.J^ h z^ ^ 356 •^6 U53 MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. Committee ox Industrial Arts and Expositions, TT7 7 ., T^ ^. House of Representatives nashingto}!, D. C, Saturday, Decemher 10, 1910—10 30 a m Fresent : Representatives Rodenberg (chairman) Lano-lpv SfPPn'pr son Woods, Pomdexter, Heflin. Collie?, Cullop, and cS^f^^^^^^^^^^ Preseiit, aso: Hon. Judson Harmon, governor of Ohio- Afr &s ^^:^!^r^ Cle.^land,Ohio, president general "of the Loulville Kv' fi^r "'""^ Commission: Hon. Hen?y Watterson, i^ouisville K^ ., hrst vice president general of the Perrv's Victorv Centenmal Commission; Mr. Webster P. Huntino-ton Columb^^f Hon ' Tm'"'l^-nr''^ '^4^'' ^^^y' ^^^'-^y Centennial CommT^^^^^^ Hon. Milton \\Shreve. Erie. Pa.; Hon. George AY. Parker Detroit' ]^^^^^' Gen. Philip C. Hayes, Johet, 111.; Hon A W Sanbirn Ash land \\is., Hon. McKenzie R. Todd, Fi^ankfortrKy Hon John P nf^w'lu ';rP??' ^- ^- ^'- C'linton B. Herrick Tr'of \' Y end Col. Webb (. Hayes, Fremont, Ohio, representhic. the executive board of the Perry-s A'ictory Centennial; Hon. J. Warren Ke'fe^^^^^ Representative from Ohio; and others J^e.ter, a hilUR T7ill\') thereupon proceeded to the consideration of the S|Shli^-;t?rBi^};o^^^ - - o- I he Chairman. The committee will be in order This meeting has been called for the purpose of giving several gentlemen an opD^r^ tumty to present an argument inlavo? of a bill penZ- beforftle committee introduced by Cxen. Keifer, providing fo?he%rection of a memorial to commemorate Perry's victorv. Members of the com nu tee will reca 1 that we had a hearing on this bill ^the last sessiW but It was not thought advisable at thlt time to taS any ac ion and it was agreed to let the matter go over until this session Thp r^rtcr dent genei-al of the Perry's VictV Centennid ComSon C^^ dore A\ orthmgton, is here, and we will hear from him first ' STATEMENT OF ME. GEORGE H. WOETHINGTON PTJirqiTiPi^rr GENERAL. PERRY'S VICTORY CExSlAf C^iiirisS^SN^'^^ Mr. WoRTHiNGTON. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen we are here representing the commissioners who have thus f?r been aoDointed iZ not ^ofnrtHat;^"'^"^/" this proposed mem'oriarceSriol^ 1 am not going to take any of your time bv trying to make a soeech because I am not a good talker anyway; and we hav^tith us some gentlemen who can put the subject^befL you in Si better shape 69809—10 2 MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. than 1 could. I think it would be well, probably, to first hear from Mr. Huntington, the secretar}' of the commission. The Chairman. Mr. Huntington, we will be very glad to hear you. STATEMENT OF MR. WEBSTER P. HUNTINGTON, SECRETARY GENERAL, PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMISSION. Mr. Huntington. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I do not wish to go into an exhaustive argument in behalf of this bill, but rather to advise the committee of the progress of events in connection with it since the hearing at the last session. In the beginning I wish to say that this design of a memorial is tentative. It represents the ideal entertained by the commissioners from the difterent States as to the character of whatever memorial should be built. The plans in relation to it have not been adopted, and when that matter comes before the commissioners they will take action leading to a council of architects; and by that time we hope to have the cooperation of architects representing the United States Government, rollowing the favorable action of this com- mittee and Congress. So we do not come with definite plans. Since we last appeared here, three States have joined the five that were then acting in concert for the objects in view. \Mien we appeared on the first occasion, the States engaged in the project were Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Since then legislation to promote the objects in view has been enacted in New York, Rhode Island, and Kentucky, and commissioners have been appointed from those States. Rhode Island participates upon the ground that that State had the honor of being the birthplace of Commodore Perry; and from there also came many of the officers of his fleet. Kentucky participates upon the ground that practically two-thirds of the soldiers in the Army of Gen. Harrison in the War of 1812 were Kentuckians under the command of that distinguished soldier and statesman, Gov. Shelby, of Kentucky. Wlien we appeared before the governor of New York, Gov. Hughes, and laid this matter before him, he gave it very serious consideration, with such a favorable result that, without solicitation by the visiting committee and without their knowledge, he sent a letter to the fmance committee of the New York Senate, commending the project in the highest terms, and suggesting that they give it their support before the legislature. In Rhode Island the action was imanimous as it has been in all of the participating States. Senator Sanborn is here to speak for Rhode Island if