Description:

USS CONSITUTION CREW PETITION TO CONGRESS
A great content printed U.S. War Department record, 17pp. 8vo., [n.p.], February 5, 1816, outlining a report made by the Committee of Naval Affairs in regard to a petition submitted by Captain Charles Stewart (1778-1869) and other crewmembers of the USS Constitution. In part: '...The petitioner states that on the 20th of February 1815, with the frigate Constitution under his command whilst cruising in the neighborhood island of Madeira, he fell in with two British ships of war, the Cyane, mounting 34 guns, and the Levant, mounting 21...the Constitution brought the two ships to action and captured both...having taken possession of her prizes...on the 10th of March, anchored with her prizes in Port Praya...they discovered a squadron of ships which ultimately proved to be British...the Constitution and Cyane got off without being brought to action...the Levant...was attached and taken possession of by the enemy...The petitioner asks of Congress to pay to the officers and crew of the Constitution the value of the Levant...The committee are of opinion that the petitioners have not a right to demand of the United States the value of the said prize; though the government have a right to demand of the Portuguese government compensation for the outrage committed in one of their ports...' Toned with edge wear to the right margin, some pages detached from the binding. The events of the engagement happened exactly as described. The Constitution was able to capture both British war ships but while they were conducting repairs, they spotted more of the enemy and were forced to send the ships in separate directions. The Cyane and Constitution both got away but the Levant was captured. By the time Stewart reached another Brazilian port, he learned the Treaty of Ghent which ended the war was already ratified. While Stewart's petition would ultimately be denied, the Portuguese government later paid compensation to the United States for their failure to enforce their neutrality in the war.

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December 8, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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