When the "Alliance" left L'Orient on her returning cruise to America, Captain Barry, by orders of Franklin, directed Captain Gallatheau, of the ship "Marquis La Fayette," to proceed to the United States under convoy of the "Alliance," as the vessel was laden with one hundred tons of saltpetre, twenty-six iron eighteen-pounders, fifteen thousand gunbarrels, leather, uniforms for ten thousand men and cloth for five or six thousand. After being under convoy for three weeks in a gale of wind which split the sails of the "Alliance," the "La Fayette" disappeared. Captain Barry gave signals by flags and guns and cruised about for two days in search of the missing vessel. Five days after the separation the "Suffolk," British man-of-war, of 74 guns, met the "La Fayette" and after three hours' battle made her captive though reduced to "a perfect hulk." For thirteen days she was towed by the "Suffolk."
Investigation made by Congress into the cause of this great loss showed, by the evidence of Captain Robeson, on board the "La Fayette," that the separation was the fault of Captain Gallatheau by sailing away from the "Alliance" contrary to every argument of Captain Robeson. The loss aggregated four hundred and fifty tons of public stores and two hundred men, besides the armament of twenty-six eighteen-pound guns and fourteen six-pounders.
On March 30th a mutiny plot was discovered among the crew of the "Alliance." It is best related in the words of Kessler, Barry's friend and officer:
"An Indian, one of the forecastle men, gave Captain Barry information of a combination among the crew for the purpose of taking the ship, and pointed out three who had striven to prevail on him to be concerned therein. The three men were immediately put in irons and all the officers, with such of the crew as could be confided in, were armed and required to remain all night on deck. On the next morning all hands were called and placed on the forecastle, booms and gangways, excepting the officers and such part of the crew in whom Captain Barry confided, who, armed strongly, guarded the quarterdeck, the steerage and the main deck to keep the remainder of the crew together on the forecastle and boom. The three designated men were brought out of their irons on the quarterdeck, and being stripped and hoisted by the thumbs to the mizzen-stay, underwent a very severe whipping before either would make any confession. As their accomplices were disclosed they were called to the quarterdeck, stripped and tied to the ridge-rope of the netting and the whipping continued until it was thought all was disclosed that could possibly be obtained, which proved to be: that it was intended to take the ship on her passage out by killing all the officers in the middle of the watch of the night, except Lieutenant Patrick Fletcher who was to navigate her to some port in Ireland, or, on failure, to be destroyed. A quartermaster, one of the mutineers, was to have command. They all had been bound by an oath on the Bible, administered by the Captain's assistant cabin steward, and had also signed their names in a round-robin, so-called, but that they found no opportunity on the outward passage and intended to accomplish taking of the ship as aforesaid immediately on leaving France. But on coming out of L'Orient we lost a man overboard who was one of the chief ring-leaders, and they, considering that as a bad omen, threw the round-robin overboard and relinquished their designs. The three principals were placed securely in irons and the remainder, after being admonished by Captain Barry, and on their solemn declaration to conduct themselves well, were permitted to return to ship's duty. This mutiny was discovered Sunday, March 31, 1781."
On April 2d two British armed cruisers were seen at seven in the morning. The "Alliance" gave chase and the two Britishers "stood for" the "Alliance." They neared each other at ten o'clock when the two gave the "Alliance" a broadside, which was "returned double-fold" so effectively that one struck her flag and hove to. She was the "Mars," of twenty twelve-pounders, two sixes and twelve four-pounders and one hundred and eleven men. The other ran while the "Alliance" "fired a number of bow chasers at her" and in an hour hove to and surrendered. She was the "Minerva," mounting eight four-pounders and fifty-five men. The "Alliance" received "considerable damage" from the shot of the enemy. Lieutenant Fletcher and fourteen men were placed in charge of the "Minerva" as a prize crew. Here again in one battle Captain Barry captures two of the enemy's cruisers. The "Alliance" continued the cruise and went to the West India waters seeking prizes.
On May 2d a brig and a snow (a small vessel) loaded with sugar from Jamaica for London were captured and being manned from the "Alliance" was ordered to Boston. Again two captures. Later in the day a fleet of sixty-five sail, convoyed by ten sail of line, were observed but prudently not molested by Captain Barry. Later in the day a brig from Jamaica bound to Bristol, England. We "gave the brig two bow guns at meridian," notes the log of the "Alliance." She surrendered. "Sent our boats, on board and took the prisoners out." The next day another vessel, with seven four-pounders also from Jamaica to Bristol, was taken and the prisoners brought on board the "Alliance."
Not until May 28th was there another opportunity found, when early on that morning an armed ship and a brig were discovered about a league distant. At sunrise they hoisted the English colors and beat drums. At the same time Captain Barry displayed the American colors. By eleven o'clock Captain Barry hailed the ship and was answered that she was the "Atalanta" ship-of-war belonging to His Britannic Majesty, commanded by Captain Sampson Edwards. Captain Barry then told Captain Edwards that he, John Barry, commanded the Continental frigate the "Alliance" and advised him to haul down the English colors.
Captain Edwards replied, "Thank you, Sir. Perhaps I may after a trial."
The firing then began. The "Alliance" had not wind enough for steerage way. The enemy being lighter vessels, by using sweeps, got and kept athwart the stern of the "Alliance" so that she could not bring half her guns to bear upon them, and often but one gun out astern to bear on the two—thus lying like a log the greater part of the time. Captain Barry received a wound in the shoulder from a grape shot. He remained on the quarterdeck until exhausted by loss of blood, when he was helped to the cock-pit for treatment. Soon the colors of the "Alliance" were shot away. This caused the enemy to believe the Americans had struck their colors. They gave three cheers and manned their shrouds expecting a surrender. But the colors of the "Alliance" were again run up—a breeze sprung up—a broadside was given the "Atalanta" and another given the "Trepassy," the brig. They then struck their colors to the "Alliance." Captain Smith, of the "Trepassy," was killed. The Captain of the "Atalanta" was brought on board and taken to Captain Barry, wounded in his cabin. Captain Edwards advanced and presented his sword. Captain Barry received it but at once returned it, saying:
"I return it to you, Sir. You have merited it. Your King ought to give you a better ship. Here is my cabin at your service. Use it as your own."