[ Autographs ] DAVID PORTER (1780 - 1843) American naval officer and commander of the first American naval vessel in the Pacific; also fought piracy in the Indies. A.L.S. 1p. 4to., New Orleans, Nov. 19, 1809 to the Secretary of the Navy, Paul Hamilton concerning his drawing up bills of exchange for E3,952.54 for the purpose of "Repairsof Vessels", noting that he had: "...been induced to do this from a conviction that payment could not longer be deferred without injury tothe Service - The accounts were due sometime previous to the death of W. Spence..." He closes hoping that the bills "be duly honored". Verygood.