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INAUGURATION 
 
 OF THE 
 
 PEEET STATUE, 
 
 AT CLEYELAISTD, 
 
 ON THE TENTH OF SEPTEMBER, 18G0; 
 
 INCLUDI5fG THE 
 
 ADDRESSES AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS, 
 
 WITH A SKETCH OF 
 
 WILLIAM WALOUTT 
 
 THE SCULPTOR. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY DIRECTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL. 
 
 CLEVELAND, . 
 
 FAIRBANKS, BENEDICT & CO., PRINTERS, HERALD OFFICE. 
 
 186 1. 
 
 C 
 

 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 18(U, by 
 
 FAIRBANKS, BENEDICT & CO., 
 
 In the Clerk's Offlce of the District Court, for the Nortliern Dii^trict of Ohio. 
 
NOTE. 
 
 The Historical Sicftch of the Inangnration, aud its leading inci- 
 dents, embodied in the following pages, were clipped troni the 
 columns of the public prints, and, for the most part, from the 
 " CLEVELAJy-D ITerald. " Only such slight corrections and additions 
 have been made as seemed necessary in order to present tlie 
 details in their proper connection. 
 
 Cleveland, December 31, 1880. 
 
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT. 
 
 The project of erecting a statue to Commodore Peeey iu the 
 public Parli: of the city of Cleveland, originated -with Hon. Hak- 
 VEY Rice, then a member of the City Council, who in June 1857, 
 introduced into the Council a set of resolutions relative to that 
 subject, by which a select committee of five, was empowered to 
 contract for the erection of a monument in the public Park of the 
 city, to Commodore Perry, in commemoration of his heroic ser- 
 vices in achieving the victory on Lake Erie in the year 1813 : 
 the monument to be surmount-ed with a life-like statue of the 
 hero, cut in marble ; and in order to meet the expense, the com- 
 mittee was authorized to solicit subscriptions fi-om the citizens 
 of Cleveland, and apply the avails inpayment of the monument. 
 These resolutions were unanimously adopted by the City Council : 
 whereupon the President appointed Harvey PiICE, 0. M. Oviatt, 
 
 J. M COFFINBERRY, J. KiRKPATRICK and C. D. WiLLIAMS, that 
 
 committee ; Harvey PacE, as chairman. 
 
 On the 14th of October, 1857, the committee contracted witli 
 T. Jones & Sons, of Cleveland, who are proprietors of marble 
 works, to erect the proposed monument. By the terms of tliij^ 
 contract T. Jones & Sons agreed to provide all the materials and 
 to erect the monument, surmounted with the statue of Perry in 
 the best style of art, subject to the approval of the committee; 
 and to accomplish the work ready for the inauguration by the 
 10th of September, 1860, for the sum of six thousand dollars: for 
 the payment of wliieh they agreed to rely on the voluntarv sub- 
 
6 
 
 scriptions of the citizens of Cleveland, thereafter to be obtained 
 by the solicitation of the committee and by themselves, taking 
 the risk of obtaining the required amount on themselves. 
 
 The contractors resolved to spare no effort or expense on their 
 part, to procure the work undertaken by them, to be executed in 
 a manner equal to anything of the kind ever done in the 
 United States. Influenced by this laudable desire, and by a 
 spirit of patriotism and liberality highly honorable to them as 
 men and citizens, they commenced at once a correspondence 
 with several of the celebrated sculptors resident in this country 
 and in foreign countries, with a view to ascertain the cost, and to 
 secure the services of a competent sculptor to execute the statue 
 of Perry, in a style worthy of his name and memory. IIiram' 
 Powers, the distinguished American sculjitor, resident in Italy, 
 replied to the contractors as follows : 
 
 "Floeence, Nov. 28th, 1858. 
 
 "Messrs. T. Jones & Sons, Cleveland, O. — Gentlemen : I liave 
 just received your kind letter on the subject of a mouumeut to Cojimo- 
 DOiiE Perry, to be erected at Cleveland ; imd I thank you much for 
 having thought of me in regard to it. 
 
 You desire to know if I would undertake the execution of the statue 
 of Commodore Perry, which is to be placed on the monument, and 
 what would be the probable expense of it, delivered in America : also, 
 what I tliink the size should be, and how long it would require to get it 
 ready. 
 
 It is hardly possible to answer these questions in a satisfactory man- 
 ner, without knowing more upon the sulycct — the plan and size of the 
 monument — the amount proposed to be expended upon it — and the ma- 
 terial, whether bronze or marble. But I will say as much as the limited 
 information of your present letter will allow. In expectation of seeing 
 me soon, you have naturally left out some important particulars. 
 
 First, then. In regard to time, I could have tlie statue finished and 
 delivered in New York in season to reach you before September, 1860, 
 but not much sooner. 
 
 Secoridly. If it should be decided to make the statue of bronze and 
 eight (eet high, I should require the same amount for it, delivered in New 
 York, that I have already received for my statue of Webster, of that size 
 and material, viz, $12,000. In marble the expense would be something 
 more, and then the difficulty about marble would be, the time required 
 to execute the statue ; I could hardly have it done in due season. 
 
 That you could obtain the statue on much lower terms than the above, 
 I am quite sure. I have only stated the value of my time and the mate- 
 
rials. The pains I take, and my large expenses, make it necessary, that 
 I should charge a full equivalent, however much I may desire the honor 
 of perpetuating in bronze or inar1)le, the form of our glorious Perry. 
 
 If I have said enough to form the basis for a satisfactorj' arrangement, 
 it would be well to procure the materials for the likeness, features and 
 dress, soon as possible. 
 
 My return home was prevented by a telegraphic despatch, stating that 
 my commission for the government was in a fair way of arrangement. — 
 With sincere respect. I am, truly yours, 
 
 H. POWERS. 
 
 In relation to the same matter, Mr. Palmer, the eminent 
 sculptor of Albany, N. Y., addres.sed to the contractors the fol- 
 lowing letter: 
 
 Alb.\nv, N. Y., Nov. 4th, 1858. 
 
 T. Jones & Sons. — Gentlemen : Your favor of the 37th ult. came in 
 due time, but illness has prevented an earlier reply. 
 
 If I engage to execute the statue of Perry my terms will be as follows, 
 viz: — For the Statue complete, (not including the cost of the marble in 
 tlie rough) $0,000; one half, $8,000, to be paid on the completion of the 
 model in plaster. I would suggest that the Statue be seven feet in hight, 
 as it will then appear scarcely life-size, when in its elevated position. 
 
 \evy truly yours, 
 
 E. D. PALi\IER. 
 
 The following was received from Mr. Ball, of Boston, who ha."? 
 earned an enviable reputation as a sculptor : 
 
 Boston, March 2.j, 1850. 
 
 T. JosES & Sons — Dear Sirs: Your favor of the 21st I have duly re- 
 ceived. I am afraid we shall not be able to come to terms in regard to 
 the Perry monument, for the reason that they do not allow j'ou enough 
 for the work. You ought to receive $0,000 for the Statue alone, to be 
 done as soon as it should be. They would or should not be satisfied 
 with anything less than a first rate work of art, and such a work I could 
 not engage to furnish — the Statue finished in marble — for less than 
 $5,000 ; or the model in piaster for less than $2,000 ; that would leave 
 you comparatively nothing for your part of the monument. I must do 
 my best with anythmg I undertake, as that is none too good. It might 
 be done for a -less sum than I have mentioned, but could it be done wellV 
 
 If you should have enough contributed to afford to pay the sum men- 
 tioned, and would like to have me make the Statue, I should be most 
 happy to do it. 
 
Please let me know your decision, whatever it may be, and also wLat 
 material you have to make the likeness from. I should like to see the 
 litho2:raph of the monument. 
 
 With many thanks for your politeness, 
 
 I am, very truly, yours, 
 
 T. BALL. 4 
 
 From the information thus derived from experienced sculp- 
 tors, T. Jones & Sons became satisfied that they had taken the 
 conti-act for the erection of the monument at too low a figure, 
 but nevertheless were determined to fulfill the engagement on 
 their part. They finally had the good fortune to secure the 
 services of William Walcutt to design and model the Statue. 
 As a scidptor of busts, Mr. Walcutt had already acquired a 
 wide reputation. He was influenced more l)y a love of art than 
 by pecuniary considerations, in undertaking to execute the Sta- 
 tue of Perey. The block of marble from which the Statue is 
 cut w^as procured by T. Jones & Sons, from Carrara, Italy, and 
 shipped in the rough to Cleveland; and in their studio at Cleve- 
 land the entire work of cutting the Statue in accordance with 
 the model was done. The fact is worthy of notice that this is 
 the first attempt in the Western States which has ever been 
 made, to accomplish a work of thi.s character. 
 
 After Mr. Walcutt had produced his design of the Statue, 
 the original plan of the monument, as at first proposed, w^as dis- 
 carded, and the design drawn by Mr. Walcutt adopted, which 
 was regarded by the Committee as a decided improvement, 
 though its adoption had the effect to increase the cost of the 
 monument at least ^2,000, to which the contractors assented ; 
 and it is for this reason that the contract was so modified as 
 to allow the contractors the right to solicit subscriptions to 
 that amount in addition to the original contract price, making 
 the entire cost of the monument, without the proposed side fig- 
 ures, f^,000. This change of plan required the pedestal to be 
 constructed of Rhode Island granite, twelve feet in hight, and 
 the Statue to be cut in Italian marble, eight feet and two inches 
 in hight, so as to appear life-size to the eye, when placed on the 
 pedestal, and making the entire hight of the monument, includ- 
 ing the base, twenty-five feet. 
 
 In addition to this the Boat Scene, when Perry passed to the 
 
Niac'ara, was to be represented in alto rclicvo, on the front of 
 the monument. And we will venture to say that a more chaste 
 and beautiful monument was never erected, in any country. We 
 Jiope yet to see the artist's "Sailor Boy" and "Midshipman," ad- 
 ded, as side figures to the monument, cut in marble, and occupy- 
 ing, in a half sitting posture, the projections designed for them, 
 and this, we have no doubt, will soon be accomplished. 
 
 T. Jones & Sons feel confident that their eflbrts to gratify 
 the public taste, and contribute something towards paying a 
 national debt of gratitude, will be rightly appreciated, as they 
 were influenced more by a spirit of patriotism than by any pe- 
 cuniary motive, in undertaking the enterprize. 
 
 When they shall have received the full sum of ^8,000, they 
 will not realize more than will comj^ensate them and the artist, 
 for their daily labor at ordinary rates ; but their success is a 
 sufficient guaranty, that works of this character can be executed 
 in the West, as well as in the Eastern States, and that, too, in a 
 manner which has not been excelled. And we therefore pre- 
 dict that bo!h the artist and contractors for what they have al- 
 ready done, will find themselves yet liberally rewarded in the 
 luture requisitions which will be made upon their skill in this 
 department of art. 
 
 The fact that the statue is a life likeness of Commodore Perry 
 cannot be doubted. Dr. U. Parsons, of Rhode Island, who 
 was Surgeon in the service of Perry's flag ship, speaks of this 
 fact in one of his letters as follows : 
 
 PROvrDENCK, Feb. 4th, 1860. 
 
 "Messrs. Jones & Sons— Gentlemen : I have received the elegant 
 figure of Perry (photograph) from Mr. Walcdtt'b studio, for whicli 1 
 feel very grateful. As a whole I think it excellent, and the artist has 
 done himself great credit. The general form of the head is perfect; the 
 whole figure good, spirited and appropriate. 
 
 Yours, very truly, 
 
 USHER PARSONS. 
 
 Dr. Eastman, of Seville, Ohio, who was assistant Surgeon in 
 dressing the wounded brought into port at Erie after the battle, 
 and who often saw Perry, addressed the following letter to Mr. 
 
 Walcutt : 
 
10 
 
 Seville, 0., Aug. 12tli, 1860. 
 
 Mr. W.\lcutt — Dear Sir: Please accept my thanks for your kind in- 
 vitation, while in Cleveland, on Thursday last, to view your Statue of 
 Commodore Perry. Althoun^h forty-seven years have intervened, I 
 have a vivid recollection of the looks of the Commodore, and can tiiily 
 say that, so far as the appearance of a man can be transferred to mar- 
 ble, your Statue is connect and truthful in form, feature and proportion; 
 so much so that any one who has ever seen Oliver Hazard Perry, in 
 Naval costume, would, at first view, recognize the striking resemblance, 
 and acknowledge its identity with the hero of Lake Erie. 
 
 Yours, very respectfully, 
 
 NATHANIEL EASTMAN. 
 
 Captain Festus Cone, of Moscow, N. Y., was the Lead car- 
 penter under Perry, in building the war vessels at Erie, in 
 LS13, and became familiarly acquainted with him. Capt. Cone 
 visited Cleveland in July last, called at Walcutt's studio, to 
 see the Perry Statue, and the moment ho beheld it, he exclaim- 
 ed: ''That's Perry all over." This is an unsophisticated criti- 
 cism which may be regarded as highly complimentary to the 
 artist. 
 
RESOLUTIONS, INVITATIONS, LETTERS. ETC. 
 
 By the terms of the contract with T. Junes & Soxs for the 
 erection of the Perry Mouumeut, it was contemphited that the 
 •work should be accomplished in time for the inauguration of the 
 Statue on the 10th of September, 1860, that being the 47th an- 
 niversary of Perry's Victory on Lake Erie. The Committee 
 therefore issued their special invitations in reference to that day; 
 and by authority of a resolution adopted by the City Council, in 
 January, 1800, addressed an invitation to the Governor and 
 Staff, State Officers and Military, Members of the Legislature, 
 and other distinguished citizens of Rhode Island, to attend the 
 Inauguration, tendering them the hospitalities of the city, ac- 
 companied with the request that his Excellency communicate 
 the same to the Legislature, then in session, which was done ; 
 and, in reply to which the Legislature, at its next May session, 
 passed the following resolutions : 
 
 State of Rhode Island and Pkovidence Plantation. 
 
 May Session, A. D., 18G0 : 
 
 To the IlonoraUe General Assembly^ at their May Session, A. D., 18G0: 
 The Joint Special Committee, to whom was referred the communica- 
 cation of Harvey Rice, J. Kikkpatrick, J. M. Coffinberry, O. M. 
 OviATT and Charles D. Williams, Esq.'s, "the Special Committee hav- 
 ing in charge the erection of the Perry Statue, at Cleveland, Ohio," re- 
 commend, as their Report, the passage of the subjoined resolutions: 
 
 R',h(ilrc(l, Thnt this General Assembly has received with patriotic sen- 
 sibility the announcement of the Governor, communicating the invita- 
 tion of tlie "Special Committee, having in charge the erection of the 
 
12 
 
 Perry Statue at Cleveland," in our sister State of Ohio, inviting his Ex- 
 cellency, the Governor, and Staff, our State officers, the members of the 
 Legislature of this State, the Quartermaster General, the Ajudtant Gen- 
 eral, and Military Companies of Rhode Island, to attend, as the guests of 
 said city, on the 10th of September, 1860, the Inauguration at Cleveland, 
 of the Statue of our late fellow citizen. Commodore Oliver Hazaud 
 PiiRRY, whose sacred remains repose in our soil, and whose heroic vir- 
 tues, and great naval achievements on Lake Erie, are held in perpetual 
 memory by the people of Rhode Island. 
 
 Feiolved, That the General Assembly and people of Rhode Island re- 
 cognize in this new memorial proposed to be erected by the citizens of 
 the West to the character, genius and patriotic exertions of a citizen of 
 the East, a fresh pledge of that mutual devotion to the glory of a com- 
 mon country, which was ever cherished by the fathers of the Republic 
 as the surest bond of perpetuating the indissoluble union of these States. 
 
 Resolved^ that the said invitation be and the same is hereby accepted, 
 as well in behalf of His E xcellency the Governor and Staff, our General 
 State Officers, the Quartermaster General and Adjutant General, as on 
 the part of the members of the General Assembly. 
 
 R-isolved, That the Secretary of State be and is herel)y requested to 
 communicate a copy of these resolutions to the gentlemen composing the 
 aforesaid committee at Cleveland, Ohio, and also to his Honor the Mayor 
 of said city of Cleveland. 
 
 I certify the foregoing to be a true copy; in testimony whereof I have 
 hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the State of Rliode Island, 
 this fifth day of June, A.D. 1860. 
 
 JOHN R. BARTLETT, 
 
 [l. s.] Secretary of State. 
 
 List of lineal descendents of Coin. Perry, the Hero of Lahc Erie. 
 
 Oliver Hazard Perry, son of Com. Perry, of Andover, 
 Mass.; his children — Annie Maria, Julia Randolph, Eliza- 
 beth Champlin, William Gorham, Oliver Hazard. Eliz- 
 abeth Mason Perry, daughter of Com. Perry, and now the 
 wife of Dr. Francis Vinton, New York ; her children — -Fran- 
 cis Vinton, Elizabeth Mason Vinton, Oliver Perry Vinton, 
 Arthur Dudley Vinton, Frederick Betts Vinton, Gertrude 
 Vinton. Christopher Grant Perry, deceased, son of Com. 
 Perry, Newport, R. I.; his children — Margaret Mason, Oli- 
 ver Hazard, Fannie Sargent, Thomas Sargent. 
 
13 
 
 Names of some of the collateral Relatives of Commodore Perry, 
 ■with Letters and extracts from Letters received by the Chairman 
 of the Pefry Monumetit Govimittee, in reply to special invitations 
 extended to them, to attend the inauguration 07i the 10th jScptem- 
 her, at Cleveland. 
 
 Mrs. Commodore M. C. Perry and daughter, New York ; 
 Capt. Stephen CiiAMrLiN, Bufialo, N. Y.; Mrs. August Bel- 
 mont, New York ; Mr. and Mrs. Hone, Morristown, New Jer- 
 sey ; Mr. Robert S. Rodgers, Havre de Grace, Maryland ; Mr. 
 and Mrs. Lieut. C. R. P. Rodgers, Morristown, N. J.; Mr. and 
 Mrs. Lieut. George Rodgers, and Mr. George Rodgers, N. Y.; 
 Mrs. Nathaniel Perry, New London, Ct.; Mrs. Grant Perry, 
 and Mr. Oliver H. Perry, Jr., Newport R. I.; Mrs. Alexan- 
 der Perry, and James Perry, Bristol, R. I., Oliver H. Perry, 
 2d, New York ; Rev. Dr. G. B. Perry and his children — Hen- 
 ry G. Perry, Oliver H. Perry, Willis G. Perry, and Emily 
 Perry, Natchez, Miss.; Dr. Thomas N. Perry, Providence, R. 
 I.; Dr.. G. B. Perry, Williamsburgh, N. Y.; and Geo. H. Perry, 
 Hopkinton, R. I. 
 
 LETTER FBOI O. H. PEKRY, SON OF COMMODOEE TEREY. 
 
 Boston, June 2G, 18G0. 
 
 Dear Sir : — Your kind note in behalf of tlic "Perry Monument Com- 
 mittee" was duly received. 
 
 It will be of great interest to Mrs. Perry and myself to witness the in- 
 auguration of the Statue, and with great pleasure we accept your polite 
 invitation. I am, dear sir, very truly, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 O. 11. PERRY. 
 
 rev. dr. vinton s letter. 
 
 5 Gracb Court, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 My Dear Sir : — Your note of invitation to Mrs. Vinton, the only 
 daughter of the late Commodore Olivp:r Hazard Perry, and to myself, 
 to attend the inauguration of the Statue of Perry at Cleveland, on the 
 10th of September, prox., demands our grateful acknowledgement. 
 
 "We shall avail ourselves, the Lord willing, of the opportunity to be 
 present and witness the ceremonies, which will do honor to the patriot- 
 
14 
 
 ism and munificence of the citizens of Cleveland, as well as to the mem- 
 ory of Mrs. Vinton's heroic father. 
 
 Accept, Sir, my profound acknowledgments of your courtesy, and of 
 the consideration of the Committee. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 FRANCIS VINTON. 
 
 MR. Belmont's letter. 
 
 New York, June 4, 1860. 
 
 Dear Ci ; : —I have to acknowledge the receipt of your kind letter of 
 the 29th pa^', a:id beg to tender you my sincere thauks for the invitation 
 with which you have honored me, to attend the inauguration of the Perry 
 Statue, to take place iu your city on the 10th of September next. 
 
 If my engagements will permit me, I shall certainly avail myself of the 
 honor which you confer upon me, and to which you give additional 
 weight l)y coupling it with the kind mvitation to be the guest of your 
 city on this interesting occasion. 
 
 I hope that Mrs. Beljiont will be able to accompany me, in order to 
 witness the generous tribute whicli your noble city pays to the memory 
 of the gallant brother of her lamented father, both cherished in the 
 American heart as bright ornaments of that service which has thrown 
 so much lustre upon the history of our Republic. 
 
 In compliance with your request, I beg to hand you, annexed, a list 
 of the addrcsHcs of same of the relatives of Commodore Oliver II. Perry, 
 and have the honor to remain, veiy respectfully. 
 
 Dear sir, your obedient servant, 
 
 AUGUST BELMONT. 
 
 LETTER PROM LIEUT. RODGERS. 
 
 Morristow^n, 20th June, 18G0. 
 
 Dear Sir:— I have the lienor to acknowledge the receipt of your note 
 of the 14th inst., and I beg you to receive my thanks for the very court- 
 eous manner in which you have conveyed to me and to my wife an in- 
 vitation to be present on the 10th of September, at the inauguration of 
 the Statue of Com. Perry, in the public Park at Cleveland. 
 
 I feel a deep sense ot the honor done my brave Uncle, and to the pro- 
 fession of which I am an humble member, by the citizens of Cleveland ; 
 such honors are the best incentives to noble deeds ; the monumental 
 bronze is the symbol of that love with which our country cherishes the 
 memory of brave deeds done by its sons in its behalf, and may well in- 
 cite the seamen of this Republic to emulate the courage and constancy 
 
15 
 
 which ilUistrate the annals of our last war with Great Britain. Should 
 it be in my power, I shall have the most sincere cratitication in being at 
 Cleveland to witness the ceremonies so interesting both to my family and 
 my profession , and I remain, dear sir, most respectfully and faithfully. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 C. R P. RODGERS. 
 
 MRS. JANE PERRY S LETTER. 
 
 Xew York, June 7, ISGO. 
 Dear Sir : — I was much gratified at receiving j-our polite invitation 
 to visit Cleveland at the time of the inauguration of the Statue of my 
 brother, and shall certainly be present, with my daughter, if mj- health 
 will admit. Absence from the city lias prevented me from answering 
 your very kind letter sooner. Yours, very respectfully, 
 
 JANE PERRY. 
 
 MR. hone's letter. 
 
 Dear Sir : — Your note of the 14th inst., conveying a special invitation 
 for Mrs. Hone and myself to attend the inauguration of the Perry Statue 
 at Cleveland, was duly received. 
 
 We feel deeply sensible of the high honor and compliment which the 
 citizens of Cleveland have thus conferred upon us, and will, shoidd noth- 
 ing untoward prevent, have the satisfaction of being present on that oc- 
 casion to witness a ceremonj^ most gratifying to us, as relatives and 
 connexions of the Hero of Lake Erie. 
 
 With many thanks for your kindness, I am, dear sir. 
 
 Yours very respectfully, 
 
 JOHN HONE. 
 
 capt. champlin's letter. 
 
 Capt. Stephen CnAMPLiN was commander of the sliip "Scor- 
 pion" in tlie Battle. 
 
 Buffalo, June 26th, 1860. 
 Sir : Your letter inviting me to be present at the inauguration of the 
 Statue of Com. O. H. Perry, to come off on the 10th Sept., next, at 
 Cleveland, is received. It will give me great ])leasure, my health per- 
 mitting, to attend, Yours very respectfully. 
 
 STEPPIEN CHA:\IPLTN. 
 
 In a .subsequent letter of Aug. 30th, 1860, he remarks as 
 follows : 
 
IG 
 
 Deak Sir: — Your favor of the 29th inst., came this morning to hand. 
 I am highly gratitied with the compliment paid me in the offer to an- 
 nounce me as Commander of the fleet: (alluding to the Mock Battle.) 
 I shall be in your city on Saturday morning, 8th prox., on board the 
 steamer Western Metropolis, and hope to see you on arrival. I have 
 taken the liberty to invito to be present, Mr. Azel, Wilkinson, who was 
 a pilot on board of the "Ariel," (1813,) and he will accompany me, 
 I am, sir, yours very respectfully, 
 
 STEPHEN CHAMPLIK 
 
 LETTER FROM MR. J. P. W. PERRY. 
 
 Bristol, R. I. 
 Dear Sir : — I accept with pleasure the invitation, and hope it may be 
 in my power to be present at the inauguration. 
 
 This patriotic and generous movement of the citizens of Cleveland has 
 awakened a feeling of sympathy and admiration toward them in the heart 
 of many a Rhode Islander. 
 
 These feelings are warmly appreciated by all who bear the name ol' 
 him whose memory you Avould perpetuate. 
 
 I am very respectfully yours, 
 
 JAMES D. W. PERRY. 
 
 LETTER FROM R. S. RODGERS. 
 
 Havre de Grace, Md., 19 July, 1860. 
 Dear Sir: — If possible we will have the greatest pleasure in being 
 present at a ceremony particularly interesting to the relatives and con- 
 nexions of Com. Perry, and commemorative of an event which sheds 
 so bright a renown upon our national history. 
 
 Veiy respectfully yours, 
 
 ROBERT S. RODGERS. 
 
 letter from rev. dr. perry. 
 
 Trinity Church Rectory, 
 Natchez, Miss., June 11, 1800. 
 My DE.iR Sir: — Your favor of the 30th ult., as Chairman of tJie Perry 
 IVIonument Committee, inviting me to attend the inauguration of the 
 Perry Statue at Cleveland, on the 10th of Sept. next, and to act as Chap- 
 lain on that day, is received. 
 
 To perform such a service, at such a time, by one connected as myself, 
 seems to me to be what ought to be regarded as both a duty and a pleasure. 
 Please therefore signify to your Committee my acceptance of their invita- 
 tion to act as Chaplain on that occasion. 
 
 With feelings of high consideration for yourself, your Committee, and 
 the cause you represent, I am, dear sir, yours, 
 
 G. B. PERRY. 
 
17 
 
 LETTER FKOM DOOT. EASTJtAX, ASSISTANT SURGEON IN THE WAJ!. 
 
 Seville, Medina Co,. O., June 23, 1860. 
 
 Dear Sin : — Your letter inviting me to attend the inauguration of the 
 Perry Statue at Cleveland on the 10th September, is received. Please to 
 present my sincere thanks to the Committee for their kind invitation. I 
 shall be present on that interesting occasion, if life is spared, and health 
 permits. 
 
 I must say, however, that I was not on board Perry's fleet on the day 
 of the battle. I volunteered toassi.'t in dressing the wounds, and taking 
 care of the wounded that were brought to the Marine Hospital at Erie, 
 directly after the action. Jn December following I received the appoint- 
 ment of Acting Surgeon's Mate, and an order from Capt. Jessie D. Elli- 
 ot, (then commander of the naval forces on the lakes,) to go to Put-in- 
 Bay with a detachment of sailors under command of sailing-master Ste- 
 phen Champlin. We sailed from Erie in the United States schooner 
 Scorpion, on the 16th day of December, and landed onPut-in-Bay island, 
 and went on board the prize ship Detroit, on the 24th. I performed the 
 duties of Surgeon on the two prize sliips, the "Detroit" and "Queen 
 Charlotte," for a company of soldiers, commanded by Lieut. Quintus F. 
 Atkins,* and for a detachment of Ohio Militia, garrisoned on the island, 
 there being no other medical officer at Put-in-Bay, until the 16th day of 
 April, 1814, when Dr. Roberts took my place, and I returned to Erie 
 with Capt. Elliot, on the United States schooner "Ariel." I was then 
 ordered on board the brig "Niagara," and performed the duties of Sur- 
 geon's Mate, until some time in the latter part of June, when I resigned 
 my appointment, and left the service. 
 
 Should I, at the inauguration on the 10th of Scptem1)er, chance to 
 meet with any surviving associate, who passed the long and dreary win- 
 ters of 1813 and 1814 with me at Put-in-Bay, it would afford me the 
 greatest pleasure to take him by the hand. 
 
 Most respectfully yours, 
 
 NATHANIEL EASTMAN. 
 
 LETTER FROM DR. PARSONS, SURGEON ON THE FLAG SHIP LAWRENCE. 
 
 Providence, R. L, Aug, 11, 1860. 
 Dear Sir: — I perceive by the programme j'ou were pleased to send 
 me, that a "sham fight" is to come off on the 10th of September, prob- 
 ably to represent Perry's battle. If I am right, I venture to suggest that 
 it might be well to consult some one who was in the fight, as to the order 
 of sailing, and the evolutions performed during the battle. There is such 
 
 * Quintus P. Atkins, formerlj- of Cleveland, but now deceaaed.— [Eds. Herald. 
 
18 
 
 a person, who would be competent to inform the managers, and who 
 could be consulted without trouble or expense. (See map.) 
 
 HosEA S.\RGE.\NT is, I bclievc, the only survivor of the flag ship, 
 Lawrence, except mj-self. He escaped without injury in the battle, 
 helped tire the last gun, and hauled down the Commodore's fighting flag, 
 and passed it to him in the boat, which he carried with him on his shoul- 
 der to the Niagara. Sargeant has come to light within the last year. 
 I well remember him iu the Lawrence. Although an experienced sailor 
 at the time, he enlisted in the army near Cincinnati for eighteen months 
 as sergeant. He was with Croghan in the defence of Fort Stephenson, 
 and soon after volunteered as one of the thirty-six from Harrison's 
 army, to serve on board the fleet, and was stationed in the Lawrence. 
 After the battle he returned to the army, and was in several other bat- 
 tles. He is perfectly reliable and truthful. The Presidents of the rail- 
 roads, on my mentioning him, immediately offered him a free ticket to 
 Cleveland and back. If the managers ot the sham fight would like to 
 consult some one of the survivors respecting the order of battle, and suc- 
 cessive changes in the fleet, Sargeant would be just the man. 
 
 Yours very respectfully, 
 
 USHER PARSONS. 
 
 LETTER FROM JUDGE il CANDLESS. 
 
 Pittsburgh, July25tli, 18G0. 
 Dear Sir: — No judicial engagement intervening to prevent it, 1 shall 
 take great pleasure in accepting the invitation extended to participate in 
 your patriotic celebration on the 10th of September. The pleasure will 
 be enhanced, in renewing a cherished acquaintance with our great histo- 
 rian, Mr. Bancroft, and hearing from his lips, that alone can tell, in 
 terms of fitting eulogy, of the heroic merits and indomitable bravery of 
 Commodore Perry. Very respectfully your.s, 
 
 WILSON M'CANDLESS. 
 
 letter from TIIE poet BRYANT. 
 
 New York, August 23d, 1860. 
 Sir: — A.llow me, through you, to thank the Perry Monument Com- 
 mittee for the honor they have done me in the invitation to be present at 
 the inauguration of the Statue of our illustrious naval commander. I 
 should take great pleasure in visiting again your city, of the beauty of 
 which I retain a most agreeable remembrance, and no less in listening to 
 the great historian, who will address the assemblage on that occasion. 
 My occupations arc such, however, that I must forego that pleasure. 
 
 I am, sir, respectfully yours, 
 
 W. C. BRYANT. 
 
19 
 
 LETTER FROM THE HISTORIAN LOSSING. 
 
 POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y. 
 
 My Dear Sir : — I accept your invitation to attend the inauguration 
 of the Perry Statue, on the 10th of September, with pleasure, and thank 
 you most cordially for your kind remembrance of me. It will indeed be 
 an occasion of national interest, honorable alike to the patriotism that 
 conceived, and the public spirit that executed a work so worthy of a free 
 people, and delightful to all who shall participate in the ceremonies of 
 the day. 
 
 Please present my thanks to your associates on the Committee, and 
 accept for yourself and them, the kind regards of 
 
 Your friend and ob't servant, 
 
 BENSON J. LOSSING. 
 
 LETTER FROM GRAND MASTER STOKES. 
 
 Lebanon, O., June 15, A. D., 1860. 
 
 Dear Sir: — Yours of the 11th iust., inviting me as Grand Master of 
 Masons in Ohio, to attend the inauguration of the Perry Statue in your 
 city, on the 10th of September next, and perform the ]\Iasonic cere- 
 monies on that occasion, is received. 
 
 Deeming it a great privilege to be instrumental in any degree, in 
 contributing to the interest of this patriotic enterprize of the citizens 
 of the Forest City, in honoring the memory of the gallant defender of 
 the Lakes, it affords me much pleasure to accept your courteous invi- 
 tation. 
 
 On behalf of the fraternity ))ermit me to present to the Committee, 
 and through it, to the citizens of Cleveland, our grateful acknowledge- 
 ments for this mark of their respect and consideration, to pledge our 
 best etioi-ts to make the occasion imposing and interesting. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 HORACE M. STOKES. 
 
 LETTER FROM GOV. DENNISON, OP OHIO. 
 
 Columbus, June 2.3d, 1860. 
 Dear Sir : — I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your 
 esteemed favor of the 20tli inst., and in reply have the honor to in- 
 form you that I will be happy to be present at the inauguration of the 
 Perry Monument at Cleveland, on the 10th of September next, in 
 compliance with your kind invitation. I hope to be accompanied by 
 all the members of my staff. 
 
 Your ob't servant, 
 
 W. DENNISON. 
 
20 
 
 LETTER FROM GOVERNOR SPRAGUE OP RHODE ISLAND. 
 
 Providence, Aug. 30, 1800. 
 
 Dear Sir : — Your telegram came duly to hand, also letter of the 27th. 
 The reception of the Rhode Island delegation, as you propose, is very 
 creditable to Gov. Dennison and your committee, and is duly appreci- 
 ated by me and the delegation ; but, for myself, I should be very glad 
 indeed to come quietly to Cleveland, reserving all your attention to the 
 object of your celebration. In the muliitude of my private and official 
 duties, I cannot give much time to that preparation which would be ne- 
 cessary to a creditable reply to so hospitable a reception. 
 
 I am, with regards to your committee, 
 
 Your ob't servant, 
 
 WM. SPRAGUE.. 
 
 We have pui'posely reserved for the last a deeply interesting 
 letter, received from the present Secretary of State. General 
 Cass has been identified with the history of the North West 
 since its organization as a Territory. No man living more so. 
 In the war of 1812, he proved himself abrave and valuable officer, 
 and no officer under Hull showed greater indignation at the 
 surrender of Detroit than he ; and had the troops in Detroit been 
 under Gen. Cass, instead of Gen. Hull, no such stain would 
 now rest upon the American arms as was caused by Hull's sur- 
 render. 
 
 This letter describes the o]>ening of that famous dispatch, 
 "We have met the enemy and they are ours." It makes the 
 blood course with accelerated force to read the account, even on 
 this forty-seventh anniversary of that great day. 
 
 letter from lewis CASS. 
 
 Washington City, Sept. 5, 1860. 
 
 Sir : — I received some time since, your letter written on behalf of the 
 Committee associated with you, inviting me to attend the ceremonies 
 which will mark the inauguration of the Statue of Commodore Perry, 
 which the citizens of Cleveland design to erect in honor of his memory. I 
 have delayed an answer till this time in the hope that I might be able to 
 be present on that interesting occasion. But finding myself disappointed, 
 I have to express to you my regret at being compelled to be absent and 
 at the same time to assure you that I fully participate in those generous 
 sentiments which led to this manifestation of public gratitude. The day 
 
21 
 
 and tlie deed you meet to commemonite will forever occupy one of the 
 brightest pages in the history of our country. 
 
