Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-07-18
From ire Baltimore MOrning Chronicle.
UJEITTENANT PERRY.

LIEUTENANT PERRY.
There IS something peculiarly affecting IN
.ae premature death of rising worth-the
hloom on the cheek, and lustre in the eve, indi-
cate long lie, and in proportion as early and
exalted traits of character are disclosed. does
fancy fill up the imaginary space allotted to old
ave. with splendour aud glory. We behold In
imagination, this energy of character, expand
inc enlarging and orightning with every re-
yolyinr wear IN the midst of this gltterlng
track. while the eve is revealing on the specta-
Gle a sable shadow falls, and blotS the shining
surface forever it then resembles strong and
progressively blaze of light, suddenly passing
into a cloud, Such were the thoughts that
occupied our mind, when we read the recent
premature, and lamented death OF James A.
Perry. the United States ship ofwar Frank
I'm SON of the late Christopher Raymond Per-
~ Esq. of Rhode Island, and brother to the
Commodore. AT the early age of ten years
did this gallant boy enter the naval service OF
his country. in the character OF mldshlpman.
Despising the follies, the destinations, the al
jurements and the temptations of youth, he saw
in his country's glory, something more tascin-
MATING and attractive, and consented to enrol
his name amongst the candidates tor fame. On
&he 18th of September, 1913, he had complet-
ed his twelfth year, and we now behold this
how. IN the character of midshipman, engag
ed with his brother, Oliver I'll. Perry, IN the
memorable battle of Lake Erie. He served in
that engagement on board of the Lawrence;
she resembled the slaughter house, more than
a ship of war; every gun was dlsmounted-
while in the midst of this agitating spectacle,
was to be seen this Young warrior, performing
all his duties with calmnesS, fortitude and ln-
trepidity, worthy Of ripper years. 1t IS unneces-
sary to dwell on the result of that battle-it has
now become brilliant period in American
history, and at the name of Erie, the heart
swes with the proudest and the tondest recol-
Iections. At the commencement of the year
1915. this ardent youth embarked IN the squad
ron. under the command of the lamented De-
Gator, destined for Algiers. On the return of
part of that squadron, he continued IN the
Mediterranean for nearly thespace OF years.
At the age Of IL, he had manifested so much
skill; forttude and intrepldlty, and such devo-
ton to the naval service OF ms country, that he
was promoted 70 lie ltenancy In the navy.
when the Franklin was fitted for service, he
solicited and obtained orders to join that ship
As his sphere of duty enlarged, he sought eve
~ opportunity to quality himself forts perform
snce, and he seems to have regarded every mo-
Tnent unspent on his favorite element, as SO
much time thrown away, the naval service was
a pleasure no less than duty and as an honora-
bic testimony of the absorbing interest that ne
.et in his profession, we record the fact, that
from the age Of eleven years until the time of
his death, he was never out OF active employ
ment We behold youthful zeal and enter
prize, chastened, disciplined, invigorated and
enlarged by active employment, and we now
behold the magnauimous adventurer at the age
of twenty-one, IN all the energy OF youth, and
IN the full possession of ali those noble feelings
chat inspire to high and heroic action. We
contemplate this spectacle, and IN a moment 1t
vanishes from the eve. The shadows OF death
gather around the brilliant light, and we see
nothing but desert shore--the rolling surfand
{ lfeless corpse upon the blllow.
We now come TO the concludm' scene IN
the life Of this gallant officer. He fell the mar
tyr of humanity. He died In attempting to
save from watery grave, the youngest OF the
party lie spoke words of encouragement 10
bis youthful friend Coffin, assisted ms teebier
siren 9Th 10 combat with the roaring element,
and died bv MS side, when his benevolent exer-
tions we're unayaihng. His character may be
comprehended The Franklin, In testimony
of the loss sustained by so manv gallant souls,
displayed her colors balf mast high, which was
followed by Com. Hardy's ship, name no
longer ranked amongst the enemies OF Amer
ca. We have hitherto spoken of 1t. Perry as
an officer; the last act of his life speaks his
character as man: it is fast from which
there Is no appeal. The angel of benevolence
watched over her votarv and animated the last
pulsation of his heart, she demanded the sacri-
tice of his life at her altar, and he cheerfully
obeved the command.
What an examples this to initiate Young,
generous aud imprisoned ofiic sr, whose glory
lies in battle, and who burns to seek danger III
the cannon's mouth, rushes to ms death, not
for the destruction, but the preservation of his
fellow nan! How shall we contrast his fate
with that of wretched and Pitiiul duelist, who
to avenge private quarrel, Paltry teud,
petty offence, something or nothing hurIs
fellow being into his grave, mansied and
znurderod corpse. and declares that honor con
socrates the butchery-blnsh humanity
r. may 5e mentioned as thing perhaps n n