7 May 1776

Newspaper

Title: Pennsylvania Evening Post

Relaying news from a Dublin paper of a British fleet set to sail in April: "there will be five debarkations...one at Quebec, one at New-York, one in New-England, and two to the southward." Letter from Cork, describing Col. Ethan Allen and his fellow prisoners' generous treatment by the Irish. Letter from Gen. Arnold: "we labor under almost as many difficulties as the Israelites did of old, obliged to make brick without straw...we have near five feet snow on the ground...four hundred sick and wounded in hospitals." Skirmish and privateer news from up and down the Atlantic. (GLC 3235 was…

GLC09080

14 June 1804

Parker, Stephen, fl. 1804

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Caleb Strong

Tells about his terrible misfortunes, including a decadent, alcoholic son, a loss of property and money during the war, and the death of his wife as a consequence. Explains that his son, Colborn, was taken ill aboard an American naval vessel and would like to know whether this entitles his son to hospital care.

GLC02437.07860

February 6, 1818

Waterhouse, Benjamin, 1754-1846

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes first to report on Knox's daughter (in law) Eliza's travels to and from Boston, and correspondence related to her (Eliza married Lucy's son Henry Jackson Knox). Next, discusses President [John] Adams's recent preoccupation with the idea of an American Navy. Adams believes that when he was Vice President under Washington, they discussed the establishment of a Navy; [Thomas] Jefferson and [Henry] Knox supported the idea, but [Alexander] Hamilton and the Attorney General did not. Writes that President Adams would like to know whether Lucy remembers any debates on this subject.…

GLC02437.08066

1781

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph document

Title: [Thoughts on military action] [incomplete]

Discusses the [pending?] arrival of "C.G." [the Comte de Grasse], and potential British troop placements in New York and Virginia, and how this would impact a proposed American operation. See GLC02437.08176 for a related document.

GLC02437.08161

circa 1750-1820

Manuscript document

Title: [Efforts for a navy] [incomplete ?]

Later copy. Describes the efforts of someone in organizing a navy.

GLC02437.08169

circa 1795-1820

Manuscript document

Title: [Thoughts on the establishment of the U.S. Navy]

Discusses Henry Knox's role in the establishment of the U.S. Navy.

GLC02437.08173

1794

Manuscript document

Title: [Vessels and treaties with France]

Lists items regarding treaties between the United States and France, particularly regarding ships and other vessels. Date previously inferred, written in pencil.

GLC02437.08210

2 September 1890

Ramsay, F.M., fl. 1890

Typed letter

Title: to Joseph M. Maitland

Letter from Bureau of Navigation (Navy Department) replying to Maitland's request for a certificate in lieu of the discharge for John Reedy. Refers to the act of Congress approved 7 February 1890, which "...prescribes that whenever satisfactory proof is furnished that any commissioned officer, appointed or enlisted man who served in the Navy or Marine Corps of the United states in the War of 1812, the Mexican War, or the War of the Rebellion, has lost his discharge, or the same has been destroyed without his privity or procurement, a certificate in lieu of such discharge shall be furnished to…

GLC03523.10.211

27 March 1756

Fox, Henry, Baron Holland, 1705-1774

Manuscript letter

Title: to Col. Daniel Webb

Instructs Colonel Daniel Webb about the transportations of troops. Webb is to "take upon [him] the Command of the Forces ordered to embark there (Plymouth), & to proceed in the ship" where they are to be part of the convoy to New York. Expects the quick arrival of Lord Loudoun and Major General Abercombie, but in the meantime, urges Webb to "take upon you the Command in North America, supercede Maj. Genl. Shirley, & do all the Good, & prevent all the Mischief that you can." Noted as a copy in the upper left hand corner. Watermarked with a large nine cm. seal on the first leaf…

GLC09054.08

10 June 1864

Van Hook, John C., 1831-1910

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wortham

Van Hook has just learned that two hundred Union soldiers have landed at Bath and he is certain that they can be captured and their boats sunk. He asks Wortham to send his battery, two companies of infantry, and his company of cavalry to assist in this operation. Excerpt: "…a party of Yankees no. two hundred have landed at [Bath?] taking off citizens they have taken two good & loyal citizens. Their gunboats two at least is laying in the river & have been for several days they can be sunk without a doubt. I wish you to join me & send your battery & two Companies of…

GLC02233.45

December 1, 1858

Page, Benjamin Price, 1818-1904

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Thanks Marchand for agreeing to deliver her letters to her husband, Thomas J. Page. Worries because "I have seen in the papers most discouraging accounts of the Steamers intended for the Paraguay expedition," but hopes everything goes well. The expedition was a United States Naval operation which sought indemnity for an attack years earlier by Paraguain forces on an American vessel. The showing of superior naval power also allowed the U. S. to secure an advantageous trade treaty with Paraguay. Page captained the U.S.S. Water Witch on a voyage to survey rivers in South America in 1855.…

GLC02680.07

8 June 1862

Dupont, Samuel F., 1803-1865

Letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Copy of a circular letter from the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography ordering captains to "instruct the officers commanding Prize vessels to deliver to the ordnance officer of the nearest Navy Yard, all arms belonging to the service, immediately on their arrival." The circular letter was first sent to DuPont, who now sends a copy to Marchand, and orders him to distribute it "to the vessels in your Division." DuPont signs as Flag Officer Commanding of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. DuPont was a noted American naval officer. He figured prominently in the Mexican-American War and…

GLC02680.12

22 December 1863

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Letter

Title: to John B. Marchand

Printed circular from the Navy Department ordering officers to set up Boards to review all Assistant Engineers for possible promotion. Lays out the rules under which these review boards are to be conducted, and the requirements for promotion, such as "knowledge of the first six books of Euclid, of plane geometry...of conic sections, and of the strength of materials." Orders the board to score the candidates, and pass their opinions on to the Navy Department. Marchand was captain of the U.S.S. Lackawanna.

