Peter Buel Porter, an American soldier, born in Salisbury, Conn., Aug. 14,1773, died at Niagara Falls, March 20, 1844, He graduated at Yale college in 1791, studied at the Litchfield law school, and in 1795 began practice at Canandaigua, N. Y. In 1808 he was chosen a representative in congress, where as chairman of the committee on foreign relations he prepared and introduced the celebrated report of December, 1811, recommending war against Great Britain. As soon as hostilities had been declared he resigned his seat in congress, and, refusing a commission as general in the regular army, was appointed quartermaster general of New York, and subsequently received the command of a body of Pennsylvania and New York volunteers and Indians of the Six Nations. Black Rock, where he resided, having fallen into the hands of the British in June, 1813, and his own house being made their headquarters, he rallied a force by which they were expelled, and their commander, Col. Bishop, mortally wounded. He held a command in Smythe's unfortunate "army of invasion," and was twice permitted to embark to lead the van of the army into Canada, and twice recalled before he reached the opposite shore.

His comments on this led to a duel between him and Gen. Smythe. In July, 1814, he joined Brown's invading army with a brigade of 3,500 volunteers and Indians. He exhibited " great personal gallantry " at Chippewa, and led the volunteers at Lundy's Lane. Besieged with Brown in Fort Erie, he led the brilliant and effective sortie of Sept. 17. Passing during the engagement with his staff from one column to another, he came suddenly upon about 80 English soldiers, separated from the main body, and bewildered in the melee. He went up to them, putting on a bold face, and saying: "That's right, my good fellows! surrender, and I'll take care of you," at the same time throwing down the muskets of those nearest to him. He received a gold medal from congress, and a sword from the state. Gen. Porter was one of the earliest projectors of the Erie canal, and was named, with Morris and Clinton, on the first board of commissioners to explore a route for it. In 1816 he was appointed commissioner for determining the N. W. boundary.

In May, 1828, he was appointed secretary of war by President Adams.