Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-09-05
COM. ELLIOT's CONDUCT ON
LAKE ERIE.

There ia now in press in this city, a
Lecture-delivered before the Rhode Is
land Historical Society, in 1886, by the
Hon. Tristan Burgess, giving graphic
and beautiful description Of the Battle
of Lake Erie, with review Of the con-
duct of Capt. Jesse ID. Elliot, during
the engagement. The Lecture was one
of a series prepared by the author upon
the maratime history of Rhode Island
and the reference to Elliot was called
forth by the publication, at that time, OF
the famous autobiography of the Captain
Of the Niagara, in which he lays mo-
dest claim 10 the gratitude Of the coun-
try, as the hero to whom we are indebted
for The most brilliant page in our Naval
History.
The fleet upon Lake Erie having been
commanded by Rhode Islander, and
officered and manned principally by
volunteers from this State and having,
in fact, by their Iabors been created on,
y of the green oaks and pines, which they
found growing upon the lake shore, the
author thought himself justified in clas-
sing this brilliant achievement Of naval
valor among the maratime enterprises Of
his fellow citizens, and regarding the
fame Of the gallant Perry and his asso-
ciates, as a heritage Of glory to be cher
ished by our little state.
The recent publication Of Cooper's
Naval History, in which most unwor-
thy attempt is made to depreciate the
merits of Perry, has again aroused pub
lie attention to the part which Capt FL
lot took in the battle. Mr. Burgess has,
at the urgent solicitation of many of our
citizens, prepared preface and an ap-
pendix to the Lecture and placed it in
the hands Of the printer for publication.
The preface contains an account OF ear
ly efforts made in Rhode Island to in
duce the Continental Congress to build
and equip a national fleet, and to her
belongs,-as he has shown, the credit
of having first conceived the project and
urged it upon the attention Of her sister
colonies.
The graphic and eloquent description
Of the battle will be remembered by all
who heard the Lecture and none can
have forgotten the complete and master
ly refu,ation made by the Lecturer Of
the unblushing Pretensions Of Elliot
"He did him." as an auditor remarked, I,
all the justice that could be done, ex-
cept by the halter"
The appendix contains comments up.
on Cooper's History, and n collection OF
interesting documents which plnce sea!
upon the character Of Com. Elliot, that
will render it VAN for him TO attempt to
remove. Several Of these documents
have never been presented to tho public (;
among them is The account Of the action
from the log book of Lawrence, which
was copied by an officer Of that ship IN
TO his private diary, aud was thereby
preserved. The log book itself disap-
peared soon after Perry left the fleet and
the command of it was ASSUMED by Eli
OF, and was never recovered. 1t also
contains minute detail by our towns
man, DR.. Parsons, who rendered such
efficient aid TO the wounded ~ that
bloody conflict, OF what fell under his
own observation.
Tho position of the fleets at the com
mencement of the action--at the moment
when Perry left the Lawrence for the
Niagara-anda at the close of the battle,
are illustrated by three new diagrams,
representing the relative situation OF
each vessel enrnoed. f PrOp. Courier