ere
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