The Napoleonic Wars were ongoing in Europe and the French were searching and seizing merchant vessels trading with the British West Indies, causing much loss to American commerce.

Maryland captured the schooner Clarissa, an American slave trader without papers 4 January 1800, and then on 26 July fell in with and recaptured without a fight the Portuguese brig Gloria da Mar, which had been captured by French privateer Cherry of Bourdeaux 13 days previous.

[2] On 10 September 1800 she set sail for St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, with USS Eagle, escorting a convoy of 52 ships.

In a letter dated 20 February to Josiah Parker, Chaiman of the Committee on Naval Affairs, Navy Secretary Stoddert recommended selling her.

Carrying several diplomatic passengers and important letters and dispatches, she returned to her home port in Baltimore on 28 August.