-:; ^,/ .^^A^fA;; \/ ;^fe\ %^^v^ ^'^^^-^ -^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^2^% -^ .°-v o V vS 'V .^" V' '-^0^ ^0 ^C^* / ^<^^ --% 5^. < o ;i^: THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY CERTIFIES THAT THIS COPY OF THE PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS IS ^yu/%t^iU: No..... _ _ . ^ OF SEVEN HUNDRED COPIES, PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY ONLY THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY INCORPORATED BY ACT OF CONGRESS AUGUST 21, I 91 2 OFFICERS 1917 PRESIDENT ROBERT M. THOMPSON VICE-PRESIDENT JAMES BARNES SECRETARY AND TREASURER ROBERT W. NEESER 35 West 42nd Street, New York City BOARD OF MANAGERS REAR-ADMIRAL FRENCH E. CHADWICK, U. S.[N. GRENVILLE KANE WILLIAM S. LLOYD CHARLES A. MUNN FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT HERBERT L. SATTERLEE ROBERT S. SLOAN REAR-ADMIRAL C. H. STOCKTON, U. S. N, PUBLICATIONS OF THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY Volume VIII THE PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS '4 ' it — ' V ' NITED STATES NAV i CORRESPONDENCE AND JOUK 1837-1850 u «> <«*■ 03 !\ 1'. Vv K V / f\. 7',. TRINTED FOR THE NAVAL HISTORY SOt BY TH PRESS ■' ■>. THE PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS UNITED STATES NAVY CORRESPONDENCE AND JOURNAL 1837-1859 EDITED BY GARDNER W. ALLEN NEW YORK PRINTED FOR THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY BY THE DEVINNE PRESS MDCCCCXVII Copyright, 191 7, by The Naval History Society yA.R -5 1918 ©CI,A402480 ^h^ 1 CONTENTS Introduction Secretary of the Navy to A. J. Dallas, October 17, 1837 Secretary of the Navy to A. J. Dallas, February 10, 1838 Secretary of the Navy to F. G. Dallas, April 2, 1838 . Secretary of the Navy to A. J. Dallas, August 27, 1838 Samuel Cushman to A. J. Dallas, June 24, 1839 Secretary of the Navy to F. G. Dallas, November 17, 1840 Acting Secretary of the Navy to F. G. Dallas, October 4, 1841 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, November 8, 1841 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, November 24, 1841 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, December 24, 1841 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, March 21, 1843 . Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, January 11, 1845 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, April 7, 1845 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, March 10, 1846 Dallas to Surgeon Hulse, June 3, 1846 . HuLSE TO Dallas, June 3, 1846 .... Commodore Conner to Dallas, June 4, 1846 Dallas to Conner, July 4, 1846 .... Conner to Dallas, July 4, 1846 .... Dallas to Conner, September 16, 1846 PAGE xvii I 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 II 12 13 14 14 16 16 CONTENTS Conner to Dallas, September i8, 1846 .... Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, November 4, 1846 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, January 6, 1847 Dallas to Secretary of the Navy, March 2, 1847 Dallas to Secretary of the Navy, March 6, 1847 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, March 10, 1847 Dallas to Secretary of the Navy, March 14, 1847 Commodore Perry to Dallas, November 20, 1847 Commander Upshur to Dallas, May 6, 1848 Barrington to Wyman, May 8, 1848 Taylor to Dallas, May 15, 1848 . Dallas to Harrison, May 24, 1848 Dallas to Dibble, May 24, 1848 Henderson to Gale, May 28, 1848 Certificate of F. W. Henderson, May 28 and 30, 1848 Gale to Dallas, June 6, 1848 . Certificate of Dr. Palmer, June 7, 1848 Upshur to Secretary of the Navy, June 8, 1848 Wyman to Dallas, June 9, 1848 Henderson to Dallas .... Dallas to Secretary of the Navy, June 17, 1848 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, June 20, 1848 Dallas to Secretary of the Navy, June 21, 1848 Dallas to Secretary of the Navy, June 21, 1848 Captain ]\Iorgan to Dallas, July 4, 1848 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, July 6, 1848 . Cx] PAGE 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 22 22 23 24 25 25 26 27 28 30 30 33 34 35 36 37 38 45 46 CONTENTS Dallas to Secretary of the Navy, September 3, 1848 . Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, September 9, 1848 . Dallas to Secretary of the Navy, September 12, 1848 . De Russy to Dallas, September 20, 1848 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, September 25, 1848 . Captain Parker to the President, December 8, 1848 . Abbott Lawrence to the President, December 11, 1848 Certificate of Commander Upshur, December 15, 1848 De Russy to Secretary of the Navy, December 29, 1848 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, January 30, 1849 German Minister to Dallas, May 23, 1849 . Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, May 25, 1849 German Minister to Dallas, May 28, 1849 . German Minister to Palmer, May 28, 1849 . Statement of Service, July 21, 1849 .... Dallas to Secretary of the German Navy, July 27, 1849 Secretary of the German Navy to Dallas, August 3, 1849 63 Commission in the German Navy, August 19, 1849 ToNGRi to Dallas, December 4, 1849 .... Wyman to Dallas, February 3, 1850 .... Dallas to Rear- Admiral Brommy, March 22, 1850 Statement of Service, March 29, 1850 Oath Dallas TO Thomson, August 9, 1850 .... Parker to Dallas, September 7, 1850 .... Captain Paulding to Dallas, October 3, 1850 . Paulding to Prince Adalbert, October 3, 1850 . Cxi] PAGE 46 47 48 49 51 51 53 54 54 57 58 59 60 60 61 62 64 65 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 71 CONTENTS PAGE Dallas TO Weber, November 27, 1850 73 Brommy TO Dallas, January 21, 185 1 73 Hartlant TO Dallas, February I, 185 1 74 ScHULTZ TO Dallas, February 21, 185 1 75 General Wyneken TO Dallas, April 24, 1 85 1 .... 76 United States Minister at Berlin to Dallas, May 28, 1851 76 Moldenbier to Dallas 78 Dallas to Prince Adalbert, January 6, 1852 .... 78 United States Minister at London to Dallas, February 23, 1852 79 Fay to Dallas, May 13, 1852 80 Dallas to Fay, May, 1852 81 Testimonial OF Admiral Brommy, May 27, 1852 ... 82 Certificate OF Commander ToNGRi, July 5, 1852 ... 83 Dallas to United States Consul, July 7, 1852 .... 83 Testimonial OF Lieutenant Reichert, July 26, 1852 . . 85 Certificate OF Captain Jackson, July 31, 1852 .... 86 Dallas to United States Minister at Berlin, August 8, 1852 86 Dallas to United States Minister, August 22, 1852 . . 89 Certificate of Lieutenant Dallas, September 12, 1852 . 91 United States Minister to Dallas, October 18, 1852 . . 92 Dallas TO United States Minister, October 22, 1852 . . 92 Dallas to Baron von Roenne, October 22, 1852 ... 94 Roenne TO Dallas, October 27, 1852 95 Dallas to United States Minister, November 9, 1852 . . 96 CONTENTS PAGE Transfer of Steam Corvette Hamburg, December lo, 1852 98 United States Minister to Dallas, December 10, 1852 . 99 Certificate OF Admiral Brommy, December 12, 1852 . . 100 Certificate of Captain Weber, December 16, 1852 . . . loi United States Minister to Dallas, December 17, 1852 . 102 Bismarck to the United States Minister, December 14, 1852 (Enclosure) 102 Decree of the Federal Diet 105 Dallas to Chief Commander of the Navy, December 22, 1852 Dallas to Secretary of the Navy, February 17, 1853 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, February 23, 1853 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, February 23, 1853 Captain Parker to Dallas, March 16, 1853 . United States Minister to Dallas, April 13, 1853 Dallas to the Federal Diet, April 16, 1853 . Federal Diet to Dallas, April 27, 1853 . United States Consul to Dallas, April 30, 1853 United States Consul to Dallas, May 6, 1853 • Dallas to United States Consul, September 30, 1853 Tucker to Dallas, November i, 1853 Certificate of United States Consul, November 5, 1853 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, November 22, 1853 • Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, December 21, 1853 . Commander Sterrett to Dallas, January 13, 1854 • Certificate of Commander Sterrett, February 14, 1854 Etheridge to Dallas, April 22, 1854 Cxiii] 107 108 no III 112 114 116 117 119 123 125 126 128 128 129 130 130 CONTENTS Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, May i, 1854 Sterrett TO Dallas, January 4, 1855 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, October 23, 1855 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, October 25, 1855 De Russy to Dallas, June 4, 1856 Welsh to Dallas, August 25, 1856 .... Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, March 16, 1857 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, April 15, 1857 Secretary of the Navy to Dallas, April 16, 1857 Deyton to Dallas, April 23, 1857 .... Commander Brent to Dallas, April 21, 1859 Myers to Dallas, April 23, 1859 .... Brent TO Dallas, April 24, 1859 .... Daniel G. Brent to Dallas, April 24, 1859 . Receipt by United States Marshal, June 15, 1859 Devoe TO Dallas, June 15, 1859 Commodore Breese to Dallas, June 16, 1859 Hunt to Dallas, June 17, 1859 United States Marshal to Breese, June 20, 1859 Receipt by Commander Rowan, June 21, 1859 . Secretary of the Navy to D.allas, June 24, 1859 Bridge to Dallas, July 9, 1859 PAGE 132 133 133 135 136 136 137 138 139 139 140 140 141 141 142 143 144 144 145 Journal of Lieutenant Dallas, May 23, 1849, to June 14, 1859 149 Appendix. Cruise of the Decatur, i 854-1 857. By Com- modore Thom.^s S. Phelps, U. S. Navy 245 ILLUSTRATIONS The United States Frigate St. Lawrence . . . Frontispiece . From an engraving made in Bremen about 1850 FACING PAGE Commission of Francis Gregory Dallas as a Lieutenant IN THE German Navy 64 From the original document Certificate of Captain Weber loi From the original document First Page of the Dallas Journal 149 '( INTRODUCTION Francis Gregory Dallas was born in Boston, October lo, 1824, and entered the navy as midshipman Novem- ber 8, 1 84 1. He does not appear to have been related to the well known Dallas family which counted among its members and collateral branches not only a secretary of the treasury and a vice-president of the United States, but many naval and military officers. Of his kinsmen, however, there were several in the national service. His father was Commander Alexander J. Dallas, U. S. Navy, but this was not his original name. In the navy register for 1820 he appears as James A. D. Brown, in 1821 as Alexander J. Dallas Brown, in 1825 as A. J. Dallas Browne, and in 1835 for the first time as Alexan- der J. Dallas; he entered the service in 18 10 from Con- necticut, his native State, and died in 1843. Three other officers of the same full name will be found on the navy list, the first of whom was the distinguished commodore, son and namesake of the secretary of the treasury men- tioned above. Commanders Benjamin W. Booth and William Boerum of the navy and Lieutenant-Colonel Rene E. DeRussy of the army were uncles of F. G. Dal- las, and Lieutenant, afterward Rear-Admiral, Robert H. Wyman was his brother-in-law. The history of our navy between the War of 1812 and the Civil War, while less stirring than in times of na- tional peril and less familiar to the general reader, is by no means devoid of interest. It was an important pe- ll xvii] INTRODUCTION riod in the development of the navy in many respects. Naval construction, administration, and education were revolutionized and various reforms were accomplished. The transition from sail to steam power then took place. The adoption of steam was a slow and difficult matter; the new motive power encountered the conser- vatism and prejudice of the older officers. Although the first steamer in the navy, the Fulton, was built in 1 8 14, the convictions of many naval men on the subject twenty-five years later were presumably expressed by James Fenimore Cooper when he wrote: "There is an opinion becoming prevalent that the use of steam will supersede the old mode of conducting naval warfare. . . . Shot-proof batteries might indeed be built, that, propelled by steam, would be exceedingly formidable for harbour defence, but it is illusory to suppose that vessels of that description can ever be made to cruise. . . . Steam may be, and most probably will be made a powerful auxiliary of the present mode of naval war- fare, but it is by no means likely to supplant it. Fleets may be accompanied by steamers, but their warfare will be conducted by the present classes of heavy ships, since it is not possible to give sufficient powers of annoyance, or endurance, to vessels propelled by steam, to enable them to lie under the batteries of the latter."^ One of the younger and more progressive officers in the navy at this time was Lieutenant Matthew F. Maury, who appreciated the importance of steam and urged its de- velopment for naval use. He advised cheaply built vessels for this purpose, in order to keep down the ex- pense of the many and frequent changes in construction 1 History of the Navy (Philadelphia, 1839), Vol. I, pp. xxxiii- XXXV. [xviii] INTRODUCTION which he foresaw would result from experimentation/ The problem of fuel supply was not easy to solve and steamers did not venture far from port. Practically all cruising was done in sailing vessels. It was not until the last decade before the Civil War that the steamships in the navy began to rival the sailing craft in numbers and importance. There was built in the middle fifties a class of steam frigates which were generally consid- ered the finest ships of their day. One of them, the Merrimac, is thus described by an officer who sailed in her: "She was a fine-looking ship, and her main deck with its powerful battery was a picture for a sailor to behold ; but I cannot say much for either her sailing or steaming qualities. ... As for her speed under steam, 7 knots was the maximum when we left Boston ; at the end of the cruise 5 knots was all she could keep up for 24 hours. "^ The use of armor for ships' sides was becoming a practical question during this period. The construction of an armored vessel was authorized by Congress as early as 1842, but, although nearly completed, she was never put into commission. The first naval dry-docks in the United States, those at Boston and Norfolk, were opened for use in 1833. The nineteenth century was not far advanced before the mass of details in the business of the Navy Depart- ment, especially during the War of 181 2, became 1 Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. VI (1840), pp. 309-311, Vol. VII (1841), p. 372. Under the name of "Harry Bluff," Maury wrote for this magazine in 1840 and 1 841 a notable series of articles, which he called "Scraps from the Lucky Bag," designed to promote naval progress and reform. 2 William H. Parker's Recollections of a Naval OfKcer, 1 841-1865 (New York, 1883), pp. 174, 175. [xix] INTRODUCTION greater than the secretary with his clerks could readily handle, and in 1 815 the Board of Navy Commissioners, composed of three captains of the navy, was established. Taking charge of various matters, chiefly relating to materiel, the commissioners considerably relieved the pressure of work in the Department. The system seemed well adapted to serve the needs of the day and worked with apparent success for many years. In the course of time, however, defects in the organization became evident. The duties of the Board were not clearly defined, responsibility was divided, and mistakes in administration could not be traced to their source. There was extravagance in ship-building and in the navy yards. It cost more to repair old ships than to build new ones, and the new ships were very inferior in speed and other qualities to the old frigates of 1797. Reform was clearly called for. The commissioners themselves realized this, pointed out to Congress the faults of their organization and made wise suggestions, but for a long time nothing was done. Dissatisfaction and criticism were vigorously expressed by Lieutenant Maury. "It is not the Commissioners of the Navy Board," he says, "but the plan — the whole system, that is at fault." "We have seen the want of individual re- sponsibility in the Navy Board. The duties at present required of it might, with great advantage to the public interests, be divided into at least three separate depart- ments or Bureaux."^ The head of the Department also became once again overwhelmed with the complicated business of his office and Secretary Upshur, in his report for 1 841, says: "His whole time is occupied in trifling 1 Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. VII, pp. 19-22, 348, 356, 364. INTRODUCTION details, rendering it impossible for him to bestow the requisite attention upon more important subjects in- volving the great interests of the service." At last relief came in the form of reorganization enacted by Congress August 31, 1842, when five bureaus were established. This was the beginning of the present bureau system of naval administration.^ In the old navy the education of the officers was of a limited sort. Entering the service as midshipmen, often at a very early age, the schooling provided for them on board ship and at naval stations was far from adequate. Secretary William Jones first proposed a naval academy in 1 8 14 and this was followed during the next thirty years by many other attempts to bring such a school into existence. Lieutenant Maury urged the establishment of a school-ship and set forth his plan in great detail.^ But Congress could never be induced to take favorable action. At last, in 1845, Secretary Bancroft discovered that the thing could be done without legislation. With the aid and advice of a board of officers a plan was for- mulated. Fort Severn, Maryland, was chosen as a site and to it was moved the existing school at Philadelphia, one of several small, ineffective schools maintained at various navy yards; all these were then closed. From the twenty-five professors and teachers already in the service, and from the chaplains, a corps of instructors was organized with Commander Franklin Buchanan at the head. The Naval School, as it was then called, was ^ U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, Vol. XXXIII (1Q07), pp. 605, 610, 611, 639, 640, 1439, 1440. In these numbers two articles on Naval Administration, by Charles O. Paullin, give a most inter- esting and valuable sketch of the navy between 1815 and 186 1, de- scribing conditions in the Navy Department and in the service as well. 2 Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. VI, pp. 315-320, 786-800. [xxi] INTRODUCTION formally opened October lo, 1845. At first instruction was irregular, as the institution was not recognized by law and midshipmen might at any time be ordered to sea. The first class was composed of midshipmen who had entered the service in 1840. In 1851 the school was reorganized with a four years' course under the name of the United States Naval Academy.^ Scientific work of a high order made a beginning in the navy in 1830 with the establishment of the Depot of Charts and Instruments. Three years later the Naval Lyceum for the diffusion of useful knowledge was or- ganized at the New York Navy Yard. The Hydro- graphic Office and the Naval Observatory were founded in 1842 and the Nautical Almanac Office in 1849. The officers most distinguished in these institutions were Lieutenants Wilkes, Davis, Maury and Gilliss. In 1847 Lieutenant Dahlgren began the work on ordnance which made him famous in this branch of naval science. Two years before the Civil War he had developed his invention and was producing 11 -inch guns for the new ships. ^ The lot of the seaman in the navies of the world at different epochs has been set forth in various histories and biographies and some of the abuses to which the un- fortunate sailor was subjected in early times are now scarcely credible. By the middle of the nineteenth cen- tury great amelioration of earlier conditions had come about, though judged by the ideal standards set up by ^ Soley's Historical Sketch of the U. S. Naval Academy (Wash- ington, 1876), ch. i-iv; see also Recollections of a Naval Officer, ch. xi. 2 U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, Vol. XXXIII, pp. 637, 1443, 1455, 1473. [xxii] INTRODUCTION recent reformers in this direction, the sailor of seventy or eighty years ago was hardly to be envied. Discipline was strict and the cat-o'-nine-tails was freely used. In 1850, after much discussion, flogging was abolished in the navy. This reform was unpopular not only with the officers, but also to some degree among the men, and as no substitute for corporal punishment was at first pro- vided, the effect on discipline of its abolition was bad for a time. In the early days hard drinking among sea- faring people, when opportunity offered, was almost universal and grog was regularly served to seamen. The movement toward temperance reform in the navy was begun early, first by authorizing the commutation of the grog for money and later by forbidding it to minors. It was not until after the end of our period, however, — that is, in 1862, — that it was decreed by Congress that "the spirit ration in the navy of the United States shall for- ever cease." Attempts were made to improve the char- acter and education of naval seamen. An apprentice system was established in 1837 and again in 1855; ^^ both instances it was short-lived. On board ship the wel- fare of the sailors was looked after by the chaplains, to the best of their ability, and on shore by philanthropic citizens. Before the Mexican War the number of sea- men in the navy authorized by law was 7500; during that war and a few years before the Civil War the limit was raised, but the number actually in service does not at any time before 1861 seem to have greatly exceeded eight thousand.^ In 1845 there were 68 captains, 96 commanders, 327 1 U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, Vol. XXXIII, pp. 636, 1457, 1458, 1463, 1464, 1465. See article on "Grog," by Rear-Admiral George H. Preble, in The United Service, September, 1884. [xxiii] INTRODUCTION lieutenants, 159 passed midshipmen, and 314 midship- men in the United States Navy. The character and general qualifications of officers improved steadily, especially after the influence of the Naval Academy began to be felt. One hundred years ago dueling was common, but by the middle of the nineteenth century it had begun to encounter a decidedly hostile public opin- ion, not only in civil life, but in the army and navy. According to naval regulations promulgated in 1857, an officer who fought a duel might be punished by dis- missal from the service. Several years earlier, as will be seen in the case of Midshipman Dallas, this penalty was applied in the Naval Academy. A subject of warm discussion among officers was the line and staff contro- versy, the claim of relative or assimilated rank on the part of the staff, which was fought with great bitterness by the line. In 1846 Secretary Bancroft settled the question for the Medical Corps by giving the surgeons relative rank, and the next year Secretary Mason satis- fied the claims of the Pay Corps in the same manner. Another matter of importance and of great detriment to the service was the retention on the active list of superannuated and incompetent officers, and in 1855 a retired list was inaugurated, a very necessary, though at first much criticized, reform.^ Of the more important operations of the navy, during the half century under review, may be mentioned the extirpation of piracy in the West Indies, many notable scientific and exploring expeditions, and the suppres- sion of the slave-trade. In the forties, six regular squad- rons were maintained: the Home Squadron, — whose 1 U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, Vol. XXXIII, pp. 628, 629, 633, 1457, 1467. 1470. [xxiv] INTRODUCTION cruising grounds included the West Indies and the Gulf of Mexico, — the Mediterranean, the Brazil, the Pacific, the East Indian, and the African squadrons, the latter being engaged in cruising against the slave-trade on the west coast of Africa. The navy played an important part in the Mexican War. The Pacific Squadron took Monterey, San Fran- cisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Mazatlan, and Guaymas. The Home Squadron maintained a strict blockade of the eastern coast of Mexico, captured all the chief Gulf ports, and assisted the army in landing at Vera Cruz, as w^ell as in many operations on shore. About twenty small vessels were temporarily added to the navy during the war. Commodores Sloat and Stockton in the Pacific, and Conner and Perry in the Gulf, were suc- cessively in command of the squadrons. The foregoing sketch of naval conditions and events in the United States between 1815 and 1861 may serve as a setting for the story of an officer of that period. There are many published memoirs and biographies of officers and sailors which will enable the reader to fill in and complete the picture. Manuscript letters and journals, likewise, when they come to light, are naturally of very special value, even those of an obscure man. When daily incidents are recorded with no idea of pub- lication, they reveal the personality of the writer in a peculiar manner. The career of the young officer whose papers are printed in this volume, though not a long one, was somewhat unusual in certain respects and will doubtless interest the student of naval chronicles. The first sea service of Midshipman Dallas was on board the frigate Columbia, of 54 guns. On this ship he cruised more than three years, in home waters, in the Cxxv] INTRODUCTION Mediterranean and off the coast of Brazil. He was next sent to the Pensacola Navy Yard and after nearly a year there was ordered to the Home Squadron in the Gulf of Mexico, serving on board various ships through most of the Mexican War. He seems to have had few interest- ing war experiences at this time, but contracted yellow fever and suffered a severe injury to his head from an accident on board ship. This injury was the indirect cause of a decided modification of his professional career, as will appear in his letters. Early in 1848 Dallas was sent to the Naval School at Annapolis, to prepare for his examination for promo- tion to the grade of passed midshipman. Having en- tered the navy in 1841, his name appears in the list of the second class. After a few months at the school, Dallas became involved in a quarrel with certain other midshipmen; the result was a duel in which he was wounded. Subsequent to this episode he successfully passed his examination for promotion. On September 9, 1848, however, he was dismissed from the navy for having been engaged in a duel. In the following year Dallas entered the navy of the German Confederation, his commission as lieutenant bearing the date August 19, 1849. From this point his story is told connectedly in his journal. His service in the German navy continued about three years. For much of this time he was in command of a ship, which, however, did little or no actual cruising. The year 1848 is an important date in German naval history. In the first place, the navy of the German Con- federation then came into existence, also the navy of Schleswig-Holstein, — the latter consisting of a small fleet of gunboats; both of these sea forces were short- [xxvi] INTRODUCTION lived. Still more important was the birth of the Prus- sian navy, which took place in the same year and which has developed into the present Imperial German navy. This naval activity of the Germans was brought about by the blockade of German ports by Denmark in retal- iation for the support extended by Prussia to Schles- wig-Holstein in the latter's war with Denmark, which began in the spring of 1848. The German Confederation, or union of all the Ger- man states including those of Austria, was governed by a National Assembly meeting at Frankfurt-am-Main. In June, 1848, the Archduke John of Austria was ap- pointed administrator of the empire. About the same time the Assembly took the first steps toward the estab- lishment of a navy. Meanwhile committees of mer- chants and citizens in North Germany had been formed to raise funds by popular subscription, delegates from German coast towns met at Hamburg, and merchant vessels were purchased and armed. The crippling of their commerce by so small a power as Denmark was humiliating; it had aroused the resentment of the Ger- mans and impressed upon them the importance of sea power. The enthusiasm for a navy spread throughout the whole country. The National Assembly appointed a marine commit- tee in June and appropriated money for fitting out a fleet. In November a supreme marine board was estab- lished and for its assistance in technical matters an ad- visory commission of professional experts was formed with Prince Adalbert of Prussia as chairman. Adalbert was a man of energy and ability who had been much at sea and had a perception of the importance to Germany of increasing her maritime power and resources. Cxxvii] INTRODUCTION The plan was not to try to be a first-class naval power, but to protect the North Sea and Baltic coasts and the sea trade. During the winter of 1 848-1 849 contracts were made in England and America for the purchase and construction of vessels for the new navy. Foreign officers were engaged. An effort was made to induce the United States Government to allow some of its naval officers to enter the German service temporarily. These negotiations at first promised success, but later it was decided by the government at Washington, presum- ably through fear of departing from strict neutrality, that the request must be declined. The fleet planned by its projectors was to comprise fifteen 60-gun sailing frigates with auxiliary engines, five steam frigates, twenty steam corvettes, and forty- five smaller craft. Only about a dozen vessels, however, seem to have been acquired, most of them merchantmen which had to be converted into ships of war. At the same time Prussia organized a considerable flotilla, in- cluding gunboats, sloops and yawls, and two steamers. The commander-in-chief selected for the navy of the Confederation was Karl Bromme, generally called Brommy; the latter spelling appears even in his own signature. Karl Rudolf Bromme was born near Leip- zig in 1804. He learned seamanship in the American and British merchant marines and later entered the Greek service as a frigate captain, where he gained some naval experience. In 1849 Bromme was given the rank of rear-admiral. In April, 1849, the Danish sailing frigate Gefion, accompanied by a ship of the line, having entered the harbor of Eckernforde in Schleswig for the purpose of engaging the batteries, was captured by the army of the Cxxviii] INTRODUCTION German Confederation. She was taken into the Ger- man navy under the name of Eckernforde. In June Admiral Bromme with a steam frigate and two steam corvettes attacked a Danish frigate becalmed off Hel- goland. After a few shots had been exchanged the Danish blockading squadron drew near and the Ger- man ships returned to port. This was the only oppor- tunity the navy of the Confederation had to show its quality. In the same month an indecisive action took place between a Prussian steamer and a Danish brig. Lord Palmerston, at that time British minister of for- eign affairs, expressed the opinion that the German Confederation had no legal existence and that the belligerent acts of its ships constituted piracy. The note conveying this declaration to the government of the Confederation naturally aroused the ire of the Ger- mans. Later in the year 1849, peace with Denmark having removed the immediate need of a sea force, the stimulus of popular enthusiasm began to slacken and in the course of time the infant navy proved a source of dis- sension among the different sections of the Confedera- tion. The inland states especially were opposed to it. It was no longer possible to raise money for its main- tenance. The government lacked centralized power and — like that of the United States under the Articles of Confederation before the adoption of the Federal Con- stitution — was unable to overcome the influence of in- ternal politics and impose its will on the separate states. It was proposed that Austria should maintain one fleet in the Adriatic Sea and Prussia another in the Baltic, while other German states should provide a third fleet for the North Sea. A few years later an attempt on the Cxxix] INTRODUCTION part of some of the northern coast towns to organize a North Sea fleet was unsuccessful. Finally, in February, 1852, repeated efforts to raise funds having failed, the National Assembly decided upon the dissolution of the navy; but nearly a year seems to have been consumed in winding up its affairs. Some of the vessels were sold at auction, others were disposed of by private sale. Some of them found their way into the Prussian navy. The officers appear to have been shown no great consideration in return for their efforts in behalf of the navy and were discharged with rather scant remuneration in the shape of extra pay. So ended the navy of the German Confederation. The Prussian navy, under the influence of the energetic Prince Adal- bert, continued to thrive and formed the "foundation of the great fleet which now [191 3] aspires to contest the British mastery of the seas."^ It was not until December, 1852, that Lieutenant Dallas delivered his ship to an English company which had purchased her. He soon returned to America and directly after his arrival was reinstated in the United States Navy with the rank of passed midshipman dating from August 10, 1847. He was given a year's leave of absence, during which he revisited Germany in order to prosecute his claim for a pension or extra pay. In this quest, however, he was unsuccessful. From 1854 to 1857 Passed Midshipman Dallas was 1 German Sea Power. By Archibald Hurd and Henry Castle (Lon- don, 1913), p. 78. See also Die deutsche Flotte. Ihre Entwickelung und Organisation. Von Graf Reventlow, Kapitan-Leutnant (Zwei- briicken, 1901), pp. 7-10; Das deutsche Jahrhundert. Von George Stockhausen. Zweiter Band — Abtheilung VII, Geschichte der deutschen Kriegsmarine im neunzehnten Jahrhundert. Von Erwin Schafer, Kapitan-Leutnant (Berlin, 1901), pp. 9—18. Cxxx] INTRODUCTION attached to the sloop of war Decatur, Commander Isaac S. Sterrett, and made a cruise to the Pacific Ocean. One of Dallas's shipmates on the Decatur was Lieu- tenant Thomas S. Phelps. A quarter of a century later, Phelps, then a commodore, published very interest- ing accounts of portions of this cruise. The Deca- tur sailed from Boston January lo, 1854, in "a blinding northeast snow-storm," under orders "to search for the disabled steamship San Francisco, with a regiment of United States soldiers on board, en route to California." After an unsuccessful search for the steamer, which had been scuttled and abandoned, the Decatur put into Norfolk. In June she sailed for the Pacific by way of the Straits of Magellan.^ In June, 1855, the Decatur, being at Honolulu, re- ceived orders to "cruise on the Coast of Oregon and California for the protection of settlers." The Indians of that region, and especially of Washington Territory, had been getting restless for two years or more. Not long afterward a serious war broke out, and it is pos- sible that if no help had been received from outside, the very sparse white population about Puget Sound might have been exterminated.^ Washington was organized as a territory in 1853. The first settlement had been made in 1845, near the site of Olympia; this town was founded during the follow- ing year and became the capital of the territory after the government had been organized. Seattle, named for an Indian chief, was founded in 1852. The first governor of Washington Territory was Isaac Ingalls Stevens, ^ The United Service, March, 1883. ^ The United Service, December, 1881. See Appendix for Com- modore Phelps's narrative. [xxxi;] INTRODUCTION who arrived at Olympia and established the government in November, 1853. Stevens was a graduate of West Point and a veteran of the Mexican War. He after- ward became a distinguished general in the Civil War and was killed in action in 1862. The total white population of the territory in 1855 was about four thousand, widely scattered; as a rule, they were of the best class of frontiersmen. In addition to the Americans, who made up the bulk of the popula- tion and who were called "Bostons" by the Indians, there were some English, mostly employees of the Hud- son Bay Company. The town of Seattle, which was one of the principal objects of attack by the Indians, con- tained few more, perhaps, than fifty people, and within a radius of thirty miles there were about one hundred and twenty others. Besides Olympia and Seattle there were settlements around Puget Sound at Port Towns- end, Bellingham Bay, Steilacoom, near an army post of the same name, and Nisqually; also sawmills at Port Madison and a number of other places. West of the Cascade Mountains there were ninety-seven hundred Indians, of whom eighty-five hundred lived in the neighborhood of Puget Sound. East of the Cascade Range there were twelve thousand Indians, most of whom were hostile to the white settlers. The Puget Sound Indians were generally inclined to be friendly to the whites, but at this time they were to a large extent unfavorably influenced by those from the eastern part of the territory. One of the first matters to occupy the thoughts of Governor Stevens was an effort to bring about amicable relations with the Indians, and the years 1854 ^^^ 1855 were largely given up to necessary preparations [xxxii] INTRODUCTION and to negotiations with them. The governor's policy was to place the Indians on reservations, to pay for their lands by annuities of clothing and other supplies of va- rious sorts, to provide schools, and otherwise to promote their welfare; in general, to treat them with justice and kindness, though with firmness. For agents and other officers to deal with them, the governor made good ap- pointments. The negotiations resulted in treaties with the Indians about Puget Sound during the months of December, 1854, ^^^ J^^iuary, 1855; with those east of the Cascade Range in council at Walla Walla in June, 1855; and in October with the Blackfeet and many others at Fort Benton in the present State of Montana. Trouble was begun just after the Walla Walla council by certain chiefs who had taken part in it and had signed the treaty. Taking advantage of Governor Stevens's absence at the remote post of Fort Benton, these warriors not only fomented disaffection in their own and other eastern tribes, but corrupted a large num- ber of the Puget Sound Indians. Many scattered set- tlers in different parts of Washington and Oregon were massacred. The governor received information of the outbreak October 29, just after setting out, with his small party, upon his homeward journey from Fort Benton. This journey of a thousand miles through a hostile country, crossing many rivers and mountain passes, was most difficult and dangerous. He succeeded, however, in eluding his savage enemies and arrived at Olympia January 19, 1856. Just a week later occurred the serious attack of the Indians on Seattle which the officers and men of the Decatur took an active part in repelling. The war does not seem to have been due to any mis- [xxxiii] INTRODUCTION behavior on the part of the Indian agents or of the set- tlers. In a message delivered January 20 to the legis- lature, then in session, the governor said: "The war has been plotting for two or three years, — a war entered into by these Indians without a cause; a war having not its origin in these treaties, nor in the bad conduct of the whites. It originated in the native intelligence of rest- less Indians, who, foreseeing destiny against them, — that the white man was moving upon them, — deter- mined that it must be met and resisted by arms. We may sympathize with such a manly feeling, but in view of it we have high duties. The war must be vigorously prosecuted now."^ For the accomplishment of this purpose nearly nine- teen hundred volunteers were enlisted during the period of hostilities, about equally divided between infantry and cavalry; the largest number in service at any one time was about one thousand. They were men of a good sort and well disciplined. This force was divided into three battalions, — one to hold the line of the Snohomish River, east of the Sound and north of Seattle ; the other two farther east, extending into the hostile country across the Cascade Mountains. The total num- ber of regular United States troops does not seem to be precisely stated, but may be estimated at from four to five hundred, distributed in widely separated army posts. The number of hostile warriors among the Puget Sound Indians actually on the war-path prob- ably varied from time to time, according to cir- ^ Hazard Stevens's Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens (Boston, 1900), Vol. II, p. 163. For a full account of relations with the Indians, see ch. xxv-xliv. See also General E. D. Keyes's Fifty Years' Observa- tion of Men and Events (Nevi' York, 1884), ch. xiv. INTRODUCTION cumstances, between two hundred and fifty and five hundred; their intimate knowledge of the forest and swamps greatly facilitated their movements and gave them an advantage. Much larger numbers from the tribes across the mountains were engaged in the fight- ing. There was much friction in the relations between Governor Stevens and the officers of the regular army, particularly in the case of General Wool, commanding the Pacific Division. This was most unfortunate and hindered effective cooperation between the regulars and volunteers. The governor was criticized also by some of the naval officers, who seem not to have had an op- portunity of thoroughly acquainting themselves with his policy and with the general Indian situation throughout the territory. On March lo, 1856, the Indians were decisively de- feated in a battle near the Sound, several miles south of Seattle. This was followed up by repeated blows, al- lowing the Indians no rest. They were hunted down through the forest in every direction for about two months. During this time more than five hundred came in and voluntarily surrendered, and the rest fled east. By the middle of May all the Puget Sound Indians had been subdued. The war east of the Cascade Mountains lasted two years longer and was carried on for the most part by regular troops, who finally succeeded in re- ducing the savages to subjection.