on the land. It is quite impossible
to ascertain the exact number of negroes who stood beside the guns that
won for America just recognition from the maritime powers of the world.
Like the negro soldiers in the Revolutionary war who served with the
whites, so the negro sailors in the war of 1812 served in the American
Navy; in the mess, at the gun, on the yard-arm and in the gangway,
together with others of various nationalities, they achieved many
victories for the navy of our common country. The best evidence I can
give in substantiation of what has been written, is the following letter
from Surgeon Parsons to George Livermore, Esq., of the Massachusetts
Historical Society:

"PROVIDENCE, October 18, 1862.

"MY DEAR SIR:--In reply to your inquiries about the
employing of blacks in our navy in the war of 1812, and
particularly in the battle of Lake Erie, I refer you to
documents in Mackenzie's 'Life of Commodore Perry,' vol. i.
pp. 166 and 187.

"In 1814, our fleet sailed to the Upper Lakes to co-operate
with Colonel Croghan at Mackinac. About one in ten or twelve
of the crews were black.

"In 1816, I was surgeon of the 'Java,' under Commodore
Perry. The white and colored seamen messed together. About
one in six or eight were colored.

"In 1819, I was surgeon of the 'Guerriere,' under Commodore
Macdonough; and the proportion of blacks was about the same
in her crew. There seemed to be an entire absence of
prejudice against the blacks as messmates among the crew.
What I have said applies to the crews of the other ships
that sailed in squadrons.

"Yours very respectfully,

"USHER PARSONS."

Dr. Parsons had reference to the following correspondence between
Captain Perry and Commodore Chauncey, which took place in 1813, before
the former's victory on Lake Erie. As will be seen, Perry expressed
dissatisfaction as to the recruits sent him to man the squadron then on
Lake Erie, and with which he gained a decisive victory over the British
fleet, under command of Capt Barley:

"SIR,--I have this moment received, by express, the enclosed
letter from General Harrison. If I had officers and
men,--and I have no doubt you will send them,--I could fight
the enemy, and proceed up the lake; but, having no one to
command the 'Niagara,'