called upon. In Kentucky Gov. Willson commended the project to the leaders in both branches of the legislature. There was a public hearing before the House and Senate, after which resolutions providing for the appointment of a commission were adopted unanimously. These States, with the other five formerly participating, met, with representatives of all their commissions present, at Put in Bay Island, the scene of the battle of Lake Erie, on the 10th of last September; and there was organized the Interstate Board of the Perry's Victory Centennial. A full organization was completed, and an executive MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 3 <^v. committee appointed, consisting of the president general of the vs Interstate Board, the first vice-president general, and one repre- sentative of each State commission. These gentlemen are present ^ here to-daj^. Following that a committee was aj^pointed to wait upon the governors of Indiana and Minnesota. No action had been taken in those States, because their legislatures had not been in session for "- two years, and the present was the first opportunity to bring the i subject to official attention there. ^ In Indiana Gov. Marshall very cordially agreed to recommend legislation by that State in his annual message about to be delivered to the legislature. In Minnesota Gov. Eberhart manifested the same interest, and said that he would also recommend the necessary legislation. So that the net results of progress since our last appearance is that we now have 10 States officially embarked in this great enterprise. Ohio, which took the initiative, and which has had a year's more time to make ])rogress than any other State, has, since we appeared here last, appropriated $80,000 for the objects in view. In all the other States bills will be pending next January, and I wish to impress upon the members of this committee the favorable efi'ect upon the legislation in all the States interested winch a favorable report upon this bill would have at this time. If the decision of this committee is favorable to the project, we would ask you to make that fact known before the holiday recess, because before you convene again after that recess all of these legislatures will be in session, and bills will be pend- ing in many of them. The losses, gentlemen, on the Great Lakes, compiled for the year representing the time since our last appearance here, were $2,000,000 in one season, and 92 lives. This memorial has been best described, in my judgment, by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, which said that it was "the only memorial in the world that not only means some- thing, but does something." It is intended to protect and save life and property on the Great Lakes. The wireless telegraph station at a height of 375 feet vnW command the entire chain of lakes and will discharge and receive messages for miles inland. The project also contemplates a lighthouse, provision for an aquarium in con- nection with the Government fisheries station, wliich is already in operation at Put in Bay Island, a fife-saving station, a mifitary and naval museum, and other functions the discharge of which is dis- tinctly within the province of the United States Government. We are not asking anything, therefore, that is extraordinary. It is customary for the Government to maintain its own lighthouses and other public functions of that character — fife-saving stations, etc. It is customary for the Government to recognize the heroes of the Nation with proper memorials. So that this memorial represents a combination of ideas, not only inspiring patriotism, but promoting the practical interests of a vast section of this country. Mr. Chairman, we are here rather to answer questions and to give information through the medium of an informal discussion than to indulge in oratory, I do not wish to go further at this time, but after Col. Watterson has concluded his remarks, I and other commis- sioners present will be very pleased to answer any inquiries that may be made. I therefore yield the floor to Col. Watterson, of Kentucky. The Chairman. Col." Watterson, we will be very glad to hear you. 4 MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. STATEMENT OF HON. HENRY WATTEESON, FIRST VICE PRESI- DENT GENERAL, PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL COMMIS- SION. Mr. Watterson. ]\Ir. Chairman and gentlemen, I was born here in Washington and early enough distinctly to recall when it was a posi- tive merit to have ''fit agin the British," and a positive reproach to have had a Tory ancestor. I remember very well when the soldiers and the heroes of the War of 1812, and now and then a soldier of the War of the Revolution, appeared upon these streets. I grew up in an atmosphere made b}^ the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. We could in fancy see the old Continentals in their regimentals and through imaginary powder clouds hear the drums antl fifes. I knew countless persons