Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-06-02
WHIG NOMINATION.,
FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
DANIEL WEBSTER,
Of Mnssnchuspffs
OF Massachusetts

tee on the Militia and Public defence,
appointed by the Legislature Of New
York, relating to the naval services ol
Capt. DANIEL TURNER. We take
pleasure in laying the Report before our
readers entire.
i MIR. Lockwood, from the committee OH
the militia and public defence, to which
was referred the resolution introduced by
the honorable Prosper NJ. Wetmore, in
structing said committee to inquire into
the propriety of presenting captain Dan
iel Turner Of the United States Navy,
with sword, as mark of public respect
for his naval and military services, and
especially for his distinguished bravery
in the battle on Lake Erie,
REPORTED:
That the committee have carefully ex-
amined the subject submitted to their
consideration, and are satisfied that the
object proposed by the resolution, IS de-
serving Of the favorable notice OF the
Legislature.
The distinguished naval officer to whom
a tribute of respect is intended to be
paid, was a native of the State OF New
York, having been born at Staten Is
land in the year 1895. At an early Pc
rod of his life, he removed with his IA
ther to Newport, in the State Of Rhode
Island, where he soon after entered the
Navy.
AT the opening of the war with Great
Britain in 1912, when he was scarcely
seventeen years Of age, he received the
appointment Of lieutenant, and was i'm
mediately ordered to Lake Erie, to su-
perintend the building and rigging of the
feet under the command Of Commodore
Perry. From this time until the close
of the war, his duties were arduous and
important, and were discharged amid
unusual hardships and privations. In
August, 1918, he was placed in COM
mand Of the ship Niagara, of 22 guns
and 100 men, and during Commodore
Perry's first cruise in search of the enc
emy on Lake Erie, his ship was worked
with the skill Of an experienced comman-
der. /
On the arrival of captain Elliot at that
station, lieutenant Turner was suppressed
ed in the command of the Niagara by
that officer, who was senior in age and
rank; and he was assigned to the COM
mand of the Caledonia, the third vessel
in rank in the American fleet. OF the
latter vessel he had command during the
brilliant victory of the 10Th Of Septem-
Der, which resulted in the capture Of the
entire British squadron. Though placed
as Mn d in line IN the order Of battle, he
gallantly brought his ship into action as
the second, and alone sustained the flag
ship, Lawrence, for more than two hours,
until the gallant Perry abandoned her
and broug ht up the Niagara, which had
been unfortunately delayed in coming
into action. OF his conduct in this bat
lie, Commodore Perry remarks in his Of
fetal return to the Secretary Of the Ma
Wy: "Lieutenant Turner, commanding
the Caledonia, brought that vessel into
action in the most able manner, and is
an officer that in all situations may be re-
lied on"
Immediately after this brilliant achieve
ment, lieutenant Turner accompanied
Commodore Perry to the Moravian
Town, where he took part in two import
ant battles, Perry acting as aid to Gene
raj Harrison. In consideration of these
important services, the cities Of Albany,
Philadelphia and Savannah, presented
to Com. Perry handsome swords, with
the freedom Of the city. The citizens
of Boston presented him with valuable
service Of plate; and the city of New
port, in consideration Of his being ma
tive Of that place, presented to him a
rich plate of the value Of 500. The
Of Pennsylvania voted their
thanks to Commodore Perry, with gold
medal; also, their thanks and gold med
al to captain Elliott, who was native
Of that State: And to those citizens OF
who volunteered their ser
vices, a silver medal, with each persons
name inscribed thereon. The Legis!a-
ure Of South Carolina gave an elegant
sword to Lieutenant Thomas Holdup,
who was a natire Of that State, for his
2 yallantry in the battle of Lake Erie. n
1t is believed that many other like tes-
imonias of respect were paid TO Com
nodore Perry and several OF his gallant
officers, by public bodies; but the COM
nittee have not been able to disc over
hat any mark Of public respect has ey-