t such
should be established and a Navy Department created.

Captain Barry sailed the frigate to Washington and on May 23d reported
his arrival in the Potomac, "though his friends had declared that the
President was not aware of the difficulties that would be met in getting
the frigate there," as Mrs. Barry wrote the Captain the day he had
arrived near Washington.

The first frigate of the New Navy was "laid up"--was at rest--had ceased
operations, not because its usefulness was at an end and it might no
more be serviceable, nor would there be occasion for her power as a
protector of American commerce, but because the political policy of the
Party in power did not sanction the possession of a Navy.

So having fulfilled its mission and its commander having obeyed
instructions and brought the first born of the new Navy to the new
Capital of the new nation he was, on June 6, 1801, notified:

"You have permission to retire to your place of residence and there
remain until the government again requires your services."

The frigate "United States" served our country well in the War with
France, in the War with Great Britain, 1812-15, and in subsequent
duties, warlike and peaceful, until the War between the States, 1861-65,
when while laid up "in ordinary" at the Norfolk Navy Yard she was, by
the Confederates, sunk to obstruct the channel. After the war she was
raised and in January, 1866, broken up, though Commodore Hitchcock
endeavored to have her preserved, saying "if her value were only
measured by dollars it may be unwise to attempt her preservation, but
ideas and sentiments cannot be judged by such a standard. What is the
use of being rich and great and powerful if we cannot afford to indulge
becoming sentiments and cherish the memory of the bright deeds of our
history." But she was broken up. All that remains as visible objects of
her are two of her guns on the exhibition grounds of the Navy Yard at
Portsmouth, Va.

The Navy was, on June 11, 1801, by President Jefferson, put on "a peace
establishment." Of the Captains nine were retained, of Lieutenants
thirty-six and of Midshipmen one hundred and fifty. Captain Barry was
"one of those retained," he was notified. Half-pay was allowed from July
1, 1801.

Captain Barry's health was now failing. On returning to Philadelphia he
was, in November, 1801, engaged in proving guns cast by Mr. Lane. The
next year when directed to prove cannon at Colonel Hughes' works