Perry, Matthew Galbraith

(1794-1858), brother of the victor of Lake Erie, served as a boy in the War of 1812, and later against the pirates. He rendered important services while in command of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and was promoted to be commodore in 1841. His aid in the capture of Vera Cruz in 1847 was valuable, as was his blockade of the coast. Commodore Perry is best remembered for his connection with Japan. He organized and commanded the expedition to that country—then outside the list of friendly nations—in 1853, and signed a treaty with its government in 1854, thus opening the ‘' Mikado’s Empire ’’ to Western influences. Perry, Oliver Hazard - Redemptioners 85