the minds of the victors had in it as much of sorrow as of exulta. tion. The ruined and tattered condition of that squadron, which, three short hours before, had presented itself in such proud array, beginning the action, and hurling death and defiance at those who, with inferior force, had ventured to brave the power of England, and, still more, the spectacle of bloodshed and agony which they everywhere presented within, after the excitement of the battle was over could not but overwhelm the mind with gloom, and make way once more for the indulgence of those humane sympathies which had been smothered in the strife of conflict. Nor did our ships fail to exhibit scenes well suited to harrow the feelings; the "Lawrence," especially, presented an awful spectacle. Twenty-two of her crew were killed and sixty-one wounded, making an aggregate of slaughter which is believed never to have been surpassed in any modern naval combat, unless where the conquered vessel has sunk with her whole crew. The "Niagara " lost two killed and twenty-three wounded; all but two of the wounded having been struck after Captain Perry took command of her, as stated by the surgeon who attended them. Three were wounded on board of the "Caledonia; "' two on board the "Somers;" one killed and three wounded on board the "Ariel;" two killed on board the "Scorpion," and two wounded on board the "Trippe;" making an aggregate in the whole squadron of twenty-seven killed and ninety-six wounded.

The splendor of this victory dazzles the imagination. It was gained by a portion of an inferior squadron over another every way superior, and throughout the action concentrated in its force. It was gained, more eminently than any other naval viciory, by the exertions of one individual, a young man of twenty-seven, who had never beheld a naval engagement. He had dashed boldly into action with the "Lawrence," counting upon the support of those immediately around him, and trusting that the rear of his line would soon be able to close up to his support. Deserted by the "Niagara," which was to have encountered the second of the enemy's ships, and sustained only by the "Caledonia," the "Ariel," and the "Scorpion," we find him resisting for more than two hours the whole of the British squadron. Finding, at length, his vessel cut to pieces, his guns dismounted, means of resistance destroyed, and nearly the whole of his brave crew lying dead or wounded around him, instead of yielding the day, after having done everything that depended upon him to win it, and leaving the responsibility of defeat to the commander of the "Niagara,"

he thought only of using the means that remained to him still to secure a victory. Passing from the "Lawrence" under the enemy's fire; saved from death, as if miraculously, by the protecting genius of his country, he reached the "Niagara," and, by an evolution unsurpassed for genius and hardihood, bore down upon the enemy, and dashed with his fresh and uninjured vessel through the enemy's line. It was thus that the battle of Lake Erie was won, not merely by the genius and inspiration, but eminently by the exertions of one man.

Let us now follow the movements of Perry subsequent to the victory. After the enemy's colors had been hauled down, and provision had been made for officering and manning the prizes, confining the prisoners, securing the wounded masts, stopping shot-holes, and the combined squadron had been hauled by the wind on the starboard tack, he retired to the cabin to communicate briefly to General Harrison intelligence of an event which was to admit of the immediate advance of his army, and rescue our territory from the savage warfare which the surrender of Hull's army and subsequent disasters had entailed on it. The letter which he wrote, though short, was ample, since it expressed all that was necessary to be known.

"DEAR GENERAL:-We have met the enemy and they are ours.-Two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop. Yours, with very great respect and esteem, O. H. PERRY."

He also wrote the following letter to the Secretary of the Navy, which was forwarded by the same express.

"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 confiict.

"I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully,
"Your obedient servant,

O. H. PERRY."

Nothing can be more beautifully conspicuous or more characteristic than the blended modesty and piety of this celebrated letter written without deliberation, in the moment of victory, and in the midst of abundant occupation.-A. SLIDELL MACKENZIE.

'N the annals of the American navy the name Porter has been conspicuous. One of the family reached the highest rank ever attained in that branch of public service. Early in the eighteenth century Alexander Porter commanded a Boston merchant ship. His son,

Captain David Porter, commanded a vessel, commissioned by General Washington to capture ships carrying stores to the British army. In 1778 he took charge of the sloop "Delight," of six guns, fitted out in Maryland, and was active against the enemy. In 1780 he commanded the "Aurora," of ten guns, equipped in Massachusetts, but was captured by the British and endured the hardships of the Jersey prison ship, but finally escaped. After residing in Boston for some years Porter was appointed by President Washington a sailing master in the navy, and had charge of the signal station on Federal Hill at Baltimore. Both of his sons, David and John, entered the naval service.

