American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-08-02
From The Baltimore Morning Chronicle:

From The Baltimore Morning Chronicle.
LIEU TENANT PERRY There is sone,b;ro.
peculiarly affecting in the premature death of rsinS
worth-the bloom on the cheek and lustre in ths
eye indicate long life, and in proportion as early and
exalted traits OF character disclosed does fancy
fill up the imaginary space allotted to old aye with
spendor and glory. We behold in imagination.
this energy OF character, expanding, eniarginp md
brightning with every revolving year. In the rnids,
Of this gttering track, while the eye is revealing on
the spectacle, sable shadow falls, and blots The
shining surface forever II then resembles stronp
and progressive blaze of light suddenly passing ino
ia cloud Such were the thoughts that occupied our
mind when we read the recent premature, and Ia
men ted death of James A. Perry, Of the United
States ship Of war Franklin, OF the late Chrso.
pher Raymond Perry, ESQ. Rhode Island, and bro
ther to the Commodore. At the eafy age of len
years did this gallant boy enerthe naval service of his
country, In the character Of midshipman. Desps.
ing the follies. the fascinaons the aurements and
the temptations of youth, he saw in his country,s
glory, something more fascinating and attractive.
and consented 10 enrol his name amongst the cam
dldates for fame. On the 1Sth OF September, 1915
ne had completed his 18th year, and we now behold
this boy, in the character of mdshlpman, engaged
with his brother Oliver Ii Perry, in the menor-
Fable battle oil Lake Erie. lie served in that engage.
ment on board OF the Lawrence she resemDled
slaughter house, more than ship Of war; every
gun dismounted-while in the midst of this agiatlny
spectacle. was to be seen this young warrior, per-
forming all his duties with camness, lorttude and
intrepedity, worthy Of ripper years Ii is unnecessary
to dwell on the result OF that battlet has now be.
come brilliant period in American history, s. at the
;name OF ERIE, the heart swells with the prondest
land the iondest recollections. At the commence
men OF the year 1915. this aydent youth emba kid
in the squadron under the command Of the Iamen
ted Decatur, destined Tor Algiers. On the return
lol part OF hat squadron he continued in the Medi.
Iterranean Tor realy the space of years At the
age Of II, he had manifested much skill, lorude
and ntrepdily, and such devotion to the naval ser.
vice OF his country, that he was promoted to lieu
tenancy in the navy When the Frankl N was fitted
tor service, he solicited and obtained orders to Join
that ship AS his sphere Of duty enlarged he sought
every opportunity to qualify himself Tor its perform.
ance and he seems to have regarded every momens
unspent on his favourits element, as so much time
thrown away the naval service was a pleasure no
less han duty, and as honorable testimony Of
the absorbing interest that he felt 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
employment. We behold youthful zeal and enter
prize, chastened, disciplined invigotated and en-.
larged by active employment, and we now behold the
nagnanimous adventurer at the age OF twenty-one,
in all the energy Of youth, and in the full possess
sion OF all those nobe feelings tina. inspire TO high
and heroic action We contemplate this spectacle,
and in moment it vanishes from the eye The
shadows Of death gather around the brilliant light,
and we see nothing but desert shore-the rolling
surf and lifeess corpse upon the billow.
We now come to the concluding scene in the life
OF this gallant officer. lie fell the martyr of hui
NANNY lie died In attempting to save from Wa.
lteiy grave, the youngest Of the party. He spoke
nj L,. ,I,.I e
hin, assisted his feeble strength to combat with the
roaring element, and died by his side, when his be-
Ineyolent rxertions were unavang. His character
may be mprehended The Franklin, in testimony
Ioi the loss sustained b. so many gallant souls, dis
played her colors halt mast high, which was follow.
led by com. Hardy's ship, name no longer ranked
amongst the enemies of America We have hth.
erio spoken OF 1t Perry an officer the last act
OF his lie speaks his character a man it is fact
from which there is no appeal. The angel Of be-
neyolence watched her votary and animated the
last pusaton of his heart; she demanded the sacri
ce oil lis life at her ALTAR and he cheerluly obeyed
the command.
What an example is this 10 imitate--a young,
generous and impassioned officer, whose glory lies
IN battle, and who burns to seek danger in the can.
mons mouth, rushes to his death, not for the des-
trucllon but The preservation of his fellow man.
How shall we contrast his fate with that of wretch
led and pitfu duellis who to avenge private quar-
rel pary ieud petty offence, a something or
nothing, hurls fellow being into his grave, man
gled and murdered corpse and declares that honor
consecrates the butchery--blush humanity
1t may be mentioned as a thing perhaps unexam.
pied, that the late Lieutenant Perry was presented
BY Congress with sword at the age of twelve years.
He bore this honorable testimonial of his countrys
gratitude fer his gallant conduct at the battle of Erie