13 August 1813

Birch, Thomas, 1779-1851

Print

Title: U.S. Frigate Constitution... capturing... Frigate Guerriere

Hand colored engraving

GLC03284

1812

Seymour, Samuel, fl. 1812

Print

Title: Brilliant Naval Victory [engraving of the USS Constitution]

title continues: "With the U. States Frigate Constitution of 44 Guns, Cap'n. Hull, & the English Frigate Guerriere of 38 Guns, Cap'n. L'acres, in which action Cap'n. Hull lost 7 men killed, & 7 wounded, & his B. M.'s ship was sunk; besides her loss of 15 men killed, 62 wounded, & 24 missing; August 20, 1812. After closing the action was 30 minu[te]s." Depicts one ship flying 4 American flags, surrounded by smaller boats filled with soldiers, and another ship engulfed in flame, smoke billowing above it. Hand colored. Published by J. Pierre & F. Kearney in Philadelphia,…

GLC04523

15 March 1840

Cooper, James Fenimore, 1789-1851

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Captain Aulich

Acts as a referral for the son of Captain Angus, a youth aboard the U.S.S. Potomac, to which Aulich was captain. Criticizes Great Britain for its predatory practices in the Oregon Territory. In his postscript, Cooper requests information on Old Ironsides because he is writing a history on the topic.

GLC05083

6 May 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Holloway

Discusses Francis and Thomas Flucker's whereabouts and doings with British Rear Admiral Holloway. States Francis Flucker is serving as a midshipman on board of a ship of war for the United States in the West Indies. Says Thomas Flucker would make a great Navy officer in the British Navy.

GLC02437.07529

6 May 1801

Holloway, John, 1744-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

British Rear Admiral Holloway discusses Knox's nephews, Francis and Thomas Flucker. Informs Knox they obtained a [cadetship] for Thomas Flucker and requests Knox to send Thomas Flucker to [England?] .

GLC02437.07530

circa 1861-1865

Photograph

Title: U.S.S. Constitution as school ship in Newport, RI.

Ink inscription on recto "U.S.S. Constitution." Graphite inscription on verso "**Book" "USS Constitution as School ship Newport, RI." Photographers imprint on verso: "J. A. Williams. Cartes De Visite Gallery, Touro Street, Newport, R.I."

GLC05111.02.0937

9 December 1797

Ingraham, Joseph, 1762-1800

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks Knox to sponsor him as he is applying for a position as first lieutenant on board the frigate, the USS Constitution.

GLC02437.07062

19 May 1799

Flucker, Francis, fl. 1796-1801

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Francis Flucker requests that Knox send him clothing that Flucker is lacking on board the U.S. Frigate Constitution. Says the lieutenant has told him "I must dress decenter or not come on the quarterdeck..." Signs as "Fluker."

GLC02437.07269

16 July 1799

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Francis W. Flucker

Knox tells his nephew Francis, "It is untrue that I refused to pay Dansforth for any authorized articles. I refused to pay for Ginn and brandy." Knox warns Francis "if you shall adhere to drinking such liquid fire, you will ruin your health, and debase your mind." Knox advises Francis to be an honorable person.

GLC02437.07287

18 August 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Thomas Flucker

Copy of a letter Henry sent to his nephew Thomas Flucker instructing Flucker that he will meet Captain Talbot. Talbot will give Flucker money and clothing. Knox demands that Flucker return to Thomaston "immediately" if Flucker does not get on the Constitution. Flucker is not "to stay in Boston one day."

GLC02437.07471

February 2, 1801

Flucker, Thomas, 1719-1783

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Describes his sea voyage and food rations to his uncle Henry Knox. Says they eat beef and beans one day and pork and beans the other day. Mentions one of the vessels has the fever but believes they will not get it. Sends his regards to his aunt (Lucy Knox) and his cousins. Noted written from St. Kitts which is a nickname for St. Christopher.

GLC02437.07502

7 June 1798

Wolcott, Oliver, 1760-1822

Manuscript letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Asks on behalf of the President, John Adams, for Knox's opinion concerning the ability of Samuel Nicholson and whether he should be appointed to a new command. At the time, Nicholson was assigned command of the USS Constitution. Noted as written at the Treasury department. Marked "private."

GLC02437.07147

29 March 1801

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to Thomas Jefferson

Recommends Henry Jackson for the appointment to the office of Naval Agent (possibly the Secretary of Navy). Lists Jackson's qualifications, including his supervision of the construction of the USS Constitution, and describes Jackson as being competent in "all respects to execute the duties of the station cannot be questioned with propriety." Marked as private.