David Porter was born at Boston, Massachusetts, on February 1, 1780. Owing to his father's frequent absence from home, his education devolved chiefly on his mother, a woman of excellent character. His strong desire to follow the sea was first gratified when he accompanied his father in the "Eliza" to the West Indies. While they were lying in the harbor of Jeremie in Santo Domingo, a British officer claimed the right to search the vessel for deserters. Captain Porter replied that should any such attempt be made he would certainly resist. The Englishman ordered his men to board, and the American shouted the command, "Repel boarders!" Several men were shot on both sides, and the British sailors were driven off. One man fell dead by the side of young Porter,

who thus received his baptism of blood. In later voyages he was twice impressed by British ships of war, but escaped and worked his passage home.

In April, 1798, David Porter was commissioned as a midshipman in the United States navy and ordered to join the frigate "Constitution," of 38 guns, commanded by Captain Thomas Truxton. While on his way to the West Indies, on February 9, 1799, Truxton fell in with the French frigate "L'Insurgente," one of the fleetest vessels afloat, which had already inflicted considerable damage on American commerce. After a severe fight at close quarters for more than an hour the French vessel struck her flag. Young Porter was commended for his gallantry by Captain Truxton and was promoted lieutenant. In January, 1800, the schooner "Experiment," under his command, was becalmed off Santo Domingo, with several merchantmen under her protection. She was attacked by ten piratical barges, but drove them off after a fight of seven hours, Lieutenant Porter being wounded. In other affairs with privateers Porter's courage was displayed, especially in the capture of the French schooner "Diane," of 14 guns and 60 men. In August, 1801, he was on the schooner "Enterprise," of 12 guns, when she captured a Tripolitan cruiser of 14 guns, off Malta. From the frigate "New York" he led a boat expedition into the harbor of Tripoli and there destroyed several feluccas. At the age of twenty-three he was appointed first lieutenant on the frigate "Philadelphia." In October, 1803, this vessel ran on a ledge of rocks and was captured by the Tripolitans. Porter remained a prisoner until peace was proclaimed, June 3, 1805.

Porter again took charge of the "Enterprise," and cruised in the Mediterranean without signal adventure. After returning to the United States, he married in March, 1808, Evelina Anderson, of Chester, Pennsylvania. He was subsequently appointed to command a gunboat flotilla near New Orieans. While here he was joined by his father, who was delighted to serve under him as sailing master. When Congress declared war against Great Britain in 1812 Porter was promoted captain and put in command of the frigate “Essex,” 32 guns. She sailed from New York on July 3, bearing a

flag with the motto, "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights." In this Free Trade meant the right to carry on commerce with any country without regard to the dictation of France or England. In a short cruise Captain Porter captured several British merchantmen, as well as the armed sloop "Alert," which surrendered after an action of eight minutes. Sailing south he seized many valuable prizes off the coast of Brazil, and in January, 1813, set out for the Pacific Ocean to destroy the English whale fishery. At Valparaiso he learned that Chili had declared her independence and that the Viceroy of Peru had sent out cruisers against the Americans. On March 25th he captured the Peruvian privateer "Nerayda," of 19 guns, which had taken two American whale-ships and held their crews as prisoners. The "Nerayda" was released after being disarmed, and one of her prizes was restored to its commander. During Porter's ten-months cruise in the Pacific many British whaling-ships were captured, the total loss being not less than $2,500,000, with 400 prisoners. The "Georgeana," which had been captured, was turned into a war vessel, under the name "Essex, Junior," and cruised with the "Essex."

The British government, alarmed at the destruction of the Pacific whale fishery, sent out a special expedition, under Captain James Hillyar, against the "Essex." Porter, learning of this, sailed to the Marquesas or Washington islands to refit his vessels. In November, 1813, he took possession of an island, whose inhabitants had shown hospitality, and named it Madison, in honor of the President. In February, 1814, Porter returned to Valparaiso, and on the 8th Captain Hillyar, arriving there with the "Phoebe," 46 guns, and the "Cherub," 28 guns, and anchored near the "Essex." For six weeks the British vessels cruised off the port waiting for the departure of the "Essex." Porter then set sail, but his vessel, being damaged in a squall, was obliged to return. The "Phœbe" and "Cherub" followed her into the harbor, and, in violation of its neutrality, opened fire on March 28, 1814. Their flags bore the motto, "God and country, British sailors' best rights; Traitors offend them." Captain Porter then replied: "God, our Country, and Liberty; Tyrants offend