^ Having rendered all the service required of her, the Decatur proceeded, in June, 1856, to San Francisco, where she remained the rest of the year. In January, 1857, she sailed for Panama and arrived in March. ^ Life of I. I. Stevens, ch. xxxviii. [xxxv] INTRODUCTION Here Lieutenant Dallas — for he had been promoted — was detached from the ship and, crossing the isthmus, returned home by steamer. His next duty was a year's service on the receiving ship Princeton, at Philadel- phia. In June, 1858, he was ordered to join the United States squadron maintained on the west coast of Africa for the suppression of the slave-trade. Under the Federal Constitution the importation of slaves into the United States could not be interfered with before 1808 ; the traffic then became illegal by vir- tue of an act of Congress passed the previous year. Meanwhile various restrictive measures had been adopted by the national government and by the different States, the first federal act of the sort being that of 1794, which forbade the exportation of slaves. In 1807 Great Britain, from motives of humanity, prohibited the im- portation of slaves into her colonies. After this, her West Indian trade, especially sugar production, suf- fered from the competition of the Spanish colonies, which imported slave labor freely. It then became England's interest to suppress the slave-trade altogether, and thenceforth, from motives both philanthropic and commercial, she was actively engaged in this endeavor and attempted to secure the cooperation of other na- tions.^ ^ Schuyler's American Diplomacy (New York, 1886), ch. v: The Right of Search and the Slave-Trade. See Southern Literary Mes- senger, Vol. VIII (1842), p. 289: The Right of Search, by M. F. Maury; North American Review, Vol. LIII (1841), p. 433: Search of American Vessels; U. S. Naval Institute Proceedings, Vol. XXII (1896), p. 721 : The Right of Search and its Limitation in Time of Peace, by Professor Theodore S. Woolsey. Perhaps the most ex- haustive study of the slave-trade, in which every source of informa- tion is minutely explored, will be found in The Suppression of the African Slave-Trade to the United States. By W. E. Burghardt DuBois (New York, 1896). Cxxxvi] INTRODUCTION By reason of the continuous warfare in which Great Britain was engaged during the early part of the nine- teenth century, she was able, until 1815, to exercise the belligerent right of search upon all vessels on the high seas, which facilitated her operations against the slave- trade. With the return of peace the problem was more difficult and at the same time increased profits in the cultivation of cotton and other circumstances created greater demand for slave labor and a revival of the slave-trade, which had been somewhat depressed. Eng- land then negotiated with other powers for the mutual grant of the right of visitation and search in the case of vessels suspected of being slavers. In 181 5 her efforts to arouse the interest of the Congress of Vienna in the subject were only to a slight degree successful. If most of the great powers of the world could be brought together on the proposal of the mutual right of search as a measure to promote the suppression of the slave-trade, the largest share in policing the sea for the purpose would come to the greatest navy — that of Great Britain. This would probably insure her continued naval supremacy as well as favor her commercial inter- ests. England, however, had difficulty in bringing other nations into line with her policy. Before 1820 she made treaties with Denmark, Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands in accordance with her desires, but France, Russia, Prussia, and Austria rejected her proposals as to the right of search. The treaty of Ghent between the United States and Great Britain, concluded in 1814, provided (Article X) that "whereas the traffic in slaves is irreconcilable with the principles of humanity and justice, ... it is hereby agreed that both the contracting parties shall use their best endeavors" to abolish it. In 1 818, 181 9, and 1820 [xxxvii] INTRODUCTION Congress passed acts supplementary to that of 1807. The act of 18 19 directed the President to send cruisers to Africa for the suppression of this traffic and provided for the colonization of Negroes in Africa ; this led to the founding of Liberia. The act of 1820 made the impor- tation of slaves into the United States punishable by death and declared the slave-trade to be piracy, — at least in a limited sense; that is, municipal, though not international piracy. At this time an international agreement on the subject was expected and during the next three years the House of Representatives passed resolutions requesting the President to enlist other pow- ers, if possible, in an agreement abolishing the slave- trade and denouncing it as piracy under international law. In spite of all the laws enacted by Congress, it must be admitted that through apathy and pro-slavery influence a vigorous enforcement of them was decidedly exceptional. During the last few years before the Civil War the traffic in slaves increased and concealment was deemed hardly necessary. About the same time a strong movement was set on foot to repeal all restrictive laws and reopen the African slave-trade.^ In 1824 a convention was negotiated in London be- tween the United States and Great Britain which de- nounced the slave-trade as piracy and provided for its suppression by the ships of war of both powers, the right of search of vessels under the flag of either by the cruisers of the other being mutually accorded. In a message to the Senate, May 21, 1824, during its consid- eration of this treaty. President Monroe said: "The right of search is the right of war of the belligerent towards the neutral. To extend it in time of peace to 1 The Suppression of the African Slave-trade, ch. viii, x, xi. I^xxxviii] INTRODUCTION any object whatever might establish a precedent which might lead to others with some powers, and which, even if confined to the instance specified, might be subject to great abuse." Nevertheless he advised and urged ratifi- cation on the ground that "by making the crime piracy, the right of search attaches to the crime, and which, when adopted by all nations, will be common to all," thereby, he thought, losing its objectionable features/ John Quincy Adams, secretary of state, was opposed, continuing in the opinion he had expressed in 1818, when in the course of correspondence with the British foreign ofiice he had said that "the admission of a right in the officers of foreign ships-of-war to enter and search the vessels of the United States in time of peace, under any circumstances whatever, would meet with univer- sal repugnance in the public opinion of the country."^ The Senate amended this treaty of 1824 ^Y limiting the right of search and in other respects. It thereupon failed of ratification by the British Government. It is evident that there was a strong sentiment throughout the country against yielding to other nations the right to board and search American vessels on the high seas. The merchant fleets of the United States and England were then about equal in tonnage, while the British navy was many times as great as ours. American commerce, therefore, would have suffered far more severely from annoyance and loss by detention than that of England; and the extension of British naval power was dreaded. Doubtless, moreover, unpleasant mem- ' Richardson's Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Vol. II, p. 245. 2 American State Papers, Foreign Relations, Vol. V, p. 73. See also American Diplomacy, pp. 241, 247. [xxxix] INTRODUCTION ories of the old days of impressment and orders in coun- cil before the War of 1812 survived v\^ith American seamen and among the people at large. Furthermore, the British naval officers of that day had an unenviable reputation for overbearing conduct. Lieutenant Maury says : "The summary habits and arbitrary character of British officers are w^ell understood by our merchant- men, and the mere proclamation that the right of visiting them had been granted to England, would im- mediately divert a great portion of [our] flourishing trade into other channels and the vessels would be laid up." This seems to have been admitted by some Eng- lishmen themselves. Maury quotes a newspaper, the London "Sun," as saying: "Arbitrary habits are engen- dered in our naval officers by the mode employed to procure men for the fleet, and those habits make them treat foreign vessels in an arbitrary manner."^ Though a Southerner, Maury was zealous and sincere in repro- bation of the slave-trade. About 1833 France conceded to England the right of search with limitations, and within the next six years several small nations made treaties with Great Britain to the same purpose. In 1839, having been unable to obtain general assent to her policy, which was necessary for its effective carrying out, England undertook to force the matter, and Parliament passed an act giving to British men-of-war authority to search, seize, and condemn in her own courts any vessel engaged in the slave-trade. This act was opposed by Wellington, who maintained that a declaration of war would be prefer- able, as then the belligerent right of search could be exercised. 1 Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. VIII, pp. 293, 294. Cxi] INTRODUCTION Four American vessels, which seem to have been innocent traders on the coast of Africa, were detained and searched in 1839 and 1840 by British cruisers under the authority of this act, and their crews were mal- treated. Palmerston, the British foreign minister, in defense of this proceeding informed the American min- ister in London "that her Majesty's government have decided that the flag of the United States shall exempt no vessel from search by her Majesty's cruisers in the African seas, unless such vessel shall be found provided with papers entitling her to the protection of the flag she wears and proving her to be United States property and navigating the ocean according to law."^ This of course would make search necessary, unless papers satisfactory to the British captain were voluntarily brought on board his ship by the merchantman. The English, moreover, tried to draw a distinction between the right of visit and the right of search, but on this point the authorities on international law and their own legal decisions were against them. Webster, who was secretary of state just after this, in his correspondence with the British Government in 1843 said that "the right to visit, to be effectual, must come in the end to include search, and thus exercise in peace an authority which the law of nations only allows in time of war."^ In his first annual message to Congress, December 7, 1841, President Tyler said: "However desirous the United States may be for the suppression of the slave-trade, they cannot consent to interpolations into the maritime code at the mere will and pleasure of other governments. We 1 Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. VIII, p. 290. See also Vol. VI (1840), p. 237- 2 Works of Daniel Webster (Boston, 1851), Vol. VI, p. 336. INTRODUCTION deny the right of any such interpolation to any one or all the nations of the earth without our consent. . . . American citizens prosecuting a lawful commerce in the African seas under the flag of their country, are not responsible for the abuse or unlawful use of that flag by others; nor can they rightfully on account of any such alleged abuses be interrupted, molested, or detained while on the ocean, and if thus molested and detained while pursuing honest voyages in the usual way and violating no law themselves, they are unquestionably entitled to indemnity."^ At last, in December, 1841, England succeeded in persuading envoys of Austria, Russia, Prussia, and France to sign a treaty embodying her views of the right of search and accepting her laws on the subject. Under the influence of General Cass, American minister at Paris, the French Government refused to ratify this treaty, which greatly incensed the British administra- tion. Without the cooperation of the United States and France the British policy regarding the suppression of the slave-trade could be of but little effect. That this was unfortunate cannot be denied, and furthermore the free use of the American flag by outlaws and pirates as a protection against British cruisers is not pleasant to contemplate. In 1842 a compact commonly known as the Ashbur- ton treaty, which provided for the settlement of nu- merous differences between the United States and Great Britain, was concluded at Washington. The eighth article required each of the two nations to maintain on the coast of Africa a naval force carrying not less than eighty guns. The two squadrons, though independent 1 Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Vol. IV, p. 77. INTRODUCTION of each other, were to cooperate for the suppression of the slave-trade. The matter of visit and search was not mentioned in the treaty. For this omission Webster was sharply criticized by General Cass, who feared the as- sumption on the part of the British that the right of search was in this manner tacitly conceded to them by the United States. This proved to be the case ; after the treaty, just as before, British officers were instructed to search all suspicious vessels, and consequent aggressions continued. It was not until 1858 that England fully surrendered her long cherished claim to the right of visit and search. Meanwhile squadrons of the two na- tions cruised on the coast of Africa in some degree of harmony, though at times with more or less friction. By 1849 England had won all the important powers, except the United States and France, to her policy of the mutual right of search. In 1862 the United States, being engaged in war and perhaps a little more than willing to conciliate Great Britain, concluded with that power a treaty providing that within restricted areas of African and West Indian waters certain war vessels of either nation, specially authorized for the purpose, might visit and search vessels wearing the flag of the other power and suspected of being employed in the slave-trade. In this same year occurred the only execu- tion of the captain of a slave-ship under the acts of 1820 and 1823 prescribing the death penalty for this offense. The difficulties which hindered the suppression of the slave-trade were serious. As concerns the United States, the laws governing seizures were perhaps too exacting, and the courts were inclined to discharge pris- oners and release captured ships even when evidence of guilt of a very convincing nature was produced, unless ITxiiii] INTRODUCTION slaves were actually found on board. As a consequence, naval officers were almost necessarily over-cautious and many vessels seized by them under circumstances so suspicious as to admit of no reasonable doubt, were let go, generally to be heard of soon afterward as having departed from the coast with cargoes of living freight. The British procedure in another way tended to per- petuate the traffic in slaves. Under their prize laws, it is averred, if slave-traders were regarded as pirates and tried and punished as such, the captors received no prize money. Accordingly the vessels when seized were de- stroyed or sold, while the crews were put ashore and set free, only to return to the bush, gather more Negroes, and wait for other slave-ships to take them.^ The na- tives were captured in the interior by hostile tribes and sold to dealers. They were brought to within a few miles of the coast, where they were kept in barracoons or enclosures. The slave-ships, approaching the coast at night and watching their opportunity, ran in as near the beach as possible, communicating by signals with their agents on the lookout, who rushed the captives from the barracoons to the shore. They were quickly embarked and the ship was generally well out at sea before any cruisers appeared. A physician from New Orleans, who made a voyage on a slaver in 1859, describes the embarkation of natives from the shore near the mouth of the Congo. After difficulties and adventures in evading American and 1 The Knickerbocker, December, 1851, and February, 1852: Sketches in South Africa, by Montgomery D. Parker. See also Leaves from an African Journal, by John Carroll Brent, in The Knickerbocker, November, 1848, to May, 1850. Brent was secretary to Commodore Bolton, U. S. Navy, on the African station, and Parker seems to have served in a similar capacity. [xiiv: INTRODUCTION British cruisers, the ship arrived ofif the beach one morn- ing just at dawn. "A number of small craft could be seen outside the breakers; they resembled oyster-boats. After a satisfactory scrutiny of the horizon with a glass from the masthead, our signal, a large white flag with a red cross, was hoisted, and as it blew out was answered from the shore. Very soon the beach seemed to swarm with moving objects which we could not yet distinguish. A number of long, black objects left the shore and, when through the breakers, they stopped at the small craft outside. Now we could see that the negroes were being transferred to the boats outside the breakers from canoes, which ran through them with from four to six in each. As the sloops were filled they sailed for the ship, and ladders having been arranged, the negroes were soon coming over the ship's side; as each one reached the deck he was given a biscuit and sent below. It seemed slow work at first, but as the canoes were soon all launched and rushing through the surf, it presented a busy scene. The sloops were now flying to and from us and a great number of negroes were already on board at 2 P.M. "The lookout at the masthead shouted: *Sail-hoI away to the southward.' From the deck we could see nothing. A danger signal was hoisted at once to hurry all aboard faster ; in a short while we could see from the deck a little black spot. Smoke! A cruiser! Another signal, a blood-red flag, was hoisted, informing those ashore of the kind of danger. If possible, the bustle ashore was increased; our own boats were lowered and they aided materially. The approaching vessel had seen us and the volume of smoke increased. She could now be seen and was recognized as the Vixen [an Eng- INTRODUCTION lish gunboat] with the naked eye. A signal from shore that a very few remained was hoisted, another hour passed and the vessel was certainly within three miles. Our boats were recalled and the entire fleet of sloops soon sailed toward us. Our boats were hoisted and lines thrown to the sloops now alongside. The Vixen now changed her course slightly and fired a solid shot, which passed to leeward of us, beyond. At this the Spanish captain [of the slaver] cried out: 'Let go!' The pin holding the staple in the anchor chain was cut and the chain parted. Sail was hoisted rapidly, the negroes in the sloops climbed over the ship's side, and as the sloops were emptied they were cast adrift with their single occupant, a Krooman. They scattered like frightened birds." After an exciting chase, the slave-ship escaped and landed her cargo safely on the south shore of Cuba.^ Kroomen were natives of the coast of Liberia, a pow- erful and independent race of men, who had never been enslaved. They possessed remarkable skill in handling boats in the heavy surf that beat on the African coast. It was the practice of naval vessels, upon their arrival on the African station, to enlist a number of Kroomen to do the boat work for the ships. In conformity with the Ashburton treaty, Commo- dore M. C. Perry was sent in 1843 to the west coast of Africa with four vessels. After this a squadron was kept continuously on the station; but the headquarters of the commodore being at the Cape Verde Islands, it was probably seldom that a force adequate for the ser- vice was actually cruising along the slave coast, many hundreds of miles away. Officers and crews were re- 1 Scribner's Magazine, July, 1890: The Last Slave Ship, by George Howe. Cxivi;] INTRODUCTION lieved about once in two years. The climate was un- healthy and the service disagreeable, monotonous and disliked by officers and men. Importations into the United States of slaves from Africa had increased with the rapid growth of cotton cultivation, in spite of strict laws and heavy penalties, and in part because of their lax enforcement. The slave-trade to Cuba and Brazil was also large. Natives bought in Africa for twenty dollars each were sold in Cuba for three or four hun- dred dollars. By 1849, however, the number taken from Africa had been reduced, through the efforts of American, British, and French cruisers, from over a hundred thousand, ten years earlier, to less than forty thousand annually. In 1851 the British commodore on the station expressed the opinion that the slave-trade had never been in a more depressed condition, which he attributed to the exertions of the British and Amer- ican squadrons acting together. But during the Crimean War, 1853 to 1856, the British, who had the largest force on the coast, were obliged to reduce it very materially and partly on this account the traffic re- vived.^ In 1850 the United States brig Perry, Lieutenant A. H. Foote commanding, overhauled a large ship which was found to be the Martha of New York. "The Perry had no colors flying. The ship, when in ^ Africa and the American Flag. By Commander Andrew H. Foote, U. S. N. (New York, 1854), ch- xxi-xxxiv. Doubtless one of the best first-hand authorities on the slave-trade, the condition of the natives in Africa and on board ship, and the operations of the U. S. squadrons. See also Journal of an African Cruiser. By an Officer of the U. S. Navy [Horatio Bridge], edited by Nathaniel Hawthorne (London, 1845) ; and Alden's George Hamilton Per- kins, Commodore, U. S. N. (Boston, 1914), ch. iv. Cxlvii] INTRODUCTION range of the guns, hoisted the American ensign, short- ened sail, and backed her maintopsail. The first lieutenant, Mr. Rush, was sent to board her. As he was rounding her stern, the people on board observed, by the uniform of the boarding officer, that the vessel was an American cruiser. The ship then hauled down the American and hoisted Brazilian colors. The officer went on board and asked for papers and other proofs of nationality. The captain denied having papers, log or anything else. At this time something was thrown over- board, when another boat was sent from the Perry and picked up the writing desk of the captain, containing sundry papers and letters identifying the captain as an American citizen; also indicating the owner of three- fifths of the vessel to be an American merchant, resident in Rio de Janeiro. After obtaining satisfactory proof that the ship Martha was a slaver, she was seized as a prize. The captain at length admitted that the ship was fully equipped for the slave-trade." She "was the larg- est slaver that had been on the coast for many years," and her captain had intended to ship eighteen hundred slaves that night. She had shown American colors, thinking the Perry was English. There were found on board supplies far in excess of the needs of her crew, including one hundred and fifty barrels of farina for slave food; also four iron boilers for cooking the food and four hundred spoons for feeding the slaves. A slave deck was laid, fitted with iron bars for securing the vic- tims. The Martha was sent as a prize to New York, where she was condemned in the United States District Court, but the captain forfeited his bail and escaped.^ In the early fifties the United States brig Porpoise ^ Africa and the American Flag, pp. 287-292. [xlviii] INTRODUCTION captured a brigantine slaver near the Niger River. Midshipman Wood was sent aboard as prize-master. "From the time we first got on board," he says, "we had heard moans, cries, and rumblings coming from below, and as soon as the captain and crew were removed, the hatches had been taken off, when there arose a hot blast as from a charnel house, sickening and overpowering. In the hold were three or four hundred human beings, gasping, struggling for breath, dying; their bodies, limbs, faces, all expressing terrible suffering. In their agonizing fight for life, some had torn or wounded themselves or their neighbors dreadfully; some were stiffened in the most unnatural positions. . . . For an hour or more we were all hard at work lifting and help- ing the poor creatures on deck, where they were laid out in rows. A little water and stimulant revived most of them; some, however, were dead or too far gone to be resuscitated. The doctor worked earnestly over each one, but seventeen were beyond human skill. As fast as he pronounced them dead they were quickly dropped overboard. . . . Their death did not in the least affect their fellows, who appeared perfectly indifferent and callous to all their surroundings, showing not the least sympathy or desire to help or wait on one another. . . . Gradually I allowed a larger number of the blacks to remain on deck, a privilege which they greatly enjoyed. To lie basking in the sun like saurians, half sleeping, half waking, appeared to satisfy all their wishes. They were perfectly docile and obedient, and not by word, gesture, or look did they express any dissatisfaction with orders given them. But again for any little acts of kind- ness they expressed no kind of appreciation or grati- tude." In due time they were landed in Liberia. This Cxiix] INTRODUCTION was the common disposition made of slaves recaptured by United States cruisers/ Concerning the fate of the blacks rescued by the naval cruisers, Captain Parker says: "When slaves are ac- tually on board a vessel, it is hard to say whether their condition is ameliorated by being recaptured or not. If they are recaptured, they cannot be restored to their homes, for they are taken from the interior, and if landed, the coast tribes make them prisoners again; so some other disposition must be made of them. If cap- tured by an English man-of-war, they are sent to Sierra Leone, or enlisted in the West India regiments; if an American man-of-war captures them, they are landed at Monrovia and apprenticed to the Liberians for a term of years ; and if they are not slaves, their condition is so near it that I was unable to perceive the diflfer- ence."^ This may not have been a wholly unprejudiced opinion. After nearly a year's service on the African station, Lieutenant Dallas was sent home as prize-master in command of a captured slave-ship. He arrived in New York in June, 1859, and delivered his prize to the United States marshal. This proved to be his last active duty in the navy. A few weeks later he suddenly became mentally deranged and was placed upon wait- ing orders, where he remained, on account of disability, for several years. On December 16, 1864, he was re- tired as a lieutenant and March 12, 1867, ^^ was pro- moted to commander on the retired list. He died Sep- tember 30, 1890. ^ Atlantic Monthly, October, 1900: The Capture of a Slaver, by J. Taylor Wood. 2 Recollections of a Naval Officer, p. 145. INTRODUCTION The Papers of Lieutenant Dallas are owned by the Naval History Society and are in the library of the Society. The journal has been abridged in this volume by the omission of a few passages of merely private interest and of most, but not all, of the long and tedious records of nautical and meteorological observations. In the spelling of geographical names, where it seemed best to rectify it, the Century Atlas has nearly always been followed. Otherwise the papers have been subjected to the least possible revision. Some errors, obviously due to carelessness, have been corrected or explained by the insertion of words in brackets ; and punctuation has been amended when so doing has appeared essential to clearness. The editor wishes to express his obligations to the officials of the Harvard College Library, the Boston Public Library, the Massachusetts Historical Society, and the Marine Museum in Boston, and particularly to the secretary of the Naval History Society, whose aid has made the work possible. Uil THE PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS THE PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LIEUTENANT A. J. DALLAS ] Navy Department, Oct. 17th, 1837. Sir, Your letter of the nth instant, in behalf of Mr. Francis Gregory Dallas, your son, for the appointment of Midshipman, has been received, & filed. At present no more appointments can be made, but the case will be respectfully considered. I am respectf'y yrs &c. M. DlCKERSON.^ Lt. A. J. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Boston, Mass. 1 Mahlon Dickerson of New Jersey, Secretary of the Navy, ap- pointed by President Jackson, June 30, 1834. r 1 1 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LIEUTENANT A. J. DALLAS ] Navy Department, Feby. loth, 1838. Sir, Your letter of the 6th instant, is received. I am unable at this time to give any assurance as to the appointment of your son. I am respectfully Lt. A. J. Dallas, Yours, &c. U. S. Navy, M. DiCKERSON. Boston, Mass. [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO F. G. DALLAS ] Navy Department, April 2d., 1838. Sir, The President of the United States has referred to this Department your letter of the 17th ulto. There is not at present a single vacancy in the Corps of Midshipmen, and besides, the State of Massachusetts has the full share to which its population entitles it. I am respect'y Yours &c. Mr. Francis Gregory Dallas, M. DiCKERSON. Charlestown, Mass. [2] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LIEUTENANT A. J. DALLAS ] Navy Department, August 27th, 1838. Sir, Your letter of the 19th inst. has been reed. I would remark that the Corps of Midshipmen is full and that Massachusetts has now more than her quota; but if you have received any promise from my predecessor and will transmit it to the Department, it shall be consid- ered with all due respect. I am respectf'y Your ob. Servt. Lt. A. J. Dallas, J. K. Paulding.^ U.S.N. Boston, Mass. [ HON. SAMUEL CUSHMAN TO LIEUTENANT A. J. DALLAS ] J Portsmouth, Newhampshire, 24 June, 1839. Dear Sir, I have the honor of transmitting herewith, a letter from Judge Prentiss, which will convince you as well as myself, that we are not to have much aid from Vermont. 1 James Kirke Paulding of New York, Secretary of the Navy, ap- pointed by President Van Buren, July i, 1838. 1:33 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS I wrote also to the Hon. Mr. Allen but have received no reply. He may have expressed an opinion to you relative to the subject we have so long had under con- sideration. I feel exceedingly anxious that your son should re- ceive the appointment which he so much desires. My best wishes to your family as well as your own prosper- ity and happiness. I remain, Sir, With Great esteem, Your obedient servant, A. J. Dallas, Esqr. SAMUEL CUSHMAN.^ Lt. U. S. Navy, Cambridgeport, Mass. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO F. G. DALLAS ] Navy Department, 17 November, 1840. Sir, Your letter of the nth inst. has been reed. & Yours of the same date to the President has been referred to the Department. In reply you are informed that there is no vacancy in the Corps of Midshipmen. I am respectfully Yours, J. K. Pauldlng. Mr. Francis G. Dallas, Boston. ^ Ex-Congressman from New Hampshire. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ ACTING SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO F. G. DALLAS ] Navy Department, 4 Oct. 1841. Sir, I have received your letter of the 25th ult and will lay the same before the Secretary of the Navy, on his return to Washington. I am, respectfully. Your ob. servant, J. D. SlMMS,^ Actg. Sec. of the Navy. Mr. Francis G. Dallas, Charlestown, Mass. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO ACTING MIDSHIPMAN F. G. DALLAS ] Navy Department, November 8th, 1841. Sir: You are hereby appointed an Acting Midshipman in the Navy of the United States, and if your commanding officer shall, after six months of actual service at sea, report favorably of your character, talents, and qualifi- cations, a Warrant will be given to you, bearing the date of this letter. I enclose a description of the uniform, and the requi- site oath ; the latter, when taken and subscribed, you will ^ Chief clerk of the Navy Department. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS transmit to the Department with your letter of accept- ance, in which you will state your age and place of nativity. Your pay will not commence until you shall receive orders for service. I am, respectfully, &c. A. P. Upshur.^ Acting Midshipman Francis G. Dallas, (appointed at large) care of Commander A. J. Dallas, Boston. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO ACTING MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, Nov. 24th, 1 84 1. Sir, You will report to Commo. Downes for duty on board the U. S. Receiving ship Columbus. I am, respectf'y, yours A. P. Upshur. Act'g Midn. Fras. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Boston. 1 Abel Parker Upshur of Virginia, Secretary of the Navy, ap- pointed by President Tyler, September 13, 1841. [6] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Endorsement Navy Yard, Boston, Novr. 30th, 1 841. Sir, You will report to Captain Joseph Smith for duty on board the Rec'g Ship Columbus. Respectfully &c. Jno. Downes. [ the secretary of the navy to acting midshipman dallas ] Navy Department, Deer. 24, 1 841. Sir, You are hereby detached from the Recg. Vessel Co- lumbus, and will report to Commo. Downes for duty on board the Frigate Columbia. I am respectfly, &c., A. P. Upshur. Act'g Midn. Francis G. Dallas, U. S. S. Columbus, Boston. Z71 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Endorsement Sir, You will report to Capt. Parker^ for duty on board the Columbia, but until the crew of that ship is removed from the Columbus you will continue to do duty on board the latter ship. Resps. J NO. DOWNES. Navy Yard, Boston, 28 Deer. 1841. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, March 21st, 1843. Sir, Herewith you will receive a warrant, appointing you a Midshipman in the Navy of the United States from the 8th day of November 1841, the receipt of which you will acknowledge to this Department. I am, respectfully yours, A. P. Upshur. Midn. Francis G. Dallas, U. S. Ship Columbia. 1 Captain Foxhall A. Parker, U. S. Navy. [83 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, Jan'y ii, 1845. Sir, You are hereby detached from the U. S. Ship Colum- bia and a leave of absence is granted to you for three months from this date, at the expiration of which you will report to this Department. You will inform the Department of every change of your residence in the mean time. I am, respectfully yours, J. Y. Mason.^ Midn. F. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Norfolk. ' John Young Mason of Virginia, Secretary of the Navy, appointed by President Tyler, March 14, 1844. [9] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, April yth, 1845. Sir, Proceed to Pensacola and report to the Commandant for duty at the navy yard at that place. I am, respectfully, Your Obedient Servant, Geo. Bancroft.^ Midn F. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Fortress Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Va. Endorsed: Reported June loth, 1845. Geo. Nicholas Hollins, Commander. 1 George Bancroft of Massachusetts, Secretary of the Navy, ap- pointed by President Polk, March 11, 1845. CIO] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, March loth, 1846. Sir, You are hereby detached from the Navy Yard, Pen- sacola, and you will report to the senior commanding officer at Pensacola for duty on the Home Squadron. You will inform the Department of the day on which you shall report in obedience to this order. I am respectfully yours, G. Bancroft. Midn Francis G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Pensacola, Fla. Endorsement Sir, Report in obedience to the above order. Respy, W. K. Latimer, Comdt. ' C"3 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Second endorsement U. S. Frigate Raritan, Pensacola, Mar. 19, 1846. Sir, You will report yourself, forthwith, to Captain An- drew Fitzhugh, for duty on board the U. S. Steam Ship Mississippi under his command. I am Respy. etc. F. H. Gregory, Capt. Midn Francis G. Dallas, U. S. Navy. [ MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO SURGEON HULSE ] Naval Hospital, Pensacola, June 3rd, 1846. Dr Sir, It is with feelings of unfeigned and heartfelt thank- fulness that I take this method of expressing to you my appreciation of the unremitting care and thoughtful attention I have received at your hands. Under the circumstances which I came to the Hos- pital of which you have charge, my situation so critical that the most sanguine supposed it next to impossible that I should recover, these making peculiarly alive to the benefit of the treatment received from yourself, one who must ever find pleasure in feeling grateful for his own actual experience of the same. 1:123 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS I take this occasion and this manner to make you aware of the feelings I entertain relative to this, and hope you will receive it in the spirit in which it is made. With the best wishes for your continued health and happiness I remain very sincerely your obliged Friend & Obt Sert, Francis G. Dallas, To Isaac Hulse/ U. S. Navy. in charge of Naval Hospital, Pensacola, Fla. [ SURGEON HULSE TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] U. S. Naval Hospital, Pensacola, June 3rd, 1846. Mr. Francis G. Dallas, Midn. U. S. Navy. Dear Sir, I take pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your letter of this date. It was penned, I perceive, on the occasion of your expected speedy discharge, cured, from the Hospital. It expresses the sentiments of a generous heart, because it evinces gratitude for supposed benefits conferred. Your recovery from your late serious injury has not been the result of any extraordinary medical or surgical skill exhibited by your medical attendants. You owe it to a constitution which I think may now be pronounced good, as I have had experience of it in more respects than one. The impatience you lately manifested to be at your post while important events were transpiring, has con- ^ Surgeon, U. S. Navy. [133 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS vinced me that you are one of those who will do good service on some future day more pregnant of events even than those which we have just seen. Wishing you a continuity of health & a long life of happiness, I remain, very truly Your friend & Obt Sert, Isaac Hulse, Surgeon, U. S. Navy. [ COMMODORE CONNER TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] U. S. S. Cumberland, Pensacola Bay, June 4, 1846. Sir, Report to Comd'r W. J. McCluney, for duty on board the U. S. S. John Adams. I am. Very Resp'y etc. D. Conner,^ Comd'g Home Squadron. Mid. F. G. Dallas, U. S. N. [ MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO COMMODORE CONNER ] U. S. Sloop of War John Adams, off Vera Cruz, July 4th, 1846. Sir, I beg leave to solicit permission to join the U. S. Steamer Princeton. I make this request reluctantly, 1 Commodore David Conner, U. S. Navy. D43 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS but feel I am justified in so doing by the state of my health, for did I consult my choice alone, I should re- main in this ship. I have found the climate to be injurious to me and feel sensibly the change even in the short time I have been here. I am in hopes to avoid again going to a Hospital by joining the Princeton, thinking she may shortly go farther North and knowing from previous experience that this would be of benefit to me and enable me to return with renovated health. I find too the duty on board of so active a vessel to be more than my health allows me to attend to with the alacrity I should wish, the duty on board of a steamer I think I should find lighter. I do not make this application solely upon my own opinion, the Doctor has said he thought the change would prove very beneficial; neither has any dissatis- faction influenced me, for I have reason to suppose that my conduct since attached to her has met with the ap- probation of Commander McCluney. I hope, Sir, the motives actuating me in making this request will be thought my suflicient excuse. I have the honor to be, very Resp Yr Obt Sert, Francis G. Dallas. Com'dore David Conner. C'sn PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ COMMODORE CONNER TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] U. S. Ship Cumberland, off Vera Cruz, July 4th, 1846. Sir, Your letter of this day's date has been received. Your request to be transferred to the Princeton cannot be complied with, but if the state of your health is such as to prevent the performance of your duty on board the John Adams, leave will be granted you to go to the Naval Hospital at Pensacola, on the recommendation of the Surgeon of that ship, approved by the Surgeon of the Fleet. I am, Very Resp'y, etc. D. Conner, Comd'g. Home Squadron. Midshipman F. G. Dallas, U. S. Ship John Adams. [ MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO COMMODORE CONNER ] U. S. Ship John Adams, Septbr 1 6th, 1846. Sir, I beg leave to request permission to go North in the U. S. Schooner Flirt. My reasons for making this ap- plication are the following: During the last fourteen months I have three several times been forced by the state of my health to go to the 1:163 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Hospital; and am at present by the Surgeon's advice again an applicant for a Hospital. I think could I once get Home my native air would restore me. Another reason I have to present for your considera- tion is that I have never had a leave of absence since I entered the Navy; and have not been Home for up- wards of five years. In the latter part of this period of years I have lost my Father by death ; this has left two younger sisters orphans; also has left affairs which have long required my attention to arrange. I have been deterred from asking this permission from the time of my Father's death from an affection of the lungs; this affection has been nearly removed; by a severe blow upon the head which produced concussion of the brain received last April. I beg leave to submit these reasons for your consideration. I have consulted Dr. Barring- ton who thinks this application advisable. I have the honor to be Sir very Respectfully, yr obt Servt, To Francis G. Dallas, David Conner, Midn U. S. Navy. Commander in Chief of the Naval Forces in the Gulf of Mexico. [ COMMODORE CONNER TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] U. S. Ship Cumberland, off Vera Cruz, Sept. i8, 1846. Sir, Your application of the i6th inst. to return home on account of ill health has been received. In consequence of the representation of Surgeon PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Barrington, permission is granted you to return to the North for the restoration of your health, and you will report to Lieut. Comd'g Sinclair for a passage in the Flirt to Norfolk. On your arrival at that place, you will report to the Department. I am, very respectfully, &c. Mids. D. Conner, Francis G. Dallas, Comd'g Home Squadron. U. S. Ship John Adams. