e pilot
gave this information to the crew of the "Delaware." It alarmed them
very much and many desired to be put on shore. Captain Barry addressed
them saying, "My lads, if you have the spirit of freemen you will not
desire to go ashore nor tamely submit against your wills to be taken
away, although all the force of all the frigate's boats' crew were to
attempt to exercise such a species of tyranny." This address, records
Kessler, satisfied them, as it implied his consent to their defending
themselves. They resolved to do it at all hazards, and for that purpose
put themselves under the command and direction of the boatswain and
armed themselves with muskets, pistols and boarding pikes, and thus
arrived within hailing distance of the "Confederacy." Her commander
ordered the brig's maintopsail to be hove to the mast. Captain Barry
answered that he could not without getting his vessel ashore. The
commander of the frigate then ordered that the brig should come to
anchor.

Captain Barry gave no answer but continued on his way, beating up with
tide and flood and wind, when a gun was fired from the frigate and a
boat, manned, left her and came towards the "Delaware." Captain Barry
directed that the officers of the boat should be admitted on board, but
as to the men with them, the "Delaware's" crew could do as they pleased.
The boat soon arrived and two officers, armed, jumped on board and on
the quarterdeck, ordering the maintopsail halyards to be cast off,
which, however, was not done. Captain Barry asked whether they were sent
to take command of his vessel. The boat's crew were about coming on
board when the "Delaware's" men threatened instant death to all who came
on board.

The officers after trying to intimidate our boatswain by presenting
their pistols at him, and finding it of no avail, hastily sprang into
their boats and left.

Another gun was fired from the "Confederacy." Captain Barry ordered the
guns cleared and declared that if a rope-yard was injured he would give
the "Confederacy" a whole broadside. A third gun was fired. Captain
Barry hailed and asked the name of the commander of the frigate.

The answer was "Lieutenant Gregory."

Captain Barry addressed him: "Lieutenant Gregory, I advise you to desist
from firing. This is the brig 'Delaware,' belonging to Philadelphia and
my name is John Barry."

"Nothing further was said or done by Lieutenant Gregory," recorded Mate
Kessler, who added: "Our whole crew