The Captain David Perry Web Site
KING GEORGE'S WAR
1. Childhood
1741-57
FRENCH & INDIAN WAR
PRE-REVOLUTIONARY YEARS
1st WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE
(Revolutionary War)
WAR'S END, CONFEDERATION & CONSTITUTION
PARTISANISM
and
2nd WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE
(War of 1812)
12. Admonition
[1814] 1819
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LIFE OF DAVID PERRY.
PART FOUR. THE VERMONT YEARS. (cont.)
(Chapters Eleven through Twelve Inclusive.)
Chapter XII
Admonition to Future Generations (1819).
The War of 1812 (end)
[Editor's Note.]
[To order a hard copy of Recollections click here.]
[Read Introduction in Excerpts]
["Fact or Fiction: References to David Perry's Words".]
desire it may never be forgotten by my posterity, for
whom I have written these memoirs, that there was
once a time, when party spirit raged to an extent that threatened the destruction of those liberties, which I
had some small share in establishing. I hope they will never forget,
that when war was declared to maintain those liberties, there were
men claiming all the wealth, talents and religion of the country, who,
from party, or worse motives, held back their resources from
Government, and did all in their power to keep those who were
disposed to lend an assisting hand, from entering into their country's
service. In the time of the Revolution we had a few such men among
us, who set much by the British Government, and we drove them out
of the country, or confined them at home, so that they could not meet
in Convention•, in the heart of the land, to plot against the government,
and divide the Union. And I desire it may be remembered, that
notwithstanding they boasted of their talents and religion, the Lord
stood by us and put our enemies to flight in a marvellous manner,
and wrought wonders for us as a nation: and we have the greatest
reason to bless and praise his holy name, of any people on the earth.
-- Let it be remembered, as a warning to future generations, of the
dangerous effect of party spirit, when carried to excess, that a
governor• of Vermont
[Martin Chittenden•], at a time when the enemy
threatened a powerful invasion of our frontier towns, with the avowed
intention of laying them in ruins, stood on the shores of the lake,
discouraging our [valiant] freemen from going to the assistance of
their brethren, by telling them they would be killed if they went over
-- when he, and every other person of common sense, knew, that it
would not be more than six hours before the enemy would be at
Burlington, if he beat our men at Plattsburgh. But let it also, with
gratitude, be remembered, that while the chief magistrate was thus
employed, the gallant Col. Fassett encouraged and prevailed on them
to go forward -- and they did go forward to participate in a glorious
battle and victory, which preserved our towns from conflagration,
and wiped the foul stain from the character of our state, which the
conduct of this Governor would otherwise have brought upon it.
While the enemy were thus discomfited by land, we beheld the
British fleet on the lake• heaving in sight of the little squadron• of the
invincible Macdonough•, who was on his knees, praying to his God; and
He answered him by fire, as in former times* -- and notwithstanding
the enemies' superior force, they were obliged to strike• -- and on that
ever-memorable• eleventh of September,• the Lord
discomfited* their
whole force, and returned them back* from whence they came*: so that
we may see, that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man
availeth much*: and that the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination
to the Lord.* -- For the great men of a great state said, that it was
unbecoming a moral and religious people to pray for the success
of our arms, and that we must not fight the British, because they
were "the Bulwark of our Religion." But I cannot but think, that they
were deluded and blinded by party prejudices, and that the
good hand of God was discernible at Baltimore,•*
New-Orleans,•
and Plattsburgh,•
-- on Lake Erie,•
and Lake Champlain,• and everywhere else that a
traitor did not command. Had not the Lord been on our side, and
fought our battles,* we must have failed to maintain our liberties against
so potent a foe• from abroad, aided by so many of our misguided people
at home -- and it becomes us as a people, (as I have before said,)
to bless and praise his Holy name forever, that He caused us to
overcome our powerful enemies in two wars for our independence,
and that there seems now to be so happy a union taking place among
ourselves -- that those of our fellow-citizens who have been thus
deluded and deceived, are sensible of their errors, and appear ready
to unite with all real friends of their country's honor and prosperity.
-- And I pray God that this bond of union may continue to grow firmer
and stronger, till every American citizen will be of one heart and one mind,
in a determination to support our Republican form of Government to the
latest posterity. May we all remember the maxim of our illustrious
Washington: "United we stand; divided we fall." -- When we reflect
back to our Revolutionary war, and see how much blood and treasure
were spent to gain our independence, shall we, after so long an
experience of the advantages arising from so good a government,
be any more deceived by internal or foreign enemies? Shall we contrast
the mildness of our government, and the civil and religious liberty• that we
enjoy under it, with the bigotry and tyranny which prevails under the
monarchies of Europe, and say we are willing to exchange the former
for the latter? I dare say not. Then let me conjure my posterity to stand
by this government of our choice, and never be deceived by political or
ecclesiastical demagogues. Let the people keep the right and power
of election; always in their own hands, and at their annual freemen's
meetings be sure to choose men into office, who are true friends of a
Republican Government. Let them encourage all the arts and sciences
that are necessary in a Republic, and none others, -- and in this way
they may perpetuate their liberties. -- But if they are ambitious to ape
the follies, extravagance, and luxury of European countries, their
freedom can have but a short duration. But, above all, let us as a
nation dedicate ourselves to God, and pray that he would have us in
his holy keeping, and so direct the councils of our nation, as may tend
to preserve its free institutions, to the latest period of time; which is the
ardent prayer of
(David Perry.
Chelsea, Vt. 1819.)
[See Excerpt with notes]
[Editor's note: At the time of his memoir's publication (1822), Capt. David Perry and his wife Anna Bliss
had at least 51 direct descendants : 8 children (all living),
at least 30 grandchildren (most of whom were living)
and 13 great-grandchildren.*
Today they have several thousand descendants scattered across the United States and around the world.
David Perry died 2 May 1826 at Ira, Vermont [photo], at the home of his youngest
son Nathaniel Green Perry [photo] with whom he and Anna had been residing.
He is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Ira [photo],
not far from his 3rd-great-granddaughter�s
home. His grave has two markers, one placed there by his family, and one by the State of Connecticut in
recognition of his patriotic service to his country during the Revolutionary War. The editor of this electronic
edition is the 5th- great- granddaughter of David Perry and gratefully acknowledges his legacy.]
* This total reflects only those research has identified up to to January 2000.
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