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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Champlin, Stephen (1789-1870) [Affidavit on the Battle of Lake Erie]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05225.02 Author/Creator: Champlin, Stephen (1789-1870) Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript document Date: circa June 1818 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 29.5 x 21 cm. Order a Copy

Deposition describing the naval actions on 10 September 1813 at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812, focusing on Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliot. Claims that Elliot "did not do his duty in the action on that day" but because Perry "desired to screen him, they forbone to make any remarks publickly upon his conduct." Also claims that Elliot fraudulently claimed rights to prize money from the battle and since continued to misrepresent his action at Lake Erie. Date inferred from a similar affidavit (see GLC05225.01). Champlin commanded the sloop Scorpian during the Battle of Lake Erie.

Champlin, Stephen, 1789-1870
Perry, Oliver Hazard, 1785-1819
Elliott, Jesse D. (Jesse Duncan), 1782-1845

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