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, Nov. 4th, 1846. Sir, Your letter of the ist instant reporting your return from the Home Squadron on account of ill health has been received. Leave of absence for two months from this date is granted to you, at the expiration of which you will re- port to this Department. Under a regulation of the Department the Midship- men appointed since the 20th of Septr, 1841, are not ordered to the Naval School preparatory to the exami- nation next year. I am respectfully Yours, Midn. Francis G. Dallas, J. Y. Mason.^ U. S. Navy, Norfolk, Va. 1 Secretary of the Navy, appointed for a second term by President Polk, September 10, 1846. D83 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, J any 6th, 1847. Sir, For the reasons stated in your letter of the 3d instant, your leave of absence is hereby renewed for two months from this date, at the expiration of which you will re- port to this Department. I am, respectfully. Yours, Midn. Fras. G. Dallas, J. Y. MASON. U. S. Navy, Boston. [ MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ] Boston, March 2nd, 1847. Sir, I beg leave to solicit orders to join the Squadron in the Gulf of Mexico by the first vessel that sails for that destination. I am anxious to have an opportunity of active service. I have the honor to be, Sir, very Respt yr obt Servt, Francis G. Dallas, The Honr. John Y. Mason, U. S. Navy. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. D9: PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ] Boston, March 6th, '47. Sir, I beg leave to inform the Navy Department that my leave of absence expires this day. Thinking there w^ill be active service in the Gulf I am anxious to throw aside all considerations of health and take part in them. I have the honor to be. Sir, very Respt. Yr. Obt. Servt, Francis G. Dallas, The Honbl. John Y. Mason, Midn. U. S. Navy. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO • MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] J Navy Department, March loth, 1847. Sir, ^ I Proceed to Norfolk, Va, ivithout delay, and report to Commo. Skinner for duty on board the U. S. Sloop of War Saratoga. I am respectfully yours, Midn J. Y. MASON. Francis G. Dallas, , U. S. Navy, , Boston. ' 1:20] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Enclosure Extract from General order of January 30, 1846. "All officers will promptly acknowledge the receipt of orders, and inform the Department immediately on their having reported in obedience to them." [ MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ] Boston, March 14th, 1847. Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of orders from the Department this day, to join the U. S. Ship Saratoga at Norfolk. I shall obey with promptness. I have the honor to be, Sir, very truly your obt. sert, Francis G. Dallas. The Honr. John Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [21] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ COMMODORE PERRY TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Yard, Vera Cruz, 20th November, 1847. Sir, You will report yourself to Lieut. Comdt T. A. Hunt, for duty on board the U. S. Store Ship Electra under his command. On the arrival of the Electra at Pensacola, you will proceed to Washington, and report to the Honourable Secretary of the Navy. I am, respectfully. Your obt Sert, M. C. Perry,^ Commanding Home Squadron. Midshipman F. G. Dallas, U. S. Ship Saratoga. [ COMMANDER UPSHUR TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] U. S. Naval School, Annapolis, Md. May 6th, 1848. Sir, At your request and under your assurance that im- portant business demands your presence in Washington ^ Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perrj^ U. S. Navy. [22] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS and Philadelphia, leave of absence is hereby granted to you, until the loth inst. I am very respectfully Your obt. servt., G. P. Upshur, Midn Comdt. & Supt. F. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Present. [ SURGEON BARRINGTON TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN WYMAN ] Philadelphia, May 8th, 1848. Dear Sir, I have reed your note of the 6th inst. enclosed in a letter from Midn Dallas, of same date. I recollect that in the month of August (or perhaps in the latter part of July) 1846, Mr. Dallas in a fit of delirium jumped overboard from the John Adams when lying off Tampico, and that he was under treat- ment for some time with an affliction of the brain. I know also (although it did not come under my personal observation) that Mr. D. received a serious injury of the head a few months previously, on board the Missis- sippi. A detailed account of his case, while under my charge, is recorded in the Medical Journal of the J. Adams, which I suppose either has been, or soon will be, sent to the Bureau of Medicine & Surgery, and which will be much more precise and satisfactory than any statement I could make from memory alone. 1:233 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS This I presume may also be considered a reply to Mr. D's letter. If I can give any further information on the subject, I will do so cheerfully. Very respectfully your obt sert, Saml Barrington.^ Mr. R. Harris Wyman, U. S. N.' [ ASSISTANT SURGEON TAYLOR TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Boston, May 15, 1848. Dear Sir, Your letter of the 7th Inst, was duly received, re- questing me to furnish you with a certificate of your former condition of health. I remember that you were on the sick list on board of the John Adams between Aug. 7th & Sept. 20th, 1846, affected with Acute Meningitis, which was attrib- uted by Dr. Barrington and myself to an injury of the skull, received on board of the U. S. Steamer Missis- sippi. The first intimation that we had of your laboring under Mental Aberration, was your jumping overboard whilst at anchor off Tampico. If I remember rightly this state of things lasted several days. You can doubtless obtain from Dr. Barrington a cer- tificate, which would be of some service to you. Respectfully yours, j. WiNTHROP Taylor.^ [Mid. F. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy.] 1 Surgeon, U. S. Navy. 2 Brother-in-law of Midshipman Dallas. 3 Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Navy. 1:243 & PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO MIDSHIPMAN HARRISON ] Naval School, Annapolis, May 24th, 1848. Sir, Your attacks upon my reputation, your insult and in- jury, demand satisfaction, which I now insist upon re- ceiving from you. I am ready at present without a Friend, or with a Friend whom I have sent for, immediately upon his arrival. Respectfully, Francis G. Dallas. Midn. G. Harrison, U.S.N. [ midshipman DALLAS TO MIDSHIPMAN DIBBLE ] Naval College, Annapolis, May 24th, 1848. Sir, Your attacks upon my reputation, your insult and in- jury, demand satisfaction, which I now insist upon re- ceiving from you. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS I am ready at present without a Friend, or with a Friend whom I have sent for, immediately upon his arrival. Respectfully, Midn Francis G. Dallas. G. M. Dibble, U. S. N. [ MR. HENDERSON TO MIDSHIPMAN GALE ] Naval School, Annapolis, 28th May, [1848.] Sir, I am requested by Mr. Francis G. Dallas to inform you that he has in his possession a certificate from Sur- geon Barrington, U. S. N. & also letters from Mr. Jas. S. Thornton^ in refutation of the accusations brought by you against his character as a Gentleman. These have proved satisfactory to his friends. He now holds you to a personal account for your conduct in this mat- ter; he also does two other gentlemen. I am ready to receive from you any communications in relation to this matter, and as my time is limited, hope that you will give this your earliest attention. Respectfully, Francis W. Henderson. Midn Jno. Gale, I U. S. Navy. i 1 Passed Midshipman, U. S. Navy. In 1864 Thornton was lieu- tenant-commander and executive officer of the U. S. S. Kearsarge in her fight with the C. S. S. Alabama. 1:26] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ CERTIFICATE OF MR. HENDERSON ] I arrived at the U. S. Naval School, Annapolis, on Sunday Evening, 28th May, 1848, and soon after waited upon Mr. G. Harrison, U. S. Navy, with a note from Mr. F. G. Dallas. Mr. Harrison referred me to Mr. Coleman. Mr. Coleman informed me that the conduct to which Mr. Dallas took exception was founded on information given to them (Messrs Harrison and Dibble) by Mr. Jno. Gale, and requested a delay of two days until they could receive a letter from, or Mr. Gale could arrive in person at Annapolis, & then they could judge whether Mr. Dallas was entitled to satisfaction. I then called upon Mr. Dibble and was referred by him to Mr. Whiting. Mr. Whiting was conferring with Mr. Coleman at the time I found him, and he desired the same delay and for the same reasons as Mr. Coleman & in both instances I felt bound to make the concession. All this upon the 28th day of May, 1848, at the Naval School, Annapolis. Tuesday 6. P.M. I called on Mr. Coleman and in- formed him that we could see on our part no cause for further delay & unless Mr. Harrison met Mr. Dallas that he (Mr. Dallas) must make the matter public & afterwards demand a Court of Inquiry from the Secy, of the Navy. He refused to allow Mr. Harrison to meet Mr. Dallas until Mr. Gale's arrival, and even then with the proviso that these charges which they pretend to bring against Mr. Dallas are disproven. 1:273 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS I called on the 30th May upon Mr. Whiting and made the same statement to him as the above, and he declined peremptorily rec'g Mr. D's note for Mr. Dibble and stated further that it was his wish under circumstances to have declined rec'g Mr. Dallas' note on the 28th inst. Mr. Dallas on my arrival here requested me to hand to Mr. Gale a note dated upon the 21st, but I was pre- vented from seeking Mr. Gale, hearing that he was ex- pected here daily. I rec'd my information from Messrs Coleman & Whiting. I arrived here on the 21st inst. Mr. Coleman informed me, that, in the event of Messrs. Dibble & Harrison finding themselves able to prove their charges against Mr. Dallas, that they would save him the trouble of a Court of inquiry and intended to try him by Court martial. A true statement. Frank W. Henderson. F. G. Dallas, Naval School, May 30th, 1848. [ MIDSHIPMAN GALE TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Annapolis, Md. June 6th, '48. Sir, I acknowledge the rec't of a communication from * yourself through Mr. Henderson. The attack upon your character, the insult, & the injury to yourself of which you complain consist in certain charges against C283 I PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS you of long standing. These charges, Sir, you are well aware did not originate with the above, but for my par- ticipation in them (owing to the peculiar circumstances connected with the afifair at the present moment) I will do you the honor (which I consider by no means justly your due) of giving you a meeting. You are aware. Sir, that in order to substantiate these charges fully I should be compelled to resort to measures as disagreeable to me as they ought to be to you & this is my reason for not bringing you to trial & through that trial to the punish- ment which you so richly deserve; a full statement of your conduct properly certified will be placed in the hands of my friends, also my motives in giving you a meeting, the first to prove clearly that I have stated nothing which is not susceptible of proof, & the second, that my character may not suffer by the act, on my part, of giving personal satisfaction to one whom I consider so wholly unworthy of it at the hands of a gentleman. All necessary preliminaries on my part will be arranged by my friends through whom you will receive this com- munication. (Signed) JNO. GALE, U.S.N. F. G. Dallas, U. S. N. Endorsed: We certify on honor that this is a true copy of a letter from Jno. Gale, Esq. to F. G. Dallas, which Mr. Dallas declined receiving. Copy furnished at Mr. Hender- son's request. Chas. C. Hunter Bladensburgh, F. W. HENDERSON June 7, 1848. 1:29] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ CERTIFICATE OF DR. PALMER ] Bladensburgh, June 7th, '48. By request I was present, as surgeon, at a duel fought between Mr. Dallas and Mr. Gale; the former was wounded, the ball entering the deltoid muscle at the posterior part of the Axilla, and lodging in the Trape- zius muscle, between the posterior sup. Angle of the Scapula and the spine, paralyzing the muscle men- tioned, thereby rendering Mr. Dallas unable to raise his right arm; both parties were anxious for a second shot, this was prevented by my intervention. I can testify to the courage and firmness of both parties, on this occa- ^'°"- W. Gray Palmer. P.S. By saying that both parties were anxious for a second shot, I mean that Mr. Dallas demanded it and the other party was willing to oblige him ; they were, as I said before, prevented by my intervention. W. G. P. [ COMMANDER UPSHUR TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ] U. S. Naval School, Annapolis, . June 8th, 1848. ! Sir, I am sorry to inform you, that a carriage came into the Yard about 8 o'clock last evening (7th Inst.) bear- ing Midn. Francis G. Dallas (wounded in the right 1:303 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS shoulder) and two of his room mates, who I presume received him from the cars at the Rail Road depot. The wound was no doubt received in a duel near Bladensburg and from a pistol ball fired by Midn Jno. Gale, now under expulsion from the school by sentence of a Court Martial. Midn Chas. C. Hunter is supposed (and beyond a doubt correctly) to have acted as the second of Mr. Gale. Mr. Dallas' second is unknown to me, but he is believed to be some gentleman not connected with the Naval School. Mr. Hunter, who was on the sick report, laboring un- der ophthalmia and unable to attend to his Academic duties, obtained my permission the night before "to visit the country" next morning. At a late hour the same night (the 6th) Mr. Dallas also applied by note for leave to go to Washington "on business & for the pur- pose of seeing the Secty of the Navy." To this note I did not reply, intending to see Mr. Dallas next day, and to require from him an assurance that he was not going away for the purpose of fighting a duel, with a pledge that he would not fight, nor make arrangements to fight during his absence. From a communication made to me a few days before, and, as he informed me, by your order or advice, I knew that he had such a step in con- templation, but inferred from the tenor of his remarks, that he would not carry it into effect while under my command. On going to my office, early next morning, I was greatly surprised at receiving through a servant a sec- ond note from Mr. Dallas, informing me that as he knew I was much engaged when his note was sent the night before, he supposed I was unable to attend to it, PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS and that not doubting I would grant the leave for which he asked, he had decided to start in the early cars of next morning. This he did, without my permission, and returned the same evening, wounded, as before stated. The ball was extracted and the wound dressed probably on the ground. I am happy to state that Sur- geon Lockwood considers the wound slight, and sees no cause at present to apprehend a fatal or serious result. On calling Mr. Hunter to my office this morning, and interrogating him on the subject, he told me promptly, that as the affair would in all probability be subjected to further official investigation, he thought that answering questions would or might implicate him- self, and that therefore, he must respectfully decline to answer. He informed me, however, that Messrs Gale & Dallas were the only officers who returned with him in the cars. The circumstantial evidence against Mr. Hunter is so conclusive in my own mind, that I have deemed it proper to suspend him from privileges with orders to confine himself to the limits of the school and attend as usual to his studies. Mr. Dallas being in no danger, I have thought it best that I should not see him at present, and re- spectfully ask your instructions in regard to him & Mr. Hunter. Mr. Gale has, I presume, returned to the Eastern shore in the boat of this morning. I have the honor to be, Sir, with great respect your obt. St., G. P. Upshur, Hon. Jno. Y. Mason, Comd. & Supt. Secty. of the Navy, Washington. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ PASSED MIDSHIPMAN WYMAN TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Washington, D. C. [June 9th, 1848.] Dear Frank, I heard yesterday of your misfortune in getting shot, but could not learn from very good authority the cir- cumstances, but was assured by Blanton that it was a trifle. I am inclined to believe he was on the ground. I intended going down yesterday afternoon, but from Blanton's relation of the circumstances was induced to wait until I heard, which I did this morning from Otis. Carter told me that at the depot he met Mr. Magaw going to Annapolis, that he spoke of the duel and seemed annoyed that you were the one wounded. I would ad- vise you not to give Mr. Dibble satisfaction in any way, should he at this distant date ask for it, but hide him if he opens his lips. Harrison I am inclined to believe did not intend to get into a fight and by proper measures no disagreeable circumstances will arise from it. I trust that now you will let Mr. Gale rest for the present. I will when I see you tell you my plan, if you intend hav- ing revenge. Your character has nothing to do with that and years might first elapse — it would make no difference — but I would never express even an intention if you entertain it of having such ; revenge should be taken slowly but surely and in such a manner as does not expose yourself. You must recover as quickly as you can for your examination, practice using your left hand so that should you not have the use of your right you may use that in your examination, or otherwise there PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS could be no objection for some person ignorant of the questions &c. to place on paper figures at your dictation. Emily was yesterday noon much troubled until I found out how the affair was. Get some one to write me how you get on — and should you wish me to come down, write up. Your attached friend, Wyman. [ MR. HENDERSON TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Friedland (near) Fredericksburgh, Va. My dear Dallas, I wrote you from Baltimore but fearing that you did not receive my letter, I write again. I hope you are fast recovering from your wound, & if you should want me, or I should be required as a witness in your Court of Inquiry a letter directed here will reach. Write me how you are. In haste, truly yours, Frank W. Henderson, Fredericksburgh, Va. F. G. Dallas, Esq., Annapolis, Md. C343 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Copy of Correspondence with the President of the United States and Hon. Secretary of the Navy rela- tive to the Duel at Bladensburg. [ MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ] Naval School, Annapolis, June 17th, 1848. Sir, I beg leave most respectfully and urgently to request that a delay of a w^eek or two may be made in my case (relative to the recent duel). My reasons are as fol- lows, I feel convinced I can present my Situation and the strong causes which absolutely forced me to take this course in so strong a light before the President as to induce him to alter his views, if they be now unfavor- able to me, when he becomes aware of the attacks made upon my character and my reputation, of the persecu- tion it was attempted to make me subject of ; also when he knows that I appealed to you. Sir, for a court of In- quiry, which in your Judgment was thought unneces- sary, I hope he will find cause to look more leniently upon me. I ask for this delay to enable me to recover my health sufficiently to lay my case personally before the Presi- dent. I beg leave to solicit you. Sir, to lay this letter before the President of the United States. I think my peculiar position will be a warrant for pursuing this PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS course and I earnestly hope, Sir, this will meet with your approbation. I am, Sir, very Respectfully Yr. Obdt. Servt., Francis G. Dallas, Midn, U. S. Navy. Honble J. Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, June 20th, 1848. Sir, I have received your letter of the 17th inst. Your case will be decided as soon as the Department receives an answer to its communication to you, of this day, enclosing a copy of a report of the Superintendent of the Naval School dated the 8th inst. I am resp'y your ob. svt.. J. Y. Mason. Midn Francis G. Dallas, Naval School, Annapolis, Md. 1:363 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ] U. S. Naval School, Annapolis, Md., June 21st, 1848. Sir, In answer to your communication of the 20th inst. I have to state that I admit without hesitation the fact of having been engaged in a duel fought at Bladensburg on the 7th inst. and although I do not attempt to justify this, I think I can show you sufficient cause to make you, Sir, look leniently upon this act. I enclose a full state- ment of the circumstances which drove me to this course, and which indeed did not leave me any other to pursue. I now throw myself upon the justice and the clemency of the Department and President in this mat- ter. I applied to Commander Upshur for leave, as- signing as a reason my desire to visit Washington, to see you, Sir; this was my wish when I wrote the note, the reason this, to make another effort for a court of In- quiry, or some other action in my case. Circumstances occurred that evening which rendered it necessary and in fact which involved a point of honor, and of course obliged me to leave in the morning. I obtained permis- sion of the Doctor to leave the Fort; being under his treatment, this permission was to leave the Fort next morning. I do not attempt to conceal the wrong I have done. Sir, in this matter, but think my causes were of so strong a nature as to mitigate this in the eyes of the Depart- ment. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS I made no promise or Pledge to Commander Upshur not to be engaged in a Duel while at the School; he could have inferred from my remarks that I should try to avoid this course. I have the honor to be, Sir, Very Respt. Yr. Obt. Servt, Francis G. Dallas. Hon. John Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. [ MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ] Naval School, Annapolis, June 2ist, 1848. Sir, In reply to your communication of the 20th inst. I beg leave to present the following Statement of my position and of the course of persecution that has sought to make me the subject of, and sufferer from. About the ist of May last I was informed by a Lady (my private feelings towards whom I will not dwell upon, but will pass these by, remembering that all the nearer and dearer feelings of which man is capable were outraged in the most ungenerous and unmanly manner) ; to continue, I was informed by this Lady that a person or persons had warned her against myself, that I was wild and dissipated, that my brother officers 1:38] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS would not associate with me, and several other slan- derous reports, she declined mentioning any names; all these have been and can be again shown to be false and malicious. It is notorious in the School that I am neither wild or dissipated. After leaving this Lady I revolved in my mind who in the Naval School was my known enemy; the only man I knew positively to be inimical towards me was Midn Jno. Gale. This person I had been on board of the Frigate Columbia with three years, most of this time without even exchanging the common civilities of the day; he was, and it admits of proof, my enemy. I went to him, I asked him if he had made any assertions, or taken any report to a Lady against me; he told me he had and to my utter astonish- ment and entire amazement, added that he knew I had been guilty of falsehood while on board the U. S. Ship John Adams two years since; he added that this he could prove before the whole school, and called upon another person by whom he asserted he could substan- tiate this; he added furthermore that I had acted dis- honorably with a Friend of mine, Midn Thornton, on board of the Columbia Frigate some five years since. These charges coming to me in this manner for the first time, with an assertion of being capable of proof, would not have made me hesitate one moment, had I not known that for several weeks of my life I had been par- tially deranged and actually delirious, the charge of falsehood which is asserted to have occurred the very day before I had jumped overboard from delirium and endeavored to drown myself; this last knowledge made me hesitate, for I saw at once that a man who was my enemy had me at a disadvantage and was disposed to use it, the only refutation I had was my simple denial; PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS these passed with the rapidity of thought through my mind. I answered to Mr. Gale, "I have no recollection of their occurrence, if they did occur I was not in pos- session of my right senses." I added, "can you, Sir, look at me and say you believe these charges true? you know you are an enemy of mine, you know you have me at a disadvantage, are you. Sir, acting conscientiously?" He said he was (a most strange way of showing this feeling, where was his legal method). I left him saying, "you have the advantage of me, I wish you would not act for a few days." I was at this time laboring under a state of the greatest mental excitement from the fact of the deep outrage my warmest feelings had met with and did not act as cooly as I should have done under other circum- stances. I have in my possession a letter from Surgeon Barrington (surgeon of the John Adams), which states that I, while in a fit of delirium, jumped overboard and tried to drown myself, and suffered sometime after- wards from an afifection of the brain; this is the very time I am charged with falsehood. Here some explana- tion is necessary relative to the promoting causes of alienation of mind. On the 26th day of April, 1846, while in the execution of my duties on board of the U. S. Steamship Mississippi, I received a severe Con- tusion and I think fracture of the skull from some heavy bags of coal falling upon my head. I remained at the Hospital at Pensacola untill the 8th of June following, some five weeks after the accident; in the meantime the war with Mexico was declared. I gained the consent of the surgeon under whose charge I was (after impor- tuning him for some time) to leave the Hospital, anxious to be near the scene of active service. I joined the John Adams five weeks after this accident, my brain C403 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Still in a delicate state; while on board of the Adams I suffered daily from pains in my head and finally jumped overboard in delirium. Now, Sir, I solemnly assert that I have no recollection nor consciousness (and really believe this charge to be malicious) of what I am charged with; did it occur, it must have been when I was not in the possession of my right senses. Now is there any fairness, any justice in making me responsible for words or acts when suffering under the dispensation of the Almighty? Why have I been allowed to wear my uniform, to remain in the Service years after these things are said to have occurred, why have I been as- sociated with by my brother officers, why were they not brought forward in a legal form, why first uttered to a Lady? For about ten days from the time I first had knowledge of these reports I was engaged using every effort to obtain disproof; for the truth of this assertion I refer to Pasd. Midn R. H. Wyman. In the meantime scandalous reports were freely circulated among my brother officers, affecting my character as a gentleman; one person came to me and told me he had circulated reports about me, that he was my enemy, or words to this effect, another person told me that he stood in my path between a Lady and myself, this person being at the same time almost a stranger to both this Lady and myself; a few days after I was one evening informed that a meeting of the members of the school (without any legal authority or knowledge of the Commander) was to be called, and that I was at liberty to attend, doubtless supposing I would fear to attend it and would allow myself to be crushed without resistance; at 5 o'clock that evening the bell rang by preconcerted sig- nal, I went to the Recitation hall; one against upwards PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS of 80 Gentlemen I took one side of the hall facing the assemblage, come there like a modern semblance of the Inquisition. After some remarks to this effect that re- ports were in circulation against a member of the school seriously affecting his character, I then said to the assem- blage, "Gentlemen I am the person pointed at. I have not the slightest hesitation in telling you all, and am prepared to meet you." They proceeded (I mean the Clique who have taken up arms against me) to elect a committee. Some friend alike of justice and of myself moved and it was carried to allow me to object to any member, with or without reasons; but to be brief, the meeting was an entire failure, the sense of the majority condemning this course. I then told any who were friendly disposed towards me, I was prepared and will- ing to refute and explain away the charges made against me, but for my enemies I defied them one and all. This is but a brief account of an attempt to put me down which by myself I mastered ; now after this what person of any justice or firmness can blame [me] for personally resisting this system of persecution, could I tamely sub- mit without a struggle, for of what value is life without character? I endeavored to get personal satisfaction from those who had personally and in the grossest man- ner insulted me; they refused to give it to me until I had cleared myself from charges which they evidently shrank from bringing forward in a legal manner, will- ing to stake my reputation, to injure me vitally by slander, but unwilling to give me satisfaction or treat me fairly, willing in short to ruin my character with my brother officers, to injure me in every way, but un- willing to take proper and legal measures to prove (if they admit of proof) the accusations which [they] 1:423 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS bring against me, or pretend to do. I now went in per- son to you, Sir, the Honorable Secretary of the Navy. I laid before you to the best of my recollection the posi- tion in which I was placed, the charges brought against me, the course pursued towards me, the manner in which I had acted. I appealed to you for advice and I asked you to grant me a Court of Enquiry. You in your judgment thought this unadvisable. I returned to the school, I found cold looks and colder actions from a number of my brother officers, I found I should be put in Coventry, I should in short be forced to leave the Service with my [reputation] resting under a stigma. I had already used every efifort in my power; my last re- sort was to make those who had insulted me fight, in the hope of getting some satisfaction for my wrongs; the result you know, Sir. I have a severe wound added to my previous injuries. Now I think. Sir, that no person with one spark of spirit, or who felt his own innocence, could have refrained any longer, even if they could so long, in acting as I did. I do not attempt to justify duel- ling as a principle, for upon principle I am opposed to it. I will not say how great the struggle to go in oppo- sition to my ideas of right was, but in this case, one wrong I was forced to commit to overcome a far greater and more heinous one; I mean the endeavor to ruin me. I offer this statement. Sir, from the best of my recollec- tion, a great deal admits of direct proof. I enclose the copy of a letter from Surgeon Barrington, relative to the condition of my brain; the charges of dissipation, and my not being associated with by my brother officers, are so notoriously untrue, I pass them over, saying that I can bring the majority of the school to refute them. You will see. Sir, I have first endeavored to avoid any [43 3 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS serious difficulties, by going to work from the first to clear my character; but Mr. Gale and his friends, by their system of persecution, by their attack upon my character, their contumely, by their ungenerous and unmanly course, left me no other alternative but to seek for satisfaction from my own hands. I thought, until informed (through an Uncle of the Lady) to the con- trary, that Mr. Gale was a relation of her's; this was asserted, by whom I know not, but was generally circu- lated. I now find that the family of this Lady do not consider Mr. Gale as a relation, in short do not know or recognize him as such and his interference was un- warranted, unasked, and I must add malicious. The report that Mr. Gale was a relative of the Lady seemed in a measure to sanction his interference, therefore making my own position one in which I suffered more from than I could do had his really unjustifiable, un- called for, and impertinent interference been known and properly understood. I have endeavored to be as brief as possible, but it is absolutely requisite that my whole case should be understood by those who have the power to see justice done. I should wish if possible to avoid any unnecessary publicity, not for my own sake, but as it would be very unpleasant to bring any lady's name or family forward. I myself have endeavored studiously to avoid this, and if others had followed my course, no one need have known that a Lady was at all concerned. I submit this for the consideration of the President and Department, feeling sure that justice will be done; the records of the Department will show my official character stands unblemished. The following gentlemen, Mr. Otis, Mr. Magaw, Mr. Comegys, Mr. Bier, Mr. Langhorne and a number of others are aware 1:44: PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS of my general course in this matter, the first are ship- mates of mine. Mr. Otis was on board of the John Adams with me all the time I was attached to that vessel. I have the honor to be, Sir, very Respt. yr. Obdt Servt, Francis G. Dallas. [ CAPTAIN MORGAN TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] U. S. Naval School, Annapolis, Md., July 4th, 1848. Sir: I have the pleasure to inform you that you have passed your Examination. I am. Sir, Respectfully, Your obe't serv't. Chas. W. Morgan,^ President of the Board of Examiners. To Passed Mid'n F. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy. 1 Captain, U. S. Navy. 1:45] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, July 6th, 1848. ^ Sir, Having passed your examination you are hereby de- tached from the Naval School and you will proceed to your home in Boston, and regard yourself as waiting orders. I am, respectfully. Your obt sert, J. Y. Mason. Midn F. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Annapolis, Md. [ PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ] Boston, Septbr 3rd, 1848. Sir, I beg leave respectfully to request to be attached to one of the Bremen line of Mail Steamers, or any one which by act of congress is required to receive Passed Midshipmen as officers. I have paid attention to the theory of steam and am very anxious to pursue its study, as well as its practice, 1:463 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS and should have a fine opportunity for this on board of a Mail Steamer. I am, Sir, very Respectfully, yr obdt. Servant, Francis G. Dallas, Honbl. Pd. Midn. John Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy. [THE secretary OF THE NAVY TO LATE PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, September 9th., 1848. Sir, The report of the Superintendent of the Naval School, dated the 8th of June, a copy of which was fur- nished you by the Department, has been submitted to the President of the United States, together with the explanations subsequently received from you. Upon a due consideration of all the circumstances of the case, the President has thought proper to direct that, for the offence reported by Commander Upshur, you be dismissed from the Service. You will accordingly from this date be n.o longer con- sidered an officer in the Navy of the United States. I am, respectfully. Your obedt. Servt, Francis G. Dallas, J. Y. MASON. Late Pd. Midn, U. S. Navy, Boston. 