Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-12-02

mana native Of enc Of the smallest but yet most en-
terprising States, of the UGion, who achieved for
his country. on Lake Erie, one Of The most glorious
victories of the late war. In u moment Of passion,
he forgot himself, and offered an act Of violence,
which was repented soon as perpetrated He
was tried. and suffered the judgment pronounced by
his peers. Public justice was thought not even then
to be satisfied The press, and Congress, took up the
subject. My honourble friend fromVirginis, (Mr.
ohnson) the faithful ard constant sentinel Of the
Law and Of the Constitution, disapproved ofthe de-
ci.ion, and moved an inquiry. The public mind
re NAMED agitated and unappeased, until an atone-
ment was made, so honorable to the gallant, yet
modest and noble minded Commodore"
As we have advered to this affair, merely to show
that Commodore Pc e,Y, was conscientiously averse
to the odous mode of individual warfare, copy his
letter to Commodore DECATUR, written sometime
previous to the meeting, in which he openly de-
clared that he would not in any event, consentto
aim at the life of his antagonist.
"wAsHINGToN, January lS, 1918.
MY DEAR CoMMoDoRE---You ou already acquan-
red with the unfortunate affair which has taken place be-
from the he has thought proper to pursue that
absolvcd from all accountability to him, yet as did,
in moment Of irritation, produced by strong provoca-
ton my hand against person honoed with COM
mission, have determined upon mature renection, 10
give him a meeting, should he call declaring, at
the me that cannot consent to return his hre as
the meeting, on nay part, will be entirely as an atone
for the violated rules Of the service request,
therefore, my dear Sir that you will act as my friend on
this occasion. Very truly your friend,
Com. STEPHEN DECATUR. o IL PERRY"
Il is not. however, our intention to write Bio
graphy Of Commodore Perry, and we hasten 10 con-
clude this article, when we add that he was a man
who seemed to live for his country, and for his coun-
try only. He had already gained fame, as i'm
perishaole as the temple from whose fountain it
was drawn. and by whose invisoratns waters it was
nurtured and rendered brilliant the bays that
encrced his brow, when to servethe nation, aud to
enhance the interests of his countrymen, be under
took the ardous duties Of an important diplomatic
mission, and had scarce completed it when he
fell an untimeIy victim to fatal and pestilential
the last great deb, to nature.
Years past away, and still he slumbered beneath
foreign soil, neglected and unnoticed-nor did the
tear of affection water the grass grown mound the
eye of friendship gaze upon the spot where reposed
so much worth and valor But at last grateful
county has restored him TO her shores, and now
upon the soil of his fathers, his own favourite
Isle of the Ocean" he quietly reposes, and whilst af-
fecon, friendship, and love- shed the tear of graft
.ude upon his clay cold sepulchre, he slumbers to
the plantve melody Of the oceans breeze, and the
ripplings of is wayes:-Years shall fade away-but
PERRY shall not be forgotten, and whilst the youth
full passenger wandcrs around his tomb, the memo
ry of the Hero shall thrill his bosom with admira-
ton, and teach him TO emulate his greatness.