Title: 1843 letter lauding the US Navy Commodore who mistakenly "captured" Monterey from Mexico Author: Place: George Town, MD Publisher: Date: 1843 Description: William Steuart [Sr.]. Autograph Letter Signed. Feb. 19, 1843. George Town [Maryland, later incorporated into Washington, D.C.] To Mrs. Commodore [Thomas ap Catesby] Jones, Fairfax County, Virginia. 2pp.+ stampless address leaf. …I avail myself of the opportunity of imparting to you the gratification we feel in the general manifestation of public approbation of your Husband's conduct in reference to California. It is true that the Courtesy of Nations to each other required his recall and that a successor has been appointed, but he has not yet departed…come when he will, he will be welcomed by joyous acclimation. It is true that good deal of excitement was got up at the moment of the annunciation of the downfall of Monterey. It was mostly the work of Mexican diplomacy and of speculators in Mexican scrip, but the great mass of the loyal American Citizens view it as a chivalrous and most glorious act of military vigilance… two of the most intelligent and influential members of Congress… declared that but for political considerations involving at the moment National Courtesy, they would move the presentation of a splendid Sword to the Gallant Commodore in Commendation of his conduct…I am confident it will be done at a more appropriate moment… if an Officer in the British Navy had done the same thing in the same handsome manner, he would at least be Knighted - and I anticipate with pleasure the time when it will be considered the brightest ensign armorial in the Escutcheon of "Thomas ap Catesby Jones of Monterey" …as to any pecuniary considerations… he will be most satisfactorily provided for immediately upon his return. I have reasons for saying this to you,,,” In October 1842, after hearing false news that war had broken out between the United States and Mexico, the commander of the US Nav’s Pacific Squadron, Thomas ap Catesby Jones, sailed with three warships from Peru to Monterey, then the capital city of Mexican Alta California. Outnumbering the small Mexican garrison, Catesby Jones sent 150 US sailors and Marines ashore to capture the city without incident. Only the next day did the Commodre Jones learn that the US and Mexico were not at war. Apologetically sailing his fleet away to Hawaii, to assuage Mexican anger, Jones was relieved of duty. He has not yet returned home when Steuart, his friend (and, apparently, a relative) sent this letter to Jones’ wife, hinting in confidence that the Commodore would receive some private financial benefit on his return. Jones was later restored to his command during and after the Mexican-American War – when he obligingly supported the political efforts of Steuart and his son - a San Francisco investment banker, partnered with the brother of future Civil War financier Jay Cooke - to make Benicia, where they owned land, the permanent capital of the new state of California. Lot Amendments Condition: Very good. Item number: 271703
Title: 1843 letter lauding the US Navy Commodore who mistakenly "captured" Monterey from Mexico Author: Place: George Town, MD Publisher: Date: 1843 Description: William Steuart [Sr.]. Autograph Letter Signed. Feb. 19, 1843. George Town [Maryland, later incorporated into Washington, D.C.] To Mrs. Commodore [Thomas ap Catesby] Jones, Fairfax County, Virginia. 2pp.+ stampless address leaf. …I avail myself of the opportunity of imparting to you the gratification we feel in the general manifestation of public approbation of your Husband's conduct in reference to California. It is true that the Courtesy of Nations to each other required his recall and that a successor has been appointed, but he has not yet departed…come when he will, he will be welcomed by joyous acclimation. It is true that good deal of excitement was got up at the moment of the annunciation of the downfall of Monterey. It was mostly the work of Mexican diplomacy and of speculators in Mexican scrip, but the great mass of the loyal American Citizens view it as a chivalrous and most glorious act of military vigilance… two of the most intelligent and influential members of Congress… declared that but for political considerations involving at the moment National Courtesy, they would move the presentation of a splendid Sword to the Gallant Commodore in Commendation of his conduct…I am confident it will be done at a more appropriate moment… if an Officer in the British Navy had done the same thing in the same handsome manner, he would at least be Knighted - and I anticipate with pleasure the time when it will be considered the brightest ensign armorial in the Escutcheon of "Thomas ap Catesby Jones of Monterey" …as to any pecuniary considerations… he will be most satisfactorily provided for immediately upon his return. I have reasons for saying this to you,,,” In October 1842, after hearing false news that war had broken out between the United States and Mexico, the commander of the US Nav’s Pacific Squadron, Thomas ap Catesby Jones, sailed with three warships from Peru to Monterey, then the capital city of Mexican Alta California. Outnumbering the small Mexican garrison, Catesby Jones sent 150 US sailors and Marines ashore to capture the city without incident. Only the next day did the Commodre Jones learn that the US and Mexico were not at war. Apologetically sailing his fleet away to Hawaii, to assuage Mexican anger, Jones was relieved of duty. He has not yet returned home when Steuart, his friend (and, apparently, a relative) sent this letter to Jones’ wife, hinting in confidence that the Commodore would receive some private financial benefit on his return. Jones was later restored to his command during and after the Mexican-American War – when he obligingly supported the political efforts of Steuart and his son - a San Francisco investment banker, partnered with the brother of future Civil War financier Jay Cooke - to make Benicia, where they owned land, the permanent capital of the new state of California. Lot Amendments Condition: Very good. Item number: 271703
Testen Sie LotSearch und seine Premium-Features 7 Tage - ohne Kosten!
Lassen Sie sich automatisch über neue Objekte in kommenden Auktionen benachrichtigen.
Suchauftrag anlegen