GLC02437.07516

February 23, 1813

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Timothy Bigelow

Letter written aboard the U.S.S. Constitution (Old Ironsides), Boston Harbor. Bainbridge expresses pleasure in hearing of a vote of appreciation for the Constitution's victory over the British frigate H.M.S. Java. "To merit and receive the appreciation of our Country is our highest ambition, and is the greatest stimulus we can receive in the exertion of our duty." Letter addressed to Bigelow as the speaker of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

GLC01125

23 December 1798

Borland, Leonard Vassall, 1759-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John L. Borland

Leonard writes his brother John. The letter is "delivered to you by Mr. Henry Jackson Knox, midshipman on board the United States Frigate Constitution." Leonard explains that "Mr. Knox is son to General Knox, who was one of our first military characters during the revolutionary war with England, and is now one of the most respectable men in the United States."

GLC02437.07211

2 June 1799

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Adams

Knox writes to President Adams, urging him to allow Knox's son Henry to be promoted from midshipmen to Lieutenant in the US Navy. (Knox Jr. was midshipman on the USS Constitutionl). The docket reads, "The President on the receipt of this letter dd Henry a Commission of Lieutenant in the Navy, filled up with his own hand."

GLC02437.07272

3 July 1799

Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Adams

Talbot thanks President Adams for receiving the commission of Captain of the Navy and "also another to Cotton Thayer as Second Lt. of Marines." Talbot has difficulty accepting this commission because he fears he will be a junior officer to someone who does not deserve to be ranked ahead of him, citing [John] Barry, [Samuel] Nicolson, and [Thomas] Truxton. "I consider a commission only as a certificate or evidence of an appointment, why then have I not untill this day been furnished with the Evidence of my first appointment under the present Government as well, or instead of the Letter."…

GLC02437.07279

20 November 1800

Barron, James, 1769-1851

Autograph letter

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain Barron informs Knox that he will monitor Thomas Flucker and believes that Knox's "advice (admonition) had the desired affect."

GLC02437.07485

20 November 1800

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter

Title: to James Barron

Knox thanks Captain Barron for taking Thomas Flucker on as a midshipman. Knox hopes Flucker behaves, but if he does not, Barron should feel free to admonish Flucker.

GLC02437.07486

February 19, 1813

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: To Secretary of the Navy William Jones; Report of the Officers of the U.S. Frigate Constitution

Addressed to Secretary of the Navy William Jones. Written on board the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) in Boston Harbor. Evaluates the qualities and misgivings of the ship's officers and civilian crew during the War of 1812.

GLC00496.006

January 13, 1813

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jones

Written on board the homeward bound USS Constitution to Secretary of the Navy Jones regarding damages incurred during battle with the HMS Java as well as Bainbridge's own injuries. It was after this battle that the Constitution got the name "Old Ironsides."

GLC00496.007

June 3, 1802

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amos Binny

Discusses the questionable abilities of Joshua Humphreys, designer of the frigates Constitution and United States, and the shortcomings of these ships. It was on the USS Constitution that Bainbridge defeated the HMS Java and returned victorious to Boston Harbor in 1813, earning the ship its name "Old Ironsides." Binny was a Navy agent.

GLC00496.008

December 29, 1812

Bainbridge, William, 1774-1833

Manuscript

Title: Extracts from Commodore William Bainbridge's Journal

Transcribed journal entry written aboard the USS Constitution (later transcribed, not in Bainbridge's hand) recounting the ship's battle with HMS Java off the coast of Brazil. The account is recorded as the fighting occurs. Includes a casualty and injury count as well as the names of British officers taken aboard.

GLC00496.009

December 8, 1812

Adams, John, 1735-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Dr. Benjamin Rush

"The history of the hobby horse" -page 4 (Adams's humorous name for the story he tells in this letter). Free frank on page 4. The letter also discusses the dream of American glory and early history.

GLC00599

July 18, 1860

Green, Joseph W., Jr., 1822-1889

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Gregory

Discusses the contributions made by soldiers from Marblehead, Massachusetts in the American Revolution and the War of 1812. Emphasizes the War of 1812, commenting on service aboard the ship Constitution by men from Marblehead. Expresses pride in the contributions made by his hometown and seeks to have them recognized. Author possibly Joseph W. Green, Jr. (as listed in the 1850 census) and probably the son of Joseph W. Green, who kept a diary of his time as a privateer and POW during the War of 1812.

GLC00498.02