James Biddle (1783-1848)
Commodore in the U.S. Navy & Negotiator of the 1st Treaty between the U.S. & China
He was born in Philadelphia and was commissioned a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy in 1800. He saw action in the Tripolitan War and the War of 1812 when he was Captain of USS Hornet that captured the British Brig HMS Penguin, for which he received the Congressional Gold Medal. He served in the Navy throughout his career during which time he also became known as a great negotiator. In 1817, he took possession of the Oregon Territory for the United States, and in 1826 he negotiated a treaty with Turkey. In 1845, he negotiated the first treaty between the U.S. and China before coming to Japan. He played a key role in the creation of the U.S. Naval Academy.
