e, related the action of Captain Barry, whereupon
on June 26th it was resolved that Congress approve of Captain Barry's
conduct in releasing the ship belonging to the Republic of Venice,
retaken by him from a British privateer on March 4th last, it being the
determination always to pay the utmost respect to the rights of neutral
commerce. The Venetian Senate also expressed to Franklin, our Ambassador
at Paris, through the Ambassador of Venice, their "grateful sense of the
friendly behavior of Captain Barry, commander of the 'Alliance,' in
rescuing one of the ships of their State from an English privateer and
setting her at liberty."

It may be remarked as a singular circumstance that the "Alert" was,
probably, the cruiser which, on September 10, 1777, had captured Barry's
first command, the "Lexington," which was then commanded by Captain
Henry Johnson and which Barry had, in March, 1778, captured in the
Delaware Bay, but which was retaken by the British a few days later and
which, on September 17, 1778, captured the American cruiser "La
Fayette." If so, Captain Barry's gratification must have been great in
again capturing the "Alert."

The importance of Captain Barry's services in this voyage must be noted.
He succeeded in conveying to France Colonel Laurens, whose father had
been sent on a similar mission, but had been taken prisoner while on the
way, and at the time of his son's going on the same mission was a
prisoner in the Tower at London. Captain Barry's responsibility was,
therefore, great. Skill and acuteness were most essential to avoid
encounter with a superior British force and thus endanger the safety of
the special Commissioner charged with so important a duty at this
"infinitely critical posture of our affairs," as Washington wrote
Franklin.

To promptly and safely convey Colonel Laurens was more important to the
general good than for Barry to make captures and prizes. Yet he not only
performed the duty assigned him, but took two prizes from the enemy--its
"Alert" and its own prize, the Venetian ship, restoring it to its
country.

Barry's captures were, in notable cases, double captives, taking two in
each encounter. On the Delaware Bay expedition he had taken the
"Mermaid" and the "Kitty," which he held and the "Alert" which was
retaken. Now we find him taking that "Alert" and its prize. These double
captures we shall, later, see repeated--taking two prizes in one
battle--killing two birds with one