach a place of security, the smallest of the hostile ships was within gunshot. Believing that he was a match for her, he ordered the American colors to be hoisted and a gun fired. The St. George's ensign was immediately exhibited by the enemy, and the ships exchanged broadsides as they crossed each other. A warm action ensued which lasted for about seven hours. Being obliged to carry all the sail that he could to keep clear of the large ship, by an unforeseen accident, the foretop-mast, the main-top-gallant-mast, jib and fore-stay-sail of the Raleigh went over the side and rendered four of the guns useless. It was with difficulty, in a warm engagement, that the ship could be freed from the encumbrance of the wreck. Finding it impossible to escape with his ship, his next expedient was to board the vessel with which he was engaged, before the large one could come up, but the enemy perceiving the project, and having the command of his ship, shot ahead and went to the windward, where he remained during the rest of the engagement. The enemy at length retired, apparently much injured, and made signals, supposed to be of distress. Captain BARRY now determined to run the Raleigh ashore, but before this could be accomplished, the battle was renewed by both of the enemy's vessels, which lasted for half an hour before the Raleigh struck the ground, and a quarter of an hour afterwards, when the British ships retired and came to, half a mile astern of the Raleigh. Captain BARRY now discovered that he was on a desolate island, or rather a barren rock, about twelve leagues from the main land, with the wind right ahead to interpose another obstacle to their reaching the shore. He, however, succeeded in saving eighty-five of his men, and but for an act of treachery would have destroyed the ship; a midshipman having been left to set fire to the combustibles, whilst

the master with a boat's crew waited to carry him ashore. He faithlessly extinguished the lights, and the master having waited until daylight, found it necessary to retire, the enemy being within sight. The conduct of Captain BARRY was submitted to the examination of a court martial, and the loss of a ship so valiantly defended, did not impair the confidence of his country.

His services were afterward actively employed in several voyages to the West Indies; and in 1781, he took the command of the frigate Alliance of thirty-six guns. In February of that year, he sailed from Boston for L'Orient, to which place he carried Colonel Laurens, who was on an embassy to the French court, and subsequently cruised with great success until the 29th of May, when it was his fortune to come in contact with two British vessels, the Atalanta, Captain Edwards, and her consort, the brig Trepasa, Captain Smith. He ordered them to haul down their colors, which not being done, the battle commenced. A dead calm left the Alliance floating on the water like a log, whilst the enemy, by means of sweeps were enabled to command their movements. They accordingly selected a position in which the guns of the Alliance could do them the least injury. In the midst of the engagement, Captain BARRY received a wound on the left shoulder, and after remaining upon deck for some time, the loss of blood rendered it necessary for him to be carried below. The colors of the Alliance having been shot away in the interval of loading the guns, the enemy supposed that she had struck. One of the lieutenants went to Captain BARRY and represented the great injury which the ship had sustained, and the difficulties with which they were contending, and asked whether they should surrender. "No!" said the hero, "if the ship can't be fought without, I will be carried on deck." The reply communicated to the crew, animated them to renewed exertions. A favorable wind enabled the Alliance to pour a broadside into the enemy, and before the dressing of the gallant captain's wounds would permit him to reach the deck, both of the hostile vessels, after a battle which had lasted nearly the whole of the day, had struck their flags. The loss on board of the Alliance was eleven killed, and twenty-one wounded. The ship was much injured in her rigging and hull. The enemy had an equal number killed, and thirty wounded.

In the succeeding fall, Captain BARRY was ordered to refit the Alliance for the purpose of carrying the Marquis de Lafayette and

that object, she sailed for Havana and cruised with her usual success until March, 1782, when another conflict with the enemy acquired fresh laurels for her entrepid commander. The Alliance during that month left the Havana for the purpose of convoying the American sloop of war Luzerne, Captain Greene, having on board a large amount of specie, the safety of which was of the utmost importance to the country. The appearance of a British squadron proved a severe trial of the naval skill and dauntless courage of Captain BARRY. The largest of the enemy's vessels sailed with equal rapidity with the Luzerne, whilst the English sloop surpassed her, and was making rapid advances to an apparently easy conquest. The Luzerne was lightened by throwing her guns overboard, to furnish her with a better opportunity of escaping. The specie was removed to the Alliance, and the condition of the Luzerne seemed so hopeless that her abandonment by the Alliance was resolved upon, as affording the only prospect of saving the valuable treasures from the grasp of the enemy. But the spirit which animated the naval hero, and which had borne him triumphantly through many dangers, impelled him to rush to the rescue. Those great abilities which had been so often signally displayed in the most hazardous emergencies, were at that critical period exhibited in more than their usual lustre. Captain BARRY took his station on the weather quarter of the Luzerne, and as the British sloop endeavored to close with her, he bore down and engaged her before the other ships had time to come to her relief. The coolness of Captain BARRY was eminently conspicuous; by his example and exhortation, he inspired his men with that heroic courage which filled his own breast. The guns of the enemy had been kept actively employed from the commencement; the fire of the Alliance was rendered more effective by being reserved until she was within a very short distance of the British sloop. The action lasted for about three quarters of an hour, when the enemy retired and made signals of distress to her consorts. A sail, which had appeared in sight prior to the engagement, was now discovered to be a French frigate. The united forces gave chase to the British, which was continued until they lost sight of them in the darkness of the night, when the Alliance, being at a considerable distance ahead of her companions, it was deemed prudent to join them. The loss on board the Alliance was three killed and eleven wounded, whilst the enemy had thirty-seven killed and fifty wounded. The specie that was saved contributed to found the bank of North America. The British officers on various occasions indulged in