 Your reference to my position at the period of the battle, renders it 
 proper that I should recall the circumstances to which you refer. 1 was 
 not, as you suppose, the "Commanding General on the Western Fron- 
 tier." General Harrison had been called to that arduous situation, and 
 well were Us duties fufilled by him. I was under his command as a 
 Brigadier General in the Army of the United States, and had been 
 stationed for some time at Seneca, on the Sandusky river, where the 
 troops destined for the invasion of Canada were assembled with a view 
 of ulterior operations, when the proper moment for action should arrive. 
 Not long before the engagement, I accompanied General Harrison on a 
 visit to Commodore Perry, then with his fleet near Put-in-Bay, in order 
 to concert with him such measures as it might be necessary mutually to 
 adopt. It was determined in consequence of the lateness of the season, 
 if the British fleet did not make its appearance soon, the Army should be 
 put in motion within a short time, and cross the upper part of the Lakt; 
 in open boats, without awaiting the result of a naval conflict. In con- 
 formity with this resolution, General Harrison marched from Seneca 
 with a portion of the Army, for the mouth of Portage river, the point 
 selected for embarkation, about the 10th of Septeml)er, 1813, but before 
 anj^ intelligence of the battle had been received. He left me in command 
 of the main body of the army. Ilis movements and designs are indicated 
 in the following extract of his letter to General Armstong, then Secretary 
 of War, dated ''Head Qaarters, Mouth of Portage River, on Lake Erie, 
 loth Sept., 181>5," which I have caused to be copied from the original 
 report : 
 
 "Sir : — You will have been informed from the letter of Commodore 
 Perry to the Secretary of the Navy of the brilliant naval victory ob- 
 tained by him, and the capture of the whole of the enemy's flotilla on 
 this Lake. I arrived here the day before yesterday with a part of the 
 troops from Seneca Town, and this morning General Cass has brought 
 on the remainder. Governor Shelby has also arrived with his militia. 
 We are busily engaged in embarking the stores and artillery, and by the 
 day after to-morrow the whole will be afloat. General McArthur will 
 join me the day after, at the Bass Islands, with tlie troops from Fort 
 Meigs, and on the following night, if the weather permit, we shall sail for 
 the Canada shore." **'****-»»* 
 
 Towards evening on the 121 h of September an express reached the 
 camp at Seneca bringing the flrst news of the brilliant victory in whicli 
 we felt so deep an interest. He was conducted to ray tent, and delivered 
 to me a package of dispatches, iimong these was a letter for the Secre- 
 tary of the Navy, and another for the Commanding General. The latter 
 I opened and read with feelings it were vain to attempt to describe. It 
 contained the memorable annunciation that the battle had been fought 
 and the victory won, in those imperishable words, which I need not re- 
 peat, fjr they are everywhere engraved upon the American heart. Tiie 
 
22 
 
 intelligence was immediately communicated to the troops, and those 
 who were present, and are now living, can only appreciate the joj'ful 
 emotions with which it was received. It was not only gratifying to their 
 national pride, as a great naval victory, but it secured to them a safe pas- 
 sage across the Lake, to the enemy's shore. The manifestations of 
 this feeling, exhibited upon that occasion, are vividly impressed upon 
 my memory. I am, dear sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your ob't servant, 
 
 LEW. CASS. 
 
 COMMITTEES. 
 
 July 10th, 1860, in accorclance with the request of the Chair- 
 man of the original Perry Monument Committee, the City Coun- 
 cil adopted the following Resolution, offered by Mr. Clark : 
 
 Besolved, That a Committee of five be appointed by this Council, the 
 President included, to act in connection with the Perry Monument Com- 
 mittee, in locating the statue of Com. Peruy, to be inaugurated in this 
 city on the 10th of September next, and also to assist in completing the 
 arrangements for said inauguration, in comi^liance with the request 
 made to the Council this evening. Adopted, and Messrs. Clakk, Hay- 
 ward, HovEY, and Palmer, appointed. 
 
 EEPORT OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE. 
 
 Cleveland, July IGth, I860. 
 To THE City Council of the City of Cleveland: — The select 
 Committee of the Council appointed to act with the Perry Monument 
 Committee, in designating the particular spot in the Public Park where 
 the Peny Monument should be placed, would respectfully state that 
 the joint Committee have had the subject under consideration, and have 
 endeavored to come to proper conclusions in reference to the location of 
 the Monument as a ciuestion of correct taste, and without reference to 
 any other question ; and in order that they might judge of this matter 
 with the aid of the best information they could obtain, the joint Com- 
 mittee requested Mr. Walcutt, to state his views as an artist, in respect 
 to the location which would give the finest artistic effect to the appear- 
 ance of the statue ; and being in the possession of his opinion, and desir- 
 ing to place the Monument in a spot which shall better accord with the 
 principles of good taste and public sentiment, your Committee have with 
 
23 
 
 bnt two dissenting voices, embodied tlieir joint decision in the following 
 resolution, which they present as their report, subject to the action of said 
 Council, to wit: 
 
 Resolved, That it is the senseof this joint Committee, that the Perry 
 IMonument should be located in the center of the Central Park of this 
 city ; and that the Fountain now occupying that site be removed under 
 the direction of the City Council. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted, by order of the joint Commit- 
 tee. J. H. CLARK, Chairman. 
 
 July ITtli, 1860, Rejoort approved; and the following resolu- 
 tion, embodying the subsequent amendment, adopted. 
 
 By Mr. Clark, (from Select Committee on Perry Statue.) Whereas, 
 by the action of the Joint Perry Monument Committee as embodied in 
 their report to this Council, it was reconmiended that the Perry Monu- 
 ment be located in the center of the Central Park of this city, and that 
 the Fountain now occupying that site be removed under the direction of 
 the City Council, therefore. 
 
 Resolved, That said recommendation be adopted, and that the Special 
 Committee of this Council having that matter in charge, are hereby au- 
 thorized and empowered to cause the removal of said Fountain and its lo- 
 cation at a central point near the north-west corner of the Public Square. 
 
 INAUGURATION COMMITTEES. 
 
 Original Perry Monument Committee, appointed by the 
 Council of 1857 ; Harvey Rice, 0. M. Oviatt, J. M. Cof- 
 
 FINBERRY, 0. D. AViLLIAMS, J. KiRKPATRICK. 
 
 Joint Committee from present Council : J. H. Clark, I. U. 
 Masters, W. H. Haywrad, J. D. Palmer, J. Hovey. 
 
 SUB-COMMITTEES. 
 
 Reception : — Harvey Rice, Geo. B. Senter, Wm. B. Cas- 
 tle, Joseph Perkins, J. H. Clark. 
 
 Entertainment : — J. H. Clark, Harvey Rice, Joseph Per- 
 kins, C. J. Ballard. 
 
 Mock Battle: — I. U. Masters, Thomas Quayle, W. H. 
 Hayward. 
 
 Printing : — "W. H. Hayward, G. G, Minor. 
 
 Carriajres : — J. D. Palmer. 
 
24 
 
 Tlie Perry Monument Committee, made the following report 
 to the City Council : 
 
 Cleveland, Sept. 4th, 1860. 
 To THE City Councii, op the City of Clea'eland: — The Perry 
 Monument Committee respectfully report, that the Perry Monument 
 will be completed on Thursday next, and ready for inaujjuration 
 on tlie 10th, inst., and as the Monument is erected in the Public Park by 
 authority of your Honorable body, and with the intention that it should 
 become the property of the city when finished, your Committee therefore 
 request your Honorable body to authorize the Mayor to accept the Mon- 
 ument in behalf of the city, as part of the public exercises on the occa- 
 sion of the inauguration. 
 
 " HARVEY RICE, 
 
 Chairman Perry Monument Committee. 
 
 Whereupon the report was accepted and placed on file, and 
 the following resolution, oticred by Mr. J. H. Clark, unani- 
 mously adojited: 
 
 liesolred, That the Mayor is hereby authorized in behalf of the City 
 of Cleveland to accept the Perry Statue from ths contractors Messrs. T. 
 Jones & Sons, and also to tender to them our unqualified approbation 
 for the fidelity and promptitude with which they have executed the valu- 
 able trust committed to them. And also, to express to the Artist and 
 Sculptor, William Walcutt, Esq., our admiration and highest appre- 
 ciation of the genius and culture which conceived and perfected in the 
 almost living and breathing marble, that design which now stands an en- 
 during monument, unsurpassed as we believe, in our country in all those 
 (]ualities which constitute the true glory of his profession — crowning his 
 brow with such laurels as his noblest ambition may well covet. 
 
RECEPTION OF GOV. SPRAGUE AND STAFF OF 
 RHODE ISLAND, THE OFFICERS OF STATE, MEM- 
 BERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE PROVI- 
 DENCE LIGHT INFANTRY. 
 
 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER Sth 
 
 The Rhode Island visitors consisting of Gov. Sprague and 
 staff ; Officers of the State of Rhode Island ; Members of the 
 Rhode Island Legislature, and the Providence Light Infantry, 
 arrived at the Depot at 3.30 this P. M. They were received 
 with military honors at the Depot by the "Light Guards" in 
 Zouave uniform, Capt. Sanford, and the " Grays," Capt. 
 Paddock. 
 
 On the arrival at the Depot, F. J. Dickman, Esq., introduced 
 Gov. Sprague, and others of the Rhode Island delegation to 
 the Committee of Reception. The guests were then taken in 
 carriages and conveyed to the Angier, accompanied by the 
 Providence Military, under escort of the the Cleveland Light 
 Guards and Grays. The Wayne Guards, of Erie, and DoD- 
 worth's Band, also came up with the delegation. 
 
 On arriving at the Angier, Hon. Harvey Rice introduced 
 Gov. Sprague to Gov. Dennison, and then presented the two 
 Governors to the Military and the crowd in the street from the 
 balcony. 
 
 Gov. Denxlson then welcomed the Rhode Island guests in 
 the following admirable speech : 
 
 GOVERNOR DENNISON's SPEECH. 
 
 GoA'EUNOu Sprague : — I perform witli great pleasure the duty which 
 has been assigned me, of welcoming you and j-our escort to this city. 
 
 To welcome you among us, at any time, as the chief Executive of your 
 patriotic State, whose fame is connected with many of the most brilliant 
 achievements of the American arms, on land and sea, and whose tri- 
 
26 
 
 umplis in peace have been no less conspicuous than in war, would give 
 me the sincerest gratification ; but to do so here, and upon the occasion 
 tliat has brought us together, so full of the proudest memories to the 
 American citizen — the commemoration of the first American victory in 
 a general naval action with a powerful foe — is one of the most pleasing 
 duties that it has been ray foi'tune to discharge. 
 
 I may not dwell upon the incidents of that brilliant victory, gained 
 by a youthful Hero who had never seen a naval engagement, and of 
 which President Madison justly said, " it was never surpassed in lustre, 
 however much it may have been in magnitude ;" nor may I detail the 
 consequences of that noble success of the American Navy, in elevating 
 tlie miliary character of our Nation ; in contributing to the defeat of the 
 British forces in Canada, and in securing an early peace to our Western 
 States and Territories. 
 
 These will be given by the eminent Historian of our country, (Mr. 
 Bancroft), with whose presence we are honored, and by the Assistant 
 Surgeon of the Lnicrence, (Dr. Parsons,) whose humanity and skill in 
 the discharge of his official duties, have honorably associated his name 
 with that of his illustrious Captain. 
 
 To these distinguished gentlemen, and again to you, sir, as the hon- 
 ored representative of your noble State, fouiuled on the broadest prin. 
 ciples of civil and religious freedom, and numbering among her sous a 
 host of illustrious men whose deeds have shed an imperishable lustre 
 upon our country, — to your escort and the members of the Legislature 
 of your State, on behalf of the patriotic citizens and the public authori- 
 ties of Cleveland, and of the people of this State, I tender a hearty and 
 fraternal welcome here to-day. 
 
 GOT. SPRAGUE's reply. 
 
 Governor Dennison: — I thank your Excellency very sincerely, for 
 the kind welcome which you have given to the Rhode Island Delega- 
 tion. That delegation consists of two veterans, who served in the Battle 
 of Lake Erie, Captain Brownell, on my right, as second officer of the 
 Ariel^ and Dr. Usher Parsons, on my left, whose services, on board the 
 Lawrence^ in ameliorating the sutferings of the wounded, have become 
 historical ; a son of the heroic Perry, bearing the honored name of his 
 father, and tAvo nephews ; our Secretary of State ; a large delegation of 
 the State Legislature; the gentlemen of my personal Staff; the general 
 Staff of the State; the Major General of the State; and a Brigadier 
 General of the Line, Staff' Olficers, and one hundred and one members 
 of the first Light Infantry Company of Providence, whose ranks are filled 
 to-day by some of our most valuable and eminent citizens : the Mayor of 
 the City of ProAadence, as their guest, the Line and Staff Oflacers of the 
 Battery of Light Artillery in Providence, and the former Chief Engineer 
 of the Fire Department in their ranks. It will, sir, I am sure, be con- 
 
27 
 
 sidcred as giving special interest to the presence of the Infantry, who 
 have accompanied me here to-daj^ when I state the fact that they bore 
 the remains of the heroic Perky to his hist resting phice. Such the State 
 of Rhode Ishmd sends here to represent her on this august occasion, 
 with her cordial greetings to the people of Ohio. 
 
 Tlie part wliich our state has taken, in the annals of the nation, is 
 known to you, and she needs no enconiums from me. History has as 
 signed her her place. I thank you, Sir, for the honorable mention of her 
 services; we are not here, however, to belionored, but to honor, to unite 
 with you in celebrating an event, wliich, for the importance of its results 
 and for the heroism which it displayed, stands unmatched in the records 
 of our country. 
 
 We thank the citizens of Cleveland for this opportunity to testify our 
 appreciation of the public virtue, and the patriotic discharge of duty. 
 Rhode Island feels toward you, Sir, and the people of Ohio, as a mother 
 feels towards those who honor the deeds and the memory of her most 
 cherished son. 
 
 And now, without longer detaining you. Sir, and the gentlemen of our 
 delegation, wlio desire rest from the fatigues of their journey, I again re- 
 turn you and the patriotic citizens of Cleveland my most lieartfelt thanks. 
 
 At the close of the reception ceremonies, the Military from 
 Providence, proceeded under escort to their cpiarters, at the 
 "Weddell." 
 
 CALL MADE BY THE MILITARY. 
 
 On Saturday evening the scene in the elegant drawing room 
 of the Angier, was a brilliant one, upon the occasion of a call by 
 the officers of Providence Light Infantry, and Providence Ma- 
 rine Corps of Artillery uj3on Governor Dennison and Mr. Ban- 
 croft. On one side was Gov. Dennison's Staff as follows : Adj. 
 Gen. H. B Carrington, Quar. Mas. Gen. Wood, Com'sy. Gen. 
 Buttles, Paymaster Gen. Jones, Eng. in Chief, Gen. Bill, Sur- 
 geon Gen. McMillan, Gen. J. H. Bates, Aid Mygatt and Aid 
 O'Hara. On the other side was Gov. Sprague's Staff, to wit : 
 Col. Harris, Col. Gardner, Col. Frieze, Adj. Gen. Moran, Maj. 
 Gould, with the Governors personal Staff, viz : Majors Pratt, 
 Clark and Anthony. There are also attached to the Governor's 
 suite, Brig. Gen. Dyer, and Lieut. Brownell, Avho was sailing 
 master on the Ariel. Also, Quar. Mas. Gen. T. J. Stead, with 
 Capt. Stead, of his Staff, Com. Gen. Wm. Gilpin, Surgeon Gen. 
 F. L. ^Yheaton, with Capts. Reeves and Carr of his Staff. 
 
28 
 
 There were also present Hon. J. K. Bartlett, Secretary of State 
 of E. I., twenty- three members of the General Assembly of 
 Rhode Island, Mayor Knight, of Providence and two members of 
 the Providence City Council. 
 
 At the head stood Governors Sprague and Dennison with Mr. 
 Bancroft. The officers of the Infantry and Marine Corps were 
 severally introduced and a familiar interchange of social courte- 
 sies took place. The display of military was very fine and the 
 call jDassed off in a brilliant manner. 
 
 THE PROVIDENCE MILITARY AT CHURCH. 
 
 The Providence Light Infantry and Providence Marine Corps, 
 on invitation, attended St. Paul's Chuxx-h, Sunday, in a body. 
 The church was crowded by an attentive audience. The Rev. 
 Mr. Paddock, Rector of the Church, read the service and tlic 
 sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Claxton, of St. Luke's 
 Church, Rochester, late rector of St. PauPs. 
 
 Tlie i^resence of the Providence Military and the full atten- 
 dance by St. Paul's parishioners to hear their late Rector, made 
 the occasion a very interesting one. 
 
 The visit by the Providence Military was a very graceful 
 compliment to the Cleveland churches, inasmuch as Bishop 
 Clakk, of Rhode Island, was officiating at the Camp Ground. 
 
 SUNDAY AT CAMP PERRY. 
 
 At Camp Perry, Sunday, there was a constant in-pouring and 
 out-going of visitors. The Street Railroad cars went and came 
 loaded to inconvenience, and many made the journey on foot. 
 
 The order for the day was published on Saturday, and was 
 fulfilled with the exception of the parade at 10 2- o'clock, for 
 which the religious services were substituted. At the proper 
 hour. Gov. Dennison and Staff, Gov. Sprague and Staff, Rt. Rev. 
 Bishop Clark, of Rhode Island ; Hon. J. R. Bartlett, Secretary 
 of State of Rhode Island ; Dr. Usher Parsons, Mr. Ben. Flem- 
 ing, of Erie, Pa ; Col. Boylston ; and others arrived at the 
 Camp, and were received by Brig. Gen. Fitch at his c[uarters. 
 
29 
 
 Afterwards the services were held, the ofScei's occupying the 
 stand in the center of the grounds, and the troops being drawn 
 up before it. The companies marched without music bearing no 
 arms. E.t. Rev. Bishop Clark, of Rhode Island, officiated. 
 Capt. Thos. Brownell, (of the "Ariel") was also present in his 
 full uniform of the olden style. There was a very large atten- 
 dance of sj)ectators. The dinner drum sounded at 122 o'clock, 
 and the parade took place at 4. 
 
 ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, SUNDAY. 
 
 The relatives of Com. Perry, guests of the city, attended St. 
 John's Church on Sunday. The Rev. Dr. Perry officiated, 
 aided by Rev. Mr. Burton, the Rector. 
 
 THE PERRY RELATIVES. 
 
 The following members and connections of the Perry family 
 are registered at the American House : 
 
 Rev. Dr. Vinton, Mrs. Vinton, Miss. E. Perry A-^inton, and 
 Master Oliver Perry Vinton, New York City ; 0. H. Perry, 
 Boston, son of the Commodore ; Alexander Perry, James De 
 Wolf Perry, Sr., James De Wolf Perry, Jr., nephews of Com. 
 Perry, Bristol, R. I. ; Lieut. M. C. Perry, U. S. N., Dr. G. 
 M. Perry, and lady, Pawtucket, R. I. ; John Stone, Esq. ; Rev. 
 Dr. G. B. Perry, Natchez, Tenn.; Miss Belmont, daugliter of 
 Auguste Belmont, of New York, and niece of the Commodore. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. John Hone, of Morristown, N. J., Mrs. H. 
 and Lieut. M. C. Perry, are children of Com. M. C. Perry, of 
 the famous Japan Expedition. 
 
TI-IE GLORIOUS TENTH! 
 
 INCIDENTS OF THE DAY— THE CROWD AND THE 
 RAIL ROADS— MASONIC BANQUETS— NAVAL BAT- 
 TLE—ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND BEOPLE. 
 
 The morning of the evei' glorious Tenth, opened promisingly, 
 the weather was just cool enough to be pleasant, the air clegj- 
 and pure, the streets free from dust, and everything as nicely ar- 
 ranged as could be desired by the most particular person. 
 
 The day was ushered in by the firing of caifeon, ringing of 
 bells, and other demonstrations of joy. At an early hour the 
 streets gave token of the immense crowd that would speedily fill 
 the city to overflowing. Thousands of people on foot were pass- 
 ing to and fro, the air was filled with martial strains from the 
 bands of the numerous military companies on duty, hundreds of 
 country teams bringing in people living off the lines of railroad, 
 jogged on in steady procession, and long before the arrival of 
 the first excursion train, the city seemed to be packed to its full 
 extent. 
 
 THE CROWD— THE RAILIIOADS— STEAMBOATS— TEAMS, &c. 
 
 For two or three days previous the railroads had been bringing 
 in lai-ge trains loaded down with people to attend the great Cel- 
 ebration. Many commenced coming on Friday, and on Saturday 
 the crowds poured in at such a rate that it seemed as if there 
 would be no room left for the crowd that were to arrive on Mon- 
 day. 
 
31 
 
 On Monday morning the trains came in loaded down, inside 
 and outside, and on the top. Never before did cars come into 
 Cleveland so densely jDacked with people. The masses of hu- 
 manity clinging to theni wherever foothold or hand-grip could he 
 obtained, could be likened to nothing but a swarm of bees on a 
 bush. 
 
 We have procured from the railroad officers the exact number 
 of the cars brought, and their estimates of the people. The 
 figures for Saturday are exclusively for excursion cars, none of 
 the cars containing regular business travel being counted. The 
 figures for Monday are up to noon only. The following are the 
 figures : 
 
 SATURDAY. MONDAY 5IORNIKG. 
 
 Cleveland and Erie 25 cars 51 cars 
 
 Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, - 13 " 54 " 
 
 Cleveland and Toledo, 10 " 63 " 
 
 Cleveland and Pittsburgh, 25 " 84 " 
 
 Cleveland and Mahoning, 10 " 39 " 
 
 83 cars. 21)1 cars, 
 
 making a total of 374 cars. The lowest estimate put on these 
 by the railroad oflicials is 80 to a car, pnd this, it is admitted, is 
 uncjuestionably below the mark. At this rate the railroads 
 alone brought in oue?- thhiy thousand persons. 
 
 Besides these, several steamboats from Bitftalo, Detroit and 
 Sandusky, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, brought in not 
 less than 6000 jiersons. From the surrounding country a dis- 
 tance of more than fifty miles, the teams came pouring in, in 
 endless procession, and undoubtedly broitght more than all the 
 railroads added together. Thousands from the immediate neigh- 
 borhood, finding no means of conveyance, came in on foot. We 
 heard a number of estimates made during the day, based on 
 railroad and steamboat figures that prove to have been far short 
 of the reality, and scarcely one of them fell below one hundred 
 thousand people. We adopt this number as the most reliable 
 estimate. 
 
32 
 
 THE PROCESSION. 
 
 The various bodies comprising the procession commenced 
 forming at 9 A. M. The Masons, Odd Fellows, Old Soldiers, 
 etc., were drawn np on Erie street, north of Euclid, while the 
 military came into line from the south side. The vast body was 
 sometime in preparing to move, which it did in the following 
 order : 
 
 BAND. 
 
 General J. W. Fitch and Staff, acting as Marshal and Assistant 
 
 Marshals of the Day. 
 
 First Regiment Cleveland Light Artillery, under command of 
 
 Col. James Barnett and Lieut. Col. S. B. Sturges, composed 
 
 of the following Companies : 
 
 Co. A Capt. Simmons. 
 
 Co. E Capt. Heckman. 
 
 Co. D Capt. Rice. 
 
 Co. B Capt. Mack. 
 
 Co. A., Capt. Kinney, Geneva, 0. 
 Brooklyn Light Artillery, Capt. Pelton. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Cleveland Light Dragoons, Capt. Haltnorth. 
 Maj. Gen. Mariner and Staft; Akron. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Cleveland Grays, Capt. Paddock. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Cleveland Light Guards, Capt. Sanford. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Wayne Guards, Erie, Capt. J. W. McLain. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Columbus Vedettes, Capt. Thrall. 
 Lake Rifle Co., Uniontown, Capt. . 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Company D., Buffalo, Major Bidwell. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Bruce Light Guards, Dunkirk, Capt. W. 0. Stevens. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Hibernian Guards, Capt. Kenny. 
 
 BAND. 
 
33 
 
 Dayton Light Guards, Capt. W. B. Pease. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Washington Infantry, Pittsburgh, Capt. Rowley. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Providence Light Infantry. Providence, Rhode Island, Col. Brown. 
 Gov. Donnison and Staff, of Ohio. 
 Gov. Sprague and Staif, of Rhode Island. 
 Members of the Legislature and other distinguished guests of 
 Rhode Island. 
 Gen. Gould and Staff of Newport, R. I. 
 Gen. Dyer and Staff of Providence, R. I. 
 Mayor and Common Council of the city of Cleveland and Com- 
 mittee of Arrangements. 
 T. Jones & Sons, Contractors for the erection of the Perry Statue. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Surviving Officers and Soldiers of the War of 1812, under com- 
 mand of Major Boylston. 
 Survivors who shared in the Battle of Lake Erie. 
 Officers of the Army and Navy. 
 Surviving Relatives of Commodore Perry, the Hero of Lake Erie. 
 William AValcutt, Sculptor of the Statue, and Rev. Dr. Perry, 
 Chaplain of the Day. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Hon. George Bancroft, the American Historian, and Dr. Usher 
 
 Parsons, Surgeon in the service of Perry's Fleet, Orators 
 
 of the Day. 
 
 Judges of the Federal and State Courts. 
 
 Clergy of the City of Cleveland and from abroad. 
 
 Free and Accepted Masons under the command of Heman Ely. 
 
 Marshal, as follows : 
 
 MASONIC PROCESSION. 
 
 Two Tylers with Drawn Sword. 
 
 Tyler of Oldest Lodge with a Drawn Sword. 
 
 Two Stewards of the Oldest Lodge. 
 
 Entered Apprentices. 
 
 Fellow Crafts. 
 
 Master Masons. 
 
 Past Secretaries. 
 
 Past Treasurers, 
 
34 
 
 Past Junior Wardens. 
 
 Present Masters of Lodges. 
 
 Mark Masters. 
 
 Past Masters. 
 
 Royal Arch Masons. 
 
 Select Masters. 
 
 The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of Ohio, 
 
 Knights Templar who escort the Grand Lodge of Ohio. 
 
 The Grand Body formed as follows : 
 
 Grand Tyler with Drawn Sword. 
 
 Two Grand Stewards with Rods. 
 
 Past Master with Golden Vessel containins; Corn. 
 
 Masons bearing Square, Level and Plumb. 
 
 Two Past Masters, with Silver Vessel, containing Wine and Oil, 
 
 Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer. 
 
 The Five Orders. 
 
 Past Master with a Candlestick. 
 
 Master Avith Holy Bible, supported by two Stewards with Rods. 
 
 •.• Two Past Masters with Candlesticks. 
 
 Grand Chaplain. 
 
 Grand AVarden. 
 
 Grand Orator. 
 
 Deputy Grand Master. 
 
 The Oldest Master with Book, of Ancient Constitutions. 
 
 Grand Deacons with Rods seven feet apart. 
 
 Past Grand Masters. 
 
 Grand Master. 
 
 Two Stewards with White Rods. 
 
 Grand Sword Bearer with Drawn Sword. 
 
 Independent Order of Odd Fellows under the command of C. H. 
 
 Babcock and Assistants. 
 
 BAND. 
 
 Order ©f Good Fellows under the command of H. Sackmann. 
 
 Cleveland Turnverein. 
 
 American Express Co., eight-horse team, from Buffalo, driven by 
 
 A. P. Sherman, of that city. 
 U. S. Express Co., an eight-horse team, driven by Jerome 
 
 Greenfield. 
 
 Several smaller teams of this Company were also in procession. 
 
 Full rigged ship manned by Sailors of the War of 1812. 
 
 Citizens and Strangers. 
 
oO 
 
 Tlie procession was about forty minutes passing a given point. 
 The display of military was very fine, and that of the Masons 
 one never equalled in the West. Among the military, the Prov- 
 idence Light Infantry was the favorite. Their beautiful dress, 
 thorough martial bearing, correct movements, and splendid Band, 
 made them the observed by all. Such a company can be fur- 
 nished bv but few States. 
 
 THE INAUGUEATION CEEEMONIES. 
 
 The procession reached the Park about half past one o'clock. 
 A large area had been roped off, in the center of which was the 
 Statue, on a green mound, enclosed by an iron railing. To the 
 west of the Statue was placed a large platform, ca^Dable of hold- 
 ing several hundred persons. This was approjoriated to the in- 
 vited guests. A smaller raised platform in front was for the 
 speakers and survivors of the battle. Immediately in front was 
 a lower platform, excellently arranged for the convenience of 
 reporters, of which about forty were present. The Statue was 
 veiled with the American flag. 
 
 From an early hour, the Park outside the roped enclosure 
 was packed tightly with thousands of people, who were deter- 
 mined to see the whole of the ceremonies, although it cost them 
 some hours of standing and squeezing. A large police force, 
 under.the general command of Marshal Craw, kept fine order. 
 
 As the procession reached the Park, the Military, Masonic 
 Lodges, and three hundred Soldiers of the AVar of 1812, were 
 marched into the enclosure, and took up position at different 
 points. 
 
 We noticed, suspended from the roof of the speakers' stand, 
 an old lantern used in the Battle of Lake Erie, and a tattered 
 ensign, displayedin the Pv,evolutionary Battle of Eutaw Springs. 
 During the speech of Dr. Usher Parsons, an old coat, worn 
 by Perry in the great Battle, was displayed, and evoked much 
 enthusiasm. It was a common sailor's blue round jacket. 
 
36 
 
 The proceedings opened by a prayer from the Rev. Dr. Per- 
 Ry, one of the relatives of the Commodore. 
 
 PRATER BY THE CHAPLAIN OF THE DAY, REV. DR. G. B. PERRY, OF 
 NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI. 
 
 O God, thou art very great. Thou art clothed with honor and majesty, 
 thou coverest thyself with light as with a garment ; thou walkest upon 
 the wings of the wind. When we reflect upon the immensity of thy glory, 
 we are filled with wonder at thy condescension, for thou not only be- 
 holdcst the sublimities of heaven, but hast regard and pity for this vile 
 earth. 
 
 We rejoice that we are under the governance of a Being who is not 
 only Almighty, but perfectly righteous and wise ; that all things in our 
 world are constituted and disposed by thy paternal agency ; that thy 
 Providence numbers the hairs of our heads, and not even a sparrow falls 
 to the ground without thy permission, for thy presence filleth the Uni- 
 verse. 
 
 There is none like unto thee, — rich in Mercy — glorious in Holiness — 
 fearful in Praise — doing wonders. But we have sinned, and arc poor and 
 miserable offenders. Grant unto us true repentance for all onr trans- 
 gressions, and a living faith in thy Sou, our Saviour, who was delivered 
 for our otfences, and raised again for cm* justification; and now liveth 
 above to make intercession for us. In His name we otfer our petitions, 
 jmd through his merits we plead for pardon and acceptance. 
 
 We thank Thee for thy abundant goodness— for the seeing eye— the 
 hearing ear — the power of mind, with all other blessings of this life — 
 and above all, for the precious Gospel and its vast immunities so es- 
 sential and encouraging here — so triumphant and glorious hereafter. 
 
 Look graciously upon our public institutions. Forbid that by any 
 omission of duty, or commission of wrong, we should mar their beauty 
 or weaken their conservative power. May they continue to be, as we 
 trust they have been, as the apple of thine eye, and as a signet upon 
 thy heart, giving occasion to exclaim, — "Surely this great Nation is a 
 wise and understanding people, for what nation is there so great, who 
 hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we 
 call upon him for '?" 
 
 Let not the star of Religious and Civil Liberty wane, or go down in 
 this great land, but may it shine forth brighter and brighter unto the per- 
 fect day, till all people shall learn thy name and revere thy government. 
 
 Hear us, O Lord, and hasten that period when the light of Science as 
 embosomed in thy Truth, shall break forth like the sun in the heavens. 
 Before its majestic march, let ignorance flee away, and wisdom and 
 knowledsre fill the earth. 
 
37 
 
 Continue, O Heavenly Father, the Omnipotent protector of tliis thy 
 chosen and peculiar people whose enfranchisement cost our fathers, toil, 
 treasure, suffering and blood. 
 
 Grant thy blessing upon our Chief Magistrate and all subordinates. 
 Rule our rulers — counsel our counsellors — teach onr teachers, and order 
 all our affairs at home and abroad, for the glory of thy name, the wel- 
 fare of thy Cliurch, the good of the world, and the special happiness of 
 this Commonwealth. Avert from us the judgments which we feel or 
 may justly fear. Hush the discord of the Xations and restore peace to 
 the troubled earth? 
 
 Bless the arras of the United States. Make them ever successful against 
 error and oppression, and in defence of truth and a just liberty. Stir up 
 thy strength, O Lord, and help us evermore ; for thou givest not always 
 the battle to the strong, but canst save by many or b}^ few. 
 
 Be pleased to kindly behold us at the present time. We are assembled 
 for the inauguration of a Memento that shall signalize and perpetuate to 
 posterity, deeds of patriotism and valoi*, in the name of one, who in the 
 flush of a marvelous victory, was not unmindful to whom of ri"-ht the 
 praise belonged, but ere the smoke of battle had passed away, could 
 calmly and gratefully write, — "It has pleased the Almighty to o-rant to 
 the arms of the United States a signal victory over theu' enemies on this 
 Lake ! " 
 
 Great God we thank thee for this confession ; it is to thy honor and 
 glory, displaying an humble trust in Thee as the Arm of never-failino- 
 strength in the strife of War. Give us men of such stamp and character 
 to lead our armies and defend our liberties, that of us it may be justly 
 said, — "Happy is that people that is in such a case, yea happy is that 
 people whose God is the Lord." 
 
 Shield, we pray thee. Merciful Father, this monument from mutation 
 and escaping the hand of violence, may time itself deal gently with it. 
 May it long remam to memorize what in a day, the great God once did 
 for this Xation. 
 
 Reverently may we listen to the words, to be delivered to us at this 
 time. While they shall fall gratefully upon the ear, may they also prove 
 instructive to the heart. 
 
 Favorably regard the various bodies here assembled, looking benio-u-» 
 ly on this great brotherhood of Free and Accepted Masons. 
 
 Guide and prosper them in the noble works of Faith, Hope and Char- 
 ity. Let them not cease their care and dilligence till the last tear shall 
 be wiped from the eye of sorrow, and the last burden removed from the 
 heart oppressed. And when the Royal jilaster with the stamp of Fate, 
 shall bid them present their work for inspection, may they be al)le to 
 present good work such as he shall approve, and being counted worthy, 
 be received into the blissful presence of Him who sits enthroned in 
 Endless Light. 
 
 Let nothing occur to mar the harmony and honor of this occasion. 
 
38 
 
 Having enjoyed the fellowsliip of each others society, protected by thy 
 merciful providence, may we all be permitted to return in safet}^ to our 
 respective homes. 
 
 God, our refuge and strength take us henceforth under thy shelter- 
 ing hand, teaching us so to number our daj^s, that we may apply our 
 hearts unto wisdom, and having served our day and generation according 
 to thy will, may Ave fall asleep, cheered by the imperishable truth — "The 
 memory of the just is blessed !" 
 
 And now be pleased to unite our hearts and voices in the utterance of 
 the divine words of our Lord and Saviour — 
 
 "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy king- 
 dom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day 
 our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who 
 trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from 
 evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and 
 ever. Amen. 
 
 At tlie conclusion of tlie Prayer, the Sculptor, Mr. AVilliam 
 Walcutt, entered the railed enclosure and unveiled the statue. 
 The moment the statue stood revealed in all its beauty, a sudden 
 hush passed through the crowd, then an exclamation of sur- 
 prised delight, followed by a tremenduous burst of applause and 
 vociferous cheering. The weather at this moment was beautiful- 
 ly clear, and showed the magnificent work of genius to great 
 advantage. The triumph of the artist was comj^lete, and that 
 must indeed have been the proudest moment of Mr. Walcutt's 
 life. 
 
 Loud calls were made for Walcutt, and as soon as he reached 
 the stand he made a brief, handsome and fitting response. 
 
 MR. walcutt's address. 
 
 1 thank you for this kind expression of your approbation. The 
 execution of a public statue is the severest ordeal through -which a 
 sculptor can pass. As it is ever before the eyes of the world, it must 
 never weary by its constant presence, but should always give new 
 pleasure to the beholder, and be able to live down the test of criticism, 
 or be a failure. 
 
 The design of this monument as you all know, is to perpetuate the 
 fame of the immortal Perry. The two figures on either side of the 
 l^edestal — the sailor boy and the midshipman — are merely accessory, 
 and assist in giving the whole a naval character. The alto-relievo on 
 the front illustrates the perilous passage of the Commodore in the open 
 boat from 'the Lawrence to the Niagara. 
 
39 
 
 I have endeavorcLl in my statue of Commodore Perky to convey a 
 two-fold sense : 
 
 Obviously, it is the Commander, brave and confident, giving directions 
 to his men while watching through the smoke of battle the effect of his 
 broadsides upon the enemy. 
 
