CLAIMS FOR THE PEACOCK VS. EPERVIER - LITTLETON W. TAZEWELL (1774-1860) Virginia Senator and lawyer, later Governor of Virginia. Important content A.L.S. with holograph address sheet, 2pp. 4to., Norfolk, Mar. 4, 1815, to the U.S. Attorney in Savannah. Tazewell writes of the famous capture of the British brig Epervierby the USS Peacockthe previous year. In part: "...By the direction of Capt. Warrington of the United States Ship Peacock...I forward you...the decree rendered by the Prize Court in your state, in the case of the Epervier and the specie taken on board of her. I am informed by Capt. Warrington (whose agent I am) that the U.S. claims and has actually received one [?] of this specie...[and] of the proceeds of the Epervier herself. Under what authority this money has been claimed by the Government I know not...I am solicited to obtain a copy of the decree...should the decree have settled this question of relative force... [I] will prove the equality of force between the two vessels...and establish the right of the captors to the whole...But if the present situation of the cause forbids this, I must refer the subject to Congress..." Much more excellent content concerning Tazewell's efforts to obtain a share of the prize for Warrington and his crew. A few marginal repairs, else very good. Warrington took command of the sloop-of-war Peacock in 1813 and on March 12, 1814, he put to sea with his new command bound for the naval station at St. Mary's, Georgia. After delivering supplies to that installation, he encountered the British brig Epervier off Cape Canaveral, Florida. Peacock emerged victorious from a brisk 45-minute exchange with that opponent, inflicting 10 times her own losses on the enemy, and the captured vessel was taken to Savannah. For his role in the victory, Warrington received the thanks of Congress in the form of a gold medal $200-300