March 25, 1859

Totten, Benjamin J., 1806-1877

Letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Totten ordering McBlair to receive two prisoners, and to exchange drummer boys. He informs McBlair that he will receive on his ship "the men Connor and Breckendorf, sentenced by Summary Court Martial to be discharged from the Naval Services." He also orders McBlair to exchange drummers. Edwin Donnohoe, the drummer boy on board Totten's ship, is being sent to McBlair's ship because he "was implicated in an unnatural crime with the man Breckendorf, and perjured himself before the Summary Court Martial, and therefore should be discharged from the corps as soon as possible." Letter written on…

GLC00722.55

March 28, 1859

Fusner, George P., fl. 1859

Letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Transmitting the "Size Roll, & Clothing Account of Drummer" Edwin Donnohoe. Donnohoe was being transferred to McBlair's ship because of his improper involvement with a sailor on board his previous ship. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Vincennes" at Porto Praya, Cape Verde.

GLC00722.56

October 13, 1857-October 17, 1857

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter

Title: to V. McBlair

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

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter

Title: to V. McBlair

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 President Roberts, both of whom he speaks highly of. He discusses the "sleepy disease," which has killed one of his men. Also discusses family matters. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea. Stephen A. Benson served as president of Liberia from 1856-1864. Joseph Jenkins Roberts was the first president of Liberia, from 1848-1856, and again…

GLC00722.59

1858

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

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 "The worst of our work however is over on this coast." William McBlair signs with his initials. In part: "Dined yesterday ashore with our Consul...I am very busy making up my reports &c to leave here for the Commodore; I shall sail this afternoon for the Canaries...The Secretary has posstively promised that we shall be in U States by 1st…

GLC00722.60

1858

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

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

1858

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

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 getting along well with the commodore, and with his new first lieutenant, Edwin Winder. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea. Letter dated June 24, 1858 - 20 July 1858.

GLC00722.62

1858-1859

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

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 board the U.S.S. "Dale," at sea. Letter dated December 25, 1858 - January 14, 1859.

GLC00722.63

February 7, 1859

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

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 also mentions an old childhood playmate, and offers some reflections.

GLC00722.64

March 1859

McBlair, William, ?-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to V. McBlair

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 Pirates" on the African coast. He discusses his dinner with a French captain, commenting on their culture and the bad food. Also mentions the foolishness of the Liberian Secretary of State and complains about Navy food. He closes in expectation of orders to return home, which would soon arrive. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" off Goree,…

GLC00722.65

January 10, 1855

Irving, Levin H., fl. 1855

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Thanking the officers of the "Dale" for help acquiring "a situation," thanks to "a friendly recommendation." Irving, according to the docket, was a sailmaker. Docket may be in McBlair's hand. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at sea.

GLC00722.67

January 8, 1856

Barclay, John, fl. 1856

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Barclay recommends finding a harbor as soon as possible. He says the crew is worn down by a long voyage and inclement weather, and there are not enough supplies to provide for them. Letter written on board the U.S.S. "Dale," at sea. Barclay was the surgeon and health officer.

GLC00722.68

March 15, 1858

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Discussing events at Saint Helena since McBlair left. A friendly letter, sent via Captain Goodridge of the U.S.S. "Hazard." Name of the signer is illegible.

GLC00722.69

September 27, 1858

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William McBlair

Sends letters and information, and thanks McBlair for a dog given as a gift. Letter written from Saint George's Castle, also known as Elmina Castle, a former prison and center of the African slave trade. Name of signer is illegible.

GLC00722.70

circa 1858

Unknown

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edward L. Winder

Stating that Captain McBlair has given permission for a sick man to be given medical treatment aboard the ship. Offers to pay for anything the man requires. Appears to be signed with the name "Mace." Written on half sheet. Probably written after June 1858.

GLC00722.71

1857

Manuscript document

Title: Commanders Stationery for the U. S. Sloop War "Dale"

A list of the stationery items belonging to the captain of the U.S.S. "Dale," including envelopes, letters and other items.

GLC00722.72

circa 1856

Pierce, Franklin, 1804-1869

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George C. Whiting

Franklin Pierce discusses the pension for the widow of Navy Commander Samuel Larkin. He mentions testimony given on the cause of his death which showed that Larkin contracted the disease while on duty in Africa. Paper watermarked "Joynson/1856." Letter written during Pierce's presidency and docketed "President Pierce."

GLC00655.09

1844

Header Record

Title: [Two letters to Thomas T. Craven] [Decimalized .01 and .02]

GLC00815

January 3, 1844

Perry, Matthew Calbraith, 1794-1858

Letter signed

Title: to Thomas T. Craven

Perry, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces on the western coast of Africa, writes from the U.S.S. Macedonia (off the coast of Monrovia) to Lieutenant Commodore Craven of the U.S. Brig Porpoise. He directs Craven to survey anchorage at Fish Town, near Cape Palmas. He details how the survey should proceed with regard to the study of tides, winds, weather, beach conditions, and coastal resources. He reminds Craven to pay attention to the crew's health. With a signed postscript about chart making. Perry was engaged in suppressing the slave trade off the West coast of Africa. (Also see GLC00722).

GLC00815.01

September 13, 1844

Canot, Theodore, 1804-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas T. Craven

Canot writes to Lieutenant Commodore Craven about the building and rigging of ship to be named 'Le Pauvre Diable.' He asks to borrow a book on shipbuilding if possible, and asks for advice on how to rig his ship in "the American stile."

GLC00815.02

February 5, 1680

Baker, S.G., fl. 1680

Autograph letter signed

Title: to unknown

Description laid-in. The letter mentions redeeming slaves and concluding peace with Tripoli [Algiers].

GLC01450.445

15 October 1778

George III, King of Great Britain, 1738-1820

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of William Lacey in a corps of foot stationed in Africa]

Signed by George Germaine, First Viscount Sackville as Secretary of State for the Americas. Countersigned by John F. Hesse, Commissary General of Musters, and M. Lewis Secretary at War. Confirms the appointment of William Lacey as captain in a corps under John Clarke, Lieutenant Colonel Commandant. Contains one round seal with accompanying wax seals and one blue rectangular seal. Signed by King George III in top left corner.

GLC01450.530

December 21, 1793

Swan, James, 1754-1830

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Says he wouldn't normally bother Knox, but needs to update him on the situation because of the "cruel war" in Europe. Sends the latest news on 13 sailors captured by the "Algereen pirates." Swan expresses anger that the pirates are allowed to harass American shipping with tacit English approval. Goes on to say that "England by that treaty [of peace with Portugal] will prevent france geting [sic] supplies from america, she punishes us for adhering to the Treaty [from 1778], and for reorganizing their Republic." Believes three things can punish England and get the pirates to back off American…

GLC02437.06002

6 September 1862

Seward, Frederick William, 1830-1915

Letter signed

Title: to Cephas Brainerd

Encloses President Abraham Lincoln's appointment of Brainerd as Arbitrator for the United States for the suppression of the African slave trade (not present). Asks Brainerd to acknowledge receipt and supply his place of birth. Also encloses an official oath Brainerd needs to return if accepting the commission (not present). Signed as Assistant Secretary.

GLC04471.06

20 September 1839

Grand Jury

Manuscript document

Title: The Grand Jury finds the following fact

Relates details pertaining to the sailing of the Amistad, the mutiny of the captives on board, and the ship's subsequent capture near the coast of New York. Mentions Lieutenant Thomas R. Gedney, commander of the brig Washington and other persons involved in the case.

GLC05636.06