[ Autographs ] David G. Farragut 1801-1870 Union rear admiral instrument al in the taking of New Orleans and the Union control of the Mississippi. It was at Mobile Bay where he exclaimed "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!". Fine content L.S. as Vice Admiral, 3pp sm. folio, New York, Apr. 30, 1866 to Hon. James W. Grimes. Just months after the end of the war, Farragut responds to a proposed bill changing Navy promotion procedures. In part: "...If the Rear Admiralsare limited in number to twenty-one, there will be no room for the retirement of those on the active list... very little chance for the promotion of those old officers on the retired list, who have done the country good service... and now only desire to die in the same relative position... in relation to promotion by selection... [it] is a difficult thing to manage in our Country in time of peace. In time of War, the Country will submit to it as a Military necessity. In time of peace it is apt to become an abuse, as it is in the British navy... would be a fatal blow to the best interests of the Navy..." Fine condition, framed.