British troops encouraged Jones to deliver another cargo of lumber for construction of their barracks in Boston.

Admiral Samuel Graves ordered HMS Margaretta, under the command of James Moore, to accompany Jones' ships to discourage interference from Machias rebels.

After Falmouth ran aground, O'Brien and his five brothers, Gideon, John, William, Dennis and Joseph, seized the Unity.

Unity was bombarded by grenades from the British ship, but Margaretta surrendered after James Moore was mortally wounded.

President James Madison appointed O'Brien as the federal customs collector for the port of Machias in 1811, and he held the position until his death in 1818.