At this time, the government wanted a map of the harbors in the neighborhood of Newport. On account of his standing as a seaman, and of his education, Lieutenant Perry was selected to visit the harbors and make such a map.
He was given a fast sailing schooner called the Revenge. While carrying on this work, he was one day returning from Newport to New London, when a dense fog came on. The Revenge struck upon a reef of rocks, and went to pieces.
By great efforts Lieutenant Perry was able to save, not only all the crew, but the sails, rigging, and cannon.
He then went to Washington to explain the loss of the Revenge to the navy department. It was made clear that it was the fault of the local pilot who had charge of the vessel at the time.
Lieutenant Perry was commended for his gallant conduct in this disaster, and was also granted a year's leave of absence. He went to Newport, and on May 5, 1811, he was married to Elizabeth Champlin Mason.
The young couple took a wedding journey through New England. They spent one day in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Lieutenant Perry was much interested in visiting the place where his Quaker ancestor had lived so many years before.
During this time, the people of the United States had learned that the Embargo Act was a very unwise law. The men of Congress had thought to injure France and England by thus refusing to trade with them altogether. They soon discovered, however, that the damage to American commerce was far greater.
Trading vessels in the ports were left standing idle at the wharves, while the sailors were forced to find other employment.
JAMES MADISON.