The life of Oliver Hazard Perry, with an Appendix, Comprising a Biographical Memoir of the Late Captain James Lawrence; with Brief Sketches of the Most Prominent Events in the Lives of Commodores Bainbridge, Decatur, Porter and Macdonough.

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Preface

etyS* form the principal feature in its constitution. It is necessary , therefore, in such governments to confer titles, dignities and estates, and that these are sometimes conferred according to merit, must be admitted. But the question is, whether a government of this description is more favourable than a Republic to the appreciation of real merit and services. It is ridiculous, we think, to contend that it is. Where there is so much artificial and hereditary greatness, dignity and consequence, re a! merit, talents and services must be exposed to serious obstacles* Let it not be said that rnonarchia! governments, from their power of conferring titles, and creating an* hereditary nobility, possess more ample means of rewarding distinguished public services, than Republics. Titles, at best, are but an empty reward, and in this country they are altogether despised. The names of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, convey to the mind more just and distinct ideas of exalted patriotism, of distinguished public services, and of real greatness, than could be done by any titles which could have been given them. But if we were to concede all that the greatest advocate for monarchy would claim, as to the importance of the power of conferring titles, and creating an hereditary nobility, as a means of rewarding public services, the advantages of this power, with refer ence to this object, are infinitely less than the dis

♦A nobility are thus denominated by Edmund Burke

PREFACE.

V advantages and embarrassments which arise from it. In a republican government, the proper and legitimate reward for distinguished public services (in addition to the nation’s gratitude and admiration,) is the honours and emoluments of public offi* ces and employments. But in a monarchy, the titled and hereditary great-men, engross nearly all of theso, leaving to real talents and distinguished services, little chance of sharing in these honours

and distinctions. If it is said that it is the nation, m * ...

rather than its government, to whom its distinguished benefactors are to look for their reward, we would ask whether there is any thing in aristocratseal institutions, which gives the people a more lively sense of justice ; whether they are more in - telligent, which enables them more justly to appre^ ciate public merit, or have more interest in public affairs, which more strongly inclines them to reward it, than they have in a Republic. If we are told that in the ancient democratical governments to which we have referred, those who had rendered their country the most important services, were often the victims of popular prejudice or indignation, we reply that those governments be ^ without any fixed and permanent principles, were gov ernments of men, and in this particular more resembled the aristocratical than the systematic and well regulated Republican governments of the present day. We also reply that examples of like ingratitude are to be found in all the feudal mon-

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VI lUtKFACHi* archies of* Europe, particularly in England, in that country examples are not wanting of individuals distinguished for their services for the crown, the nation, and the people, having fallen victims to court intrigues and royal displeasure. Of the first, Wolsey, Ptaleigh, Essex, and many others, are distinguished examples, and the two last, comprise most of the enlightened and distinguished patriots of that country— her Sidneys, Russels and Emmets.

That the charge of the ingratitude of. Republics is unfounded the history of this country fully demonstrates. Whilst it does not furnish a single important example in support of this opinion, it affords numerous distinguished examples to the contrary.— Among the most conspicuous of these, is that which is the subject of the following volume. However splendid the achievements, or important the services of Perry may be considered, it must be admitted they were duly appreciated, and suitably rewarded by his country. With the man of a cultivated understanding and refined sense of honour, the homage of a nation’s respect and admiration, is the most grateful reward. Compared to this, titles and dignities are a mere u sound of brass and tinkling cymbal.” They may please the ear, but cannot reach the heart. Such are the rewards of our country, which in an eminent degree, were enjoyed by our youthful hero. In his life he was the subject of the admiration of his country — in his death of its sorrow. The respect which was felt for his virtues

PREFACE.

VII

and services, was translated into reverence for his memory — into veneration for his example. His memory will long be cherished, and defying oblivion’s power, the lapse of time will consecrate his name and virtues.

These considerations have occasioned, and we trust will justify the following volume. How far its execution may correspond with the importance and merits of the subject, is submitted to the public. In addition to a faithful account of the life of Perry, we have aimed to give the work as much historic value as would consist with the design of it, and have embodied a history of the war upon the north-western frontier, which was so gloriously terminated in the victories of lake Erie and the Thames. We have also given a brief account of the Tripolitan war of 1301, not so much in consequence of the concern Perry had in it, as in consideration of its being the great practical school of most of our naval officers, and of its general iuduence upon their character, in which Perry shared in common with others. The geographical information and topographical descriptions, as to the western lakes and the country bordering upon them, may be considered more ample than the nature of the work would justify ; but when information is attempted to be given upon any subject it must be somewhat complete, or it is entirely useless.

In this second edition, the Appendix comprises several new articles, and considerable information

PREFACE.

VUi

upon various subjects, which was not contained in the first edition. The “ View of the navy of the United States,” is the only article in the appendix furnished by the author. This has been enlarged and improved since the first edition ; the body of the work has also been revised, and some slight corrections and improvements made.

The facts and materials which the work comprises, have been derived from authentic sources, and whatever may be thought of it in other respects, it is humbly believed, that so far as industry in research, and care in compilation, can insure historic correctness and accuracy of detail, it possesses these essential characteristics.

