In Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper of Saturday March 13, 1858.
Other prints in newspapers and lithographs of the face or bust of M. C. Perry were made during his lifetime.
Bust and Statue.
A bust in marble of M. C. Perry, in sailor garb by E. D. Palmer, of Albany N. Y., was made in 1859, and is now in possession of the Commodore’s daughter, Mrs. August Belmont of New York.
In Touro Park, Newport, R. I., the city of his birth, about fifty yards east of the “old round tower” is a bronze statue of M. C. Perry, on a pedestal of Quincy granite. The extreme height is sixteen feet, the statue being eight, and the pedestal eight feet in height. The face, modelled partly from photographs and partly from Palmer’s bust, is considered a good likeness. The effect of the figure is grand, and the position easy and natural. The model was designed by John Quincy Adams Ward of New York, and the pedestal by Richard M. Hunt. On the latter are four excellent bas-reliefs in bronze, representing prominent events in M. C. Perry’s life.
These are, “Africa, 1843,” Perry’s rescue of the man condemned to undergo the sassy ordeal, (p. 173); “Mexico, 1846,” transportation of the heavy ship’s guns through the sand and chapparal to the Naval Battery; “Treaty with Japan, 1854,” two scenes, representing the reception of the President’s letter at Kurihama (p. 359), and the negotiation of the treaty at Yokohama (p. 366). On the front of the plinth of the pedestal is cut an American ensign; on the north and south sides an anchor, and in the rear, “Erected in 1868, by August and Caroline S. Belmont.” The bronzes were cast at the Wood Brothers’ foundry in Philadelphia. Pa. The statue was unveiled October 2d, 1868, when the city of Newport was given up to public holiday in honor of the event. The military display consisted of marines, sailors, and apprentices from the U. S. S. Saratoga and cutter Crawford, under command of Captain, now Rear-Admiral, J. H. Upshur; and four militia companies. One thousand children from the public schools were ranged within the hollow square formed by the military, and sang chorals. Besides seven or eight thousand spectators, there were officers of the army and navy, clergy and the children and grand-children of Commodore M. C. Perry. After prayer by Rev. J. P. White, unveiling of the statue by Mrs. Belmont, salutes from guns in the park and on shipboard, music, a speech of presentation by Mr. Belmont, and responses by Mayor Atkinson, the orator of the day, the Rev. Francis Hamilton Vinton, D. D. delivered the oration and eulogy. The exercises were closed by a speech from Captain J. H. Upshur, U. S. N., who drew a glowing picture of M. C. Perry’s action at Vera Cruz, and of his success in Japan. See the Newport Mercury of October 3d, 1868, and the published oration of Dr. Vinton “The statue” says Pay Director J. Geo. Harris, U. S. N., in a letter to the writer May 19, 1887, “is in all respects a likeness.” “I was impressed with its remarkable fidelity in stature, pose and bearing, as in full dress he met the Japanese commissioners on the shore at Yokohama.”
Medals.
The gold medal struck in Boston had on its face the head of “Commodore M. C. Perry,” and on the reverse the following legend with a circle of laurel and oak leaves: “Presented to Com. M. C. Perry, Special Minister from the United States of America, By Merchants of Boston, In token of their appreciation of his services in negotiating the treaty with Japan signed at Yoku-hama, March 31, and with Lew Chew at Napa, July 11, 1854.” On the band at the base of the wreath is the word Mississippi, and over it the figures of two Japanese junks, between the sterns of American ships. Copies of this medal in silver and bronze were received by subscribers to the gold original. The die was cut by F. N. Mitchell.
INDEX.
A.