Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. Excerpt: ...not alter it. Perry said he would take time to reflect, and, if he could alter it with propriety, he would do so. Failing in obtaining more favourable mention of himself--for Perry was convinced, upon reflection, that he had already said too much for him--Captain Elliott procured some alterations to be made in the report relating to others. At his suggestion, some laudatory remarks were inserted as to the conduct of Acting-master Nelson Webster; and, in consequence of his attributing misconduct to the commanders of the small vessels which he had gone to the rear of the line to bring up, Perry omitted all mention of their commanders. This omission he subsequently regretted, as he was afterward led to believe that they had failed in no exertion to close up, especially Lieutenant Holdup Stevens, the commander of the Trippe, who, as he ascertained from Lieutenant Turner and others, had brought his vessel into action with special gallantry. This omission gave great pain to the relations of Mr. Stevens, and produced anxious letters from them to Captain Perry, which he was happy in being able to answer most satisfactorily by placing Lieutenant Stevens in a true and meritorious light. Captain Elliott's attempt thus to destroy Lieutenant Stevens can only be accounted for by an inveterate dislike, and appears to be in some way connected with the removal of this officer a few days before from the Niagara, of which he was previously first lieutenant. Of the conduct during the action of this gentleman's successor, Lieutenant J. E. Smith, who had exchanged with Mr. Stevens, Captain Elliott also spoke to Captain Perry in the most disparaging terms; but the latter, having observed that Mr. Smith did his duty while the Niagara was in a far more critical...