who had fought in the battles of the Thames and Tippecanoe, some who had escaped from the massacre of the River Raisin, and a few who had actually fought with Perry in the famous battle on Lake Erie. I was one of the many thousands of southern men who loved the Union and lamented the war of sections but who, when the debate was ended and war had come to pass, fought on their own side of the line. Thus it was that in 1865 when all that I feared in 1861 had been actually realized, it did not require two minutes or three words to reconstruct me. [Applause.] From that day to this I have had but one aspiration, and that has been the rehabilitation and moral emancipation of the South, and the restoration of the people and the sections to the old and beloved Union of the States. [Applause.] And so it was that when I was advised by the governor of Ken- tucky that he wanted to make me one of a commission to join in the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of Perry's victory I was more than w^illing. I laiew nothing about the practical, concrete purpose in view, but upon the sentiment, generatmg back to that famous message, "We have met the enemy, and they are ours," which had been ringing in my mind and heart since I can remember, and the stories that came from New Orleans of Old Hickory and the Tennessee riflemen engaged in that wonderful victory, I cheerfully undertook to become a part of the commission, and went last Septem- ber to Put-in-Bay to join the other gentlemen similarly appointed in the consideration of the general project. There is an effigy which we present as the likely verification of the program. [Indicating.] I found that it was not a scheme to erect merely an empty monument ; that it was not a scheme to make an industrial exposition; but that it was a scheme largely embarked in from a scientific and humani- tarian point of view. I do not tliink that our country realizes the vast commerce of our interior lakes. I do not think that the people reahze how much has been done for our seacoast and how little has been done for those great waterways. I went up to Put in Bay and sailed about those beautiful islands. There is nothing on earth more delightful. In the Bay of Naples, the Bay of Calcutta, the Pacific seas there is noth- ing more beautiful than the group of islands lying off Toledo, San- dusky, Cleveland, and Detroit, of which Put-in-Bay Island seems to be about the base or center. Then I looked at the plan to erect a memorial building which should have apartments to commemorate each of the States engaged, with MEMOBIAIi TO COMMEMOKATE VICTOBY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 5 its surrounding buildings for the Fish Commission, for the Life-Saving Service, for the Geodetic Survey, for a permanent mihtary and naval museum — all commemorating the wonderful exploit of the immortal son of Rhode Island. There were two great Perrys of Rhode Island, you will recall — OUver Hazard Perry, who fought the Battle of Lake Erie and died when he was 34 years of age, the ranking officer of our Navy; and his younger brother, Matthew Calvert Perry, who opened Japan to us 40 years later. When I saw a scheme so perfect, as it seemed to me, for commemo- rating so great an event, and cast my mind back upon its real signifi- cance, I said to nwself: "Well, at last Perry is coming to his own;" assuredly a review of the history of the Battle of Lake Erie and what it actually meant to the people of the United States will not only be good for the rising generation, but it will be another link in the great chain binding the people of the North and the South and the East and the West. It is often said that the Battle of New Orleans was a useless battle; that it was a brilliant victory, but that it was fought after the treaty of peace had actually been signed, and that therefore nothing mate- rial could come of it. That is a signal misimpression of the fact. The British ambassador at Ghent, who made the treaty, inserted a clause by which it was agreed that at the close of the war, at the moment of the signing of this treaty, whichever flag waved over whatever ter- ritory, the status should last, the flag should carry the territory with it. The British ambassadors knew that Pakenham's army was on its wa}'^ to the mouth of the Mississippi, and the}^ fully beheved, there being notliing there to resist them, the flag of Eng- land would float over New Orleans during the month of December, 1814, and that, therefore, the vast territory embracing the mouth of the Mississippi would be in British possession. Wefl, it happened that toward the last of October an American sailor, Capt. Sam C. Reed, commanding the brig Armstrong, inflicted such damage upon the British fleet carryuig troops to Louisiana, in the harbor of Fayal, that Pakenham's army was delayed six weeks, and when they arrived at the Belize, Jackson was there before them. The battle of New Orleans was fought, and instead of the British flag flying over