biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1781–1867)
|
| biography:
| US naval officer, born in Goshen, New York, USA. Joining the navy in 1800, he served in the undeclared naval war against France, then left the navy to command a merchant vessel (1801–12). He rejoined the navy to fight in the War of 1812 and stayed on, becoming commander of the Pacific Squadron (1844). Hearing that the USA was at war with Mexico, in May 1846 he sailed his squadron to Monterey, CA, and after occupying that Mexican settlement proclaimed California to be a possession of the USA. In poor health, he was dismissed in July by Commodore Robert Stockton and went back to Washington, DC, where he was praised by some and condemned by others. His last nine years of active duty were spent on shore duty. |
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