1823

Stewart, Charles, 1778-1869

Envelope

Title: [Envelope to Lieutenant Mayo]

Addressed to "Lieut Mayo U.S.S. Franklin." Docketed as "1823 Comr Stewart on Leave of Depositions to the U. State." This is the envelope for the letter at GLC04604.03

GLC04604.02

10 February 1825

Stewart, Charles, 1778-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Mayo

Written by Captain Stewart to Lieutenant Mayo. References Mayo's letter of 7 February 1825 from Hampton Roads, Virginia. Stewart regrets the "Painful circumstances" in which he has been placed. Is sorry that his circumstances have compelled him "to interfere with your views[,] advantage or wishes, as nothing would be more gratifying to me, to contribute any maner towards facilitating and accomplishing them." Says the steady and formidable forces against him compel him to use all his power to combat them. Stresses how the situation is serious and involves high ranking naval officers and the…

GLC04604.07

15 November 1828

Elliott, Jesse D. (Jesse Duncan), 1782-1845

Manuscript

Title: to Isaac Mayo

Written by Captain Elliott as commander of the West India Squadron to Lieutenant Mayo as commander of the schooner "Grampus" stationed off the coast of Cuba. This is a clerical copy, with clerical signature of Elliott, of general instructions to Mayo. Marked "Confidential." Says future official communications should be sent to him and copies sent to the Secretary of Navy. Says the government thinks it necessary to have a naval presence in the West Indies and Gulf of Mexico and has put him in charge of it. Says the Spanish blockade in the West Indies is illegal, but not to interfere without…

GLC04604.14

11 March 1830

Elliott, Jesse D. (Jesse Duncan), 1782-1845

Letter signed

Title: to James G. Boughan

Signed by Captain Elliott as commander of the West India Squadron on board the U.S.S. Falmouth to Lieutenant Boughan stationed on the schooner U.S.S. Grampus. Boughan was a subordinate to Lieutenant Isaac Mayo, commander of the "Grampus." Instructions given to convoy any American ships around Cuba that so desire it. Tells him to be on the lookout for "the Hermaphrodite Brig. Manzanans, Captain Abnio, suspected of the piracy committed on the merchant Ship, Candace, of Boston." If captured he is to take him to Havana. When Boughan returns to Cuba asks him to communicate with him. Third page is…

GLC04604.15

10 April 1830

Elliott, Jesse D. (Jesse Duncan), 1782-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Mayo

Written by Elliott on board the U.S.S. Falmouth as commander of the West Indian Squadron to Lieutenant Commander Mayo. Orders Mayo to assume command of the schooner U.S.S. Grampus. Says Lieutenant James G. Boughan will provide him a copy of his general instructions (GLC04604.14). Says Boughan will get him acclimated to the ship and give him further orders.

GLC04604.16

5 June 1830

Mayo, Isaac, 1791-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: Circumstances leading to and attending the seize of the Phoenix

Written by Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the U.S.S. Grampus. Relates the chase made by the "Grampus" to capture the slave trade ship"Phoenix" off the coast of Saint Domingo. J.C. Hall, captain of the merchant ship "Kremlin," which sailed out of Boston, Massachusetts (see letter Mayo wrote to Hall at GLC04604.19), was threatened by the "Phoenix" and witnessed Mayo's seizure. The "Phoenix" raised a Spanish flag when encountered. Says they had to fire shots to get them to take down their sails and surrender. Sent a Lt. Wilson and an armed party to board the 90.5 ton schooner. The…

GLC04604.17

5 June 1830

Mayo, Isaac, 1791-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Branch

Written by Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the U.S.S. Grampus, which was off the coast of Saint Domingo, to Branch as Secretary of the Navy. Better copy of GLC04606.17. Marked "No. 2" in docket.

