Peter B. Porter was born of very respectable parents, in Salisbury,
Connecticut, August 14th, 1773. His father intending him for the
profession of the law, entered him at Yale College, in his own state,
where he graduated with high honors to himself and great satisfaction
to his preceptors.
Having completed his law studies, he established himself in his native
town, from whence he was elected to Congress, where he remained as
chairman of the “Committee of Foreign Relations” till 1811. At that
period this country was preparing for a war with England, with which
she had long been threatened, and every buoyant spirit seemed anxious
to take up arms in his country’s cause; and no part of the community
engaged in it with greater ardor than the members of the bar.
During the same year he was appointed with Governor Morris, Stephen
Van Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, William North, Simeon De Witt, Thomas
Eddy, Robert R. Livingston and Robert Fulton, the first commissioners
in relation to inland navigation, being the incipient step that led,
in the sequel, to the noble works of art and improvement, which
contributed so largely (whatever excesses may have been committed) to
the glory and prosperity of the state of New York. These labors were
suspended, however, by the war of 1812, and for these civic duties,
General Porter exchanged the privations and dangers of the frontier
campaigns. Residing then at Black Rock, he was in the midst of the most
eventful and stirring of the border scenes. He rallied the hastily
gathered volunteers, who repelled the first invasion of that place in
midsummer, 1813; and shared, at the head of his corps, with intrepidity
and skill, in those brilliant and memorable battles of the succeeding
year.
In the official papers of General Brown to the secretary of war,
after the battle of Chippewa, he speaks of General Porter as
follows:--“General Scott having selected this plain with the eye of a
soldier, his right resting on the river, and a ravine in front, was
joined early in the morning of the 5th by General Porter, with a part
of the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, and some of the warriors
of the Six Nations. At 4 o’clock, P. M., General Porter advanced
from the rear of our camp with the volunteers and Indians, (taking
the woods, in order to keep out of view of the enemy,) with a hope
of bringing his pickets and scouting parties between his (Porter’s)
line of march and our camp. As Porter moved, the parties advanced in
front of our camp, fell back gradually under the enemy’s fire, in
order, if possible, to draw him up to our line. Before 5 o’clock,
the advance of General Porter’s command met the light parties of the
enemy in the woods, upon our extreme left--the enemy were driven; and
Porter, advancing near to Chippewa, met their whole column in order of
battle.” He also observes:--“The conduct of General Porter has been
conspicuously gallant; every assistance in his power to afford, with
the description of force under his command, has been rendered.”
In the official details of the battle of Bridgewater, General Brown
also says:--“It was with great pleasure I saw the good order and
intrepidity of General Porter’s volunteers, from the moment of their
arrival; but, during the last charge of the enemy, those qualities were
conspicuous. Stimulated by their gallant leader, they precipitated
themselves upon the enemy’s line, and made all the prisoners which were
taken at this point of the action.”
In General Gaines’ detailed report of the battle of Fort Erie,
the August following, he says:--“General Porter’s brigade, of New
York and Pennsylvania volunteers, with our distinguished riflemen,
occupied the centre.” After describing the action, General Gaines
observes:--“Brigadier-General Porter, commanding the New York and
Pennsylvania volunteers, manifested a degree of vigilance and judgment
in his preparatory arrangements, as well as military skill and courage
in action, which proves him to be worthy the confidence of his
country, and the brave volunteers who fought under him.” During the
next session Congress passed the following resolution:--“Resolved,
that the President of the United States be requested to cause a
gold medal (_See_ Plate VI.) to be struck, with suitable emblems and
devices, and presented to Major-General Porter, in testimony of the
high sense entertained by Congress for his gallantry and good conduct
in the several conflicts of Chippewa, Niagara and Erie.” In 1816,
he was appointed Secretary of State, in place of Jacob Rutsen Van
Rensselaer, but he declined the appointment, having been elected
to Congress the previous year. Near the close of his congressional
term, he was appointed Commissioner, under the British treaty, to run
the boundary line between the United States and Canada. In 1817, he
was the antagonist candidate to De Witt Clinton, in the democratic
canvass held for the nomination of Governor, and at the election
received a few votes, cast by politicians in the city of New York, who
refused to acquiesce in the nomination of Clinton. In the political
controversies of his time General Porter was a prominent participator,
until his retirement from public life with Mr. Adams in 1829. Under
that administration, and for the last year of it, he discharged the
duties of Secretary of War. He was warmly attached to Mr. Clay, and
was related to him by the marriage of his second wife. A frontier
resident during the last forty years; possessed of large estates on
the border--he is identified with the history of western New York, and
with its gigantic progress in the great elements of social and physical
developments.
General Porter has been distinguished in our annals in civic and
martial life, and there are few among us to whom the meed of talents,
bravery and patriotism can be more faithfully awarded. His private life
was estimable, as his public career was brilliant. In his domestic
relations he was ingenuous, affectionate and kind. In his intercourse
with mankind his deportment drew around him a numerous circle of
friends. The active and useful life of this distinguished servant of
his country was closed at his residence at Niagara, March 20th, 1844,
in the seventy-first year of his age.