in Puerto Rico. He finally was released to a mercy ship from New England. When he was rescued, Hull learned that his employer had failed in business, leaving him destitute again.
    On one of his later trips, Hull contacted yellow fever and was returned to Derby, where he stayed all the winter.
    On March 13, 1798, Hull was given a commission by President John Adams as Lieutenant in the United States Navy. He was assigned to the frigate, the "Constitution." He reported to Hartt's Naval Yard where the ship was launched October 21, 1797. He began her first cruise in the early summer of the following year.
    In 1801 Hull was assigned to the "Adams," a 28 gun frigate. Hull thought that he would take command of the ship when the captain resigned, but someone else was appointed instead.
    Hull was unhappy and wrote to the Secretary of the Navy a letter of resignation. A reply was received asking for his cooperation. Hull reconsidered his resignation and continued to serve aboard the "Adams" as Lieutenant.
    In 1803 Hull was put in command of the ship "Argus" which was bound for combat against the Barbary pirates. He returned home after the peace was made to learn he had been promoted to captain. Hull and his ship docked in the Potomac, where he was host for a visit by President Jefferson and his cabinet officials.
    Hull was subsequently appointed to sit on a Naval Court of Inquiry for the Chesapeake Affair and several other incidents.
    In December, 1807, the Embargo Act was passed, prohibiting the sailing of merchant vessel from an American port. This was repealed two years later and replaced by the Non-Intercourse Law, which prohibited English and French ships from entering American ports.
    The Embargo Act was sharply condemned in Derby and Shelton, because much of the business fortunes of the community were tied up in shipping. Joseph Hull, father of Isaac Hull, was among the local merchants who suffered large business losses as a result of these laws.
    In 1809, Hull went to Boston and asked for a command. He was named to supervise the repair of the "Chesapeake." In the spring he was assigned commander of the "U.S.S. President."