Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-07-01
JOHN BARRY WAS FOUNDER.
New Havener Gives the Credit to Irish Commodore-Not Paul Jones.

the 27th inst New Haven paper published an editorial answer to the question, Who was the founder of the American navy, John Barry or John Paul Jones?" addressed to 1t by a correspondent in which the editor gave to Jones this high honor. On the same day I handed to the editor some clippings from an address re- gently delivered before the New Ha- ven Historical society, and local and distant G. A. R. posts, entitled John Barry, Founder of the American Navy" disputing the claims of the editor.
 Will you kindly publish the ac- companying data and thereby confer a favor not alone upon the writer, but in addition confer a favor upon all fair-minded people in this hospitable and enlightened community? l will add as an item of passing interest, that am rewriting my address en- titled John Barry, Founder of the American Navy preparatory to de- liyering 1t in Washington, D. O., the coming fall before an important gath ering of c. A. R. men to be held in the nations capital
 John Barry was the first captain appointed by the continental congress in the continental navy. His cruiser was named after the first battle ground of the revolution. It was the first vessel and Barry was the first officer to command this vessel com missioned for the purpose of inter cepting supplies to the British army The Lexington under the command of Barry was the first equipped for the service and the first vessel under the American flag to make capture. On March 3l, 1776, John Barry left Cape May in the Lexington in search of British men-o-war, being delegated by the continental congress to formu late his own system of strategy, ani on April z, 1776, John Barry in his Lexington, attacked the British sloop Edward, and after fighting at close quarters for one and three-fourths. hours he defeated and captured the Edward. Four days later, April II, 1776, John Barry returned to Phiia- delphia with news of his glorious vic tory, the first naval victory of the united colonies. which was fittingly celebrated with ringing of bells (and tradition has it that the great emblem of liberty, Independence bell, was first rung upon this occasionl, with speeches glorifying John Barry. This great victory, our first naval victory against the British, electrified the people and correspondingly depressed the invaders. John Barry did more fighting and captured more prizes than all other commanders in the navy, as he was fighting many months before either Wickes or Jones entered active service during the revolution. and because of this fact John Barry was the chief dependence of Wash ington on the sea during the early months of the revolutionary war. The records show he fought more engage ments and captured more prizes than Wickes and Jones combined.
 On March IT, 1794, congress passed the. following act: The depredations of the Algerine Corsairs on the colors of the United States render 1t neces- sary that naval force shall be pro- vided for its protection" On June z, 1794, President Washington an- nounced the commanders on the frigates and the name of John Barry led all the rest in commission. His commission was numbered one, sign ed by Washington, and was dated July {, 1797. August [. 1794, Barry was appointed superintendent of the first naval vessel to be built under the authority of the United States, after they had gained their independence, and with his hands, as did Peter the Great at Zandaam in Holland, he laid the keel, and helped to build the frame of the first vessel, which con- stituted the foundation of the United States navy very appropriately named The United States" and on May 10, 1797. this vessel was launched at Philadelphia, under the supervision of John Barry with the ecomiums ringing in his ears of a proud heroic populace.
 At the close of the war, John Barry senior ofncer and senior in command in the service, was ordered by this government to place the Alliance. his flagship, at the disposal of Marquis de Lafayette. Count de'Noailles, and General Duportail. and escort these distinguished generals to France. Af- ter the departure of Barry from France, Benjamin Franklin, United States minister to France, wrote this government his grateful sense of the dignifed, courteous conduct of the senior ofhcer of the navy, John Barry, whose bearing on peaceful mission with this nations guests was as sal- lant and praiseworthy as was his con- duct in the face of the gravest dam gers of the war. .r
 Both congress and Washington upon more than one occasion tried to have Barry accept money for his ser vices. but he always politely but firm- ly refused. and the only money that he ever received at any period of his great career was a portion of the money realized from the sale of the prizes he captured from the enemy.
 At the close of the war during Washington's first administration. the French-Ameriean war was brewing and the necessity was more apparent than ever, and President Washington Issued Commission number one in the navy of the United States" under