1:473 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ LATE PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ] Boston Septbr 12th, 1848. TT ,, Tv^ No. 96 Pinckney street. ~ Hon, Mr. Mason, ^ ^ Sir, I received this day a letter from your Department dismissing me from the Navy for having been engaged in a duel. I wish to ask you as Mr. Mason if I must consider the chances of my being reinstated, also if you will inform me if / alone sujfer and if Midn Gale and Hunter have not also been dismissed from the Navy. The President has been guilty of a gross act of injustice in placing me upon the same footing with those who grossly injured me and literally drove me to fight a duel; and in refusing me protection! You will confer a favor by giving me your opinion as to whether I must regard this dismissal as finally shutting me out of the ^^^' I remain Very Resptfully Yr Obdt. Servt, J. Y. Mason, FRANCIS G. Dallas. Secretary of the Navy. Endorsed : Messrs. Gale & Hunter are dismissed, by the same order which dismissed you. I return your letter, as you will at once be satisfied, that I am not the correspondent to whom you can with propriety address a letter reflect- ing on the President of the United States for his acts in discharge of his official duty. It is impossible that I C48n PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS can give any opinion on the question you propound, as to the probability of your reinstatement. It will not probably be promoted by such language as you employ in this letter. J. Y. M. D. 128. Sept i6th, [1848]. [ LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DE RUSSY TO LATE PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Fort Monroe, Virga. Septr 20th, 1848. My dear Dallas, Your letter of the 15th inst. reached me day before yesterday; the previous one, giving me to understand that you were out of the Service, was received a day or two previously; their contents have been duly weighed and considered by me, and I have come to the following conclusions, viz. that "Examples, for the good of the Service" have, at times, to reach the doubtful, as well as the positive, cases of insubordination; that there gen- erally is a revision, and frequently a re-action in those divisions, and that yours is likely to be one of those cases. In other words, I believe that for the moment, your position could not be well separated from those who had to meet the penalty of the Law, but that a reconsidera- tion of your case, by the Executive, will in time take place, and that you will be restored to your original position in the Navy. Viewing the subject as I do, I would enjoin upon you to keep quiet for a short time ; during that time it would be well to put together all the Facts connected with your 1:49: PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Case, and to make a Respectful application, through your Senator in Congress for a Reinstatement. In your Memorial (if it so can be called) throw aside all ill feeling and assume the high position which becomes your case best; you did trespass against the Rules of the Service and you must show strong grounds for having done it, without deserving the punishment prescribed for in like cases. Let those grounds embrace a matter of fact statement of the combination entered against, and the alternative left you; and attach to this such documents as you can gather as to your standing at the Department, and such other proofs as can be collected by you from the senior officers of the school who are con- versant with the circumstances. Let your statement be Respectful, consise and to the point, and I am much mistaken if it has not the desired efifect. Congress meet again shortly, advise with the Senator from your district and let him take the matter in hand, to be placed before the President at the opening of the Session; if he fails in this, he may perhaps make it a matter of investigation by the Senate. I am almost a stranger now in the City of New York, particularly with those who could assist you in your present Plans. I will however, endeavor to ascertain who could, among the few I know, assist in it; in the meantime let me know what you think of the advice I herein give you. All at home desire to be kindly remembered to you. I beg you will make my best Regards to Miss Etheridge and believe me, my dear Dallas, Your sincere friend, R. E. DeRussy, Lt. Colo. Engrs. Cso] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LATE PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, September 25th, 1848. Sir, I have received your letter of the 21st inst. Your service in the Navy as Midshipman and Passed Midshipman was from Novr. 8th, 1841, to Septr. 9th, 1848, a period of six years and ten months. Your official standing was not prejudiced at the Department by any reports or charges, until you were reported for the of- fence for which, by order of the President, you were dismissed. That offence was, being engaged in fighting a duel while attached to the Naval School. There was nothing in the report which affected your character, or made you subject to a dishonorable dis- charge. I am resp'y your ob. se't., Francis G. Dallas, Esq., J. Y. MASON. Boston. [ CAPTAIN PARKER TO THE PRESIDENT ] Navy Yard, Boston, December 8th, 1848. Sir, At the request of Mr. Francis G. Dallas late a Pas-d Midn in the U. S. Navy I address you with a request PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS that he may be restored to his rank in the Navy. Mr. Dallas served under my command, on his first entrance in the service, on board the Frigate Columbia; I then found him always attentive to duty. I considered him a promising young officer. I have repeatedly met him since then and have great pleasure in stating that from my own observation & the report of Officers, who have sailed with him, his conduct has been uniformly correct & gentlemanly. I have seen a letter to Mr. Dallas from the Secretary of the Navy in which the Secry says that until he was reported for the offence, for which he was dismissed, the official standing of Mr. Dallas was not prejudiced at the Department by any report or charges. And also that there was nothing in the report for that offence, which affected his character or made him sub- ject to a dishonorable discharge. As his was a first offence, I am in hopes you will be induced to revise your decision &, by restoring him to his rank, take from him the stigma which must always attach to one who is dismissed from the Service. With great Respect I am Your most Obt. Servt, (Signed) FoxHALL A. Parker, Captain, U. S. Navy., Comdg Boston Navy Yard. To James K. Polk, President of the United States of America. cs^: PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ ABBOTT LAWRENCE, ESQ., TO THE PRESIDENT ] Boston, Dec. nth, 1848. Sir, I write this note at the request of Mr. Francis G. Dal- las and to ask a high favour, which is no other than to restore him to the rank formerly held by him in the Navy. I am aware that he transgressed the rules of the Navy and, with entire justice, those rules were applied to him. From my knowledge of the character of Mr. Dallas, and the testimony of several of the highest and most distinguished Officers in the navy, I entertain no doubt of his being a proper subject for the Executive pardon and restoration to his former standing as an Officer. There is no other shade upon his character, but this one offence, and I cannot but hope under all the circumstances (if consistent with your principles and practices) that Mr. Dallas may resume his former posi- tion to the service of his Country, where I trust he may prove himself worthy of the Executive clemency. I have the honour to remain, Sir, Your Obt. Servt, (Signed) ABBOTT LAWRENCE. To his Excellency, James K. Polk. [53] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDER UPSHUR ] U. S. N. School, Annapolis, 15th Decbr, 1848. Mr. Francis G. Dallas, late passd Midn in the U. S. Navy, served under my command at this school about 8 months of the current year; and during that time I found him uniformly correct in his deportment, respect- ful, obedient to orders & attentive to his studies, in which he made good progress while at the school. The offence against the laws of the service, for which Mr. Dallas was dismissed, is the only one of conse- quence committed by him, while under my command, to the best of my knowledge & ability. (Signed) G. P. Upshur, Commdg N. School. [ LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DE RUSSY TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY ] To the Hon. John Y. Mason, Secretary of the Navy, Washington. Old Point Comfort, Virga. ^. December 29th, 1848. The enclosed letters and certificates are respectfully placed before you, with a request that they may be for- warded to his Excellency the President of the United States, with such remarks as you may deem expedient to append to them. i:S43 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS The object is to solicit a re-consideration in the case of young Dallas who was unfortunately engaged in a duel, last summer, whilst attached to the Naval School. There were many mitigating circumstances connected with this unfortunate affair, but he does not now pretend to vindicate his conduct on the occasion; time and re- flection have satisfied him that he might have pursued a different course without violating the Rules of the insti- tution. He in consequence makes a respectful applica- tion, through his friends, for a re-consideration of the Sentence passed upon him; had he been able to do it in person, the documents here inclosed would have been presented by himself, but he has been confined to his Room and bed by an attack of Typhoid fever for nearly two Months, and though convalescent is still too feeble to attend to it personally. Feeling a deep interest in the welfare of my young friend Dallas, I hope you will pardon me when I take this occasion to state that he was at the time of his dis- missal the only surviving member (serving in the Navy) of a large family who had devoted themselves to the Naval Service of this country; Capt. B. W. Booth, Capt. Wm Boerum and Midshipman Thomas Browne were his Uncles, all these together with his father have died in the Service. Permit me. Sir, under all these circumstances to add my commendation to those here presented for Executive consideration and to request your personal clemency in his behalf. With the highest Respect I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obt. Servt., R. E. DeRussy, Lt. Colo Engrs. [55:] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Enclosure List of letters and of other papers forwarded to the Hon. J. Y. Mason, secretary of the Navy, on the 29th of December, 1848, with Lt. Colo DeRussy's letter, re- questing a reconsideration in the case of F. G. Dallas, late passed Midshipman in the Navy. No. I. Letter from Abbott Lawrence, Esqr., dated Bos- ton, Deer I ith, 1848. To his Excely the Presi- dent of the U. States. " 2. Letter from Capt. Parker, U. S. Navy, dated Boston, Deer 8th, 1848. To his Excely the President of the U. States. " 3. Certificate of Captn Downes, U. S. Navy, dated Boston, Dec 5th, 1848. " 4. Letter from Captn Tattnall, U. S. Navy, dated Boston, Dec. i, 1848. To the Honble the Secre- tary of the Navy. " 5. Statement given by Capt. G. P. Upshur, U. S. Navy, dated U. S. Naval School, Annapolis, 15th Dec, 1848. " 6. Copy of letter from Capt. E. R. Shubrick, U. S. Navy, dated Monte Video, 4th Dec. 1842, to the Secy of the Navy. " 7. Copy of letter from Captn Parker, U. S. Navy, dated New York May 31, 1842, to the Secy of the Navy. " 8. Letter from Capt. E. R. Shubrick to Midship- man Dallas, dated Rio de Janeiro, July i8th, 1843. 1:56: PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS No. 9. Letter from Lieut. J. R. Goldsborough, U. S. Navy, to Midshipman Dallas, dated Toulon, May 22nd, 1844. " 10. Letter from Captn S. L. Breese, U. S. Navy, to Midshipman F. G. Dallas, dated Mahon, Octr 1 8th, 1844. " II. Testimonial of Lieut. F. Chatard, U. S. Navy, dated harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Jan. 27, 1844. " 12. Recommendation of Capt. D. Geisinger, U. S. Navy, to the Board of Examiners, dated Jany 20th, 1845. " 13. Letter of Captn W. J. McCluney, U. S. Navy, to Midshipman Dallas, dated off San Anton Lizardo, 18 Sept., 1846. " 14. Letter from Captn D. G. Farragut, U. S. Navy, to Midshipman Dallas, dated Vera Cruz, Nov. 29, 1847. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LATE PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, January 30th, 1849. Sir: The relative position which you occupied at the examination referred to in your letter of the 24th Inst., as reported to the Department, is indicated by the num- ^^' respectfully, Yr: obt. St., Francis G. Dallas, Esq., J. Y. MASON. No. 1 1 Warren Street, New York. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE GERMAN MINISTER TO LATE PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] German Legation. New York, 23 May, 1849. Sir, I hereby approve of & confirm the arrangement made with you by my agents regarding your services on board the German Steam Ship United States, commanded by Capt. Palmer. It is expected of you that during the voyage of said Steam Ship to Europe you will assist in training and disciplining the men and render such other services as may be claimed from *^°"'""'"""^ officers on -' warrant board of a man-of-war; that on your arrival at Bremer- haven or sooner (if practicable and deemed expedient by Mr. W. Wedding, Commissioner of the Central Power of Germany, who will accompany the Ship) you report yourself to the German Government expressing your willingness to enter the German Naval Service, provided satisfactory terms are offered to you; that in the mean time you are to consider yourself engaged for the term of three months and as compensation in full for your services during that time you are to receive the sum of Two Hundred & Twenty five Dollars. You will please receipt at foot of this for such moneys as you may receive here on account of the above men- tioned compensation before commencement of the voy- age. It is further understood that should you not come to an understanding with the German Government as to 1:58] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS a permanent engagement in the German Naval Service, you are to be furnished, at the expiration of the time for which you are now engaged, with a free passage back to New York. Respectfully, r^,^^, Mr. Francis G. Dallas. Received on a/c of pay as per foregoing agreement One hundred dollars by order given by myself on Messrs. Faber & Bierwitte. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LATE PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, May 25, 1849. Sir: Your communication of the 22d instant, has been re- ceived. I can take no action on the case you present, as my authority to order officers on the service named by you, only extends to those who belong to the United States Navy. I am respectfully. Your obed. servant, Wm. Ballard Preston.^ Mr. Francis G. Dallas, Late Passed Midn. U. S. Navy, No. II Warren St., New York. ^ William Ballard Preston of Virginia, Secretary of the Navy, ap- pointed by President Taylor, March 8, 1849. i:s9] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE GERMAN MINISTER TO LATE PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] German Legation. New York, May 28th, 1849. Sir, Enclosed I beg leave to send you copy of a letter written by me to Captn Palmer requesting the nature of the services to be rendered by you on board of the Ger- man war-steamer United States. Respectfully, ROENNE. Mr. Francis G. Dallas. Enclosure [ THE GERMAN MINISTER TO CAPTAIN PALMER ] German Legation. New York, May 28th, 1849. Sir, Objections having been made by Mr. Stiles to the words used in my letter to him of the 19th inst. viz: "that he is to receive such services on board of the United-States as may be claimed from warrant-officers on board of a man of war," I request that you will exact of Mr. Stiles as well as of Messrs Dallas and Stevenson PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS such services only as are required from commissioned- officers. I have the honor to be, Sir, very respectfully Your obedt Servant, (Signed) V. RONNE. Captn Palmer, Commanding the German war frigate United-States [ STATEMENT OF SERVICE OF LATE PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] German Steam Frigate United States, Liverpool, July 2 1 St, 1849. At the request of the Secretary of the Navy of Ger- many I furnish the following statement of my service in the Navy of the United States. I served on board of the line-of-battle ship Columbus of 90 guns. Commodore Smith, as acting Midshipman (2 months) ; on board of the Frigate Columbia of 54 guns under command of Commodores Parker [and] Shubrick, and Captains Breese [and] Geisinger for 39 months, in the Home Squadron, in the Mediterranean, and on the coast of Brazil as midshipman. I served at the Naval Station at Pensacola for 1 1 months, on board of the Steam Frigate Mississippi of 11 guns for 3 months. Commodore Conner, on Board of the Sloop of War John Adams of 24 guns, Capt McCluney, for 4 months, on board the Schooner Flirt of 4 guns for two 1:613 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS months, on board of the Sloop of War Saratoga of 22 guns for ten months; this service was as an acting Leiutenant, being in charge of a Leiutenant's Watch both in Port and at Sea; partly at the Naval School as Midshipman and Passed for seven months. The foregoing is a sketch from memory of my service & enclose letters from the Comding officers with whom I have served, also my certificate of examination at the Naval School, also letters from Commodores Downes, Parker, Shubrick, and Smith, from Captains Breese [and] Geisinger, from Commanders McCluney, Far- ragut, etc., etc. Respectfully, Fr.'Yncis G. Dallas, Late Passed Midshipman, United States Navy. Born October loth, 1824. Entered the Navy Novbr 8th, 1841. [ LATE passed MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE GERMAN NAVY ] German Steam Frigate United States, July 27th, 1849. Sir, After some reflection upon the conversation which occurred between us on the 24th inst. I am of the de- cided opinion that I did not correctly understand your offer. I supposed you oiTered me the position (as 2nd Leiut.) which I then thought was the same as a Mid- [62] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS shipman in the Navy of the United States, and as I had held a warrant as Midshipman some nine years since, I declined a similar position now; upon further enquiry I find that I was in error. I therefore now inform you that / am willing to enter the German Naval Service as a 2nd Leiutenant and also to serve to the best of my ability. Will you be kind enough to inform me if your offer is still open to my acceptance; if so I should much prefer to remain attached to this ship. I have the honor to be, Sir, Yr obdt Servt, Francls G. Dallas, Late passed Midshipman, To the Hon. Mr. Kerst. U. S. Navy. [THE SECRETARY OF THE GERMAN NAVY TO LATE PASSED MIDSLHPMAN DALLAS ] To the former Passed Midshipman of the Navy of • the United States of North America, Mr. Francis Gregory Dallas. According to your application in writing and by the authority given to me by the Imperial ministry, with the provisions of the confirmations by His Imperial Highness, the Archduke, government administrator, and with the provision of ascertaining your previous history, I hereby transfer to you the position of lieuten- ant, 2nd class, in the German navy. You will do service from this day on with this charge and under the duties of that charge on board the Steam Corvette Hansa^ until further notice. * Late United States. [63: PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Your salary as lieutenant 2nd class will be paid to you from the first day of August. Liverpool, Aug. 3, 1849. The Imperial commissioner, General Secretary of the Navy, Kerst. [ COMMISSION OF LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Nro. 2268. For a commission of his imperial highness the Reichs Verweser from August 19th, 1849, reads as follows: "I appoint, on account of a reference from the Min- ister of the Navy, the former passed Midshipman in the United States navy: Francis Gregory Dallas to a 2nd Class Lieutenant in the Imperial Navy, reserv- ing the settlement of his seniority. Gastein. August 19th, 1849. The Reichs Verweser (Signed) Erzherzog JOHN. The Imperial Minister The Minister of the Navy. (Sig.) A. JocHMus. (Sig.) Merck." Authentic and under the seal of the Imperial Min- istry written in Frankfurt a/m. August 23rd, 1849. (Sig.) Kerst. To the 2nd Class Lieutenant in the Imperial Navy, Francis Gregory Dallas. > W. Eberling. [64] Gonitniddion of atancid yte^otif JjaLLad ad a Joieutenant in the yettnan loavi/ PAPERS OF FRANCIS GRF.G'^^Y DALLAS Your salary as lieu trn--ir.f >ii,i II he rvjid to you from the first dav of •S- 2y 1849. ihc i General .,vy, Kerst. [ LV^l^ 'ALL. lb j Nro. 2268. For a GO' highness the Reichs V^etweser m!. eads as follows: "1 appoint, c from the Min- i>fc? "f rh ;."^> i^ - . ^-J;dsh;oMjjin in ^e UifttfeS !^f4n^^ VL^^'^^^Xi ^^'^^^^"^3 \o ^OiWlt^J«oc) to a 2nd C ;al Navy, reserv- in^ iT<^- w- The R si 19th, 1849. t-rwcser 1 nc ill) pc ri.il 'Signc TV \ ■ G John. 'I ttie Navy. Authentic j oerial Min- istry written n-. st 23 rd, 1849. To the 2nd Class Lieu I the Ini perial Navy, Francis Gregory iJ V FnrRTTvr, '-i,^ ?U 2Z-6.?. '^^ncu ^/j?'/'^/ ^"J)a//aj / ♦/ • ^'TcSfc** (fCn^iM-^'x. ■At. -^-^ /'-■<'■ : }. / . . _ C «£■./<«. ««V,y' .*«««* <^«««4^ /.. wU.:-^.^l •..-/,■..^, ^.'.' .■/:.f..:'^....:J.,.^. rAPKRS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS m him the prescn' ^•i-rHfi.-.if-c \^:\A uaval requisites the inventory of the Steam C nbiirg for the years 1850 and 1 85 1, except and VI details for 1 85 1, based upor as accepted, of the re- ceiving and disbii:.: il; u.; icr.-. Bremerhaven, December 16, 1852. The administration of the office for naval requisites. LuD. Weber. ! TOI ^n, ^' Mot'hfecknftc ^ (Setttficate of (Saptain Ki ehct ,.j^ .-jjiii-^yifcJSS/i-je^s^^— PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS him the present certificate under my own hand and seal of office. Bremerhaven the 12th of December, 1852. The Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy, R. Brommy, Rear Admiral. [ CERTIFICATE OF CAPTAIN WEBER ] No. 4195 Office of the overseer of naval requisites for the North Sea Coast. This is to testify that Lieutenant 2nd class Mr. Dallas has to-day delivered to the office of naval requisites the inventory of the Steam Corvette Hamburg for the years 1850 and 1 85 1, except those of I and VI details for 1 85 1, based upon the extracts, as accepted, of the re- ceiving and disbursing registers. Bremerhaven, December 16, 1852. The administration of the office for naval requisites. LuD. Weber. DoO PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE UNITED STATES MINISTER AT BERLIN TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Legation of the U. States, Berlin, Dec. 17, 1852. Dear Sir, I hasten to enclose to you a copy of a Letter which I have just reed, from M. de Bismarck-Schoenhausen, at Frankfurt, in answer to my application to him in your behalf. He mentions a circumstance concerning you of which I was not aware when I wrote to him. But, notwith- standing, you will see that his letter is, on the whole, a kind & favorable one. Very respectfully & truly Yours, F. G. Dallas, Esqr. D. D. Barnard. Enclosure [ HERR VON BISMARCK TO THE UNITED STATES MINISTER AT BERLIN ] Monsieur the Minister, I have received the letter under date of the 8th Oc- tober, which your Excellency has done me the honor to address to me, asking me to intercede with the federal authorities in favor of Mr. Dallas. I have, myself, been employed in procuring information regarding the per- PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS son and antecedents of Mr. Dallas, in order to bring them to the notice of my colleagues when communi- cating to them the letter which Your Excellency has been kind enough to address to me. The result is, that according to the official registers of the American Marine (Navy- register 1849, page 118) Mr. Dallas obtained his resignation from the place of Passed Mid- shipman in the service of the United States the ninth September, 1848, because of an affair of honor termi- nating in a duel, so I have been told. It was only eight months later that Mr. Dallas was provisionally engaged by the Agents of the central powers of Germany, for service on board the frigate Hansa (United States), bought in America. This engagement was made for three months, during which the passage to Europe of the Hansa ought to be accomplished, and under the condition that Mr. Dallas at the expiration of this term would have the right to claim the expenses of his return voyage to America, in case he did not succeed in being placed in the German Marine. Since his arrival in Europe Mr. Dallas has been named lieutenant in the said marine by letters patent of the 19 August, 1849. This information, founded upon the official docu- ments which have been presented to me, prove that Mr. Dallas has not sacrificed an assured position in the ser- vice of his country in order to enter that of Germany, but that for about a year he found himself without reg- ular employment, when the post which he has since occupied was conferred on him. The case of Mr. Dallas thus presents no other circum- stance, of a nature to engage the authorities working on the dissolution of the Marine, to assure to this officer ex- ceptional advantages, and [yet he] proposes to become PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS the object of just claims on the part of his comrades. Nevertheless I pray Your Excellency to be persuaded that I have not failed to make the members of the Fed- eral Commission, charged with the administration of marines, appreciate all the import of the observations which Your Excellency has turned to account in the in- terest of Mr. Dallas, and with the zeal which inspires [in] me the desire to give to Your Excellency a pledge of the high esteem which I hold towards him, I will try to guarantee to the intercession of Your Excellency all the success that will be compatible with the resolutions already agreed upon by the Diet and with the regards of the rest of the officers, who like Mr. Dallas, after three years of honorable service, find themselves in a situation conforming so little to the eventualities which they expected when entering the service of the above central power of Germany. However, Mr. Dallas, being one of the number of officers named by His Imperial Highness the Archduke John, will be in the category of the most privileged em- ployees of the marine. He will be amongst those to whom we shall accord more favorable conditions than to the others and whose existence having to be regulated to a definite standard, will form the object of further dissensions in the very heart of the Diet. I take this occasion to offer to Your Excellency the assurance of my very distinguished consideration. s.l. Frankfort M, 14 December, 1852. (Signed) V. BiSMARCK. To his Excellency Monsieur D. D. Barnard, Minister plenipotentiary, &c. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ DECREE OF THE HIGH FEDERAL DIET ] Translation No 4268 The Commander in Chief of the Navy. According to the resolution of the High Federal As- sembly of July 29 — c. a., namely: 1. The relation of service of those officers and em- ployes of the navy doing duty with commissions without reserve is, by the ordered dissolution of the German fleet, to be considered completed and dissolved, but, as they will have to continue their services, as far as neces- sary, until the material of the fleet is disposed of, the room-salaries, until the end of their services, are to be left to them. 2. But to each of them, from the day on which his services end, this non-active salary, corresponding with his position, is to be rendered for the period of one year, with the invitation to look during this time for some other service or employment. 3. Finally, concerning those officers, who within that period could not find employment and should desire extended assistance, further resolutions are to be consid- ered, especially in regard to the manner and measure of support, yet to be stipulated. It will be necessary to release several officers from their services, as their em- ployment becomes unnecessary. Therefore are, and the Chief Commander of the navy has hereby directed, the officers not necessary to be in- vited to resign and to be made acquainted with the con- PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS tents of this resolution, with the advice that, as soon as they have found employment, they must inform the Committee of Naval Affairs of the Federal Diet. The commissariat department is directed to order the payment of non-active salaries for one year to the of- ficers to be released from services. The Commander in Chief acquaints you with the above extract from the decree of the President of the High Federal Diet of Aug. 20, c. a., in order that you may know it and act accordingly, and he advises you at the same time that he considers your further services, in connection with this decree, dispensable; and that you may now draw the non-active salary due you, from the respective special department. Bremerhaven, Dec. 23, 1852. The Commander in Chief of the Navy, R. Brommy, Rear admiral. To the lieutenant 2nd class, Mr. Dallas. D063 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ LIEUTENANT DALLAS TO THE CHIEF COMMANDER OF THE NAVY ] No 8541, with Appendix. 28/12/52. Lieutenant 2nd class Dallas to the Chief Commander of the Navy. I beg to present to the High Chief Commander in the appendix a declaration, which I would be pleased to have forwarded to the Supreme command. Bremerhaven, Dec. 22, 1852. F. G. Dallas, Lt. 2nd class. Please return to Lt. Dallas. R. Marmsey, Commander. Bremerhaven, Dec. 28, 1852. Enclosure Declaration. The undersigned lieutenant 2nd class in the German Federal Navy declares herewith that he cannot consider the sum of 300 Thaler, paid to him at the time of his PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS resigning from tlie active service, as final payment, but only as an advanced payment of one year's non-active salary, as due to him per budget, and does not abandon, by accepting this sum, his demands, which he intends to present to a High Federal Assembly. Bremerhaven, Dec. 22, 1852. Francis G. Dallas. [ LATE passed MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE s1':crrtary of the navy ] Washington, D. C, Febry 17th, 1853. To the Honble. Secretary of the Navy. Sir, I beg leave most respectfully to request you to pre- sent the following statement and application to the President of the United States. In the month of June, 1848, it came to my knowledge that several persons then attached to the Naval School had made slanderous re- ports affecting my character; these were doubly annoy- ing as they were made to a Lady who I hoped at some future day to make my wife. Smarting under this in- jury 1 laid the case before Judge Mason, then Secretary of the Navy, requesting a Court of Inquiry, hoping to avoid transgressing the regulations of the Service. The Secretary did not see fit to grant this request. I chal- lenged the persons who had slandered me, left the State of Maryland and fought the originator of the slander, a few days later passed my examination at the Naval PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS School and was made a Passed Midshipman. Three months after this examination I was dismissed the Navy on account of the Duel, at the same time receiving from the Secretary of the Navy a certificate of good conduct, and that the offence of the Duel was the sole charge against me during my entire term of service. Since the commencement of 1849 I have served in the German Navy, as the ist Leiutenant of a Man of War and as commander of one, with credit to myself as the enclosed certificates will show. I beg leave most Re- spectfully to represent my case, and to hope that I have been punished sufficiently for my fault in transgressing the regulations of the Navy and to request of the Presi- dent to reinstate me in my position as established by the examination of the date of Midshipmen who entered the service in 1841. I have been constantly in a Naval Service since my dismissal and in active service, and I trust the President may see fit to show towards me this act of clemency. Accompanying this letter are letters and certificates from Commanders under whom I served in the Amer- ican Navy, and I further respectfully refer the Depart- ment to the letters and reports on file relative to my case. I have the honor to be. Sir, very Resp. Yr. Obdt. Servt, [Francis G. Dallas.] [1093 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, Feby 23rd, 1853. Sir, Your letter of the 17th instant, asking to be restored to the Navy of the United States and enclosing testi- monials of your service in the Imperial Navy of Ger- many since the commencement of the year 1849, has been received. The circumstances leading to your separation from the Navy of the United States, together with all the papers relating to your case, have been submitted to, and have received the careful consideration of, the Presi- dent. Viewing the testimonials which you have presented from officers of rank of the Imperial Navy of Germany as strong evidence of your zeal, energy and efficiency, as well as of your gentlemanly bearing and correct deport- ment as an Officer, the President has been pleased to direct that you be restored to the Navy of the United States, in your original grade of a Passed Midshipman. It afifords me pleasure to enclose to you a Warrant as Passed Midshipman, to take rank next after Passed Midshipman Charles Woodruff Woolley, and to take date from the loth of August, 1847. The certificates of your service in the Imperial Navy of Germany (7 in number) are herewith restored to Clio] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS you. You will await the further orders of the Depart- ment. I am, very respectfully, Your obt. servant, John P. Kennedy.^ Pass. Midshipman Francis G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Washington, D. C. [the secretary of the navy to PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, Feby. 23rd, 1853. Sir, Leave of absence is hereby granted to you until the I St of January next, with permission to visit Europe. At the expiration of this leave you will report to the De- partment. I am, respectfully. Your obt servt, John P. Kennedy. Pass. Midn Fras G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Washington, D. C. 1 John Pendleton Kennedy of Maryland, Secretary of the Navy, appointed by President Fillmore, July 26, 1852. D"3 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ CAPTAIN PARKER TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Philadelphia, March i6th, 1853. Dr. Sir, I have received your letter of the 14th instant and am happy to hear you have been restored to your proper position in the U. S. Navy. I handed no list of names to the German Government for commissions in their Navy, but on my return home in March, 1849, I mentioned your name to Baron Roenne, Minister at the time from Germany to our Gov- ernment, who was authorised to select officers for the German Navy. If you think proper you can submit this to the Honble Secretary of the Navy in order to get proper credit for Sea Service. Yours with Regard, FoxHALL A. Parker, Passed Midn F. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, New York. Captain, U. S. Navy. ni'23 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE UNITED STATES MINISTER AT BERLIN TO LATE LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Legation of the U. States, Berlin, Apl 13, 1853, at 5. O'clock P.M. Dear Sir, I have this moment reed your letter of the 8th. I fear, of course, that this note may not reach you at Bremen. I advise you by all means to go in person to Frank- furt. I have just read in the Paper that an allowance of 40 Thalers per mo. is made to the Belgian officers, lately in the German service, until they shall find other service or employment. I have said to the Prussian Minister at Frankfurt all I am able to say in your behalf. You know, I think, that I addressed him a second letter. I hope sincerely, you may be successful. With great respect Yr. obt servt, D. D. Barnard. Lieut. Dallas. [I'S] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ LATE LIEUTENANT DALLAS TO THE HIGH DIET OF THE GERMAN CONFEDERATION ] To the High Diet of the German Confederacy at Frankfurt on Mayn. High Diet: The Undersigned Francis G. Dallas, a citizen and, until the year 1849, an officer of the Navy of the United States of America which he at that time, in accordance with the wishes of His Imperial Highness the Arche Duke John, Regent of the Germanic Confederacy, to have American officers for the German navy, expressed to the President of the United States, and at the par- ticular request of Baron Roenne, the Envoy of the Germanic confederacy with the United States of Amer- ica, quitted and accepted at that time an appointment in the German navy, for which purpose he came over with the German steam frigatte Hansa. His appointment as lieutenant was under date of 19th August, 1849, confirmed by His Imperial Highness the Arche Duke John, then Regent of the Germanic con- federacy, and a permanent commission was granted to him, signed by His Imperial Highness under date 19th August, 1849, and countersigned by the Imperial Min- ister Gen. Lt. A. Jochmus, Imperial Minister of Ma- rine Merck, and General secretary Kerst. The un- dersigned has ever since attended to his official duties PAPERS OF FRANCIS (iREGORY DALLAS with zeal and to the best of his abilities and he flatters himself to the satisfaction of his superiors. On the 1 2th Dec, 1852, a resolution from the High Diet was communicated to the officers of the German fleet by Contre Admiral Brommy to the effect that the oflicers of the same should be discharged. It would be contrary to the well known sense of justice and equity of the High Diet, to assume that the High Diet had thereby intended to deprive the undersigned and all such other oflicers of the German navy, who in confi- dence in the good faith of the German governments had sacrificed their former stations to enter into the German services, of their legal rights and their permanent posi- tion, without allowing to them their permanent due pay of non-activity. That the High Diet had no such inten- tion is confirmed by its resolution, granting the pay of non-activity to five of the officers of the German navy, who had quitted the Belgian service. The position of the undersigned is exactly the same as the one of these officers ; like them he had resigned his place in the Navy of his country and sacrificed there the prospect of an honorable and advantageous career, like them he had done so under the assurance that his posi- tion in the German navy should be a permanent one, and as the records of the Navy Department of the High Diet will show, his position and his claim are exactly the same as those of said fellow officers, which the High Diet by its resolution has acknowledged as well founded and valid. The undersigned abstains therefore from adding further arguments to support his claim relying on the high sense of justice and equity which in all in- stances has been evinced by the High Diet, and in PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS appealing thereon, the undersigned most humbly pe- titions the High Diet: To grant to him the pay of non-activity due to his rank and in accordance with his commission as lieutenant of the Navy signed by His Imperial Highness the Arche Duke John, the Regent of the German Confederacy. The undersigned, who had come to this place for the purpose of laying personally his just claim before the High Diet, is unexpectedly obliged to return imme- diately to America, on account of family affairs, where- by he is prevented of receiving himself the decision of the Diet; he therefore adds the respectful supplication of having the same delivered for him to Mr. Chas. Graebe, United States Consul at this place, who for this purpose and for the one to forward the same to him is fully empowered. The undersigned, in the expectation of a favorable decision from the High Diet, will ever Pray. The High Diet['s] most humble servant, Francis G. Dallas, Lieutenant of the German navy. Frankfurt on the Mayn, the i6th April, 1853. [ COMMITTEE OF THE FEDERAL DIET TO LATE LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] In reply to your petition of the i6th c, I am directed to say that the desired "permanent grant of non-active PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS salary" cannot be considered and is hereby referred to the respective interpretations of the decree of the Fed- eral Diet, communicated to you at the time of your dis- missal. Frankfurt a/M. April 27, 1853. In the name of the Committee of the Federal Diet for Military Affairs. To Lieutenant 2nd Class, Mr. F. G. Dallas. [ THE UNITED STATES CONSUL AT FRANKFURT TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Frankfurt, the 30th April, 1853. Dear Sir, I did not expect that I should have been able of for- warding to you so soon the decision from the Bundes- tag, which I regret is adverse to your demand. Imi- diatly after the receipt of yours from Bremen I called on the Prussian, the Hessian and the Hamburg mem- bers, wherewith I am acquainted ; they all acknowl- edged the justice of your claim, but said that by a resolution of the Diet they were bound and that there was no expectation that the same would be rescinded, as Bavaria had made it a condition for granting the pay to the Belgian officers, that no further demands should be received. I learned further that even the Belgian officers owed their success merely to their King's personal interces- sion, and nothing will therefore be left for you but to ask the protection and aid of our government. The inclosure will show to the President, that you have in vain sollicited your rights; there does (in Ger- PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS many) not exist a judicial court, whereby you could bring a suit against the German confederacy or its organ the Bundestag. The same are above the laws, and can only be reached by foreign government strong enough to bring them to their sense and to oblige them to do justice at least to those who do not owe allegiance to them. Our government has the means in hand, by a mere hint to the Prussian government that the treaty, which the same has negotiated with ours, for the mutual deliv- ery of criminals, fugitives from justice, might meet with opposition in the Senate, should that body learn the un- just treatment you had received from the German con- federacy. Prussia lays a great stress on the treaty and to secure its ratification will go to work for you, under the expectation that one Nail will drive another one out. So far as I could learn, are Austria and Bavaria the main opposing states for doing justice to the Navy of- ficers of the former German fleet; it is said principally, because Austria, by depriving the officers of their just dues, expects that they will be forced to enter into its service, whereby it might obtain good Navy officers at no higher pay and emoluments than what it has set out in its budget for common and uneducated ones, so profitting by the misfortune of those who had trusted in the good faith of Germany and the word of an Austrian Arche Duke. Can I do anything more in the case or in any other way, let me know it and you can rest assured that my services will at all times be devoted to you, meantime I can only advise you to see the President and ask our government's intercession ; it is a national afifair, that you should have done justice to you. In Germany all appointments are permanent, and no one can be de- PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS prived thereof, except by the verdict of a regular court of justice ; a mere suspension or placing of nonactivity is always connected with the legaly fixed pay, for which even in the single states of Germany a suit can be brought against its government, but as already re- marked, there exists no court nor judge who can com- pell the German Diet to fuUfill its obligation or to pay its due, and I am ignorant of any other way you can obtain justice due to you, except through the interme- diation of our government. Excuse this hasty letter, but I wanted to make yet use of the Franklin to send to you the inclosure, which al- though bearing date of 27th has only been sent or delivered to me with a letter from Baron Prohesh [Prokesch?], half an hour ago. Your truly devoted servt, Chas. Graebe.