The first USS Eagle, a schooner, was built at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1798, and commissioned in the Revenue Cutter Service under the command of Captain Hugh G. Campbell, USRCS.

She placed under control of the Navy in July 1798 for service in the undeclared naval war (Quasi-War) with France.

From October 1798 Eagle patrolled off the coast of South Carolina and Georgia protecting American shipping from French privateers.

Ordered to the West Indies, she arrived at Prince Rupert's Bay, Dominica, 14 March 1799, to hunt French ships, and to convoy merchant vessels on the Guadeloupe Station until late in June, when she sailed for New Castle, Delaware.

[2][3] In late April or before 6 May 1799, Eagle, USS Richmond and USRC Virginia captured the French ship Louis.

[15] On 10 September 1800 she set sail for St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, with the sloop-of-war USS Maryland, escorting a convoy of 52 ships.