20. JOHN BARRY (1745 - 1803) Revolutionary War naval officer considered the "Father of the American Navy", he commanded the warship Lexington in 1776, capturing the first British vessel in the war. Later, Barry led volunteers and directed artillery at Trenton. Rare, good content A.L.S. "John Barry", 1p. 4to., Strawberry Hill, Dec. 22, 1792, to Michael M. O'Brian, in small part: "...After all the trouble I have had with our little vessel I am very much disappointed in her not carrying more goods but I hope it is in some measure owing to her being badly stowed...She is a well built little vessel and I am in hopes she will make it up in fast sailing...pay some little attention to my Nephew he is young and as yet I think unacquainted with the vices of the World, with respect to the Com[misio]n I leave it intirely to yourself to settle the matter with your Nephew...". A few marginal chips affect only two letters of text, else very good. Following the Revolution, Barry spent a few years trading commercially before Washington drafted him to build what would become the American Navy.$1,200-1,500