repetition in the northwest was to be made impossible. In this
disposition for redress the seamen heartily sympathized, for the war was
a contest for Sailors' Rights. The American Flag then trailed in the
dust, but it was to be restored to its appropriate place in the esteem
of the men in that section of the country. With a crew animated by these
motives, Perry went into action with the Lawrence and fought the enemy
almost single-handed until all the guns of his ship were dismounted, and
all but eight of her gallant crew that he left on board, were either
killed or wounded, when with a boat's crew he left the Lawrence, boarded
and took command of the Niagara, and it is at this moment in the
conflict the artist has undertaken to represent him.

Barclay said in his report to the British Admiralty, that when Perry
boarded the Niagara, that vessel was fresh in action. Up to that time
she had been beyond the effective reach of the enemy's guns, but under
her new commander there was no halting in her course as she bore down to
break and pass through the enemy's ranks. Every brace and bowline were
taut, and every man on board, apprised of what was expected of him, was
soon at his post of duty; each, as he took his position, cast a hasty
glance at Perry's battle flag then flying from the masthead of the
Niagara, and as he took in the dying words of the noble Lawrence, formed
a solemn resolve to obey their mandate and made that resolve a
sacrament.

As she went into action, the Niagara belched forth a broadside at the
Detroit and the Queen Charlotte, then a broadside at the Chippawa, the
Lady Provost and the Hunter. These broadsides were repeated in rapid
succession with terrific effect. The other American vessels, now in
action, whose crews were inspired by the daring of their fleet
commander, imitated his example and the combined result was such as