Naval officer; born in
Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 29, 1783; was edueated at the
University of
Pennsylvania, and entered the navy, as midshipman, Feb. 12, 1800.
He was wrecked in the frigate
Philadelphia, off
Tripoli, in October, 1803, and was a prisoner nineteen months. As
first lieutenant of the
Wasp, he led the boarders in the action with the
Frolic, Oct. 18, 1812.
Captured by the
Poitiers.
he was exchanged in March, 1813; and was made master commander in charge of a flotilla of gunboats in the
Delaware River soon afterwards.
In command of the
Hornet he captured the
Penguin. March 23, 1813.
For this victory Congress voted him a gold medal.
Made captain in February, 1815, he held important commands in different parts of the world.
While in command of a squadron in the Mediterranean (1830-32), he was given a commission to negotiate a commercial treaty with the Turkish government.
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339]
In 1845 he performed diplomatic service in
China, and visited
Japan.
He died in
Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 1, 1848.
