Virginia Argus

From the Norwich Courier.—A Federal Paper

COM. OLIVER HAZARD PERRY,

Who by his late brilliant achievement on Lake Erie, has secured to himself the proudest niche in the temple of Fame, is the eldest son of Christopher Raymond Perry, Esq. formerly of Newport, Rhode-Island, but for some months past a resident of this town,— He commenced his naval career about the year 99, as a midshipman, and served in that capacity on board the General Green, of 33 guns, commanded by his father, and employed principally on the "Havannah station. On the reduction of the navy in 1801, many officers were "thrown out of the service; But young PERRY, notwithstanding the comparative inactivity of peaceful times, perseveringly continued the profession he had chosen; passing through the various grades of promotion until We find him in the winter of 1810 lieut. And commander of the Revenge schooner attached to Commodore Rodgers' squadron, "which wintered that season at New London." Here he was continually under the eye of that able and accomplished officer; and received from him a full share of that confidence which he so eminently merited. A misfortune, however, overtook him while on this station. The Revenge, in returning from Newport to New London, in thick weather struck on Watch hill reef, and went to pieces ; but the crew were all saved, with most of her armament. As is usual on such occasions, a court of inquiry was instituted to investigate Lieut. PERRY'S conduct in that affair, and the result was a most honorable acquittal. Lieut. PERRY was afterwards invested with the command of the United States' flotilla at Newport, where he continued until some months after the breaking out of the present war, when he was appointed with the rank of master and commander to the Command of Naval forces on Lake Erie, which at that time consisted of a very few small vessels—And here his astonishing assiduity and unconquerable perseverance shone forth with a splendour which fairly augured a brilliant result to all his complicated labours in the building and equipment of a force sufficient to cope with that of the enemy. Every nerve was strained for that purpose, artizans and sailors were sent from the Atlantic States and we at length behold him sally forth to victory and to glory. The importance of the late victory is immense, and the public joy on the occasion has been completely and unequivocally manifested by the sound of artillery. the chiming of bells, and brilliant illuminations from one extremity of the country to the other.

Commodore PERRY has three brothers also in the navy, two of whom are lieutenants on board the President, and the other, the youngest, about 18 years of age, was on board the Lawrence, serving as a midshipman, in the late glorious battle, and was the only of that class of officers who was not either killed or wounded! It seems, in fact, almost a miracle in the midst of such horrible carnage, when any gallant fellows took their way to the "world of spirits," both the brothers should escape unhurt.

Commodore PERRY is now but little more than 28 years of age, having been born in August, 1785. He was married, a few years since, to a very beautiful and accomplished young lady—Miss Mason, daughter of the late Dr. Mason, of Newport, by whom he has one son.