"Perry Shows His Mettle with British"

In 1809, [Perry] was finally given sea duty and command of the schooner Revenge. While on duty along the coast of Georgia near Spanish Florida, Perry showed his mettle. Sailing to the Spanish island of Amelia in July of 1810, he carried out orders to seize the stolen American ship Diana from under the guns of two British warships. As Perry attempted to retire to the safety of American waters, the British sloop, Goree, twice as large as his Revenge, intercepted his small squadron. The British commander, Captain Byng, demanded to know Perry's intention. Rather than submit, Perry prepared to fight. The memory of the British boarding of the frigate Chesapeake in 1807 was still vivid in American memory. Knowing he could not hope to outrun or outshoot the British, Perry planned a surprise boarding attack should they find themselves in battle. He sent an officer to the Goree to explain, and the British decided not to board Perry's ship. One American newspaper observed: "This spirit revives our faith in the commanders of our vessels."