Battle after Peace

Then with a voice of thunder

Our guns began the fight,
Though battling against numbers
And the foeman's fleet in sight:
For the Hudson and the Shannon
'Gainst the minions of the crown
We fought them 'till our cannon
Brought the British ensign down.
Says the Commodore, "We'll take her
From before their very eyes,
With another broadside rake her,
And we'll bear her off a prize."

Then our round shot went careering
Through their rigging and their spars
And our crew began a cheering

For the Yankee stripes and stars.

And streaming on the breeze aloft
It waved in all its pride

And on the foeman's captured crafts
Now sailing side by side.

Oh' How our gallant seamen cheered
Just as the sun went down

And our good vessel homeward steered
For Philadelphia town.”

229

The Alliance had fought the last battle of the Revolution -the encounter with the Sybille-and had saved the money removed from the Lauzun. Several historical recitals says that this money was the foundation capital of the Bank of North America Philadelphia. That institution was chartered in 1781. It has no records covering this money. In a prior chapter we have shown where the specie came from on which was founded the credit of that Bank.

It may be remarked that this battle of the Alliance with the Sybille occurred after, not only the signing of the Provisional Articles of Peace on November 30th, 1782, at Paris, after the Preliminary Articles for restoring peace signed at Versaille on January 20th, 1783, but also after the Ratification of the Preliminary Articles on the 3d of February, 1783, by the Ministers of the United States, France and Great Britain, by

230

News of Peace Arrives

which a cesastion of hostilities was agreed upon and also thirteen days after Congress had ordered the recall of all vessels. Congress on the Eleventh of April 1783, issued a Proclamation "Declaring the cessation of Arms as well by Sea as by land" but one month prior-March 10th, 1783-Captain John Barry had had the final encounter on the ocean in defense of the Liberty and Independence of America.

The Alliance arrived at Newport, Rhode Island, on March 20th. On March 23d, Elias Boudinot, of Philadelphia, wrote Lewis Pintard, at New York:

"I do not loose a moment to have the pleasure of informing you that an Express has just arrived from on board a Sloop of War in the River which left Cadiz on the 14th of February. She announces the definite Treaty having been signed on the 21st of January-that all hostilities had ceased in Europe, and that the same happy event was to take place in this Coun try on the 20th of March inst.

"The Count D Estaing, who was ready to sail with 60 Ships of the Line and a very formidable armament had given up the attempt and was despersing his fleet to the different ports... . "This Ship does not bring us the official despatches, having been sent to the Count De Estaing and Marquis de la Fayette, in hopes that she might (as she has done) be the fortunate medium of the earliest communication." [Ms.]

The next day this French "sloop of War" the Le Triomphe, commanded by Chevalier du Quesne, arrived at Philadelphia with the preliminary Treaty of Peace. She had been despatched by D'Estaing from Cadiz on February 11 "Great and joyful was the sensation which spread itself over the city in the course of the day."

On the next day, the 25th, Congress ordered the immediate recall of all vessels cruising under commission from the United States.

The surrender at Yorktown (October, 1781), virtually closed hostilities on land. Their cessation was arranged, preliminary Articles of Peace were signed, and, finally, on April 19, 1783, Washington announced the close of the war and the disbandment of the army.

"May the Protestant Religion Prevail"

231

Barry had commanded the Lexington, the first vessel commissioned by authority of the Continental Congress. He closed his endeavors in the contest for Freedom and Independence by being commander of the last vessel in Continental commission. Under the Stars and Stripes he had fought the last Naval battle of the Revolution.

On April 16, at the Court House, Second and Market streets, Philadelphia, the cessation of hostilities was proclaimed to "a vast concourse of people, who expressed their satisfaction on the happy occasion by repeated shouts. The State flag was hoisted on Market street warf, the bells were rung and a general joy diffused itself throughout the city."

What a contrast at New York, the seat of Royal authority in America for the subjugation of the Colonies:

"When the proclamation was read nothing but groans and hisses prevailed, attended by bitter reproaches and curses on their King for having deserted them in the midst of their calamities."

Philadelphia, the seat of the "Rebellion," was now open to the commerce of the world. On May 2 the ship Hibernia, Roger Scallan, master, arrived from Dublin, and soon at the store of Clement Biddle her cargo of "gold and silver silks, rich and slight Brocades, flowered Mantuas and Fabrics, coloured and sky coloured Tissues and Florentines, tamboured silk and Sattin Shapes for Gentlemen's Vests and black Norwich Capes," were on sale.

The land bounded with the joy of the people. The men of Northampton, having met on May 23, amid festivities and with "toasts" proclaimed their sentiments; the women, not being participants, met the next day and proclaimed with glad acclaim their patriotic sentiments and the hopes with which new won freedom animated them.

"May the Protestant religion prevail and flourish through all nations," was the twelfth toast of the "Ladies of Northampton."

"They wish'd religion might prevail,

To make it sure drank a full pail."

(Independent Gazette, May 31 and June 14, 1783.)

232

Barry, the First and the Last

Yet an Irish born Roman Catholic American had battled all the eight years-the first and the last-to win Freedom and Independence for the land in which the Protestant Religion "might" prevail.

On July 28th, 1783, the Citizens of Philadelphia addressed Congress congratulating that body on the Declaration of Peace. The Addresses was referred to Messrs. Williamson, Duane, Lee and Izard, who reported a resolution which was adopted that Congress have great satisfaction in reviewing the spirited and patriotic exertions which have been made by the government and citizens of Philadelphia in the course of the late glorious war and they are highly pleased with the Resolution of the Citizens of Philadelphia to aid in all measures which have a tendency to support the National honor and dignity. [Papers Congress No. 20, Vol. 11, p. 159.]

Correspondence

CHAPTER XIX.

233

CONTINUATION OF CORRESPONDENCE.

On board the Alliance, Rhode Island Harbour, March 22nd, 1783, SIR

Since writing you by Mr Caulfield, there is opportunity wch may come to hand before him, therefore I thought it my duty to Inform you that it is the Opinion of the People here that my Ship is not Safe from the Enemy. I therefore have come to a Determination to Run up the River within 5 Miles of Providence, where the Ship can be well Repaired and fitted out, as she must have these Repairs before she can possibly go to Sea, in order to Despatch that Business as soon as possible I shall Imediately Get people to Work. Carpenters' work will be the most thing that will be wanting. I must not forget to put you in mind of paying the Ship off as soon as possible and please to send the Books I wrote for or it will be Impossible to settle without them properly. The Officers I stand in Great Need of likewise.

By mr N. Barret the last Evening I had the pleasure to hear of your safe arrival in the frigate Alliance at N Port, on which I most sincerely Congratulate you. I have a Letter from the Honl Robt Morris Esquire under ye 17. February, an Extract of which I now Give you "as to the Frigates Alliance and Hague, if either or both of them arrive it is my desire that they be Imediately fitted for Sea; if the War continues we shall find Employment for them, but if not they can take the