GLC04604.18

9 June 1830

Mayo, Isaac, 1791-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J.C. Hall

Written by Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the U.S.S. Grampus to Hall as captain of the merchant ship "Kremlin," based out of Boston, Massachusetts. Hall was threatened by the slave trade ship "Phoenix" and witnessed Mayo's seizure of the ship for piracy. Looked over Hall's affidavit and says he overlooked "two material points." Two points are: 1. the "Phoenix" ordered him to send a boat on board of her and after Hall refused and the "Phoenix" threatened to board the "Kremlin," which was an attempt to detain the ship without authority on the high seas. 2. the "Phoenix" crossing the…

GLC04604.19

12 July 1830

Elliott, Jesse D. (Jesse Duncan), 1782-1845

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Mayo

Written by Captain Elliott as commander of the West India Squadron to Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the U.S.S. Grampus. Orders Mayo to remain with the Grampus until Lt. Wilson comes out with the prize. Mayo is to escort Wilson to the mouth of the Mississippi River. Tells him to secure all prisoners for the trip for New Orleans. When he returns to Pensacola, Elliott wants to be given a report. Written "in haste." Address and docket are on a sheet that is now separated from the letter.

GLC04604.20

1 August 1830

Mayo, Isaac, 1791-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mr. Knight

Written by Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the schooner U.S.S. Grampus to Mr. Knight of Havana, Cuba. References Knight's letter of 26 June 1830. Says he has made a request that is so out of line that he cannot comply with it. The request involved the slave ship "Feris" and Mayo says that the only explanation for the request must be Knight's lack of knowledge of the ship's character. Says "The slavers are now almost the only Pirates afloat, and they will be dealt by accordingly." Says the ship will never reach Cuba because it will never be cleared from New Orleans. Even if the ship…

GLC04604.21

7 September 1830

Elliott, Jesse D. (Jesse Duncan), 1782-1845

Manuscript letter

Title: to Isaac Mayo

Clerical copy written and signed by H.F. Ingraham, Captain Elliott's clerk on the U.S.S. Erie. Marked "True Copy." Written by Captain Elliott as commander of the West India Squadron to Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the U.S.S. Grampus. Orders Mayo that once his ship is prepared he is to sail off the coast of Havana and Mantanzas Bay. Tells him to restock his supplies at Mantanzas Bay quickly. Afterward he is to sail into the Caribbean Sea where American trade is "subject to annoyance of which I will expect an exercise of great vigilance in giving to it such protection as your…

GLC04604.22

13 November 1830

Elliott, Jesse D. (Jesse Duncan), 1782-1845

Letter signed

Title: to Isaac Mayo

Written in clerical hand and signed by Captain Elliott as commander of the West India Squadron to Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the U.S.S. Grampus. Orders Mayo to take provisions for a four month cruise off the coast of Mexico. Says he needs to use economy in stocking the ship. Asks Mayo to leave him the triplicates of the list of requisitions. Says Lt. Rinker has been ordered to join the Grampus to replace Lt. Rick Morris. Says Morris is to have permission to return home and to report to the Secretary of the Navy by letter when he arrives. Mayo is to make an appearance off Vera…

GLC04604.23

31 December 1830

Mayo, Isaac, 1791-1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to J.D. Elliott

Marked "Copy of a Letter to J.D. Elliott," on docket. Written by Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the U.S.S. Grampus to Captain Elliott as commander of the West India Squadron. Half the letter appears to be written in a clerical hand and the last half written and signed by Mayo. References Elliott's orders of 7 September 1830 (see GLC 04604.22) and says he proceeded to the coast off Havana, Cuba on 13 September. He encountered a gale on the way there, taking much water, and anchored in Mantanzas Bay on 21 September. Waited to leave until 2 October because a convoy was gathering.…

GLC04604.24

30 December 1864

Blair, D.F., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Written on board the U.S.S. Mohican, possibly near Wilmington, North Carolina. Discusses the Mohican's participation with Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter's North Atlantic Blockading Squadron at the close of the Battle of Fort Fisher (24 and 25 December). Recalls being the closest wooden vessel to the Fort, and exclaims that survival of the vessel and crew is a miracle. Writes "I fell quite thankfull to the Rebs for not taking better aim..." Possibly referring to General Benjamin Franklin Butler, writes "if Old Butler had had the Spark of a Louse I think he would have got the Fort his…

GLC08470.02

30 June 1803

Thomas, Ab., fl. 1803

Letter signed

Title: to unknown

Thomas, possibly from the United States Department of the Navy, discusses a lottery with the unknown recipient. Transmits a lottery item, possibly a ticket (not included) and asks whether it has drawn a prize. Relates plans to travel to Baltimore, Maryland.

