April 11, 1776

In March 1776, the Continental Congress’s Marine Committee equipped Captain John Barry to cruise the coast between New York and Virginia. In this letter, dated April 7 “In sight of the Capes of Virginia” and printed in the Pennsylvania Evening Post a few days later, Barry described an encounter with the British sloop Edward. Although a few of Barry’s men were killed, the Edward was “shattered,” in Barry’s words. 

The Marine Committee responded to Barry’s letter on April 11, the same day it was printed in the Evening Post. They warned Barry that the British “Men of Warr in Virginia, Delaware and New York will undoubtedly hear” or him and “will probably lay some plans to surprise or decoy” him. But the committee trusted  Barry’s “continued vigilance.”

The Pennsylvania Evening Post
Printed by Benjamin Towne

“In sight of the Capes of Virginia, April 7, 1776.

Gentlemen,

I have the pleasure to acquaint you, that at one P.M. this day I fell in with the sloop Edward, belonging to the Liverpool frigate. She engaged us near two glasses. They killed two of our men, and wounded two more. We shattered her in a terrible manner, as you will see. We killed and wounded several of her crew. I shall give you a particular account of the powder and arms taken out of her, as well as my proceedings in general. I have the happiness to acquaint you that all our people behaved with much courage. I am, gentlemen, your humble servant,

JOHN BARRY.”

To the Honorable John Hancock, Esq;
or any of the Marine Committee.