 Figurativelj^, it is the impersonation of the triumphant hero, gazing 
 with pride and enthusiasm over the beautiful land he saved by his 
 valor, and pointuig to the lake as if reminding us of the scene of his 
 victory. 
 
 No sculptor ever had a nobler subject, and if I have succeeded, as it 
 were, in raising him from his ashes, so as to give you a representation so 
 perfect — that these, his honored companions — the few survivors of that 
 glorious day, may be able to recognize their gallant leader, Oliver 
 Hazard Perry, then I am content. 
 
 Three cheers for Walcutt, three more for Ohio, and three 
 more for Rhode Island, were eiven with a will. The Chairman 
 of the Monument Committee, Hon. Harvey Rice, then 
 presented the Statue, in the name of the Committee, to the city 
 of Cleveland. Mayor Senter in a speech of great beauty, 
 eloquently delivered, accepted the work in the name of the city. 
 
 JIAYOR setter's ACCEPT.\yCE OP THE STATUE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY. 
 
 Gentlemen op the Co:mmittee : — As Mayor of the City of 
 Cleveland, and in behalf of its Trustees, I hereby accept from you this 
 memorial Statue of Commodore Olfv^er Hazard Perry, to be for 
 this our goodly city an ornament, and to our citizens an honor for all 
 coming time. The task imposed upon you has been thoroughly and 
 completely done. From the first rough sketch laid before the City 
 Council some years since, to the present hour, when you here present 
 this elegant monument as the completion of your labors and the 
 fulfillment of j'our trust, j^ou have applied yourselves to your duties 
 with a zeal akin to patriotism, and it will not, I trust, wiien the days 
 of your lives merge into the twilight of death, be among the least 
 grateful of the reminiscences of the past, that you have been so 
 instrumental in securing to the city of your home so elegant a work of 
 art, and so enduring a memorial of great deeds. Much however, as 
 there may be of honor attaching to you for the accomplishment of this 
 work, the meed of praise is due also to our fellow citizens, the Jlcssrs. 
 Jones, who have with such good judgment carried out, nay more, 
 anticipated the design and wishes of the Committee. The interest they 
 have displayed in the work, and the energy they have shown in 
 surmounting the obstacles in the way of its prompt completion. 
 
40 
 
 characterize and establish their acts as the most acceptable and 
 enduring manifestations of public spirit. The names of those whose 
 almost divine imagination and exquisitely skillful hands have designed 
 and fashioned the images of human grace, beauty and strength, and 
 who have recorded the acts of heroes in never perishable monuments, 
 have ever found a place in history, as men whom Genius lias stamped 
 as her own. Can it be, then, that the name of Walcutt, will be 
 forgotten, while this image of heroism and bravery, so divinely grand, 
 so noble and so i^erfect, withstands the attaclvs of the elements, or while 
 memory endures? It pleases me not so to believe. 
 
 To you, my fellow citizens, therefore, now attaches a high and peculiar 
 honor. You are the first of all the communities that populate the 
 shores of the great lakes, to erect a monument to the memory of the 
 man whose bravery and daring on this day, near half a century since, 
 drove the enemy from our waters and from our frontiers, and secured a 
 peace and quiet, which from that day to this, has remained undisturbed. 
 This pleasant city was then scarcely more than a small outpost, and this 
 our populous and wealthy State was but an insignificant member of the 
 great confederation. 
 
 It is flattering, therefore, ' to our refined sense of gratitude, that this 
 metropolis of Northern Ohio, though risen to high rank in the list of the 
 wealthy and luxiu'ious cities of the land, should not be unmindful of 
 the debt she owes one who protected her in her infancy and poverty. 
 
 Republics are ungrateful, it is said, but the crime of ingratitude rests 
 not upon us. 
 
 This miniature republic, this municipality of Cleveland, proves by 
 this day's act, that the pulses of her citizens beat high with devotion to 
 the memory of him, whom not she alone, but our common Union, 
 should ever hold in grateful remembrance. 
 
 The fitness of the design, and the elegance of the execution of this 
 monument, it belongs not to me specially to mention. It stands forth 
 in the broad light of day, the exponent of its own merits. It challenges 
 the criticism of the most critical, and it finds its superior, if such indeed 
 it have, only in the classic lands of the old world. 
 
 Its location is eminently proper. Surrounded, as it is, by the speaking 
 evidences ot the refinement, enterprise and wealth of to-day, and looldng 
 forth as it does, upon the eternal and unchangeable expanse of the blue 
 lake, it stands an enduring record of the heroic past, and a beautiful 
 testimonial of the grateful present. 
 
 The breezes that fanned the waving locks of the youthful commander, 
 on that deck covered with the dead and the dying, play as freslily now 
 around his sculptured brow, in this green park, in which nought is 
 visible save tlie emblems of life and peace. The waters that were then 
 reddened with the blood of patriots, commingled with that of a 
 powerful foe, still flow as then, not at the feet of the hero living, but 
 by the shores upon which stands the marble form of the hero dead. 
 
41 
 
 The winds that wafted the puuy tlect ouward to deadly strife, blow 
 now as then, but they fill no sails but those of huge argosie's of 
 commerce; and proudly will the gallant mariner who walks the deck, 
 point, as he is borne along, to the city, that has thus honored the name 
 and the fame of his hero brother. 
 
 Proud may you be, fellow citizens, that this day has come to you, 
 for such comes not, even once, to the life of every man. Here are 
 gathered together for the first time since that day of blood, and carnage, 
 and victory, men who j^arted scarred with wounds and wearied with 
 strife for their country's honor and their countrj^'s peace. It is a proud 
 day for them and for you, that the Past and the Present may thus meet 
 to do honor to the illustrious dead ; proud for them that their eyes may 
 rest upon this sublime testimonial of a grateful posterity ; and proud for 
 you that it is permitted you to pay j^our respects to them before they 
 depart to receive their eternal reward for their patriotism. 
 
 Here, this day, meet an elder and a younger sister in the Confederacy. 
 The ocean greets the lake, and both join hands with the beautiful river, 
 in the shadow -of the Memorial Monument of a brave defender of the 
 Union. Hither have come, from the hills of the East and from the 
 Plains of the West, from city and from town, from the shop and from 
 the field, the noble and the humble of the land. White hairs that were 
 black in the daj^s when the great deeds we commemorate were done, 
 are mingled in the crowd before me, with those that crown heads that 
 have nought save a present and a future. The kindly face of the 
 matron who bade her boys God speed, when the drum beat to arm's, 
 looks uj) by the side of the younger one whose bright eye beams with 
 confident hope that she too may as bravely do the duties of her time 
 and her generation. 
 
 The subject is endless in its suggestions, but time passes, and j'ou will 
 allow me, fellow citizens, nay, you will demand of me, that I give 
 place to the gifted man, our guest, to whom the history of the past is 
 as familiar as the events of the present, and whose graceful pen has 
 made the record of brave deeds more attractive than thrilling fiction. 
 
 The Orator of the Day, Hon. George Bancroft was next 
 introduced, and delivered the Oration, which -was as might 
 have been exjDected, an elegant composition. 
 
 nox. GEORGE Bancroft's oration. 
 
 Men op Onio ! Fellow Citizens of the United States : — The 
 defence of our country is not a burden to be shunned, but an inalienable 
 ri2;ht which we are to assert, and a sacred duty which we are to fulfill. 
 The heroic deeds of those who, in manly battle, have stood up for the 
 moral existence of the nation, and given the greatest proof of their love 
 
42 
 
 for it by perilling their lives in its defence, deserve to be commemorated 
 by works of art, that the evidence of their virtue may be ever present 
 to the eye of the people. By our willing sympathy with their efforts, 
 we make their glory our own; by contemplating their actions with 
 love we renew in our own breasts the just courage with which they 
 glowed, and gain the ennobling consciousness that T>"e too have the 
 power within us to imitate their example. 
 
 Citizens of Cleveland, executing a purpose which had its origin in 
 their own municipal government, cheered by the patriotic zeal of an 
 artist, who is a native of their State, and sustained by the confiding 
 energy of their spirited contractors, have raised the monument which 
 has just been unveiled. Before the myriads here assembled this statue 
 is now dedicated to the Union in the name of the people of Ohio. 
 
 The inhabitants of this Commonwealth are allied by their descent 
 of common blood with nearly all the older United States, and all the 
 most highly civilized countries of the world. The homes of their 
 ancestors are to be found in the Old Dominion and all the States to 
 the north of it, in the British Isles and Ireland, in the Iberian 
 peninsula, in France, in Italy; and of all the Continental States, 
 especially in Germany; so that in addition to the mysterious atEnity 
 of human nature with truth and freedom, no word can be uttered 
 in any part of the cultivated world for right and liberty, but you may 
 claim in it a family interest of your own. It is the sons of your 
 forefiithers of whom you expect that the tomb and the birth place 
 of Yirgil will be secured to the guardianship of the free ; it is your 
 brothers and your kindred, who are to take the only worthy vengeance 
 for what our revolutionary fathers suffered from the petty princes of 
 a now flillen empire, by inciting and teaching its immortal people to 
 construct a free and united Germany. 
 
 Ohio rises before the world as the majestic witness to the beneficient 
 reality of the democratic principle. A commonwealth younger in years 
 than he who addresses you, not long ago having no visible existence but 
 in the emigrant wagons, now numbers almost as large a population as 
 that of all England, when it gave birth to Raleigh, and Bacon, and 
 Shakespeare, and began its continuous attempts at colonizing America. 
 Each one of her inhabitants gladens in the fruit of liis own toil. She 
 possesses wealth that must be computed by thousands of millions ; and 
 her frugal, industrious and benevolent joeople, at once daring and pru- 
 dent, unfettered in the use of their faculties, restless in enterprise, do not 
 squander the accumulations of their industry in vain show, but ever go 
 on to render the earth more productive, more beautiful and more con- 
 venient to man ; mastering for mechanic purjioses the unwasting forces 
 of nature ; keeping exemplary good faith with their public creditors ; 
 building in half a century more churches than all England has raised 
 since this continent was discovered ; endowing and sustaining tmiversi- 
 ties and other seminaries of learning. Conscious of the dynamic power 
 
43 
 
 of mind in action as the best of fortresses, Ohio keejis no standing army 
 but that of her school teachers, of whom she paj's more than twenty 
 thousand ; she provides a library for every school district ; she counts 
 among her citizens more than three hundred thousand men who can 
 bear arms, and she has more than twice the number of children regis- 
 tered as students in her public schools. Here the purity of domestic 
 morals is maintained hj the virtue and dignity of woman. In the heart 
 of the temperate zone of this continent, in the land of the corn, of wheat, 
 and the vine, the eldest daughter of the ordinance of seventeen hundred 
 and eighty seven, already the young mother of other commonwealths, that 
 bid ftxir to vie with her in beauty, rises in her loveliness and glory, 
 crowned with cities, and challenges the admiration of the world. Hither 
 should come the politcal skeptic, who in his dispair is ready to strand the 
 Ship of State; for here he may learn how to guide it safely on the 
 waters. Should some modern Telemachus, heir to a island empire, touch 
 these shores, here he mnj observe the vitality and strength of the prin- 
 ciple of popular power ; take from the book of experience the lesson that 
 in public affairs, great and happy results follow in proportion to faith in 
 the efficacy of that principle ; and learn to rebuke ill-advised counselors 
 who pronounce the most momentous and most certain of political truths, 
 a delusion and a foilure. 
 
 This anniversary of the great action of Olfver Hazard Perry, is set 
 apart for inaugurating a monument to his fame. Who has not heard 
 how gallantly, forty seven years ago, the young hero, still weak from a 
 wasting fever, led his squadron to battle ? As if shielded by a higher 
 power, he encountered death on his riglit hand, death on his left, ever in 
 advance, almost alone, for two hours fighting his ship, till it became a 
 wreck, so that but one of its guns could be used any longer, and more 
 than four-fifths of his crew lay around him wounded or killed; then 
 unharmed, standing as beseemed his spirit, he passed in a boat to the un- 
 injured Niagara, unfurled his flag, bore down within pistol shot of his 
 enemy, poured into them broadsides starboard and broadsides port, and 
 while the sun was still high above the horizon, left no office to be done 
 but that of mercy to the vanquished. If the comparison does not 
 seem fanciful, I will call his conduct during those eventful hours a 
 complete lyric poem, perfect in all its parts. Though he was carried 
 away and raised above himself by the power with which he was pos- 
 sessed, the passion of his inspiration was tempered by the serene self- 
 possession of his faultless courage ; his will had the winged rapidity of 
 fiery thought, and yet observed with deliberateness the combinations of 
 harmony and the proportions of measured order. 
 
 Nor may you admit due honors to the virtues of the unrecorded dead ; 
 not as mourners who require consolation, but with a clear perception of 
 the glory of their end. The debt of nature all must pay. To die, if 
 need be, in defence of the countrj- is a common obligation ; it is' granted 
 to few to exchange life for a victorj- so full of benefits to then* fellow men. 
 
44 
 
 These are the disinterested, unnamed martyrs, who, without liope of 
 fame or gain, gave up their lives in testimony to the all pervading love of 
 country, and left to our statesmen the lesson to demand of others nothing 
 but what is right and to submit to no wrong. 
 
 " "We have met the enemy," were Perry's words as he reported the 
 result of the battle. And who was that " enemy V" A nation speaking 
 another tongue ? A state abandoned to the caprices of despotism ? A 
 people inimical to human freedom? No! they were the nation from 
 whom most of us sprung, using the same copious language, cherishing 
 after their fashion the love of liberty, enjojing internally the freest 
 government that the vrorld had known before our own. But the external 
 policy of their government has been less controlled by regard for right 
 than their domestic administration ; and a series of wanton aggressions 
 upon us, useless to England, condemned now by her own statesmen 
 and judges as violations of the law of nature and the law of nations? 
 forced into a conflict two people whose common sympathies should 
 never have been disturbed. And is this aggressive system forever to be 
 adventured by her rulers ? How long is the overshadowing aristocratic 
 element in her government to stand between the natural aSections of 
 kindred nations ? 
 
 Even now a British minister, whose past career gave hope of greater 
 fiiirness, is renewing the old system of experiments on the possible con- 
 tingency of the pusillanimity, the indillerence, or the ignorance of some 
 future American administration, and disputes our boundary in the North- 
 west, though the words of the treaty are too plain to be perverted, and 
 though the United States claims no more than the British Secretary of 
 State who offered the treaty explained as its meaning before it was signed. 
 British soldiers are now encamped on part of our territory which bears the 
 name of Washington. With a moderation that should have commanded re- 
 spect the United States waived their better claim to Vancouver, and even to 
 any part of it; thinking it conducive to peace to avoid two jurisdictions 
 on different parts of the same island ; and in return for this forbearance, 
 the British minister, yielding perhaps to some selfish clamor of a trading 
 companj', as much against British interests as against American rights, 
 reproduces on an American Island the inconvenience of divided occupa- 
 tion, which it was the very purpose of the treaty to avoid. If the hum 
 of the American seaboard is in part the echo of sentiments from abroad, 
 here the unmixed voice of America may be heard, as it pronounces that 
 it is too late to wrest territory from the United States b}^ prevarication, 
 by menace, or by force. From the English dockyards it is a long voyage 
 to San Juan ; the only good land route across the continent lies south of 
 Lake Superior ; in a few years there will be three Ohios on the shores of 
 the Pacific. It is England's interest as well as duty to give effect to the 
 treaty as it was interpreted by her own minister to ours. Your voices on 
 this memorable day give the instruction to our government to abide by 
 the treaty faithfully, on the condition that Britain will do the same ; but 
 
45 
 
 llie treaty must bind neither party or Loth — must be executed in good 
 faith or be cancelled. The men who honor the memory of Perky will 
 alwa5^s know how to defend the domain of their country. 
 
 Has any European statesman been miscounting the strength of this 
 nation, by substituting a reminiscence of our feeble confederation for the 
 l^resent efficient and almost perfect organism of the body politic V Has 
 any foreign ruler been so foolish as to listen with credulity to the tales of 
 impending disunion? Every man of the people of Ohio, this great cen- 
 tral highway of national travel, will without one exception, tell the 
 calumniator or the unbeliever, that the voices of discontent among us are 
 but tlie evanescent vapors of men's breath; that our little domestic strifes 
 are no more than momentary disturbances on the surface, easily settled 
 among ourselves: that the love of Union has wound its cords mdissolu- 
 bly round the whole American people. 
 
 So then our last word shall be for the Union. The Union will guard 
 the flime of its defenders, and evermore protect our entire territory; it 
 will keep alive for mankind the beacon lights of popular liberty and 
 power: it will dissuade nations in a state of unripeness from attempting 
 to found republican governments before they spring up naturally by an 
 inward law ; and its mighty heart, will throb with delight at every true 
 advance in any part of the world towards republican happiness and 
 freedom. 
 
 THE rKESENTATION. 
 
 After the Historical Address by Hon. George Bancroft, 
 the Wayne Guards, of Erie, were drawn up in front of the 
 stand, and, in behalf of the Company, CajDt. McLain presented 
 Mr. Bancroft w^ith a beautiful cane. The presentation was 
 made in a few remarks, in very good taste. Capt. McLain said, 
 the cane was made of wood from Com. Perry's flag ship, the 
 Lawrence. The "Wayne Guards, he said were proud to honor 
 the hero and the historian whose graceful pen preserved untar- 
 nished the lustre of the heroic deeds of 1813. 
 
 Mr. Bancroft accepted the gift in a felicitous speech of short 
 duration. He was happy to receive- the memento from the 
 Guards, and p)articularly as they bore the name of one ever to 
 be revered — brave in battle, correct and kind in private life. 
 He should keep the cane while he lived, and bequeath it to his 
 son with an injunction to cherish it and remember that it came 
 to him with the benediction of the Guards. It would comfort 
 the few years of old age yet left to him. 
 
 The whole transaction passed ofi' very pleasantly, and at the 
 
46 
 
 close of Mr. Banckoft's remarks lie was greeted by cheers, 
 which were repeated for the Wayne Guards. The cane is 
 mounted with gold, and bears the following inscri]:itions : 
 
 " Wayne Guards, of Erie, to Hon. Geo. Bancroft. Pre.seutcd at the 
 inauguration of the Perry Statue, Sept. 10, 1800.'' 
 
 " Sept. 10, 1813. ' We have met the enemy and they are ours.' — O. H. 
 Perry." 
 
 " Perry's Fleet was built at, sailed from, and returned to Erie." 
 
 " American patriotism embalms the memories of its heroes." 
 
 Dr. Usher Parsons, the Surgeon of Perry's flag ship Laiu- 
 rence, was introduced and gave his reminiscences of the battle 
 of Lahe Erie. 
 
 DR. USHER parsons' ADDRESS. 
 
 Mr. President : — In responding to your flattering invitation to ad- 
 dress this vast assemblage, vain would be any endeavor, after the rich 
 banquet We have enjoyed, to entertain you with historic or classic allu- 
 sions, or with the graces of a polished style. Mine, sir, is the more hum- 
 ble and appropriate task to describe briefly the battle of Lake Erie. A 
 story so often told must fail to interest most of you, and I should decline 
 repeating it, but for the expressed wish of many to hear it from the lips 
 of the last surviving commissioned officer of Perry's squadron. 
 
 Prior to the 10th of September, 1813, the United States squadron on 
 this lake, commanded by Commodore Perry, anchored at Put-iu-Bay, 
 which is formed by a cluster of islands, fifty miles from this place. The 
 enemy were in the port of Maiden, forty miles farther distant, preparing 
 to meet and give us battle. 
 
 Our crews were reduced in number of men by a prevailing fever, 
 which induced General Harrison to send us thirty-six volunteers from 
 his army. Some of these still live, and are here present. 
 
 Within a day or two previous to the fight. Perry called a council of 
 commanders, and assigned to each his station in the order of battle, and 
 concluded his orders by stating his intention to bring the enemy to close 
 quarter, in order not to lose by the short range of his carronades, and the 
 last emphatic injunction with which he dismissed tliem was, that he 
 could not, in case of difficulty, advise them better than in the words of 
 Lord Nelson, " In case you lay your enemy close alongside, you cannot 
 be out of your place." 
 
 Early in the morning of the 10th, a cry came from a masthead, "/S/f«7, 
 ho ! " All hands sprang from tlieir hammocks, and ere they could dress 
 and reach the deck, six sail were announced. Signal was made to the 
 squadron, '■'■ enemy in sight^^'' ^^ get (mder way,'''' and soon the hoarse sound 
 of the trumpets, and the shrill pipes of the boatswains resounded 
 
47 
 
 throughout the fleet with, ^^ All Tiands up anchor, ahoy ! '''' After some 
 detention by adverse winds, we cleared tlie islands, and directed our 
 course toward the enemy, distant at 10 o'clock, about five miles. 
 
 The American squadron consisted of nine vessels, carrying 54 guns 
 and 400 men, and the British of six vessels, carrying 63 guns and 511 
 men. The line of battle was arranged with the Scorpion and Ariel 
 ahead, followed by the flag ship Lawrence, Caledonia, Niagara, and four 
 small vessels, and they were ordered to keep within half a cable's length 
 of each other. By this arrangement it was understood that the Lawrence 
 should fight the flagship Detroit, Commodore against Commodore, tlie 
 Caledonia the Lady Prevost, the Niagara the Queen, and the four small 
 vessels astern attack the Hunter and Little Belt. Tlie Scorpion and Ariel 
 were to support the Lawrence, and fight the Chippewa, the head vessel 
 of the British line. 
 
 The Commodore now produced the burgee or fighting flag, hitherto 
 concealed in the ship. It was inscribed with large white letters on a blue 
 ground, legible throughout the squadron, '■'■ Don't gne up the ship" the 
 last words of the expiring Lawrence, and now to be hoisted at the mast- 
 head of the ship bearing his name. The Commodore made a spirited 
 appeal to the crew, and up went the flag to the fore royal amid hearty 
 cheers, repeated throughout the squadron, and the drums and fifes struck 
 up the thrilling call, "■All hands to quarters." The hatches or passage ways 
 from below to the deck were closed, excepting the main one in the center, 
 through which l)alls might be passed up to the cannon, and the wounded 
 down to the surgeon's apartment Over this apartment was an opening, 
 or skylight, ten inches square, to pass cartridges through from the maga- 
 zine, and to let in light to the surgeon. The floor of this apartment was 
 level with the water outside, and left the surgeon and the wounded quite 
 as much exposed to the cannon balls of the enemy as those were on deck. 
 
 Every preparation being made, and every man at his station, a profound 
 silence reigned for more than an hour — the most trying part of the whole 
 scene. It was like the stillness that precedes the hurricane. The two 
 squadrons moved on in their respective lines, gradually approximating 
 till a quarter before twelve, when the awful stillness and suspense were 
 relieved by a shot aimed at the Lawrence from the Detroit, about one 
 mile distant. Perry signalled to the squadron to make more sail and 
 come into close action, at the same time pressing forward the Lawrence 
 to within canister distance of the Detroit, and then opened upon her a ra- 
 pid and destructive fire. The Caledonia followed the Lawrence in gallant 
 style, and maintained her position nobly. The Scorpion and Ariel being 
 small, attracted less firing from the enemy, whilst their large guns in 
 constant play did great execution. The Niagara failing to grapple her 
 antagonist the Queen, the latter vessel shot ahead and joined the Detroit 
 in firing upon the Lawrence, and finally made a complete wreck of her. 
 Fortunalel}^, however. Perry had escaped injury, and stepping into a 
 boat be ordered the fighting flag to be brought to him, and then pushed 
 
48 
 
 off to the Niagara, which had by this time, come up nearly abreast of the 
 Lawrence, but further from her than the enemy's flag ship Detroit was 
 on the opposite side. Perry reached her deck, exposed on his way to 
 balls and musketry, uscathed. He found her a fresh ship, with only two 
 or three persons injured, and every cannon in working order. 
 
 Her commander resigned the deck to him and hastened to press for- 
 ward the four small vessels that were astern, which were dull sailers, and 
 with the utmost exertion of their crews were unable to keep up in the 
 place assigned them in the line. The Lawrence now lagged behind, and 
 hauled down her flag in token of surrender, which drew forth boisterous 
 cheers, on board the enemy's ships. But Perry immediately changed 
 the course of the Niagara from the one in which she was steering, making 4 
 nearly a right angle, and crossing ahead of the Lawrence, bore down, 
 head foremost, to the enemy's line determined to break through it and 
 take a raking position. The Detroit attempting to turn so as to keep her 
 broadside to the Niagara, and avoid being raked. But in doing this, she 
 fell against the Queen, and got entangled in her rigging, and thus were 
 exposed both British ships to a raking and destructive fire from the Ni- 
 agara ; whilst heavy blows were received from the small vessels astern, 
 which had by this time come up within good distance for effective shots, 
 and the two ships were unable to fire in return. Their commanders were 
 thus compelled to haul down their colors in token of submission or sinl|. 
 Perry then shot ahead to the Lady Provost, which having been crippled 
 in her rudder, had drifted out of her place in the line to the leeward, and 
 was pressing forward towards the head of the British line, to support the 
 two ships. One broadside from the Niagara silenced her ba^ttery. The 
 Hunter next hauled down her flag, and the two smaller vessels, in at- ., 
 tempting to escape, were overtaken by the Scorpion and Tripp, and thiM t^ 
 ended the action after three o'clock. "'■''' 
 
 Let us now advert for a moment to the scenes exhibited in the 
 Lawrence, of which I was an eye witness. The wounded began to come 
 down before she opened her fire. Soon, liowever, the storm of battle 
 burst forth, in deafening thunders of our own broadsides, in the crash of 
 balls dashing through our timbers and bulwarks, and in the shrieks of 
 the wounded. These were brought down for aid faster than I could 
 attend to them, further than to stay the bleeding, or to support shattered 
 limbs with splints, and pass them forward upon the berth deck. In less 
 than two hours few men were left on deck in working order, and the six 
 men stationed with me at first to assist in moving the wounded, were 
 called away, onehy one, to work the guns, and even some of the wounded 
 themselves crawled back to the deck, to lend a feeble hand in pulling at 
 the last gun.s. 
 
 At this time the surgeon's room presented a scene truly horrible. There 
 lay the lifeless bodies of Midshipmen Laub and Chas. Ponio, both killed 
 in the Surgeon's room after having had their wounds dressed. Laub had 
 hardly left my hands, when a cannon ball struck him in the side, dashing 
 
49 
 
 him against the wall, and cutting his botlj^ nearly in twain. Lieutenant 
 Brooks, son of tlie Govei-nor of Massachusetts, an elegant and accom- 
 plished officer, lay with his hip mashed by a cannon ball, of which he 
 died before the battle closed. Hambleton, the intimate friend of Perry, 
 lay bleeding, his slioulder being broken. Claxton, a promising officer, 
 lay with his shoulder and arm shot away, and doomed soon to die, and 
 several others, Avith limbs crushed and tlesh lacerated, all lay weltering 
 in their blood, and writhing in agony, and calling for cold water to 
 relieve the sense of fiiintness. Whilst I was intent upon stopping the 
 flow of blood, a new visitor came from the deck, reporting that the 
 Commodore had gone to the Niagara, and that our own ship, unable to 
 fight longer, was hauling down her colors. Tliis added wailings of 
 despair to the groans of the wounded. Deatli or Dartmoor piison seemed 
 inevitable, and some were clamorous for sinking the ship, and all going 
 down together. But in a few minutes more a cry came from the deck 
 that "the ship has struck!" I leaped upon deck, calling out, "what 
 ship has struck ?" and saw the Detroit's flag actually hauled down, and 
 the Queen's flag coming down. It was enough ! The day was decided ! ! 
 The enemy beaten ! ! ! and I rushed back to the wounded, shouting 
 " victory ! victory ! ! " 
 
 As the smoke cleared away, the two squadrons seemed mingled 
 together un distinguishable. The shattered Lawrence lying to the wind- 
 ward was once more able to hoist her flag, wliich was cheered by a few 
 feeble voices, making a melancholy sound compared witli the tremendous 
 cheers that preceded the battle. The shot holes between wind and water 
 were immediately plugged to prevent our sinking, and the masts secured 
 from falling overboard. 
 
 Perry forthwith dispatched two messages to Harrison and to the 
 Secretary of the Navy, remarkable for their pith and brevity. To 
 Harrison he says, '' We have met the enemy, and they are ours : two 
 ships, two brigs, one sloop, and one schooner." To the Secretary — " It 
 has pleased the Almighty to give to the arms of the United States a signal 
 victory over their enemies on this lake. The British squadron, consisting 
 of two ships, two brigs, two sloops and one schooner, have this moment 
 surrendered to the force under my command, after a sharp conflict." 
 
 The proud, though painful duty, of taking possession of the conquered 
 ships, was now performed. The Detroit was nearly dismantled, and the 
 destruction and carnage had been dreadful. The Queen was in a condi- 
 tion little better — every commander and second in command, says 
 Barcla}^, in his official report, was either killed or wounded. The whole 
 number killed in the British fleet, was forty-one, and of wounded, ninety- 
 four. In the American fleet, twenty-seven killed, and ninety-six wounded. 
 Of the twenty-seven killed, twenty-two were on l)oard the Lawrence, and 
 of the ninety-six wounded, sixty-one were on board the same ship, making 
 eighty-three killed and wounded, out of 101 reported fit for duty in the 
 Lawrence on the morning of the battle. On board the Niagara were 
 4 
 
50 
 
 two killed and twenty-tliree wounded, making twenty-five, and of these 
 twenty-two were killed or wounded after Perky had command of her. 
 
 About four o'clock, a boat was discovered approaching the Lawrence. 
 Soon the Commodore was recognized in her, who was returning to 
 resume the command of his tattered ship, determined that the remnant 
 of her crew should have the privilege of witnessing the formal surrender 
 of the British officers. It was a time of conflicting emotions when lie 
 stepped upon the deck. The battle was won, and he was safe, but the 
 deck was slippery with blood, and strewed with the l)odies of twenty 
 officers and men, some of whom sat at table with us at our last meal, 
 and the ship resounded with the groans of the wounded. Those of us 
 who were spared and able to walk, met at the gangway to welcome him 
 on board, but the salutation was a silent one on both sides — a grasp of 
 the hand — our hearts were too full for speech-^ not a word could find 
 utterance. 
 
 Perry walked aft, where his first remark was addressed to his intimate 
 friend, Hambleton, then lying wounded on the deck. " The prayers of 
 my wife," said he, '-have prevailed in saving me." Then casting his 
 eyes about, he inquired — " Where is my brother ? " This brother was a 
 young midsliipman of thirteen years. He had during the battle acted as 
 aid, running with orders to different parts of the ship ; for you must 
 know that in the din and uproar of battle, orders can hardly be heard at 
 three feet distance. We made a general stir to look him up, not without 
 fears that he had been knocked overboard. But he was soon found in 
 his berth, asleep, exhausted by the exercise and excitement of the day. 
 And now the British officers arrived, one from eacli vessel, to tender 
 their submission, and with it their swords. When they approached, 
 picking their way among the wreck and carnage of the deck, with their 
 hilts towards Perky, tliey tendered them to his acceptance. With a dig- 
 nified and solemn air, and with a low tone of voice, he requested them 
 to retain their side arms ; inquired with deep concern for Commodore 
 Barctlay and the wounded officers ; tendered to them every comfort his 
 ship afforded, and expressed his regret that he had not a spare medical 
 officer to send them ; that he only had one on duty for the fleet, and that 
 one had his hands full. 
 
 In a few days the two Commodores parted, never more to meet each 
 other, nor with General Harrison. Tokens and messages of friendship 
 however, were often interchanged between them. 
 
 Perry served two years as Commander of the Java, taking with him 
 the survivors of the flag-ship Lawrence. He after this commanded a 
 squadron in the West Indies, where he died of fever in 1819. Possessed 
 of high toned morals, he was above the dissipation and sensuality preva- 
 lent with some officers of his day. His literary acquirements were 
 respectable, and his taste refined. He united the graces of a manly 
 beauty to a lion heart, a sound mind, a safe judgment, and a firmness of 
 IJurpose which nothing could shake. 
 
51 
 
 Cilizem of Clcceland, and of Ohio! I rejoice to meet \'ou on this 
 interesting occasion, and to witness the demonstrations of gratitude and 
 respect sliowu to tlie memory of Rhode Island's gallant son. His statue 
 which you this day inaugurate, will perpetuate to future generations tlie 
 record of your generous munificence and enlightened patriotism, as well 
 as of his glorious achievement. It will also strengthen the cordial and 
 fraternal sympathy existing between Ohio and Rhode Island, which 
 commenced in 1813, in the glorious victory we are now celebratin"-. 
 Then it was that a squadron commanded, olficered and manned chiefly 
 by natives of that State, came to your rescue, and near your defenceless 
 shores captured a combined British and savage foe, who threatened fire 
 and sword and tomahawk to the then infant settlement of Cleveland 
 and of the whole lake shore. The few log cabins which tlien dotted 
 this place, and sent up their curling smoke among tlie rugged arms of 
 majestic trees, that had been girdled by the pioneers of the forest, soon 
 disappeared, and in their place rose a populous and thrifty town, which 
 your enterprise and industry have enlarged and adorned, and converted 
 into a beautiful city — the glory of the west ! And now, when you are 
 ready to ornament it with monuments and statues, commemorative of 
 the glorious deeds of patriots and heroes, your thoughts first revert to 
 the deliverer of these shores, tlie lamented Perry, whose beautiful 
 statue now greets our eyes. And you have kindly invited hither the 
 citizens of his native State to assist in the ceremonies of its inauguration. 
 Accordingly, our Governor and staff, legislators, generals and prominent 
 citizens, under the escort of our Light Infantry — the pride of Rhode 
 Island — have come hither (and our whole population were desirous to 
 join us.) "We have come, citizens of Cleveland, to take you by the hand, 
 and, in the name of the people of Rhode Island, to thank you most 
 heartily for the distinguished honor you have done our State by thus 
 commemorating the noble achievement of her gallant son. 
 
 •' O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand, 
 Between our loved home and the war's desolation,'' 
 
 that Ohio and Rhode Island shall be found side by side, buttling the foes 
 of their country, and under leaders, whether on land, or lake, or ocean 
 wave, equal to Harrison or Perry; and when the storm of war is 
 hushed, and the reign of mild peace is restored, may the warriors then 
 meet as Ave are met on this glorious anniversary, to grasp hands in 
 cordial friendship, and unite in paying enduring honors to the illustrious 
 and victorious dead, l)y marljle structures equal in beauty to the one 
 before us. 
 
 This statue is a work of rare artistic skill. The marble, drawn from 
 classic Italy, has a fine grain, and hue, and iiolish, and when struck 
 gives the true ring of a pure and durable material. Its magnificent 
 pedestal is taken from the bank of the Pawcatuck, in Rhode Island, thus 
 associating the grateful and pleasing ideas of a noble marble Statue, 
 
52 
 
 erected by citizens of Ohio, to perpetuate tlae name and fame of Perry, 
 on a Rhode Island basis — ideas that in all future time will stir and warm 
 the hearts of the sons and daughters of that State who in their westward 
 pilgrimages will stop to survey and admire this beautiful specimen of 
 native art. The likeness of Perry, considering the limited sources of 
 information available to the artist, is more accurate and striking than I 
 expected to see. The conception of his attitude, his martial bearing and 
 appropriate expression, is highly successful. Of his drapery I have a 
 word of exjilanatiou to offer. You here see him in his usual ofBcial 
 dress. But, in battle, you must know that all official insignia are laid 
 aside, and the dress of a common sailor is assumed, to avoid being a 
 mark for the enemy's musketry in the tops. Perry wore in the fight a 
 a blue cotton round-jacket, which surrounded as brave a heart as ever 
 beat in human frame ; and here is the identical garment. 
 
 Old companions in the conflict, a little remnant of us still live, and are 
 permitted once more to take each other by the hand. But how different 
 the i^resent scene from the one it commemorates, fought this day, this 
 hour, forty-seven years ago. Then Avere our ears stunned by the 
 thunders of a hundred cannon, dealing out death and'destruction by 
 opposing squadrons, while our companions were falling and rolling in 
 blood around us. "We have passed through many vicissitudes since that 
 eventful day, and having outlived the companions of our youth, now find 
 ourselves among strangers of another generation. Desolate and lonely 
 though we feel, and know we are near 
 
 "That undiscovered comiti-y from whose bourne 
 No traveler returns," 
 
 yet the tokens of assurance tliis daj' afforded, that our toil and peril of 
 life are not forgotten, and that the memory of our much beloved 
 commander is still fresh and precious in the affections of a generous and 
 grateful people, stir and warm our hearts, and make us joyful and happy! 
 Old friends, I bid you an affectionate farewell. 
 
