PERRY, Horatio Justus, diplomatist, born in Keene, New Hampshire, 23 January, 1824. He was graduated at Harvard in 1844, and on 5 July, 1849, was commissioned secretary of legation in Spain. Mr. Perry remained in this post many years, filling it with great ability on account of his knowledge of the Spanish language and people, and his thorough acquaintance with foreign diplomacy. He acted many times as charge d'affaires ad interim. On one of these occasions, while Pierre Soule, then United States minister, was absent in France in 1855, this country was on the brink of war with Spain. His prompt and firm yet courteous bearing toward the Spanish government settled the difficulty without compromising our national dignity. Mr. Soule's policy had been aggressive and warlike. On his return he censured Mr. Perry in his despatches to the government. The cabinet at Washington secretly approved of Mr. Perry's course, but felt obliged to reprimand him for what they deemed a breach of diplomatic etiquette. Mr. Perry, conscious of the service he had rendered his country, replied in terms more spirited than prudent, and he was recalled. Mr. Perry married in 1853 Carolina Coronado, poetess laureate of Spain. He was again secretary of legation from 1861 till 1869, when he was again removed on account of a difference with Minister John P. Hale (q. v.). He now (1888) resides in Lisbon, Portugal, where he has occupied himself in preparing memoirs.