the mouth of the Mississippi the Stars and Stripes floated above the plams of Chalmette and the city of New Orleans. [Applause.] Meanwhfle Perry had gone out from that httle bay in Lake Erie and met the British and destroyed them— next to the great fight of Paul Jones, with his leaky old tub in the North Sea, the most extraor- dinary snatching of victory fi'om defeat the world of the sea has ever known. If Perry had been defeated in that battle of Lake Erie, Harrison's armv would have been driven back to the fine of the Ohio, and during the month of December, 1814, the British flag would have floated over the territory embraced by northern Ohio, Michigan, Illi- nois, and Wisconsin, and all that priceless domain would to-day be a part of Canada and not a part of the LTnited States. So it seems to me that we owe this tardy justice to the memory of the men who gave us this great glory, gained for us this tremendous physical and moral victory at a moment when all was dark from one end of the land to the other — the British in actual possession of the Capital of the country. It seems to me that a httle better reparation 6 MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. is due them (and we have an opportunity to make it now) than was made to the heirs, the children and grandchildren, of poor old Sam Reed. Gen. Keifer will remember that finally, 90 years after the event, whilst he was Speaker of the House, that Congress passed an act giving them $90,000, the brig being their personal property, and being, of course, lost in the action. Ah, gentlemen, if I were a Member of either House ot Congress I should feel it a privilege and an honor to vote the very modest sum we ask. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars is the amount named in the bill. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, per- haps $350,000, will be subscribed by the several States concerned, reaching an amount of five or six hundred thousand dollars to be expended. . i i -i Mr. Huntington did not state, in his very luminous ami lucid explanation, how the money is to be expended. It is to be expended by a board, three members of which are to be appointed by the President of the United States, to consist of an officer of the Army, an officer of the Navy— and what is the third, Mr. Huntington? I refer to the committee appointed by the President, to receive and expend this money, in conjunction with the commissioners of the various States. _ Mr. Huntington. It is to consist of three appointees by the President, one representing the Army and the other the Navy. The third appointment will not be subject to any restrictions. Mr. Watterson. At all events, nobody has any personal, sordid interest in this proposition. Nobody is to make any money out of it. Every dollar of the amount appropriated wiU be intelligently and carefully expended for the purpose designed. You all, oi;^ at least the older ones among you, remember how Col. Mulberry Sel- lers appeared 40 years ago at Washington with the old flag for an appropriation. Now we appear here with the old flag for an appro- priation, but it is an honest flag. It is our flag and brings grist to no man. It is a dutiful and honest appropriation hkewise, and I do hope that the members of this committee will join in a favor- able and a unanimous report. [Great applause.] The Chairman. It has been suggested that I call on Gen. Hayes, of Illinois, as the next speaker. STATEMENT OF GEN. PHILIP C. HAYES, OF JOLIET, ILL. Gen. Hayes. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, I come here as an ex-Member of Congress from the great State of Illi- nois, and I am very anxious, as one of the commissioners of that State, to have this committee indorse this bill which has been introduced by my friend. Gen. Keifer, to appropriate $250,000 for the erection of a monument to the grand victory that Commodore Perry and his gallant men won on Lake Erie on the 10th of September, 1813, for the old flag and the glorious Nation which we represent to-day. [Applause.] I feel a deep interest, my dear friends, in the passage of this bill and in the erection of that grand monument at Put in Bay Island. Put in Bay Island extends out into Lake Erie and comes to a point, and right off that point Commodore Perry and his gallant men won that great victory on September 10, 1813, and it is proposed to put MEMORIAL. TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 7 this monument up right at the end of that point that runs into Lake Erie. And, my dear friends, it seems to me that the great Congress of the United States can afford to appropriate $250,000 to perpetuate the memory of that grand hero who won one of the greatest naval battles that has ever been won by the Navy of the United States of America. I feel a deep interest in this matter because my okl father carried a gun in the War of 1812, and had it not been for the victory of Com- modore Perry on Lake Erie on that memorable occasion I do not