^ [ THE UNITED STATES CONSUL AT FRANKFURT TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Frankfurt a/M, the 6th May, 1853. Dear Sir, I wrote to you on the 30th last, forwarding the reply of the Diet to your claim; I have since learned that in order to cut off all further reclamation, the then yet existing Navy board was on the same day dissolved. Col. Borgingnau has returned to Trieste, and the other members to their respective homes, the clerks, runners, doorkeepers were dismissed with three months pay, and ^ The American consul at Frankfurt a/M. Ci>9] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS only Marinerath Bordan has obtained, it is said only for a year, the pay of nonactivity. Admiral Brommy has shared your fate of being refused. Nothing remains therefore for you than to aslc the protection of our gov- ernment; in doing so, you must draw the attention of the same to the fact, that the government of the Reichs Ver- weser had not been a revolutionary one, but a legal authority. The German Diet was created by the acts of Vienna of 1 815, the Federal organ and Executive; as such it in- formed, on the 3rd day of July, 1848, the Arche Duke John of Austria, that he had been chosen by the German sovereigns as the Reichsverweser of the German con- federacy and on the 12th July, 1848, the Diet delivered solemnly over its power and rights, in the name and by order of the German sovereigns, to the Arche Duke Reichsverweser. His authority, rights and prerogatives did therefore not soly rest on his election by the Na- tional assembly, but he was with the advice and consent of all the German states and sovereigns the lawfull heir of the Diet; his acts and deeds were therefore binding as well on the Germanic confederacy as also on the sepa- rate states. Your appointment and commission holds therefore as good as if made by the Diet itself or by the German governments. According to the rules and regulations of the German states, every appointment is permanent, unless the contrary is contained in the commission; such not being the case with yours, every judiciary court could decide your appointment a permanent one, which can not be broken, unless by a regular court martial for crimes and misdeeds on which casheering stands; other- wise you would have claim for pay and rank during all D20:] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS your life time. If your appointment had been made in any of the German states, you could even not have been pensioned without your consent unless by a regular court pronounced you invalid, and for every trespass on your rights you could have obtained judgment against the government in its own judiciary court. But there exists no judiciary court, in which a suit can be brought against the Diet or the Germanic con- federacy; the decisions of the former are without appeal. It can commit the greatest and bare faced in- justice, without that the injured party can obtain any redress, unless he belongs to a foreign nation, whose government will take up his case. You must rest your claim entirely on the facts that you have entered the German navy with the full understanding that the ap- pointment should be a permanent one, that your com- mission granted to you by the Reichs Verweser was worded in the usual way, that the same did not contain a single word of your not being appointed permanent, that the Reichs Verweser was the lawfuU Organ of all the German states, that consequently you had a right and were entitled to your pay for life time, that it does not concern the Diet wheither, at the time of entering in the German navy, you were in the actual service of the U. S. or in other honorable and profitable employ, the question did not rest thereon, but soly were your appointment intended as a permanent one and had the Reichs Verweser a right to make such an appointment, that whereas both must be decided in the affirmative, you had a legal claim against the whole Germanic con- federacy, and by the want of federal judiciary courts I am being debarred to obtain legal justice, and govern- ment was bound to protect your rights. 1:121: PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Only in such a way, you can expect of seeing justice done to you, petitions, representations, all will be with- out avail; the Diet desires to errase out of the history the events of 1848 and 1849 and with them all obliga- tions and engagements. The poor Germans interested can do nothing but to submit and grumble, justice and equity does not exist for them; and whilst our former administration has passed quietly by some of the most shamefull abuses, the German governments and the Diet believes that it could treat you with the same injustice. I hope therefore that our present worthy President will take up your case, which being so clear and unde- niable, he can easily make the Diet render to you what is due to you. From the aforestanding you will see that nothing can be done here, except through our government. Should you however know of something, give to me your com- mands and I will with pleasure execute them; it will at all times afford to me the greatest pleasure of being able to render to you any service. Meantime I remain Respectfully and sincerely Your devoted Chas. Gr^^EBE, U. S. Consul. Captain F. Dallas, U. S. Navy, care of Mess. Wetmore & Kryder, South Street, New York. [;i223 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSUL AT FRANKFURT ] New York City, Septbr 30th, 1853. Dear Sir, I have been prevented from answering your very kind communication of the 30th of April last fully, from my absence at the South. I beg you to believe, my dear Sir, that I entirely appreciate your promptness, and par- ticular courtesy in attending to my claim on the German Diet. I have been advised by a member of the cabinet at Washington, to delay my direct appeal to the Presi- dent upon this matter until the meeting of Congress for several reasons, among others that the President has at the present moment much to occupy him, again that when Congress is in session, my case could be brought directly to the attention of the Senate of the United States; these reasons have caused me to delay direct action upon this matter for the present. I wish how- ever through your kindness to urge upon the diet the granting of me nonactive pay for the coming year, ac- cording to the terms expressed in resolutions of the Diet referred to in the letter of Baron Brohert [Prokesch?], for the following reasons: I think it would strengthen my claim upon the Diet, also to show the Senate at Washington such action of the Diet at Frankfurt, which I think would be regarded by the Senate as a decided recognition of my claim upon the German Diet for a pension for life. As to the best and most desirable method of addressing the Diet about the payment of the next year's nonactive pay, I beg you would write me PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS any suggestions upon this subject that you may consider desirable for me to follow. It is my intention to make a direct demand of and from the Diet for the payment of my nonactive pay for the coming year on the ist of January next, and farther in case of refusal to pursue this claim as far as it lays in my power to do, and I trust you will have the kindness to assist me in this matter, and any advice you may see fit to write me I shall be much pleased to accept. You will I am certain read the state paper of the Secretary of State, Mr. Marcy, relative to the dispute with the Austrian Government, with great satisfaction, showing as it does the determination of our Government to protect not alone its native citizens but also its nat- uralized ones, even when they have only renounced their allegiance to their own country and affirmed their determination to become citizens of the United States; this paper will create much discussion in European circles.^ If I can be of any service to you in New York or in the United States I shall be most happy to place those services at your disposal. Please send your letters to the care of Messes. Wet- more & Kryder, No. 73 South Street, New York. I remain. Dear Sir, Respt yr Obt Servt, F. G. Dallas. 1 Allusion to the case of Martin Koszta, a naturalized American citizen arrested by an Austrian consul at Smyrna, whose surrender was demanded and obtained by Captain Duncan N. Ingraham, U. S. Navy. D243 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ CHARLES C. TUCKER TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Washington, D. C, November ist, 1853. Sir, It is probably known to you that the last Congress granted double pay to all Officers, Seamen, and Ma- rines of the United States Navy who served in the Pacific Ocean from 1848 to 1852. The grounds upon which this measure was passed by Congress, were the additional labor imposed upon Officers and men and the high prices then ranging in California and through- out the Pacific. No provision was made for those who served in the Gulf Squadron, although the same causes for double pay will apply to some extent, but I believe that if the matter was properly brought before the next Congress, and proper influence exerted, double pay could also be obtained for those who served in the Gulf of Mexico, during the Mexican war. I take the liberty of addressing you and the Officers who will be entitled to double pay, should such a meas- ure pass Congress, and calling your attention to the matter. The business at which I am engaged, is the prosecution of Claims against the United States before Congress and the Departments, and I propose to exert efforts to bring this matter before Congress and secure its passage, in case I can make it an object to pay me for my trouble and time and means expended, if successful. I propose to exert the influence of myself and friends in the next Congress, to have a section, granting this double pay, placed in the Naval Appropriation Act of PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS the coming session, and if successful, prepare such Claim and attend to it until paid, for ten per cent, of the amount that I may obtain for such, this being the same percentage that will be demanded by Attorneys, after the passage of the Act. If unsuccessful no charge whatever will be made. If my proposal is satisfactory I would request an early reply, as it is important that the measure be in- troduced early in the ensuing Congress. If the bill is passed, I will give to those with whom I am unac- quainted complete references as to my standing and business qualifications, when sending forms and instruc- tions for drawing the money. Very respectfully yours, Chas. C. Tucker. To P. Md. F. G. Dallas, U. S. N., Bixby's Hotel, New York. [ CERTIFICATE OF THE UNITED STATES CONSUL AT FRANKFURT ] Consulate of the United States of America for Hannover, Hesse Cassel, Darmstadt, and pro tem. for Frankfurt. I, the undersigned, United States Consul, certify herewith that the tenor and the wording of the commis- sion of Francis Gregory Dallas, Esq., of the U. S., as C1263 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Lieutenant in the German Imperial Navy, copy of which is on the other side, is identical and literaly the same as all such commissions of the German states, where the appointment is a permanent (during life time) one. Such an appointed Officer cannot be dismissed, unless by judgment of a regular court either martial or crimi- nal; otherwise he is entitled during his natural life time, to his pay, full one if employed, half pay if on nonactivity, or a pension if unable to serve; and if such is refused or not made to him, he can bring a suit against the government from which he holds the appointment, in its regular court, and will at all times obtain a judg- ment in his favor. There exist however no Judiciary court, either fed- eral or state ones, in which the German confederacy, or her organ the Bundestag, can be sued ; no remedy exists in this country for Lieutenant Dallas to seek and obtain relief. Lieutenant Dallas having in vain tried the way of petition, a petition having been made by him and submitted through my mediation to the Bundestag, who gave a flat refusal to the same, without any reasons for their decision. In testimony whereof I have given this certifi- cate under my hand and affixed the seal of this Con- sulate. Done at Frankfurt on the Mayn the 5th day of November, A.D. 1853, and the 78th of the Independence of the U. S. America. Chas. Graebe, U. S. Consul. [127] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, November 22, 1853. ^ Sir, The exigencies of the service make it necessary to curtail the leave of absence granted you, under date 23d February, 1853, and you will proceed, without delay to New York, and report to Captain Boarman for duty on board the U. S. Sloop of War Albany. I am Respectfully Your obt Sert, Passed Midsm. J. C. DOBBIN.^ Francis G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Wilmington, Delaware. [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, Decemr 21, 1853. Sir, The Department having been informed by yourself of your great desire to avoid going on a distant cruise ^ James Cochrane Dobbin of North Carolina, Secretary of the Navy, appointed by President Pierce, March 8, 1853. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS immediately, made a searching examination of the reg- ister of officers, and is constrained to say that the condi- tion of the public service is such that in order to give the proper complement to the Decatur it becomes necessary to order you to that vessel. You will, therefore, at the expiration of your leave of absence, proceed to Boston, Masstts, and report to Commo. Gregory for duty on board the Sloop of War Decatur. I am, respectfully. Your obt. Servt. J. C. Dobbin. Pass. Midn F. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, New York. [ COMMANDER STERRETT TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] U. S. Ship Decatur, Nantasket Roads, Jany 13th, 1854. Sir, You are hereby ordered to perform the duties of a Lieutenant on board this ship. Very Respectfully Your obt. servt., Isaac S. Sterrett, Commander. Passd. Midn. F. G. Dallas. C1293 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDER STERRETT ] U. S. Ship Decatur, Hampton Roads, Feby 14th, 1854. This is to certify that Passd Midn. F. G. Dallas has performed the duties of a Lieutenant on board this ship agreeable to my order of January 13th, 1854. Isaac S. Sterrett, Commander. [ CORRESPONDING CLERK OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] My dear Sir, Your note of the i6th inst. came duly to hand. The corrections you desire relative to your employment in the Naval Service will be made so far as your statement conforms to the official record. After a careful examination the result is as follows: Sea other duty Nov.24th/4i to Boston RecgShip — Dec. 24/41 Columbia o. i.o Jan. 11/45 detached & 3 mos leave — Apl. 7/45 to Ny Yd., Pensacola, 3-o.i7 — 0.11.3 Mch. 10/46 detached & to Home Squad. — Nov. 4/46 Refd & 2 mos leave 0.7.24 Mch. 10/47 to Saratoga — Dec. 24/47 Ref. & to School 4 June 48 — July 6/48 Detached & wait. orders Sep. 9./48 dismissed 0.9.14 o. 6.2 yrs. mos. yrs. mos. 4. 6. I. 6. C130] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS It is not usual to note in the Annual Register the period of employment of an Officer whilst separated from his Country's Service; the object being to show the actual Service performed whilst in the Naval Service of the United States, it would be somewhat anomalous to in- clude foreign service. I simply state the usual practice of the Department; to make your case an exception re- quires the direction of the Secretary of the Navy. Yr. Obt. Servt, Jno. Etheridge. Apl 22d, 1854. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] Navy Department, May I St, 1854. Sir, Your letter of the 27th ultimo has been received. Sea service cannot be credited to an officer unless per- formed under the order or authority of the Department. As there are many cases in the Navy where Officers have been out of the service for a time and no mention is made of it in the Register, the Department declined to make an exception in your case, but when the next Reg- ister is about being compiled it will take all similar cases into consideration. I am, respectfully. Your Obdt Servt, Passed Midshipman J. C. DOBBIN. Francis G. Dallas, U. S. N. Sloop Decatur, Norfolk, Va. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ COMMANDER STERRETT TO PASSED MIDSHIPMAN DALLAS ] U. S. Sloop of War Decatur, off Cape Pillar, Jany 4th, 1855. Sir, By authority vested in me as Commander of this ship, I hereby appoint you Acting Master, in the place of Acting Master Thos. S. Phelps, appointed Actg lieuten- ant, subject to the approval of the Honorable Secretary of the Navy. y^^^, .^sp^ctfully Your obdt. servant. Passed Midshipman ISAAC S. STERRETT, F. G. Dallas, Commander. Acting Master, U. S. Ship Decatur. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO MASTER DALLAS ] Navy Department, October 23d, 1855. Sir: Herewith you will receive a warrant appointing you a Master (in the line of promotion) in the Navy of the United States from the 14th day of September, 1855, the receipt of which you will acknowledge to this De- partment. T ^£ 11 ^ i am respectfully yours. Master J. C. Dobbin. Francis G. Dallas, U. S. Ship Decatur, Pacific. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Navy Department, October 25, 1855. Sir: The President of the United States having appointed you a Lieutenant in the Navy from the 15th of Septem- ber, 1855, I have the pleasure to enclose herewith your Commission, dated the zzd Inst., the receipt of which you will acknowledge to the Department. I am, respectfully, Your obedient servant, Lieutenant J. C. Dobbin. Francis G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, U. S. Ship Decatur, Pacific. [ LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DE RUSSY TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Lieut. F. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Puget Sound, W. T. San Francisco, Gala. June 4th, 1856. I have been much gratified, my dear Dallas, at the rapid strides you have lately been taking in the Navy; PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS and I sincerely hope that before long you will tind your- self in Command of a snug Steamer. Although a bad correspondent I have kept an eye on your doings in Puget Sound, and from what I have gathered from papers and from those cognizant with the circumstances, vour services have been actively de- voted to the good of the service and highly meritorious. I compliment you. my dear Dallas, most sincerely for your Zeal and success. I herewith enclose a letter i^the only one I found at G. B. Post c\ Co.) for you; as the mail arrived yester- day, from the East, I will before I send this enquire again at that house and at the Post otiice. and should any thing be found for you. I will enclose it in this also. The people of San Francisco have been living for the last three weeks in constant excitement: fortunately 1 am out of the way of it and can only judge of the facts as they appear in the papers. I send you by the mail a few papers in which 1 hope you may tind some interest- ing matter.^ We often speak of you in the family and will be happy to see you again with us. You make enquiries after your cousin. We frequently receive letters from the girls; they are well and their little families are all beautiful and doing wonders, but as for Dorp, he is terribly lazy since he took a pretty wife. As far as we know, however, they are all well. Hammersly has returned, his health is no better, he suffers a great deal. I have not seen him for some time and conclude that he is in Sacramento. Mrs. deRussy. Mrs. Maxwell. Maxwell and sweet ^ Apparently alluding to the activitie:? of the Vigilance Committee of iSsb. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS little Laura beg to be remembered, the latter sends cousin Frank many kisses. God bless you, my dear Dallas. Ever your devoted friend, R. E. DeRussy. June 4th, Evening. P.S. No other letters for you either at the Post-office oratG. B. Post & Co. D. R. [ CHIEF CLERK OF THE NAVY DEPARTMENT TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Navy Department, August 25, 1856. Sir: The President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, having appointed you a Lieutenant in the Navy from the 15th of Septr, 1855, 1 have the pleasure to enclose herewith your Commission, dated the 24th ultimo, the receipt of which you will acknowledge to the Department. I am, respectfully. Your obedient servant, Chas. W. Welsh, chief clerk. Lieutenant Francis G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, U. S. Sloop Decatur, Pacific Squadn. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Forwarded by Wm Mervine, Comd. Pacific Squadron. Navy Department, March i6, 1857. Sir, You are hereby detached from the Sloop of War Decatur, and you will proceed to New York, where, on your arrival, you will report, by letter, to the Depart- ment, stating the day on which you shall have left the Decatur. I am, respectfully, Lieut. Your obt servt, Fras. G. Dallas, I. TOUCEY.^ U. S. Ship Decatur, Panama, New Granada. [ THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Navy Department, April 15, 1857. Sir, Having been detached from the Decatur on the 31st ultimo, and reported your return to the United States ^ Isaac Toucey of Connecticut, Secretary of the Navy, appointed by President Buchanan, March 7, 1857. C'363 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS under the order of the Department, a leave of absence is hereby granted to you for Three months from this date, at the expiration of which you will report to the De- partment. I am, respectfully, Your Obdt. Servt, I. TOUCEY. Lieutenant Francis G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Astor House, New York. [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Navy Department, April i6, 1857. Sir: Proceed to Philadelphia by the 25th instant and re- port to Commo. Stewart on that day for duty on board the U. S. Receiving ship at that place. I am, respectfully. Your obedient servant, I. TOUCEY. Lieut. Fras. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, New York. 1^371 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ AUDITOR OF THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Treasury Department. Fourth Auditor's Office. April 23d, 1857. Sir: Herewith you will receive a certificate for $34.00, payable by the Navy Agent at Phila, which sum is the amount due you for expenses of detention at Panama and Aspinwall and transportation of baggage. The Navy Agent at Boston has been written to, in relation to your allotment, and as soon as his reply shall be received, your pay account will be settled and trans- ferred to the Phila Station, or any other that may be more convenient to you. I am, sir, respectfully, Your obedient servant, A. O. Deyton. Lieut. F. G. Dallas, U. S. Navy, Phila, Pa. [138] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ COMMANDER BRENT TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] U. S. Ship Marion, Sharks Point, Congo River, April 2ist, 1859. Sir, You will take command of the Prize Barque Orion, proceed at once to make the necessary preparations, & report to me when you shall be in all respects ready for sea. A Prize crew will be detailed immediately. I am. Very Respectfully, Your Obt. Servt. Thos. W. Brent, Commander. Lieutenant Francis G. Dallas, U. S. Navy. [ PURSER MYERS TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] U. S. S. Marion, Congo River, Apl. 23d, 1859. Sir, Please find enclosed the accounts of the Men & Ma- rines transferred to Prize Barque Orion. Very Respectfully Your Obdt. Servt. To Henry Myers, Lieut F. G. Dallas, Purser, U. S. N. Comdt. Barque Orion. [139] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ COMMANDER BRENT TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] U. S. Ship Marion, Sharks Point, Congo River, April 24th, 1859. Sir, You will proceed with the Prize Barque Orion, un- der your command, to the Port of New York, and upon your arrival, report to the Commandant of the Station & the Hon. Secretary of the Navy. You will place in the hands of the Hon. District Judge, the two packages directed to him. You will deliver the Prize together with the Officers & Crew into the custody of the U. S. Marshall. I am, Very Respectfully, Your Obt Servant, Thos. W. Brent, Lieutenant Commander. Francis G. Dallas, Comdg Prize Barque Orion. [ DANIEL G. BRENT TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] U. S. Ship Marion, Sharks Point, Congo River, April 24th, 1859. My Dear Sir, Will you do me the favor to leave at the Naval Ly- ceum, New York, for Michael Vigote, Captain's [14011 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Steward, payable to the order of his wife, or his brother Joseph Vigote, the accompanying package containing fifty-six dollars ($56) and you will oblige your friend. Daniel G. Brent. Lieutenant Francis G. Dallas, Comdg. Prize Barque Orion. [ RECEIPT BY UNITED STATES MARSHAL ] Reed, New York, 15th June, 1859, From Lieut. Dallas of the U. S. N. the Bark Orion. She having been seized on the Coast of Africa on sus- picion of being engaged in the Slave Trade, contrary to the Laws of the United States together with her mate, supercargo and Crew. Isaiah Rynder, U. S. Marshal, Southern District of N. Y. [ G. H. DEVOE TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] My dear Dallas, I noticed your arrival this A.M. in command of a Prize, which I hope may prove one of value, & of course started for your old homestead the "Astor." Mrs. Stet- son told me you had gone to "the Yard" to deliver up to the Marshall of our Uncle the Orion. I suppose you will be engaged all day & will not attempt to meet you [■41] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS until morning. I am very anxious to see you & live for a time the old times o'er. Capt. Murden left for New Orleans last week to re- turn in the Cutter McClelland to this port, the Wash- ington to remain at N. O. Dr. Taylor was transferred to the Falmouth from the Preble, I don't remember at what point. I hope you will stop in town for a few days. Ever yours, G. H. Devoe, Wednesday, i6i East 12th st. 2^ p.m. June 15/59. [ COMMODORE BREESE TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Navy Yard, New York, June 16, 1859. Sir, So soon as the U. S. Marshal shall have taken the prize vessel Orion into his charge and keeping, you will transfer the prize crew with their accounts to the Re- ceiving Ship, having first landed and taken receipts for any government stores you may have charge of. Respectfully Y. Ob. Sert., Saml. L. Breese, Lieut. Comdg. Commdt. F. G. Dallas. U. S. Navy, New York. C1423 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ UNITED STATES DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Office of the Attorney of the United States for the Southern Division of New York. New York, June 17th, 1859. Sir, In the trial of the barque Orion, brought here from the Coast of Africa by you, the testimony of yourself and Lieut. Campbell will be necessary for the govern- ment. As there is no Court in Session for business in the District during the months of July and August this trial will not take place before September or October, and as you will probably be absent from the City, I will thank you to inform me of your address, so that when the Case comes on for trial, I may procure your attendance. I will be obliged to you also if you inform Lieut. Campbell, now under your Command, of these facts and also let me know what will be his address hence- forth. I am Respectfully YourObtServt, Charles H. Hunt, Asst U. S. Dist. Atty. Lieut. Commanding Francis G. Dallas, U. S. N. ChsU PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [ UNITED STATES MARSHAL TO COMMODORE BREESE ] New York, 20th June, 1859. To Commodore Breese, U. S. N. Sir, Lieut. Dallas has been detained in consequence of the non-receipt by me of the Monition against the Bark Orion. I expect to receive it this day and will imme- diately take charge of the Bark. I cannot legally do it before I get the Libel. Yours respectfully, Isaiah Rynder, U. S. Marshal. [ RECEIPT BY COMMANDER ROWAN ] Ordnance Office, Navy Yard, New York, June 21, 1859. Reed from the Prize Barque Orion the following Ord- nance Stores, 1 1 Swords & Scabbards, 1 1 Pistols, with belts and frogs, 80 " Ball Cartridges, 40 Musket " 150 " Caps, Percussion. S. C. ROWAN,^ Comdr in chg. ordnance. ^ Afterward Vice-Admiral, U. S. Navy. C144II PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS [THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Navy Department, June 24, 1859. Sir, You are hereby detached from the command of the Prize Bark Orion and you will regard yourself as Wait- ing Orders. j ^^^ respectfully. Lieutenant Your Obdt Servt, Francis G. Dallas, Isaac Toucey. U. S. Navy, New York. [ THE CHIEF OF THE BUREAU OF PROVISIONS AND CLOTHING TO LIEUTENANT DALLAS ] Navy Department, Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, July 9, 1859. Sir: Your letter of the 8th instant, forwarding the receipt of the Inspector in Charge at the Brooklyn Yard for stores brought home in the prize Barque, Orion, has been received. I am, Sir, very respectfully Your Obedt Servt, Lieut. Francis G. Dallas, H. Bridge, U. S. Navy, Chf. of Bureau. Navy Yard, New York. IB ) THE JOURNAL OF FRANXIS GREGORY DALLAS ^Wf'eftf^iHW*"""** * iR-A i,r»» ^^ ^i^^^^<-<^ ^::JLi^tL..^y^^ J^/^c^^^t^-^^ THE JOURNAL OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Private Tournal. Commenced* M?v z-^rd, 18-10, York Citv I came on ironi i E. R. Collins & Co ■■ my arrival here 1 months in the fitting to ascertain when ready for sea ; upon ; be a delay o^ some , also that it would :;aisite for me to I have taken rooms be ncfcssarv^ior !.-.. /->. • \ v '^ T^xr'o(ti»cNavy iega?afiin?,t>.^'^"*^ "'^^ V '»'?/»<%..?M»^th Mr. Collins and fouac remain in New York with Messrs. Otis an^ May 23rd, 1849. Baron Roenne, Mr tral Power of Ge; lowing effect, vi? man Frigate I'n ' "The ste^m German Fmpirr war." Bostoh D.uii W. d an offer from . V . . - . i . y from the Cen- Jnited States, to the fol- 1 would go out in the Ger- les' and upon my arrival in "es, now under the colors of the ;-iy and is a most sightlj' vessel of ertiser, May 24, 1849, quoting from the on to say that the United States was e packet and made two or three trips, i he upper deck was remc-vcd and she was otherwise fitted for a man- of-war. i>t/nd>i were ^wtu by Baron von Roenne, in conformity with United States neutrality laws, that she would not engage in hostilities on the (" ' re. In th ;'ing List, July 4, 1849, is announced the arrival at Liverpool on June 16 of the German steamer United States. Cap- tain Palmer, from New York. ^ ^'f .^^^ /^■r''i;^ ^ut^ €/^. THE JOURNAL OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Private Journal, Commenced May 23rd, 1849, New York City. I came on from Boston in order to ascertain when E. R. Collins & Co.'s ships would be ready for sea ; upon my arrival here I found there would be a delay of some months in the fitting out of the ships, also that it would be necessary for me to consult the Secretary of the Navy regarding the ratification of my engagement with Mr. Collins and found that it would be requisite for me to remain in New York for some days. I have taken rooms with Messrs. Otis and Ordas. May 23rd, 1849. This day I received an offer from Baron Roenne, Minister Plenipotentiary from the Cen- tral Power of Germany to the United States, to the fol- lowing efifect, viz. : That if I would go out in the Ger- man Frigate United States^ and upon my arrival in ^ "The steam frigate United States, now under the colors of the German Empire, lies off the Battery and is a most sightly vessel of war." Boston Daily Advertiser, May 24, 1849, quoting from the New York Courier. It goes on to say that the United States was built in New York for a Havre packet and made two or three trips. The upper deck was removed and she was otherwise fitted for a man- of-war. Bonds were given by Baron von Roenne, in conformity with United States neutrality laws, that she would not engage in hostilities on the outward passage. In the Boston Shipping List, July 4, 1849, is announced the arrival at Liverpool on June 16 of the German steamer United States, Cap- tain Palmer, from New York. D49II PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Bremerhaven offer my services in the German Navy that I should receive as compensation a Commission as I St Leiut. in that service (Provided they required of- ficers) and in the meantime I w^as to be paid at the rate of $75.00 for three months and have a free passage from New York to Germany and home again and was to em- ploy myself in assisting to Drill and discipline the crew. This was so desirable that I at once accepted it and left the next day for Boston returning the same day to New York. While in Boston for a few hours I paid my debts by a draft upon my agents, said goodbye to all my fam- ily and friends and arrived in New York 36 hours after having arranged all matters in Boston. May 25th. I arrived this morning from Boston and find that the ship I am going in will not sail until next week. May 30th, 1849. After delays we got under weigh and stood down the harbour, but coming on to be hazy weather we have anchored off Staten Island. I find this ship to be fully equipped as a Steam Frigate. There are on board under the same agreement as myself, ist Capt. Howard of the Revenue Service, Mr. Stiles and Stevenson of the Navy (formerly) and an ex-acting Purser, Mr. Isaacs. The Firemen have been very in- solent, in fact almost mutinous, demanding all sorts of privileges; indeed all the Engineer Department are. The German Commissioner, Prof. Wedding, is a pas- senger on board. The Ship has a Merchant Captain and two Mates to take her out. At Sea, June ist, 1849. We have had a very exciting time — first, the renewed trouble with the Engineer De- partment and lastly this morning our Steamship was run ashore upon the South Nantucket shoals and there PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS we lay for six hours thumping pretty heavily; we have thrown overboard about lOO tons of coal, we have stove one of our boats, another boat was first stove and then crushed under the Port wheel. The cause of the boats being stove was the attempt to transport one of the Bower anchors by the Fore Yard and purchases, one of which parting, the anchor went overboard staving the boat in its course and resulting in its loss. The Engines having been worked in all ways without success, the Ship in the meantime thumping very heavily, the Guns were shifted amidships from aft. Coal thrown over- board, and finally by the change of tide and her being lightened she has got ofif. June 4th. We are steaming across the Southern edge of the banks of Newfoundland in a thick Fog, occasion- ally passing fishing boats; we must be somewhere in the vicinity of Iceberghs as the Weather is very chilly in- deed. We average about 240 miles per day without pressing the ship at all. She is a very fine ship indeed, well found throughout, more particularly in Mess stores such as Wines of all kinds and Liquors for Cabin and Wardroom use. I have charge of the ist Division of Guns, viz: Two lo-Inch Guns, Long ones working upon rails, and four 8-Inch Guns working in Battery. I have been employed exercising the Men at them. There has been nothing occurring other than the usual life on board of a ship about half Man of War and the other half of her a Merchant Ship, adding to this making myself generally familiar with the Ship. June loth. At Sea. It really seems as if one accident occurs directly after another; on the 5th we were obliged to stop the engines and to raise the starboard cvlinder head to get Sand out of some of the pipes lead- [ISO PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS ing to it ; in one was found a stick of wood. On the night of the 7th the ship rolling heavily carried away one of the Port Quarter Boats, davits and all ; thus in a week's time we have lost two Boats and stove a third. The 8th, through carelessness, I presume, one of the Boilers was burnt through, thus depriving the Ship of one of her four Boilers. Evidently something wrong in the Engi- neer Department. Again on this day the Engines were again stopped for repairs. Yesterday, the 9th, some four feet of water was reported in the Ship and the pumps attached to the Engine were out of order and when the causes were investigated, it seems that the En- gineer had allowed the Ship to go 30 hours without pumping her out. Of course as soon as discovered the trouble was removed after some hours hard pumping. If we get over to Southampton safely the Engineer De- partment [will] have to be reorganized. This day, the loth, the Sea has gone down and the Weather is milder. Last Night, it being Saturday, the good old standing Toast of sweethearts and Wives was drank in Punch made of champaigne and Jamaica Rum; very nice, this. I had neither Wife nor sweetheart to drink to — rather unusual for a sailor. I have never in all my going to Sea lived so comfortably as on Board this Steamship and from present appearances I am inclined to think that I shall find it very desirable to enter the German Navy. I have commenced acquiring German, slowly 'tis true, but one must learn to crawl before one runs. June nth, Monday. Yesterday afternoon the engines were again stopped for some three hours on account of one of the Bilge pumps being out of order, carelessness of the Engineers without doubt. About 10 o'clock, as if to keep up a continuance of annoyance and excite- 1:1523 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS ment, the alarm of Fire was given. This at all times a fearful cry at sea but more especially in a Steamship of War having an immense amount of Powder on board, in short having a Mine of Powder at each end of her; a single spark coming in contact with either would pro- duce instant death. The pumps were at once rigged and put in motion, sentries placed over the Engine Room, and in a few moments the Fire was quenched. It seems that some canvass had been wrapped around the smoke pipe and had caught fire. Although no dam- age was done still there might have been serious, very serious. Again as if to continue the excitement, this morning another of the Boilers was nearly burnt through — cursed carelessness. June 14th. Our chapter of accidents is at last closed I hope. We made the coast of Ireland about 10 o'clk this morning, and our destination has changed from South- ampton to Liverpool ; the reasons for this change are the chance that the Danish Government may have received intimation of our sailing and destination and may have sent cruisers to look for us in the English Channel. Now as we require repairs and docking we can run into Liverpool without danger of being molested and when ready can sail for Bremen. I have written letters to Robert, to Mary, to Messrs. Rice and West, also to Aunt Emily Boerum, which I shall send by the ist steamer. Liverpool Harbour, June 17th, 1849. Upon our ar- rival here yesterday we found the steamer ready to sail for Boston and I sent my letters by her; she sailed about 3 o'clock. Professor Wedding communicated by tele- graph with the Prussian Consul General and found that his despatches were ready for him at Cowes in charge of nrS3 3 PAPERS OF FRAXCIS GREGORY DALLAS Two German Officers. I went on shore yesterday, took a long ride and a general view of the city and environs; it was a good day (being Sunday) to see the people. I was ver>- forcibly struck with the very large feet of the females, in fact I did not see one who had a pretty foot. The countrv houses were very neat and gave one some idea of English comfort, but upon the whole I would not for any consideration become a resident here. June iQth, iS^q. Captain Howard has taken charge of the ship. Stiles is ist Lieut and I am 2nd. I have met here a previous acquaintance, Mr. Edmund Ward a merchant of Liverpool; he has been very civil, intro- ducing me to several clubs, the Cricket Club among others. June 20th. Captain Palmer has left for the United States. The ship was docked this day and we found the onlv injurv she has sustained being in her copper hav- ing been torn oft in several places. June 2^th. The ship is out of dock and at anchor off Birkenhead ferry near the anchorage of the Halifax steamers. I have written home, also to several friends. Through mv friend Ward has made my time pass very pleasantlv in various ways. The ship will be detained here several weeks on account of repairs required upon her boilers et cetera. June 2Sth. I have written to my old Aunt Sarah Tavlor and have received an answer from her; she seems in doubt as to my identity :\nd wishes to know about the duel in which I was engaged. I have again written her giving her full account of the whole affair and in rather a peremptory manner for I confess I felt much hurt at the tone of her letter to me. June 30th. I have again heard from Aunt Sarah and she has enclosed me money to pay my expenses in visit- [154] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS ing her and she has written me in a very cordial man- ner. Mr. Ward has gone to London and I shall meet him there. July i;th. 1 have been to London, that great, that im- mense city. 1 admit I have found it far grander than I had supposed and found it shear folly to attempt to see London and its environs in anything less than a month. I arrived in London one evening and the next morning went down by Rail Road to Kingston, about 15 miles from London. I found Aunt Sarah's house without dif- ficulty and also found her delighted to see me; she lived in quiet but comfortable style and is a fine specimen of an Old English Lady. As a matter of course we had an immense deal to talk about, and in the conversation that occurred I found a great many points of character to admire and respect in the old Lady. While paying her a visit I went to Hampton Palace and there found a fine collection of paintings of some of the old Masters also a fine park and a species of wild forest which forms a very good imitation. August loth. The last five weeks has been passed in and about Liverpool without real pleasure or satisfac- tion, but with a great outlay of money. After my return from London I found a new Commander sent to the Ship from Germany, a person who had been in the Dan- ish Navy, Capt. Howard having gone to Frankfort. After some consultation between us officers we con- cluded to serve on board for the present under his Com- mand. However, a week had not passed before Mr. Stiles, Gourlie and Babcock left the ship, leaving Purser Isaacs, Stevenson and myself and several German offi- cers who have been sent to join the Ship. This did not last long, for the latter part of July Mr. Kerst, Secretary General and Commissioner of Marine, arrived and after PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS an interview with him at which he offered me only a Commission as a Leiut. of the Second Class in the Ger- man Navy and which 1 then declined, as I had been promised by Baron Roenne Leiutenancy of the ist Class, I left the ship and went on shore to live in Liver- pool. After some ten days there, during this time it having been represented to me that the position of a Leiut. of the Second Class was such as I could accept, I informed the Secretary that 1 would accept his offer, which upon his renewal of it I did accept and I am therefore now a Leiut. in the German Navy and at- tached to the Steam Frigate United States, or Hansa, as she is now called. I have received only one letter from home but this one told me that all were well and was but 12 days old when it reached me. I do not think I shall find the German Naval service one in which I can remain any length of time; however, I intend to give it a fair trial. We shall sail in a few days for Bremen, when I shall be able to form some definite conclusions to regulate my future movements. Bremerhaven, August i8th. We anchored off this place after a fine run of four days without any unusual matters occurring. We found the Squadron at anchor in the mouth of the Weser consisting of three steamers, one of which carried the Commodore's Flag. We stood up in Company for Bremerhaven; much to my surprise I found that this ship was by far the fastest of the squad- ron. I was in hopes to find some letters awaiting me, but did not. The St. Lawrence ^ has been here, but is now cruising in the North Sea. ^ The U. S. frigate St. Lawrence, Captain Paulding, made a cruise in 1849 to the Baltic Sea from the Mediterranean, where she was regularly stationed. 