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.