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Medal Name: Capture of the Boxer
Struck for: Lieutenant William Burrows
Approval: Act of Congress January 6, 1814
OBVERSE
VICTORIAM TIBI CLARAM. PATRIÆ MÆSTAM (A victory brilliant for thee, sorrowful for thy country).
A funeral urn upon a tomb is surrounded with naval emblems;
A crown of laurel is hanging from a trident, and
In a cartoon of elliptical form: W. (William) BURROWS
REVERSE
VIVERE SAT VINCERE. (To conquer is to live enough.)
Naval engagement between the United States brig-of-war Enterprize, of fourteen guns, Lieutenant-Commander Burrows, and the British brig-of-war Boxer, of fourteen guns, Captain Blythe.
The Enterprize is raking the Boxer, fore and aft.
The latter has lost her main-topmast.
Exergue: INTER ENTERPRIZE NAV. AMERI. ET BOXER NAV. BRIT. DIE IV SEPT. MDCCCXIII (Inter Enterprize navem Americanam et Boxer navem Britannicam, die 4 Septembris, 1813: Between the American vessel Enterprize and the British vessel Boxer, September 4, 1813.)
BACKGROUND
William Burrows was born in Kenderton, near Philadelphia, October 6, 1785. He entered the navy as midshipman, January 4, 1800; served in the Constitution under Commodore Preble in the campaign against Tripoli; returned to America about 1807 as lieutenant, and served in different vessels on various stations. In the summer of 1813, he obtained the command of the sloop-of-war Enterprize, with which, on September 5, he engaged the British sloop-of-war Boxer, Captain Blythe, but was killed in the beginning of the action, as was also the commander of the enemy's vessel, and they were both buried with military honors at Portland, Maine. Congress, by joint resolution, approved January 6, 1814, requested the President of the United States to present to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Burrows a gold medal, and to communicate to him the deep regret they felt at this officer's loss.
Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Lieutenants McCall, Burrows, etc.
Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be requested to present to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant William Burrows, and to Lieutenant Edward R. McCall, of the brig Enterprize, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices; and a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers of the aforesaid vessel, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress ofthe gallantry and good conduct of the officers and crew in the conflict with the British sloop Boxer, on the fourth of September, in the year 1813. And the President is also requested to communicate to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Burrows the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of that valuable officer, who died in the arms of victory, nobly contending for his country's rights and fame.
Approved January 6, 1814.
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)