1:156:] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Septbr 3rd, 1849. 1 have now been here more than two weeks and can form some Idea of what my service will be here. A few days since I received a Commis- sion from Frankfort as a Leiutenant in the German Naval Service; true, the pay is but small, but I stand a fair chance of early advancement. I stand now the fourth on the Naval list of Leiutenants second class and two of the three above me will not stand in my way. The principle objection I have to this Service as it is now organized is the fact of a great many men from the Merchant Service being placed in it and in a majority of cases they are utterly unfit for Naval officers. If I were to go into details I could write for hours upon this head. September 20th, 1849. The last two or three weeks has been passed in various ways. The arrival of the St. Lawrence on the 4th has been a pleasant thing from the fact of my having several old Shipmates on board of her, and each time 1 have been on board old associations have crowded upon me, some pleasant and others un- pleasant. I have been twice to Bremen and from going up in company with our Surgeon who has several young lady cousins living there, I have enjoyed myself. The Steamboat carries one up in five hours on the River Weser; one peculiarity in the face of the Country which strikes a stranger is its flatness. I went into the cele- brated wine cellar where wine of all vintages from the last two centuries is deposited. Of course I drank some of different kinds; there is a fine Hotel in Bremen, but notwithstanding the boasted cheapness of Germany, I find money goes here fast enough. I am learning Ger- man and find I make fair progress. October ist, 1849. I have been fortunate enough to PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS receive letters from Mary and Caroline up to August 1 8th and one from Robert to Sept. ist. All were well at home. I have been again to Bremen and again passed a pleasant time, finding ladies with whom I could con- verse in French with. The St. Lawrence is still here. Everything in the political horizon of Germany indi- cates change ; how this may afifect the German Navy and through the latter myself, remains to be seen. We have been engaged in fitting ship for sea; our destination is uncertain as yet. I have had an opportunity of seeing a German Country fair, a fine place for observing Na- tional and prominent points of character. October 12th. My life here is a perfect illustration of uncertainty. Within the last 12 days a Corvette Cap- tain has been dismissed without trial, our own Captain — a Post Captain — placed on half pay without his will or consent; so that fortunately for me I am young and have a Capital of health to go upon, so that if I do not advance in this service fast enough I can try elsewhere for employment. The arrival three days since of the steamer Washington without my receiving any letters was a great disappointment. I went up to Brake a few days since to see Captain Howard. Our new Com- mander is a Leiut. ist Class, a Belgian. I hear a good character of him. October 26th. I have been laid up for a few days, but I am now getting better and hope to be about in two or three days. Our new Commander I am inclined to like. I have been associated with him for four or five days as the executive officer, in which capacity I think an oflicer has the best chance to judge fairly of a Com- mander. I think it very probable that I shall be sent to some other ship, as the Commodore will come to this 1:1583 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS ship and he will have his favorites with him, and I have reason to suppose I am not among the number. I have been disappointed in not hearing from home. What a strange life is that of a Naval officer, fated to be thrown with all nations and to pass the best part of his life from home, family, and early associations. November 17th, 1849. The last three weeks I have been nearly half of the time unwell ; however, the time has not been thrown away, as I have learnt some Ger- man. I have again been disappointed in not receiving letters from home. The last steamer untill Spring has arrived and again sailed for New York; however, no news is Good news. I am now in daily expectation of receiving orders to some other ship; uncomfortable to change when I have had all the hard duty to perform and now that the ship is in good order, some one else will enjoy her. I find that by caution and careful atten- tion to duty that I shall get along well, altho' I do not think it at all likely that I shall find it to my interest to remain any length of time in the German Navy. I should like to get the command of a ship before I leave this part of the world. Strange but true, I was glad when the St. Lawrence left, for she formed a silent but forcible parody upon the most of the German Navy. On board of the Reichs Dampf-Corvette Konigliche Ernst August, Jan. 9th, 1850. In the [past] six or seven weeks I have been in the first three weeks ist Leuit. of the Hansa and in the last four I have been the ist Leuit. and Leuit. Com'ding of this ship; she is a fine new steamer Built in England expressly for a Man of War and is really a fine ship. I have had an immense deal of duty to perform in this time, but for that I care not. Were it not for one thing my advancement and promo- :is9:] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS tion in this service would be rapid and certain; the rea- son is that a number of Belgians have succeeded by influence at court in entering the service right over my head as Leiuts. ist Class. Were they Officers from a regular Navy or who had seen more service than I, it would be very dififerent indeed ; this is with me the only cause of complaint, but this is a very serious one. I stand at present well with the Admiral and if I have patience enough I must advance. I have thus far suc- ceeded admirably in learning German as also in carry- ing on my duty and I think I am rather a favorite with the Germans. I have been employed on board of this ship in making improvements and alterations and think I shall succeed in making her a man of war. . . . I have heard that in the Spring I shall have the command of one of the new ships but what truth to place in this re- port I do not now know; if I should have, it would be a very pretty thing for me at my age. I have found my Naval knowledge of immense benefit to me in this Ser- vice. K. Dampf-Corvette Ernst August, off Blexen, April 15th, 1850. I have delayed from time to time writing in my private journal for various reasons. I remained in Command of this ship until the middle of January, when my health being somewhat affected by the climate, I took leave of absence for a month. I went first to Bremen then to Hanover and Braunschweig. I found I had chosen the worst possible time for travelling in Germany, the weather so cold and disagreeable that all pleasure was destroyed. The face of the Country shew evidence of a high state of cultivation, at the same time that same exhaustion ever found in the greater part of Europe. At Braunschweig I found a fine armory with [1603 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS immense stores consisting of thie munitions of war be- longing to the Duke of Braunschweig, also a fine palace. My health not being good I returned to Bremen and putting up at the Hotel Lindenhoff placed myself under the charge of a physician for the treatment of a cuta- neous disease I have suffered from. My month passed slowly employed in learning some German. My stay in Bremen I found most expensive to me. I returned to my ship on the 20th February, just in time to have my hands full in fitting and making the ship ready to go into the River from winter quarters. I had a very short crew and much work. We went into the Stream on the 6th and a few days after were ordered round to the Elbe to carry some members of the Com- mission (from Frankfurt) who were making a tour of inspection. Fortunately my ship was in good order. We remained at Gliickstadt several days, where I re- ceived much attention from the inhabitants. Upon our return to the Weser, we took the Admiral up to Brake and the next day returned and took up our anchorage ofif Blexen, one of the most stupid places it was ever my fortune to anchor at. I have found employment enough in my duties as first Leiut. I have written home . . . by the Washington which sails the 15th. Capt. Howard and Wife return in her, Capt. H. perfectly and entirely disgusted with his experience; he made a great mistake in accepting a commission for one year, whereas I took a commission without limit except the duration of the German Navy. I think my progress must be rapid if I have patience enough to wait and at the same time put up with the annoyances I meet with. I have protested against the jumping me by the Belgians and notified the Admiral that if I am not placed upon the same footing C>60 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORV DALLAS with these Belgians, I shall resign the service; the Ad- miral promised me my promotion, but I do not place faith in his promises. Reichs Dampf-Corvette Piamburg, Vor Blexen, July 24th, 1850. It is now more than three months since I have written in my private Journal. Many things have passed in this time. During the months of April, May, and June I was busily employed in drilling and dis- ciplining the [crew]. I made very satisfactory progress, having learnt so much German as to enable me to carry on my duties entirely in German. In May we went to the Elbe, taking the Admiral with us; we remained 5 days, coaled and watered ship. Part of June we lay off the Geeste having Carpenters on Board altering the Gun Ports aft. I have been in this time to Bremen twice or three times. Once to have my Daguerreotype taken ; this I sent to Mary. I have heard from home, all well, noth- ing new. I have also heard from Aunt Sarah Taylor; she was well. On the 4th of July I took Command of this ship, so that I am in less than a year's time the Com- mander of a Corvette, which is a very fine position for a young man not 26 years of age. I found my ship in goodorder as far as regards cleanliness, but I also found it necessary to make a good many alterations in the internal police and internal rules and regulations of the ship. These I have not and will not do all at once, but will from day to day make little alterations. The first thing I have done was to stop the constant Drumming introduced by the Belgians and to substitute the Pipe for the Drum, using the Drum only for quarters. The Admiral has been twice on Board to make inspection and has found no fault, so he is satisfied. I find it a [>62] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS much pleasanter duty to command a ship than to be the I St Leiut. of one. My greatest pleasure in my advance- ment is the fact of being able to show my friends at home what I can do. . . . Corvette Hamburg, August 20th, 1850. In the last month I have had more time for pleasure and amuse- ment than any time previous since I have been in Ger- many. I have become acquainted with my ship, officers and crew. I find very little difficulty in commanding a ship, finding it much easier to command than to be the first Leiutenant of a ship. I have already received an answer to the letters I sent home on the 9th of last month (July) ; all are well. Robert is promoted to be a Leiutenant after 13 years service. ... I have written this month letters to Uncle DeRussy, Cousin Emily De Russy, to Emily, Robert, James and Mary. . . . Dur- ing the time the New York Mail steamship Washington was here this month, 1 have passed many pleasant hours. All Americans appear to take pride in my rapid ad- vancement. The St. Lawrence Frigate will probably arrive here this month. I shall then meet my old Com- panions as a Commander while they are only Passed Mdn. I am ordered to be the member of a Court Mar- tial second in seniority. Things are still in the same unsettled state. Matters are settled between Denmark and Germany, but war exists between Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein. It is impossible to state definitely what course events will take; if the German [Navy] continues and my life is spared I shall continue to ad- vance rapidly. I am upon much better terms with the Admiral than formerly. My progress in the German language has been most rapid. German Corvette Hamburg, in Haven Brake, Duke- 1:1633 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS dom of Oldenburg, Novbr. 23rd, 1850. During the last three months my life has been without change. I have managed to get my ship in excellent order and disci- pline, particularly when considering the greater diffi- culty which always exists when a ship remains so much at anchor. In September I made a trial trip with my ship, running her under steam some 10 hours. I was well satisfied with the working of her Engines. The Frigate St. Lawrence arrived on the 28th of August and sailed for Boston on the 2nd of October. I was much on board of her during this time as wTre also the officers of the Frigate w^ith me. I passed many pleasant and agreeable hours with them; they all were much grati- fied at my rapid advancement. I heard of Robert's being ordered to sea in the Sloop of war St. Mary's as Leiut. I have made several visits to attend Balls and parties in different places, being now sufficiently master of German to make myself perfectly understood in so- ciety. One of the most pleasant of visits has been to Verden in the Kingdom of Hannover where a Regiment of Hussars are stationed, with the officers of which I am acquainted. I found a fine Band, many fine ladies and enjoyed myself much. The 24th of October I brought my ship up to Brake and the same evening ran her into the haven for Winter quarters, where are at present five steam Corvettes and the Frigate Deutschland. The ships lay well. I find Brake a most stupid and also a place very difficult to pass one's time in and really do not know how I shall manage to pass the winter. Po- litical matters are most troublesome and unsettled at present in German affairs; there is a very strong proba- bilitv of a general European war. My last letters from home, all are well, nothing new. I have heard from Aunt Sarah, she was w^ell. PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS In Haven Brake, Corvette Hamburg, December i6th, 1850. During the last three weeks I have not been away from my ship with the exception of once to Bre- merhaven ; two weeks of this time I have been confined to my cabin, but am now nearly well and hope to be out in a couple of days. The Frigate Gefion, captured from the Danes last year, has arrived at Bremerhaven. When well, I shall go down and visit the ship. I have letters from home up to Octbr. 27th; all were well no news of importance. . . . My life here is at present very mo- notonous. The affairs of Germany do not now appear so warlike; indeed I think we shall not have peace broken. My ship and ship's company give me very lit- tle trouble. I have had a new purser ordered to the ship. The River is still open and the weather very mild. Steam Corvette Hamburg, River Weser off Brake, G. Dukedom of Oldenburg, April 26th, 1851. The weather has been throughout since December most un- usual and remarkable for this Latitude. Snow has fallen only once, and the River has been entirely clear of ice and navigable the whole winter, in short a much milder winter than I have ever passed in either New York or Boston. I have received at intervals letters from home but without any particular news; all were well. During the winter I have seen a great deal of Germany having visited the Capital of the Kingdom of Hannover, also several times the city of Verden, where are the head quarters of a Regiment of Hussars in the Hannoverian Army. I have become well acquainted with the officers, from the Colonel through the Regi- ment, and have passed many pleasant hours there, hav- ing been kindly received in the House of General Wyneken (Division General), General N. Hodenburg PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS ( the latter has a very interesting daughter) , also by Colo- nel Brauns von Sichert (he has three very beautiful daughters), Lt. Col. von Dackenhausen, and Lt. Col. Gebser; indeed I have been received with great kind- ness. I have also in Bremen made many pleasant ac- quaintances. In the month of February I travelled through North Germany going first to Hamburg where I enjoyed myself, meeting there many Austrians who were passing through en route for Schleswig-Holstein. From Hamburg I went to the Dukedom of Mecklen- burg, then to Prussia, stopping in Berlin for some days; while there I was presented to Prince Adalbert, Brother of the King of Prussia, to whom I had a letter of intro- duction. I made many pleasant acquaintances and en- joyed myself; returning I saw the King of Prussia's residence at Potsdam, visited Southern Prussia, Duke- dom of Braunschweig, Hannover, and returned much pleased with my trip and having obtained a much clearer and more correct idea of North Germany than I ever could have done by reading or by living in a Sea Port of North Germany. While in Berlin I met and visited our American Minister Mr. Barnard, who re- ceived me most politely. I also met a Mr. Potter of Philadelphia and his wife in Berlin. All in all con- sidered I have had a pleasant winter, having enjoyed myself much and at the same time kept my Ship's com- pany, officers and men, in good discipline. Early in March I assisted as Director in getting up a masked Ball in Brake which was very successful. We have had through the winter an ameteur Theatre and assembly Balls, on a small scale but pleasant. The Admiral has been for the last month in Frankfurt endeavoring to have some definite settlement for our Navy and at pres- [■66] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS ent we have strong hopes of being able to go to the Mediterranean with the Fleet. I have made myself master of the German language, so as to be able to read and write and speak the same understandingly. If the German Navy is established upon a firm footing, then I have a fine career before me if my life is spared; how seldom is a young man of 26 years of age so fortunate as to be a commander at so young an age. Corvette Hamburg. In Haven at Brake, Novbr. i ith, 1 85 1. We remained with this Ship from the ist of April untill the 8th of July, when I took the Ship to the anchorage off Blexen and owing to the Engines being out of repairs sent some parts of it to Ronnebeck. The time passed from April until August without any par- ticular events worth noting. I passed the 4th of July on board of the Washington in the usual American way. On the 8th of August I took leave of absence for six weeks to go to the sulphur baths at Neundorf, this hav- ing been recommended to me by the Physician. I gave the command of my Ship to the ist. Leiut. during my absence. While at the baths I had a capital opportu- nity of speaking German, made many pleasant acquain- tances particularly the family of the Director of the Bath, Herr Von Heppe, one of whose daughters I was much pleased with, passing many agreeable hours in giving English lessons. I was made quite a Rara avis of, being an American and a Naval Commander; a number of my acquaintances among the Hannoverian officers visited me during my stay in Neundorf and tak- ing all things into consideration I passed my time very pleasantly indeed. After leaving Neundorf I went to Hannover, visited the King of Hannover, from Han- nover I went to Liineburg to pay a visit of a few days C1673 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS to the family of a friend of mine, Lt. von Dapel, and returned to my Ship the middle of September. I hope to have received benefit from my using the sulphur bathing, but 1 must await patiently the working of the same, which does not take effect until some two months afterwards. I have been visited by some dozen of the King of Hannover's officers from the Garde de Corps, Garde Grenadier, Jiiger Battalion, and also from my old acquaintances, the Garde Husaren from Verden. I think, had I not made so many agreeable acquaintances among the King of Hannover's officers, it would have been almost impossible to have stood out against the accumulation of ennui, or as the Germans term the word, "Langeweile." I have indeed had frequent chances to obtain a thorough knowledge of this word. In my letters from home I have found nothing of par- ticular moment. From our anchorage at Blexen I took my ship to her former station at Brake of last winter. I had as passengers with me (having invited them some days before) Baron v. Bothmer and Lady, the Baron having been in the Austrian Service during the Hun- garian War and having met, loved, and married his Lady, a beautiful Hungarian — quite a romantic affair. The Baron distinguished himself greatly during the war; they proved most interesting company on the voy- age — this was the 8th of October, 1851. I visited the Bremen grand fair and was at a large Ball at His excel- lency's. General Wyneken's, who has been most kind on more occasions than one; after the Bremen Fair I was quite unwell. January 3rd, 1852. On the 9th of November I wrote ... to my sister, also again on the 29th of November. ... I have been confined to my cabin for some seven PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS weeks with swollen groins from severe cold. On the 30th I went to the Court of Oldenburg with our Admi- ral to visit the Grand Duke of Oldenburg, dined at the Palace, attended a great Court Ball and in short enjoyed myself very much; we have again New Year's day and still no definite settlement of the future fate of the Ger- man Navy — it seems to be one of those nevcr[-ending], at least apparently interminable, political discussions upon which Germans never can come to a united opin- ion. One thing about the service is good; 1 refer to their punctuality of payments. March 4th, 1852. Since the ist of January there has not been much alteration in my usual routine of life. I have visited Verden once, and I always find the ac- quaintances which I have, most attentive and polite to me, therefore enjoy myself much. I have received from the American Minister at Berlin and at London, letters respecting the prospects of our German Navy. On the 1 8th of February I went to Oldenburg with the Ad- miral by invitation from the Grand Duke of Oldenburg to take part in the festivities following the marriage of the young Duke of Oldenburg with the Princess of Saxe-Altenburg, which event was celebrated in a very brilliant manner and afforded me a capital opportunity of forming an opinion relative to the ancienne regime, of the manners et cetera of monarchial forms, and the manners of one of the German Courts. We dined three times with the Grand Duke, attended a Concert at the Palace, breakfasted in the young Duke's palace, at- tended the Grand State Ball, and in short took part in all the festivities of the occasion. We were received with great cordiality by Oldenburg Officers and I shall improve the first opportunity I have to invite some of 1:169] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS them on board of my Ship. My last dates from Home are in January; nothing new or important. . . . April 19th, 1852. Corvette Hamburg, Brake. Dur- ing the last six weeks I have few events to notice. I received in March visits from six Oldenburg Officers who remained with me two days on board and enjoyed the life on board of a Man of War with much zest; I took them also to Bremerhaven and we had a large sup- per of some 60 persons on board of our ship and a fine breakfast on board of another. Our service appears to be nearly at an end and I shall either return to the United States soon or enter some one of the German Services for a short time. A few days since the Prus- sians sent a Draft of some two hundred men with their Commodore and a number of Officers to take charge of two ships belonging to our Squadron viz. the former Danish Frigate Gefion captured at Eckernforde in April 1849, the other the Steam Frigate Barbarossa. This is the commencement of the end of our German Navy. I have been recently in Verden, a garrisoned town of Hannover; with many of the Officers I am well acquainted — they generally expressed themselves much disappointed at the result of our German attempt at a Navy and at its probable most lamentable end, in which feeling I could of course most cordially join. I have been received most friendly and hospitably by the Offi- cers of the Hannover Army in General and trust in coming years to have a better opportunity of being able to return their many kind civilities shown towards me. I have written this day a letter to my Sister Emily and sent the same by the Barque Rastedt, Capt. Laur. May 2nd. Brake, Corvette Hamburg. The end of the German Navy was very much nearer than I had D70II PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS anticipated. On the 30th of April I discharged all hands excepting two Firemen, 8 Seamen, two Petty officers, two Officers, Purser, two Engineers. It will not I think be very long before we shall all go. I have not as yet made up my mind if I shall return to the United States directly or if I shall try the Prussian Navy. May nth, 1852. We are in daily expectation of re- ceiving our discharge with two years' pay or of receiving half pay in the form of pension ; for my own part I hope we shall soon have a decision, then I shall know what to do. Corvette Hamburg, Brake, June 30th, 1852. As yet no decision regarding the disposition of the ships com- posing the German Navy, and still less any definite pro- posals for settling with the remaining Officers; it may go well, but I am much inclined to think the German Government will behave shabbily to the few foreigners still in their Service. The time hangs heavily, and for my own part I shall be well pleased when the affair is at an end. . . . Sept. loth, 1852. The German Navy drags its slow length along and appears determined to die hard; on the I St of this month all the passed Midshipmen were discharged with one year's half pay. The Frigate Deutschland has been sold. I have been again at the Sulphur baths at Neundorf and have derived much benefit from them. The Frigate Gefion, the one cap- tured from the Danes, and the Steam Frigate Barba- rossa have been given over to the Prussian Government. I have been offered the opportunity to enter the Prussian Service, but I have had enough of German Governments; my ship is still in excellent order and PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Discipline. I have superintended a thorough overhaul- ing and repair of her Engines. Decbr. 12th. Bremerhaven, River Weser, 1852. Yes- terday the Corvette of War Hamburg was delivered by me to an English Company by order of the German Diet, in connection with the five steam Corvettes be- longing to the German Navy. I sent my crew with their bags and hammocks on shore to the Dock, keeping on board the Boatswain and my steward until ready to haul the German Flag down, which I ordered done and delivered the ship over to the High Commissioner of the German Diet; received my receipt for the ship and all connected with [her] and left with the Boatswain [and] Steward. My Gig's crew were waiting for me; the same evening the men were paid ofif and discharged. I, in obedience to orders from the Admiral, went to Bremerhaven to arrange the accounts and papers con- nected with my command. I have already sent my ap- plication through the American Minister at Berlin to Frankfurt for a pension or for a compensation and he has in a most favorable and kind manner urged my claim, I hope eventually successfully. Decbr. 31st, 1852. The last day of the year, at Sea in the North Sea on board of the Steamship Herrmann commanded by my friend Captain Higgins (American Navy). We sailed this morning for Southampton. I have arranged all matters with the German Navy and leave with one year's furlough pay in advance; my fu- ture compensation remains to be determined. I have good certificates from the Admiral and have the satis- faction to know that I have served nearly four years in a foreign service with credit to myself — more than three years in command of a Corvette. I have had many [172;] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS pleasant hours and have learnt a new language and now go once more into the world to seek my fortune with health and a stout heart. Steamship Herrmann, Jany 5th, 1853. We arrived in Southampton Monday the 3rd and having taken our cargo and passengers, have again commenced our voy- age to New York. I have been up to Kingston and vis- ited Aunt Sarah and have returned delighted with my visit; she received me with much kindliness and friend- ship and I feel confident that I have in her a warm and sincere friend, I made the acquaintance of Mr. Mc- Crosky, the American Consul at Southampton, and through him was invited to dine with the Mayor of the City on the occasion of the return of her Majesty's At- torney General to parliament, Sir Alex. Cockburn, he being a guest, and I was called upon to make two speeches in response to toasts given complimentary to America and Americans. Jan. 7th. Today after a heavy SW wind, about 10 o'clock in the morning, between Start Point and Eddy- stone Lighthouse, Start point bearing from the ship N N E, Dist. 27 miles, we shipped a heavy sea, or rather the crest of a sea, which crushed our Forecastle deck and also four Carlines down to the berth deck. In con- sequence the ship's head was put about and we are run- ning for Southampton. I find navigation in the Eng- lish Channel most difficult. Jan. 8th. This morning, after laying off the Needles light all night without obtaining a pilot, we find our- selves under the lee of the Isle of Wight in 9 fathoms of water, blowing heavy, so much so that we must run round the Island into and through St. Helens roads with a St. Helens pilot. Off comes a pilot, boarded us PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS without our anchoring, and we are now off Southamp- ton awaiting the flood tide in order to be docked. Jany 9th, 1853. Last evening we were docked and the carpenters are on board repairing the damages sustained in the Channel. Jan. nth. We left dock this morning and have an- chored in Cowes roads, as it is blowing a gale of wind from the Wd. There are nearly a hundred sail of ships laying at anchor windbound. Jan. 13th. We left again for New York, taking our departure from the Needles at 11 o'clock, bore N E distant 9 miles. We have westerly winds with some considerable head sea, everything down on deck, top- hamper and all, only lower masts with spencer. Jib and Staysails bent. Jan. 14th. . . . Distance run, 185 miles. We have had some head seas to contend against and a head wind ; this ship is a good seaboat. I am well content on board. Capt. Higgins very kind. Few passengers on board and still fewer of interest. Jan. 15th. . . . Distance ran 133 miles; head winds and head sea, ship deeply loaded and obliged to carry a light head of steam. I have observed and worked out the reckoning. I forgot to mention that at a meeting of the Passengers I was appointed chairman and I drew up an address, expressive of our thanks to and confidence in Captain Higgins during a severe gale of wind, that I sent to the New York Herald to be published. Jan. 1 6th. . . . Distance 120 miles. . . . Head winds from Wd. and head sea; light head of steam. Jan. 17th. Lat. obs. 47° 04'. Long. D. R. 13° 26' W. Dist. 1 04 miles. Head winds and heavy sea ; ship makes better weather, lightened by burning coals; some of the 1:1743 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS cargo from the Second Cabin (the 2nd Class passengers are all aft in the ist Saloon owing to the great amount of cargo) stowed below on the coal or rather in the coal bunker that is empty. N. York bears S 81° W. Dis- tance 2636 miles. Jan. i8th, 1853. . . . Distance run, 184 miles. . . . Rather better weather, less sea, head wind; watched trim of ship by shifting ballast (iron) on the guards and water casks in gangways, shifted Firemen from berth deck to forward smoking room, sent some cargo from 2nd Cabin to the Firemen's quarters, ship makes better weather of it. Jan. 19th. . . . Distance run 180 miles. . . . Part of these 24 hours good weather with head wind; last 10 hours gales from the Wd. and heavy head sea, ship more lively; prospects of a long passage. Sent more cargo below in the coal bunkers; great attention paid to trim of ship. Jan. 20th. . . . Distance 138 miles. . . . Head winds and first 15 hours very heavy head sea. Bill of fare re- duced in Saloon; allowance shortened with ship's com- pany. 8 P.M. Mer. obs. of Moon, Lat. 46° 42' N; remarked a luminous ring of about 30 degrees in diam- eter about the moon. At noon westerly wind and pleas- ant weather, head sea not so heavy. Jan. 2ist, 1853. . . . Distance 187 miles. . . . Heavy sea, wind from Wd. fresh, weather good. Jan. 22nd. . . . Distance run, 202 miles. . . . Sea not so rough, weather thick with wind WSW. Jan. 23rd. . . . Distance 185 miles. . . . Sea from Sd. & Wd. fresh winds first part, last part heavy sea. Jan. 24th. Lat. obs. 44° 43'. Long. C. 44° 05' W. Distance run, 178 miles. N. York 79° W. Distant [175] I'AiMRs ov 1 KWi'is c;Rii;i>m dai.i as 1 ^}.} miles. W'c'stiMlv \\ mils .mil stM tioin ilic Sd. ^S: NN'il. wiiul ticsh; in.uic s.nl \oi a [c\\ liouis loi the tirst tinu". ).m. .'sth. . . . l)ist.iiuc lun, .'oo miles. . . . l-'iesh w mils hom the \NM. List \\\\l ihiek we.uiicr; at ii o\loik m.uic llu" e.isiem i^liU' ol the b.inks. I.ui .'(>th. . . . Pist.iiue luii u)o miles. Smiiuleil at s .\.M. in .'v^ Litiioms, bottom white s.iiul ; to^^\ we.ulier. wind t rom Sd. »Sl \>'d.. Iie.ivv sea trom SS\N . . . . C\^K1 weathei ; air ^o'\ Water 40". laniv .''th. . . . Pistanee run jhm lo^, ^^x^ miles. . . . StiAMi^ N\\ Wind with siunv, tog^y; i^ot mer. alt. oi nuHMi, put us (> miles to the Soutiiwaid oi our reekoninu' bv aeet. ]An. .'Sth. . . . Hist, lun per log, .'ixt miles. XN\N" wniii li^ht. little sea. eoKler, on the edi^e ot the stream I^Ciult). Temp, water >o ". an ;o \ Cheiran log last two davs sO miles, showing a eountei eurrent to the Cuilt stieam ot little over a knot aw hour. Ian. .'oth. . , . Pist. per log. :..\o, [hm obs. .':;;' miles. Sauilv llook luMis at S;^ ' 4' W'. Oist. j:"^ miles. Smootii sea. liglit westerly winds; exehanged signals with a large steamer bouiul east, eurrent Sd. and \>'d. iS miles; siiip's tiim bv the stern k^ inehes as a general thin^ijj: toievaul slide and gunter imi a trvsail mast now carried. exeejM with tair winds; all other top hamper iiown. i.\ugo shitted below as tast as eoal is burnt out. great attentii>n paid to trim ot sliip. Ian. -'Oth l\.imple to tind the longitude bv an e>bsorvatiiM\ ot the sun at setting w itl\ a spv glass. Note the time by ehronometor ot sun's setting, ist lower limb, :!iui upper limb (wlien using a wateh take a eomparisou ot wateh And i^'hron. to tind Ciuon's r.M'iRs ov I'K.wcis i;Ki\;()in dm i as f;U'c) . 