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Rejection of Olive Branch Petition by Congress; lets colonists arm vessels
1776/03/23
The document sets regulations for arming vessels for defense and privateering. Printed by John Dunlap.
GLC04771
to William Eden
7 October 1775
Sackville, George Germain, Viscount, 1716-1785
Written a month before Germain became Secretary of State for the Colonies to Eden as Deputy Secretary of State for the Northern Department. Recipeint was a inferred by Donald Londahl-Smidt. See collateral file for full explanation. References Eden's...
GLC04783
to Robert Morris
13 November 1778
Jones, John Paul, 1747-1792
Jones, Captain of the U.S.S. Ranger, informs Morris, a Continental Congressman, of recent events in France. Reports that in June, a highly esteemed gentleman (who Jones does not name) wrote him a secret letter promising him command of a large ship...
GLC04797
to Caesar Rodney
11 May 1778
Laurens, Henry, 1724-1792
Written by Laurens as President of the Continental Congress to Rodney as President of Delaware. Says he sent a packet on 9 May 1778 by General William Smallwood. Says it contains 20 copies of an address by Congress on the regulation of armed vessels...
GLC04804.01
A Proclamation.
1778/05/09
This document is a proclamation ordering American ships to act according to an honest code and not take up piratical acts while in American waters. It is a printed broadside approved by Henry Laurens and Charles Thomson as President and Secretary...
GLC04804.02
to Roger Sherman
24 November 1777
Lee, Richard Henry, 1732-1794
Discusses the surrender of John Burgoyne, Cornwallis' movements, and the loss of Red Bank, among other activities in the Revolutionary War. Also mentions international relations and naval activities. Supports the Articles of Confederation, comments...
GLC04808
to William Henry Drayton
15 September 1775
Middleton, Arthur, 1742-1787
Discusses South Carolina's military preparations for the revolution. Informs that transports and frigates will be at Charleston soon and that Fort Johnson is reinforced and garrisoned. Reports on armed schooners ready for defense and batteries that...
GLC04820
to Lieutenant of Berkeley County, Virginia
2 September 1781
Nelson, Thomas Jr., 1738-1789
Note written on the bottom of a signed printed circular letter that discusses the importance of meeting Cornwallis, the arrival of French fleet, and the need for supplies. Virginia Governor Nelson's note mentions the receipt of "Intelligence from...
GLC04828
to Gideon Welles
21 May 1861
Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865
Writes to Secretary of the Navy Welles to endorse Walter Trumbull, the son of Illinois Senator Trumbull. Asks that the young man be given an interview for admission to the Naval Academy.
Basler, Roy P. The Collected Works Of Abraham Lincoln. (New...
GLC04649
Additional Instruction to the public and private armed vessels of the United States
28 August 1812
Monroe, James, 1758-1831
Printed letter signed by Secretary of State James Monroe. Orders that public and private armed vessels are not to stop American merchant ships coming from British ports with British goods because of the "alledged" repeal of the British Orders in...
GLC04675.03
to Jose E. Pidgeon
1916/06/18
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
On Navy Dept. stationery, as Assistant Sec. of the Navy. FDR writes that he is unable to supply service records for Marine Harold E. Starrett (since he is on active duty) and suggests contacting his naval base in Haiti.
GLC04675.33
[Thanks to officers & men for gallant conduct in battle of Mobile Bay]
6 August 1864
Farragut, David Glasgow, 1801-1870
Draft of General Order # 12 signed by Rear Admiral Farragut. Thanks the crews of the ships that fought in the battle for Mobile Bay "for their gallant conduct during the fight." Lauds their lack of hesitation, even when they were asked "to follow...
GLC04664.01
[General order requesting fleet to thank God for victory]
7 August 1864
A clerical copy of the General Order issued by Farragut on 7 August 1864. The order asks the fleet to give thanks to God for their victory in the Battle of Mobile Bay.
GLC04664.02
Glass plate negative of Adm. D. D. Porter, standing, full length frontal, holding hat.
1865?
Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891
Carte de visite negative. Carte de visite format, rather deteriorated, dark image with Porter standing next to chair. LIMITED USE: USE COPY PRINT.
GLC05111.01.0486
Glass plate negative of Adm. D. D. Porter, seated, half-length holding gloves
Carte de visite negative. Copy negative of another CDV for reproduction. Not an original collodion negative gelatin copy negative. Accompanied by later print, some re-photographing early portraits, also photo of CDV "Ad. D.D. Porter" (same pose as...
GLC05111.01.0487
Group of 7 sailors from the U.S.S. "Viking" [tintype]
circa 1861-1865
The sailors pose with an American flag and another flag. Six of the men wear dark uniforms with white trim and large stars on the collars. The seventh man, standing between the two flags, wears a light shirt with dark pants. His shirt has white...
