ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.
Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to Captains Perry, Elliott, etc.
Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and the same are hereby, presented to Captain Oliver Hazard Perry, and through him to the officers, petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as such, attached to the squadron under his command, for the decisive and glorious victory gained on Lake Erie, on the tenth of September, in the year 1813, over a British squadron of superior force.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emblematical of the action between the two squadrons, and to present them to Captain Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliott, in such manner as will be most honourable to them; and that the President be further requested to present a silver medal,[85] with suitable emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers, either of the navy or army, serving on board, and a sword to each of the midshipmen and sailing-masters who so nobly distinguished themselves on that memorable day.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to present a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant John Brooks, of the marines, and a sword to the nearest male relatives of Midshipmen Henry Lamb, and Thomas Claxton, jr., and to communicate to them the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of those gallant men, whose names ought to live in the recollection and affection of a grateful country, and whose conduct ought to be regarded as an example to future generations.
Resolved, That three months' pay be allowed, exclusively of the common allowance, to all the petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as such, who so gloriously supported the honour of the American flag, under the orders of their gallant commander, on that signal occasion.
Approved January 6, 1814.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be requested to present a sword to the nearest male relation of Midshipman John Clarke, who was slain gallantly combating the enemy in the glorious battle gained on Lake Erie, under the command of Captain Perry, and to communicate to him the deep regret which Congress feels for the loss of that brave officer.
Approved February 19, 1814.
Captain O. H. Perry to the Secretary of the Navy.
U.S. brig Niagara, off the Western Sisters,
Head of Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813, 4 p.m.
To the Honourable
William Jones,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Sir: 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, one schooner, and one sloop, have this moment surrendered to the force under my command, after a sharp conflict.
I have the honour to be, etc.,
O. H. Perry.
Captain O. H. Perry to the Secretary of the Navy.
United States schooner Ariel,
Put-in-Bay, Sept. 13, 1813.
To the Honourable
William Jones,
Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
Sir: In my last I informed you that we had captured the enemy's fleet on this lake. I have now the honour to give you the most important particulars of the action. On the morning of the 10th instant, at sunrise, they were discovered from Put-in-Bay, where I lay at anchor with the squadron under my command. We got under weigh, the wind light at south-west, and stood for them. At 10 a.m. the wind hauled to south-east and brought us to windward; formed the line and bore up. At 15 minutes before 12, the enemy commenced firing; at five minutes before 12, the action commenced on our part. Finding their fire very destructive, owing to their long guns, and its being mostly directed at the Lawrence, I made sail, and directed the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with the enemy. Every brace and bow line 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 her crew either killed or wounded. Finding she could no longer annoy the enemy, I left her in charge of Lieutenant Yarnall, who, I was convinced, from the bravery already displayed by him, would do what would comport with the honour of the flag. At half-past two, the wind springing up Captain Elliot was enabled to bring his vessel, the Niagara, gallantly into close action. I immediately went on board of her, when he anticipated my wish by volunteering to bring the schooner which had been kept astern by the lightness of the wind into close 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 that 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 enemy was not able to take possession of her, and circumstances soon permitted her flag again to be hoisted. At 45 minutes past 2 the signal was made for "close 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 this time having got within grape and canister distance, under the direction of Captain Elliot, and keeping up a well directed fire, the two ships, a brig and a 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 lieutenant), and sailing-master Taylor, were of great assistance to me. I have great pain in stating to you the death of Lieutenant Brooks, of the marines, and midshipman Lamb, both of the Lawrence, and midshipman John Clarke, of the Scorpion; they were valuable and promising officers. Mr. Hambleton, purser, who volunteered his services on deck, was severely wounded late in the action. Midshipman Claxton and Swartout, of the Lawrence, were severely wounded. On board the Niagara, Lieutenants Smith and Edwards, and midshipman Webster (doing duty as sailing-master) behaved in a very handsome manner. Captain Brevoort, of the army, who acted as a volunteer in the capacity of a marine officer, on board that vessel, is an excellent and brave officer, and 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 situations, may be relied on. The Ariel, Lieutenant Parker, and Scorpion, sailing-master Champlin, were enabled to get early into action, and were of great service. Captain Elliot speaks in the highest terms of Mr. Magrath, purser, who had been despatched in a boat on service, previous to my getting on board the Niagara, and, being a seaman, since the action has rendered essential service in taking charge of one of the prizes. Of Captain Elliot, already so well known to the government, it would be almost superfluous to speak; in this action, he evinced his characteristic bravery and judgment; and, since the close of the action, has given me the most able and essential assistance.
I have the honour 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 Charlotte, and first lieutenant of the Detroit, were killed. Captain Barclay, senior officer, and the commander of the Lady Prevost, severely wounded. Their loss in killed and wounded I have not yet been able to ascertain; it must, however, have been very great.
