TO CAPTAIN BARRY]

CHAPTER VIII.

BARRY APPOINTED TO COMMAND AN EXPEDITION AGAINST FLORIDA--EXPEDITION
ABANDONED, BARRY ENTERS THE PENNSYLVANIA PRIVATEER SERVICE--MAKES
CAPTURES--RESISTS THE IMPRISONMENT OF HIS CREW--"MY NAME IS JOHN
BARRY."

That the loss of the "Raleigh" brought no discredit upon Captain Barry,
but rather added to his reputation as a brave and skillful commander is
attested by the action of the Marine Committee in appointing him to
command an expedition against East Florida.

Major-General Lincoln was to command the Continental and State army
forces in the reduction of St. Augustine, Florida, as it "was of the
highest importance to the United States."

On November 10, 1778, Congress Resolved:

"That Captain John Barry be and is hereby directed to take command of
all armed vessels employed in the intended expedition, subject to the
order of the Commander-in-Chief in the Southern Department; and that
this commission continue in force till the expedition of the intended
invasion of the Province of East Florida or till the further order of
Congress; that he proceed with the utmost despatch to the State of
Maryland in order to expedite the equipment of the gallies to be
furnished by that State and proceed with them to Charleston in South
Carolina."

At Charleston armed gallies from Virginia were to be joined. "The
success of the expedition depended in the most essential manner on their
service." The Continental share of all property taken would be released
to the captors.

To prevent difference among officers of the respective States whose
gallies would be employed, Captain John Barry was appointed to command
the naval part of the expedition. Captain Barry "made some extraordinary
demands upon Congress for allowance of a table and a secretary, which
the House did not determine on," wrote Henry Laurens, President of
Congress, to General Lincoln; adding that "though Captain Barry is a
brave and active seaman, the intended service is not pleasing to him,
'tis possible, therefore, he may wish to avoid it and besides you will
find old commanders in the two Southern States who will be much
mortified should he actually proceed and take the command of them,
consequences will arise which will be disagreeable to you and which may
prove detrimental to the service."

The British probably became aware of the intended invasion and so
organized a counter-movement against General Lincoln an