LETTER from the SECRETARY OF THE NAVY transmitting In Obedience to A Resolution of the House of Representatives, of the Twenty-Second Instant, Copies of the Proceedings of the Court Martial ordered by Commodore Isaac Chauncey, on the Mediterranean station For the Trial of Captain Olivery H. Perry; Also for the Trial of Captain John Heath of the Marine Corps

Crowninshield, B. W. ; Olivery H. Perry ; John Heath ; Isaac Chauncey

Published by Printed by E. De Krafft, Washington, 1818

About this Item

House, 15th Congress, 1st session, No. 66; 34 pages; Removed document, disbound from larger volume. Scattered foxxing and faint tidemark at right side. OCLC 191266876 ; Shaw & Shoemaker 46325 ; Sabin 61047. Transmittal letter signed (in print) B. W. Crowninshield; Additional material signed (in print) John Heath, I. Chauncey, O.H. Perry. Oliver Hazard Perry (1785 1819) was an American naval commander, born in Rhode Island. Oliver was the best-known and most prominent member of the Perry family naval dynasty, and he was older brother of Commodore Matthew C. Perry. Perry served in the West Indies during the Quasi War of 1798 1800 against France, in the Mediterranean during the Barbary Wars of 1801 1815, and in the Caribbean fighting piracy and the slave trade, but is most noted for his heroic role in the War of 1812 during the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie. For leading American forces in a decisive naval victory at the Battle of Lake Erie, Perrry received a Congressional Gold Medal and the Thanks of Congress. For Perry, the post-war years were marred by controversies. In 1815, he commanded Java in the Mediterranean during the Second Barbary War. While moored in Naples, Perry slapped the commander of the ship's Marines, Captain John Heath, whom Perry considered incompetent and insubordinate. The ensuing court-martial found both men guilty, but levied only mild reprimands. After the crew returned home, Heath challenged Perry to a pistol duel, which was fought on October 19, 1817, on the same field in Weehawken, New Jersey where Aaron Burr shot and killed Alexander Hamilton. Heath fired first and missed. Perry declined to return fire, satisfying the Marine's honor.

Seller Inventory # 43002

Bibliographic Details

• Title: LETTER from the SECRETARY OF THE NAVY transmitting In Obedience to A Resolution of the House of Representatives, of the Twenty-Second Instant, Copies of the Proceedings of the Court Martial ordered by Commodore Isaac Chauncey, on the Mediterranean station For the Trial of Captain Olivery H. Perry; Also for the Trial of Captain John Heath of the Marine Corps
• Publisher: Printed by E. De Krafft, Washington
• Publication Date: 1818
• Binding: Removed Document
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • 19th Century
  • Americana and American History
  • Medicine and Medical History
  • Military History