The commissioners managed a small naval force during 1782 and 1783 until the war came to an end. Commodore Barron, stationed at Hampton, was chiefly occupied at this time with the exchanging of prisoners. Beyond the building of a few naval craft, it does not appear that this final naval enterprise of Virginia was attended with fruitful results. When peace was declared in the spring of 1783, the commissioners had in different stages of construction the schooners “Harrison,” “Fly,” and “Patriot,” and the barges “York” and “Richmond.” Virginia now disposed of all her fleet except the “Liberty” and “Patriot,” which she retained as revenue cutters.[539] In order to keep these two armed vessels in time of peace, Virginia, in accordance with a provision in the Articles of Confederation, obtained the permission of Congress.[540] These two boats were still in the employ of the state in 1787. The “Liberty” saw more service than any other state or Continental vessel of the Revolution. She was in the employ of Virginia from 1775 until 1787. FOOTNOTES: [506] Hening, Statutes of Virginia, IX, 83. [507] Calendar of Virginia State Papers, VIII, 75-240, Journal of Committee of Safety of Virginia, February 7 to July 5, 1776. Virginia had a class of vessels which she referred to as “armed boats.” They were smart craft, and appear to have been schooner-rigged. [508] Miss Rowland’s George Mason, I, 214, 218. [509] Hening, Statutes of Virginia, IX, 149-51. The Provincial Convention which met May 6, 1776, adopted a Constitution which provided for a Legislature of two houses, and an Executive consisting of a Governor and a Privy Council of eight members. [510] Hening, Statutes of Virginia, IX, 521-22, October session of General Assembly in 1778. [511] Southern Literary Messenger, 1857, 14. The references to this magazine refer to a series of valuable articles entitled “The Virginia Navy of the Revolution.” [512] E. P. Lull, History of U. S. Navy Yard, at Gosport, Virginia, 8-11; Hening, Statutes of Virginia, XI, 407. [513] Journals of Virginia Navy Board, Virginia State Archives, June 25, June 26, 1776. [514] Hening, Statutes of Virginia, IX, 235-36. [515] Journals of Virginia Navy Board, January 7, 1777. [516] Maryland Archives, XI, 293-94. [517] Journals of Virginia Navy Board; State Navy Papers, I; Southern Literary Messenger, 1857, 3. [518] Journal of Virginia Navy Board, September, October, 1776. [519] Hening, Statutes of Virginia, IX, 196-97. In August, 1776, the Navy Board drew up a list of naval rules which were endorsed by the Governor and Council.—Journals of Virginia Navy Board, August 2, 1776. [520] Hening, Statutes of Virginia, IX, 103, 131-32, 202-06. [521] Ford, Writings of Thomas Jefferson, II, 241-43. [522] Journals of Virginia Navy Board, April 8, 1777.