Description:

(1768-1843) Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, also served as Secretary of the Navy under James Monroe. Fine content A.L.S. 'S. Thompson' as Secretary of the Navy, 2pp 4to., April 9 [n.y. but between 1819-23], to his chief clerk, Benjamin Thompson. In part: '...I sent you last evening a memorandum from the President suggesting some additional documents to accompany the report in relation to Capt. Biddle. If you have sent the one to the Speaker another letter had better be written to him stating that there are in addition to the former report for the purpose of showing the benefit of our public vessels to our trade in the Pacific...' Toned with minor paper loss to the second page from a seal tear. Captain James Biddle (1783-1848) U.S. Navy Commodore, was a member of the famous Biddle family. It is possible that Biddle's report mentioned refers to an incident in May of 1822 while he was in charge of the USS Macedonian. The ship joined his West Indies Squadron with the purpose of suppressing piracy when a severe outbreak of yellow fever ravaged its men and officers. At least 75 men died and another 50 were on the sick list. Biddle's report would claim that the Macedonian's hold had not been properly cleaned while in Boston and brough charges against Commodore Isaac Hull who commanded the naval yard. A court eventually found that the outbreak was likely due to the drastic change in climate and Hull was exonerated.

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August 26, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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