sels 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