GLC05111.01.0499
Unidentified sailor, 1/2 length portrait [tintype]
The sailor wears the same uniform as the sailors in # 499. His uniform has large stars on the collar and a star above his top button. as paper CDV-style amt
GLC05111.01.0501
Charles Varraher, Master at Arms [tintype]
Portrait of a sailor with full beard and mustache. Decorative embossed paper border of stars around the image.
GLC05111.01.0502
Carl Justus, Captain of the Hold [tintype]
Portrait of a sailor. Insignia has been painted gold. The sailor appears to be wearing a rope around his neck. The faint writing on his hat is illegible. Decorative embossed paper border of stars around the image.
GLC05111.01.0503
John C. Howard, A. M. Mate, U.S.N. [tintype]
1/2 length portrait of a naval officer in uniform. Decorative blue oval border printed on the mount around the image.
GLC05111.01.0504
Rear Admiral W.B. Shubrick, 1/2 length seated portrait [cabinet card] [1861-1865 ca.]
Inscription on verso: "Rear Admiral W. B. Shubrick."
GLC05111.01.0662
Adml. D.D. Porter [illegible] [993 full-plate collodion negative]
Full plate collodion negative, cracked along the center, with spacer to prevent abrasion. Previously framed, a typed note in the frame (transcribing an inscription in the negative) read: "Admiral David Dixon Porter. Commander Mississippi River Fleet...
GLC05111.01.0479
Naval Heroes
1862
Brady, Mathew B., 1823-1896
Maquette comprised of 7 cartes de visite of naval admirals who served in the Union Forces during the American Civil War and 2 separate oval pieces of scalloped paper inscribed with the words "Naval" and "Heroes." Each carte de visite is pasted on...
GLC05111.01.0467
Distinguished officers. Confederate Navy [3 joined CDV collodion negatives]
1861?
Negative containg three images of the same carte de visite for reproduction. The carte contains trimmed oval photographs of seven naval figures (from the top, left to right): Lieut. Maury, Comm. Hollins, Comm. Semmes. Adml. Buchanan. Lieut. Reed...
GLC05111.01.0480
Portrait of Capt. Champlin of Ship "Scorpion" by J.T. Upson, Buffalo [salt print] [1861-1866 ca.]
1861-1866 ca.
Upson, fl. 1861-1865
Title taken from inscription on recto. Commanded the schooner "Scorpion" in the War of 1812, as well.
GLC05111.01.0306
View of sailors posed on the deck of the Monitor "Mahopac." [1864-1865 ca.]
1864-1865 ca.
Fawx, Egbert Guy, fl. 1861-1865
Graphite inscriptions on recto: "James River below Confed. battery Howell," "register 6" under x 21/2 high," and "Faux." Graphite inscription "3046" on recto is circled with blue crayon. Stamp of Century Company on verso. Graphite inscription...
GLC05111.01.0310
Sailors posed on deck and in turret of a Monitor class ship. [1862-1865 ca.]
1862-1865 ca.
"Sangamon" inscribed on front. Two officers pose on the deck and four other are on top of the turret. Two cannons and two lifeboats adorn the deck. Large mass of chains are on the deck in the foreground.
GLC05111.01.0311
Navy Department building [1860's ca.]
1860's ca.
Tree lined street. The navy department building is visible behind the line of trees. Inscription on verso: "Navy Dept. West and North." An additional inscription "not this" is partially trimmed off. The building in the photograph matches a...
GLC05111.01.0344
Confederate blockade runner "Teaser" on the James River. [1861-1862 ca.]
1861-1862 ca.
Ink inscription on verso: "Naval 20." Graphite inscription on verso: "Confederate blockade runner "Teaser." and "414-XXV." Orange crayon inscription on verso: "164/33" The "Teaser" was captured by U.S.S. Maratanza on July 4, 1862.
GLC05111.01.0345
Iron clad monitor "Choctaw" at Vicksburg. [1863 ca.]
1863 ca.
Inscription on verso mis-identifies the ship: "Mississippi River Iron Clad Monitor "Chickasaw" stationary turret." "Choctaw." Stamped Number "12257." Shows the monitor on the River with a view of Vicksburg in the background. See Photographic...
GLC05111.01.0346
Union gunboat off Hampton Roads [?].
Identified per PR's note on verso of mount. Shows the starboard side of a U.S. sloop and several others in the background. The ship flies an U.S. flag and portholes brandishing cannons can also be seen. "71" "175."
GLC05111.01.0347
Steamer "General Bragg." [1862-1865 ca.]
Long purple ink inscription of W. H. Chamberlain pasted on verso. Chamberlain claims to have spoken to Capt. J. Frank Richardson, who identified this ship as the "General Bragg." However, the inscription has been crossed out and the name "The...
GLC05111.01.0348
Unidentified naval officers and sailors posed on deck of ship.
Same crew on deck but arranged differently in .0350. See GLC 5111.01.0350.