 CAPT. BROWNELL. 
 
 After the delivery of Dr. Parsons' address, Capt. Thomas 
 Brownell, pilot of the Ariel in the battle of Lake Erie, was 
 called upon. He thanked the people for their kind reception of 
 himself and friends, but most of all for the beautiful Statue of 
 their gallant leader. It was not necessary for him to speak — 
 they had heard all about the battle, and he would only say he 
 had a hand in it. 
 
OLIVER HAZARD PERRY. 
 
 Oliver Hazard Perry, the only surviving son of Commodore 
 Perry, was upon tlie stand, and was called upon to speak. He 
 said : 
 
 I cordially thank your honor for your generous words in honor of the 
 descendants of Commodore Perry. As his only son, I speak in behalf 
 of all my family, to acknowledge the warm welcome with which my 
 fellow citizens here assembled have responded to your introduction of 
 us. But I am aware, not to me personally, nor to the other members of 
 my famil}', are these honors prolFered. They are the spontaneous 
 utterances of iiatriotic gratitude to the navy of the United States, of 
 which my father was one of the providential vindicators in the cecoud 
 war of independence. This was specially the sailors' war, waged for them 
 and for their rights. ''Sailors' Eights" was the motto borne at mast- 
 head, and carried high above the smoke of every conflict. The war was 
 their war — the country called upon them. Fully and nobly did they 
 respond, and eflTectually did they accomplish the task, plucking from the 
 diadem of England her cherished gem, "The Mistress of the Sea." 
 
 The country has loved its navy ever since. Need I recount its service'? 
 Need I tell of the triumphant cruises of the "Coustitutiou," scouring the 
 seas, and returning from every cruise with the captured flag of an 
 enemy's ship? Safe and unharmed, sir, from out every encounter and 
 every peril — happy omen to the whole people that the Constitution itself 
 will survive every political danger that may assail it. 
 
 Need I speak the names of Hull, Bainbridge, Jones and Stewart. 
 Need I recount the deeds of the heroic Decatur ? (alas ! that he died so 
 young, and such a death.) Need I recall to your memories the uame of 
 Lawrence V Alas I that his sun of glor}^ went down so soon, and yet 
 without a cloud to dim its lustre, and in a splendor that has given the 
 navy its proudest boast, with words that shall be its perpetual motto. 
 Intrepid, magnanimous — a hero in every point, great even in death — he 
 conferred upon the navy a renown that shall never perish. England 
 herself acknowledged his greatness as a foe, when stepping fixr beyond 
 her ordinary routine in similar cases, she conferred the honor of Knight- 
 hood on his conquerer. 
 
 I might continue, and repeat the names of Porter, the hero of the 
 Pacific, ]McDoNOUGH, the hero of Champlain. The distinguished orator 
 of the day has eloquently spoken of the events of Lake Erie, which we 
 now commemorate. My long connection with the navy, and my 
 intimate acquaintance with the patriotic feelings and professional pride 
 which possess and control both officers and men, and my earnest desire 
 for its continued jjrosperity and untarnished fame, may pardon and even 
 justify the allusions I have made to its exploits. 
 
 To us, sir, as a commercial people, a powerful navy, far more so than 
 
54 
 
 it is at present, is a position of necessity. We are, and must be a mari- 
 time, as well as an agricultural and manufacturing people. The very 
 territory upon which Providence has placed us, imposes upon us this 
 threefold character, in whicli lie the elements of our growth and success. 
 With extended sea borders east on the Atlantic, and west on the Pacific, 
 with the great Gulf at the South, and these great lakes at the North, 
 Avith mighty and deep rivers flowing throughout the land — rivers of 
 such magnitude that the mightiest in Europe are but as brooks in com- 
 parison, with all these around and within us, I repeat, we must be a 
 maritime people, and having a commerce reaching Asia from our 
 Western shore, and Europe and Africa from our Eastern, yielding us the 
 products of their toiling millions, so be spread Westward and Eastward 
 all over the land, by those iron arms, that must, ere long, join the 
 Atlantic and Pacific shores. 
 
 AVhat prosperty, what national greatness, is before us, if undivided 
 love of one undivided countr}', shall unite all hearts and all hands, to 
 promote and secure the common good of the^great commonwealth, 
 and as a maritime people we must have a navy to represent the Repub- 
 lic, to sustain our flag, to protect and defend our mercantile marine, 
 wherever it may penetrate. 
 
 The navy of the United States will be ever true to its history and its 
 fame. Its future deeds shall be worthy its past encounters, and the story 
 of every conflict shall repeat the record of the battle of Lake Erie in the 
 familiar legend : — "We have met the enemj^ and they are ours." 
 
 The gate of the enclosure was then opened, the leading 
 Masonic officers entered, and in a beautiful and impressive 
 manner performed the masonic ceremonies of dedication. 
 
 ADDRESS OF GRAND MASTER, HORACE M. STOKES. 
 
 Brethren of the Masonic Fraternity: — Prominent among the 
 first lessons to the novitiate in our order, is tlie duty of patriotism. 
 In the State we are to be quiet and peaceable citizens, true to our 
 country and just to our government. Forbidden by our regulations from 
 participating, as an order, in demonstrations of a political or party 
 character, yet all the teachings of our institution incite us to assist as 
 Masons, in rendering just tribute and honor to the benefactors of our 
 race and countrj-. Prompted by these sentiments, we are here to-day, in 
 response to the courteous invitation extended to the fraternity, b_y the 
 Committee of Arrangements, to assist in the festivities of this interesting 
 occasion — deeming it a higli privilege to be enabled in any degree to add 
 to the imposing ceremonial of inaugurating and dedicating this Statue, 
 erected to the memory of one of America's noblest citizens — a work of 
 commemoration justly due to the virtues of the departed patriot and 
 soldier, and equally creditable to the taste, spirit and liberality of a 
 grateful people. 
 
55 
 
 By j-onr partiality, brethren, it becomes my pleasing duty to lead iu 
 the Masonic ceremonies proper on this occasion; which, with the assis- 
 tance of the officers of the Grand Lodge, I will now proceed to perform. 
 But, before engaging iu any important undertaking, it is our duty as 
 masons to invoke the blessings of the Supreme Architect of the 
 Universe. Brother Grand Chaplain, let us commence this ceremonial by 
 devout prayer to Almighty God. 
 
 After prayer by the Cliajilain, the Grand Master resumed, as 
 follows : 
 
 Grand Mxsti)- .-—liight Worshipful Deputy Grand Master, the Jewel 
 of your office is the square. Apply it to those parts of the foundation 
 or pedestal which supports this Statue. 
 
 Deputii Grand Alaster — The duty is performed, Most Worshipful, and 
 the workmen have done their duty. 
 
 Grand Master : — Right Worshipful Senior Grand Warden, the level is 
 the Jewel of your office. Will you apply it to this pedestal ■:* 
 
 Senior Grand Warden: — I have applied the level, IVIost AVorshipful. 
 The workmen have done their duty. 
 
 Grand Master .-—Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden, the proper 
 Jewel of your office is the plumb. Apply it to the several sides of the 
 pedestal which supports this Statue. 
 
 Junior Grand Warden: — I have Most Worshipful, and find the same 
 truly upright. The Craftsmen have done their duty. 
 
 Grand Master :—The Craftsmen have indeed done their duty well, and 
 I declare this work well formed, true and trustj^ 
 
 The Golden vessel containing Corn was then handed to the 
 Deputy Grand Master, who delivered it to the Grand Master, 
 who poured the contents upon the jnedestal, saying : 
 
 May the Supreme Architect of the Universe strengthen and sustain 
 the people of this happy land, to finish the work begun by their fothers, 
 as shall best redound to His honor and the welfare of our common 
 Country. 
 
 The Silver vessel containing AVine was then delivered to the 
 Senior Grand Warden, who handed it to the Grand Master, 
 who poured it upon the pedestal, saying : 
 
 May the Giver of all Good bestow his blessing upon this patriotic 
 undertaking, and grant to this people virtue and wisdom, to enable them 
 to preserve the glorious privileges they now enjoy. 
 
 The Silver vessel containing Oil was then handed to the Junior 
 Grand Warden, wdio presented it to the Grand Master, who 
 sprinkled the contents upon the pedestal, saying : 
 
56 
 
 May the Graud Ruler of the World preserve the Union of these United 
 States — and may this Union be a bond of friendship and brotherly love, 
 which shall endure through all time. 
 
 The Grand Master then repeated the following invocation : 
 
 3Iuy Corn, Wine and Oil, the expressive symbols of Nourishment, 
 Refreshment and Joy, abound among men throughout the World; 
 may this Statue long continue a memorial of atfcctionate regard by a 
 grateful people to one of the bravest of our country's defenders; and 
 may the great and beneficent deeds of the honored dead live in future 
 generations, and exert a benign inllucnce after this marble monument 
 shall have crumbled into dust. 
 
 The Grand Master then struck the Pedestal thrice with the 
 Gavel,* after which the Public Grand Honors by the fraternity 
 were rendered, and the Masonic^eremonies closed. 
 
 At the close of these ceremonies, Ossian E. Dodge, the cele- 
 brated vocalist, assisted by the Masonic choir sang the Ode. 
 The effect was very fine, the choir doing full justice to the piece. 
 The Ode was written by Mr. E. G. Knowlton, of this city, and 
 the music composed by Ossian E. Dodge. 
 
 SUNG BY SIR ICs'ICinX OSSIAX E. DODGE. 
 
 On Erie's bosom broad and fair, 
 
 A son of freedom, bold and brave, 
 Unfurled his banner to the air, 
 
 And boldly fought our rights to save. 
 His deck with fearless heart he trod, 
 
 While flashed his ej-e with freedom's light. 
 With daring hand and trust in God, 
 He bravely battled for the right. 
 Chorus — Can we forget the good and brave. 
 
 Whose image from yon marble towers, 
 Or blot the record which he gave, 
 
 " We've met the enemy and they are ours." 
 
 The foe was conquered, freedom's cry 
 
 Re-echoed o'er the water's blue. 
 The victor's flag was raised on liigh, 
 
 And waved o'er freemen brave and true. 
 Oh, freedom's son, thy glowing name 
 
 Shall ere be cherished by the free, 
 
 * Made from the timber of the flag ship Lawrence. 
 
57 
 
 And in the foremost ranks of fame, 
 The name of Perky long shall be. 
 CnoRUs — Can we forget, &c. 
 
 Let yonder pile in glory stand 
 
 In after years the talc to tell. 
 How Perry brave with fearless hand 
 
 The battle fought and won so well. 
 Each heart that burns with freedom's flame. 
 
 Will ne'er forget this festal day, 
 And ne'er will Perry's honored name 
 
 Remain unsung or pass away, 
 CnoRUS — Can we forget, &c. 
 
 This concluded the ceremonies of Inauguration, and the 
 immense assemblage adjourned to the bank of the lake to 
 witness the Mock Battle. 
 
 THE MOCK BATTLE. 
 
 There was some delay in getting out the vessels to commence 
 the Mock Naval Battle. An immense crowd lined the bank of 
 the Lake, and occupied every fence and house top, besides all 
 the carriages that could be drawn near enough to afford a view. 
 The entire crowd in the city seemed to have been concentrated 
 at this point. 
 
 Probably nothing so difficult of satisfactory execution could 
 have been placed upon the programme, but under the direction 
 of the committee, guided by the charts of Dr. Parsons and 
 Capt. Champlin, as published in the Cleveland Herald, the 
 real battle was faithfully represented in the mimic fray. The 
 vessels were towed out by tugs, took the proper position, and the 
 firing commenced. Very soon the fleet was enveloped in smoke, 
 which the light wind was slow in clearing away. The Lawrence, 
 as when disabled in the real Ijattle, fell behind after a time, 
 and the little boat pased over to the Niagara, representing the 
 perilous voyage of the heroic Commodore. The boat passed under 
 the larboard quarter of the Niagara, and was lost to view in the 
 smoke. Very soon, how^ever, the Niagara hauled up, and passed 
 through the British fleet, delivering, as she did so, her fire upon 
 them in rapidly succeeding broadsides, first upon the Detroit and 
 Queen, and next into the Lady Provost. Then when the Detroit 
 
58 
 
 and Qucai Charlotte, unable longer to sustain tlio figlit, struck 
 their colors, the Scorpion overhauled the escaping Little Belt, and 
 the Tripp chased and captured the CJiippewa. This closed the 
 contest. 
 
 A remarkable coincidence occurred in a matter for which the 
 committee could not well be held responsible. The wind in the 
 actual contest, was light at the commencement, but freshened 
 toward the cbjse. In the mock battle the elements were singu- 
 larly propitious — the wind at first being feeble, and freshening 
 and gathering strength as the light progressed. Nearly every 
 detail was faithfully presented in a mimic show, and the tens of 
 thousands who witnessed it were undoubtedly well satisfied. — 
 jSTothing of the kind was ever before attempted in the West, and 
 those under wdiose direction it was accomplished are certainly 
 deserving of much credit. 
 
 MASONIC BANQUET. 
 
 One of the most interesting as well as lively features of the 
 grand celebration was the banquet at the Weddell House, 
 which came off just after the conclusion of the ceremonies of 
 the inauguration in the afternoon. The large dining hall of the 
 Weddell, and several of the adjoining rooms were filled with 
 tables spread with all the substantials, luxuries and delicacies 
 of the season. Around these, in the full dress costumes of 
 their several orders, were seated from three to five hundred 
 members of the Masonic body, and when the tables were filled 
 it is difficult to imagine a scene of greater interest. Every one 
 was filled Avith the occasion, and, though eating and drinking 
 were the particular recreations of the hour, yet so great had 
 been the pageant, so varied the incidents, so magnificent the 
 procession and so impressive the exercises, that for a while the 
 fortification of the inner man, notwithstanding the well-filled 
 board, seemed to give place to a lively and animated conversa- 
 tion. 
 
 Among the guests of distinction who were present, was the 
 Hon. B. F. French, Grand Master of the General Grand En- 
 campment of the United States ; Kent Jarvis, Esq., Grand 
 Commander of the Grand Commandery of Ohio ; Horace M. 
 Stokes, Esq, Grand Master of theGrand Lodge of Ohio ; Hon. 
 
59 
 
 W. B. TnRALL, Past Grand Master ; R. W. John Drew, Grand 
 Lecturer of New York, and many others. 
 
 When the cloth was removed the attention of the company 
 was called to the reading of the toasts, prepared for the occasion, 
 in a brief speech by H. L. HosMEE, Esq., Deputy Grand Master 
 vt' Ohio, who presided on the occasion, assisted by Samvel E. 
 Adams, Es(|. These sentiments, prepared by a master hand, 
 and echoing the feelings which had been inspired by the previous 
 events of the occasion were drank with great enthusiasm, and, 
 together with volunteer sentiments which followed, called from 
 the distinguished gentlemen present responses replete with pat- 
 riotism and humor, and the Hecker Band of musicians caught 
 up the echo and wove it into the most thrilling strains of our 
 national music. Among the gentlemen whose speeches were 
 most telling in their etlects, we mav mention those of Messrs. 
 Jarvis, Stokes, Drew and Moore. The latter gentleman 
 presented an original letter written by Commodore Perry to 
 General Harrison, five days before the battle of Erie, which 
 produced a profound sensation upon the audience. Our Dodge 
 — the veritable Ossian E. — was there with a company of singers, 
 and enlivened the ceremony with the undying song of PtOB 
 Morris. 
 
 The exercises at the Bancjuet were concluded with the following 
 
 SONG 
 
 WRITTEN BY WILLIAM ROSS WALLACE, AND SUNG BY OSSIAN E. DODGE. 
 
 I. 
 
 The glorious soul of valor called, 
 And here in gratitude we throng, 
 
 Responsive to lier thrilling cry. 
 With laurel-lent" and triumph-song ! 
 
 Our grateful hands his Statue rear. 
 Who broke the pride of hostile i)owers, 
 
 Then simply, but sublimely said: — 
 "We've met the foe and they are ours!" 
 
 II. 
 
 Well may his countrymen exult! 
 Still free the storied waters roll, 
 
 On which he showed, when all seemed lost, 
 How grand the true heroic soul ! 
 
60 
 
 His ship— a wreck ! — another's sought ! * 
 Lo ! sink at once the hostile powers ! 
 
 For Perry vowed the news should be: — 
 " We've met the foe, and tuey are ouks !" 
 
 III. 
 
 Roll, roll ye waves ! — eternal roll ! 
 For ye are holy from his might! 
 
 O, Banner, that his valor wreathed. 
 Forever keep thy victor-light! 
 
 And if upon this sacred Lake 
 Should ever come invading powers. 
 
 Like him may we exulting cry: — 
 " We've met the foe, and they are ours !" 
 
 The clay was fast waning into twilight when this delightful 
 re-union was broken, and it Avas only in obedience to the general 
 impression which prevailed among the guests that to stay longer 
 would be an imposition upon the excellent hosts, who needed 
 the hall, that the brethren finally withdrew. A period of 
 greater enjoyment than that afibrded by this occasion, it would 
 have been difficult to crowd into the two hours wdiich it occupied, 
 and the good feeling, geniality and genuine friendship which it 
 inspired, destined long to out-live the occasion, and to mark so 
 much of the tenth day of September, 1860, as it occupied, as 
 one of the brightest spots in the memory of each who partici- 
 pated in it. 
 
 THE EECEPTION BY THE GOVERNORS. 
 
 The rece2:ition at the Angier, on the evening of the 10th, by 
 Governors Sprague and Dennison, was a brilliant aflfair. Soon 
 after eight, the spacious drawing-rooms and halls were filled 
 with beautiful women and gallant men, and at half past eight 
 o'clock, the dining hall (which, from its spaciousness, was called 
 into requisition) was thrown open. At the head of the room 
 were the Governors, attended by their military families, and 
 we also recognized among the distingushed gentlemen Bishop 
 Clark, of E. L, Hon. J. R. Bartlett, Secretary of State, 
 of Rhode Island, Col. Br,own, of the Providence Infantry, &c. 
 
 On each side of the room were paraded the Providence Light 
 
 *Peret originated tliis daring and brilliant feat in naval warfare. 
 
Gl 
 
 Infantry, in their elegant scarlet uniforms, and at the loAver end 
 was the American Brass Band, of Providence. The Providence 
 Infantry, in everything that makes up soldiers, dress, manoeuvers, 
 conduct, on and off parade, has no superior. Their uniforms 
 are superb. The American Band can have no superiors, and we 
 thought the gold medal — the gift of Providence ladies — dangling 
 from the breast of the leader, Mr. J. C. Greene, was most 
 worthily bestowed. 
 
 Hon. H. B. Payne presented the ladies and gentlemen to the 
 Governors, and after a two hours' reception, the evening wound 
 up with a hop, after the entrancing strains of the American 
 Band. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 The railroads at night took off enormous crowds, leaving an 
 immense throng to stay over night. 
 
 Cleveland has reason to be proud of the day and its proceed- 
 ings. She has honored herself, the State and the whole West. 
 
 THE MILITARY REVIEW. 
 
 Camp Perry was crowded Tuesday the 11th, by thousands of 
 people, to witness the Grand Military Review. Every availaljle 
 inch of standing or sitting room was occupied by the people, a 
 large proportion of whom were ladies. At eleven o'clock some 
 of the military companies liled into the enclosure, Company D, 
 of Buffalo, under command of Major Bidwell, taking the lead. 
 They were followed by the Cleveland Grays, Capt. Paddock ; 
 Cleveland Light Guards, Capt. Sanford ; Washington Infantry, 
 Pittsburgh, Capt. Rowley ; Dayton Light Guards, Capt. Pease ; 
 Cleveland x^rtillery Company A, Capt. Simmons ; Company B, 
 Capt. Mack ; Company D, Capt. Rice ; Company E, Captain 
 Heckman; Brooklyn Light Artillery, Capt. Pelton, and Geneva 
 Ohio Company, formed the Artillery Companies on the ground. 
 The Union Cornet Band, Buffalo, furnished the music. 
 
 At twelve o'clock the Providence Light Infantry, headed by 
 
62 
 
 tlic American Brass Band of Providence, entered the grounds, 
 and were loudly cheered. They were followed by Governor 
 Dennison and Staff, and Governor Spkague and Staff, who rode 
 around the line. The troops, commanded by Brig. Gen. J. W. 
 Fitch, then marched past the Governors, after which several 
 evolutions were gone through. The appearance of the companies 
 was admirable, and the evolutions made with true military 
 precision. 
 
 At the close of the Parade and Eeview, Capt. Sanfoed, oi 
 the Light Guards, and Capt. Paddock, of the Grays, were 
 ordered to appear before Governors Sprague and Dennison. 
 The two companies, having marched up, Gov. Sprague taking 
 off his elegant sword, said : 
 
 Capt. Sanford: — As a momeuto of this occasion, and of my high 
 appreciation of the citizen soldiers of Cleveland, and of your bearing as 
 a gentleman and a soldier, I present you this, my sword. Use it, sir, in 
 the spirit that it is given. 
 
 Capt. Sanford received the sword, and responded in graceful 
 terms. 
 
 Governor Dennison then, in a very few words, presented his 
 sword to Capt. Paddock, as a token of his appreciation of 
 Cleveland military. 
 
 On receiving the sword the Captain attempted an excuse for 
 failure of fitting response. Gov. D. said : "A soldier speaks by 
 deeds, not words." 
 
 The gifts were splendid' testimonials from the chief ex(Ha;tives 
 of the two States, and will ])e carefully cherished by the recip- 
 ients. 
 
 After a parade of about an hour, the companies were dis- 
 missed, and marched down town. The weather, wliich up to 
 this moment had been fine, suddenly changed, and the home- 
 ward march was through a flood of rain. 
 
63 
 
 THE FAEEWELL DIXXER 
 
 The Ceremonies of the Inauguration, the Governor's Rece^jtion, 
 the Military Review, and other neeess^ary detail, so filled vip the 
 time of the visit of the Ehode Island guests as to i:)reclude a 
 formal Banquet. The Mayor, Common Council, and Monument 
 Committee, however, arranged a social dinner at the An<yier, 
 which was on the table at five o'clock, P. M., the eleventh. 
 
 At the head of one of the tables, were Gov. Sprague, Bishop 
 Clark, Hon. J. R. Bartlett, Secretary of State of Rhode 
 Island, Col. Brown of the Providence Infantry, and other promi- 
 nent gentlemen of the Rhode Island party. At the head of 
 another table were Gov. Dennison, Mrs. Deknison and other 
 ladies, with the Governor's Staff'. At a third table were members 
 of the Council, as follows: 0. M. Oviatt, C. J. Ballard, I. H. 
 Marshall, I. U. Masters, Jas. Christian, Ed. Lewis, C. L. 
 Russell, H. S. Stevens, J. H. Clark, Thos. Quayle. Also 
 were present, Harvey Rice, Chairman of the original Monument 
 Committee, the Rev. Mr. Bittinger, and others. The tables 
 were otherwise filled with Governor Sprague's Staff", the Staff' 
 of the Providence Marine Artillery Corjis, the Staff' of the 
 Providence Infantry, &c., &c. 
 
 Mayor Senter presided, having at his right Mr. Knight, 
 Mayor of Providence, and Mr. Albergee, Mayor of Buff'alo. 
 The Mayor presided with true dignity, and discharged the 
 delicate duty (made doubly difficult by the informality of the 
 affair,) in good taste and with credit to his office and the city. 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Bittinger asked the blessing of God upon the 
 festivities. 
 
64 
 
 When substantials had been disposed of the Mayor rapped 
 the table to order, and gave, as a toast, 
 
 Gov. Sprague and Staff and our Rhode Island guests. 
 
 When apphiuse had ceased, Gov. Si'EAGue arose. He said he 
 had a great deal to say but lacked words to express the acknowl- 
 edgements for the kindnesses received in Cleveland, but Rhode 
 Island will appreciate those kindnesses, and in behalf of that 
 State, he tendered sincere thanks. To the City Council, to the 
 Monument Committee, to the Artist, to the citizens of Cleveland, 
 the whole country owes a debt of gratitude for the erection of 
 that beautiful monument which is reared, not merely for to-day, 
 but for the future. It was such memorials that made brave 
 men. 
 
 The Governor said that Rhode Island had sent them here and 
 they had gathered inspiration every moment of their visit, and 
 should return to their families and friends deeply grateful for 
 the courtesies and attentions paid them. 
 
 Gov. Sprague then spoke of some historical events connected 
 with Rhode Island, as follows : 
 
 As tlie present seems to be the occasion of glorifymg the State of 
 Ehode Island and her heroes, I hope, Mr. Mayor, that in replying to 
 your sentiment, I may be pardoned if I add a little to this glorification, 
 by presenting a few facts in relation to her naval and military history. 
 
 Striking the first blow against British power in America, in the 
 destruction of the Gaspee, in 1772, Rhode Island may justly claim to 
 have led the way in the revolutionary drama that followed. She was 
 also among the first to protest against the oppressive acts of the King 
 and Parliament some years earlier. I have now to call your attention to 
 some striking facts (not generally known) relative to the Colonial History 
 of the State, for which I am indebted to its early records which have 
 been arranged and edited by my friend, the Hon. John R. Bartlett, Sec- 
 retary of the State of Rhode Island, whose deep research has given the 
 State and country one of the best governmental works of our Coionial 
 Ilistorv extant. My friend is among the Rhode Island Delegation here 
 to-day. 
 
 In examining the early records of Rhode Island, it will be found that 
 durin" her whole Colonial period, she was prominent for the extent of 
 her shipping, at one time even surpassing that of the great city which is 
 now the commercial center of the new world. 
 
 As early as 1653, when Great Britain was at war with Holland, Rhode 
 Island issued commissions to privateers to cruise against the Dutch, and 
 
65 
 
 during the same century sent her vessels to Europe, Africa and the West 
 Indies for commercial purposes. From this period to the brealiing out 
 of the revolution, and particularly during the wars between Great 
 Britain, France and Spain, the seas swarmed with her privateers. The 
 advantages of the fine harbors of Narragansett Bay induced vessels from 
 other places, not only to fit out, but to resort there with their cargoes. 
 The success which attended these expeditions awakened a spirit of ad- 
 venture and daring among our own people, which burst out in full force 
 in the destruction of tlie Britisli vessel, the Gaspee, in 1772, and in the 
 creation of a navy in the war of the Revolution which followed. The 
 great facilities with which letters of marque were obtained from the 
 Government of Rhode Island during the wars alluded to, made it the 
 resort of adventurers from all parts of the countiy as well as from Europe. 
 
 Towards the close of the seventeenth century, so numerous were pri- 
 vateers from our little colony, that Holland, France and Spain remon- 
 strated with our mother country to put a stop to them. The notorious 
 Captain Kidd even sought a shelter in our beautiful Bay, and narrowly 
 escaped capture. Some of his men were arrested there; and so numer- 
 ous were tlie complaints against the colony for the facilities with which 
 letters of marque were procured, and for the alleged protection to tliese 
 early fillibusters, that a commission was sent out from England to inquire 
 into and put a stop to them. The most stringent laAvs were then passed 
 by the Colony for the suppression of privateers. But these transactions 
 were the means of making us a maratime people, and giving us a rank 
 as such, which was maintained to the close of the last ceutur3^ 
 
 From 1745 to 17G0, during which period England kept a large fleet in 
 the American waters, she recruited her seamen chiefly from Rhode 
 Island. In our records are preserved the letters of the Britisli Admi- 
 rals at Halifax, New York and even in the West Indies, pressing our 
 government to furnish seamen for the fleet. Many letters are also pre- 
 served from William Pitt, asking also for seamen. These calls were 
 promptly responded to, as our records show. 
 
 In the memorable war between Great Britain and France, wliich end- 
 ed with the taking of Quebec, and the fall of the French Empire in 
 North America, Governor Hopkins wrote to William Pitt that tlie war 
 had changed the course of trade into that of privateering, and that ffty 
 private(r» had been fitted out in the Colony. 
 
 In the reduction of Cape Breton and Louisbourg she contributed her 
 men and ships, and the British officers acknowledged the part she took 
 in the memorable reduction of Havana in the year 1763. It may seem 
 singular that so small a Colony as Rhode Island should be able to con- 
 tribute any material aid to so great a power as Great Britain in the war 
 in which she was engaged ; but a simple statement from the records of 
 the Custom House of Newport in 1763 will show of what we were capa- 
 ble. The books there show tliat Rliode Island then had 184 vessels 
 bound on foreign voyages, and 852 employed in the coasting trade, which, 
 5 
 
66 
 
 with her fishing vessels, were manned with 2,200 seamen. I mention 
 these facts to sliow the growth of our marine, but I have now to men- 
 tion one which has a more direct bearing upon the great event which we 
 liavc met to commemorate. 
 
 Fort Oswego, it will be remembered, was built b_y the French and fell 
 into the hands of the English, to be retaken by the French in 1756. 
 While the English possessed it, a number of ship carpenters and seamen 
 were sent there Irom Rliode Island, probably for a similar object to that 
 which Commodore Perry had in view, when fifty-four years after, he 
 ])rought a party of shipwrights and seamen to Lake Erie, with such 
 magnificent results. When the French re-took Oswego in 1756, they 
 took our Rhode Islanders prisoners, and sent them to France, where they 
 remained till the close of the war. Fourteen of those men, whose names 
 we have, returned. 
 
 In 1775, the first squadron sent out by the revolted Colonies was fitted 
 out in, and sailed from Rhode Island, under command of Commodore 
 Hopkins, in which Paul Jones was a Lieutenant. They took two Ibrts in 
 New Providence, in the Bahama Islands, with a large quantity of cannon, 
 stores and ammunition, and captured two armed ships on their return. 
 Rhode Island furnished two other Commodores, Whipple and Talbot, 
 who also distinguished themselves in the War of the Revolution. 
 
 I have thus presented this brief sketch of the naval history of Rhode 
 Island, to show that the Hero of the Battle of Lake Erie had before him 
 examples of bravery in his native state, to spur him on, and which in- 
 fused into him that daring spirit which led him to accomplish the great 
 victory which we have here assembled to commemorate. 
 
 After saying so much, Mr. Mayor, of the naval exploits of Rhode 
 Island, I should do injustice to its military which is here represented by 
 one of its most gallant corps, the First company of Light Infantry, did I 
 not say a few words in relation to the military history of the State, par- 
 ticularly as the present seems to be the occasion to glorify it. 
 
 In the year 1638, but two years after Roger Williams landed on our 
 shore, a military organization took place, a day of general training was 
 fixed, and all persons between sixteen and sixty were required to bear 
 arms. Soon after this, inspectors visited every house to see that their 
 fire-arms were in good order; a neglect of which subjected the owners to 
 a fine. 
 
 Every man was also required to have in his possession a certain quan- 
 tity of gunpowder and bullets, and he was further required to carry his 
 musket or fowling-piece to church on Sundays. 
 
 So began our military organization, to protect the Infant colony from 
 its enemies the Indians, and the terrible Dutch of New Amsterdam, who 
 threatened to expel the English colonists, and whose valor and exploits in 
 arms are so truthfully set forth in that celebrated work known as Knick- 
 erbocker's History of New York. Trained bands, as they were then 
 called, were organized in every town, and as we increased in population, 
 companies similar to those of our day were also formed. 
 
67 
 
 III the wars of the seventeenth and cicrhteenth centuries which Eng- 
 hiutl was involved in, the American Cohjnies were required to lend their 
 aid, and we find Rhode Island sending her troops to Cuba against the 
 Spaniards, and to Nova Scotia, Cape Breton and Canada, against tlie 
 French. In all the campaigns against those jsrovinces, she furnished 
 soldiers, but in the great canij)ains in the war which terminated with the 
 subjection of Canada, in ITHO, her military were most prominent. — 
 At Oswego, Crown Point, Fort William Henry, and Ticonderoga, she 
 was well represented, as well as in the force sent against Montreal and 
 Quebec. In the latter campaigns, Rhode Island furnished 2,000 men, a 
 pretty large number when it will be recollected that the population of 
 tiie Colony was then less than tJiat of the city of Cleveland at this time. 
 Besides this, I find by the returns, that in the year 1700 there were fifty- 
 two separate military companies in the Colony. Four years later the 
 Colony was called upon to send four companies of soldiers for the de- 
 fence of Niagara. 
 
 The part we took in the war of the revolution is well known. It has 
 been written by the eminent historian who yesterday favored us with an 
 address. Our Greene was second only to Washington in the services he 
 rendered his countr_y in that war. The splendid victory of Perry was 
 enough for us in the war of 1812. 
 
 Gov. Sprague, in cmiclusion, referred in very fine terms to 
 Gov. Dennison, warmly thanking liim for his reception and liis 
 attentions, and gave as a sentiment : 
 
 "Health, prosperity and happiness to my friend, his Excellency, Gov. 
 Dennison." 
 
 Gov. Dennisox aro.>c, and said he was deeply grateful to his friend, 
 the Governor of Rhode Island, for his kind allusions, and was not 
 conscious he deserved them. When he was invited to attend this cele- 
 bration he did not feel that he had any possible reason why he should 
 not attend. Occupying the position he did, he felt it his duty to be pres- 
 ent, and he knew he should act as the representative of the people ot 
 Ohio, in assisting to give honor to tlie man who gave peace to her 
 Northern frontier. He knew, too, that the history of Rliode Island 
 challenged the admiration of the whole nation. There had been a day 
 when she would not rally to the support of the Union, and were he to 
 fail to be present on any occasion that would allow him to express his 
 regard for Rhode Island, the people of Ohio would not be satisfied. He 
 knew-, too, that Rhode Island and Ohio wei'e members of the same glori- 
 ous Union, [applause] and he saluted Rhode Island in the name of those 
 whose blood was shed to give to us freedom and peace. He loved Ohio, 
 her lake on the north, and her river on the south, her literary and reli- 
 gious institutions, and her peoijle, but he also loved her as one of the 
 
68 
 
 Union of States, and he slionld love her less if she was separated from 
 the Union. He said to Rhode Island that we were members of the same 
 great family, the children of the same ftithers, who fought for all of us. 
 He had passed a delightful time during the festivities, and he was glad to 
 know that the delegation from Rhode Island had enjoyed a jileasant 
 time, and he felt that Ohio had a debt to pay to the State represented by 
 his friend, Gov. Sprague. 
 
 Gov. Dennison referred in yory handsome terms to the 
 munificence of the city of Glevehuid and her citizens in erecting 
 the Perry Statue, and complimented the Mayor, the Council, the 
 Monument Committee, the Artist and the Contractors upon the 
 work. In conclusion, Gov. Dennison spoke of a gentlemen born 
 of Quaker parents and raised in a Quaker family, under teach- 
 ings of peace, and yet, when he found that the honor of the 
 country was in danger, hesitated not to rush to the rescue. He 
 became a part of the naval force of the United States, and on 
 the 10th of September, 1813, he Avas one of the bravest men 
 who then defended the cause of our country. He became a 
 captain, but after peace he listened to the solicitations of his 
 Quaker friends and resigned. Years afterwards his love of the 
 service, and a believed duty to his country, overcame all 
 objections and he applied to be reinstated, and was told by the 
 President that his resignation had never been accepted, and 
 that he was entitled to a higher post made vacant by the death 
 of Com. Hull, and that his pay had accumulated until $22,700 
 in the Treasury of the United States belonged to him. " But," 
 said that man, " Mr. President, I have performed no service to 
 entitle me to this money or rank and I cannot take it. I sent 
 in my resignation for the purpose of withdrawing from the 
 service of my country. I ask you to permit me to go back where 
 I was, but you must let me spend all my days an honest man, 
 who has never taken a dollar which did not belong to me." 
 Happy am I, as Governor of Ohio, on my native soil t,o salute 
 that brave honest man. 
 
 Mr. Mayor, I give you tlie health of as honest a man as ever walked 
 on God's earth — Captain Thom.\.s Buownell, now before me. 
 
