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to V. McBlair
July 7, 1857
Clymer, George, 1804-1881
Instructions on how to write to her husband, Captain William McBlair, while he is at sea off the African coast. George Clymer was a U.S. Naval surgeon.
GLC00722.57
October 13, 1857-October 17, 1857
McBlair, William, ?-1863
Writing to his wife, discusses attempts to catch a slave trader, life at sea, family matters, and religion. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea.
GLC00722.58
1858
Letter to his wife discussing life at sea and his visit to Liberia. Upon arrival in Liberia, McBlair's ship "Dale" gives the young nation a twenty-one gun salute. In Monrovia, the Liberian capital, McBlair meets with President Benson and former...
GLC00722.59
Writing to his wife, he discusses British pressure regarding American suppression of the slave trade, as well as his daily operations at sea, family affairs, and religion. He hopes to return to the United States by the first of December and believes...
GLC00722.60
Writing to his wife, he discusses the route for his voyage to the Canary Islands, his thoughts on religion and scripture, and the future of their children. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea.
GLC00722.61
To his wife discussing naval life and family matters. He discusses his movements and activities at sea. He notes that some Liberians misspell their names, including a young boy he has taken on board the ship to help for a time. He states that he is...
GLC00722.62
1858-1859
To his wife, discussing family and life at sea. He has received small gifts of gold jewelry for his family from a local governor and a native chief. He hopes he will return home in May, and says the weather has cooled recently. Letter written on...
GLC00722.63
February 7, 1859
To his wife, discussing attendance at state dinners and a Liberian church service. He enjoys the state dinners, and does his best to create good will with other nations. He enjoys the church service, though much of it feels very foreign to him. He...
GLC00722.64
March 1859
To his wife, discussing his dislike of the British, the death of a United States Consul in Sierra Leone by "homicide," and the island of Goree, a former center of the African slave trade. He states he is "Anti-Anglais," calling the British "National...
GLC00722.65
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