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Medal Name: Victory of Lake Erie
Struck for: Captain Jesse Duncan Elliott
Approval: Act of Congress
OBVERSE
JESSE D. (Duncan) ELLIOTT. NIL ACTUM REPUTANS SI QUID SUPERESSET AGENDUM.
(Jesse Duncan Elliott. Considering nothing done, if aught remained to be done.)
Bust of Captain Elliott, in uniform, facing the right.
REVERSE
VIAM INVENIT VIRTUS AUT FACIT. (Valor finds or makes a way.)
The United States fleet on Lake Erie, carrying fifty-four guns, and commanded by Captain Perry, stands out to meet the British fleet with sixty-three guns, under Captain Barclay.
Exergue: INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE X. SEP. MDCCCXIII (Inter classim Americanam et Britannicam, die 10 Septembris, 1813: Between the American and British fleets, September 10, 1813.)
BACKGROUND
Jesse Duncan Elliott was born in Maryland, July 14, 1782. He was appointed midshipman in 1804; was promotedto be lieutenant in 1810; served under Commodore Chauncey on the lakes in 1812; and on October 8, commanding an expedition, he cut out two British ships from under Fort Erie. For this daring act Congress voted him a sword of honor. He was master-commandant in July, 1813; and second in command in Perry's victory on Lake Erie, for which he received from Congress a vote of thanks and a gold medal. On Perry's departure in October, 1815, he succeeded him in command. He became captain in 1818; and afterward commanded the Mediterranean squadron, and the navy yards of Boston and of Philadelphia. He died in Philadelphia, December 10, 1845.
Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captains Perry, Elliott, etc.
Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America inCongress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and the same are hereby, presented to Captain Oliver Hazard Perry, and through him to the officers, petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as such, attached to the squadron under his command, for the decisive and glorious victory gained on Lake Erie, on the tenth of September, in the year 1813, over a British squadron of superior force.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emblematical of the action between the two squadrons, and to present them to Captain Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliott, in such manner as will be most honourable to them; and that the President be further requested to present a silver medal, with suitable emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers, either of the navy or army, serving on board, and a sword to each of the midshipmen and sailing-masters who so nobly distinguished themselves on that memorable day.
Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to present a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant John Brooks, of the marines, and a sword to the nearest male relatives of Midshipmen Henry Lamb, and Thomas Claxton, jr., and to communicate to them the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of those gallant men, whose names ought to live in the recollection and affection of a grateful country, and whose conduct ought to be regarded as an example to future generations.
Resolved, That three months' pay be allowed, exclusively of the common allowance, to all the petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as such, who so gloriously supported the honour of the American flag, under the orders of their gallant commander, on that signal occasion.
Approved January 6, 1814.
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)