know, Mr. Chairman; whether this war would have terminated favor- ably to the United States or not. I stand here as a man who fought for three years in the Civil War to sustain the old flag. I do not deserve anv credit for it at all, but I fought for three years in the Civil W^ar to sustain the honor of the old flag; and I admire every man who has a sentiment of patriotism in his heart and who is ready to stand for the old flag, even if it takes an appropriation. [Laughter.] We want to see this bill pass. That monument erected will cost substantially a half million dollars, and it is expected that the various States will appropriate sufficient in addition to the $250,000 that the Congress of the Ignited States will appropriate to make up the necessarv amount. We can not afford, gentlemen of this com- mittee, to turn down a bill of this kind. I stand here feeling that we can not do too much to honor the men who helped to save this nation to the Union and to liberty. When Commodore Perry transferred his flag from one ship to the other and won his historic victory and declared that ''we have met the enemy and they are ours"— every man, I sav, who helped win that victory under his gallant com- mand is deserving of a monument such as we propose to erect. Gentlemen, I do not want to detain you, but I do urge upon you to give a favorable report in regard to this bill. Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars is but a small sum for such a purpose. Let us have that amount appropriated by the National Congress in honor of the heroes who fought that grand battle on Lake Erie on Septem- ber 10, 1813. [Applause.] , , , . The Chairman. The committee will now be pleased to hear ti'om Governor Harmon. STATEMENT OF HON. JUDSON HARMON, GOVERNOR OF OHIO. Mr. Harmon. Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I did not come here with the expectation of saying anything, but merely by my presence to indicate mv deep interest in the matter before the committee. I was glad to feel that it was not necessary that I should say anything when I knew what gentlemen were to address you. I will only add one or two thoughts, which rather complement what they have said. If this had been a purely local event— the Battle of Lake Erie- Ohio is rich enough and patriotic enough to erect her own memorial to it. If the battle had simplv been notable for a display of American valor under all the adverse conditions that can be imagined, Ohio and the other States whose sons made that display of valor could them- selves perpetuate this memorial; but the local and the personal fea- tures are obscured by the broader aspects of that victory. 8 MEMOEIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. Commodore Perry was a young man who had not reached the reflective and philosophical period of life, and his men were such as he could recruit on short notice along the Lakes. I doubt if he or any of them really understood how much depended on them, but, like all true Americans, when they went in they went in to win; that they did not reflect on what victory or defeat might mean. But, nevertheless, under the decrees of Providence great things are wrought out sometimes through unconscious agents. I do not know whether any of them remembered one of the most wonderful things in American history, and that is how John Jay, almost single-handed — that French Huguenot whose ancestors oppression had driven to our sliores — as one of our commissioners saved the northwest terri- tory when France, England, and Spain had united and had about persuaded John Adams, and even old Ben Franldin, that our natural boundary ought to be the Allegheny Mountains. I do not think any of them, perhaps, knew it, or if they did know, how important it was that the British hold on that territory be broken at that time. For you will remember that it was with the greatest reluctance, even after the treaty at the close of the Revolution, that Great Britain let go of that territory; and the irritation caused b}^ the delay in sur- rendering possession, the pretext of which was some petty dispute about British claims, was one of the main causes of the War of 1812; for it was not until 1796, as I remember, that they gave up Detroit and the forts they had in Ohio; and during the War of 1812 one of the first things they did was to mend and strengthen the old forts and put up new fortifications in Ohio. They had taken that whole northwest territory and made it part of Canada, and they wanted to hold on to it, and would have, and Jay's diplomacy would have amounted to nothing, if it had not been for the valor of those men led by the man whose memory that victory will render famous forever. Col. Watterson has spoken of the significance of the Battle of New Orleans; but we would not have had an}' flag at the mouth of the Mississippi if we had not first had the northwest territory and gone to the Mississippi; and therefore the importance of that hangs on this: That we must have our flag floating in the