The Medallic History of the United States of America Part 43

I have the honour to enclose you a return of the killed and (p. 180) 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._

To George HARRISON, Esq., Navy Department, Navy Agent, Philadelphia. July 4th, 1814.

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 (p. 181) 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 Guerriere by the Const.i.tution 1 " " Macedonian by the United States 1 " " Frolic by the Wasp 1 " " Java by the Const.i.tution 1 " " Peac.o.c.k 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 pa.s.sage 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; (p. 182) 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_.

No. 32. (p. 183) PLATE x.x.xIII.

_September 10, 1813._

Jesse D. Elliott. Nil actum reputans si quid superesset agendum.

[Rx]. Viam invenit virtus aut facit.

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_).

[Footnote 86: Nil actum credens quum quid superesset agendum. Lucan, Pharsalia, Book II, 657.]

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 CLa.s.s. AMERI.

ET BRIT. DIE X. SEP. MDCCCXIII. (_Inter cla.s.sim Americanam et Britannicam, die 10 Septembris, 1813: Between the American and British fleets, September 10, 1813._) FuRST. F. (_fecit_).[87]

[Footnote 87: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the action on Lake Erie, are given under No. 31, page 176.]

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 (p. 184) 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.

No. 33. (p. 185) PLATE x.x.xIV.

_February 24, 1813._

Jac Lawrence dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. [Rx].

Mansuetud. maj. quam victoria.