CAPTAIN JESSE DUNCAN ELLIOTT.
[Victory of Lake Erie.]
JESSE D. (Duncan) ELLIOTT. NIL ACTUM REPUTANS SI QUID SUPERESSET AGENDUM.[86] (Jesse Duncan Elliott. Considering nothing done, if aught remained to be done.) Bust of Captain Elliott, in uniform, facing the right. furst. f. (fecit).
VIAM INVENIT VIRTUS AUT FACIT. (Valor finds or makes a way.) The United States fleet on Lake Erie, carrying fifty-four guns, and commanded by Captain Perry, stands out to meet the British fleet with sixty-three guns, under Captain Barclay. Exergue: INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE X. SEP. MDCCCXIII. (Inter classim Americanam et Britannicam, die 10 Septembris, 1813: Between the American and British fleets, September 10, 1813.) furst. f. (fecit).[87]
Jesse Duncan Elliott was born in Maryland, July 14, 1782. He was appointed midshipman in 1804; was promoted to be lieutenant in 1810; served under Commodore Chauncey on the lakes in 1812; and on October 8, commanding an expedition, he cut out two British ships from under Fort Erie. For this daring act Congress voted him a sword of honor. He was master-commandant in July, 1813; and second in command in Perry's victory on Lake Erie, for which he received from Congress a vote of thanks and a gold medal. On Perry's departure in October, 1815, he succeeded him in command. He became captain in 1818; and afterward commanded the Mediterranean squadron, and the navy yards of Boston and of Philadelphia. He died in Philadelphia, December 10, 1845.
February 24, 1813.
Jac Lawrence dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. ℞. Mansuetud. maj. quam victoria.