northwest terri- tory if our Republic was to stretch westward to the ocean, and not be a little fringe of Commonwealths along the sea. So the national aspect, the tremendous consequences of that victory, take it out of the local class, take it out of the class of personal heroism, and make it a great empire-making event. Gen. Hayes. That is right. Mr. Harmon. And so Ohio and the States which contributed their citizen soldiers to make up our force in this battle, although they are able to carry it on, do not feel that the commemoration would be complete unless the Union participates. Not for tlie money alone, but that it might be made a national event, we ask for the cooperation of the United States. Surely the Union, surely you men from other States who realize what this all means, would not be willing if we wanted you to, to stand back and let these six or eight States conduct this alone. The celebration of this great victory must be a Federal as well as a State event, and it can not be unless you come in with us, not only with your appropriation but with your representatives. We need that Army man and that Navv man to advise and help and MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 9 to cooperate with these splendid men wlio have been appointed by the governors of the difi'erent States, and those still to be appointed as soon as the legislatures assemble. I think nobody can question for a moment the fitness of that. The next thing is that we want a fitting commemoration. If this were like the charge of the six hundred, or the defense of the Pass of Thermopylae — without result except the glorification of human courage and endurance — we could have a celebration and have it over; but an event with such tremendous and permanent consequences as these can not be fitly ])ut in emblem except by some memorial of like character, which is useful, and the memory of which does not pass with the occasion. Now, tlien, the scene of this victory was right by the pathway of the greatest commerce in the world, that is growing faster, probably, than any commerce in the world, whose possibilities, I think even the vivid American imagination can not grasp; and we want some- thing that wall stay forever right by the side of that pathway, so that as the sliips pass by they may be reminded not only of the heroism there displayed, but of the deep significance of that heroism, which made that pathway of commerce possible. So the commis- sioners have all thought that we do not want a mere celebration. We want to put there a useful, perpetual memorial, which, b}- its light and its help, will go forth through all time as a commemora- tion of an event with these lasting consequences. I do not know anything about that particular design, but I think everybody is struck by the appropriateness of the idea of having a wireless-telegraph station andj lighthouse and life-saving station, which are peculiarly Federal. It is not the business of Ohio or any of these ot^ier States to perform that office for Congress, and they are fitly represented by the different apartments in the base of this monument, in whicli, according to tlieir several tastes, they can commemorate their heroes and their participation in that great event. It is a beautiful thought. Whether the memorial contemplated is too big, too little, too costly, or not costly enough — those matters can well be left to the judgment of the patriotic men who have volunteered their services, some of whom you have seen and heard to-day. But we do ask you, in order tliat the participation of the United States may be known, to join promptly with these States in celebrating this event in this manner. [Applause.] The Chairman. Commissioner Worthington, do you desire to have any other gentleman address the committee? Mr. Worthington. Mr. Chah-man, Senator Sanborn, of Khode Island, is here with us, and I know you would all like to hear a few words from him. The Chairman. We would be very glad to liear Senator Sanborn. STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN P. SANBORN, OF NEWPORT, R. I. Mr. Sanborn. Mr. Chaii-man, and gentlemen of the connnittee, I do not wish to take up any of your time, as the ground has been well gone over. The whole matter has been thoroughly laid before you, Rhode Island takes a deep interest in this matter. Rhode Island was the birthplace of Commodore Perry. His remains lie buried there to-day. It was the birthplace of 149 men and 3 boys whom 10 MEMOEIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. he took with him from Rhode Ishxiid in December, 1812, making his way from there to Sacketts Harbor, and from there to Erie, and in February commencino; the building of that fleet with those men from Rhode Island. Those men from Rhode Island, skilled in woodwork, skilled m seamanship, built the vessels, manned them, carried them over the bar of Erie — all men of Rhode Island, and the other hardy yeomanry from the country roundabout — and fought that magnifi- cent