Other commanders have fought in ships completely equipped for service by
other hands, but Perry had to construct, equip, arm and man his ships,
and in person to take two of them in succession into action; and it may
be well questioned whether he is not entitled to as much credit for his
intelligent comprehension of the wants of the occasion, his energy, and
perseverance in collecting the materials to supply those wants, and in
making up his fleet, as for his genius and courage in action.
Perry, in the beginning, was unfortunate in having succeeded an officer
who, in the engagement was his subordinate in command, and in
anticipating a ranking officer in bringing on the conflict; but the
surrounding circumstances and the positive orders of the Secretary of
the Navy made his meeting the enemy a necessity.
The outcome of the attempts which had been made by the Government for
the defence of this section of the country had not been such as to
inspire sanguine hopes of the result of this action.
The Adams, the only vessel the United States had upon the Lake before
the construction of Perry's ships, had been captured.
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