GLC05111.01.0349
Unidentified naval officers and sailors posed on deck of ship near the wheel. [Copy 1]
Image identical to .0251, but has a gold or yellow tint. Same crew on deck but arranged differently in .0349. See GLC 5111.01.0251 & 5111.01.0349.
GLC05111.01.0350
Image identical to .0250, but has a purplish - brown tone. See GLC 5111.01.0251
GLC05111.01.0351
Commander French Forrest [1861-1865 / 1880's ca.]
Cook, George S., 1819-1902
Inscription on verso: "Commander Forrest?." Numeric notation on verso: "6." Additional notation on verso: "4 x 5 5/8."
GLC05111.01.0695
to Lester A. Beardslee
December 9, 1864
Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878
Written by Secretary of the Navy Welles to Lieutenant Commander Beardslee of the USS "Wachusett." References Beardslee's letter of 4 December, which contained information on the effects of Commander Morris, late of the captured steamer CSS "Florida."...
GLC01920.04
[Four manuscripts on the Confederate Navy] [decimalized .01-.04]
1864
Dated October 1864-December 1864.
GLC01920
7 October 1864
Collins, Napoleon, 1814-1875
Signed by Collins as the commander of the USS "Wachusett." Written to Lieutenant Commander Beardslee. Collins tells Beardslee to take command of the prize steamer "Florida," and proceed with the "Wachusett" to the nearest northern port. He is only to...
GLC01920.01
to Napoleon Collins
31 October 1864
Beardslee, Lester Anthony, 1836-1903
Copy of letter written by Lieutenant Commander Beardslee to Commander Collins. Beardslee's signature is in a clerical hand. Is disappointed to learn that Collins thinks poorly of his conduct while in charge of the captured Confederate ship "Florida."...
GLC01920.02
7 November 1864
Barclay, Charles J., fl. 1864
Written by Acting Ensign Barclay to Lieutenant Commander Beardslee. Both were serving on the recently captured ship "Florida." As requested, Barclay is submitting his version of events from the night of 29 October, which have caused accusations of...
GLC01920.03
to Gustavus Woodson Smith
29 November 1864
Roy, Thomas B., fl. 1864
Roy, Assistant Adjutant General, writes from Head Quarters of the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Relates the orders of the Department Commander, Lieutenant General William Joseph Hardee, to Smith. Hardee instructs Smith to...
GLC01937
to unknown
August 22, 1814
Beall, William Dent, 1757-1829
Lieutenant Colonel Beall reports on the British advance into Marlboro, Maryland, and the strength of the British force. Also requests money. Adds in a postscript: "It is of great importance that Col. Hood should march immediately. The Flotilla is in...
GLC01836.01
[Four Civil War pocket diaries] [decimalized .01-.04]
1862-1865
Thompson, W. S., fl. 1862-1865
William S. Thompson, captain of a Pennsylvania militia company, was mustered into service on 29 May 1861. He left his hometown of Bristol, Pennsylvania to join the 3rd Pennsylvania Reserve (32nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry) at Camp Washington...
GLC01838
to Thomas Nelson
1802/10/19
Madison, James, 1751-1836
Circular letter in which Secretary of State Madison, on behalf of President Jefferson, requests district attorneys forward explanations of how state laws apply to seamen deserting from foreign vessels. Seeks Nelson's reply on the laws of Virginia....
GLC01870
[Consular note of protest against the Confederate privateer "Shenandoah"]
December 24, 1864
Peixoto, Augustus, fl. 1864
Consular documents from Bahia, Brazil: 2-page "Marine Note of protest" and 10-page "Public Instrument of Declaration and protest." Clerical signature of Henry Libbey, master of the ship "Kate Prince" on page 2. Two clerical signatures for Peixoto on...
GLC01843
Capt. John Paul Jones, commander of a squadron of ships in the service of France amd America
February 7, 1780
Sayer, Robert, 1725-1794
Mezzotint with period color, infrequently encountered as such. Image of Captain John Paul Jones with destroyed and smoking ships at sea in the background. Image was "done from an original, designed at Amsterdam." Printed in London for R. Sayer and J...
GLC01851
View of... the... action between HMS Shannon and USF Chesapeake
circa 1815
Lee, John T., fl. 1815
Hand-colored aquatint published by G. Webster. The battle was fought near Boston. (Title is abbreviated here.)
GLC01853
to William Lewis Maury
February 16, 1864
Barron, Samuel, 1809-1888
Letter signed as C.S.N Flag Officer. Instructs him to carry dispatches between London, Paris, Liverpool and Richmond. "In view of the altered condition of our Naval affairs in this Country," Maury has been selected to obtain dispatches from "Messrs...
GLC01866
[Telegram to New York Times]
22 April 1861
Telegram sent to the New York Times during the second week of the Civil War. Says "News bad Norfolk All Vessels & Part Navy Yard Destroyed." Reports that the ships "Pennsylvania," "Delaware," "Plymouth," "Columbia," and "Merrimac" were destroyed as...
GLC01867.03
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