MATHEW C. PERRY Rare A.L.S. "M. C. Perry", 1p. 4to., [n.p.], Oct. 24 [1848], to Secretary of the Navy John Y. Mason. In part: "...In forwarding the accompanying application of Lt. Henderson I take pleasure in leaving[?] testimony to the meritorious services of that officer during the latest cruise of the Cumberland...a manner highly creditable to himself and advantageous to the service...". James L. Henderson (1813-1875) was a distinguished naval commander, rising through the ranks to achieve the rank of commodore in the U.S. Navy in 1855. Mathew Perry considered Henderson "...one of the best officers in the Navy...". He resigned in 1861 to enter the Confederate Navy, commanding batteries at Yorktown and Gloucester Point, as well as the arsenals at Mobile and Selma .