GLC03481.01

13 March 1848

Gaines, John Pollard, 1795-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Young Mason

Gaines states "Permit me to present to you the name of Wm O Smith of Kentucky a very promising boy and highly recommended by Govr Letcher, as well qualified to fill the office of Midshipman in the Navy."

GLC03481.07

July 1861

Porter, David Dixon, 1813-1891

Letter signed

Title: to Colonel Montgomery C. Meigs

Criticizes inefficient war effort, speculates on foreign intervention, forwards his plan to take New Orleans to end the war, and discusses a failed mission to enter the Mississippi. "The more I become acquainted with matters and things here, the more convinced I am that the place [New Orleans] deserves the serious consideration of Government. I long to see this war brought to a close, but at the same time I want to see it done in a manner that will reflect credit upon the Government, give future traitors a holy horror of encountering the wrath of an outraged people, and elevate us in the…

GLC09034

February 3, 1862

Benjamin, Judah Philip, 1811-1884

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Toole Clark

Benjamin discusses the defense of North Carolina. He will send reinforcements, but cannot send as many as he would like, which he blames on the shortness of enlistment terms. Lack of men is not his real concern though, "I am sure I could organize the defenses of our country, wherever attacked, if I only had munitions." Overall he assures him North Carolina will be safe, "Your people may suffer somewhat at points where the enemy's superior water forces enable them to ravage the country within reach of their guns, but I do not fear, and am sure you need not, that they can do more than this and…

GLC01353.01

1 October 1800

Copley, John Singleton, 1738-1815

Print

Title: The Honble Saml Barrington

An engraving of Samuel Barrington, famed British Admiral.

GLC02542.32.19

22 May 1810

Copley, John Singleton, 1738-1815

Print

Title: [Engraving of Samuel Barrington]

An engraving of Samuel Barrington, famed British Admiral.

GLC02542.32.20

1780-1810

Print

Title: The Hon. Samuel Barrington

An engraving of Samuel Barrington, famed British Admiral.

GLC02542.32.21

26 May 1846-31 May 1846

Spinner, Francis Elias, 1802-1890

Autograph letter signed

Title: to M. Hoffman

Contains three letters written by Spinner, auditor and deputy naval officer in charge of the port of New York (1845-1849). Spinner writes from the Naval Officer Custom House. Pages two and three contain a letter written 28 May 1846. Page four contains a letter written 31 May 1846 from No. 7 Greenwich Street. All letters pertain to business and financial matters related to the port. On page four, Spinner cites "... no authority or sanction is intended to be given to any allowance to the Naval Officer... over and above the true prorated rate of his compensation as fixed by law..."…

GLC03410.03.01

14 September 1857

Kane, George Proctor, 1820-1857

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Toucey

Kane, H. P. Brooks, and James [Lawrence?] recommend Dr. Edward Sparks of Annapolis to Toucey's consideration for the post of naval storekeeper. Brooks relates that Sparks has recently been removed from two positions on account of his political sentiments.

GLC03481.11

1763-1783

Burbeck, Henry, 1754-1848

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Van Deursen

Has been informed by Commodore Decator that "two 74s and two large frigates" may be headed in their direction, and hopes Van Deursen is prepared in the event "they should think proper to pay us a visit." H. Burbeck may be Henry Burbeck (1754-1848).

GLC02542.32.25

28 May 1778

Campbell, Donald, fl. 1776-1778

Document signed

Title: [Legal declaration on the ship Clarendon in the Court of Vice Admiralty of East Florida]

Countersigned by Judge Robert Catherwood. Legal document signed by Donald Campbell of Kingston, Jamaica as a witness identifying the vessel "Clarendon." Campbell attested that the ship currently named "Lizette," sitting in the harbor of St. Augustine, was formerly named the "Clarendon." He says the ship had been captured by the "rebels" and is the property of Thompson C. Whitelaw of Jamaica and Mr. Coates in Glasgow, Scotland. Probably written in St. Augustine.

GLC01411.02