battle which opened up to this country, I believe, more territory more country, than any other battle that ever was fought. [Applause.! This ground has been thoroughly gone over by Gov. Harmon and Col. Watterson, but it is a fact that the British disputed what they had given in their former treaty— the right to that Northwest Ter- ritory. After the surrender of Detroit and the disastrous battles of the River Raisin and Dudley's massacre Gen. Harrison checked the BritishadvancebyMaj.Croghan's glorious defense of Fort Stephenson, August 2, 1813, and after Perry's victorious battle on Lake Erie Harrison's army, reenforced by the Kentuckians, were united to Perry's fleet and made possible that glorious victory, the Battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, which wound up practically the War of 1812, and the British retired from that Northwest Territory; and thus Minne- sota, Wisconsin, Michigan, northern Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana were made free from British aggrandizement forever after, and that territory was opened up to this country and the British withdrew from it. Such a battle as that, with its momentous results, deserves recog- nition, and on the occasion of the centennial of that battle, which will occur less than three years from this time, it does seem that this great nation should show its gratitude to Perry and the men with him and should show its gratitude to Harrison and the noble Kentuckians with him who fought those battles around Lake Erie and made pos- sible the freedom of that country, and made impossible another war with Great Britain. The amount that is asked for seems to me, for one, to be a sma 1 sum. While Rhode Island is far removed from the Lakes and far removed from any particular immediate result of that battle, save the glory of haying given the men to fight it, I know she will contribute— and I believe it will be done without a murmur of opposition from anyone — the sum allotted to her to carry out this grand project. All we want, as commissioners representing the States, is to have Congress act at once as an example for the rest of the States tliat we shall ask to act with us to make this a memorial and an occasion worthy of the men who fought there and worthy of the event. I do not know tliat there is anything more that it is necessary for me to say. I will simply say that the Congressmen from Rhode Island, one of whom is here to-day, and our Senators and everyone in Rhode Island are thoroughly inter- ested in this project. We believe that it is nothing more thanYitting, that it IS nothing more than right, that it is nothing more than that great hero and the heroes with him have a right to have in their memory and in their name; and it seems to me that this memorial that has been mapped out here is a very appropriate one. I can conceive of none more appropriate and more proper for such an occa- sion; for it IS not simply a monument. It is something of use for the Great Lakes, not only as a life-saving station, but as a lightliouse, a wireless telegraph station, a permanent mihtarv and naval museum, MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 11 and a place for exhibitions or anything of that kind that may he held hereafter. It is certainly fitting as a nieniorial for that purpose, and the sum asked for on the part of the United States I liopo will be given ungrudgingly. I hope the committee will make a prompt report, so that the matter can come before Congress for action, and so that we can go to our various States and say, "The United States Government has taken the initiative. Now, we want you to follow it up.'' [Applause.] Mr. WoRTHiNGTON. I suggest that Mr. Huntington make an addi- tional statement as to the present condition of the graves of the sailors of Perry's Fleet, whose remains are buried on Put-in-Bay Island. ADDITIONAL STATEMENT OF MR. WEBSTER P. HUNTINGTON, SECRETARY-GENERAL, PERRY'S VICTORY CENTENNIAL COM- MISSION. Mr. Huntington. Mr. Chairman, one subject has been overlooked in regard to which there is not much general information, and from the sentimental point of view it has a very important bearing upon this project. It is a fact that after the battle of Lake Erie the dead bodies of the officers and sailors not left at the bottom of the lake were brought to Put-in-Bay Island and buried on the shore. They have lain there for 100 years, and there is not a stone over them. There is not a name disclosed as to who they were. Their names are in Commodore Perry's reports. They may be found in the Govern- ment archives; but no authority during this 100 years, neither State nor Nation, has paid any attention to the remains of these heroes. It was left to the pitiable charity of an amateur dramatic enter- tainment, patronized by villagers and fishermen on Put-in-Bay Island to raise money enough to erect a few old cannon balls upon those graves. It seems to me that this fact ought to be known to the committee, and especially