ed that the 'United States' shall
carry our envoys to Europe and you will hold yourself in readiness to
perform that service by the first of November at the farthest."

The envoys were Chief Justice O. Ellsworth, R.W. Davis, ex-Governor of
North Carolina, and W.V. Murray, U.S. Minister at The Hague--"Envoys
Extraordinary to the French Republic."

Captain Barry had orders to land them at any part of France they
preferred and to touch at any ports they desired. Captain Barry was
indeed on an old service. He had carried Colonel John Laurens and
Lafayette to France to seek aid for America. Now he carried American
envoys to demand justice for American commerce and the cessation of
hostile measures against its freedom.

The mission President Adams declared was sent at one of the "most
critical, important and interesting moments that ever occurred" in
American history. Again was Barry given the old order so often given him
during his Revolutionary career: "You will not capture anything on the
voyage. This is a mortification to which it is necessary that you should
submit. I hope to salute you an Admiral on your arrival at
Philadelphia."

Captain Barry performed the duty assigned him and landed the envoys in
France. After long negotiations a Treaty of Peace, Commerce and
Navigation was agreed to September 30, 1800, with the First Consul
Bonaparte. It was ratified by the U.S. Senate February 3, 1801, by the
French July 31, 1801, and proclaimed December 31, 1801.

Washington died December 14, 1799. On the 20th Captain Barry received
from the Navy Department a General Order of President Adams that all
vessels should be "put in mourning one week by wearing their colors at
half-mast high." The officers to "wear crape on the left arm below the
elbow for six months."

During the year 1800 the "United States" frigate was not in active
duty--the trouble with France having ceased, other occasions for her
services did not arise. Lieutenant Mullowney was promoted to the command
of the "Ganges" and thirty-five of the seamen of the "United States"
transferred with him.

On July 16, 1800, Lieutenant Charles Stewart was given command of the
"Experiment," Captain Barry expressing the hope that "he will be more
active than he was," a hope which was justified in his subsequent
career. At this time Barry's vessel was undergoing repairs. He wrote the
Secretary, "she will not be out of the carpenter's hands until October."
When she was read