Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1835-10-22
LAKE ERIE.

The hackers of Capt. Elliot, after having
been defeated in several attempts TO pluck
the laurels from the brow Of the gallant Perry,
aud transfer them to that Oft the rccreant Elliot,
have come forward, with Biographical notice
of Commodore Elliot, of about 300 pages, W
prove that he was n fERo, and Perry a eoc-
ard!n In this community, from whose pre-
cincts majority of the efficient force was
despatched, and whose citizens, both as Off
GERS and men, acted gallanty in that action,
not an individual ever has been, or can DO
found, to harbour doubt as to the gallantry
of Perry-or the cowardice and intended
trcachery of Elliot. The author Of this pro-
ducton, sensible of the pucrility of the at
tempt, was ashamed even to annex his name
as author. The printer was also ashamed
that his name should go to the public connec-
ted with so vile production; and no rcspcc-
table bookseller could be found to annex his
name as Publisher to so villainous libel up
on the memory of the gallant Hero Of Lake
Erie, whose memory will be cherished by pos
tery with feelings of honor and respect;
! while that of J. ID. Elliot will descend, cov-
cred with the infamy which justly attaches TO
trcachery and cowardice. A number of pa
'pcrs have noticed this Book in a spirited and
proper manner. The following we copy from
the New York Transcript.
\ VINO WON THE BATTLE onlAKE ERIE?-
We had no idea that it would ever he made
matter of dispute US to who was the real
hero Of the famous battle OH Lake Eric,
winch won for the Americans so much glory
in the late war. Oirer H. Perry was said
at the time, and has always (until within
week or two pasi) been understood to liavo
been that hero. lie wrote, Immediately ai-
ter the battle, with conclscncss almost equal
to Ccsur's, "We have met the enemy, and
they arc ours"
Who commanded the squadron? Oliver
ii. Perry. That is not a disputed point. Ilo
was the Commodore, and Of course he COM
mandcd. Historians have also recorded and
every body has believed, that after fighting
ga!lantly on board the Lawrence, his flag
|, ship, until she was rendered perfectly un-
manageable and great part of his mon
killed or wounded, he performed the novel
and heroic exploit Of abandoning her and
passing in an open boat, through the fire of
the enemy, to the Niagara, which under tho
command of Captain Elliot was away ut II
miles distance, and could not come fairly in
to action for w0ni of riad; but that ncverthc-
less, 10 sooner had Perry got on board of her,
than she bore gallantly up, passed through
, the enemies line, and soon decided the day
in favor Of America.
All this has been related by the historian,
and believed by the reader. But the former
has never undertaken to account for the phc-
nomcnon enough the latter may have had
their own opinion on the snhiect) of wind
which could bring u con,modore into action,
and not captain. Readers, we believe,
generally think it was a real .lm6ricdn ,rinf;
and neither favorable to towards nor traitors.
Notwithstanding, however, TIE agreement
; of all historians, and the belief of all readers,
for two-and twenty years, in the skill and
heroism OF Perry in the battle Of Lake Erie,
there has (Propuiorv sprung up lately
man to dispute the paim--nay, to carry of
the glory from the commander!
= book has been published in Philadcl-
phia, entitled II Biographical .\oi,cc Of Conn
modore Jesse ID. Elliott; by a CHi.en Of .Nsw
, York; wherein, principal object of the wri-
!, ter Is to prove that the victo,y on lake Erie
!, "os ocing-not 10 Commodore PeIry-bm TO
Captain EHioW
Reader, throw aside your histories. Doubt
, aii TIC Tccorus ol hcrolsm from the begin
ming of time to the present day. Never be-
licve that CTSar won the battle of Pharsiia,
that William the Conqueror riumphcd on
the field Of Hastings, that Bonapartc was
victorious at Austcrlitz, or that General Jack
son carried the day at New Orleans. Put no
faith III cye.wltnesscs; and doubt the tcsti-
mony OF those who were never doubted be-
fore. DO all this, gentle reader; nay, more,
doubt all the Impressions YOU have ever re-
ccivcd on any subject-however obtained
and however chcrished-tor it is now discoy-
cred, by u Citizen of New York." that Jesse
} ID. Elliot, and not Oliver II. Perry, Is the IIe-
~ Of Lake Eric.