Description:

Perry Oliver

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Reacts to a Pamphlet Just Published by a Court Martialed Officer a Few Months Earlier for Striking a Fellow Officer


Autograph Letter Signed "O. H. Perry," 2 pages, 8" x 9.75", front and verso. Newport [Rhode Island]. July 17, 1817. To Edward J. Coal , Esq., Baltimore. Fine condition.


In full, "I had the pleasure to find your letter of the 28th June on my return home two days since - accept my sincere thanks my dear for your kind offer in giving currency to any reply I might make to Heaths pamphlet - while I am sensible that this book containing as it does many falshoods [sic] and much distortion of the truth will make in the opinions of many any good men impressions unfavorable to me - I shall decline altogether noticing it - It is a source of mortification that nearly twenty years of honorable service should not have found in the public mind some favor - and that a worthless fellow, whom misconduct & impertinence brought upon himself a chastizement (certainly improper while he held a commission) should have it in his power by distorting some facts and with holding others to injure my character I must console myself with the good opinion of the Government & a few friends who know how to estimate my character and I trust you and my old friend your partner are among the numbers."


In July, 1814, Captain Oliver Hazard Perry was offered command of the Java, a new 44-gun frigate under construction in Baltimore. While engaged in fitting out the Java, Perry participated in the defense of both Washington and Baltimore during the late summer War of 1812 British invasion of the Chesapeake Bay region … The Java cruised to the Mediterranean in 1815 to help quell continuing problems with the Barbary pirates. While anchored in Naples, an unseemly incident induced Perry to slap the Java's Marine officer, John Heath.


On October 14, 1816, Capt. Oliver H. Perry of the Navy charged Capt. John Heath of the Marines with "Disrespectful, insolent, and contemptuous conduct to me, his superior officer," "Neglect of duty and unofficerlike conduct," and "Disobedience of orders." Captain Heath charged Captain Perry with "ungentlemanly and unofficer-like conduct" and "Oppression and cruelty." Each officer was court martialed.


Capt. Heath was found guilty of some charges and specifications and not guilty of others. On January 10, 1817, the court sentenced Heath "to receive a private reprimand from the president of the court." Capt. Perry was also found guilty, "that he used improper language" and "that he did strike Capt. Heath." On January 11, 1817, the court"­


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