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to John McIntosh Kell

Mentions a letter from his sister, Louisa Tremlett, and invites Kell and Semmes to visit him for "a regular Southern party of Southern people." He encloses a letter from John Hay, now missing, which describes the response of "the British service, &...

GLC00684.12

[Confederate States Navy Department orders to proceed to Richmond]

Partially printed document signed by Captain Sydney Smith Lee. Docket added 1 December 1864 reads: "Be pleased to assume command of the C.S. Iron-Clad 'Richmond'." Co-signed by John Mitchell aboard the Virginia. Sidney Smith Lee, older brother of...

GLC00684.13

to unknown [in spanish]

Written by Galvez as the Governor of Louisiana who lead several expeditions against the British along the Gulf Coast in support of the American Revolution. Document lauding Gilberto Guillemard, his second in command and chief military engineer, who...

GLC00717

to William McBlair

Sailing orders from the Navy Department, placing McBlair in charge of the sloop of war "Dale," and commanding him to sail to the African coast to combat illegal slave trading. McBlair is ordered to join the "United States African Squadron" and to...

GLC00722.01

to William McBlair

Letter, with McBlair's autograph endorsement signed on the verso. The letter, written on board the U.S.S. "Marion" at Porto Praya, Cape Verde, states that Hawley is ill with dyspepsia, does not believe he can recover on board, and wishes that "a...

GLC00722.37

Diario de las operaciones de la expedicion contra la Plaza de Panzacola... (in Spanish)

A-F4. Unopened and unsewn. Re: expedition on Pensacola. Galvez led Spanish forces against the British at Pensacola (which had been given with Florida to Britain in 1763) which he captured for Spain. The Floridas were returned to Spain in the peace...

GLC00718

William McBlair collection [Decimalized .01-.72]

Collection of more than 70 documents regarding William McBlair, a United States Naval captain involved in American efforts to suppress the slave trade on the African coast in the 1850s. McBlair commanded the "Dale" in the U.S. Navy's African Squadron...

GLC00722

to William McBlair

The letter is ordering McBlair to return with his ship to his "cruising ground" and continue his "suppression of the slave trade." Says McBlair should first take on recruits and supplies, then proceed to the coast to suppress the trade. States he is...

GLC00722.02

General orders for the government of the U.S. Naval Forces on the West Coast of Africa

General orders regarding Navy protocols and conduct of officers. Clerical copy, tied with red ribbon. Conover's name appears to be clerically signed. Written on board the U.S.S. "Cumberland. " Forwarded to William McBlair by Conover.

GLC00722.03

Extracts from the "Private Instructions" of the Navy Department to the Commander in chief of the U.S. Naval Forces on the West Coast of Africa

Includes extracts from GLC00722.01, noting that the U.S. flag "loses its true character, when it is worn by those who have no right to wear it...such a pretension would subject the flag to degradation and dishonor." Also includes a description of how...

GLC00722.04

General signals

Explains a secret numeric code to be used when transmitting signals between ships.

GLC00722.05

Private signals

Explains a system of secret signals to be used in communication between ships. Orders captains to memorize the formula for the protocol and then destroy the document.

GLC00722.06

to William McBlair

Enclosing a letter "for the guidance Purser Cunningham" regarding letters of credit and a copy of a letter regarding pay to officers on McBlair's ship, the "Dale."

GLC00722.08

Officers & Crew, U.S. ship Dale

Complete list of all crew members, according to rank, on board the U.S.S. "Dale." Besides sailors, there are also twenty five marines on board the ship. Written at sea, on board the ship "Dale."

GLC00722.09

to William McBlair

Reports that two crewmen, Charles Moore and John Duggin, were caught drunk and fighting, and that Duggin was also insubordinate. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," off of Funchal on the island of Madeira. Cummings was a lieutenant aboard the...

GLC00722.10

to William McBlair

Livingston is ordering McBlair to sail to Porto Praya and await further orders. Also orders him to deliver enclosed orders to Commander Thompson. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "St. Louis" in Funchal Bay, Madeira. John W. Livingston was then a...

GLC00722.11

to William McBlair

Refusing McBlair's request to store naval materials in a United States owned warehouse, because the warehouse is too full already. William H. Morse was the U.S. consul in Cape Verde.

GLC00722.12

Report of target practice on board the U.S.S. "Dale"

Reporting on the success of target practices. First page details four cannon practices held on 15 July 1857, 31 August 1857, 13 October 1857 and 12 January 1858. Lists size of target, movement of ship, number of shells fired, success of the...

GLC00722.13

to Charles Wise

Discussing the capture by a British ship of a vessel flying the American flag. Commodore Wise was the captain of the HMS "Vesuvius," which had recently captured the "Bremer." McBlair states that because the "Bremer was flying the United States flag...

GLC00722.14

to William McBlair

Cunningham lists how many rations sailors are willing to give up, and how long the current rations will last at that rate. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," on the "Kongo River." John S. Cunningham was a purser in the United States Navy; he...

GLC00722.15

to William McBlair

Reports on his expedition to the H.M.S. "Myrmidon" and subsequent journey up the Congo river. Walker, a lieutenant on the U.S.S. "Dale," had been sent by McBlair in an armed boat to join the British vessel (which took them in tow) in its cruise for...

GLC00722.16

to William McBlair

Requesting that he be relieved of his suspension, so that he may resume watch duty. States that he would like to "refer the injustice with which I have been treated, to the Commanding Officer of the squadron." A copy, with Kennard's name clerically...

GLC00722.17

to William McBlair

Reports that on his expedition up the Congo River one of the launch boats was lost. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at the mouth of the Congo River.

GLC00722.19

to William McBlair

Sending a gift of liquor in hopes of good fortune. Kennard is setting off for the United States in command of the "W.G. Servis." For his own "better preservation" on the trip he sends McBlair a gift of several "cases of liquor." Letter written on...

GLC00722.20

to William McBlair

Reporting the events that led to the British capture of the slave trading ship "Clara B. Williams," which had been falsely flying the American flag. The crew is being sent to Sierra Leone to be tried. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," on the...

GLC00722.21