 The effect of these remarks, and their climax in the mention 
 of CajDt. Brownell's name, was enthusiastically thrilling, for 
 
69 
 
 until the name was mentioned, most at the table were not aware 
 who the Governor referred to, and the cheering was uproarious 
 beyond description. Meantime Capt. Brownell's weather-worn 
 face was a study for an artist, for it expressed what words could 
 not speak. Rising from his seat the old sailor attempted to 
 speak, but failing, rushed forwards towards the Crovernor, and 
 again stopping near him, could only articulate, " I thank you, 
 Sir," and sat down, AVe have no doubt Capt. Brownell found 
 his duty on the Ariel, on the 10th of Sept., 1813, easier to 
 perform than what he felt to be his duty at that table, but all 
 the speeches in the world could not have spoken so eloquently as 
 that " I thank you, Sir," 
 
 Mr. J. H. Clark, of the Council, then gave as a toast — 
 
 The City op Providence. 
 
 Mayor Knight of Providence, responded brief!}' and haj^pily 
 regarding the Statue of Perry and the pleasure which had been 
 given to the excursionists in joining in the celebration in honor 
 of Commodore Perry. Before leaving home he had procured 
 two very fine photographic views of the birth-place of Com. 
 Perry, about thirty-five miles south of Providence, and fifteen 
 west of Newport, which he now presented to the city of Cleve- 
 land ; also a photographic likeness of Com. Perry, from a 
 portrait in possession of the family. He stated that members of 
 the Perry family regarded the Statue as a good likeness of the 
 original. They were delighted with their visit to Cleveland. 
 He closed with the sentiment — 
 
 The City of Cleveland — May her present prosperity be continued 
 to the latest ceneratiou. 
 
 Mayor Senter, in the name of the Common Council and the 
 City of Cleveland, handsomely thanked the PJiode Island dele- 
 gation for their visit, and for the pictures which had just been 
 presented. They should be preserved in the Council Hall. 
 
 Mayor Knight stated that he had had assurance that Gov. 
 Dennison, in a tour, which he proposed to make shortly, would 
 visit Providence. (This announcement was received with vo- 
 ciferous applause from the Rhode Islanders.) He assured every 
 citizen of Ohio and of Cleveland, that Rhode Island was a 
 
70 
 
 hos2^itable State, and that the people had large hearts, although 
 their State was a small one. "" 
 
 Governor Dennisok thanked them for this expression, and 
 assured them that if possible he would make good the promise. 
 
 He then called upon Surgeon Gen. McMillan, who made a 
 few happy remarks, com2:)limenting esjoecially the ladies of Ohio, 
 and said that the only cause for regret, on this occasion, was 
 that the members from Rhode Island did not bring their wives, 
 their sisters and sweethearts. Surgeon Gen. McMillan con- 
 cluded with the following sentiment : 
 
 TiTE WoiiEX OF Rhode Island. — Whilst we meet to celebrate the 
 hero of the past, they remain at home — heroes of the present. 
 
 On this toast, Gov. Sprague called out Gen. Dyek, of Rhode 
 T-sland, who made a very happy speech, concluding it with 
 verses improvised on the occasion of his visit, but which he 
 declined to furnish the reporter, as they were written at the 
 request of a lady present. 
 
 Col. Brown, of the Infantry, being toasted, ordered Adjutant 
 Prentiss to resjiond, which the Adjutant did, concluding with 
 a very beautiful poem, Avhich Ave should give, had that gentle- 
 man allowed a copy to be taken. 
 
 On a call for Bishop Clark, that distinguished divine was 
 introduced by Gov. Sprague. The Bishop made a short, but 
 exceedingly happy speech ; he had come to bear witness as to 
 the conduct of his Rhode Island friends, and in his opinion 
 they had done themselves great credit, and he woidd so certify 
 to his people of Rhode Island, [laughter.] The Rhode Island 
 Bishop, in speaking of the pageant of the last two days, had no 
 litter words than those used by an Irishman, who, in expressing 
 his delight on an occasion, said "the thing could not have been 
 better, Avithout being worse." In this celebration the climax 
 had been reached, and there it stopped. The Bishop said the 
 Rhode Islanders would go home better for their excursion, and 
 with an affection for Ohio; and, indeed, from what he had seen, 
 he believed some of the unmarried men will be back very soon, 
 and he only hoped he too may be here to settle the riiatier. The 
 applause was loud and long, on the Bishop's resuming his seat. 
 
 The Chaplain of the Infantry, Rev. Mr. Woodbury, was 
 called out, and said he could certify as to the conduct of the 
 
71 
 
 Light Infantry staff, as the Bishop had relative to the .Gover- 
 nor's staff. He also testified to the courtesies and attentions re- 
 ceived, and the obligations the Rhode Islanders were under to 
 citizens of Ohio. 
 
 Col. Tompkins, of the Providence Marine Artillery Corps, 
 being toasted, was introduced by Gov. Sprague. The Colonel 
 said he felt proud of his command, and as being the successor in 
 it of Gov. Sprague. He was not an orator, but at home he had 
 SIX speakers, and if they w^ere here they should speak for him, 
 and whenever Gov. Dennison should visit Providence, the 
 whole six should speak such words of welcome to Ohio as could 
 not be mistaken. 
 
 Mayor Knight toasted the Governor's staff, and this called 
 out Adj. Gen. Carrington, who said the hour has come for us 
 to bid farewell to our Rhode Island friends, and I will delay 
 them only to offer a sentiment. Our people, active and ener- 
 getic in civil life, by their energy and intelligence, are fitted the 
 more thoroughly to maintain her honor, and everywhere they 
 are industrious, virtuous and patriotic ; the citizens alone, with- 
 out the standing army, are adequate to the common defence. I 
 give: 
 
 The Citizen Soldiery op Ruode Island — Energetic, prosperous 
 and patriotic in their pursuits of peace ; capable, successful and honored 
 in the issues of Avar. 
 
 The City of Buffalo being toasted. Mayor Albeeger, of that 
 city, gave a toast : 
 
 The BROTUErvnooD of the Union — One, inseparable, eternal. 
 
 Near the close of the dinner, which was hastened, in order to 
 enable the guests to reach the cars, Capt. Brownell arose and 
 said that he had been more than repaid for that he had done by 
 this celebration, and this testimonial to himself. He tendered 
 to all — Governor, staff and citizens — his thanks. It having 
 been suggested that the Governor would like to have some mo- 
 mento of the old sailor, he had taken steps to procure such, and 
 he presented Gov. Dennison and Gov. Sprague with fine pho- 
 tographic likenesses of himself. 
 
 Gov. Dennison said that he would receive the portrait, and 
 
72 
 
 would hang it up in the nursery of his chikiren, and point to 
 it as the portrait of an honest man. 
 
 The dinner then broke n]-) in great spirits, and the military 
 prepared to leave. 
 
 SWORD PRESENTATION TO COL. BROWN. 
 
 It having been intimated that the Governors would like 
 personally to see the Providence Light Infantry, Col. Brown, 
 after the knapsacks were slung and the corps on the way from 
 the Weddell to the cars, marched his command into the upper 
 hall of the Angier. 
 
 Gov. Sprague then addressed Col. Brown, thanking him for 
 the credit he and his command had done him as Governor of their 
 own State, and referring in complimentary terms to Col. Brown 
 as a citizen and soldier, and then introduced Col. Brown to Gov. 
 Dennison. 
 
 Gov. Dennison was hajipy to be introduced to the Command- 
 er of the Providence Infantry, and as the Executive of Ohio to 
 greet the corps that did the funeral honors to Com. Perry. 
 Gov. Dennison then presented a beautiful sword to Col. Brown 
 in testimony of the esteem entertained for the Colonel as a man 
 and a soldier, and a brave defender of the State of Rhode Island. 
 The Governor said that when order was threatened and rebellion 
 was imminent in Rhode Island, Col. Brown came to the defence 
 of the constitution and the laws. 
 
 Col. Brown received the sword, and said that even if language 
 could express his feelings in response to the kind reference to 
 him, he could not command that language. He received the 
 sword, and would keep it in remembrance of this occasion. It 
 was true he was one of that company when it buried Com. 
 Perry, and believed he was sole representative here of that com- 
 pany as it then existed. Col. Brown referred to the rebellion in 
 R. I., and his discharge of mere duty at that time; he was 
 summoned to his post at that time, but any credit was due to 
 the brave men who were with him ; without them he could have 
 done nothing, and to them the meed of praise should be awarded. 
 
 The corps then gave their peculiar cheer, by count, repeating 
 them three times, and then filed out of the Angier. The 
 
73 
 
 Governor and Staff took their positions, and the whole headed 
 by the inimitable American Band playing " the girl I left behind 
 me," took up their march for the Depot, amid cheers upon cheers 
 by the citizens. 
 
 Thus ended the greatest pageant ever witnessed in Ohio. 
 
 THE CROWD ON THE TENTH. 
 
 One hundred and ten thousand men will stand on ten acres, 
 allowing 11,000 to an acre, and every man four square feet. 
 That was Napoleon's I's rule, and by that rule, taking the size 
 of the ground as occupied on the Square when Mr. Banceoft 
 spoke, and calling that space two-fifths filled, there was 50,000 
 people around the Statue when Mr. Bancroft Avas speaking. 
 This mass seemed hardly to relieve the pressure in the streets 
 and the thousands in the windows, on balconies, and housetops 
 are not taken into the account. The entire estimate of one 
 hundred thousand, therefore, is within bounds. 
 
 THE PAGEANT OF THE TENTH. 
 
 We congratulate Mr. Walcutt, the Messrs. Jones, the origi- 
 nal and subsequent Monument Committees, the City Government, 
 and our citizens generally upon the success of the inauguration 
 of the Perry Statue. If in so long a programme, to be executed 
 amid a multitude that no man can number, it can be said there 
 was no failure, more should not be asked. There was none, 
 from the moving of the grandest procession ever seen in the 
 West, to the firing of the last gun in the Mock Battle, everything 
 passed off admirably, and with as little halting as in the nature 
 of the case were possible. 
 
 Gov. Sprague, Bishop Clark, Mr. Bancroft, Mr. Bartlett 
 and others of the distinguished guests, passed high encomiums 
 upon the merits of the Statue as a work of art, and Mr. 0. H. 
 
Perry, tlie son of the gallant Commodore, as the Statue was 
 unveiled, and he could take in the whole, said he was satisfied. 
 There is no doubt but that Walcutt has given to the Statue, — 
 in addition to its merits as a work of art, — the inestimable value 
 of a correct likeness, and we again congratulate him that he has 
 written his name so high among American Sculptors. 
 
 But we also congratulate our City that it is the pioneer of the 
 West in rearing a Statue to the cliiefest of its defenders. Money 
 cannot enter into the estimate of the value to our city of the 
 pageant of the 10th ; and when Ave regard the monument as an 
 expression of the taste and liberality of Cleveland ; as a beauti- 
 ful token of our appreciation of the deeds of the gallant 
 defenders of our country, the dollars and cents that enter into 
 the computation are not coined. 
 
 AN OLD SOLDIER. 
 
 Mr. R. BiDWELL, of Kinsman, Trumbull County, will be 
 among the Old Soldiers at the Perry Statue Inauguration. Mr. 
 BiDWELL, after Hull's surrender, and when the rejoort reached 
 the interior that the British had landed at Cleveland, instantly 
 left a young wife and child in a log house in the woods, and 
 taking his musket made for the Lake Shore. The report of the 
 landing was untrue, and after a fcAV weeks service, Mr. Bidwell 
 was allowed to go home with instructions to hold himself in 
 readiness to march at a moment's notice. 
 
 THE OLD FIFER. 
 
 Among the old-time celebrities in town, is Jeff. AVall, a 
 colored fifer in the American forces of the war of 1812. Wall 
 was at Mackinac when the Battle of Lake Erie took place, but 
 did service at several points during the war. He wears his old 
 uniform with all the pride of a soldier. In this connection it is 
 well to mention that there were many colored soldiers in the 
 Army of the North West in the war of 1812. 
 
75 
 
 THE SAVORD OF YAEXELL. 
 
 Mr. Fleming, of Virginia, has witli liim in this city the sword 
 worn by Lieut. Yarxell, on board the Loivrence in the Battle 
 of Lake Erie. The yword was afterwards engraved by the State, 
 as follows: — "In testimony of the bravery of Lieut. Yarnell, 
 who fought with Com. Perry on the Ship Laxvrence," and is 
 now preserved among Virginia State mementoes of her heroes. 
 
 CARRYING THE NEWS OF THE VICTORY. 
 
 Cyrus Bosworth, of Warren, a brother-in-law of Leonard 
 Case, is in this city. Mr. Bosworth was a mail carrier between 
 Warren, Trumbull County, and Pittsburgh during the war of 
 1812. It is a remarkable fact that the three carriers who took 
 the joyful news of Perry's Victory from Detroit to Pittsburgh, 
 are now living. They are as follows : — Samuel Doclue, rotite 
 from Detroit to Cleveland, now living at Newton Falls; Samuel 
 Burnett, Jr., route from Cleveland to AVarren, now living at 
 Newton Falls ; Cyrus Bosworth, route from Warren to Pitts- 
 burgh, now living at Warren. 
 
 When Mr. Bosworth arrived at Pittsburgh witli the tidings, 
 the town was instantly illuminated and the rejoicing was uni- 
 versal. A larger illumination than was intended was caused by 
 the burning of a rope walk, which caught from some portion of 
 the illumination. 
 
 THE MAN AVHO MADE THE CORDAGE. 
 
 Near the close of the ceremonies of Inauguration on the 10th, 
 an intelligent looking old man ajDpeared on the stand and 
 reported himself as the identical man who constructed the cord- 
 age used in rigging Commodore Perry's Fleet. He had with 
 him the box of tools and hatchet used for that purpose. 
 
 His name is Quinn, and he now lives in Pittsburgh. He 
 was introduced to Gov. Dennison, and by him to Gov. Sprague 
 and the relatives of Com. Perry. 
 
76 
 
 OLIVER CULVER. 
 
 The old pioneer, Oliver Culver, and his friend, A. Reynolds, 
 of Rochester, N. Y., arrived on Saturday, to attend the inaugu- 
 ration ceremonies. Culver assisted in the original survey of 
 Cleveland, and cleared the ground of timber for the first garden 
 spot in town, nearly opposite the Weddell. 
 
 MASONIC. 
 
 Of the Representatives of the Masonic Grand Bodies, the 
 following are reported in our city : 
 
 Officers Grand Lodge of 0/iio. — Horace M. Stokes, Grand 
 Master; AVm. B. Thrall, Past Grand Master; Hezekiah L. 
 Hosmer, Deputy Grand Master; George Webster, Senior 
 Grand Warden ; Lucius C. Jones, Junior Grand Warden ; 
 Heman Ely, Grand Marshal ; C. Moore, Past Grand Orator ; 
 John D. Caldwell, Grand Secretary. 
 
 Masonic Officers Jroni other States. — W. H. Drew, Grand Lec- 
 turer of Grand Lodge of New York ; G. T. Wilbur, Grand 
 Captain General, Grand Commandery, New York; F. A. Al- 
 berger. Commander ; Hugh DePayens, Encampment, Buffalo ; 
 C. B. Manchester, Past G. H. Priest Grand Chapter, Rhode 
 Island. 
 
 Grand Encavipment United States. — Sir Benjamin B. French, 
 Grand Master. 
 
 Officers Grand Encampment {Knights Templars) of Ohio. — Sir 
 Kent Jarvis, Grand Master ; Thomas Sparrow, Deputy Grand 
 Master; Richard Creighton, Generalisimo ; George Webster, 
 Captain General ; Geo. H. Burt, Grand Senior Warden ; 
 Samuel P. Axtell, Grand Warden ; John D. Caldwell, Grand 
 Recorder. 
 
 Grand Chapter R. A. Ifasons. — George Rex, G. H. Priest ; 
 Peter Thatcher, Jr., Deputy G. H. P. ; John D. Caldwell, 
 Grand Secretary. 
 
77 
 
 Monroe Commander}/ Xo. 12, of Rochester, X. Y., sent a large 
 delegation. The Commandery numbers over 200 members. The 
 following officers and members \rere present : 
 
 E. Sir Wm. H. Buetlss, Commander; Sir Horace Fuller, 
 G. ; Sir Danl "Waexee, C. G. ; Sir A. Eeyxolds. P. ; Sir 
 R. K. Lothridge, S. W. ; Sir A. Hoi>gema.x, W. : E. Sir W. 
 F. Holme-s, p. E. C. ; Sir Wsi. W. Eruff, Rec. ; Sii^ Michael 
 Filon, L. C. Spencer, X. P. Stone. J. C. Holyland, J. Lutes, 
 D. Gibbons, M. C. Morduff, I. C. Steele, C. G. Beers, John 
 Haywood, Jr.. J. J. Aldridge, A. J. Warner, Wm. Brown, 
 Jas. Brown, 0. F. Brown, John Boyce, A. M. Ostrander, John 
 Cook, G. B. Eedfield, S. J. Crooks, Sam. X. Outhout, S. Sanborn, 
 J. Stephenson, S. S. Pellett, J. Q. A. Hempsted, E. H. Green- 
 ough, S. Peck, A. H. Greeno, M. Woodruff, J. M. Demerest, and 
 others. 
 
 Geneva Commandery. — J. S. Plainer, I. Shimer, S. Shell. 
 They were accompanied by Capt. Scott's Caneseraga Band, of 
 Dansville, one of the best bands of Western Xew York. 
 
 The Sir Knights of Rochester, with those from Buffalo, were 
 under the command of Sir Charles A. W. Sherman, of Lake 
 Erie Commandery, of Buffalo, as Marshal, assisted by R. E. W. 
 F. Holmes, and Dan. Warner, of Rochester. 
 
 Central City Commandery, of Syracuse, and Genessee Com- 
 mandery, of Lockport, were also represented? 
 
 THE PROYIDEXCE LIGHT IXFAXTRY. 
 
 The following are the officers of the Providence Light In- 
 fantiy : 
 
 Colonel, Wm. W. Brown; 
 
 Lieut. Colcmel, S. R. Kkight; 
 
 Jfojor, Jas. K. Dorrance ; 
 
 Lki.dcnard, Luther C. Warner; 
 
 QiixirtennoMer, F. J. Sheldon; 
 
 Assistant Quartermaster, Wm. H. Greene; 
 
 Fayraastcr, Samuel G. Teiipe ; 
 
78 
 
 Assistant Paymaster, Geo. B. Jasteam ; 
 
 Commissar^/, Edward Davis ; 
 
 /Surgeon, C. Gr. McKnight ; 
 
 Assistant Surgeons, A. B. Foster, Geo. P. Baker ; 
 
 Chaplain, E,ev. A. Woodbury. 
 The Infantry were provided with two uniforms and ample 
 equipments, and are in an excellent state of drill and discipline. 
 They were accompanied by the American Brass Band, compris- 
 ing twenty-three jiieces. 
 
 GOV. SPRAGUE'S PARTY. 
 
 The Rhode Island party which came with Gov. Sprague, on 
 Saturday, was as follows : Col. AVm. Harris, Col. J. A. Gard- 
 ner, Col. Lyman, Col. L. R. Frieze, Adj. Gen. Manran, Q.uar- 
 ter-Master Gen. T. J. Stead ; Assistant do., F. D. Stead ; Sur- 
 geon General, F. L. Wheaton, and Assistants, IP. W. Rivers, 
 and G. W. Carr; Commissioner General, Wm. Gilpin; Maj. 
 Gen. John Gould. On the Governor's personal staff are Majors 
 F. A. Pratt, Jno. L. Clark, Tugs. S. Anthony. Brig. Gen. 
 Cyrus G. Dyer, of the 3d Brigade, is attached to the Governor's 
 suite, with the following : Jno. R. Bartlett, Secretary of State ; 
 Rt. Rev. Thos. M. Clark, Bishop of Rhode Island ; Hon. Jabez 
 C. Knight, Mayor of Providence ; Lieut. Thos, Brownell, 
 who was acting sailing master of the Ariel in the Battle of Lake 
 Erie. 
 
 THE PROVIDENCE MARINE CORPS OF ARTILLERY, 
 
 AYhich is represented here by its line and staff officers, as 
 guests of the Infantry, has acquired an extended reputation for 
 its proficiency in drill as flying artillery, and includes among its 
 members many prominent and influential citizens of the State. 
 The present Governor was Colonel of the corps at the time of 
 his election to the Gubernatorial office. 
 
 The Officers here are as follows : Col. Chas. H. Thompkins, 
 Adjt. Chas. H. Pope, Quarter Master Gen. Geo. H. Smith, Pay- 
 
79 
 
 master Joseph H. Fojyo, Surgeon Nathaniel M. MiHor, Assistant 
 Surceon W. 0. Bartlett and Paymaster Gen. Geo. R. Drown. 
 
 This Company was organized in 1801 ; there are only two 
 corps in Rhode Island older. It has G pieces, and turns out 110 
 men and 80 horses. 
 
 At the grand review the Officers of the ]\Iax^ine Corps apj^ear- 
 ed mounted, and were attached to Governor Sprague's staff'. 
 
 THE AMERICAN BRASS BAND, 
 
 Which accompanies the Providence Light Infantry, is a fitting 
 escort for so noble a corps. It is one of the oldest musical asso- 
 ciations of this character in the country, is attached to the 2d 
 Brigade of Rhode Island Militia, and is led by the celebrated 
 " Joe Greene," whose fame is familiar in all the Eastern cities. 
 Indeed, so highly are the services of this veteran musician ap- 
 preciated in the city of his residence, that a few days since the 
 ladies of Providence publicly presented to him a superb gold 
 medal, appropriately inscribed, and forming at once a beautiful 
 specimen of Providence artistic skill and a well-deserved testi- 
 monial of esteem. This medal, we understand, was worn for 
 the first time on the 10th, as was also a new and showy uniform 
 of the Band. Of course it would be invidiotts to draw compari- 
 sons, but we may with propriety say that the music of the Amer- 
 ican Brass Band, upon their arrival on Saturday, has not been 
 excelled by any field or martial music we have ever heard. 
 The Providence Band divided attention at the great pageant of 
 the 10th with the Providence Military. 
 
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS FROM THE RELATIVES OF COM. 
 
 PERRY. 
 
 We are permitted to give the following letters, Avhich sp.eak 
 for themselves : 
 
 LETTER FROM O. H. PERRY. 
 
 American House, Cleveland, September 11, 1860. 
 Harvey Rice, Esq., Chairman Perry Monument Commiliee : 
 
 Dear Sir: — I cannot leave your hospitable city without thanking 
 you most sincerely and witli deep feeling for your warm and generous 
 
80 
 
 reception. My visit to Cleveland will ever be remembered with grati- 
 tude to its citizens, and amid the grateful recollections of tlie day, will 
 be those of your kiud attentions. Please present my thanks to the 
 members of your Committee. 
 
 With Respect, 
 
 Very Truly Yours, 
 
 O. H. PERRY. 
 
 LETTER FROM REV. DR. VINTON. 
 
 American House, Clevei.and, September 10, 18G0. 
 Harvey Rice, Esq. : 
 
 My Dear Sir: — I beg to express the acknowledgments of Mrs. Vinton 
 and myself for the courteous and munificent hospitalitj^ which we have 
 enjoyed. To the Governor of Oliio, and to the Maj'or and citizens of 
 Cleveland, to the proprietors of the American House, and specially, 
 dear sir, to you, we owe our profound thanks. 
 
 The commemoration of the Battle of Lake Erie, the noble statue of 
 Com. Perry, and the perfect success of the arrangements, comported 
 with the occasion which gave them birth ; and the family of Com. Perry 
 desh-e to tender you their cordial gratitude. 
 
 With respect I remain, your ob't serv't, 
 
 ERANCIS VINTON. 
 
 LETTER FROM DR. HONE. 
 
 Cleveland, September 10, 1800. 
 Harvey Rice, Esq., Chairman Perry Monument Committee: 
 
 My Dear Sir: — I cannot take my departure from this beautifid city 
 without expressing to you, and through you to your Committee, my 
 thanks for the kind hospitality which we liave received at your hands. 
 This day has been to Mrs. H. and myself one of unalloyed gratifica- 
 tion, which we will ever recur to with pleasure. 
 Accept for yourself, dear sir, the kind regards of 
 
 Yours Very Truly, 
 
 JOHN HONE. 
 
 LETTER FROM MR. J. D. W. PERRY. 
 
 Cleveland, September 11, 1860. 
 Harvey Rice, Esq., Chairman Perry Monument Committee : 
 
 Dear Sir : — Before leaving your lieautiful city, permit me to express 
 to you my thanks for the hospitable attention extended to me during my 
 visit to Cleveland. 
 
 This very agreeable visit will be a source of pleasant remembrance to 
 me. I am very respectfully yours, 
 
 JAMES D. W. PERRY. 
 
FITTING OUT OF PEREY^S FLEET. 
 
 Early in the season of 1813, Com. Perry arrived at Erie, with 
 five small vessels from Black Rock ; the Lawrence and Niagara 
 were on the stocks at Erie. While the vessels were building at 
 Erie, the British squadron was outside, hovering round the en- 
 trance to the harbor. In this connection we will give a narra- 
 tive of a visit to Erie by Mr. William Coleman, a well known 
 citizen of Euclid. At our request, Mr. Coleman has given us a 
 letter as to his personal knowledge of the events of that summer, 
 and we will here insert that portion relative to said visit : 
 
 Mil. Coleman's letter. 
 
 Euclid, August 25, 1860. 
 
 Eds. Herald : — Your note of the 23d inst., in which you request mc 
 to relate any incident tliat I may remember jxjrtaiuing to the battle ot 
 Lake Erie is now before me. 
 
 It is true I was living in Euclid at that time, having come here in 1804, 
 But my situation was such at the lime, being Post Master, that I took no 
 active part in the war, and of course saw but little of the scenes relating 
 to that glorious day, except what took place in my immediate vicinity, 
 consequently I am unable to give you as many or as interesting inci- 
 dents as perhaps many others could. 
 
 I was at Erie in August, 1813, and went up to the Cascade, where Per- 
 ry's vessels were getting ready to cross the bar, but was not on board of 
 any of them. I went into the smiths' shop where the men were repairing 
 and getting ready the boarding pikes, &c., and saw large piles of scrap 
 iron. What seemed to me very singular was that the workmen, when 
 they wanted a small piece of iron would cut it off from a bar, and would 
 probably take twice as much as they needed, and throw the balance on the 
 already large pile of scraps. I thought they were very wasteful of Uncle 
 Sam's property and took the liberty of asking one of the workmen why they 
 wasted the iron in that manner. His reply was short and to the point 
 — at least it was satisfixctory to me at the time : " Our orders from head- 
 quarters are to make all the scraps we can. They will all be sewed up 
 in leather bags of proper size and used to cut the rigging of the British 
 vessels when we come into close quarters. . We intend to make the 
 6 
 
82 
 
 fur fly from the back of Johnny Bull when we meet him, and perhaps 
 knock one of his horns off." And the sequel shows that they did it. 
 One of the prisoners taken from the British in that battle, Joseph Pimlor, 
 resided in Euclid for a long time, and has often said the Americans 
 were worse than savages, or they would never have shot scraps of iron 
 into their enemy's rigging, " for," said he, " a small scrap of iron will 
 cut a man in two, and cut the rigging like knives." 
 
 On the 4th of August, Com. Perry got his squadron out over the bar 
 at the entrance of the Erie harbor, and into the open Lake in the face of 
 the British squadron. He made a cruise without engaging the enemy 
 and returned to harbor on the 8th. Here he was reinforced by the arri- 
 val of men, and again set sail, arriving at Sandusky Bay on the 15th, 
 where Harrison and his forces were. Com. Perry here had an inter- 
 view with Harrisox, and received an addition to his force of Marines 
 and then left for the enemy at Maiden. After reconnoitering the enemy 
 near Maiden, he retired to Put-in-Bay, which lies on the north side of 
 South Bass Island. 
 
 THE BATTLE AS TOLD BY ONE OF THE ENEMY. 
 
 We will now give the version of the Battle of Lake Erie, as 
 told by a then enemy, who fired the first gun at the Lawrence, 
 and who also fired at Com. Perry, while in his small boat. It 
 is the story of Mr. John Chapman, of Hudson, whose version 
 of the attack on Fort Stephenson appears in another place. Mr. 
 Chapman, says he returned from that expedition to Fort Maiden. 
 His story continues as follows : 
 
 Upon our return to the Fort I was sent on board the Queen Charlotte 
 as a marine. My post was as gunner, maintopman, and boarder. My 
 place as gunner was at No. 1, 24-pounder. We weighed anchor at 10 
 o'clock, P. M. of the 9th of September. Our destination was to Long 
 Point for provisions for the upper forts, but thought it likely we should 
 fall in with Commodore Perry's fleet. At daybreak of the 10th, the 
 man at the mast-head descried them at anchor in Put-in-Bay, when we 
 bore down upon them. They, discovering our approach, weighed an- 
 chor and came out to meet us and give battle. 
 
 Between 10 and 11 o'clock, I fired the first gun at the Lawrence. The 
 first two shots I fired struck her — one through the mainmast and the 
 other between wind and water. I remained at my gun through the ac- 
 tion, except when I was obliged to bring cartridges for the gun, after the 
 men were killed whose duty it Avas to serve them. I had my clothes, 
 whiskers and hair badly singed by the accidental discharge of some 
 
83 
 
 loose powder, but suffered no farther injury, notwithstanding 
 24-pound cartridge in my hand at the time. 
 
 The Lawrence being disabled, Commodore Perry took advantage of 
 the settling of the smoke upon the Britisli fleet to go from her to the 
 Niagara. We did not see him till he had nearly effected his purpose • 
 but the wind causing the smoke to lift, I saw^ the boat, aimed a shot at 
 her, and saw the shot strike the boat. I then saw Commodore Perry 
 strip off his coat and plug the hole with it. Having gained the ship, he 
 sent Captain Elliott to bring the schooners into action. Captain Finnis, 
 of the Queen Charlotte, had intended to pour in one broadside, and then 
 board ; but his design was frustrated by the failing of the wind, which 
 was blowing finely just before. The cutting away of the down haul of 
 one of the sails, left her at the mercy of the wind, which again rose sud- 
 denly, and she ran foul of the Detroit and became entangled with her. 
 The American schooners coming into action in the mean time, raked 
 them fore and aft, carrying away all the masts of the Detroit., and the 
 mizzen of the Queen Charlotte, besides crippling her severely otherwise. 
 The colors were iiiamediately pulled down on all the vessels, except the 
 . Little Belt, on which they had been nailed to the mast. She was a small 
 craft, and carried one small gun, perhaps a swivel. She tried to escape, 
 but was soon brought to and made to surrender. 
 
 Our surrender was unconditional. All the prisoners who were not 
 wounded were put on board the Porcupine, afterwards landed at Cannon 
 River, and sent from thence to Chillicothe. The conduct of Commodore 
 Perry was magnanimous, every kindness being shown to the wounded 
 and prisoners, and made a deep impression in his favor upon all our 
 hearts. He showed himself as humane towards a fallen, as he had shown 
 himself brave in the presence of a resisting foe. The captain of the 
 schooner Porcupine, to which we were transferred, was equally kind; ho 
 ordered food and grog to be served to us when we went on board, which 
 was at an unseasonable hour, and quite unexpected, being but the dic- 
 tate of his humanity. 
 
 We were kept on board this vessel for three days, after which we 
 were landed at Cannon River, and put in charge of General Harrison. 
 Here we lay five days, when we w'ere sent to Fort Stephenson, and 
 thence directly to Chillicothe by way of Columbus and Lancaster. Here 
 we were kept till the following September. 
 
 While there I was allowed to go out to work on a farm, my employer 
 being responsible for my safe return. 
 
 One day I was summoned, quite unexpectedly, to return to my quar- 
 ters, when I learned that some Irish naturalized citizens had been taken 
 in arms against the British, and were ordered to execution as traitors. 
 Upon which General Scott had given orders that twice the number of 
 English prisoners should be chosen liy lot from among us, and suffer a 
 similar fate if they were put to death. I drew one of the fatal numbers, 
 and was kept in close confinement for five weeks, awaiting the result of 
 the affair. 
 
84 
 
 I was finally taken back to Fort Stephenson, and from thence to 
 Cleveland, where I arrived about the 1st of October. I remained there 
 nntil the 20th, when I came to Hudson, Summit Co., Ohio, and have 
 lived there ever since. 
 
 THE JIAW AVnO HANDED PERKY UIS FJLAG. 
 
 The only survivor of Perry's Flag Ship, tlie Lawrence, other 
 than Dr. Usher PARSo^fs, is Mr. Hosea Sargea^^t who was 
 present also at Fort Stephenson, as above detailed. We con- 
 tinue his account, taking it up from the point where we left it 
 above. 
 
 Seven men of Capt. Hunter's Company at Fort Stephenson volunteered 
 for Perry's Fleet, Mr. Hosea Sargeant being- one of the seven. A 
 squad of thirteen was made up in the Fort, and those proceeded in a 
 boat to Fort Meigs, where twenty-nine others joined them, making 
 forty-two in all. These reported themselves to the Lawrence, where 
 twelve of them, including Mr. Sargeant, were retained on board, and 
 the others dispersed throughout the fleet. 
 
 When the battle of Lake Erie was commenced Mr. Sargeant was 
 stationed at gun No. 9, where he stood with crowbar and haud-spike to 
 obey the orders of the Captain of the guns. Throughout the desperate 
 fight waged by the Lawrence with her enemies, Mr. Sargeant never 
 moved from the gun. All but two of the guns' crew of nine were killed 
 or. mortally wounded, and many of those sent to fill their places were 
 also shot down. Gun after gun was dismounted, and at last No. 9 was 
 also knocked over. Only one gun now remained mounted, and Lieut. 
 Yarnall summoned the men forward to man that gun. As they 
 went forward Mr. Sargeant saw Perry pass over the ship's side into 
 the boat. As he stood in the boat, with the rope cast otT from the vessel, 
 Perry suddenly ordered his signal flag hauled down and given him. 
 Mr. Sargeant and another man stood by the flag haulyards and at 
 once pulled it down. Mr. Sargeant rolled it up in a wad and threw it 
 to Perry, who caught it. The boat then put off. Perry standing 
 erect, whilst round shot and grape shot made the waters seethe around 
 the boat. 
 
 The solitary gun left usable on the Lmcrctice liad been fired twice, and 
 was about to be fired again when Lieut. Yarnali- handed down tJie flag, 
 resistance becoming hopeless. A fiiint cheer came from the British ship, 
 but the prize was not seized, and in a few minutes she once more hoisted 
 her colors. After the colors were struck, the crew of the Lawrence had 
 nothing to do but watch the battle, which they did with great interest. 
 
 After the battle, the Lawrence was turned into a hospital, Dr. Usher 
 Parsons, assisted by surgeons of Harrison's Army, worked nobly in 
 alleviating suflFering and saving lives, and Mr. Sargeant held the patients 
 at many an operation. 
 
85 
 
 Eight days were tluis spent on the Lnwrenef., when Saroeant went to 
 Erie and was put in charge of tlie prize scliooner Clnjqyeitd. In a few 
 days he was recalled to the Army, and remained with Harrison during 
 the campaign. During the chase of the British across the river Thames, 
 one village was entered where all but the old and feeble people had tied 
 in terror, taking their treasures with them. It came on to bad weather, 
 and our soldiers had leave to sleep in the houses, provided they touched 
 none of the property left, nor interfered in any way with the domestic 
 arrangements of the occupants. Whilst with Harrison's Army a 
 number of battles were fought, and in all of them Mr. Sargeant took 
 I)art. His time expiring on the 2od of September, 1814, whilst at Fort 
 Erie, opposite Butfalo, on the Canada side, he at once went home to 
 Maine, removing to Boston in 1819, where he has I'esided ever since, 
 being engaged in the provision trade. 
 
 THE STORY AS TOLD BY A SAILOR. 
 
 Ben. Flemming, 78 years of age, a resident of Erie, Pa., 
 >;elates his experience to us, as follows. Mr. Flemming was a 
 sailor on board the Niagara in tlie battle of Lake Erie. His 
 recollections of the memorable events, in wbicli be was an actor 
 are fresb, and bis recital of them is given with an animation 
 rarely seen in one so aged. He says the Niagara was not badly 
 injured when Com. Perry came on board, as the enemy's fire 
 had been directed mainly to the flag ship. " Every man on the 
 Niagara.,'' said Mr. Flemming " had made up his mind never to 
 give up the ship before Commodore Perry came ; but after the 
 flag came aboard, not an inch could have been forced from us while 
 a plank floated. We knew the importance of maintaining the 
 flag, and were proud of the trust. The shot flew all about us, 
 but I did not receive a scratch." 
 
