On March 25th—Annunciation Day—Congress ordered the recall of all vessels cruising under authority of the United States.
On April 19, 1783, Washington announced the close of the war and the disbandment of the army.
On April 16th the cessation of hostilities was proclaimed in Barry's home city—Philadelphia—to "a vast concourse of people, who expressed their satisfaction on the happy occasion by repeated shouts. The State flag was hoisted and the bells were rung and a general joy diffused itself throughout the city."
New York City had been under British control nearly the whole war. How great the contrast there. "When the proclamation was read nothing but groans and hisses prevailed, attended by bitter reproaches and curses on their King for having deserted them in the midst of their calamities."
Philadelphia, the seat of the "Rebellion," now by success made a "Revolution," was open to the commerce of the world. On May 2d the ship "Hibernia," Robert Scallan, Master, arrived from Dublin and soon, at the store of Clement Biddle his cargo of "gold and silver silks, rich and slight brocades, flannels, Mantuas and fabrics, colored and sky colored tissue and Florentines, tamboured silks and satin, shapes for gentlemen's vests and black Norwich capes" were on sale.
Joy bounded throughout the land. Meetings were held to express patriotic sentiments. The men of Northampton, Pa., did so. The ladies of Northampton followed the next day. Among the "toasts" on the occasion was this: "May the Protestant religion prevail and flourish through all nations."
Yet John Barry, an Irish-born Roman Catholic, had battled all the eight years—from the first to the last of the fight—to win Freedom and Independence for the land in which these Ladies of Northampton "hoped the Protestant religion might prevail."
THE FRIGATE "UNITED STATES"