The British General Proctor was waiting with his army on the Canadian shore ready to be carried across the lake by the English fleet, in the event of their being successful, and pressing his invasion of Ohio, which would have been an almost fatal blow to our country.
On the Ohio shore General Harrison was waiting with an American force to invade Canada, if Perry gained a victory.

Hardly had the surrender been made when the commandant, using his cap for a desk and the back of an old letter for paper, pencilled the despatch which has become famous: "We have met the enemy and they are ours--two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop," which he sent by messenger to General Harrison.
[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE.] In the following month Harrison invaded Canada, with Proctor retreating before him, and accompanied by the famous Indian, Tecumseh, and several hundred of his warriors.

Proctor halted near the Moravian Towns, where a battle was fought October 5, in which the British and Indians were decisively defeated.

The Indian confederacy was destroyed and all danger of the invasion of Ohio ended.
Master-Commandant Perry's victory caused his promotion to the rank of captain, and Congress awarded him a gold medal, besides suitably rewarding his officers and men.

After the war he was sent into southern waters to help suppress piracy, which had become very troublesome.