The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-03-16
COMMODORE PERRY.

Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry.
brother to that heroic Perry whose name is
inseparably connected with the victory on
Lake Erie in the War of 1872, died at his
residence in New York city, on the morn
ing of the 4th of March. His life has been
period of continued toll in the service of his
country. from his entry int the Navy In
1900 as midshipman, up to the time OF
his decease.
A native of the State of Rhode Island. he
was born at South Kingston in 1875. He
made his first cruise in the schooner Re-
venge, and at the age of eighteen was
transferred to the frigate United States
! and after five months duty returned to the
President, commanded by the Gallant De-
catur, with whom he served for eight
months.
In 1915 he was promoted to the rank OF
Lieutenant, and stationed for two years at
the Brooklin Navy Yard. 1t will be seen
that his novitiate was passed amid the con-
GLIDING scenes of that war which gave the
finishing blow to British oppression on our
waters. Tutored amid such stirring events.
his whole after life retained the martial
culture which they afforded, and developed
those qualities of a commander which sub
sequently attained for him the first
honors of the American Navy.
To him as much as any one, the Coloniz-
alton Society are indebted for the selection
of the Lberian settlement, whittier he was
sent with Com. Robert F. Stockton and
in the ship Cyane. He served in this YES
sci till 1921, from whence he was ordered
to the command of the schooner Shark, in
which he visited the colony of the Mesura-
do, and afterwards the West Indies in
search of pirates. In 1924 he was with
Com. Rodgers, on board the ship OIL line
North Carolina, during her whole cruise.
He was promoted to the rank of Com
mander, and in 1880 returned to Boston,
where he was engaged in the recruiting
service.
On his return to the United States in
1888. he was again stationed at the Brook
lyn Navy Yard, as Superintendent of Gun
merry Practice, and was here interchangeable in
his efforts to perfect our Naval organiza-
ton. To him we are indebted for many Of
the useful improvements in the present sys-
tenn. Advanced to the post of Captain in
1887, he was transferred to the steamer
Fulton, and for nearly year, cruised on
the eastern coast of the United States.
In 1888 he was dispatched to Europe for
the purpose of Investigating the dockyards
and light houses, On which subject he pre-
pared valuable report. After serving for
three years in the African squadron en-
gagged in suppressing the slave trade, he
was in 1916 ordered to New York. where he
superintendent for some time the construc-
ton of Government docks and steamers.
Upon the breaking cut of the Mexican
War, as second in command to Commodore
Conner, he sailed for the Gulf of Mexico.
Here, in 1S47, he was appointed chief off,
Ger of the Home Squadron, and history re-
cords no more brilliant naval achievement
than the hOmbardment of Vera Cruz, which
was conducted under his management
But the last was the browning act of his
whole career. On the Gath of March, 1852,
he sailed from the United States On a mis-
sion, whose successful contamination will
hand down the name of Com. Perry with
abiding honors to distant posterity. We
allude to the Japan Expedition, which
terminated SO credibly by the treaty enter
ed into between that Empire and our Gev-
eminent, signed on the 3lst of March,
1854.
Com. Perry had closed his official life
with this negotiation and returned to New
York, where he resided until an attack of
the govt finished his course on earth on the
4th of this month. A widow and six chill
dren remain to mourn their loss, which
sympathising country and an admiring age
alike deplore.