in Detroit, to a boat but illy provided with hands and with scarcely a covert from the chilling storms of the season.

Finally, after ninety hours of unremitted exertion, the party arrived at Fort Stephenson-at midnight.

Here the boat was abandoned-and he was placed on a litter, suspended between two horses —the rains re-commenced, but the route was continued a dreary wilderness, streams unfordable, bad roads, numerous rivers and a distance of 300 miles separated the party from Kentucky. Yet all these formidable impediments were overcome with inflexible perseverance and astonishing celerity.

After spending eight or ten weeks in Kentucky, he was so far recovered from his wounds, that he repaired to the seat of government, and resumed his seat in Congress. The fame of his exploits had preceded him; and he was every where received with distinguished testimonials of respect and admiration.

In a subsequent session of Congress he voted for the Compensation Law, which repealed that of allowing members of Congress $6 per day and travelling expences, and commuted their services for a salary of $1500 per annum; which was so unpopular that it was repealed the next session. This law was made a party question, but notwithstanding the strong opposition it afforded to Johnson's re-election, a recollection of past services produced his forgiveness for that vote, and he was again returned to a seat in the National Councils.

During the recess of Congress he devotes most of his time to agricultural pursuits-having for a number of years abandoned the practice of the law.

Colonel Johnson is in stature rather above the middle size, well formed, of a firm but prepossessing aspect; his words are few, but always expressed with grace and energy.

CAPTAIN

OLIVER HAZARD PERRY.

THE " Hero of Lake Erie," was born at New port, Rhode-Island, in August, 1785. In the disturbance between France and the United States, during the administration of President Adams, his father, Christopher Raymond Perry, commanded the United States' sloop of war General Greene, on board of which, in 1798, young Perry entered as a midshipman, under the immediate eye of his parent. He was, soon after, ordered to the squadron destined for the Mediterranean, in which he served during the Tripoline war. After affairs were adjusted with that regency, the tranquil state of things threw him in the vale of obscurity, until 1810, when he was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-commandant, and was ordered to take charge of the United States' schooner Revenge, and to cruise in Long-Island sound, for the purpose of enforcing an observance of the Embargo law.

In the following spring, he lost his vessel on Watch-hill reef, during the existence of a thick fog. He used every possible exertion to save the guns and property, and partially succeeded. A court of inquiry, instituted at his own desire, not only exonerated him from blame, but applauded his zeal, which was seconded by a complimentary letter from the Secretary of the Navy.

Shortly after his return to Newport, he was married to Miss Mason, daughter of Dr. Mason, and niece of Christopher Champlin, Esq. one of the Senators from Rhode-Island in the Congress of the United States.

He took charge of the flotilla of Gun-boats stationed in the harbour of New-York, early in 1812, with the rank of Master-commandant. Here he remained about a year, disciplining his crews. As war had begun its ravages between Great Britain and the United States, he sought a more active sphere; and, at his own request, he was transferred to the service on the Lakes.

In pursuance of this disposition of his services, he repaired with a reinforcement of seamen to Sackett's Harbour, on Lake Ontario, to act under Commodore Chauncey. The transportation of the seamen from the sea-board to the harbour, from its novelty to the sons of Neptune, afforded them the highest amusement, particularly as it was a "land cruise" in the depth of winter.

After remaining at Sackett's Harbour some time, Commodore Chauncey despatched Perry to take charge of the squadron then fitted and fitting out on lake Erie, and to hasten their equip ments. At this time the British fleet on that lake, was commanded by Captain Barclay, an officer of high standing, rank, and skill, who had seen much service, and whose force was of superior strength to the American squadron.

Perry pursued his object unmolested by the enemy, who was continually hovering about the harbour. Having equipped and manned his ves→ sels, he buoyed them over the bar, on which was only five feet water, at the harbour's mouth of the port of Erie, on the 4th of August, 1813: The enemy were peaceable spectators of the

scene. The next day he sailed in pursuit of them, and returned to port on the 8th, without accomplishing his object. The day following he was reinforced by several officers and eighty seamen under Lieutenant Elliot, which gave his squadron a full complement. He again sailed on the 12th, on a cruise, and on the 15th arrived at Sanduskybay in front of an encampment of the American army, commanded by General Harrison. Thence he proceeded to cruise off Malden, and the British commander thought proper to hug his force for protection, close under the guns of the British fortifications. The inhabitants were filled with terror and consternation at the sight of the American squadron, and the astonished Indian allies of the British crown, urged the British squadron to put to sea, and give battle. They however felt themselves not disposed to risk an engagement; and Perry returned to Sandusky-bay.

Nothing of moment happened until the morning of the 10th of September. The American squadron were then lying at anchor in Put-in-Bay, and consisted of brigs Lawrence, Commodore Perry, 20 guns; Niagara, Capt. Elliot, 20 do; Caledonia, Purser M'Grath, 3 do; schooners Ariel, Lieut. Packet, 4 do; Scorpion, Sailing-Master Champlin, 2 do; Somers, Almy, 2 do. and 2 swivels; Tigress, Lieutenant Conklin, 1 do; Porcupine, Midshipman G. Senat, 1 do; sloop Trippe, Lieutenant Smith, 1 do; in all 54 guns.

At sunrise they discovered the enemy, and immediately got under way and stood for him, with a light wind at southwest. The British forceconsisted of ship Detroit, 19 guns, 1 on pivot, and 2 howitzers; Queen Charlotte, 17 do. 1 on pivot; schooner Lady Prevost, 13 do. 1 on pivot; brig Hunter, 10 do; sloop Little Belt, 3 do; schooner Chippeway, I do. 2 swivels; in all 63 guns.

At 10, A. M. the wind hauled to the southeast and brought our squadron to windward. Com modore Perry then hoisted his union jack, having for a motto, the dying words of the valiant Lawrence, "Don't give up the ship!" It was received with repeated cheerings by the officers and crews. And now, having formed his line, he bore for the enemy; who likewise cieared for action, and hauled up bis courses. As the hostile squadrons approached each other, suddenly a bugle was sounded from on board the enemy's ship Detroit, and loud huzzas immediately burst forth from all their

crews.

As soon as the Lawrence came within the reach of the enemy's long guns, they opened a heavy fire upon her, which, from the shortness of her guns, she was unable to return. Perry, without waiting for his schooners, kept on his course which induced the enemy to suppose it was his intention to board. In a few minutes, having gained a nearer position, he opened his fire. The length of the enemy's guns, however, gave them greatly the advantage, and the Lawrence was excessively eut up without being able to do any great damage in return. Their shot pierced her sides in all directions, killing the men on the birth deck and in the steerage, where they had been taken down to be dressed. One shot had nearly produced a fatal explosion; passing through the light room it knocked the snuff of the candle into the maga zine; fortunately the gunner happened to see it, and had the presence of mind to extinguish it immediately with his hand.

Their heaviest fire was directed at the Lawrence, and Perry finding the hazard of his situation made sail, and directed the other vessels to follow for the purpose of closing with the foe..