 The second day after the battle two Lidians came out of the 
 hold of the Detroit, where they had been secreted since the 
 battle. They Avere starved out at last, and sneaked upon deck 
 to get something to eat. Commodore Perry was on deck when 
 the Indians w^ere brought to him. The Commodore asked them 
 
 " Where did you come from ?" 
 
 The Indians replied that they had been in the hold, and Perry 
 asked — 
 
 "What were vou doin" on board the DdroiLT' 
 
86 
 
 The reply was that they had been brought aboard for sharp 
 shooters, but the rascals denied having shot at the Americans 
 during the entire action, saying they went into the hold soon 
 after the commencement of the battle. 
 
 Like all others who knew him, Mr. Flemming never speaks of 
 the Commodore but in sentiments of the highest esteem. 
 
 SURVIVORS OF THE BATTLE, 
 
 The following are believed to be the names of all the survi- 
 vors of the Battle of Lake Erie, The Eastern illustrated papers 
 have done great injustice by publishing an incomplete list of 
 names, and representing them as a full list of the survivors. 
 We give their names, their position in the battle, and present 
 residence as far as known : 
 
 Stephen Champlin, Sailing Master and Commander of the 
 Scorpion; now a Post Captain, and residing in Buflalo. 
 
 J. B. Montgomery, Midshipman in the Niagara ; now a Post 
 Captain, and in command of the Pacific squadron. 
 
 Hugh N. Page, Midshipman in the Tigress ; now Post Cap- 
 tain, and resides in Virginia. 
 
 Thomas Brownell, Sailing Master on board the Ariel, — 
 resides in Newport, and is a Lieutenant. 
 
 Usher Parsons, Acting Surgeon of the Flag Ship, and of the 
 fleet ; resides in Providence, and is the last surviving Commis- 
 sioned officer of the squadron. 
 
 Azeal Wilkinson, Pilot of the Ariel. 
 
 HosEA Sargeant, a Volunteer from Gen. Harrison's Army, 
 was a gunner on the Lawrence ; lives at Boston. 
 
 W. T. Taliaferro, a A^olunteer from LEarrison's Army : 
 now resides, as a Physician, in Cincinnati. 
 
 Benjamin Talmon, Gunner on the Caledonia. 
 
 John Tucker, Powder-boy of the Caledonia. 
 
 Benjamin Flemming, a Sailor on the Niagara ; lives in Erie. 
 
 The following, who were mostly volunteers from Harrison's 
 Army, are believed to be stillliving, to wit : 
 
 Thomas H. Bradford, Nathan Holburt, John Norris, 
 William Blair, James Artus, Rowland S. Parker, James 
 Lanman, of Erie. 
 
87 
 
 Let us not forget, in this connection, to accord to Rhode Island, 
 the proud position she held in that memorable battle. Rhode 
 Island has justly claimed that the victory on Lake Erie was 
 peculiarly a Rhode Island triumph. For Perky took with him 
 from Newport a hundred and fifty men. Four of the nine 
 commanders and five of the other officers were from that State. 
 Most of the guns were under their command. Dr. Parsons says 
 '• there has never been an expedition set on foot in this country 
 where so large a portion of the officers hailed from one State, or 
 accomplished so much worlv as was done by Rhode Islanders on 
 Lake Erie. 
 
 DESPATCHES. 
 
 The first despatch of the victory was the one which contained 
 the famous sentence, " We have met the enemy and they are 
 ours." It was sent to General Harrison, but was opened by 
 Gen. Cass, as appears from the letter of Gen. Cass, and read thus : 
 
 Dear General: — We have met tlie enemy and tliey are ours. Two 
 ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop. 
 
 Yours with great respect and esteem, 
 
 O. H. PERRY. 
 
 The first despatch to the Navy Department was as follows : 
 
 U. S. Brig Niagara, ) 
 
 Off the West K<iste}% head of Lake Erie, ,- 
 
 September, 10th, 1813, 4 p. m. ) 
 
 Sir: — It has pleased the Almighty to give to the arms of the United 
 States a signal victory over tlieir enemies on this lake. 
 
 The British squadron consisting of two ships, two brigs, one schooner, 
 and one sloop, have this moment surrendered to the forces under my 
 command, after a sharp conflict. 
 
 I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfull}', your obedient servant, 
 
 O. H. PERRY. 
 The Hon. Wm. Jones, Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 Perry's second di.spatch to the Navy Department, giving 
 details, was as follows : 
 
 U. S. Schooner Ariel, ) 
 
 Pct-in-Bay, September 18, 1813. j' 
 
 Sir: — In my last I informed you that we had captured the enemy's 
 fleet on this lake, I have now the honor to give you the most important 
 particulars of the action. 
 
On the morning- of the 10th instant, at suniise, they were discoyerecl 
 from Put-in-bay, where I hiy at anchor with the squadron under my 
 command. "We got under way, the wind light at S. W., and stood for 
 them. At ten A. M. the wind hauled to S. E. and brought us to wind- 
 ward: formed the line, and bore up. At fifteen minutes before twelve 
 the enemy commenced firing ; at five minutes before twelve the action 
 commenced on our part. Finding the fire very destructive owing to their 
 long guns, and its being' mostly directed at the Lcvwrence, I made sail, 
 and directed the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with 
 the enemy. Every brace and bowline being soon shot away, she became 
 unmanageable, notwithstanding the great exertions of the sailing master. 
 In this situation she sustained the action upwards of two hours, within 
 canister distance, until every gun was rendered useless, and the greater 
 part of the crew either killed or wounded. Finding she could no longer 
 annoy the enemy, I left her in charge of Lieut. Yarnall, who, I was 
 convinced from the bravery already displayed by him, would do what 
 would comport with the honor of the flag. At half past two, the Avind 
 si)ringing up, Capt. Elliott was enabled to bring his vessel, the Niagara, 
 gallantly into' close action. I immediately went on board of her, when 
 he anticipated my wishes by volunteering to bring the schooners, which 
 had been kept astern by the lightness of the wind, into closer action. It 
 was with unspeakable pain that I saw, soon after I got on board the 
 Niagara^ the flag of the Lawrence come down ; although I was perfectly 
 sensible she had been defended to the last, and that to have continued to 
 make a show of resistance would have been a wanton sacrifice of the 
 remains of her brave crew. But the enenjy was not able to take posses- 
 sion of her, and circumstances soon- permitted her flag again to be hoisted. 
 At forty-five minutes past two the signal was made for " closer action." 
 The Niagara being very little injured, I determined to pass through the 
 enemy's line ; bore up and passed ahead of their two ships and a brig, 
 giving a raking fire to them from the starboard guns, and to a large 
 schooner and sloop from the larboard side, at half pistol shot distance. 
 The smaller vessels, at the time, having got within grape and canister 
 distance, under the direction of Capt. Elliott, and keeping up a well 
 directed fire, the two ships, a brig, and schooner, surrendered, a schooner 
 and sloop making a vain attempt to escape. 
 
 Those officers and men who were immediately under my observation, 
 evinced the greatest gallantry ; and I have no doubt that all others 
 conducted themselves as became American officers and seamen. 
 
 Lieutenant Yarnall, first of the Lawrence^ although several times 
 wounded, refused to quit the deck. 
 
 Midshipman Forrest, (doing duty as a Lieutenant,) and sailing master 
 Taylor, were of great assistance to me. 
 
 I have great pain in stating to you the death of Lieut. Brooks, of the 
 marines, and midshipman Laub, botii of the Lawrence^ and midshipman 
 John Clark of the Scorpion ; they were valuable and promising officers. 
 
89 
 
 Mr. Hamrleton, purser, who volunteered his services on deck, was 
 severely wounded, late in the action; midshipmen Claxton and Swaut- 
 wouT of tiie Lairrcnce, were severely wounded. 
 
 Onboard the Niagara, Lieuts. Smith and Edwards, and midsliipman 
 Webster, (doing duty as saiHug master,) behaved in a very handsome 
 manner. 
 
 Capt. Brevoost, of the army, who acted as a volunteer in the capacity 
 of a marine officer, on ))oard that vessel, is an excellent and brave officer, 
 iiud with his musketry did great execution. 
 
 Lieutenant Turner., commanding the Caledonia, brought that vessel 
 into action in the most able manner, and is an officer that, in all situa- 
 tions may be relied on. 
 
 The Ariel, Lieut. Packet, and Scorpion, Sailing Master Ciiamplin, 
 were enabled to get early into action, and were of great service. 
 
 Capt. Elliott speaks in the highest terms of Mr. Magratii, Purser, 
 who had been despatched in a boat on service, previous to my getting on 
 boartl the Niagara; and being a seaman, since the action has rendered 
 essential service in taking charge of the prizes. 
 
 Of Captain Elliott, already so well known to the Government, it 
 would almost be sui)erlluous to speak. In this action he evinced his 
 cliaract eristic bravery and judgment ; and since the close of the action has 
 given me tiie most able and essential assistance. 
 
 I have the lionor to enclose you a return of the killed and wounded, 
 together with a statement of the relative force of the squadrons. The 
 captain and first lieutenant of the Queen Oharlotte, and first lieutenant of 
 the Detroit were killed; Capt. Barclay, senior officer, and the command- 
 er of the Lady Prevost, severely wounded. The commanders of the 
 Hunter and Chippewa slightly wounded. 
 
 Their loss in killed and wounded I have not yet been able to ascertain; 
 it must, however, have been very great. 
 
 Vciy respectfully, I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient ser- 
 vant, O. IL PERRY. 
 
 The lion. Wjl Jones, Secretary of the Navy. 
 
 statement op the force of the BRITISH SQUADRON. 
 
 SI)ip Detroit — 19 guns, 1 on pivot, and 2 howitzers. Sliip Queen Char- 
 lotte — 17 guns, 1 howitzer. Schooner Lady Prewst — 13 gans, 1 howitzer. 
 Brig Hunter — 10 guns. Sloop Little Belt — 3 guns. Schooner Chippewa 
 — 1 gun and 2 swivels. Total, (53 guns. 
 
 STATEMENT OP THE FORCE OP TIIE UNITED STATES SQUADRON. 
 
 Brig Laicrence—20 guns. Brig Niagara — 20 guns. Brig Caledonia — 3 
 guns. Schooner Ariel — 4 guns (one burst early in the action). Schooner 
 
90 
 
 Scorpion — 2 guns. Schooner Somers — 3 guns and 2 swivels. Sloop 
 Trippe — 1 gun. Schooner Tigress — 1 gun. Schooner Porcupine — 1 gun. 
 Total 54 guns. 
 
 List of Killed and Wounded on board the United States Squadron, under 
 command of 0. H. Perry, Esq., in the action of 10th September, 1813, viz.: 
 
 On board the Lawrence — Killed — John Brooks, Lieut. Marines ; Henry 
 Laub, Midshipman; Christian Mayhew; Qr. Master; James W. Allen, 
 
 seaman ; Joseph Kennedy, do. ; John C. Kelly, private in the Reg't ; 
 
 John Smith, seaman; Wm. Cranston, do.; Andrew Michael, do. ; John 
 Hoffman, do. ; Charles Pohig, do. ; Nelson Peters, do. ; James Jones, do. ; 
 John Rose, do. ; James Carty, sailmaker's mate; Thomas Butler, sea- 
 man ; Wilson Mays, carpenter's mate ; James Brown, seaman ; JCthelrcd 
 Sykes, Landsman; Philip Starpley, corporal marines; Jesse Harlaud, 
 private; Abner Williams, do. — 22. Wounded — John J. Yarnall, 1st 
 lieut. ; Dulaney Forrest, 2d do. ; Wm. K Taylor, sailing master; Samuel 
 Hambleton, purser; Thomas Caxton, midshipman; Augustus Swartwout, 
 do.; Jonas Stone, carpenter; Wm. C. Keen, master at-arms; Francis 
 3Iason, quarter master ; John Newen, do. ; Joseph Lewis, do. ; Ezekiel 
 Fowler, do.; John E. Brown, gunner; Wm. Johnson, boatswain's mate; 
 James Helan, do ; George Cornell, carpenter's mate; Thomas Hammond, 
 armorer ; Wm. Thompson, seaman ; Geo. Varnuni, James Moses, AYm. 
 Roe, Joseph Denning, Wm. Daring, John Clay, Stephen Fairfield, George 
 Williams, Lannon Huse, James Waddington, Jno. Burdeen, John Burn- 
 ham, Andrew Mattison, Jeremiah Estcrbrooke, Henry Schroeder, Benoni 
 Price, Thomas Robinson, Peter Kinsley, Nathan Chapman, Thos. Hill, 
 Barney McClair, Wm. Dawson, Westerly Johnson, Sam'l Spywood, 
 Robert Hill, Francis Cummings, Thomas Reed, Charles Vandyke, Wm. 
 Simpson, Jesse Williams, James.Hardley, James Bird, marines; William 
 Burnett, Wm. Baggs, David Christie, Henry Vaupool, Thos. Tritf, lands- 
 men, Elijah Parton, John Adams, Cliarles Harrington, Wm. B. Perkins, 
 Nath'l Wade, bo}^, Newport Hazzard, bo}^ — 61. [On the morning of the 
 action the sick list of the Lawrence contained thirty-one unfit for duty.] 
 
 On board the Niagara — Killed — Peter Morel, seaman, Isaac Hordy, 
 do. — 2 Wounded — John J. Edwards, lieut.; John C. Cummings, 
 midshipman; Edward Martin, seaman; Wm. Davis do.; Joshua Trapnill, 
 marine, Ronval Hall, seaman, George Piatt, Elias Wiley, Henry David- 
 son, John ]\I. Stribuck, John Freeman, James Lansford, Thos. Wilson, 
 Chas. Davidson, Daniel Bennet, John Filton, boatswain's mate. Sergeant 
 Mason, marine. Corporal Scott, Thomas Miller, John Rumas, Geo. Mc- 
 Manomy, Geo. Scofield, Samuel Cochran — 25. 
 
 On board the Caledonia — Wounded — James Artus, Isaac Perkins, 
 James Phillips — 3. 
 
 On board the Somers — Wounded — Chas. Ordeen, Godfrey Bowman — 2. 
 
 On board the Ariel — Killed — John White, boatswain's mate — 1. 
 
91 
 
 Wounded — Wm. Sloss, seaman, Robert AVilson, do., John Lucas, lands- 
 man — 8. 
 
 On board the T/v'/^;;^' —Wounded- -Isaac Green, soldier, John Niles, 
 do.— 2. 
 
 On board the Porciqniie — None killed or wounded. 
 
 On board the Scorjnon — Killed — John Clark, midshipman, John Sjdha- 
 maraer, landsman — 2. 
 
 On board the Tiijrcss — None killed or wounded. 
 
 RECAPITU I.ATION. 
 
 [Two days previous to the action, fifty seven men unfit tor service iu 
 the small vessels.] 
 
 Killed. Wounded. Total. 
 
 Lawrence, -27 Gl 88 
 
 Niagara, 2 25 27 
 
 Caledonia, 3 3 
 
 Somers, 2 2 
 
 Ariel, 13 4 
 
 Trippe, 2 2 
 
 Soorpion, --- - 2 2 
 
 32 90 128 
 
 THE EFFECT OF THE VICTORY. 
 
 It need not be told tlie intelligent reader that Perry's victory 
 turned the tide of battle in our favor ; that it gave us not only 
 command of this Lake, but it caused the British to flee from 
 Maiden. 
 
 While Perry's fleet had been at the head of Lake Erie, Gen. 
 Harrison was concentrating his forces at and near the mouth 
 of Portage river, now in Ottawa County. Immediately after the 
 battle of the 10th, Perry's fleet 'was engaged in transporting 
 Harrison's troops by the way of the Islands to Maiden, and on 
 the 27th of September the troops landed on the Canada main 
 land, marching to Maiden, which they found evacuated ; and 
 following up the advantage, on the 5th of October fought the 
 famous battle of the Thames, at which Tecumseii was killed and 
 the British force routed. Gen. Cass and Com. Perry acted as 
 volunteer aids to Gen. Harrison in that battle. These events 
 restored Detroit to us and Gen. Cass was appointed Governor, 
 and Harrison and Perry, the last of October, sailed for Erie 
 and Buftalo. 
 
92 
 
 HOW THE NEWS OF PERRY'S VICTORY WAS RECEIVED I^f CLEVELAND. 
 
 The joyful news of the result of the battle flew a:? fast as ex- 
 press could carry it, and the whole frontier was jubilant. The 
 day of its deliverance from the tomahawk and scalping knife 
 had come, and all breathed easier. 
 
 From Capt. Levi Johnson we get the following particulars as 
 to affairs on the day of that battle and subsequent thereto, at 
 Cleveland. Capt. Johnson says that on the morning of the 
 memorable 10th, he and a gang of men were just putting the 
 finishing touches to the first court house and jail, which stood 
 right in front of the present 1st Presbyterian Church. They 
 thought they heard thunder, but looking out of the windows 
 saw no clouds, and concluded it was the roar of cannon. They 
 were expecting to hear news, knowing that Perry's fleet had 
 passed up the lake. They all went to the bank of the lake, 
 near where Mr. Whitaker's house now stands on Water street. 
 All the villagers assembled there, numbering perhaps thirty. 
 They could distinguish between the reports of the larger and 
 smaller guns. They staid on the bank until the reports ceased, 
 and the last four or five reports being from heavy guns, and it 
 being known that the Americans had the heaviest ordnance, 
 they concluded that the victory was ours and then on the spot 
 they gave cheers for Perry. 
 
 About two days after this, Capt. Johnson went from Cleve- 
 land up to Put-in-Bay in one of the large flat bottomed boats 
 built here by Gen. Jessup, for army transport. These boats 
 were batteau like, could carry fifty men and were built to carry 
 Harrison's army across to Maiden. One was left behind, and 
 this Capt. Johnson loaded with potatoes, &c., and went up to 
 the troops at Put-in-Bay. He arrived there before the British 
 prisoners had left their vessels. Com. Barclay was yet on 
 board the Detroit, and he saw him down in the hold of his ves- 
 sel, badly wounded. Cen. Jessup took the boat to assist in car- 
 rying the troops to Maiden, and Capt. J. got passage back to 
 Cleveland on the Somers, the Captain acting as pilot. 
 
 Irad Kelley has kindly, at our request, noted down his re- 
 collections of the day of the battle. He says : 
 
93 
 
 " In reply to your inquiry respecting the memorable battle on Lake 
 Erie, of September lOlh, 18l;5, I can say that I heard it witii others, 
 from the shore of the Lake, near tlie present residence of Gov. Wood, 
 nine miles west of Cleveland, and about sixty-five Irom the scene of 
 action. 
 
 "At first it seemed like distant thunder. A few minutes, however, 
 satisfied all that the fleets had met in deadly strife, to determine who 
 should have control of these inland seas, and the fertile regions bordering 
 the same ; to decide the fate of the frontier settlements for weal or woe. 
 Knowing as we did tliat our force was only two-thirds that of the Britisli, 
 in men and metal, you may well imagine the intense anxiety ever}' one 
 felt who heard the roar of the cannon which were tlien deciding wlielher 
 we were to leave our homes to pillage and tire, or remain in safety from 
 the tomaliawk and scalping knife. But when our anxious suspense was 
 relieved by the glorious news tliat we had conquered, that we liad cap- 
 tured their whole fleet, with all on board, that our homes, wives and 
 little ones were safe, it is hardly possible to describe the change in everj' 
 face. Gloom and anxiety had tied, and a joy, which seemed to tell the 
 glad tidings before the mouth gave utterance, lit up every face. This im- 
 portant victory opened a safe passage for the American army which soon 
 after landed below Fort Maiden, on the Canada shore, without opposition. 
 The large guns from this Fort had been taken to arm their fleet; the 
 same whose destructive and deadly work had compelled the Lairrence to 
 strike, were now in our possession in Put-in-Eay. * 
 
 Gen. Proctor had retreated and chosen a strong position at Moravian 
 Town on the Thames, where Gen. Harrison soon after gave him battle. 
 His brave Kentucky cavalry charged the enemy's center (composed of 
 tlieir whole regular force,) with such resistless impetuosity that it soon 
 gave way, and all were made prisoners. Tecumseh was killed, and the 
 Indians put to flight. Tliis powerful army which so often had fouglit us 
 in Northern Oliio and Michigan, and dared to attack our fortresses, and 
 whicli Iiad spread terror through our frontier settlements, was thus de- 
 stroyed and dispersed by this glorious victory, for tliese victories are .so 
 intimately connected that they can hardly be described separately. 
 
 I visited the fleet jome weeks after the battle, and was shown where 
 the Captain and First Lieutenant of the Queen Charlotte stood when one 
 ball from the Isiagara killed both, as a specimen of destruction each 
 broadside of these ships caused to the Detroit aud Queen, which by care- 
 lessness, and by a sudden shift of wind, had become foul of each other. 
 This change of wind left the Niagara a short distance to the windward, 
 wdien the grape and canister shot from her short guns, filled to the muz- 
 zle, poured death and destruction into these entangk'd ships. The smoke 
 from our guns l)eing carried into their faces in clouds, increased tlie diffi- 
 culty of disentangling, which soon rendered resistance useless. Thus, 
 these ships, middng two-thirds tlie enemy's strcngtli— whicli with their 
 long guns had borne down on our flag sliip with such destructive and 
 
94 
 
 deadly power as to force our commander to abandon it — were compelled 
 to surrender to the gallant Perry. 
 
 Lieut. Elliott (since Commodore) nobly gave up the command of the 
 Niagara to Perrj-, and volunteered to bring our small vessels into action, 
 and pursuing such of the enemy's vessels as attempted to escape, he suc- 
 ceeded in capturing them. Allow me here to observe that I became 
 fully satisfied, from officers of high rank, who were in this battle that 
 Com. Elliott was entitled to great praise and no blame in the part the 
 took in winning this glorious victory." 
 
 Mrs. Long, a part of wliose reminiscences are given above, 
 also says : 
 
 Previous to the 10th of September we learned at Cleveland that Pekry 
 was on the Lake with his fleet. The fleet did not pass within sight of 
 the village. We knew that the British were prowling about, and we felt 
 that a meeting was inevitable. On the morning of the 10th, Dr. Long 
 came into the house and said that the fleets had met, for he could hear 
 the roar of cannon. This was between eleven and twelve o'clock. We 
 went out to the bank of the lake, and sat until 4 o'clock, P. M., when the 
 firing ceased. The firing was at intervals of from fourteen to fifteen 
 minutes. The night of the 10th was a sleepless one to many, for if the 
 British had gained the victory, we felt that our little village was in great 
 cRinger. But the ne.xt night the news came of Perry's gallant victory, 
 and joy at once took the place of fear. There was great rejoicing on tlu; 
 part of the people, and the old swivel was brought into requisition. I 
 have seen it stated that Com. Perry never was in Cleveland, but I am 
 firm in the belief that he passed through the village. The date I cannot 
 remembei". 
 
 Mr. William Coleman, of Euclid, gives us tlie following ac- 
 count of tlie 10th in that town. He says: 
 
 " On the day of the battle nearly all the men of Euclid were raising a 
 log house for Mr. Hale, within half a mile of the lake. The day was 
 clear and beautiful, and the lake was still, hardly a ripple on the water. 
 When the firing commenced it was thought to be thunder, but we were 
 soon convinced the long expected and anxiously looked for battle was 
 then taking place. The feelings of all soon became so excited that we 
 left our work half done, rushed to the lake, and listened eagerly until the 
 battle was over. The firing tapered off with now and then a heavy gun, 
 which we afterwards learned was fired at the Little Belt, (British) which 
 tried to run away, when she found the battle was lost. The prisoner al- 
 luded to in the former part of my statement was on the Little Belt at the 
 time, and said the last shot fired in that battle came in through the stern 
 of his vessel and cut the captain into halves. The second officer then 
 
95 
 
 ordered the colors to be struck, and that ended the ' Battle of Lake 
 Erie.' " 
 
 Mr. Cornelius Thorpe, of Euclid, was one of those present 
 at the barn-raising to which Mr. CoLEMAisr refers. He gives us 
 the names of the following, present citizens of Euclid, who also 
 were at the "bee," to wit: TnoMA.s McIlrath, Samuel 
 McIlrath, Lyman Crosby, Abner Crosby and Thomas 
 Crosby'. As to that barn-raising, Mr. Thorbe says, everything 
 was going on lively, every man sharply at work, logs were going 
 up and corner men notching them down, when about noon was 
 heard a report. '' What's that ? " every one asked. " A can- 
 non," every one replied ; and every axe dropped, and all ran 
 for the lake, expecting to see the vessels, as the leports were so 
 distinct. All staid on the bank for a while, none went back to 
 the raising ; some went to their homes, and some went to Cleve- 
 land to prepare for the worst. Not another stroke of work was 
 done that dav. 
 
 THE NEWS HE.^KD IN WAIIREN, TRUMBULL COUNTY. 
 
 [From the TRtriiP of Fame, published in Warren, Trumbull Co., O., of Sept. 14, 181.3.] 
 
 " By the express mail we have received the good news that Com. Perry 
 has made an attack upon the British fleet, and after a dreadful conflict 
 has succeeded in capturing six of his vessels. When the mail left San- 
 dusky, the prisoners were landing. It is reported that the slaughter on 
 board the American vessels was so dreadful that Com. Perry's vessel 
 had but nine well men after the battle. This part of the stoiy is ahnost 
 incredible ; a conquered ship may be in this situation, but that the victor 
 should be so, is not probable." 
 
 A thoughtful friend in Bufialo writes as follows : 
 
 Buffalo, Aug. 21, 1860. 
 
 Editors op the Herald : — The letters herewith inclosed are copies 
 form two of a number in luy possession, that were written upon this 
 frontier to a friend in New England. Tliey contain some historical 
 details, which, though not entirely new, maybe interesting to tlie readers 
 of the Herald, especially at this particular time, when thousands are 
 preparing to visit your beautiful city, to appropriately celebrate one of 
 the marked achievements of the present centur}'. 
 
 Truer jjatriotism don't exist than is found in the hearts of these same 
 
96 
 
 whose homes are on the borders of these hikes, and in no way can they 
 better evince it in time of peace and prosperity, than in tlius bringing 
 to remembrance the great men and great deeds tliat effectually rolled 
 back the almost overwhelming tide of British aggression and Indian 
 cruelty from our thousand miles of lake coast. 
 
 Respectfully yours, &c. 
 
 now THE NEWS OF PERRY'S VICTORY GOT TO BUFFALO ; ITS EFFECT 
 UPON THE PEOPLE, AND HOW THEY ACTED, ETC. 
 
 Buffalo Village, Sept. 22d, 1813. 
 
 Dear Sam: — I wish you could have been here last Monday evening to 
 see and hear the noisy outburst of joy manifested by the crowd around 
 the Post-office when the western mail arrived. It was occasioned by 
 the news of a hard fought naval battle, and briliant victory by Commo- 
 dore Perry, at the other end of the lake. The first intimation that our 
 villagers had of this glorious fight, was from a letter from David Long 
 to Major Fked. Miller, dated at Cleveland, Sept. 13th, 1813. The 
 Major read the letter to the people, who were assembled around the door 
 of the Post-ofiice, and sucli a shout as came from the throats of that 
 assemblage, you never heard in your lite. 
 
 The letter was published in the Oazette j'csterday. Here is a copy of 
 it: 
 
 Dear Sir:— The mail carrier from the west brings the pleasing intel- 
 ligence of the capture of six of the British vessels, on the 10th iust., 
 between 1 and 5 o'clock, p. m. The action is said to have been very 
 obstinate ; the cannonading was heard at this place. Gur lleet arrived 
 at Put-in Bay Island with the prizes. The particulars we shall get by 
 the next mail. In haste, your obedient servant, 
 
 DAVID LONG. 
 
 ]\Iany who heard this letter read, believed it to be a'^hoax, and said 
 the news was too good to be true, but those best accpiainted with Com- 
 modore Perry, and the ofiicers under him, (the metal of some of those 
 fellows was tested, in cutting out the Adams and Caledonia at Fort Erie 
 a year ago,) was ready to receive the news as true. The same mail 
 brought a letter to Seth Grosvenor, merchant, of this village, from 
 Wm. Foster, of Erie, dated Sept. 19th, in vvhicli he says : 
 
 Bill Latimore has just returned from Sandusky, and while there he 
 was on board several of the vessels since their action. He reports the 
 the victory to have been most complete of any in Naval annals. The 
 action commenced between the Lawrence and Detroit, which was fol- 
 lowed by the Charlotte and one of the smaller vessels. The Lawrence 
 sustained the whole fire of three vessels, until she had every man killed 
 or wounded but seven, and the last gun she fired Commodore Perry 
 
97 
 
 helped to work it ; he then gave orders to have her towed out of the line 
 as useless, and took his flag and went on board the Kiagara. 
 
 The British Commander, Barclay, had his other hand shot off, and 
 the slaughter on board the Detroit and Charlotte was most terrible. Not 
 a mast was left standing on either of them. The Captain of the Boxer 
 was killed by a single shot, the first one received from the Enterprise. 
 His left arm was torn off, and his body cut in two. The Commander of 
 the Enterprise was mortally wounded by the first shot they received from 
 the enemy, but he refused to quit the deck until he had received the 
 sword of the enemy, when he immediately expired. 
 
 You can easily imagine the effect of this news upon our villagers, and 
 the soldiers stationed in this vicinity. I can not describe it to you. Be 
 assured we all breathe easier, for we believe that a blow has been struck 
 by our noble tars that will be felt throughout our whole lake frontier. 
 
 This forenoon ]\rajor Cuapin fired a salute from the battery in honor 
 of the victory, and this evening every tenement of the village, that has a 
 window, is to be brilliantly illuminated. 
 
 The stage driver says it was reported in Clevelaud that Gen. Harrison 
 and his Army had been in motion for several days, and were supposed 
 to be at, or near, Maiden. Another report has just reached us through 
 Canada, to the eff'ect that Harrison has actually taken Maiden with six 
 hundred prisoners, and that Gen. Proctor was killed. 
 
 We are waiting in intense anxiety to hear fiicts, for we have been so 
 frequently imposed upon by these Canadian stories that no reliance is 
 placed upon them. 
 
 I have many other items of news that I would like to add, but must 
 defer until next week. Yours, truly, . 
 
 VIEWS OF A BRITISH ALLY 
 
 [ From the BurFAxo Gazette, Nov, 2, 1813. ] 
 
 Speech of Tecumseli to Gen. Proctor at AmTierstburgh, Sep. Idth, 181o. 
 
 T7ie British had heared of the loss of their feet and loere j/repanng 
 
 to retreat from Maiden. Tecumseh was in ignorance of the re»uU of 
 
 the Battle. 
 
 Father, listen. Our fleet has gone out: we know they have fought, 
 we heard the great guns; but know nothing of what has happened to 
 our father with the one arm. * Our ships are gone one way and we are 
 very much astonished to see our father tying up everything and prepar- 
 ing to run away the other, without letting his red children know what 
 his intentions are. 
 
 You always told us that you would never draw your foot off British 
 ground ; but now we see you drawing back, and we are sorry to see our 
 father doing so without seeing the enemy. 
 
 * Com. Barclay lost an arm at the battle of Trafalgar. 
 
 7 
 
We must compare our father's conduct to a fat animal that carries its 
 tail upon its back ; but when affrighted, it drops it between its legs and 
 runs ofi". 
 
 Father, listen. The Americans have not yet defeated us by land, 
 neither are loe sure that they have clone so hy water; we therefore wish 
 to remain here and light the enemy, should they maiie their appearance. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 Frovi ^'■Views of the Campaign of the North Western Ai'my,'" by S. R. 
 Brown. Albany, 1814. {Out of j^rint and rare.) 
 
 The undaunted bravery of Admiral Barclay entitled him to a better 
 fate. To the loss of the day was superadded grievous and dangerous 
 wounds. He had, before, lost one arm ; it was now his hard fortune to 
 lose the use of the otlier by a shot which carried away the blade of the 
 right shoulder; a cannister shot made a voilent contusion on his hip. 
 His wounds were for some days considered mortal. Every possible atten- 
 tion was paid to his situation. When Commodore Perry sailed for Buffalo, 
 he was so far recovered that he took passage on board our fleet. The 
 citizens saw the affecting spectacle of Harrison and Perry supporting 
 the wounded British hero, still unable to walk without lielp, from the 
 beach to his lodgings. 
 
 On board o f the Detroit, twenty-four hours after her surrender, were 
 found snugly stowed away in tlie hold, two Indian Cliiefs, who had the 
 courage to go on board at Maiden, for the purpose of acting as sharp 
 shooters, to kill our officers. One had the courage to ascend into the 
 round-top and discharge his piece ; but the whizzing of shot, splinters, 
 and bits of rigging soon made the place too warm for him. He descended 
 faster than he went up. At the moment he reached the deck the frag- 
 ments of a sailor's head struck his comrade's face and covered it with 
 blood and brains. He vociferated the savage interjection " quoh ! " and 
 both sought safety below. 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE SQUADRON ON LAKE ERIE AND 
 ITS FATE. 
 
 In 1796, Capt. Daniel Dobbins, arrived at Erie, it being the 
 year that General Anthony Wayne died there, whose funeral 
 he attended. At that time there were on Lake Erie but three 
 or four small craft, and none on the upper lakes belonging to the 
 United States. The British had quite a number of vessels of 
 100 tons and over, employed mostly by the North Western fur 
 Company. Captain Dobbins soon after commanded a small 
 vessel for many years in lake navigation, prior to 1812 when 
 war was declared. He was at this time at Mackinac, an Ameri- 
 can fort which the Canadians and Indians had taken by surprise, 
 
99 
 
 our government having neglected to notify tlie fortress of the 
 war. Dobbins here lost his vessel, and after many hair-breadth 
 escapes arrived at Erie late in August. Detroit had surrendered 
 on the 16th, and he was immediately despatched by General 
 Mead to Washington with information. After a days' examina- 
 tion before the cabinet in regard to the ports and commerce on 
 Lake Erie, and the best place for a naval depot and ship yard, 
 he was tendered a sailing master's warrant, and ordered to 
 commence building three gunboats, and report his doings to 
 Commodore Chauncey on Lake Ontario. Two days after his 
 return to Erie, viz : Sept. 26th, he cut the first stick of timber 
 for the fleet himself, and employed such carpenters and ship- 
 builders in that region as could be found. Chauncey arrived 
 late in December with master builder Eckfoed, who furnished 
 models for two 22 gun brigs. Perry arrived late in March, 
 and found the keels of the large brigs laid and the gunboats 
 nearly planked. Capt. Dobbins was after this employed in 
 transporting supplies from Bufi'alo. The gunboats were launched 
 early in May and the brigs soon after. To these five vessels were 
 soon after added, the five from the merchant service, purchased at 
 Buffalo, including one captured from the British at Fort Erie, 
 and taken up the rapids at Black Rock to Butialo and Erie. 
 These were the Caledonia, Capt. Perry ; the Ohix), Capt. Dob- 
 bins ; the Soyners, Capt. Almy ; the Trippe, Lieut. Holdup, and 
 the Amelia with the invalids and medical persons, and Doctor 
 Parsons. 
 
 Congress allowed the captors of the British Squadron $200,000 
 as prize money. 
 
 On the second day after the battle, the squadron having arrived 
 in Put-in-Bay, a severe gale carried away the masts of the 
 Detroit and Quern. In the spring following, jury masts were 
 rigged and the vessels taken to Erie. The Niagara, Lawrence, 
 Caledonia, Tigress and Scorpion sailed the following summer 
 under Mackinac, transporting there Croghan's army. The four 
 largest vessels were sold in 1834 to George Miles, two of which, 
 the Queen and Detroit sailed many years on the Lakes. The 
 Lawrence and Niagara went to decay. The Caledonia stranded 
 on the Beach. The Scorpion, Tigresss and Porcupine captured in 
 the night by the enemy. The Chippewa stranded near Buffalo, 
 and the others have long since disappeared. 
 