1 n i;cmni; lower limb, subti.ul .^ i ' I rom ihr sum o\ K. His. And L.U.. .uul .ulil i .■: i ' to [\\c li.ilt sum iov ihc n.'m.inulc"r. I'\>r tlu' upfH'i l,iml> subti.ul >,;' liom tlu" sum .uul ;ulii ' ^ ^' lo ihc h.ill sum. ).iii. ;o[\\. No obs. At i.'iium. i umiiiii; iiltnii; I -oul;; Isl.iiul \t ' • p.ist si'Ncn took .1 Pilot on bmiiil, S.uulv 1 loi)k dist.int g^ miles. Dist.inec run pci loi;, 2(>^ miles. Jan. ;oth. . . . .At i;.7,o passed the bai anil ruuuiiii^ bv Saiulv llook li^lit lu>use; owim; to the state of tlu' tiiie hail to slow the enuiiu-s. .\t \o.;i^ T.M. made last to Tier No. ;, Noitb Ki\er. .At List, .ittei iumiI\ Icuir years .ibseiue, I letuiii to the riiiieii Suites baviiii; ^aiiu'ii pn>nu>tit>ii, eomm.iiul aiui smne ereilit, in .i iov eii^n SeiN'iee, learnt a iu"w lani^uai;e atul beecune lour years oKier; tiuit is, my lite is shorteneil lour ye. lis. .At I I I'.M. went in\ sboie to the C'ity 1 loti'l, where 1 used to stop, but iouiul the I b)tel pulleil ilow ii .uul stoies built up in its pl.ue. Ketuiiu'ii t«> the lleirmann aiul passeil the nii>ht, lor the moment linding myself a sti.m^ei in m\ own n.iti\e laiul. l'\-br. ist, l>i\b\'s Motel, New \o\k C'\{\. Took loi]u;ini;s here with my fi ieiul Dr. Thomson, Surgeon oi the lleninann, \>'i()te Kobert aiul Maiy. I'Vbr. i.jth. I , eft this morning for \>'ashin^t(>n. The last tW(M\eeks I haye p.issed in Nc"w Wuk leni'NyiiiL!; oKl aeijuaint.uues .uul .issoeiations, so far as the eh.in^es oi the tinu" admitted. I'\nuul .Aunt HocMum aiui eousiii Sarah W'etmoie li\ini; in \^'.l\elly IM.iee, haye seen eousin .Adolphus De Russn ; all well. Reed. letters from Robert, Maiy iS: )anu's; .ill well. I'ebi. i6th, \N'asiiinLi:ton, \\'illard's Hotel. .Arriyeil this morning-, stoppeil oyer ni^ht in riiihulelphi.i, saw r 177"! PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Commodore Parker, spent one day at the house of Dr. Thomson in Wilmington, a most delightful family. Found Uncle De Russy at Willard's, well and glad to see me; advises me to apply to be reinstated in the American Navy. . . . Many old friends here; the city is full of strangers. Washington, Febr. 23rd. I have seen the President and Secretary of the Navy, was most kindly and favor- ably received, presented my letters and application for reinstatement on the 21st inst. Last evening, the 22nd of Fbr., attended the Assembly Ball; was informed by the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Kennedy, that the President has directed my restoration to the Navy. This morning my Warrant as Pd. Mid. with back date of Aug. loth, 1847, accompanied by a very handsome letter & leave of absence, with permission to visit Eu- rope, for this year 1853. New York City, Bixby's Hotel, March 7th, 1853. Arrived this evening. Left Washington Feb. 27th, passed that night in Baltimore, arrived at Wilmington the 28th, passed one week with Dr. Thomson, one of the most agreeable and delightful of my whole life; a most amiable family, very pleasant young ladies, my first realization of home and most heartily appreciated by myself. Bixby's Hotel, New York, March 21st. I have just returned from Boston after a visit of a few days; have seen James and Emily, and aunts, all well. Was called suddenly back, met Capt. Wyman, received me kindly. I saw Robert and Emily in Washington. On board the U. S. M. Ship Herrmann running along Long Island bound to Bremen, March 26th, Sat- urday, 1 8 153. I have decided rather suddenly to return D783 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS to Germany in order to endeavor to obtain half pay or compensation, that I consider to be my just dues for my services in the German Navy. Have the pleasure of sailing with my friend Captain Higgins and the advan- tages of gaining useful practical experience. Steamer Herrmann from New York to Cowes, left Pier No. 3 at 12 mer., March 26th, 1853, Civil time. Anchored inside the hook for 3 hours; at ^ past 5 P.M., the tide having risen, crossed the bar, took De- parture from Sandy Hook, light bearing WSW. Dist 3 miles; at 6.30 discharged Pilot, light westerly winds, steered ESE and E>^S var. ^ Pt. westerly. Ship's Draft aft 20 ft. 6 inches. For. 20 ft. March 27th. . . . Nantucket shoals bore North Dist. about 45 miles; weather good, Barom. at Mid. 29 50, weather cloudy and rainy. Main topmast housed. March 28th. . . . Northerly winds, cloudy, at mer. clear. South pt. Great George's Shoal bore W by N Dist. 105 miles. . . . Mizzen gaff sent on deck. March 29th. . . . West end Sable Island at noon bears North Dist. 71 miles. Dist. run, 240 miles. . . . Weather good, swell from Nd., all head sail set till 1 1 A.M. Jib boom taken on deck. Topmasts and yards struck; find ship easier and steadier and make better headway. At 3 shifted 7 tons of Pig iron ballast, 2 large water casks and the two Signal guns to just forward of the wheel house, increased ship's speed from 10^ to 12 knots per hour. . . . March 31st. At i shifted ballast & signal guns for- ward; found the ship before shifting going 12 knots, after only 10 knots; shifted it aft again & she went 12 knots, proving to a demonstration the importance of [179] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Strict attention to trim of ship. ... At 7 P.M. struck soundings on the Banks in about 54 faths. . . . Dist. 262 miles; per log 276; . . . rate 11 knots, 15 inches steam. ... At 9 Passed Propeller Glasgow, she was under all sail and steam; she sailed four hours before us from New York. . . . April ist, Friday. ... At 7 P.M. ran off the Banks. . . . Sea getting up, shifted ballast forward to Main Mast; at Mid. blowing fresh. ... At 4 A.M. wind shifted to the Nd., fresh gales; shifted Ballast to wind- ward, found the ship steadier; set main spencer, at 7 split it; set the storm spencer on short gaff; at 12 mod- erated a little. . . . April 2nd. . . . Sent up Fore Yard and set the Sail at Mid. . . . Propeller Glasgow in sight astern. . . . Needles Dist. 1544 miles. April 3rd. . . . At Midn. fresh westerly winds with snow last part fresh gales from the Wd. squally with heavy sea from SSW. Got 50 faths. chain aft by the Mizzen mast; at mcr. fresh gales and heavy sea; ship behaves beautifully. . . . April 4th. Throughout these 24 hours strong gales from ^Yd. with rain and snow, squalls and heavy follow- ing Sea. Foresail set. . . . April 6th. . . . From want of sufficient Draft cannot generate steam enough, only 1 1 lbs. . . . April 7th. Com. & con. throughout these 24 hours light breezes from the \Vd. & pleas. Foresail & F. T. Sail set, at 10 P.M. . . . Dist. 260. Scilly Dist. no miles. Bears E ^)4 N. At noon furled sails, finding that they rather retarded than increased her speed; westerlv winds, find also in the last four or five days that the ship has undergone her D. reckoning some 12 to 20 miles [180] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS each day; this hist day, although averaging nearly 12 knots by log and making 13^2 revolutions per minute, she has averaged by obs. only 10 knots and 6 faths per hour, falling short some 30 miles. At 12 sounded in 74 fathoms bottom light colored sand and shells. April 8th. ... At 8 h. 40' P.M. made Scilly light bearing E by N >^ N. . . . At 13 H 30 M Past Mid. made Lizard light bearing E ^ N. . . . April 9th. Passed the Needles at 4.20; at 5.40 came too off Cowes in 12 days and 20 hours from New York. Discharged mails and passengers, proceeded on the voyage after receiving the North Sea Pilot on board at 7. . . . April loth, 1853. ... At 10 Langeoog in sight abeam; at 11 Wangeroog bore S^^E, Dist. 5 miles. . . . Rec'd Weser Pilot on board 14 days and 16 hours from New York, running a Distance 3600 miles. April 10, civil account, at 3 P.M. made fast to the Dock at Bre- merhaven. Tuesday, April 12th, Hotel De I'Europe, Bremen. Arrived yesterday at ^ 12 o'clock. Monday, April i8th, 1853. Arrived this evening, after having visited Cologne, going up the Rhine to Frankfurt and returning down the Rhine to Cologne; arrived in Frankfurt Thursday evening and left Sunday morning. Called upon his Excellency Count Brock- hurst [Prokesch?] von Osten, President of the German Diet, Baron v. Bismarck-Schoenhausen, Prussian Am- bassador at the Diet, and Baron Post Captain v. Bour- ginon [Borgingnau?], chairman of Naval Committee. Sent in my petition for pension from the German Gov- ernment for my services in that Navy and left my case in the hands of the American Consul, Mr. .Charles PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Graebe, at Frankfurt. Found the scenery on the Rhine the most striking and picturesque that I have ever seen. Paid for my 2nd class ticket in Railroad from Bremen to Deutz, opposite Cologne, 8^ Prussian Thalers, for a lodging and supper with omnibus fare to Hotel in Cologne 2^ Thalers. Arrived in Cologne at ^2 past 10 P.M. Wednesday evening, April 13th; left Cologne at 5 A.M. on the 14th in steamer Prince of Prussia, paid for a ticket to Frankfurt & return 45^ Thalers, wine & dinner with Breakfast i Thaler. Arrived in Frankfurt at 7 P.M., taking the Railroad at Kastel, in the Duke- dom of Nassau, where I left the steamboat at ^A past 6 P.M., paying i^ Thalers; at Frankfurt my bill at Hotel from Thursday evening until Sunday morning with three bottles of wine was 20 Gulden or 10 Thalers. Left Frankfurt Sunday at 8 A.M., left Kastel at 9.30 A.M. in the Steamboat Prince of Prussia, arrived in Cologne at Yz past 4 P.M., took Baggage to Railroad in Deutz, visited Cologne and left Deutz at 8 P.M. . . . Arrived in Bremen Monday the i8th, left Bremen on the 2 1 St, Thursday, and came on board the Herr- mann. April 22nd, Friday, 1853. At 10 A.M. weighed an- chor & left Bremerhaven. April 23rd, Sea acct. At i Dis. Pilot; Wangeroog bore W>4S, Dis. 7 miles. ... At 12 Midnight Ter- schelling bore South Dist. 10 miles. . . . When first leaving the Weser ship made hardly 83^ knots, bearing by the head; brought nearly on an even keel and she made 10 & 10^ Knots, good weather and smooth sea all forward sail set. April 24th, Sea Acct. At 6 P.M. passed light ship at Goodwin sands. ... At 9 A.M. docked ship at South- ampton, waiting an hour for tide. D823 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS April 27th, civil acct. At 2.30 left the Southampton Docks. ... At 4 h. 40 M, P.M. April 28th Sea acct. passed the Needles. . . . New York, May nth, 1853. Passed the Light on Sandy Hook about 2 P.M., hauled into the ship's berth at Pier No. 3., took my old room at Bixby's Hotel, Park Place. June 1 2th, Bethany, Penn. Arrived here a day or two since to pay a visit to my friends Mrs. Otis and Harry Otis. Passed the last month in New York and enjoyed myself very much ; found all well of my family. Saw Adolphus DeRussy. Been looking out for a mail steamer. Wilmington, Delaware, June 30th, 1853. Arrived here yesterday on a visit to my friend Doctor Jno. A. Thomson, after having spent a very pleasant time at Otis's, riding, driving, trout fishing, et cetera; feel un- der much indebtedness for his great kindness to me. Am in capital health. Passed through New York and spent two days there. July 15th, New York. Arrived yesterday from Wil- mington after an unusually pleasant and agreeable visit; several young ladies in the house; found my friend Thomson's family one of the most delightful I have ever met with in all my experience, July 1 8th, Fort Hamilton, Long Island. Have come down to pay a visit to my cousin Capt. DeRussy, who is stationed at this place, bringing my friend Dr. Thom- son. August 19th, Newport. Arrived here today after a pleasant visit at Fort Hamilton, where I made many pleasant acquaintances and passed the extremely warm weather with tolerable comfort. Boston, Septbr. 12th, 1853. Arrived on the 30th ult. 1:1833 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS from Newport where I passed a very pleasant two weeks, meeting a great many old acquaintances and making many new ones. Found my relatives in Boston and vicinity well. Have had a very severe attack of chills and fever; am now much better. New York, Septbr. i6th. Arrived here day before yesterday; feel much better. Bethany, Septbr. 19th. Arrived yesterday from New York to stay at Otis's place. October 19th, New York City. Returned today after a very pleasant visit of five weeks with my friend Otis; health entirely reestablished by riding, hunting, et cetera. Wilmington, Delaware, November 19th, 1853. Ar- rived today from New York on a visit to my friend Dr. Thomson. Have passed a very gay month of it in New York. The City was crowded with strangers visiting Crystal Palace. My Brother James came in to pursue his course of civil engineering in Jersey City. Washington, D. C, December 8th. Arrived this evening after having spent my time very pleasantly in Wilmington, Philadelphia and Baltimore; stayed sev- eral days at my friend Brintenhouse in Philadelphia. Wilmington, Del., Decbr. 15th. Returned today, having been successful in obtaining the revocation of my orders to the Albany Sloop of War,^ and also having laid my claim against the German Government before the Secretary of State. New York, December 20th, 1853. Arrived today in ^ In the course of this cruise, which Dallas escaped by the revoca- tion of his orders, the sloop of war Albany, Commander James T, Gerry, sailed from Aspinwall (Colon) in September, 1854, ^^id was never heard of again. C184] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS my old quarters in Chambers St. Spent a few days most delightfully in Wilmington, Del. Boston, January 4th, 1854. Arrived this morning and reported to Com'dore Gregory for duty on board of the U. S. Sloop of War Decatur. On my arrival in New York, found orders for me to join the Decatur at Boston, spent some days in making the necessary prepa- rations, arranged matters in New York and left in some haste. At Sea, Friday, Jany. 13th, 1854. Found the ship ordered on special service to go in search of the Steamer San Francisco, supposed to be drifting about in the Gulf stream between latitudes 38° and 36° N ; joined in haste. Tuesday put the ship in commission by order of Commander Sterrett, at 11 A.M. Navy Yard, Charlestown, January loth, 1854. At 10.30 put the ship in commission and reed, the crew on board, at 11.30 reed, a steamer alongside, at 11.45 slipped from the Buoy and towed down the Harbour, at 1.30 came too in Nantasket roads with 45 faths. Port chain in 5 faths. water, wind Sd. & snow; Long Island bore NNW14N, Nix's Mate N^^E, centre of Fort Warren ESE}^E; stationed crew. . . . Jan. 13th. At 9.20 got under weigh, Wind Sd. & Wd. . . . Draft of ship 14 ft. 6 in. for., 15 ft. 8 in. aft. . . . Dist. 186 miles. . . . Jan. i6th. . . . Temp, of air from 52° to 66°, Water from 71° to 68°. Cruising and keeping a bright look- out for sails, wrecks, driftwood, etc. I have the order to be acting 3rd. Leiut. of the ship. Jan. 17th, 1854. Strong breezes from the Wd. Boarded the U. S. Mail steamer Alabama, from New York the 6th inst., in search of the missing steamer San PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Francisco, having made a transverse course from New York to these latitudes. Lat. 35° 20' N, Long. 62° i/W. . . . Jan. 20th. . . . Spoke English Steamer Orinoco bound to England from St. Thomas. . . . Friday, Jan. 27th, 1854. Fresh trade winds from E to ENE. Standing through the Anegada passage at 2.30 P.M. Island of Tortola bearing west, Dist. 30 miles. . . . Saturday, January 28th, 1854. Fresh trade winds from E to ENE at 8, standing in for Bird Island at 10, exchanged numbers with Flag Ship Columbia at 10 h. 50 m., came too in harbour of St. Thomas at 4 h. 30 m. P. Mer. Owing to the virulence of the Cholera raging in St. Thomas, got under weigh and stood for Santa Cruz. At 10 H 30 M P.M. came too off Fred- erickstadt in 10 faths. of water. . . . Sunday, Jan. 29th. Exchanged salutes with the Fort at Frederickstadt. Febr. ist, 1854. At 8 h. 30 m. got under weigh stand- ing for Sail Rock passage; at sunset Sail Rock bore per compass N % E, Dist. about 8 miles; at midnight St. Thomas light bore N^^E, Dist. 12 miles; laying ofif and on all night. . . . Febr. 3rd. Moderate trade winds. Dist. per Log 208 miles. Lat. 21^ 28' Long. 67^ 19' W. Current S 23° E, 19 miles. . . . Febr. 8th. Fresh winds from Sd. & Ed. Dist. per log 232 miles. Lat. 28^ 18', Long. 71° 50' W. . . . Febr. nth. Mod. winds from Nd. & Ed. Dist. per Log 174 miles. Lat. obs. 32° 44' N. Long. C. 76° 48' W, in Gulf stream. Temp, from 72° to 75°. Febr. 14th. We anchored last evening in Lynnhaven [1863 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS and again this morning in the upper part of Hampton Roads, the last few days having encountered head winds. Feb. 15th, 1854. We made fast to the Buoy off the Naval Hospital, Norfolk, this evening. March ist, off Navy Yard, Gosport, Virginia. We have been lying off" the Yard for the last twelve days, employed in setting up rigging, painting and general overhaul, and putting things in order which no time was afforded to complete in Boston before sailing. Some doubt still continues as to our final destination, we being kept in daily readiness for sailing, awaiting the Secre- tary's decision. April 1 6th. We hauled down from the Navy Yard off the Naval Hospital on the 12th. The time since then we have been constantly under sailing orders and therefore unable to leave Norfolk even for a couple of days. I have been several times to see Col. De Russy and family during this time, and have made many pleas- ant acquaintances in Norfolk; the usual routine of ser- vice on board of a Man of War in harbour has filled up the monotony. We have a new ist Leiut., Mr. Middle- ton. June 17th, 1854. We sailed from our anchorage off the Hospital, Norfolk, on Wednesday 14th inst. after a long and most extraordinary delay of four months, dur- ing the whole of which time we have been in a perfect state of uncertainty as regards our time of sailing and our destination. I have made every effort to be de- tached from the Pacific Squadron but without success. I shall make further efforts to be detached at Rio and ordered to the Brazils. Friday, June i6th. We sailed this morning from n>873 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Hampton Roads bound to Rio Janeiro. The last two months have been passed very pleasantly in a variety of ways, more particularly in ladies' society in Norfolk, among whom I have found many very agreeable and pretty. Passed Cape Henry light at 8.30 A.M. Dist. 4 miles, bearing SSW. Dist. per Log, 48 miles. . . . June 17th. Exercised both Batteries by tiring at a wreck discovered near us; fired 52 round shot. ... July 1 6th. Remarks. In running from Norfolk in the months of June or July would recommend, after leaving Cape Henry, to shape our course for the Gulf and make casting even if obliged to make northing, as it is above all things desirable to strike the NE trades so as to be able to cross the line in 30° West Long. — say try and strike the trades in about 30° North Lat. and about 40'' or 42° W Long. — if possible, run due South from Long. 43 "" West and take the chance of the SW mon- soons; the above is the most desirable route in these months from Norfolk to Rio Janeiro. . . . August 3rd. Wind SE to SSE pleas. Lat. Obs. 1° 04'. Current N 85° W 40' Exercised at General quar- ters, fired one round shot. . . . August 5th. SE to SSE wind, pleas. Lat. obs. 2° 44'S Lg. C3i° 58' W. Current N 80° W 1/ (at mid- night August 5th the Island of Fernando De Noronha bore: Eastern edge ESE, Western edge SE by E, Dist. 1 1 and 7 miles). . . . Aug. 9th. Wind SE. to SSE>4W. Aug. 27th. ... At 3 P.M. anchored in the harbor of Rio De Janeiro in 15 faths. of water; found the U. S. Frigate Savannah at anchor. Total Distance sailed per log from Norfolk, Va. to Rio De Janeiro, 7478 miles — 72 days and 6 hours, 53 days of which beating against unfavorable winds. Sept. 21. . . . U. S. Steamer Massachusetts towed us out of the harbor. . . . Sept. 23rd. Fresh gales, from ESE. . . . Lat. Obs. 25° 23' S Lg. Chron. worked back from 4 P.M. 45° 03'. Strong SW current & drift. Lost sight of U. S. Steamer Massachusetts. . . . Oct. i2th. ... At 4 Cape Virgin (coast of Pata- gonia), entrance to the straits of Magellan, bore South, Dist. 12 miles. . . . Total distance per log from Rio 2220 miles. Oct. 13th. At 10 A.M. stood in by Cape Virgin, sounding in from 10 to 19^/^ faths. bottom dark gray sand & blue sand; at Mer. Cape Virgin bore NNW Dist. 3 miles, light airs from N & Nd. & Wd. steering S by W, found tide about 4 knots, running for Pt. Dun- geness. Oct. 14th. Sounded every 15 minutes in from 20 to C189] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS 44 faths. (mostly 40 fath.), bottom blue sand and grey sand. Pleas. & cloudy; wind from Nd. & Ed., Sd. & Ed. light and latter part fresh from SW. . . . Standing along northern shore from Pt. Dungeness through Pos- session Bay. . . . Anchored in 28 feet at Meridian with Stream anchor 40 faths. cable, at 2.30 got underweigh & stood through the ist Narrows with flood tide, standing along the straits for cape Gregory; at 9 P.M. came too with Port anchor & 50 faths chain. Rainy, wind vari- able; in 16 faths, sandy bottom. Oct. 15th. . . . At 2 P.M. got underweigh and stand- ing through the Straits for Gregory, steering at SWj/^W & WSW; sounded in from 10 to 18 faths., rocky and sandy bottom. At 5 P.M. anchored in Gregory Bay in 17I/2 faths. of water; sent down the T. Glltyards. . . . Oct. 17th. . . . Fired at target with the great guns; found plenty of snipe, plover and wild Ducks on shore. Oct. 1 8th. Clear fresh wind from the Sd. & Wd. ; got underweigh and stood through the 2nd Narrows; fresh- ening to a gale returned to Gregory Bay, anchored and got the ship snug. Oct. 19th. . . . Got underweigh, with the flood un- der close reefed Topsails, staysail & courses, working through the 2nd Narrows; at 10.30 anchored in Royal Road, . . . Cape St. Vincent bearing Ej/>4 faths., hard bottom. Good place for poultry, ducks and yams. No- ticed a comet, size of a star of the second Magnitude. 112243 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Got water; must look out and try it before receiving in, will be brackish without. A real African village. Octbr. 8th. . . . Shifted our berth nearer in shore to 6 faths., hard bottom. Commenced watering by canoes. A number of vessels here trading for palm oil. Oct. 9th. . . . At 1 1.30 got underweigh, stood to the E. Received in toto 3000 gall, of water. At 6.50 anchored off the coast in 1 1«>4 faths. of water, hard bot- tom. Saw several sail. Octbr. loth. ... At 6 a.m. got underweigh, stood to the E, at 10.05 anchored off Aghwey in 8 faths., hard bottom. English flag in centre of town, bore N N E. Dist. two and a half miles. Bight of Benin. Aghwey. Oct. loth. Found nine vessels at anchor trading here. Heavy surf, did not land. I American, 3 dutch, 3 french, i Sardinian and I Portuguese vessel. Octbr. nth. At 11.30 a.m. got underweigh, wind and weather the same. At 6.30 anchored off Whydah, Kingdom of Dahomey, in 8 faths. hard bottom. Found six sail at anchor. Viz: French, Portuguese and Sar- dinian, passed Grand Popo. Comet visible to the N and W. Octbr. 1 2th. Wind and weather same, from S and W during the day, N and W at night. No boats sent on shore on account of surf. Whydah poultry, ducks, Guinea fowls, oranges, pineapples, w^atercresses, yams, sweet potatoes and beans, plenty and cheap. Com- mander would not wait long enough. Whydah was a great slave mart and it is believed that the trade is car- ried on clandestinly yet at night. Octbr. 13th, Whydah. Wind and weather the same. At 12.20 got underweigh. At 6.40 p.m. came too in 9 1:2253 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS faths. hard bottom. Passed several vessels off the coast village of Appi. Octbr. 14th. ... At 6 a.m. got underway stood to the E, several vessels in sight. At 2. 1 5 p.m. came too off Badagry. ... At 6 p.m. got underway and stood to the Sd. to sea under T. Gilt, sails with a wind from S W by W. Bight of Benin running for St. Thomas Island. Octbr. 15th. . . . In my watch, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., a squall of wind and rain, moderate at the most, oc- curred. The Commander, Wm. McBlair, took all sail off the ship (U.S. Ship Dale) except the fore topmast staysail. In my remarks I wrote as follows: "On ac- count of a moderate squall of wind and rain." Com- mander McBlair writes at the bottom of the same page of the ship's rough log viz. as follows thus : "The above remarks that the Ship was reduced on account of a moderate squall of rain & wind are incor- rect. Upon going upon deck I observed a squall rising to leeward & called the attention of the officer of the deck to it; he stated it was a lee set. Observing more attentively, I found the clouds rising & showing a threat- ening appearance; on this account the sail was reduced, not on account of a moderate squall of rain & wind, the character of which was not ascertained until after it reached us; it proved to be moderate." (Signed) W. McBlair, Commander. Copy from the Ship's Log book. F. G. Dallas, Leiut. Oct. 1 6th. I added to my remarks from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Oct. i6th, as follows, viz: "Ship under Fore Top- mast Stay Sail." . . . 1:226] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Octbr. 17th. . . . At 3.15 p.m., or about that time, Commander Wm. McBlair sent the orderly to me say- ing that he, Comdr. McBlair, wanted to see me in the cabin. I went up and in the presence of the ist Leuit., Mr. Winder, he called my attention to the ship's rough log. I remarked I had added the words, Viz: "Ship under Fore Topmast Stay Sail." He said: "I suspend you Mr. Dallas for disrespect and for unofiicer-like con- duct while at Elmina." I answered: 'T had no inten- tion of disrespect. Sir," and left the cabin, going directly below to the Wardroom. Octbr. 1 8th. The Commander sent Lt. E. L. Winder to me saying that he, Commander Wm. McBlair, upon again reading my letter of yesterday's date, withdrew the charge of disrespect and that of the charge of un- officer-like conduct, he had not any right to take notice of a private conversation; he therefore restored me to duty. In explanation of this, Lt. Winder said, one evening while I was setting in the round house fore- ward, he heard two of the men talking about my exer- cising them at loosing and furling; that they, the men, thought I must be either crazy or drunk. This conver- sation he, Mr. Winder, mentioned to the Captain, but not to me untill I was restored to duty. Octbr. i8th, 1858. Working down for the Island of St. Thomas. . . . Octbr. 23rd. ... At 8 a.m. made Princes Island to the Ed. At 4.45 p.m. shortened sail to mizzen t. sail and Jib, standing in for West Bay, Princes Island. At 7 anchored in 19 fathoms water about one mile from the beach, bottom soft mud. Watering place bore per com- pass S by E. Octbr. 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th. At anchor in Bay West, Princes Island. Water excellent, wood fair; can 1:227:1 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS lay within five hundred yards of the beach in lo fathoms of water. Alligator's Pears plenty, chickens $2.00 per doz., oranges, cocoanuts and a variety of Tropical fruits when in season. Port Antonio on the S E side of the Island, 3 hours distant to walk, 3h. and 30m. to go by boat, 2 hours to ride. This Island is excellent for wood and water, but not [a] healthy one. Octbr. 27th. At 3.45 p.m. stood out of West Bay, Princes Island, wind S & W, pleasant; ship's trim 21 inches by the stern. . . . Novbr. 7th. . . . Passed the Island of Anna Bon [Annobon], being about five miles to the South'ard of it. This is a fine Island for wood, water, sheep, Beef, Poul- try, Oranges, Bananas, plaintains, pineapples, &c. Our Commander, like his usual stupidity, would not stop, without any cause, he having poultry enough. At 8 Island of Anna Bon astern. . . . Novbr. 1 6th. . . . Current 16 to N W by W >4 W; currents and tide rips from the Congo River, also float- ing Islands. Novbr. 17th. ... A number of doves flying ofif to the ship. . . . Novbr. 1 8th. . . . Current 15 miles W N W, cur- rents and tide rips. Novbr. 19th. Light winds from the S and W, pass- ing clouds; strong currents and floating Islands, reddish waters. Working down for St. Paul De Loanda past the Congo River. . . . Novbr. 20th. ... At 6.30 came too ofif the coast in 22 fathoms of water. Novbr. 2 1 St. . . . At 5 a.m. got underweigh. . . . Novbr. 24th. ... At 7 p.m. Standing in for Bango [Mbengu] Bay, St. Paul De Loanda in sight. . . . C228: PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS At 9 p.m. came too off Cape Lagosta in i8 faths of wa- ter; the coast high, of white sand or marl. . . . Novbr. 25th. At anchor in Loanda Bay; at 4.40 a.m. got underweigh with light land breeze from the E. At 7.20 anchored in 16 fathoms of water in Loanda Bay about one and a half miles from the town. H.B.M. Steamer Hecla at anchor in the Bay, also a Portuguese Sloop of War. . . . At anchor in Loanda Bay, Novbr. 26th, 1858. . . . Employed watering, wooding, and taking in sand for ballast. Wood good. Water fair; have to get our bread baked and can only get about 200 lbs of bread per day. Novbr. 27th. Land and Sea breeze, former light, lat- ter moderate, climate damp and sultry. . . . Novbr. 29th. . . . Employed in wooding and water- ing ship, also in taking in sand ballast. Climate I think unhealthy. Loanda is a large town of Portuguese Build. Chickens at $4.50 per doz, fish plenty, irish potatoes $1.00 per aroba of 32 lbs. are good, onions from Portu- guese vessels from Lisbon. St. Paul De Loanda is the largest European settlement upon the Southwest coast of Africa. Novbr. 30th. Employed getting ready for sea. At 6 p.m. got underweigh and stood to the N bound to the Congo River. Decbr. ist. . . . Standing to the N and W. . . . Decbr. 2nd. . . . Running along the land, sounding in from 14 to 19 fathoms. Passed an English Man of War boat. At 6 p.m. anchored in 7 fathoms of? Point Padrone [Padrao], South Cape of the Congo River, an excellent anchorage. . . . Decbr. 3rd. . . . Land breeze from the S and E. At 5.30 got underweigh and into the Congo River for [229;] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Shark's point. At 8.10 anchored in 12 fathoms. A strong current of about five. At 10.55 ^•"^- stood in with the sea breeze. At 11.50 anchored in 8^ fathoms, Shark's point distant 3 miles; furled sails. The Congo reminds me of some of our own large rivers, sweeps into the Atlantic with a heavy current carrying with it large floating islands of grass, trees, bamboo, etc., which are sometimes met over a hundred miles at sea. We did not meet any men of war at anchor or cruising. Decbr. 4th. At anchor in Congo River near Shark's point. At 9. 1 5 got underweigh, tiding down the Congo. At I p.m. Sea breeze set in strong, crossing the Congo River with Stud'gs, steering about NE by N, got sound- ings on the Mona Mozea bank in 5^ faths. ; hauled ofif N N W, a large ship standing into the river. At 7 p.m. anchored ofif Kabinda in 12 fathoms of water. Decbr. 5th. ... At 3 p.m. got underweigh. At 6 come too oflf Kabinda, distant about 5 miles. . . . Decbr. 6th. At anchor off Kabinda. Poultry are cheap, about $2.00 per dozen. Eggs 25 cts. per dozen. Pineapples and other fruits; bottles can be traded with. ... At anchor off Kabinda North bank of the Congo River. Decbr. 7th. ... At 6.40 a.m. got underweigh and stood to the N and W. At 8 p.m. Anchored in 19 fathoms of water off the coast. Decbr. 8th. . . . Passed an English Man of War Brig and Steamer. ... At 2 p.m. passing Loango, a french settlement. Saw a store vessel at anchor. . . . Decbr. loth. . . . Standing along the coast to the N and W on soundings. . . . Decbr. 22nd. Moderate winds from South to S by W, first part pleas., latter overcast with showers of rainy [230] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS weather, changing, somewhat like the usual weather in crossing the line to the W. Lt. Obs. i ° 46' N. Lg. C. 1 2° 44' W. Lt. D. R. I ° 28' N. Lg. D. R. 1 2° 36' W. Current 20 miles N N W 14 W. Decbr. 23rd. Light and variable winds from South to S E by S, passing clouds with rain squalls, appear- ances of the Doldrums, or trade winds; evidently we are on the edge of some steady current of wind. . . . Cur- rent 40 miles to the W. Our chances for a passage to Porto Praya are good, say 12 days. . . . January ist, 1859. Light and moderate winds from N E by E 1/2 E to N E >4 N, pleas with passing clouds. Lat. Obs. 10° 09', D. R. 10° o/. Lg. C. 18° 32', D. R. 18° 3/. January 2nd. . . . Current 13 miles to the S and E. Running for the Island of St. Jago, Porto Praya. . . . January 9th. At 4 a.m. stood to the W under double reefed [topsails] and Courses. Island of Mayo in sight to the N. Stood for the Island of St. lago. At 9.45 anchored in the harbor of Porto Praya; found the Flag ship Cumberland and sloop of war Marion at anchor. Our passage has been forty days via the coast from St. Paul De Loanda. Jan. loth. At anchor off Porto Praya. Leiut. Camp- bell was detached and ordered to the Marion Sloop of War. She sailed for Porto Grande for the mail. From January loth to January 24th inclusive, fresh N E trades. . . . Cool enough for thick clothes, pleasant. Got the Dale ready for sea. The U. S. Marion returned. Jan. 25th. Was detached from the Dale by Flag Officer T. A. Conover and ordered to the U. S. Sloop of War Marion, notwithstanding all my endeavors against it, the Flag officer promising to relieve me if an 112311 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS officer came out to the station or to send me home in the first prize taken by the Marion, all of which I place little confidence [in], expecting to be detained out here at least a year longer. Mais nous verrons. Jan. 25th, 1859. On board U. S. Sloop of War Marion off Porto Praya. Reported for duty this morn- ing, Tuesday, and came on board this evening, disgusted with the change on account of the longer detention on the coast of Africa. Jan. 26th. The Dale went to sea today, my old ship ; fresh N E trades, pleasant. Got everything ready for sea. Feel like a cat in a strange garret. Sent a renewal of my allotment by the Brig Julia Ford bound to Boston, to run one year from June, 1859, for Mary, payable to Wm. C. Tyler, Esq., No. 28 State Street, Boston, Mass. January 27th, Thursday, U. S. Sloop of War Marion. We got underweigh at i p.m., the Flag ship having left at II a.m. At 10 p.m. we passed the Cumberland a little to leeward. The ship carries her canvass well and I think is a well disciplined and happy ship ; small, like all third class Sloops of War. Pleasant with passing clouds, wind fresh and moderate from E N E. . . . Febr. 14th. ... At 10.30 p.m. anchored in West Bay Princes Island. Feb. 19th. At I p.m. got underweigh under royals and flying Jib. Wind mod. from S and W; stood to Eastward and S and E of Princes Island. Febr. 20th. Wind mod. and light from the S and W, cloudy at 9.30 a.m., land in sight to the E. The Island of Corisco at meridian bore S S E, working up for it. At 10 p.m. came too off Island of Corisco. . . . Febr. 21st and 22nd. At anchor to the W of Corisco Island. . . . C2323 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Febr. 23rd. ... At 9 a.m. got underweigh under royals. . . . Febr. 24th. ... At 9 a.m. made the Island of Fer- nando Po bearing per comp. N E by N. . . . Febr. 26th. . . . Standing for Fernando Po anchor- age at Clarence Bay at 1 1.45. At 8 Cape BuUer bore E 34 S. Peak of Fernando Po S S E. Anchored in 32 faths. of water. . . . Febr. 27th. At anchor in Clarence Bay, Island of Fernando Po. Shifted our berth nearer to the harbor. Two Spanish, one French, and one English Man of War at anchor (two of them steamers), and exchanged salutes with the Spanish authorities; anchored in 16 faths. water, muddy bottom. Febr. 28th, March ist, 2nd. Weather pleasant with occasional thunder showers, wind light from S and W and var. Watered ship; good place also for wood, but not for provisions or vegetables. An English and Span- ish colony of blacks, formerly English, but now under Spanish rule. March 3rd, 1859. At 10. a.m. got underweigh and stood to the Ed. of Fernando Po Island. . . . March 7th. ... At 7 o'clock p.m. anchored off Co- risco Island. . . . March 8th. . . . At 11. a.m. went to sea working to the S and W. March 9th. . . . At 9.30 p.m. came too ofif the Mouth of the Gaboon [Gabun] river. . . . March loth. . . . Worked up the Gaboon river; anchored once. At 4 p.m. came too ofif the French set- tlement. A French war steamer at anchor. March nth, 12th, 13th, 14th. At anchor in Gaboon River, employed painting and watering ship. [233II PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS March 15th. At 6 a.m. got underweigh and stood down the Gaboon river. . . . March i6th. Wind light and moderate pleasant with a tornado, varied from Wd. to S and Wd. and N and Ed. The conductor was struck at the main truck and shivered it in several places. Working down the west coast of Africa from Gaboon River to Lovoga. The lightning went into the sea along side. . . . March i8th. ... At daylight off Cape Lopez dis- tant about 10 miles. . . . March 21st. ... At 11.40 p.m. anchored with the streamer [stream anchor] in 40 fathoms of water. . . , March 23rd. Variable winds and calm. At 5.30 a.m. anchored with streamer in 26 faths. of water. Thunder & lightning and occasional showers weighed and came too several times during the 24 hours. . . . March 24th. Calm and var winds. Came too as oc- casion required with stream. . . . March 25th. . . . Exercised at a target with the great guns. At 8 a.m. got underweigh. At 9 P.M. came too in 16 faths. . . . March 26th. ... At 7.30 a.m. got underweigh, working up for Mayumba, looked into the bay. . . . March 27th. Calm and var. winds from S and Ed. and Sd. An English steamer of war in company under sail. At 6.30 p.m. anchored with stream in 1 1 faths. . . . March 28th. ... At 9 a.m. weighed anchor. . . . At 7.45 p.m. came too N of Loango Bay in 8 fathoms. March 29th. ... At 10 a.m. weighed. At 2.30 p.m. came too in Loango Bay, Lat. 4° 39' S. March 30th. ... At 6 p.m. H. B. M. Conflict an- chored near us. March 31st, April ist. . . . Watered ship at Loango, [234] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS a fine Lagoon; and an English and french Factory lo- cated here. April 3rd. ... At 8 weighed and stood in for Ka- binda. At 9 came too ofTf Kabinda in 4^/^ fathoms of water. April 4th. At anchor ofif Kabinda, land and sea breezes, pleas. Good place for provisions. April 5th. ... At 5 a.m. weighed. Stood for the Congo. Crossed the Congo River and stood in against a four and five Knot current. At 10 p.m. anchored off Shark's point, Congo river, in 6}4 fathoms of water, an American ship near us. April 6th. At anchor ofTf Shark's point Congo river, sent letters by the John Gilpin, one of the Silva and Sparhawk's vessels of St. Paul de Loanda. April 7th. Got underweigh working out of the Congo river. At 8 p.m. anchored under Point Padrone [Pa- drao] ; anchor did not hold although 50 fathoms of chain were veered; by the time it was bore up we had drifted in with the eddy current nearly to Shark's point and then out of the river under sail. I should anchor close under the point. April 8th. Bound for St. Paul de Loanda. Lat. 6° 35'. At noon land 10 miles distant. April 9th. At sea, Lat. 7° 45'. Weather rainy. Chased a Bark. She got clear of us during a squall. April loth. At 5.30 p.m. We anchored in Loanda Bay. From April loth to April i6th. At 4 p.m. at anchor in Loanda Bay. Heard news of the Bark we chased on the 9th instant; she was taken and towed by H. B. M. Steamer Triton. Left Loanda Bay at 4 p.m. bound to Congo River. [235] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS April i6th, Saturday. Sunday at sea; spoke and com- municated with H. B. M. Steamer Conflict. Tuesday morning, April 19th. Congo River distant about 9 miles. We were boarded by the chief mate of the Amercan Bark Orion, taken by the English Steamer Triton and at anchor in the Congo River. Captain Brent boarded the Orion, overhauled her, and sent Leuit. Campbell to take charge of her. April 20th. Employed overhauling the American Bark Orion. April 2ist. Detached from the U. S. Ship Marion and ordered to take command of the American prize Barque Orion, John E. Hanna, late Master, Thomas Morgan, Chief Mate, Thos. Carolan, 2nd do., Jonathan Brown, Steward, John Williams, 2nd Cook, Henry Wilson Lea, Richard Welsh, Herman Bracker, Wil- liam Fisher, Geo. A. Paul, Rob't Horn, Wm. C. Stew- art and John Williams, Seamen, Super cargo Tristan P. Carhan, as prisoners to be taken to the United States and given up to the U. S. Marshall of New York. Leuit. Wm. P. A. Campbell, Edw. Wright (Capt. F. Top), Chas. Weeks (Capt. F. Top), James Smith, James Bowers, Wm. McMillen (Lds.), Jas. Cooper (O.S.), Quartermaster Chas. Lutz, John Thorn, Allan Capps and John Wilson (O.S.), Wiley Randall (Lds.), Private Marines Rogers, News and Conover. Sent Chas. Lutz (Qr. M.) on the Marion for being drunk, confined Wm. McMillen in double irons for being drunk; employed in watering ship and getting ready for sea. April 22nd, Bark Orion, Congo River. Employed fitting up accommodations for prize crew and in secur- ing cargo of vessel, also in getting ready for sea. Chas. [236] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS Lutz was sent on board from the U. S. ship Marion dis- rated to seaman for bad conduct and drunkeness. Ves- sel drifted about two ship's length ; veered to 45 fathoms of chain, brought up in 7^ fathoms of water. April 23rd. Employed getting ready for sea. At 7 p.m. reported the prize Bark Orion under my command ready for sea to Commander T. W. Brent, having on board 2700 gallons of water, also rations from the Marion for 14 men for a period of 90 days of the follow- ing articles: sugar, tea and cheese. Sunday, April 24th. Prize Bark Orion, Congo River. Waiting for sailing orders. April 25th. Congo River, Shark's pt. bearing East, distant one mile. At 9 a.m. went on board the U. S. Ship Marion; received my instructions from Com- mander Brent. At 1 1.40 got underway under topsails, stood down the river, secured the anchor, and made all plain sail on the Port tack. Left the U. S. S. Marion with Prize Bark Emma Lincoln, Master Palmer, 85 days from New York, in charge; also the Bark Ardenne from Jacksonville, Florida, in charge of Lt. Morris and a boats crew, standing into the River; the latter vessel not searched. H. B. M. Steamer Triton at anchor in the river and H. B. M. Steamer Pluto steaming in. At 4 p.m. lost sight of land. At 3 p.m. took my departure from Shark's point, bore per compass E S E. Distant about 14 miles. ... At 10 and 11 p.m. tacked ship, light winds and pleas, from S and Wd. April 26th, 1859. Prize Bark Orion at sea. . . . Dist. run per Obs. 90 miles. Overhauled the arms, cleaned ship thoroughly above deck, watched and quar- tered the men. The merchant crew of the Prize under C2373 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS my command volunteered to assist in working ship, al- lowed them under restrictions. . . . April 27th. Served the second barrel of bread the first to be charged on the 21st inst. . . . April 28th. Pleasant moderate winds from South to S W; braced the upper yards in a point to lessen her lee- way. . . . Working for the Latitude of the Island of Ascencion. April 29th. Pleasant, moderate winds from South to S W by S. . . . At Mer. Lat. Obs. 7° 24' S, Lg. C. 2° 56' E, Lt. D. R. 7° 29^ Lg. D. R. 2° 54'; leeway i^ pt., var. 2 pts. westerly. Distances run on the day be- tween Meridian April 25th, 1859, and April 26th: per log 79 miles, per Obs. 90 miles ; 26th and 27th, between Meridians: per log 140 miles, per Obs. 167 miles; 27th and 28th: per log 153, per Obs. 171 miles. (Remark — I find the ship has been underlogged; we have no log- line nor glass, and must estimate her speed) . Dist. run per log 153 miles, per Obs. 156 miles. . . . Set the port Foretopmast Studgl. April 30th. Wind from South to S S W. Pleasant; rigged a Main T. Gilt, sail with a Jack yard as a lower studgl. . . . May I St. Set the Port lower studgls. At 10 mustered the prize crew and the crew of the Barque; all ac- counted for. These 24 hours pleasant with passing clouds, wind from S by W to S S E. . . . Dist. per log. 184 miles. Dist. per Obs. 197 miles. Shark's point, Congo River, Dist 945 miles. Island of Ascencion Dist. 680 miles. . . . May 2nd. Filled two 150 gallon casks with salt water forward to trim ship. Moderate winds from the S and pleasant with passing clouds. . . . PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS May 5th. ... At 6 a.m. made the Island of Ascen- cion one pt. on the starboard bow, bearing N W by W. Dist. 38 miles; at Meridian standing for the anchorage on the N W side of Ascencion. At i p.m. hove too to leeward of the anchorage (S E trade wind blowing). At 1.20 sent Leuit. W. P. A. Campbell with a boat to obtain the correct Longitude. At 2.30 Lt. C. returned, hoisted up the boat and made all sail on our cruise, steering W N W, wind S E. Lt. Campbell found the chronometer i m. 26 sec. fast of Greenwich time, its rate 5 seconds and 3 tenths per day gaining; our longitude was 15 miles too far to the Westward. At 2.40 p.m. got sights for Chron. also at 4 p.m. our position. At 4 p.m. the Flag staff at Ascencion Island bore E S E per com- pass. Distant 16 miles. Long. C. at 4 a.m. 14° 39' 15". Long, per bearings 14° 52'. Lg. D, R. 15° i r W. . . . May 7th, 1859. . . . Congo River, Shark's point, distant 2040 miles, an average of 170 miles per day for the last 12 days. . . . Spoke the Barque Chinsura from London bound to Calcutta. At 10 a heavy rain squall from E by N. . . . May loth. During these 24 hours light and mod. S E trade with rain squalls. . . . Dist. per log 151 miles; altered the course to N W in order to cross the line in 34° West Longitude. Lat. D. R. at 8 p.m. 5° 43'; Lg. D. R. at Do. 28° 23'. Set up the back stays fore and aft. . . . May i2th. . . . Lat. by Sumner at 2 p.m. 4° 17' S, Lg. Do. 31° 34', . . . Lg. by bearings of the Island of Fernando deNoronha at 6.20 p.m. . . . 