GLC02680.14

13 July 1864

Hacut, Sergeant, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wortham

Writes that "In sight 3 gunboats one of them lying near the mouth of the River. The other 2 lying in near Edinton. One schooner has just gone out." Written at Williams Fishery.

GLC02233.48

21 August 1864

Burras, Eugene, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Wortham

The bearer, Mrs. Frances Wynn, refuses to join her deserter husband, who joined the "Yankee fleet," despite his severe threats. She and her child are destitute and "should be cared for for her faithful adherence to our cause." Burras knows her, and asks Wortham to assist her, as well as her child and her sister.

GLC02233.52

16 September 1864

McParlin, Thomas A., 1825-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alida McParlin

Acknowledges receiving his wife's letter. Comments on the return of the Naval Academy to Annapolis, and the government's ability to build hospitals. Discusses his department and military matters, taxes, and Alida's restlessness, and the brigadier general brevet of R.S. Satterlee. Says "I hear that the draft is ordered to proceed at once." Notes at the top of page one that he is "in excellent health."

GLC02649.15

18 April 1849

Jones, Thomas Ap Catesby, 1790-1858

Manuscript letter

Title: to Charles M. Armstrong

Jones' letter discussing John B. Marchand's "lack of zeal and restiveness" and his "hostility to my lawful authority," written in Marchand's hand. Jones discusses the insubordinate actions of Marchand and two other officers, which he says were caused by "gold mania." Says these officers opposed his orders, and then acted disrespectfully towards their superior officer. Jones' letter attacking these officers has become public, and he assures Lieutenant Armstrong that his censures were only directed towards those three officers, and not intended for other officers under his command. Written…

GLC02680.01

October 8, 1849

Marchand, John B., 1808-1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Ap Catesby Jones

Marchand states his desire to be detached from his ship and copies an earlier letter of his to support his case. Since he has served three years and his ship is about to "almost circumnavigate the globe," believes he is entitled to instead return to the United States. Also displeased with his current rank and treatment in relation to other officers. On the last three pages of the letter, copies other letters of his own that support his case. Many of these involve Jones' accusation against Marchand of insubordination and being involved in "gold mania," which Marchand denies. Written on…

GLC02680.02

10 October 1849

Jones, Thomas Ap Catesby, 1790-1858

Letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Denying Marchand's request to be relieved of his post and return home. "I can see nothing in your situation oppressive or even unusual in the naval service...It is a great innovation upon usage, and the obligations of Commissioned officers to their country to suppose, that they, like enlisted persons engage for a limited term and at the expiration thereof have a right to go home, no such right exists while their services are required abroad." Written on board "Flag Ship 'Savannah.'"

GLC02680.03

28 November 1858

Marchand, Elizabeth L., 1824-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Sister says he has not written in over six weeks, inquires how he is doing, and relates family news.

GLC02680.04

30 November 1858

Marchand, Henry C., 1818-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Marchand's brother discusses family events, inquires about retiring admirals, and mentions a black servant who was fired after running away. Also notes "The gas company have laid their pipes through the town and as a general thing almost every person will use it."

GLC02680.05

1865

Jackman, W.J., fl. 1865

Engraving

Title: [Portrait of David G. Farragut]

Engraved portrait of Farragut in uniform, with his facsimile signature below. Printed by Richard Rutter and Company.

GLC02680.06

December 11, 1858

Guernsey, Alfred H., 1824-1902

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand

Encloses documents relating to the Paraguay Expedition, a naval voyage Marchand is about to take to Argentina to explore various waterways. Encloses "the sheets of 'La Plata,' as far as printed, together with the map." Also encloses an article from "Harper's Magazine, containing an abstract of some of the most important points of the Exploration." Encloses duplicate copies for Captain Thomas Jefferson Page, who was also on the expedition. Guernsey was the editor of Harper's Weekly.

GLC02680.08

22 June 1860

Case, Augustus Ludlow, 1813-1893

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John B. Marchand [Fragment]

Last page of a letter inviting Marchand and his wife to visit during the summer. Marchand and Case both served on the Paraguay expedition.

GLC02680.09

3 September 1861 - 11 September 1861

Welles, Gideon, 1802-1878

Manuscript document

Title: to John B. Marchand

Copy of Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles' promotion of Samuel Huse as "acting Master of the U.S. Steamer James Adger." Includes copies of docketing/endorsements by Commander Samuel L. Breese and Commander John Jay Almy.

GLC02680.11