1823-1832

Mayo, Isaac, 1791-1861

Header Record

Title: Letters as commander of USS Grampus off Cuba re: piracy, slave ships, Lafayette [Decimalized .01-.24]

Written to or from Mayo. Includes mention of capture of a slave trader off the coast of Haiti. Also includes pamphlet, report of Congress on Cuba.

GLC04604

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

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

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