uzun." This
battle took place on March 10, 1783. The British frigate was the
"Sybille," commanded by Captain Vashon, which, on January 22, 1783, had
been captured from the French by the British "Hussar," commanded by
Captain Thomas Macnamara Russell. Captain Vashon "confessed he had never
seen a ship so ably fought as the 'Alliance,' that he had never received
such a drubbing and was indebted to his consorts for his escape from
capture." He always spoke of Captain Barry in the most magnanimous
terms.

"The coolness and intrepidity no less than the skill and fertility in
expedients which Captain Barry displayed on this occasion are described
in naval annals as truly wonderful; every quality of a great commander
was brought out with extraordinary brilliancy."

This is the occasion on which Captain Barry is said to have replied to
the hail of the British that his was "The United States ship 'Alliance,'
Saucy Jack Barry, half Irishman, half Yankee! Who are you?"

I do not believe this true. It is too bombastic to suit the character of
Captain Barry. He could not have called himself "Saucy," for nothing of
impetuosity or dare-devilishness was ever manifested in his career. Nor
did he ever flippantly call himself "Jack."

"My name is John Barry," was his dignified declaration to Lieutenant
Gregory, as we have seen. It embodied respect and determination and
dignity of character which he ever maintained.

Let not his admirers lessen that dignity.

This--the last battle of the Revolution--occurred March 10, 1783, after
the signing of the Provisional Articles of Peace at Paris, November 30,
1782; after the Preliminary Articles for Restoring Peace, signed at
Versailles on January 20, 1783, and also after the Ratification of the
Preliminary Articles on February 3, 1783, by the Ministers of the United
States, France and Great Britain, by which a cessation of hostilities
was agreed upon.

On April 11, 1783, Congress, by Proclamation, ordered the "cessation of
arms as well by sea as by land." But, one month prior, Captain John
Barry had the final encounter on the ocean in defense of the Liberty and
Independence of the United States. He had thus commanded the first
Continental cruiser, the "Lexington" and also commanded the last
Continental frigate, the "Alliance"; bringing to Congress the first
prize brought to Philadelphia and defending and saving the last
Continental war money brought to the country on the last armed vessel