tee, on August 24, 1778,
ordering him to cruise in company with the Continental brigantine
"Resistance," Captain Burke, between Cape Henlopen and Occracok on the
coast of North Carolina to intercept British armed vessels infesting
that coast. On May 28th orders were sent to Hampton, Virginia, for
delivery to Captain Barry, directing him to take under convoy six or
more of the vessels loaded with commissary stores and protect them to
the places of destination. Then he and Captain Burke were to proceed and
protect the coast line of Virginia and North Carolina, reporting once a
week at Hampton for orders, which he, as Senior Officer, should
communicate to Captain Burke, and also there receive supplies furnished
by the Governor of Virginia.

Captain Barry in the "Raleigh" cruised along the coast from North
Carolina to Massachusetts Bay. On September 8, 1778, off Boston Bay he
reported to the Marine Committee that many of the guns of the "Raleigh"
had burst in proving and the ship was "exceedingly foul" and unfit to
further cruise. He was, on September 28, 1778, directed to proceed to
Portsmouth, Virginia, where there was a Continental shipyard, and have
the "Raleigh's" bottom cleaned. That done he was to continue "to cruise
upon the coast," the "Deane" or any other vessel with him, Barry was to
order to cruise while the "Raleigh" was being cleaned.

The Committee had information that the British frigate "Persius," of 32
guns was cruising singly on the coast of South Carolina. Barry was then
ordered as soon as his ship was cleaned to extend his cruising ground so
as to cover the coast of that State, taking the "Deane" or other vessel
with him in search of the "Persius" and endeavor to "take, burn, sink or
destroy" the said frigate or any other of the enemy's vessels "that he
might fall in with." If he made a capture he was to take it to
Charleston and there fit, man her and take her on the cruise with him.

This order, sent to Hampton, Virginia, did not reach the "Raleigh" as,
on September 25, 1778, she had sailed from Boston convoying a brigantine
and sloop. That day and the following, two British frigates were seen
but avoided. The next day--Sunday--the frigates chased the "Raleigh"
from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon when, nearing each
other, the "Raleigh" hoisted her colors and the headmost frigate
"hoisted St. George's ensign." "We gave her a broadside which she
returned, tacked and came up on our lee