to the representatives of the Army and Navy of the United States who, I believe, would not be willing that this neglect should be longer continued. The Chairman. Do the members of the committee desire to ask Commodore Worthington or Mr. Huntington any questions ? Have you anyone else who wishes to address the committee. Commodore ? Mr. Worthington. No, sir. The Chairman. Then this will conclude the hearing, gentlemen. Mr. Worthington. If any of you gentlemen would like to ask any questions, Mr. Huntington would be very glad to answer them. Mr. CuLLOCK. I would like to ask a question, Mr. Chairman. The Chairman. Very well. Mr. CuLLOCK. Has there been any lighthouse maintained at this point heretofore ? Mr. Worthington. Not at this point, but there is a lighthouse on Greene Island. Mr. CuLLOCK. How far distant is that from where you propose to erect this monument ? How far distant is the one that is now maintained ? Mr. Worthington. The one on Greene Island is, I should say, between 2 and 3 miles from Put in Bay; but the islands lie in such 12 MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. shape there that the light on Greene Island is no good for the channel which this memorial would overlook. Mr. CuLLOCK. What is the width of the channel at that point ? Mr. WoRTHiNGTON. The width ? Mr. CuLLOCK. Yes, sir. Mr. WoRTHiNGTON. I would Say a mile. In its narrowest part it is not a mile. The narrowest part of that channel is out at Middle Island. That is, it is the last island you pass going out in Lake Erie. Mr. CuLLOCK. How far distant is that from this point ? Mr. WORTHINGTON. Middle Island is 12 miles from Put in Ba,y. Gen. Hayes. I want to say to you gentlemen that this point in Put in Bay is the farthest point that reaches out into Lake Erie of any of the islands connected with that group. Mr. Keifer. I want to ask a question, if you will allow me ? The Chairman. Certainly. Mr. Keifer. I understood from the remarks by Mr. Watterson that there was some action taken by the commission with reference to who should disburse this money. I only want to inquire whether the provisions of the bill which authorize the money, if it is appro- priated, to be paid over to the treasurer of the commission are right m view of that proposition that the money is to be expended by a board appointed in part by the President and others ? IVir. CuLLOCK. I do not think he understands you. Mr. Keifer. I suppose it does not, but I only wanted to know; for if, as I greatly hope, the bill should be favorably reported, I do not want any mistake to arise on account of an}^ changed condition since the bill was introduced. The last section of the bill provides that the money shall be paid out by the Secretary of the Treasury and to the treasurer of the commission. I do not know that that would be inconsistent at all with its being expended under the direction of this board that is to be appointed, but I wanted to make that sug- gestion at this time, so that it could be corrected if necessary. Mr. Harmon. I see the bill provides: The same to be disbursed by the Perry's Victory Centennial Commission of Ohio and such other State commissions as have been and may be appointed to and which may cooperate therewith in holding such centennial. Mr. Keifer. That is true. Mr. Harmon. I thuik that ought to include the two members appomted by the President, too. It does not seem to do it. Mr. Keifer. "And such board as they mav designate." Suppose you use some such language as that ? Mr. Harmon. As it is drawn I do not think it includes the United States participating in the spending of the money. ^Ir. Keifer. I think your suggestion is right about it. Mr. Harmon. I would not want any question to arise about it. Mr. Keifer. I want to avoid any question about it. Gen. Hayes. I want to say this. Gen. Keifer. In your bill you ought to incorporate the additional States that have signified their mtention to take action in regard to this matter, on account of its moral eflect before Congress. If you consult Secretary Huntington he will tell you the number of additional States. Mr. Keifer. Yes. But the bill provides generallv. It is not de- tective in that respect, though it might be made more"^emphatic. The MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 13 bill provides for the commission appointed already and such other commissioners as may choose to unite with them. Gen. Hayes. You see, there are some 10 States that have taken action. Mr. Keifer. I understand that. Gen. Hayes. If that fact were stated, it might have a moral effect before Congress. The Chairman. That is a matter of detail that the committee can consider. Mr. Keifer. I was going to suggest that if the committee reaches the conclusion to make the appropriation I would like to confer with it, so as to cover all the things proposed. The Chairman. Yes; we would be glad to have you. Gentlemen, this closes the hearing. (The committee thereupon adjourned.) o LiBRftRV OF CONGRESS 011 899 643 4 ^ pH8J