THE AUTHOR,

Contents

CHAPTFR I.

introductory remarks — Perry's birth ; his ancestry ~ sketch of the life of his jather — his father's familystate of his health and constitution ta hen a child— early indications of intellect — observations on that subject — Perry's education — his entry into the naval service of his country . 13

Chapter II

Perry's entry on board the General Green , commanded by his father— first cruise of the General Green on the Ha - vanna station — her subsequent cruises — incident with a British 74— General Green visited the port of Jacmael — assisted in the reduction of that place— Perry leaves the General Green at the reduction of the navy — sails for the Mediterranean in 1801 — is promoted to an acting Lieutenancy — returns — in 1 804, sails again for the Mediterranean— commencement of differences between the United States and the Regency of Tripoli — action between the American schooner Enter prize and Tripolitan Corsair — Com. Dale sails with a squadron for the Mediterranean-blockades Tripoli — in 1803 another squadron set out under Com. Preble — differences with the Emperor of Morocco — loss of the Philadelphia — her re-capture by Lieut Decatur — attack upon Tripoli , fyc.

Chapter III

The embarrassment of our commerce— the restrictive measures — employment of the navy in consequence thereof— Perry commands a flotilla of gun-boats — is transferred to the Revenge — assists the Diana in distress — loss of the Revenge —declaration of war — state of the navy at that time — Perry appointed to command a jlo *

CONTENTS.

tilla of gun boats — is transferred to the Lakes — capture of Caledonia and Detroit — capture of York — Perry ordered to superintend the building a fleet at Erie — leaves there to assist in the attack upon Fort George — vessels built, at Erie got over the bar— Perry sails with the squadron , and retires to Put -in- Bay - preceding events of the war upon the northwestern frontier — General Hull's army — his invasion of Canada — the employment of the Indians by the British — HuWs retreat and capitulation — General Harrison s campaign — defeat of General Winchester — Fort Meigs — Col . Dudley's defeat— gallant defence of Fort Stephenson . 53

Chapter IV

Remarks on the vicissitudes of war— Perry arrives with his squadron off' the mouth of Sandusky river — sails and reconnoitres the enemy at Malden , and returns to Fut-in-Bay — remarks on the repose which preceded the action , and its importance— particular account of the action of the 10 th September — some incidents and anecdotes— force of the two fleets — their loss — remarks on the victory — the fleet concentrates the troops at Put-in-Bay— lands them below Malden — the enemy evacuates that place — is pursued to Sandwich— thence to the Moravian town on the Thames — the decisive victory at that place, and capture of Proctor' s army — humanity of the Americans — the troops return to Detroit — Indians sue for peace — provisional government established in the conquered district of Upper Canada — ■ Harrison and Perry proceed down the Lake to Buffalo .

Chapter V

Remarks on the consequences of the victory of Lake Erie — condition of the north-western frontier at the time Perry arrived there — its situation when he left it — the scene of the victory— is calculated to swell its importance, and perpetuate its fame — the great valley of the St Lawrence — importance of the acquisition of the Canadas— ample general view of the vast chain of water communication which drains this great valley — par-

CONTENTS.

XI ticular description of Lake Erie and its borders , which were the scenes of the war — the Indian country in the state of Ohio — general view of the territory of Michigan, and that vast region west of Lake Michigan , and south of Lake Superior — general view of the northwestern districts in Upper Canada , the scene of the war in that province . 168

Chapter VI

The victory of the \i)th September , occasions a general rejoicing throughout the Union — the illumination at Philadelphia - Perry promoted to the rank oj Captain in the navy -He proceeds from Buffalo to Albany — tribute of respect shewn to him at that^ place — proceeds thence to Newport , where he is received with admiration— a gold medal presented to him by order of Congress— Perry leaves Newport for Washington — public dinner given him in New-Yurk — also at the seat oj government — a most splendid entertainment given in honour of him on his return , at Baltimore— is assigned to command on the Newport station — public dinner given in honour of him at Boston — assists a Swedish brig at Newport — visits the eastern coast — ajicr the capture of Washington, Perry repaired thither— commanded a battery to annoy the enemy ingoing down the river — is at Baltimore at the attack upon that place — is ppointed to superintend the equipment of the Java, 218

Chapter VII

The Java is brought to Newport— Perry assists in rescuing shipwrecked seamen - — sails in the Java for the Mediterranean— difference between the United States and the Regency of Algiers hostile proceedings of the latter in 1812 — United States declare war in 1815 — Decatur's squadron arrived at Gibraltar in May, same year — capture of an Algerine frigate and brig — a negotiation follows — a treaty concluded — the squadron proceeds to Tunis — thence to Tripoli — the ratified copy of the treaty carried out by the Java — was at first rejected

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CONTENTS »

by the Dey , who became greatly enraged — dispute between Commodore Perry and Captain Heath — another treaty concluded with the Dey by Commodore Chauncey — Perry in the Java returns to the United States — duel between Perry and Heath — in 1819, Perry sails for the Orinoco— incidents of that voyage — remarks on the country, government , fyc. — proceeds to Port Spain — his death and burial\ 245