Description:

QUASI-WAR SAILOR'S LETTER GROUPING
Fine content lot of five letters from JOHN WALTON WHITEOAK, a sailor from Newburyport, MA, ranging from 1803-1813, all to his wife, Catherine. Whiteoak apparently sailed during the Quasi-War with France and the War of 1812 with Great Britain, and relates those events in his letters. The first, A.L.S., 4pp., 4to., Tenerife, November 20 [18--?], regarding his dislike of Tenerife and the threat of French privateers: "...It is a troublesome place about discharging cargo and we had eleven days quarantine... I expect in about two or three weeks we shall sail from this torment of a place for the Isle of May ... There is no vessel allowed to sail from here not until the French fleet sail from this island. But now they are expected every day to sail for France and I think it is almost time for they have taken several American vessels on their passage from the West Indies and all other neutral vessels that they fell in with and burnt them and taken the people onboard their ships of war and gives them an Order on Bonaparte for their pay for the property. They have taken an English Convoy and brought them into Santa Cruze in Tenerife. But I suppose the English will pay them for that without an Order on Bonaparte...". The second letter, 3pp., written from Bordeaux, November 23, 1803, has Walton discussing family affairs and how much he cares for his wife, as do the third and fourth, both written from Charleston. Additionally, Whiteoak appears to be in the ship's brig while at Charleston.

The fifth, a war-date A.L.S. as a British prisoner, 2pp., 4to., "Chatham February the 8th, 1813, Onboard the Nassau prison Ship," recounts his capture and ill health: "...We was taken on the first day of august and carried into the Orkney Islands and from thence to Leith in Scotland there we was some-time's prisoners onboard a ship of war and sometimes in Prisson on shore and from thence we was transported to England and on our passage I was taken very sick of the feavour... I was so near dead... but I have gott quiet well again thank god for it...". An altogether moving and informative series of letters, unfortunately in poor condition. All letters age toned with moderate folds and tears, some with foxing, some archivally repaired.

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May 14, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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