{"product_id":"1823-smith-thompson-ls-sec-navy-re-oliver-hazard-perry-battle-of-lake-erie","title":"1823 Smith Thompson LS Sec. Navy Re Oliver Hazard Perry Battle Of Lake Erie","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSmith Thompson (1768–1843), Secretary of the Navy — Autograph Signed Letter, March 22, 1823.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eAn exceptionally interesting original manuscript letter signed by \u003cstrong\u003eSmith Thompson\u003c\/strong\u003e, Secretary of the United States Navy under President James Monroe, concerning the estate of celebrated naval hero \u003cstrong\u003eCommodore Oliver Hazard Perry\u003c\/strong\u003e and an alleged legacy Perry intended for the men who fought with him in the \u003cstrong\u003eBattle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eWritten from the Navy Department on March 22, 1823, Thompson acknowledges receiving a letter asking for information concerning a purported legacy left by the late Commodore Perry “to the gallant men who achieved with him the glorious victory on Lake Erie.” Thompson replies that the Navy Department cannot provide the requested information because it has “no knowledge whatever of the private affairs of the late Commodore Perry.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe letter provides a remarkable contemporary documentary connection between \u003cstrong\u003eSmith Thompson and Oliver Hazard Perry\u003c\/strong\u003e, extending beyond Perry's lifetime. Thompson had served as Secretary of the Navy during Perry's final years and was directly involved in the arrangements for Perry's important 1819 diplomatic mission to Venezuela. Perry died of yellow fever during that mission on August 23, 1819.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eParticularly intriguing is the reference to a \u003cstrong\u003eprivate legacy for the men who served with Perry at Lake Erie\u003c\/strong\u003e. The Battle of Lake Erie was one of the decisive American victories of the War of 1812, resulting in the capture of the entire British squadron and establishing American control of the lake. This letter demonstrates that, several years after Perry's death, questions concerning such a legacy were still being pursued through the Navy Department.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe document is signed \u003cstrong\u003e“Smith Thompson”\u003c\/strong\u003e at lower right and is addressed to a Mr. Jacob \u003cspan data-placeholder-token=\"true\" class=\"text-token-text-primary cursor-text rounded-sm\"\u003e[surname unclear]\u003c\/span\u003e at lower left. Further research into the recipient may reveal a direct connection to one of Perry's Lake Erie veterans, potentially adding additional significance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical significance:\u003c\/strong\u003e An unusually specific Secretary of the Navy document concerning the private affairs and legacy of one of America's most celebrated naval heroes. A compelling War of 1812, U.S. Navy, Oliver Hazard Perry, and Smith Thompson manuscript.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 22, 1823\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlace:\u003c\/strong\u003e Navy Department, Washington\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSigner:\u003c\/strong\u003e Smith Thompson, Secretary of the Navy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Estate\/legacy of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry; Lake Erie veterans\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Significant age-related wear, folds, staining, edge losses and tears, but with the principal text and Thompson signature clearly preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eA fascinating primary-source document linking the \u003cstrong\u003eSecretary of the Navy, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, and the surviving heroes of the Battle of Lake Erie\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn important manuscript for collectors of the War of 1812, early American naval history, presidential-era documents, and material relating to Oliver Hazard Perry.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44601051840590,"sku":"EB-327219952124","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0768\/8155\/9630\/files\/57_f8de907b-1cb5-4f40-b9d7-94f2f683f41f.jpg?v=1792409301","url":"https:\/\/thearchiveauthority.com\/products\/1823-smith-thompson-ls-sec-navy-re-oliver-hazard-perry-battle-of-lake-erie","provider":"The Archive Authority","version":"1.0","type":"link"}