100 
 
 BRIEF NOTICES OF THE OFFICERS 
 
 On board the squadron on Lake Erie, coimnissioned and warranted in the 
 action of September 10/A, 1813. 
 
 LAM'RENCE. 
 
 O. H. Pet^rt, Commodore; born in South Kingston, R. I., August 23d, 
 1785; warranted as Midshipman, April 7, 171)9; commissioned as Lieu- 
 tenant, 1807; Master Commander, Aug., 1812; Post Captain, Sept, 10th, 
 1813 ; died, Aug. 23, 1820. 
 
 John J. Yarnall, 1st Lieutenant ; warranted as Midshipman June 16, 
 1809; commissioned as Lieutenant, July 24, 1813; was lost in the Eper- 
 Tier. 
 
 DuLAXY Forest, 2nd Lieutenant ; warranted as Midshipman, May 9th, 
 1809; commissioned as Lieutenant, Dec. 0, 1814; Obit Oct. 1, 1825. 
 
 Samuel Hambleton, Purser; commissioned, April 25, 1812; Obit 
 1850. 
 
 Williaai V. Taylor, Ship Master; warranted Acting Master, 1812; 
 commissioned Lieutenant, Dec. 9, 1814; Master Commander, March 3, 
 1831 ; Post Captain, Sept. 8, 1841 ; Obit, 1858. 
 
 Samuel Horsley, commissioned Surgeon's Mate, March 9, 1809; was 
 acting as Surgeon, 1813; as Surgeon, April 5, 1814; Obit Sept. 8, 1821. 
 
 Usher Parsoxs, commissioned Surgeon's Mate, July 6, 1812; maae 
 Acting Surgeon, Sept 10, 1813, and commissioned April 14, 1814 ; resigned 
 April '23d, 1823. 
 
 Thomas Breeze, Commodore's Secretary; acted as Chaplain, was 
 Aid to Commodore Perry in the Lawrence in the battle. Made Purser, 
 1815 ; Oliit Oct. 12, 1846. 
 
 John Brooks, (son of Gov. Brooks of Mass.) ; commissioned as 2nd 
 Lieutenant of Marines, 1807 ; promoted 1809 ; killed in action by a cannon 
 ball in the hip, Sept. 10, 1813. 
 
 Midshipman Augtstus Swartwout, warranted Jan., 1812; was severe- 
 ly wounded in the arm ; resigned April 18, 1820. 
 
 " Thomas Claxton, warranted Dec. 1810 ; wounded in the action, 1813, 
 by a cannon ball, which carried away his shoulder ; Obit in October 
 3d following. 
 
 Hexry L.\mb, warranted Jan. 16, 1809; killed in the action ontright, 
 bj^ a cannon ball in Ihe side .-'fter being wounded in the arm. 
 
 J. Alexander Perry, warranted 1811; commissioned as Lieutenant, 
 April 1, 1822 ; He was drowned in an attempt to save a sinking officer. 
 He was 2nd aid to the Commodore, being then 13 years old. 
 
 I>JIAGARA. 
 
 Jesse D. Elliot, Commander of the Niagara; warranted Midshipman 
 April 4, 1804; Lieutenant, April 23, 1810; Master Commanding, 1813 
 Post Captain, March, 1818; Obit, 1845. 
 
 John J. Edwards, Midshipman, Jan. 1808; Lieutenant, July 24, 1813 
 Obit at Erie, 1814. 
 
 Joseph E. Smith, Midshipman, 1808 ;''Lieutenant, March 10, 1813 
 Obit, Dec, 1813. 
 
 Nelson Webster, Midshipman, Jan. 9, 1809; Lieutenant, Dec, 1814 
 Obit, Dec 24, 1825. 
 
 Humphry Magrath, Purser; resigned, June 4, 1809; committed 
 suicide ; he acted as Sailing Master on board the Niagara. 
 
 Henry B. Brevoort, an army officer; Capt. of Marines; Obit, 1856. 
 
 George Stockton, Lieut, of Marines ; a Volunteer from the army. 
 
 Robert R. Barton, Surgeon, 1813; resigned, 1824; Obit, 1854. 
 
 Midshipman Charles Smith, warranted, Dec, 1810 ; furloughed and 
 obit, 1818. 
 
101 
 
 Sam'l W. Adams, warranted, Jan. 16, 1809; dropt, 1815; killed in Spain. 
 
 J. B. Montgomery, warranted Jan., 1912; Lieutenant, April, 1818; 
 Master, 18o9 ; Post Captain, 1850. He commands the Pacitic Squadron. 
 
 James L. CuMMiNGs, warranted Oct., 1812; Lieutenant, 1818; Obit, 
 July 24, 1824. 
 
 Rob't S. Tatem, Act. Midshipman; made Sailing Mast., 1814; Obit, 1844. 
 
 CALEDONIA. 
 
 Daniel Turner, Commander; Midshipman, Jan. 1,1808; Lieutenant, 
 1812 ; Master Commander, 1825 ; Post Captain, 1835 ; Obit, 1850. He 
 commanded the Pacific Squadron. 
 
 Peleg K. Dunham, Midshipman, Jan., 1812; Lieutenant, April 1, 
 Obit, Aug., 1822. 
 
 JamesE. McDonald, Acting Sailing Master ; made Midshipman, 1814 
 and Lieutenant, March, 1817; Obit, 1818. He killed Midshipman Senat 
 in a duel, 1814. 
 
 James Ahtus, Sargeant of Marines ; volunteer from Harrison's army. 
 
 ARIEL. 
 
 John Packet, Commander; Midshipman, Jan., 1809; Lieutenant, 
 July, 1813 ; Obit, 1820. 
 
 Thomas Brownell, Acting Sailing Master in action ; resigned ; com- 
 missioned Lieutenant, Dec, lB4-?. 
 
 Robert Anderson, Lieutenant of Marines, a volunteer from Harri- 
 son's Army. 
 
 SCORPION. 
 
 Stephen Champlin, Sailing Master, May, 1812 ; Lieutenant, 1815 ; 
 Master Commander, June, 1838; Post Captain, Oct., 1850. 
 
 John Clarke, Jlidshipman, 1812 ; killed in the action by a cannon 
 ball hitting his head. 
 
 John W. Wendell, Midshipman, June,' 1812; dismissed, 1815. 
 
 SOMERS. 
 
 Thomas C. Almy, Commander; Obit at Erie, Dec, 1813. 
 David C. Nichols, Midshipman, 1811 ; resigned, 1814. 
 W. T. Taliaferro, Sargeant of Marines, now an eminent Physician 
 in Cincinnati. 
 
 TRIPPE. 
 
 Thomas Holdup, (Thos. H. Stevens,) Midshipman, Jan.. 1909; Lieu- 
 tenant, July, 1813; Master Commander, March, 1825; Post Captain, 
 1836; Obid, 1841, while in command of Navy Yard, Washington. 
 
 James Bliss, Midshipman in 1809; Lieutenant, 1824; resigned 1814. 
 
 James Blair, Lieut, of Marines, a volunteer from Harrison's army. 
 
 Gamaliel Darling, Master's Mate. 
 
 TIGRESS. 
 
 A. M. Conklin, Commander; Midshipman in 1809 ; Lieutenant, July, 
 1813 ; resigned, 1820. 
 
 Midshipman Alexander C. Stout, Midshipman, Jan. 16, 1809; Lieu- 
 tenant, 1814; Obit, 1815, on his way home from Erie to Kentucky. 
 
 Hugh N. Page, JMidshipman, 1811; Lieutenant, 1818 ; Master Com- 
 mander, 1838 ; Post Captain, 1850 ; has retired from the navy. 
 
 PORCUPINE. 
 
 George Senat, Midshipman, July, 1807; Lieutenant, Dec, 1814, but 
 was killed in a duel Nov. 30, by Sailing IMaster McDonald, while his 
 commission as Lieutenant was on its way to him at Erie. 
 
 Cornelius Denicke, Master's Mate. 
 
 OHIO. 
 
 Captain Daniel Dobbins, Commander; Sailing Master, 1812, who 
 rndered important service in bringing supplies from Erie, and unfor- 
 tunately was absent there on the day of the battle. 
 
102 
 WHAT WAS SAID OF THE CELEBRATION. 
 
 The Press throughout the country spoke of the Celebration 
 in the most flattering terms. Almost every press 'n the United 
 States was represented by able correspondents, and but one spir- 
 it was manifested in them all — which was one of praise, aa to 
 the whole proceedings. The City and citizens of Cleveland may 
 well be proud of their success in so loyal and stupendous an 
 undertaking. It was the intention to publish liberal extracts 
 from the leading papers, but our limits are too small to carry 
 out the plan. 
 
 Extract from a Letter received from Dr. Parsoks since the 
 Jnati juration. 
 
 Providence, Sept. 24, 1860. 
 Harvey Rice, Esq.: 
 
 My Dear Sir : — Tlie Governor and Staff, Infantry and Legislators, 
 arrived here on Saturday at 11 o'clock, and met with a grand reception, 
 and were treated with a magnificent collation, where the praises of 
 Cleveland were sounded in speeches and toasts as they ever will be in 
 Rhode Island. 
 
 We are all delighted too, in reflecting^ that such excellent order prevailed 
 during the three days of the celebration, and that aH the arrangements 
 were made and conducted in a manner that reflects the highest credit on 
 the citizens of Cleveland generally, and on the managers of the Inaugu- 
 raticn in particular — such order and propriety, everywhere manifested, I 
 never beheld — no fighting, but on the contrary, sobriety and good feeling 
 seemed to pervade all ranks and conditions of the countless multitude. 
 
 With great respect and esteem, I am, dear sir, yours, truly, 
 
 USHER PARSONS. 
 
 COST OF THE MONUMENT AND HOW PAID FOR. 
 
 The cost of the Perry Monument was 8,000 dollars, as agreed 
 in the contract made with T. Jones & Sons. Nearly $5,000 
 of this sum was obtained by voluntary subscriptions, and the 
 City Council, on the recei]3t of a communication from the Chair- 
 man of the Perry Monument Committee, stating the balance due 
 to the contractors, Sept. 25, 1860, passed the resolution offered 
 by Mr. Ballard : 
 
103 
 
 Rcsohed, That the sum of Three Thousand and Eight dollars be 
 appropriated from the Cit}' Treasury to T. Jones & Sons;, in full of the 
 balance due them on their contract for the erection of the Perry Monu- 
 ment. The same to be paid one-thu'd in six months, one-third in nine 
 months, and one third in twelve months. Adopted. Ayes — Ballard, 
 Christian, Clark, Coonrad, Dixon, Heckman, Lewis, Marshall, 
 Masters, Oviatt, Palmer, Quayle, Rezner, Russell, Sabln, Tuom- 
 as, Willard, Worswick — 18. Nay — Hopeinson — 1. 
 
 COM. PERRY'S PORTRAIT PRESENTED TO THE CITY. 
 
 Oct. 30, 18G0, the following action was had in the City Council 
 on the receipt of a communication from Harvey Rice, Chairman 
 of the Perry Monument Committee, stating that he has received 
 from 0. H. Peery, only surviving son of Commodore Perry, a 
 portrait in oil of the Commodore, copied by Mr. Lawson of 
 Lowell, from the original painting by Stewart. In compliance 
 with the request of Mr. Perry he presented the portrait to the 
 City of Cleveland. In the note by Mr. Perry, accompanying 
 the portrait, he expresses his belief that " so patriotic a people 
 as the citizens of Cleveland will value the portrait of one they 
 have been pleased to honoi'." 
 
 Received and filed. 
 
 RESOLUTIONS. 
 
 Of Mr. Clark — That the portrait of Commodore Perry presented this 
 evening to the City of Cleveland, in the name and at the request of O. 
 H. Perry, Esq., his only surviving son be accepted; and that the City 
 Clerk )je directed to cause the same to be handsomely framed and sus- 
 pended in Council Hall. 
 
 That the thanks of the City Council be and the same are hereby 
 tendered to O. H. Perry, Esq., for so valuable and acceptable a gift, and 
 that the Mayor of the City be requested to communicate to him a certified 
 copy of til e foregoing resolutions. 
 
 Adopted- 
 
104 
 
 DIAGRAN/l I. 
 
 Eiiglinh at com- B. Americang tu 
 cciuenl of action, cmnmtnc't of action. 
 
 1. Scorpion, 
 
 2. Ariel, 
 
 3. Lawrence, 
 
 1. Ohipiwwa, 
 
 2. Detroit, 
 3 lluuter^ 
 4. yueeu Charlotte, 
 6. Luily I'revoat, 
 6. Little Belt. 
 
 ^4L 
 
 4. Caleiiouia, 
 
 5. Niagara, 
 
 6. Souiers, 
 
 1. Porc-uinne, 
 
 8. 'r](:ress, 
 
 9. Tripi*. 
 
 4j 
 
 OIAGRAf\/I 
 
 ^4iL 
 
 ^^ "k. 
 
 5. Ladr Provost, 
 9. Little Belt. 
 
 A. British. 
 
 1. Chippewa, 
 
 1. Iletroit, 
 
 4. Queen Charlotte, B. Amkbicak. 
 
 3. Hunter, 1. Scoriuon, 
 
 Arie!, 
 LawTence, 
 
 Caledonia, 
 Niag ra, 
 Somers 
 
 ^ „;^ 
 
 7. Porcupine, 
 H Ti tress, 
 9. Trippe. 
 
 D'AGRAVI III. 
 
 ^ 
 
 1. Chipiwwa, 
 
 2. Detroit, 
 
 Ik \ \ , 3. Hviutcr. 
 
 |«L -::yrr 4. Queen Charlotte. 
 
 5. Xi\&j Provost, 
 
 6. Little Belt. 
 
 b-^^^ \ 
 
 B. AMFTRJCAlf. 
 
 1. Scorpion, 
 
 2. Aref, 
 
 3 I^awrence, 
 
 4. Caledonia, 
 
 5. Niagara, 
 
 6. Somers, 
 
 7. Porcupine, 
 
 8. Tit-ress, 
 
 9. Trippe. 
 
 
 --^:.-:-L 
 
 ^ 
 
 DIAQRAN/I NO. 'V/. 
 
 
 BRITISH LINE. 
 
 Schr. Chippewa, 
 Ship Detroit, 
 
 3. Ship U.Charlotte, 
 
 4. Brig Huntor, 
 Tl 5. Schr. Lady Prevost, 
 
 sjl 6. Sloop Little Belt. 
 
 AMERICAN 
 LINE. 
 
 7. Biig Lawrence, 
 ?^. Brig Niagara, 
 9. Brig Caledonia, 
 
 10. Schr. Somers, 
 
 11. Schr. Porcupine, 
 
 12. Schr. Tigrfss, 
 18, Sloop Tripiie, 
 IJ. Schr. Ariel, 
 15. Schr. Scorpion. 
 
 /4-^^= 
 
OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, 
 
 AND THE 
 
 Battle of Lake Erie. 
 
 BY GEORGE. BANCROFT. 
 
 In the last weeks of 1812, Oliver Hazard Perry, a lieuten- 
 ant in the United States Navy, then twenty-seven years of age, 
 despairing of a sea-going vessel, sent to the Secretary of the 
 Navy "a tender of his services for the Lakes." Tired of inac- 
 tivity, he was quickened by the fame which men even younger 
 than himself had just gained on the ocean. At that time he 
 held the command of a flotilla of gun-boats, in the harbor of 
 Newport ; "jjossessing an ardent desire to meet the enemies of 
 his country," and hoping one day to lead to battle the able and 
 brave men who were at that time under his orders, he took 
 "unwearied pains to prepare them for such an event," training 
 them to the use of small arms, the exercise of the great guns, 
 and every varlike service on ship-board. 
 
 The authority of Commodore Chauncey, who took charge in 
 person of the operations on Lake Ontario, extended to all the 
 upper lakes. He received Perry's application with delight, 
 and accepted it with alacrity. " You," thus the veteran 
 wrote to the impatient young man, "you are the very per~on 
 that I want, for a service in which you may gain a reputation 
 for yourself, and honor for your country." "The situation will 
 suit you exactly," wrote the friend, who from Washington an- 
 nounced to him that he was ordered on duty to Lake Erie ; 
 "you may expect warm fighting and a portion of honor." 
 
 His sweet disposition, cheerfulness and modest courage, his 
 intuitive good judgment and quickness of will, had endeared 
 him to his subordinates ; and one hundred and forty-nine of 
 them, officers, men and boys, for the mo.st part, like himself, na- 
 tives of Rhode Island, volunteered to go with him, in the dead 
 of winter, on the unknown service. 
 
 Receiving his orders on the 17th of February, 1813, on that 
 very day he sent forward one-third of the volunteers, under 
 
 105 
 
lOG 
 
 sailing-master Almy, as many more on the 19th, under sailing- 
 master Champlin, the rest on the 21st, under sailing-master 
 Taylor, and on the 22d, delivering over his command in New- 
 port, he began the journey across the country, took with him, 
 from his father's house, his brother Alexander, a boy of twelve, 
 met Chauncey at Albany, and pursuing his way in part through 
 the wilderness, he arrived, on the 3d of March, at Sackett's 
 Harbor. The command on Lake Ontario was important, and to 
 its chief officer was paramount. In consequence of a prevailing 
 rumor of an intended attack by the British, on that station, to 
 destroy the squadron, and the vessels on the stocks, Chauncey 
 detained Perry, and all his old companions, for a fortnight, and 
 one-third of those companions he never let go from his own 
 ships on Lake Ontai'io. 
 
 Not till the 16th of March was Perry permitted to leave 
 Sackett's Harbor. On the 24th he reached Bufi'alo. The next 
 day was given to an inspection of the navy-yard at Black Rock. 
 On the 2Gth Perry set out in a sleigh over the frozen lake, and 
 on the following afternoon he reached the harbor of Erie. There 
 he found that the keels of two brigs had been laid, and three 
 gun-boats nearly finished by New York mechanics, under the 
 direction of Noah Brown, as master-shipwright ; but no pre- 
 cautions for defence had been taken; not a musket was employed 
 to guard against a sudden attack of the enemy ; nor had the 
 ice been used for the transportation of cannon from Buffalo. 
 The supervising power of the young commander was at once 
 exerted. Before night he organized a guard out of the villagers 
 of Erie, ordered sailing-master Dobbins to repair to Buffalo, to 
 bring up forty seamen, muskets, powder, and, if possible, can- 
 non ; and wrote to the navy agent at Pittsburgh to hasten the 
 movements of a party of shipwrights, on their way from Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 The country expected Perry to change the whole course of 
 the war in the West, by obtaining the command of the water, 
 which the British as yet possessed without dispute. The want of 
 that supremacy had lost Hull and Winchester, and their forces, 
 had left to the British Detroit and Michillimacinac, and the 
 North-west, and still impeded all the purposes of Harrison. 
 The route from Dayton, in Ohio, to the lake, was so difficult that 
 the line of road through the forest and prairies could be traced 
 by the wrecks of Avagons, clinging with tenacity to the rich miry 
 soil ; while the difficulties of transportation by land along the lake 
 shore, were insurmountable. Yet, to create a superior naval force 
 on Lake Erie, it was necessary to bring sails, cordage, cannon, 
 powder, military stores, from a distance of five hundred miles, 
 through a region of which a considerable part was uninhabited. 
 
 Lender the cheering influence of Perry, the work proceeded 
 
107 
 
 with harmonious diligence. He was the central point of confi- 
 dence, for he turned everything to account. The white and 
 black oak, and the chestnut of the neighboring woods, often cut 
 down on the day on which they were used, furnished the frames 
 of the vessels ; the outside planks were of oak alone, the decks 
 of pine. To eke out the iron, every scrap was gathered from 
 the village smithies, and welded together. Of blacksmiths, but 
 two came from Philadelphia ; others were taken from the mili- 
 tia, Avho were called out as a guard. Taylor, having, on the 
 30th of March, arrived from Sackett's Harbor, with twenty offi- 
 cers and men. Perry left him for a few days in command, and, 
 by a hurried visit to Pittsburgh, quickened the movements, on 
 which he depended for more artificers, for canvas, muskets, 
 small guns, shot and balls. 
 
 On the third of May the gun-boats were launched, and at 
 sunset of the twenty-third, the brigs, each of 141 feet in length, 
 of five hundred tons burden, pierced for twenty guns, were got 
 ready for launching. Just at that moment Perry received in- 
 formation that Fort George, the British post at the outlet of the 
 Niagara, was to be attacked by the American army, in concert 
 with the fleet on Lake Ontario. As soon as night closed in, he 
 threw himself into a four-oared open boat ; through darkness, 
 and against squalls and head-winds, reached Buffalo the next 
 day, and on the evening of twenty-fifth joined Chauncey as a 
 volunteer. "No person on earth could at this time be more 
 welcome," said Chauncey to the young hero, whose coming was 
 unexpected. Perry was taken to counsel on the best mode of 
 landing the troojos, and rendered essential aid in their debark- 
 ation, winning general apjDlause for his judgment, gallantry and 
 alacrity. The official report declares that "he was present at 
 every point where he could be useful, under showers of mus- 
 ketry." 
 
 He escaped unhurt, and turned the capture of Fort George to 
 account for his duty on Lake Erie. The British, being driven 
 from both banks of the Niagara, Perry could remove from 
 Black Rock the public vessels which had hitherto been confined 
 there by Canadian batteries. Of these the largest was the Cale- 
 donia, which Lieutenant Elliott had captured from the British 
 in the previous year. The others were three small schooners 
 and a sloop, trading vessels, purchased for the government, and 
 fitted out as gun-boats by Henry Eckford, of New York. 
 They were laden with all the naval stores at Black Rock, and 
 by the aid of oxen, seamen, a detachment of two hundred sol- 
 diers were tracked against the vehement current. 
 
 It took a fortnight of almost incredible fatigue to bring them 
 up to Buffalo, where danger began. The little flotilla had al- 
 together but eight guns. Finnis, a skillful and experienced 
 
108 
 
 otlicer, who still commanded the British squadron, was on the 
 watch, with a force five or six times as great. But Perry, by- 
 vigilance and promptness, escaped, and in the evening of the 
 eighteenth of June, just as the British squadron hove in sight, 
 he brought his group of gun-boats into the harbor of Erie. 
 
 The incessant exertion of all his faculties, night watching,, 
 and unending care, wore upon Perry's frame ; but there coulcl 
 be no pause in his efforts, for there was no end to his difiiculties. 
 His example sustained the spirit of the workmen ; one-fifth of 
 them were sick, but the work was kept up all day and all night, 
 by the rest, who toiled on without a murmur, and not one de- 
 serted. The brig over which Perry was to raise his flag, was, 
 by the Secretary of the Navy, named Lawrence, in honor of the 
 gallant oflicer who could die in his country's service, but could 
 not brook defeat ; the other, equal to it in size and strength, was 
 called the Niagara. By the tenth of July all the vessels were 
 equipped, and could have gone out in a day after the reception 
 of their crews; but there were barely men enough for one of 
 the brigs. All recruits were furnished, not directly fi-om Phil- 
 adelphia, as a thoughtful secretary would have ordered, but 
 wdth much loss of time, roundabout, by way of Sackett's Har- 
 bor, and through Chauncey, who was under a perpetual tempt- 
 ation to detain the best on Lake Ontario. 
 
 On the twentieth of July, the British, now commanded by 
 the veteran Barclay, rode in triumph ofi' the Bar of Erie. 
 Perry bent his eyes longingly on the east ; he watched the 
 coming of every mail, of every traveler, as the harbinger of the 
 glad tidings that men were on the way. "Give me men," he 
 wrote to Chauncey, "and I will acquire honor and glory both 
 for you and myself, or perish in the attempt. Think of my sit- 
 uation ; the enemy within striking distance, my vessels ready, 
 and I obliged to bite my fingers with vexation, for want of men. 
 I know you will send them as soon as possible, yet a day ap- 
 pears an age." 
 
 On the twenty-third Champlin arrived with a re-inforcement 
 of seventy persons, but they were "a motley set of negroes, sol- 
 diers and boys." Chauncey repelled all complaints. "I have 
 yet to learn," said he, "that the color of the skin can aftect a 
 man's qualifications or usefulness. I have nearly fifty blacks on 
 board of this ship, and many of them are among my best men." 
 Meantime Perry declared himself "pleased to see anything in 
 the shape of a man." But his numbers were still incomplete. 
 "My vessels," he again wrote, "are all ready, our sails are bent, 
 Barclay has been bearding me for several days; I long to 
 have at him ; he shows no disposition to avoid the contest." 
 
 Perry had not in his character one grain of envy. Impa- 
 tient as a spirited race-horse, to win the palm in the contest for 
 
109 
 
 glory, no one paid a heartier or more genial tribute to the merit 
 of every other officer, even where, like Morris, a junior officer 
 received promotion over his head. He now invited Chauncey 
 himself to come up with sufficient men, beat the British on Lake 
 Erie, and return to crush them on Lake Ontario. In his zeal 
 for his country and the service, he subdued his own insatiable 
 thirst for honor. Meantime he suffered most keenly from his 
 compulsatory inactivity ; for letters from the Secretary of the 
 Navy required his active co-operation with the army, and when 
 he explained to Harrison the cause of delay, the Secretary 
 chid him for letting his weakness be known. 
 
 The harbor of Erie is a beautiful expanse of water, offering 
 shelter to navies of merchantmen, and would be the best on the 
 Lake but for its bar. It remained to lift the armed brigs over 
 the shallow, and it was to be done as it were in the presence of 
 an enemy. Success required secrecy and disj^atch. 
 
 On the first of August the British squadron disaj^peared. On 
 the instant Pp:rry seized the opportunity to affect the dan- 
 gerous achievement. Camels had been provided to lift the 
 brigs ; the lake was lower than usual, but the weather was still. 
 The guns of the Lawrence, all loaded and shotted, were whijDped 
 out, and landed on the beach, and on the morning of the second 
 the camels were applied. 
 
 On the first experiment the timbers yielded a little to the 
 strain, and the camels required to be sunk a second time. From 
 daylight on the second of August, to the fourth, Perry, whose 
 healtli had already suffered, was constantly on the alert, without 
 sleep or rest ; his example heartened his men. 
 
 Who would complain when their commander bore so much ? 
 After toiling all day, on the second, all the next night, the next 
 day, and again an6ther night, the Lmvrence, at daylight, on the 
 fourth, was fairly over the bar. On the fifth the Niagara was 
 got over at the first attempt. 
 
 "Thank God," wrote Perry, "the other sloop-of-war is over ; 
 in a few hours I shall be after the enemv, who is now making 
 off." 
 
 Ill provided as he was with men and officers, he gave chase 
 to the British ; but his daring was vain ; they retreated to Mai- 
 den, and he returned to anchor off Erie. 
 
 Till the new ship, which the British were equipping at Mai- 
 den should be ready. Perry had the superiority, and he used it 
 to lade his vessels with military stores for the army near Sandus- 
 ky ; but, for a battle on the Lake, he needed officers, as well as 
 seamen. 
 
 "I have been on the station," he could say, "for five months, 
 without an officer of the least experience, except one sailing- 
 master." 
 
110 
 
 Just then a midshipman arrived with a letter that Lieutenant 
 Elliott (soon promoted to a commander) was on the way, with 
 eighty men and several otEcers, and a vessel was at once hur- 
 ried off to bring them up. But a letter also came to Perry 
 from Chauncey, marked m its superscription, and in every line 
 by impatience, if not by insult. Perry was justly moved by 
 its tone, but, after complaint, remonstrance, and further letters, 
 he acted like "an officer whose first duty it is to sacrifice all per- 
 sonal feelings to his public duties." 
 
 Elliott, on his arrival, took command of the Niagara, and 
 Perry, w^ith a generosity that was natural to him, allowed him 
 to select for his own ship the best of the men who came with 
 him. 
 
 On the twelfth, Perry, having traced his plan of battle, in 
 case of attack, ranged his squadron in a double column, and 
 sailed for the upper end of the Lake. Arriving off Cun- 
 nintrliarn Island, one of the enemy's schooners appeared in sight, 
 was chased, and escaped capture only by disappearing at night- 
 fall among the islands. 
 
 On the evening of the nineteenth, as the squadron lay off 
 Sandusky, General Harrison came on board the Lawrence with 
 Cass, McArthur, Gaines and Croghan. At the same time 
 came six and twenty chiefs of the Shawnees, Wyandots and 
 Delawares, by whose influence it was hoped to detach the In- 
 dians of the Northwest from the British service. Between 
 Harrison and Perry the happiest spirit of concert prevailed. 
 The General pointed out to him the excellence of the harbor, 
 Put-in-Bay, which became his anchoring ground after he had 
 landed the stores for the army, and reconnoitred the British 
 squadron at Maiden. 
 
 Chauncey had promised to send fifty marines, but had re- 
 called them when on their way to Lake Erie. Harrison, who 
 saw the want unsupplied, and observed how much the little 
 squadron had been weakened by sickness, now sent on board 
 from his army near one hundred men, all of whom were volun- 
 teers. Some of these, having served as boatmen on the Ohio, 
 were put on duty as seamen ; the rest chiefly men of Kentucky, 
 who had never before seen a ship, acted as marines. 
 
 Just then Perry was taken down by a violent attack of lake 
 fever, but it was no time to yield to physical weakness ; he gave 
 up to the care of himself only the few days necessary to make 
 the crews acquainted with each other, and to teach the new men 
 the use of the guns. 
 
 On the first of September he was able to be on deck, and 
 again sailed towards Maiden. Here he found that the British 
 had equij^ped their new ship, which they had proudly named 
 Detroit, as a memorial of their conquest ; but, though Perry 
 
Ill 
 
 defied tla^m, the British, as yet, showed no disposition to meet 
 him, and he returned to Put-in-Bay. 
 
 But, meantime, the British army, which had been accustomed 
 to the abundance and security which the dominion of the water 
 had alforded, began to suffer from the want of provisions ; and, 
 to restore the uninterrupted communication with Long Point, 
 General Proctor insisted on the necessity of risking a naval 
 engagement, of which the issue was not thought uncertain. Of 
 this Perry was seasonably informed. 
 
 On the sixth, he again reconnoitred Maiden, and finding the 
 enemy still at his moorings, he returned once more to till his an- 
 chorage, to make his final arrangements for the conflict, which 
 was inevitably near at hand. On the evening of the ninth, he 
 summoned by signal the commanders of the several vessels, and 
 gave them their instructions in writing. It was his policy to fight 
 the enemy at close quarters ; to each vessel its antagonist on the 
 British side, was marked out ; to the Lawrence, the Detroit ; to 
 the Niagara, the Queen Charlotte; and the written order said : 
 "Engage each your designated adversary in close action, at half 
 cable-length." He also showed them a flag of blue bunting, on 
 which were painted in Avhite letters the last words of Lawrence, 
 ''Dorit give up the BhipT It was a bright Autumn night; the 
 moon was at the full ; as they parted, each to return to his ves- 
 sel, the last injunction of their young commander was given, in 
 the words of Nelson: "If you lay your enemy close alongside, 
 you cannot be out of your jilace." 
 
 At sunrise, on the tenth, the British squadron was discovered 
 from the masthead of the Lawrence, gallantly beai'ing down for 
 action. To Perry, all languishing as he was from the wasting 
 attack of a severe bilious fever, the news was as welcome as the 
 bidding to the most imjDortant duty of his life. His anchors were 
 soon lifted, and his squadron began beating out of the bay, 
 against a gentle breeze from the south-west. Three or four 
 hours passed away in this contest with an adverse wind, when 
 he resolved to wear ship, and run to leeward of the island. 
 "You will engage the enemy from to leew'ard," said the sailing- 
 master, Taylor. "To windward or to leeward," answered Perry, 
 "they shall fight to-day." But nature, on that occasion, came 
 into an alliance with his hopeful courage, and the wind shifted 
 to the south-east. A slight shower had fallen in the morning, 
 the sky became clear. The day on wbicli Perry, forming his 
 line, slowly bore up towards the enemy, then nearly three 
 leagues off, was one of the loveliest of the beautiful days of 
 autumn. 
 
 At first the Niagara had led the van. When within about a 
 league of the British, Perry saw that Barclay, with whose ves- 
 sel he was to engage, occupied the head of the Briti.-^b line, and 
 
112 
 
 he promptly altered the disposition of his vessels, to conform to 
 it. Elliott had no cause to be piqued at the change, which 
 was recptired by the plan that had been uniformly proposed; it 
 was in itself most fit, and was made promptly, and without con- 
 fusion. 
 
 The British squadron had hove-to, in close order, the ships' 
 heads to the southward and westward, and waiting to be attack- 
 ed, the sides of the vessels, newly painted, glittering in the 
 sun, and their gay colors flying in the breeze. The Detroit, a 
 new brig of nineteen or twenty guns, commanded by Barclay, 
 an experienced officer, who had fought with Nelson, at Trafal- 
 gar, was in the van, supported by the Chippewa, a gun-boat, 
 with one long eighteen, on a pivot. Next rode the Hunter, of 
 ten guns; the Queen Charlotte, of seventeen guns, commanded 
 by FiNNis, a gallant and tried officer, who had commanded the 
 squadron till Baeclay's arrival was the fourth, and was flanked, 
 by the Lady Frevost, which carried thirteen guns, and the Lit- 
 tle Belt, which had three. On the American side. Perry, in 
 the Lawrence, of twenty guns, flanked on his left by the 8coi-- 
 pion, under CnAMTLiN, with one long, and one short gun, and 
 the Ariel, under Lieutenant Almy, with four short twelves, and 
 sustained on his right by Turner, in the Caledonia, with three 
 long twenty-fours, were to support each other, and cope with the 
 Chippexoa, the Detroit, and the LLunter; while Elliott, in the 
 Niagara, a noble vessel, of twenty guns, which was to encoun- 
 ter the Queen Charlotte, came next; and with Almy in the 
 Somers, with two long thirty-twos ; the Porcupine, with one long 
 thirty-two ; the Tigress, with one long twenty-four, and the 
 Irippe, with one long thirty-two, was to engage the Lady Fre- 
 vost and the Ljittle Belt. The American gun-boat Ohio was ab- 
 sent on s]3ecial service. 
 
 In shi]os the British had the superiority, their vessels being 
 stronger, and their forces being more concentrated ; the Amer- 
 ican gun-boats at the right of the American line, separated from 
 each other by at least a half cable's length, were not near 
 enough for good service. In number of guns the British had 
 63, the American's 54. In action at a distance, the British, who 
 had 35 long guns to 15, had greatly the advantage, in close ac- 
 tion the weight of metal would favor the Americans. The 
 British commander had one hundred and fifty men from the 
 royal navy, eighty Canadian sailors, and two hundred and forty 
 soldiers, mostly regulars, and some Indians, making, with their 
 officers, a little more than five hundred men, of whom at least 
 four hundred and fifty were efficient. The American crews, of 
 Avhom about one-fourth were from Rhode Island, one fourth reg- 
 ular seamen, American or cosmopolitan, about one fourth raw 
 volunteers from Pennsylvania, Ohio, but chiefly Kentucky, and 
 
113 
 
 about one-fourth blacks, numbered on the muster-roll four hund- 
 red and ninety, but of these one hundred and sixteen were sick, 
 nearly all of whom were too weak to come on deck, so that the 
 efficient force of the squadron was a little less than four hundred. 
 
 While the Americans, having the weather-guage, bore up for 
 action. Perry unfolded to the crew of the Lawrence the motto 
 flag ; it was received with hearty cheers, and run up to the top 
 of the fore-royal, in sight of all the squadron. The decks 
 were wetted and strown with sand, to insure a firm foothold when 
 blood should begin to flow ; and refreshments were hastily 
 served. For an hour the stillness of expectation continued un- 
 broken, till a bugle was heard to sound on board the Detroit, 
 followed by loud and concerted cheers from all the British line, 
 and Barclay began the conflict, in which the defeat of the 
 Americans would yield to the British the superiority in arms on 
 the land, bare the shores of Ohio to ruthless havoc and ravage, 
 leave Detroit and the Far West in the power of the English 
 king, let loose the savage with his tomahawk onevery family of 
 emigrants along the border, and dishonor the star-.«pangled ban- 
 ner on the continent and on the lakes. 
 
