E 356 .E6 U53 "^i Copy 1 \ I \ .MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY (jiF COMMODORE RERI{Y. Committee t)N Indlsthial Arts and Expositions, House of Kevresentatives, Washington, D. C, Saturday, December 7(9, 1910—10.30 a. m. Present: Representatives Kotlenberg (chairmaji), Lanfjley, Steener- son, Woods. Poindexter. Ilellin, Collier, Cullop, aud Covington. Present, alst): Hon. Judson Harmon, goverj.or of Ohio; Mr. George H. Wortliington, Cleveland, Ohio, president general of the Perry's Victory Centennial Commission; Hon. |Ienry AVatterson, Louisville, Ky.. first vice j)resiake Erie — Ohio is rich enough and patriotic enough to erect her own memorial to it. If the battle had simply been notable for a display of American valor mider all the adverse conditions that can be imagined, Ohio and the other States whose sons made that display of valor could them- selves perj^etuate this memorial: but the local and the personal fea- tures are ob.scured by the broader aspects of that victory. 8 MEMORIAL TO COMMEIMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. Commodore Perry was a young man who had not reached the reflective and philosopliical period of hfe, 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 .Vmericans, when they went in they went in to ^^^n; 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 shores — as one of our commissioners saved the northwest terri- tory- when France, England, and Spain had united and had about Eersuaded John Adams, and even old Ben Franklin, that our natural oundary ought to be the ^Ulegheny Mountains. I do not think anj' of them, perhaps, knew it, or if they did know, how important it was that tJie Britisli 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 Kevolution, 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 pett}' 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 thev had in Ohio; and during the W'ar 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 tlie valor of those men led by the man whose memory that victor\- will render famous forever. Col. Watterson has spoken of the significance of the Battle of New Orleans; but we would not have had any 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. IIayes. That is right. Mr. IIak.mox. And so Ohio and the States which contributed their citizen sohliers 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 the money alone, l)ut 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 victorv must be a Federal as well as a State event, and it can not be imless you come in with us, not only with your api>roi>riation but with your representatives. We need that Army man and that Xavy man to advise and help and MEMORIAL. TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 9 to cooperate witli tliese spltMulitl men who have l^een aj^poiiited by the governors of the dilferent States, and tliose still to he appohited 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. ]f tliis were like the charge of the six imndred, or the defense of the Pass of Tiiermopylse — witiiout result except the glorification of human courage and endurance — we could liave a celebration antl have it over; but anevent with such tremendous and permanent consequences as tliese can not be litly ])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, then, the scene of this A-ictory was right by tiie pathway of the greatest commerce in the world, that is growing faster, ])robal)ly, than any commerce in the world, whose possibilities, I think even the vivid American imagination can not grasp; and we want some- tiling that will stay forever right by the side of that pathway, so that as the ships pass by they may be reminded not only of the heroism there displayed, but of the deep significance of that heroism, which made that patliway of commerce j)ossible. So the commis- sioners have all thought that we do not want a mere celebration. We want to put there a useful, ])erpetual memorial, which, by its light and its helj), will go forth through all time as a commemora- tion of an event witli these lasting consequences. I do not know anything about that particular design, but 1 think everj'body is struck by the appropriateness of the idea of having a wireless-telegraph station and; lighthouse and life-saving station, which are peculiarly Federal. It is not the business of Ohio or any of these other States to perform that othce for Congress, and they are fitly represented by the different a])artments in the base of this monument, in which, according to their several tastes, they can commemorate their heroes and their ])articipation in that great event. It is a beautiful thought. Whether the m.emorial contemplated is too big, too little, too costly, or not costly enough — those matters can well be left to the judgment of tlie patriotic men who have volunteered their services, some of whom you have seen ami heard to-day. But we do ask you, in order that the participation of the I'nited States may be known, to join promptly with these States in celebrating this event in this manner. [Applause.] The CiiAiRMAX. Commissioner V.\)rthington, do you desire to have any other gentleman address the committee? Mr. ^VoRTHINGTON. ^Ir. Chairman, Senator Sanborn, of Rhoile Island, is here with us, ;uid I know you would all like to hear a few words from him. The Chairman. We would be very glad to hear Senator Sanborn. STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN P. SANBORN, OF NEWPORT. R. I. Air. Sanborn. Mr. Chairman, and gentlemen of the committee, I do not wish to take up any of your time, as the irround 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 ^ boys whom 10 MEMORIAX, TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. he took with him from Rhode Island in December, 1812, making his way from there to Sacketts Harbor, and from there to Erie, and in February commencing the building of that fleet with those men from Rhode Island. Those men from Rhode Island, skilled in woodwork, skilled in 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 British advance by Maj, 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 tliat battle, save the glory of having given the men to fight it, 1 know she will contribute — and I believe it will be done without a niurmurof 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 that 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 that there is anything more that it is necessary for mo to say. 1 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 than fitting, 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 suc-h an occa- sion; for it is not simpl}' a monujnent. It is something of use for the Great Lakes, not only as a life-saving station, but as a lighthouse, a wireless telegraph station, a permanent military and naval museum, MEMORIAL TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY OF COMMODORE PERRY. 11 and a place for exhibitions or anything of that kind that jnay he held hereafter. It is certainly fitting as a memorial for that purpose, and the sum asked for on the part of the United States I hofjc 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 Govenmient has taken the initiative. Now, we want you to follow it up." [Applause.] Mr. WoRTniXGTON. 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 ME. 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 remams 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 \villing 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 w^ho 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 ({uestion, 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 sav, between 2 and 3 miles from Put in Bay; but the islands lie in such 12 MEMORIAL, TO COMMEMOBATE 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 ^liddle 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 Bay. Gen. Hayes. I want to say to you gentlemen that this point in Put in Bay is the farthest point tJ^at 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 'in view of that proposition that the money is to be expended by a board appointed in part by the President and others ? Mr. CuLLOCK. I do not think he understands 3'ou. 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 Centeunial 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. Ml'. Harmon. I think that ought to include the two members appointed by the President, too. It does not seem to do it. Mr. Keifer. "And such board as they may designate." Suppose you use some such language as that ? ^Ir. Harmon. As it is drawn I do not think it includes the United States participating in the spending of the money. Mr. Keifer. I think your suggestion is right about it. jVlr. Harmon. I would not want any question to arise about it. ]V'Ir. 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 intention to talce action in regard to this matter, on account of its moral effect before Congress. If you consult Secretary Huntington he will tell you the number of additional States. ^Ir. Keifer. Yes. But the bill provides generally. It is not de- fective 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 siicli 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 tilings proposed. The Chairman. Yes; we would be glad to have you. Gentlemen, this closes the hearing. (The committee thereupon adjourned.) o LIBRflRY OF CONGRESS 011 899 647 1 m