Very respectfully, &c.,
O. H. Perry.
Statement of the force of the British squadron.
| Ship Detroit | 19 | guns: | 1 on pivot and | 2 | howitzers. | |
| Queen Charlotte | 17 | " | 1 | " | ||
| Schooner Lady Prevost | 13 | " | 1 | " | ||
| Brig Hunter | 10 | " | ||||
| Sloop Little Belt | 3 | " | ||||
| Schooner Chippeway | 1 | " | 2 | swivels. | ||
| — | ||||||
| 63 | guns. | |||||
Note: The Detroit is a new ship, very strongly built, and mounts long twenty-fours, eighteens and twelves.
Statement of the force of the United States squadron.
| Brig Lawrence | 20 | guns. | |
| "Niagara | 20 | " | |
| "Caledonia | 3 | " | |
| Schooner Ariel | 4 | " | (1 burst early in action.) |
| "Scorpion | 2 | " | |
| "Somers | 2 | " | and 2 swivels. |
| Sloop Trippe | 1 | " | |
| Schooner Tigress | 1 | " | |
| "Porcupine | 1 | " | |
| — | |||
| 54 | guns. | ||
The exact number of the enemy's force has not been ascertained, but I have good reason to believe that it exceeded ours by nearly 100 men.
S. Hambleton, Purser.
O. H. Perry, Captain and senior officer.
The Secretary of the Navy to George Harrison.
Navy Department,
July 4th, 1814.
To
George Harrison, Esq.,
Navy Agent, Philadelphia.
Sir: In order to have made the swords and medals contemplated by the inclosed resolutions of Congress, I have to request that you will engage artists for that purpose whose abilities and taste will insure their being executed in the best manner. You will perceive by the resolution that the device for the medal for Captains Perry and Elliott must be emblematical of the action on Lake Erie; and, it appears to me, that representations of the several engagements are the most suitable devices for the others. The best representations of those engagements yet engraved may be seen, I understand, in the Academy of Arts at Philadelphia, where the artists and amateurs might readily determine on the devices. The number of dies for the medals will be as follows, viz.:
| Capture of the Guerrière by the Constitution | 1 |
| "" Macedonian by the United States | 1 |
| "" Frolic by the Wasp | 1 |
| "" Java by the Constitution | 1 |
| "" Peacock by the Hornet | 1 |
| "" Boxer by the Enterprize | 1 |
| Victory on Lake Erie | 1 |
| — | |
| Dies | 7 |
The reverse of the medals will be properly appropriated to the respective portraits of the several commanders, which, I believe, have all been published. These, however, ought to be correct likenesses. Of the number of medals of each kind to be struck, you will be informed in due time.
As it will scarcely be possible to represent distinctly the deeply interesting scenes of the memorable victory of Erie on one face of the medal, it may be well to omit the portrait of Commodore Perry, and divide the representation of the action into two prominent and distinct parts which mark the crisis of the battle, in the first terminating with the abandonment of the Lawrence, and the passage of the hero in his gig, with his flag, from that ship to the Niagara. Second, the bringing up of the gunboats and small vessels by Captain Elliott, and the subsequent breaking through the enemy's line and capture of his whole fleet. Thus the entire action may be distinctly and beautifully represented.
Herewith you will receive one of the medals struck for Commodore Preble, which is tolerably well executed and of good size. The emblematical figures ought to be bold and distinct, rather than minutely delineated, which renders the effect less striking and enhances the labour and cost. With respect to the cost it must be regulated by a due attention to the views of the Legislature and to economy without parsimony.
The number is considerable, and will require all the artists who are qualified for the execution.
It is very desirable to have them completed as soon as possible, and particularly before the next meeting of Congress. If the number of artists in Philadelphia shall not be sufficient, you will employ those of New York or elsewhere. I submit this business to your care with confidence and pleasure, because I know that your own discriminating tastes and judgment in these matters will be combined with your admiration of the men, and the scenes to be commemorated, in producing the best and most speedy execution.
The sword for Captain Elliott will be an elegant dress sword; a cut and thrust, with belt, &c., such in form as is prescribed for a dress sword of a captain in the navy, but decorated with devices and inscriptions suitable to the occasion, and finished in the best style the sum of $800 will procure. The swords of the warrant officers, twelve in number, will be of the same form and with proper belts, &c., will be finished in the best style that $250 each will procure. These you will please have finished as soon as possible.
The medals should be finished in succession according to the order of the dates of the events, unless the whole can be put in hand at once, which is very desirable.
I am respectfully, Sir, your most obedient servant,
W. Jones, Secretary of the Navy.
September 10, 1813.
Jesse D. Elliott. Nil actum reputans si quid superesset agendum. ℞. Viam invenit virtus aut facit.