 At fifteen minutes before twelve, Barclay began the action 
 by firing a single twenty-four pound shot at the Laiorence, which 
 had then approached within a mile and a half, or less, of the 
 British line. The shot did not take effect ; but it was clear that 
 he desired to conduct the fight with the American squadron at a 
 distance, which his very great superiority in long guns marked 
 out as his wisest plan. It was, on the other hand, the object of 
 Perry to bring his squadron as near to his antagonist as possible, 
 for he had the advantage in weight of metal. In five minutes 
 more the shot from the Detroit struck the Lawrence, and passed 
 through her bulwarks. 
 
 At that moment the advantage lay altogether with the 
 British, whose line headed nearly south-south-Avest ; the Ameri- 
 cans, as they advanced, headed about south-west, with the wind 
 abeam; so that the two lines formed an acute angle of about 
 fifteen degrees ; the Lawrence as yet scarcely reached beyond 
 the third vessel in the British line, so that she was almost as 
 much in the rear of the Detroit as in advance of the Queen Char- 
 lotte. The Caledonia was in its designated place in the American 
 line, at a half-cable's length from the Lawrence: and from the 
 angle which the line formed, a little less near the enemy. The 
 Niagara, which followed the Caledonia, was abaft the beam of 
 the Charlotte, and opposite the Lady Prevost, but at a slightly 
 greater distance from the British than the ships which preceded 
 her. As for the gun-boats, they would have spread beyond the 
 British lines by more than a quarter of a mile, had they been in 
 their places, each distant from the other a half-cable's length ; 
 8 
 
114 
 
 but they were dull sailers, and the sternmost was more than two 
 miles distant from the enemy, and more than a mile behind the 
 Lawrence. 
 
 At five minutes before twelve, the Lauyrence, which was 
 already suffering, began to return the British attack from her 
 long twelve-pounder ; the two schooners on her weather-bow, 
 the Scorpion under Champlin, the Ariel under Lieutenant Pack- 
 et, were ordered by trumpet to open their tire ; and the action 
 became general along the two lines. The two schooners bravely 
 kept their place all the day, and gallantly and steadily rendered 
 every aid, which their few guns and weight of armament allowed. 
 The Caledonia was able to engage at once and effectively, for 
 she carried two long twenty -fours ; but the caronades of the 
 Niagara fell short of their mark. Elliott therefore at first used 
 only one long twelve-pounder, which was on the side toward the 
 enemy ; but he soon moved another wdrere it could be servicea- 
 ble ; so that while his ship carried twenty guns, he discharged 
 but two; which, however, were plied so vigorously, that in the 
 course of two hours or more, nearly all the shot of that calibre 
 was expended. The sternmost gunboats could as yet take no 
 part in the fight. 
 
 It was under these circumstances that Perry formed the 
 desperate but necessary resolution of taking the utmost advan- 
 tage of the superior speed of the Lawrence, and leaving the 
 Caledonia, he advanced upon the enemy ; so that however great 
 might have been the zeal of every ofiicer in the other ships of 
 his squadron, he must necessarily have remained for a short time 
 exposed alone. The breeze was light ; his motion was slow ; 
 and as he fanned down with the flagging wind, the Detroit with 
 her long guns, planted her shot in the Lawrence deliberately 
 and at discretion. The Scorpion and Ariel, all exposed as they 
 were for the want of bulwarks, accompanied by the flag-ship, 
 but sufiered little, for they were neglected by the enemy, who 
 concentrated his fire on the Lavjrence. 
 
 At noon. Perry luffed up and tried the effect of the first 
 division of his battery on the starboard side ; but it did not 
 much injure his antagonist; he therefore bore away again, and 
 approached nearer and still nearer, and after firing a broadside 
 at a quarter past twelve, once more continued his onward course, 
 till he arrived " within canister shot distance," or within five 
 hundred yards, or a little less, when he took a position j^arallel 
 to the Detroit; and, notwithstanding what he had sufiered from 
 loss of men and injury to his rigging, he poured in upon her a 
 swift, continuous, and effective fire. Here the good eft'ect of his 
 discipline was apparent ; his men showed how well they had 
 been trained to the guns, wdiich were rapidly and skillfully 
 served. In the beginning of the conflict, the Niagara came in 
 
115 
 
 for a sliare of tiie attention of tbe enemy ; -whose shot very early 
 took effect upon her and carried away one of her fore-top-mast- 
 back-stays. But at half-p3,st twelve, Finnis who commanded 
 the Qa^een CJuirlotte, perceived that the Niagara^ which was 
 apparently destined for his antagonist, " kept so far to windward 
 as to render his twenty-foui'-pounder carronades useless," " made 
 sail for the purpose of assisting the Detroit ; so that Perry, in 
 the LawT'Cncc^ aided only by the schooners on his weather-bow, 
 and the distant shots of the Caledmiia^ had to contend in close 
 action with more than twice his force. 
 
 The carnage was terrible; yet the c<?mmodore, as his men 
 loved to call their young commander, was on that day nerved by 
 a superior spirit ; wrought up to the highest state of mental 
 activity, he was superior to every infirmity of mind or body, of 
 passion or will ; he knew not that he was still languishing under 
 the effects of a violent fever, he was unmoved in the presence of 
 danger, and amidst the scenes of agony and deatli, he maintained 
 a perfect cheerfulness of manner and serenity of judgment. His 
 young brother, a hoj of thirteen, was struck down at his side, 
 but he was spared the trial of seeing him die ; the blow came 
 only from fragments, which had been dashed in pieces by a ball; 
 and he soon recovered. Yarnall, his first lieutenant, came to 
 him with the rejwrt that all the officers in his division were cut 
 down ; and asked for others. They were assigned him ; but he 
 soon returned with a renewal of tlie same taie and the same 
 request. " I have no more officers to furnish you," said Perry ; 
 *' you must endeavor to make out by yourself," And Yarnall 
 was true to the admonition ; though at least thrice wounded, he 
 kept on deck, ever directing his battery in person. Forest, the 
 second lieutenant, was struck down at Perry's side, by a grape 
 shot ; but the ball had spent its force ; he was only stunned, and 
 soon recovered. The dying, with whom the deck was strewn, 
 rested their last looks upon the countenance of their beloved 
 commander ; and when men at the guns were swept away, the 
 survivors turned silently round to cateh his eye, as they stepped 
 into the places of their companions who had fallen. Brooks of 
 Massachusetts, — son of a soldier of the Revolution, who is still 
 remembered as an upright and popular Governor of that State, 
 — and excellent officer of marines, a man of rare endowments 
 and of singular personal beauty, was fearfully mangled by a 
 cannon ball in the hip. Carried down to the surgeon's apart- 
 ment, he asked no aid, for he knew his doom, and that he had 
 life in him for only one or two half hours ; but as he gave him- 
 self over to death, he often inquired how the day was going ; and 
 when the crowd of new-comers from the deck showed how deadly 
 was the contest, he ever repeated his hope for the safety of the 
 commodore. 
 
116 
 
 In the midst of this terrible slaughter, conc3ntred in a single 
 brig, both officers and crew looked along their line for help, and 
 asked one another. Where is the Niagara ? She was to have 
 engaged the Queen Charlotte; why is she not at hand ? Elliott 
 knew full well that it had been Perry's " intention to bring 
 the enemy to close action immediately," and, before the fighting 
 began, had "mentioned it to his crew," in language suited to 
 inspire them with confidence. He knew full well that he was 
 specially directed to attack the Queen CJuxrlotte, and from the 
 superiority of his armament, he had boasted that if he could 
 come along side of her, he could take her in ten minutes. The 
 wind, it is true, was light; but no want of a wind compelled him 
 to leave the Lawrence to bear " a great proportion " or the whole 
 " of the fire of the Queen Charlotte and of the Hunter, as well as 
 oi \hQ Detroit ;" his ship was a fleet one; to restrain her from 
 passing the Caledonia, " he was obliged frequently to keep the 
 main yard braced sharp aback." Elliott was a young man, 
 born the self-same year with Perry, his peer in rank as master- 
 commandant, except that Perry, from having entered the 
 navy in boyhood, was some years his senior in the service. How 
 could he suffer the enemy, undisturbed, to fall in numbers on 
 one whom he should have loved as a brother, whose danger he 
 should have shared, in the brightness of whose glory he should 
 have found new lustre added to his own name ? Some attributed 
 his delay to fear; but though he had so far one attribute to a 
 timid man, that he was a noisy boaster, his conduct during the 
 day, in the judgment of disinterested observers and critics, 
 acquits him of having been spell-bound by downright cowardice. 
 Some charged him with disaifection to his country, from sympa- 
 thy with family connections in Canada ; but this is an imputation 
 justified by no concurrent circumstances, or acts of his earlier or 
 latter life. Some thought him blinded by envy, which sews up 
 the eyes with an iron thread, and leaves the mind to hover on 
 an undiscerning wing. He may, perhaps, have been disturbed 
 by that unhappy passion, for a year before he had himself con- 
 spicuoi\sly won applause near Buftalo, and had then promised 
 himself the command on Lake Erie, to be followed by a victory 
 achieved under his own flag; that very morning, too, his first 
 position had been, as we have seen, in the van ; but it had been 
 very properly changed for the purjDase of placing him opposite 
 to the Queen Charlotte. Elliott had inherent defects of charac- 
 ter. He wanted the generous impulse which delights in the 
 fame' of others ; the delicacy of sentiment which rejects from afar 
 everything coarse or mean ; the alertness of courage which finds 
 in danger an allurement ; the quick perception that sees the 
 time to strike ; the self-possessed will, which is sure to hit the 
 nail on the head. According to his own account, he at first 
 
117 
 
 determmed to mn through the line in pursuit of the Queen 
 Charlotte ; and, having a fair and sufficient breeze, he directed 
 the weather braces to be manned for that purjiose ; but he 
 changed his purpose, when he observed that the Lawrence was 
 crippled, and that her fire was slackening ; and after a consulta- 
 tion with the purser Magrath, who was an exj>erienced seaman, 
 he agreed, " If the British effect the weather guage, we are gone." 
 So he kept his place next in the line to the Caledonia, which 
 lingered behind, because she was a dull sailer, and, in the light 
 wind, was moreover retarded in her movements by the zeal of 
 Turner, her commander, to render service by his armament, 
 which enabled him to keep up an effective fire from the distance. 
 
 It was a part of Elliott's orders to close with the Queen 
 Charlotte^ but he held it to be his paramount duty to keep his 
 place, a half-<;able's length behind the Caledonia on the line as 
 designated in the original order of battle, even though the flag- 
 ship of the squadron might be cut to pieces. 
 
 So Perry lay exjwsed to thrice his force, at the distance of 
 iifteen hundred or a thousand feet, aided only by the two schooners 
 on his beam, and the constant help of the Caledonia. Under the 
 heavy fire the men on deck became fewer ; but Perry continued 
 the action with unabated serenity. Parson's, the surgeon's mate, 
 and the only man in the fleet who was then able to render 
 surgical aid, heard a call for him at the small skylight, that let in 
 the day iipon his apartment ; and as he stepped up he recognized 
 the voice of his commander, who said, with a placid countenance 
 and quiet tone : " Doctor, send me one of your men ;" meaning 
 one of the six men allowed for assistance to the wounded. The 
 call was obeyed ; in a few minutes it was successively renewed 
 and obeyed, till at the seventh call, Parsons could only answer 
 that there were no more. " Are there any that can pull a rope?" 
 asked Perry; and two or three of the wounded crawled on 
 deck, to lend a feeble hand at pulling at the last guns. 
 Wilson Mays, who was so sick as to be unfit for the deck, begged 
 to be of use. ■"But what can you do?" was the question. And 
 he replied : " I can sound the pumj^, and let a strong man go to 
 the guns." He accordingly sat down by the pump, and at the 
 end of the fight was found at his post, " with a ball through his 
 heart." The surgeon's apartment covild offer no security to the 
 wounded. In the shallow vessel it was necessarily on a level 
 with the water, and was repeatedly perforated by cannon balls. 
 Once as the surgeon stooped to dress a wound, a ball passed 
 directly over his head, and must have destroyed him, had he not 
 been bending down. A wounded midshipman, just as he left 
 the surgeon's hands, was dashed against the ship's side by a 
 cannon ball. On deck, the bullwarks were broken in, and round 
 balls passed through the little obstructions ; but as long as he 
 
118 
 
 could, Peeey Icept nip a regnlar and effective i3j:e, so tliat tte 
 Detroit, of whose crew many were killed or wounded, waa almost 
 dismantled. On board the Qiieen Charlotte, the loss was most 
 important, for FiSNis, her commander, " a noble and intrepid 
 officer," fell at his post, and lieutenaat Stokes, the next officer 
 in rank, was struck senseless by a splinter. On board the Law- 
 rence the shrieks of the \TO\mded and the crash of timbers 
 shattered by cannon b?Jls, were still beard ; but its own fire grew 
 fainter and fainter ; one gun after another was dismo-unted. 
 Death h.ad the mastery : the carnage was unparalleled in naval 
 warfare ; more than four-fifths of the efi'ective officers and men 
 on board were killed or disabled by woBuds ; the deck, in spite 
 of the layer of sand, was vslippery with blood, which ran down 
 the sides of the ship ; the wounded and the dead lay thickly 
 strewn everywhere around. To fire the last gun, Pehey himself 
 assisted. At last every giin in the- ship's battery on the enemy's 
 side were dismounted, every brace and bow-line was shot away ; 
 the vessel became unmanageable, in spite of the zeal of the com- 
 mander and the great exertions of the Sailing Master. And 
 still Perry did not despair, but had an eye which could look 
 through the cloud. 
 
 IMeantime Elliott watched the last spasms of the Lawrence 
 as it lay gasping in its ruin ; anti now that its fire was dying 
 away, that no fresh signal was hoisted, that no special message 
 was sent from Perry, he persuaded himself that his young 
 superior lay among the slain. 
 
 Believing himself now the chief commander of the squadron, 
 Elliott hailed the Caledonia and ordered Lieutenant Turner 
 to bear up and make way for him. Turner at once, without a 
 word, Dut up his helm in the most daring manner, and made 
 sail for the enemy's line, using his small armament all the while 
 to the best advantage ; while Elliott, imder a freshening breeze, 
 passed to the windward of the Caledonia. The Lcmre^ice lay 
 disabled and silent ; by all the rules of naval warfare, he should 
 have given her protection by sailing between her and the British ; 
 but instead of it, he kept to the windward, sheltered by the 
 helpless flag-ship, to which he sent Macgeath in a boat with a 
 few brace men for twelve-pound round shot, to replenish his own 
 nearly exhausted stock ; and, then firing as he went along, on 
 the Charlotte, he steered for the head of the British line. Perry, 
 ■who saw with the swiftness of intuition the new method that 
 must be chosen now that the first failed, and who had already 
 resolved to transfer his flag, with the certainty that, in the 
 crippled state of the British, " victory must perch on his banner," 
 immediately entered his boat with his commander's pennant and 
 his little brother, and bade the four sailors whom he took as 
 oarsman to row with all speed for the Niagara. The command 
 
119 
 
 of the Lawrence fell to Yarnall, with full discretionary power 
 to surrender or hold out ; but he had an admonition from above 
 in the motto flag which the dejoarting hero left flying at the 
 mast-head, and which spoke the trumpet words : Don't give up 
 THE SHIP. The flag had been raised amidst the shouts of the 
 whole squadron and the promise of the crew of the Lawrence to 
 redeem that joledge. Yarnall consulted with Forest and with 
 Taylor ; there were no more guns that could be used ; and had 
 there been, men were Avanting to handle them. Fourteen 
 persons alone Avere left well and unhurt, and only nine were 
 8earnen. Further resistance was imposible; to hold out might 
 only expose life recklessly. Officers and men watched anxiously 
 the progress of Ferry ; they saw the sailors force him to sit 
 down ; they saw a broadside aimed at him, and fall harmlessly 
 around him ; they saw marines from three vessels shower at him 
 musket balls, which only ruffled the water of the lake ; and at 
 fifteen minutes before three, they saw the oars dipping for the 
 last time, and their beloved commander climb the side of the 
 Niagara. They had braved the enemy's fire for three hours ; 
 could not they eonflde in help from their commodore and hold 
 out five minutss more ? True, they had no means of oftence ; but 
 the battle flag with its ringing words floated over their heads ; 
 they had a pledge to keep ; they had an enemy whose dying 
 courage they should refuse to reanimate ; they had their coun- 
 try's flag to preserve unblemished ; they had the honor of 
 that day's martyrs to guard; they had a chief to whom they 
 should have spared an unspeakable pain ; they had the wounded 
 to consider, who with one voice cried out : " Eather sink the 
 ship than surrender! Let us all sink together!" And yet a shout 
 of triumph from the enemy proclaimed to both squadrons, that 
 the flag of the Lawrence had been lowered; nor did they then 
 forbode how soon it was to be raised again. 
 
 Meantime Perry climbed the gangway of the Niagara, and 
 the superior oflicer, whom Elliott had thought to be dead, 
 stood before him, radiant with the indomitable purpose of 
 winning the day; with his fortitude imj^aired by the crowded 
 horrors of the last two hours ; black with the smoke of the battle, 
 but unscathed, with not so much as a wound on his skin ; with 
 not a hair of his head harmed. His quick eye glanced at the 
 ship's rigging, at her hale crew that thronged the deck, and his 
 buoyant nature promised him a harvest of glory as he beheld 
 the Niagara, "very little injured," even "perfectly fresh," its 
 crew in the best condition, with scarcely more than three men 
 hurt. Elliott's mind was stunned ; and completely dum- 
 founded he asked the foolish question : "What is the result on 
 board your brig ?" though he had seen that the brig was a disa- 
 bled wreck, and had even thought that Peeey had fallen. " Cut 
 
120 
 
 all to pieces!" said Pekry whose mind had instantly condemned 
 the course in which Elliott w^as steering, and was forming his 
 plan for redeeming the day. " I have been sacrificed," he added; 
 but he checked all reproach of Elliott, and blamed only the 
 gunboats, which had been still farther astern. It marlis how ill 
 Elliott was at ease, how much he was strack with shame, how 
 entirely he lost his self-possession, that he caught at the word 
 which seemed to relieve him from censure, and at once offered 
 to go and bring up the gunboats. "Do so," said Perry, for 
 Elliott had anticipated his wish, and proposed what was best 
 for both. At this, Elliott, the second officer of the squadron, 
 whose right it would be to take the chief command if Perry 
 should be wounded, left his own brig, and went in a boat on the 
 paltry errand, fit only for a subordinate, to bear a superfluous 
 message to the gunboats, which, under their gallant officers, were 
 already advancing as fast as possible. 
 
 As he stepped into the boat. Perry, running up his pennant, 
 and hoisting the signal for close action, which was instantly 
 answered from all the squadron with loud cheers, hove too, and 
 veered ship, altering her covirse eight points, set foresail, topsails 
 and top-gallant sail, and bore down to cut the British line, which 
 lay at the distance of a half mile. 
 
 The Lady Prevost, disabled by the loss of her r\idder, had 
 drifted to the westward and leeward from her place in the line ; 
 Barclay in the Detroit, when he saw the prospect of a contest 
 with a .second brig, had attempted to veer around, that he might 
 bring his starboard broadside to bear ; but in doing it he had 
 fallen upon the Queen Charlotte. At this moment Perry, whom 
 seven, eight or ten minutes in the freshened breeze had brought 
 up with the British, disregarding their fire, cut their line, placing 
 the Chippewa and Lady Prevost on his left, the Detroit and Queen 
 Charlotte on his right : and as he did so, he shortened sail to 
 make sure of his aim, and cooly and with fatal accuracy, at half 
 pistol shot, he raked the Dxdy Prevost with his broadside port, 
 while he poured his full starboard broadside on the Detroit and 
 Queen Charlotte as they lay entangled and for the moment help- 
 lessly exposed. The loud many-voiced shriek that rose from the 
 Detroit told that the tide of battle had turned ; but what was 
 worst for the British was, that their gallant commander, the 
 the skillful and intrepid but ill-fated Barclay, who had lost an 
 arm at Ti-afalgar, received a desperate wound which was to deprive 
 him of the other. The wound was so severe that he was obliged 
 to be carried below, leaving the direction to an officer of little 
 experience. 
 
 Perry now ordered the marines to clear the decks of the 
 Lady Prevost; but the survivors, terrified by the raking fire 
 which they had suffered, fled below, leaving on deck no one but 
 
121 
 
 their commander, who, having for the moment lost his senses 
 from a severe wound in the head, remained at his post, gazing 
 about with a vacant stare. Perry, merciful even in battle, 
 stopped his guns on that side, but having lufied athwart Ihe 
 two ships, which had now got clear of one another, he continued 
 to pour into them a close deadly fire. Meantime Elliott, 
 heedless of exposure to danger, had passed in an open boat down 
 the line, and repeated to the schooners the orders which Perry 
 had sufficiently announced by signal. T heir commanders them- 
 selves, with sails up and the use of large oars, hastened into close 
 fight. The Tri'ppe, under Holdup Stevens, was following hard 
 upo'i the Caledonia: so that Elliott got on board the Somers, 
 a schooner of two guns, where he showed his rankling discontent 
 and unsettled frame of mind by St'uding the commanding officer 
 below, and beating with his trumpet a gunner who disregarded 
 an absurd oider, and did just what was evidently most proper to 
 be done. 
 
 The small vessels having by this time "got within grape and 
 canister distance," threw in close discharges from their side. 
 The commanding officer of the Queen Charlotte, finding himself 
 exposed to be raked ahead and astern, "was the first to give up ; 
 one of her officers aj^peared on the taftrail of that ship, and 
 waved a white handkerchief, bent to a boarding-pike, in token 
 that she had struck. The Detroit had become completely 
 unmanageable; every brace was cut away, the mizzen-top-mast 
 and gaff were down, the other masts badly wounded, not a stay 
 left forward, the hull very much shattered, and a few guns dis- 
 abled ; at three, or a few minutes after. Lieutenant Inglis was 
 therefore under the necessity of hailing the Americans, to say he 
 surrendered. The Hunter yielded at the same time, as did the 
 Lady Prevost, which lay to leeward under the guns of the Niag- 
 ara. The Chippewa, on the right of the British line, and the 
 Little Belt, on the extreme left, endeavored to escape ; but the 
 first was stopped by Champlin, in the Scorpio?!; the the other 
 by Holdup Stevens, in the Trippe. 
 
 As the cannon ceased, an awful stillness set in : the feeble 
 groans of the wounded, or the dash of oars as boats glided from 
 one vessel to another. 
 
 Possession having been taken of the conquered fleet, at four 
 o'clock Perry sent an express to Harrison with these words : 
 
 " Dear General — We have mot the enemy, and they are ours ; two 
 ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop." 
 
 As he wrote to the Secretary of the Navy, a religious awe 
 seemed to come over him, at his wonderful preservation in the 
 midst of great and long-continued danger ; and he attributed 
 his signal victory to the pleasure of the Almighty. 
 
122 
 
 It was on board the Lawrence that Perry then received the 
 submission of the captives. This was due to the sufterings of 
 her crew, to the self sacrificing courage of the unnamed mnrtyrs 
 who still lay unburied on her deck ; to the crowd of wounded, 
 who thought their trials well rewarded by the issue. The wit- 
 nesses to the act of the British officers in tendering their swords 
 were chiefly the dead and wounded, and the scene of sorrow 
 tempered and subdued the exultation of triumph. 
 
 The conqueror bade his capti\'es retain their side-arms ; and 
 added every just and unaflected exj^ression of courtesy, mercy, 
 and solicitude for their wounded. 
 
 When twilight fell, the mariners who had fallen on board the 
 Lawrence and had lain in heaps on the side of the ship opposite 
 the British, were sewn up in their hammocks, and, with a cannon 
 ball at their feet, were dropped one by one into the Lake. 
 
 At last, but not till this day's work was done, exhausted 
 nature claimed rest, and Perry, turning into his cot, slept as 
 sweetly and quietly as a child. 
 
 The dawn of morning revealed the deadly fierceness of the 
 combat. Spectators from the island found the sides of the Law- 
 rence completely riddled by shot from the long guns of the 
 British ; her deck was thickly covered with clots of blood ; 
 fragments of those who had been struck, hair, brains, broken 
 pieces of bones, were still sticking to the rigging and sides. The 
 sides of the Detroit and Queen Charlotte were shattered from 
 bow to stern ; on their larboard side there was hardly a hand's 
 breadth free from the dent of a shot. Balls, cannister and grape 
 were found lodged in their bulwarks ; their masts were so much 
 injured, that they rolled out in the first high wind. 
 
 The loss of the British, as reported by Barclay, amounted to 
 forty-one killed, of whom three were officers, and ninety-four 
 wounded, of whom nine were officers. Of the Americans, twenty- 
 seven we killed and ninety-six wounded. Of these, twenty-one 
 were killed and sixty-one wounded in the Lawrence, and about 
 twenty more were wounded in the Niagara after she received 
 Perry on board. 
 
 An opening on the margin of Put-in-Bay was selected for the 
 burial-jjlace for the officers who had fallen. The day was serene, 
 the breezes hushed, the water unruffled by a wavelet. The men 
 of both fleets mourned together ; as the boats moved slowly in 
 procession, the music played dirges to which the oars kept time; 
 the flags showed the sign of sorrow ; solemn minute guns were 
 heard from the ships. The spot where the funeral train went on 
 shore was a wild solitude ; the Americans and British walked in 
 alternate couples to the graves, like men who, in the presence of 
 eternity, renewed the relation of brothers and members of one 
 human family, and the bodies of the dead were likewise borne 
 
123 
 
 along and buried alternately, English and American side by 
 side, and undistinguished. 
 
 The wounded of both fleets, meeting with equal assiduous care, 
 were sent to Erie, where Barclay was seen, with tottering 
 steps, supported between Harrison and Perry, as he walked 
 from the landing-place to his quarters. 
 
 Perry crowned his victory by his modesty, forbearing to 
 place his own services in their full light, and more than just to 
 others. When, in the following year, he was rewarded by pro- 
 motion to the rank of captain, he who had never murmured at 
 promotion made over his own head, hesitated about accept- 
 ing a preferment which might wound his seniors. 
 
 The personal conduct of Perry throughout the tenth of 
 September was perfect. His keenly sensitive nature never 
 interfered with his sweetness of manner, his fortitude, the sound- 
 ness of his judgment, the promptitude of his decision. In a state 
 of impassioned activity, his plans were wisely framed, were 
 instantly modified as circumstances changed, and were executed 
 with entire coolness and self-possession. The mastery of the 
 lakes, the recovery of Detroit and the far west, the capture of 
 the British army in the peninsula of Upper Canada, were the 
 immediate fruits of his success. The imagination of the American 
 people was taken captive by the singular incidents of a battle in 
 which every thing seemed to have flowed from the j)ersonal 
 pjrowess of one man ; and wherever he came the multitude went 
 out to bid him welcome. Washington Irving, the chosen 
 orgai^ as it were of his country, predicted his ever increasing 
 fame. Rhode Island cherishes his glory as her own ; Erie keeps 
 the tradition that its harbor w'as his ship-yard, its forests the 
 storehouse for the frames of his chief vessels, its houses the 
 hospitable shelter of the wounded among his crews ; Cleveland 
 graces her public square with a statue of the hero, wrought of 
 pui'est marble, and looking out ujion the scene of his glory ; the 
 tale follows the emigrant all the way up the Straits, and to the 
 head of Lake Superior. Perry's career was short and troubled ; 
 he lives in the memory of his countrymen, clothed in perpetual 
 youth, just as he stood when he saw that his efforts were crowned 
 with success, and could say in his heart, " We have met the 
 
 THE enemy and THEY ARE OURS." 
 
THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE. 
 
 BY HARVEY RICE, 
 
 Hovering o'er Erie's waters blue, 
 
 War-ships equipped are seen, 
 Bearing a bold and hostile crew, 
 
 Led by the Charlotte Queen ; 
 With ready guns and courage true, 
 
 On pride of power they lean ! 
 
 With stately pomp and snowy wing, 
 
 And pennons fluttering gay, 
 In battle line, they seem to fling 
 
 Defiance on their way ; 
 For dream of woes an hour may bring 
 
 When comes the fearful fray ! 
 
 Lo ! Perry now that fleet descries, 
 
 And, like a tempest dire, 
 'Neath stars and stripes, and favoring skies, 
 
 Assails with sheeted fire 
 The haughty foe, who dared despise 
 
 The Yankees — and their ire. 
 
 And now, as maddening volleys rave. 
 Through Perry's Flag-ship reels, 
 
 'Neath fire and smoke, with hand to save, 
 From ship to ship he steals ; 
 
 And now the fate of Britons brave 
 With one broadside he seals ! — 
 
 And now their decks are crimsoned o'er, 
 
 SwejDt by that iron hail ; 
 And as the last gun boomed the shore, 
 
 'Mid shouts and saddening wail. 
 Glad news to anxious hearts it bore. 
 
 Afar on every gale ! 
 
 Honor to him who fought to break 
 
 The grasp of sceptered pride ; 
 The Hero, whose brave deeds awake, 
 
 Within the heart's glad tide. 
 Proud memories, now with Erie's Lake, 
 
 And Perry's name allied ! 
 
 124 
 
WILLIAM WALCUTT. 
 
 THE SCULPTOR OF THE TERRY STATUE. 
 
 \t 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born at Columbus, Ohio, April 
 28th, 1819. He is one of the few, who was born an Artist. At 
 four years of age, he began to exhibit a love of art, and amused 
 himself in rude attempts at drawing with chalk or charcoal, 
 pictures of animals and other objects. His mother had no 
 difficulty in tracing his wandering footsteps when a child, by 
 the outlines of animals staring at her from the board fences. 
 
 His early education was by no means neglected. He studied 
 surveying and engineering under a private tutor, and sj^ent 
 several years in pursuing a regular course of studies at Gran- 
 ville College. Impatient of restraint, he began his career as 
 a painter of portraits at the age of sixteen, but as yet was 
 only self-taught in the art. He was eighteen before he ever 
 saw a statue of any kind ; and the first specimen which he saw, 
 was a small figure of Napoleon in plaster, exhibited at a shop 
 window, which attracted his attention in passing along a street 
 of his native town. He stopped and gazed at it with a feeling 
 of indescribable delight. The deep impression its beauty and 
 heroic expression made upon his mind, at once determined his 
 future studies. But his father had marked out for him a differ- 
 ent course, and secured for him a warrant to enter the military 
 school at West Point as a Cadet. Young Walcutt was not 
 inclined to accept the position, and much preferred to go to 
 New York and perfect himself in his favorite studies. The 
 father reluctantly yielded to the solicitations of his son — accom- 
 panied him to New York — gave him fifty dollars — and bestowed 
 on him at parting, a father's blessing; still believing that his 
 son would soon relinquish his project and return home. 
 
 125 
 
126 
 
 Soon after his arrival in New York, the young enthusiast 
 entered the "Antique School," so called, being then in his 
 eighteenth year, and here pursued his artistic studies as a pupil, 
 for nearly four years, often so straitened for the means of sup- 
 port as to suffer for want of the common comforts of life. 
 Subsequently he returned to Ohio, where he remained for the 
 next five years, and during that time added much to his former 
 reputation as a portrait painter ; though not a department of 
 art in which he sought the highest degree of excellence. He 
 then visited Washington, where he sojourned a short time, but 
 still preferring New York as affording a wider field for the 
 exercise of his talents, he returned to that city, with a view 
 to make it his future home, where he soon became known as an 
 Artist of decided merit. In 1852, he visited London, studied 
 art for sometime in that city, and then went to Paris, where he 
 remained for two years pursuing his favorite studies in the 
 celebrated "Life School," of Mr. YvoN, and in the "Imperial' 
 School of Sculpture," established by the French Government. 
 In this latter Institution, such was the success of Mr. Walcutt 
 as a pupil, that at the close of his course, in competing for the 
 prize, he bore off the palm, and received the "Imperial medal," 
 as a testimonial of his superior attainments. In 1855, he 
 returned home to New York, and soon won a "second prize" in 
 the person of Miss Agnes M. Leeds, of N. Y., whom he married. 
 
 Since Mr. Walcutt's return from Europe, he has executed a 
 good number of busts in marble, of prominent individuals, with 
 remarkable success. In 1859, he visited his pai-ents at Colum- 
 bus, and made arrangements to return to Europe. But on 
 receiving a proposition to execute the statue of Oliver Hazard 
 Perry — the Hero of Lake Erie — from one of the most reliable 
 and public spirited firms in the west, Messrs. T. Jones & Sons, 
 of Cleveland, who had taken the contract to erect the Perry 
 Monument at Cleveland, he deferred his return to Europe, and 
 at once accepted the proposition, for he regarded the character 
 of Perry as affording him a subject happily adapted to his taste, 
 and one on which he would like to try his skill. Induced by a 
 love of art rather than any pecuniary considerations, he under- 
 took the task with a determination to produce a statue worthy 
 of the Hero, and one which should be not only life-like, but 
 
127 
 
 accord in its expression, with the requirements of American 
 sentiment and feeling. And with a view to effect this object, 
 he discarded all the conventionalities of sculpture, and relied 
 on the promptings of his own genius. The result is, he has 
 jDroduced a master-piece, a specimen of American sculpture, 
 original in its character, and spirited in its expression — an 
 American Hero, who is made to breathe, speak, and act, in 
 marble. In the oj^inion of the most competent critics, the Perry- 
 Statue is a work of art which has never been excelled in the 
 United States, and one which justly entitles Mr. Walcutt to 
 take rank with the eminent sculj)tors of modern times. 
 
 In addition to the Perry Statue, Mr. Walcutt has modelled 
 and cast in plaster two smaller statues, the Sailor Boy and the 
 Midshipman, which, when cut in marble, are to be placed as 
 side figures to the Perry Monument, in completion of its original 
 design. The Sailor Boy and Midshipman have been pronounced 
 by all who have seen them as truly beautiful, lite-like, and 
 eminently American in their character. 
 
 Mr. Walcutt's statues differ entirely in their style and ex- 
 pression from the classic models of the old world, and yet they 
 seem to be as classical, and to evince as high a degree of the 
 ideal, while the difference consists mainly in the fact, that they 
 belong to different civilizations. Mr. Walcutt's style is strictly 
 American, and his statues could not have been produced by any 
 body but an American. No American has succeeded so well 
 as he, it is believed, in giving expression to American character. 
 He may therefore be regarded as having founded a new school 
 in sculpture, which is destined to be known in the history of art 
 as the American school. 
 
 We predict for Mr. Walcutt a brilliant future. He is still 
 young, and resides for the pi^esent at Cleveland, where he 
 designed and executed his first great work, demonstrating to 
 the world that in matters of art, as well as in population, 
 "Westward the Star of Empire takes its way." 
 
 In confirmation of the merits of Mr. Walcutt, as a man, 
 and as an x'Vrtist, "Harper's Weekly," in an editorial notice of 
 him, says:— "We publish herewith a portrait of Mr. William 
 Walcutt, the sculptor of the Perry Monument, of which we 
 publish an engraving on another page. Mr. Walcutt's modesty 
 
128 
 
 is such that we are only able to say of him, that he was born at 
 Columbus, Ohio, and that he studied in Europe. His work, 
 however, which is one of the finest monuments in the country, 
 speaks so eloquently for him that nothing further is needed." 
 
 Frank Leslie, in his "Illustrated Newspaper," speaks of Mr, 
 Walcutt, as follows : — "The designer of the Perry Monument, 
 W. Walcutt, is well known to a large circle of our citizens. 
 The earliest beginning of his art life was spent in our midst. 
 His power was first recognized through the medium of the New 
 York Sketch Club, an institution which should never have been 
 allowed to decline, where his masterly outline drawings attracted 
 marked attention and Avarm praise. In them he displayed a 
 power and an individuality upon which a future brilliant career 
 could be reasonably predicted. He left New York to study in 
 Europe, pur2)osing to perfect himself as a portrait and historical 
 painter. How or when he discovered the true bent of his genius 
 we do not know, but within a year or two we hear the world 
 busy with his name as a sculptor of high and original merit. 
 
 As a man, William Walcutt was universally popular in 
 art circles in this city. Amiable, kind hearted and modest to 
 a degree almost painful, he won upon the sympathies of all, 
 until esteem grew into love. We can bear testimony to the 
 endearing qualities of his nature, and we know that his well 
 deserved success will be a source of unqualified delight to all 
 who know him, and especially to those who companioned him 
 in the struggle to art distinction, which he has now won by the 
 force of his inborn genius." 
 

 
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