cate members by observing that you had
acquitted yourself well, which they acknowledged. I then told them they
could not do less than make you an Admiral also. I had not a sentence in
reply. It irritated Jones so much that he was obliged to decamp." This
shows that among naval men Barry was then regarded as "Head of the
Navy"--as he was in fact if not by title.

In 1781 the Admiralty and Navy Boards were abolished by Congress and all
naval affairs given to the Finance Department, supervised by Robert
Morris. At this time the "Alliance" and the "Deane," frigates,
constituted the whole of the effective navy. On September 21st Mr.
Morris notified Captain Barry that it was projected to have the two
frigates sent out upon a cruise under Barry's command to "disturb the
enemy" by taking prizes, and neither fixing the cruising ground nor its
length of time, knowing Barry would take "the most likely course and be
anxious to meet such events as will do honor to the American flag and
promote the general interest." He was to transmit at every opportunity
reports of his operations to Morris and to General Washington any
intelligence which may affect his operations. But, late in October, the
"Deane" not being manned as soon as the "Alliance," Barry was directed
to proceed to sea as soon as the "Alliance" would be ready. But the
victory at Yorktown on October 19th, when Cornwallis surrendered his
army to the combined French and American forces and to the French fleet,
caused a change to be made in the movements of the "Alliance."

Instead of going out to seek prizes to procure funds to be applied to
the support of the small navy, Captain Barry, on November 21, 1781, was
directed to take Lafayette to France "on business of the utmost
importance to America." So urgent was this mission that Barry was
directed to take part of the crew of the "Deane," place them on the
"Alliance" and to take such French seamen as the Consul could procure.
If still short of men the Governor of Massachusetts should be applied to
for permission to impress seamen wherever found. Besides Lafayette, his
brother-in-law, Vicomte de Noailles, General Du Portail, Colonel
Gouvion, Major La Combe and others were also taken on the "Alliance."

Morris directed that "the safe and speedy arrival of Marquis Lafayette
is of such importance that I think it most consistent with my duty to
restrain you from cruising on the passage. You are, therefore, to avoid
all vessels an