32° 06', Lt. per bearing 4° 09^ . . . Island 2 miles Dist., steering N by W. ... At 1 1 p.m. the Island of Fernando de No- ronha. Middle, bore per compass S W by S. . . . [239;] PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS May 15th. Variable winds with rain. At 10 mus- tered crew and prisoners; all accounted for. Spoke an English Bark from Bahia. . . . May 1 6th., 1859. These 24 hours variable winds with rain at intervals. . . . Lat. Obs. at Meridian 00° 00' 00'' (on the equator), Lg. C. 34° 04' 00'' West. Dist. per log 56 miles. Dist. per Obs. 43 miles. . . . New York City bore per Mercator's, N 42° 05' W. Distant 3250 miles. We are 21 days from the Congo River to crossing the line in 34° 04' West Longitude. . . . May 25th. At 10.30 p.m. John E. Hanna, the late master of the Bark Orion (of which I have command as a prize) , Departed this life. He has been sick since we left the Congo River on the 21st of April last; a broken constitution, excessive use of medicine on the passage out from New York, anxiety of mind amounting to the worst species of Hypocondria, fear of the result of his trial, all combined to exhaust his system both bodily and mentally, so that he died from sheer exhaustion of his natural functions, and from a determination on his own part to give up without an attempt to regain his strength. Altogether a most remarkable case and one which as- similates to what is called a broken heart. Every atten- tion both in regard to diet, medicine, and nursing was paid to him. I left him in possession of his own state- room and personal property. . . . May 26th. Calm, cloudy, variable airs, with occa- sional rain. At 8 a.m. laid the main topsail to the mast, called all hands to "bury the dead," read the Episcopal ritual for burial, and consigned the Mortal remains of the late Master of this Bark to the Deep. At 8.10 filled away upon our course. . . . Took a careful inventory C2403 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS of the effects of the late Master John E. Hanna and locked them up. . . . May 28th. . . . Dist. per log 180 miles; heavy swell, a crate of crockery got adrift in the Main hold, ship very uneasy. 8 p.m. Lt. D. R. 11° 55' Lg. D. R. 47° 06' brought the sails to the yards afresh and repaired the Main Royal and F. S. Studgls. . . . June 2nd. During these 24 hours moderate trade winds from the N and Ed. and pleasant. . . . Lat. Obs. 22° 11' North; the Decclination at Meridian was the exact latitude, the altitude being 89° 48'; the correction 12' +, making the sun exactly vertical at Meridian. . . . Distance per log 187 miles. Distance ran per Obs. 194 miles. New York Distant 1380 miles about N W by N. . . . June 5th. ... At II a.m. Boarded the Schooner Quid Nunc from Porto Rico bound to Bermuda Island. . . . June loth. . . . During these 24 hours ist part calm, latter part light winds from the Sd. and Wd. pleasant. (Note. The water of the vessel getting bad owing to the casks having been spirit casks, trying to purify and correct it with alum.) . . . June I ith. During these 24 hours until 10 a.m. mod- erate winds from the Sd. & Wd. with passing clouds, from 10 to Mer. squally with rain, evidences of the gulf stream, at Meridian calm. . . . Dist. per log 133 miles. Dist. per estimated Lat. and Long. Chron. 131 miles. Got into the gulf [stream] about 2 p.m.; calm, and at 4 a.m. breeze from the E N E, squally weather. . . . June i2th. I think we got out of the gulf about 6 a.M. . . . June 13th. During these 24 hours pleasant with light 11240 PAPERS OF FRANCIS GREGORY DALLAS haze, wind from N E to S E. . . . Sounded in 35 fath- oms of water bottom grey sand; find the estimated error of chronometer to be 1° to the Westward, therefore the Long. D. R. is 74° 38' instead of 75° 38'. At midnight hauled off the land one point. June 14th. At 4 a.m. hauled up for the land N by E ^ E. At 7.30 a.m. received on board a pilot from New York. At Meridian find by Barnegat Lighthouse that the chronometer is 1° 13' in error. Since leaving Island of Ascencion the error is to the westward, a total error of 9 m. 47 sec. since leaving the Congo River, and a difference since leaving the Island of Ascencion, a period of 29 days, of 4 m. 52 sec. gained, or i ° 13' West. At Meridian Lat. D. R. 39° 48', Lat. by Obs. of Barne- gat Light 39° 46'. Lg. by face of Chron. 75° 09', by D. R. 73° 56' W. Ascertained errors above, standing along the coast for Sandy Hook. Dist. per Obs. 175 miles. . . . Went to the Astor House on the evening of the 14th of June, directly after securring the Prize Bark Orion at the Navy Yard. . . . [242] APPENDIX APPENDIX CRUISE OF THE DECATUR By Commodore Thomas S. Phelps, U. S. Navy [Among the officers of the U. S. Sloop-of-war Deca- tur on her cruise to the Pacific, 1 854-1 857, was Passed Midshipman Thomas S. Phelps, acting master and pro- moted to lieutenant during the voyage. On her outward passage from Hampton Roads the Decatur cast anchor in the harbor of Rio de Janeiro August 27, 1854, and at this point we begin to quote from Commodore Phelps's narrative.] EIGHTY-THREE DAYS IN THE STRAIT OF MAGELLAN, ON BOARD THE UNITED STATES SHIP DECATUR, 1854-55.^ As no ship of the Decatur's class had ever sailed from east to west through the Strait of Magellan, — several having failed in attempting it, — and to settle existing doubts regarding this passage in the interests of com- merce, in addition to personal preferences, and also "to afford exercise and excitement to those under him," as required by his instructions. Captain Sterrett decided upon making an efifort to reach the Pacific by this route, and while in port all obtainable information regarding that body of water was collected and carefully digested ; 1 The United Service, March, 1883. 1:2453 APPENDIX and the arrival of the United States steamer Massachu- setts, on September 9, also en route to the Pacific, re- moved any uncertainty, if any existed, as to the feasibil- ity of the undertaking, as by sailing in company any serious impediments arising under canvas could be over- come by the steam generated in the boilers of that vessel. Therefore it was decided that the two ships should re- main together until their arrival in the western ocean, designating certain positions along the coast for ren- dezvousing in case of separating. Both vessels being ready for sea, on September 21 the Massachusetts took her consort in tow, and when clear of the land cast off the hawsers, hauled fires, triced up the propeller, and the two ships made sail, standing to the southward in company. September 22 commenced with a moderate southeast gale, accompanied by heavy rain-squalls, and during the early evening, while making the ship snug for the night by triple reefing the topsails and sending down the pole topgallant-masts, the steamer was reported as "keeping away"; and while endeavoring to ascertain her object for so doing, a rain-squall suddenly hid her from view, and supposing she had borne away to ease the topgal- lant-masts in her effort to strike them, the Decatur's helm was put a-weather to avoid separating, and occa- sional guns fired to indicate her position; but the rain continuing and no response being made, in half an hour she was brought to the wind again to avoid a lee shore. The weather having cleared during the night, and the Massachusetts not visible at daylight, sail was made for the first point of rendezvous; but not finding her there or at any of the designated places, the Decatur pursued her way alone towards the strait, encountering only a [246] APPENDIX few hours of dirty weather while passing the Rio de la Plata. . . . At 9 A.M., October 13, the weather being favorable and the wind westerly, the ship filled and stood to the southward, giving Cape Virgin a berth of two and a quarter miles (passing it in ten fathoms of water), and two hours later the Decatur had rounded Dungeness and was fairly in the eastern entrance to the Strait of Magellan, when the wind failing, she drifted in some five or six miles with a flood-tide, and about the same distance out again on the P.M. ebb. Thus commenced one of the most persistent, determined, desperate strug- gles ever entered into by a ship against the elements, and her failure in achieving a triumphant success was due solely to a difTference of twelve inches in the trim, she being on an even keel, or by the head, instead of a foot or more by the stern. In the former condition the Decatur was dull and heavy in her movements, but in the latter few vessels could surpass her in working to windward. Throughout the day huge columns of smoke ascended from the high lands forming Cape Espiritu Santo in Tierra del Fuego. A similar unexplained phenomenon in Magellan's time furnished a name for this desolate and uninteresting country. At midnight a breeze springing up with the flood, course was laid for Cape Possession, the vessel keeping in forty fathoms water, and at daylight that promontory bore northeast four miles away on the starboard quarter; and while stand- ing towards Narrow Bank (any approach to Orange Bank being readily indicated by the lead) the water suddenly shoaled from twenty-one to six fathoms, and after several stretches in from five to six fathoms the [247] APPENDIX ship succeeded in regaining the channel, when the stream anchor was let go in twenty-one fathoms to await the flood-tide, which, it is said, rises twenty-seven feet in this neighborhood. At 3 P.M. a light northeast breeze rising with the incoming tide, the ship weighed anchor and passed the First Narrows with port stud- ding-sails set, while the solemn penguins, standing on the rocky clififs, grimly viewed the novel spectacle of a war- ship disturbing the solitude of these inland Patagonian waters. The wind dying out soon after leaving the nar- rows, good anchorage was found in fourteen fathoms about two miles from Barancas' BlufT, where the cur- rent did not exceed two and a half knots on either tide, — reported to rise eighteen feet on one side of St. Philip's Bay and twenty-seven on the other, — and across which, and north of Triton Bank, the ship sailed on the 15th, and anchored in seventeen fathoms (on clay bot- tom covered with shells) , abreast of the sand-hills form- ing Cape Gregory. . . . On the 1 8th, the weather being unusually fine, the Second Narrows were soon cleared, when a sudden gale from the westward drove the ship back to leeward of Cape Gregory, where, in half an hour after anchoring, she was plunging her three head-booms under "at every jump." At six o'clock on the following morning, with favorable weather, the ship, without difficulty, passed the narrows from which she was driven the previous evening, and entered Royal Roads, when the wind head- ing and falling light, she sagged over towards Oazy Harbor, where the anchor was let go in seven and a half fathoms. . . . The next morning, soon after leaving Laredo Bay, in consequence of the lead indicating a shoal not laid down 1:2483 APPENDIX on the chart, the anchor was dropped "under foot," and an extensive bank, with from three to five fathoms on it, carefully examined. This accomplished and night ap- proaching, the ship returned to her last anchorage, and on the following day succeeded in working to the south- ward about six miles, and "came to" in Catalina Bay. On the ensuing morning the barometer stood at 28.88 inches, notwithstanding the weather continued remark- ably fine throughout the day. With light head-winds prevailing, the ship beat to within three miles of Sandy Point, when the breeze failing, the anchor was let go in seventeen and a half fathoms, about three-quarters of a mile from the shore, and abreast of where the country commences to be thickly wooded. At this period the barometer was considered of little use in the Cape Horn region ; but long before the Deca- tur entered the Pacific I became satisfied that by sub- stituting 29.50 inches for the zero instead of 30 inches, and with due regard to the probabilities in the neigh- boring reaches, its reliabilty would seldom be ques- tioned. It is not unusual to be riding with good weather and but little wind in one reach while a tem- pest is raging in another only a few miles away, and of whose proximity the glass invariably gives notice, although the observer may be in utter ignorance of the fact. A ship may be driving under "bare poles" in one channel, and on turning into another, deviating only a few points in its direction, suddenly find herself be- calmed. This was by no means an unusual occurrence during the Decatur's bufifetings in these waters. On the 27th, the wind being ahead, the ship worked to the southward of Sandy Point, and anchored near the Chili Settlement. . . . [2493 APPENDIX On the 31st the ship was again under way, and after "hard beating" for thirty-six hours, the wind heading on both tacks and furious "williwaws" frequent, she reached Port Famine, where there is a snug harbor, plenty of game, driftwood, excellent drinking water, procured from shallow wells dug in the beach above tide-mark, and the ruins of the old settlement. . . . November 4 found the Decatur once more out in the strait braced for a struggle, of the nature of which her people fortunately had no conception. Through thick weather, heavy rains, and fierce squalls, steadily she fought her way past Point Isidro, the southeastern base of Mount Tarn, a snow-covered mountain two thousand six hundred and two feet high, and afterwards over the ground where the Atlantic and Pacific tides meet and separate. By 6 P.M. she had battled her way into the Bay of St. Nicholas, seven miles eastward from Cape Froward, — a grand, high, abrupt promontory, forming the extreme southern end of the continent, and the inter- mediate point between the two oceans. The following day being too unfavorable for moving, sickly attempts were made to explore De Gennes River and the neigh- boring shores, resulting only in thoroughly drenching the entire party. At an early hour the next morning the ship was in the strait again, her track forming innumerable "fakes," consequent upon both the wind and sea uniting their retarding forces to a degree that rendered "staying" out of the question; and throughout that day and the suc- ceeding night, and until the following evening, she wore from shore to shore, when the moderating ele- ments enabled her to reach Snug Bay, fourteen miles from the harbor she had left thirty-five hours before. 1:250:] APPENDIX This bay possesses a fine, capacious anchorage; but, owing to the high, precipitous mountains forming the northern and eastern sides, it appears to be only what the name implies, a small, snug harbor. Eastward from the islet, and also from a rocky reef extending from it in a northwesterly direction to the shore, there is excel- lent anchorage all over the bay until close in with the beach, in from six to eight fathoms, with good holding- ground. . . . Weighing from Snug Bay, by 5 P.M. the ship had worked seven miles to windward and found a quiet rest- ing-place in Wood's Bay, a short distance eastward from Cape Holland, where the scenery to the north- ward and w^estward is exceedingly grand, — the sharp snow-capped peaks rising many thousands of feet above the sea-level and standing in bold relief against a leaden sky. November 9 commenced with light northerly airs and drizzling rain, which at noon was succeeded by a strong westerly gale and a chop-sea; nevertheless, by 6 P.M. the ship had made fourteen miles and was head- ing into Fortescue Bay, when a furious "williwaw" drove her out into the strait again, where, before its force became exhausted, the current had swept the vessel to leeward of the harbor, and the inky darkness of the night hiding the rocky shores until they were close aboard, she was forced to remain out, battling with the wind and sea, wearing every few minutes to avoid besetting dangers, until daylight appeared, when, with reefs shaken out and all hands on deck, at 2 P.M. a hard fight had been won, and the anchor rested on the bottom of Fortescue Bay. This fine open roadstead is frequently of difiicult APPENDIX access under sail, owing to the furious gusts and baffling winds from the valley north of Mount Cross, up which, for three-quarters of a mile, extends Port Gallant, a very- snug land-locked harbor, separated from Fortescue Bay by Wigwam Island and a rocky point projecting from the base of the above-named mount. In the northwest angle of this bay is to be found the best anchorage with excellent holding-ground, giving room to swing clear of the kelp and to veer, if necessary; and, although ex- posed to the southward and eastward, is well protected from any wind liable to injure. In the kelp along the bay-shore were to be found spider-crabs of immense size and of unsurpassed delicacy. On pressing these monster crabs flat upon deck, the smallest one caught measured three, and the largest four feet two inches between the extremities of the opposite legs. . . . On the loth, 14th, i6th, and 19th of November, against strong currents and westerly gales, accompanied with severe squalls of rain, hail, and snow, desperate attempts were made to reach the next anchorage in York Roads, fourteen miles farther to the westward, but the poor ship, forced to the utmost of her sail capacity, although frequently to windward of her port with every prospect of making it, would be swept to leeward by the tide and baffling squalls, and at eventide be obliged to run for Fortescue Bay, as remaining under way, unless forced to do so, was out of the question, for any one experiencing a night under sail in either of the three Middle Reaches will never care to repeat an experiment where many years of anxiety can be easily crowded into a few hours of time. Finally, on November 21, with variable winds and weather, and aided by a favorable slant, the ship triumphantly passed York Roads, and [252] APPENDIX encountering a strong ebb, rapidly worked to the west- ward, and after passing through a mass of anchored kelp half a mile from Jerome Point, where six fathoms were found, at 3 P.M. she was safely at anchor in Borja Bay, twenty-three miles from the place of departure. Borja Bay is a semicircular cove, a quarter of a mile wide and one-third of a mile deep, with good water and tenacious holding-ground close in to the kelp lining the shore, and nearly to the water's edge is surrounded by a forest of excellent steaming wood. Here I will mention that, with the exception of Cordes and St. Andrew's Bays, the shores of all the anchorages on the north side of the strait between Sandy Point and Borja Bay are thickly wooded, but from the latter bay to the Pacific the coast is nearly barren of vegetation. Eastward from the cove, for half a mile, good anchor- age will be found within three-fourths of a cable's length from the shore, in from fifteen to twenty-five fathoms, with excellent ground of yellow clay, and where the current constantly sets eastwardly along the land. The Decatur rode out several heavy gales here when unable to reach the cove. Owing to strong gales and heavy rains the 22d was devoted to procuring wood and water, but at i P.M. on the following day, the wind having moderated and hauled to the northward, the ship weighed and worked to the westward in Long Reach as far as Langara Bay, when at sunset the wind suddenly failed, followed by a calm. After nightfall the intense darkness rendered the shores invisible until they were in dangerous proximity to the ship, and the prospect became anything but a promising one. At 8 P.M. a storm of wind, rain, and sleet came tearing down the reach from the westward, [253] APPENDIX threatening to sweep all before it, and after receiving its first stunning blow the ship righted, and gathering headway endeavored to maintain her position, but her head reaching in a channel only two miles wide neces- sarily rendered a frequent change in the direction of her course, and as tacking under the circumstances was sim- ply an impossibility, wearing ship every ten or fifteen minutes rapidly sent the vessel to leeward, and at mid- night she was back in Crooked Reach, between Cape Quod and El Morion. El Morion, or St. David's Head, is a high, helmet- shaped headland of solid granite, rising perpendicu- larly from the water, which is both bold and deep at its base, and projecting from the Fuegian shore to the mid- channel of Long Reach, forms the southern cape to the western entrance of Crooked Reach, and any vessel driv- ing down the former before a storm on a night of im- penetrable darkness neglecting to "port the helm" at the right instant would dash headlong against this adaman- tine wall, and the first indication of impending danger would be the crashing of her head-booms. At 6 A.M. catching a glimpse of Ortiz Island, an effort was made to reach Borja Bay, but when within a few rods of an anchorage a furious squall sent the ship spinning round within fifty feet of the shore, and when out in the strait again, another forced her back to York Roads, where a harbor was secured half an hour later. At half-past four o'clock on the morning of Novem- ber 25, the wind being light from north by east and the tide ebb, the ship weighed, and an hour later entered Long Reach, when the wind hauled ahead in a good topgallant working breeze, steadily holding until mid- night, when it became somewhat puffy, while the [254] APPENDIX weather continued mild and the sky overcast, with no indication of a change either by the barometer or other- wise. At 3.30 A.M., November 26, when within a short distance of Playa Parda Cove, requiring only one more southerly stretch to reach the anchorage, Captain Ster- rett, under the influence of a presentiment and to the surprise of all, ordered sail to be reduced to close-reefed main-topsail and fore-storm-staysail, but before the mandate could be fully obeyed the proximity of the northern shore necessitated a change of course, and when before the wind, while in the act of wearing, one of the most terrific squalls I have ever experienced struck the ship, accompanied with apparently a solid mass of water, stunning and bewildering in its effects, instantly penetrating the clothing and drenching to the skin all those upon whom it fell, and at the same instant the vessel, settling under the tremendous pressure and trembling from truck to keel, as the endangered yards threatened to break from the masts, rushed madly into the wind, and under the helm's influence instantly fell ofif, and finally righted before the tempest, now pressing her bows under until the water, forced through the four hawse-holes, stood between two and three feet deep under the forecastle. The main-topsail was quickly branded [handed?], and under fore-storm-staysail the Decatur sped at a fearful rate down the confined reach, now one broad sheet of driving spray enshrouding the ship in an impenetrable cloud of blinding mist, rain, and sleet, while the officer at the conn prayed for a glimpse of the land or daylight, knowing too well that El Morion lay in the path, and that certain destruction awaited the ship should he fail to turn Cape Quod at the right moment, which, in the absence of any guide, APPENDIX seemed imminent. Fortunately, however, less than an hour afterwards, on passing Cape Notch, barely visible through the obscurity, a slight moderation in the storm's force induced an efifort to save a portion of the distance gained with so much toil and time, but after two or three futile attempts to "heave to," consequent upon want of room to handle ship, she continued to drive until six o'clock A.M., when an anchorage was secured in York Roads, having made thirty-seven miles in two hours and forty-five minutes, and a great portion of that distance under "bare poles." Thirteen days of stormy weather now confined the ship in York Roads, during which time fishing and hunting were fully indulged in, though, probably in consequence of strong winds and heavy rains, with the exception of one day when one hundred and twenty- three mullet were caught by hauling the seine, the efforts made resulted in little beyond thorough wettings to the ambitious sportsmen. Consequent upon the flood-tide from the Pacific flow- ing eastwardly through the Western Reaches to its ter- minal point near Cape Froward, and the waters from Jerome Channel emptying the Otway and Skyring Basins during the ebb, forming a strong surface current in the same direction, and felt beyond Fortescue Bay, English Reach is, perhaps, the most difficult one in the Strait of Magellan, — a vessel, until past Jerome Chan- nel, having to struggle against adverse currents on both sides. Next to English, Long Reach possesses more difficulties for a vessel under sail than any of the others, owing to its narrow channel and the absence of available harbors between Cape Quod and Havannah Point, a distance of thirty-five miles, and averaging only two and APPENDIX a half in width, with the working space reduced to less than two. December 9 once more saw the ship under way, and after a hard struggle she succeeded in reaching Borja Bay, where inclement weather detained her until the 1 2th, when another attempt was made to proceed; but a calm and an easterly current necessitated towing back by the boats, and when near the entrance of the harbor a squall obliged the vessel to "come to" in thirty-seven fathoms; and when tailing in a southeasterly direction with seventy-five fathoms of chain out, one hundred and fifty fathoms of w^ater were found under the stern. The anchor rested on the steep side of a bank, in tenacious yellow clay, and for more than forty hours the ship safely rode through numerous very violent squalls. The Decatur having been out from Rio two months and nineteen days, and with a sadly diminished pro- vision list. Captain Sterrett now assembled the crew and informed them of the necessity of reducing the ration one-half, and declared his intention, with their concur- rence, to continue the efforts to pass the strait until there were only twenty-one days' quarter rations on board, when he proposed to "run for Montevideo, fill the ship with provisions, and return to continue the fight until the Pacific was reached" ; to which every officer and man favorably and enthusiastically responded, prefer- ring to be subjected to any number of hardships and deprivations rather than suffer defeat. About this time scurvy appeared among the crew, and as a possible check to its spreading Surgeon Jeffery per- sonally collected and carried on board several boat- loads of wild celery and water-cresses, explaining to the men the benefits to be derived from partaking freely of 1:2573 APPENDIX those vegetables; and although they were particularly fond of these edibles, the very fact of the doctor's inter- est and trouble in the matter served only to defeat his laudable intentions until they began to seriously suffer, when a compliance with his demands soon eradicated the disease entirely. The 14th and 17th were consumed in efforts to pass through Long Reach (the two intervening days being taken up with gales of wind and rain), resulting in being driven back, and, with difficulty, in regaining the anchorage near Borja Bay. At five o'clock on the morn- ing of December 18 the Decatur was again fighting with the elements in Long Reach; but, forced to suc- cumb, she returned to her anchorage, her people deter- mined, cheerful, and hopeful. At 2 P.M., to the aston- ishment of all on board, the United States steamer Massachusetts — supposed to have been at Valparaiso weeks before — was discovered turning from English into Crooked Reach (but under a different rig from the one carried when last seen), and the satisfaction experienced at this opportune reunion of the two vessels can better be imagined than expressed; nor was that astonishment lessened when they learned that during the squall on the evening of September 22 the steamer had lost her main- and mizzen-masts, and barely saved the fore from going by the board also; the disaster hav- ing been occasioned chiefly by the low stowage of heavy anchors and chains destined for California. Soon after the steamer's return to Rio (on the 23d), in order to replace her lost spars, an outward-bound vessel carried to New York a dispatch penned by a Herald correspon- dent, stating that "during a heavy gale, which dismasted the Massachusetts, the United States ship Decatur sud- 1:2583 APPENDIX denly disappeared in a furious squall, and it was be- lieved that she had gone down, carrying all on board with her to the bottom." An article written with little judgment, and productive of infinite and useless distress. The Massachusetts, having been furnished with sev- enty cords of wood to eke out her somewhat scanty stock of coal, at early daylight on December 20 (the wind at the time being light from southeast, and against the remonstrances of both the commander and navigator of the sailing-ship, who, by a terrible experience, had learned the significance of a light breeze from that direction) raised steam, and on getting under way was followed by her consort out into the strait, where the former received the end of a hawser from the latter, and before the boat carrying it could return, a sudden, furi- ous wind howling down Long Reach forced the Deca- tur to wear short round to avoid going on the Fuegian shore, and afterwards to run before it, with the boat dragging by the now trailing hawser, which the crew had succeeded in grasping; and on passing Jerome Point, to prevent swamping they let go, and after a perilous "pull" fortunately reached York River in safety. A few minutes later the ship was "brought to the wind" in order to hold her own until the gale abated sufficiently for her to enter York Roads, without the chances of taking ground in a roadstead where there was scarcely room for "rounding to" in the storm now raging. Meanwhile the Massachusetts, unable to steam back to her anchorage, and steadily losing ground, finally wore and ran for Fortescue Bay. At 2 P.M., during a lull, the Decatur kept away for the haven under her lee, when a terrific squall obliged her to "up helm," and she went tearing down English Reach at a 1:2593 APPENDIX tremendous pace, leaving the cutter behind ; and an hour later, on rounding into Fortescue Bay, another furious squall forced her out into the strait, where, under storm- mizzen and main-spencer, she rode quietly without head-reaching, merely drifting before the tempest. While furling sails, Robert Hamilton, seaman, lost his footing through the unexpected rendering of the ''bight" of a furling line, which he imagined taut round the sail, and striking the forecastle head downwards, died in- stantly. The boat left behind at York River, on seeing the ship disappearing to the eastward, put out after her, and, to the surprise of all, safely reached Fortescue Bay, where her crew found a temporary asylum on the steamer. The Decatur, by riding under after-canvas alone, re- mained in the middle of the stream with a moderate movement to leeward, and relieved the commander and navigator of a world of anxiety which any efforts to maintain a weatherly position under sail would have insured, while the constant "wearing ship" throughout the night to effect that object would have carried her many miles to the eastward of the place she occupied on the following morning, — about five miles west of Cape Holland, — and from which position she bore away for Wood's Bay in order to render the last sad rites to a de- ceased and lamented shipmate. Now, on the 21st of December, the ship rode at an- chor in the harbor whence she had sailed on November 9, and, considering the weather experienced the ensuing week, had Captain Sterrett acted upon his own judg- ment, and not weighed from Borja Bay during the continuance of a light southeasterly wind, his vessel 1:2603 APPENDIX probably would have reached the Pacific without fur- ther serious difficulty. The following day, after a "tough beat" of fourteen hours, the ship anchored on a bank abreast of Cordes Bay, extending nearly a mile southwesterly from Muscle Island, where there is un- surpassed holding-ground, composed of yellow clay and pebbles, covered with a shallow layer of sand, broken shells, and coral, resembling bran more than anything else. Two days later, for the last time, the Decatur entered Fortescue Bay, and on Christmas, in tow of the Massa- chusetts, regained Borja Bay, from which port the two vessels departed on the 26th, and after progressing about ten miles in Long Reach, steaming smoothly along close to the north shore to avoid an adverse current, and when to windward of and uncomfortably near to a projecting rocky point, the steamer, without warning or ostensible cause, cast off both tow-lines, leaving her consort, with every sail snug in the gaskets and two hundred fathoms of hawser in the water hanging under her bows, to save herself the best way she could. The experience gained by more than two months in this strait, together with the admirable discipline on board, now told, and in less time than it takes to narrate it the men were on the yards, topsails sheeted home and mast-headed, jibs hoisted, fore tack boarded, and the ship, with helm hard a-starboard, head-yard abox, after ones square, and head-sheets to windward, was wearing sharply round, barely clearing the danger close aboard under her lee; and when in the stream with hawsers coiled away, the steamer disappearing in the distance, night approach- ing, and failing to find an anchorage in Orsono Bay, she returned to her old berth in a bay whose name had be- 1261-2 APPENDIX come more familiar than a household word. The next morning the Massachusetts made her appearance, with no excuse to offer on the part of her commanding officer for the performance of the preceding evening, and on the following day she again took the Decatur in tow, and finally succeeded in carrying her to Playa Parda Cove, thirty-three miles from Borja Bay. Playa Parda Cove is an oval-shaped basin, rather more than half a mile in its greatest diameter, and some- what less in its shorter one, with from four to six fathoms water; is completely land-locked, sheltered from every wind by precipitous mountains and high hills, and connected with the outer harbor by a clean, narrow channel, with six fathoms in it, and the water bold close to either shore. The outer harbor is three- fourths of a mile wide and less than half a mile deep, averaging about six fathoms all over it, and with scat- tered sprigs of kelp extending half-way across from the western shore, among which excellent pan fish readily took the hook. This anchorage is a good one, with fine holding-ground, and tolerably well sheltered from the winds to be mostly feared, though squalls from Playa Parda Bay will sometimes necessitate a close watch upon the "drift-lead." The best place to anchor is near the centre of the roadstead abreast of Middle Point, where, with a good scope of chain and a vigilant obser- vance upon the anchors, I see no reason for a ship's dragging into a dangerous neighborhood. A careful and thorough search failed to develop any lurking dan- gers outside the kelp on the several points. In this desolate region, beyond the grandeur of the scenery little can be said in its favor; one or two 1:2623 APPENDIX glaciers, a few stunted trees, scarcity of game, and the shores well covered with small, pearly mussels, limpets, tritons, sea-eggs, etc., to which may be added gales and squalls of unprecedented violence, rain, hail, and snow, about complete the picture. The first day of January, 1855, passed away quietly with moderate and variable winds, and at an early hour on the ensuing morning, with the steamer ahead, both vessels soon entered Sea Reach, where the strait sud- denly widens from two and a half to five, and soon afterwards to fifteen miles. With the exception of encountering a short, heavy swell on leaving Long Reach and passing many Fuegian canoes, little of inter- est transpired; and after being towed against a strong westerly wind throughout the succeeding night (during which the commander of the steamer frequently threat- ened to cast the Decatur adrift), at six o'clock the next morning the two vessels were riding at their anchors in the Harbor of Mercy (five miles from the Pacific Ocean) in eleven and a half fathoms, where occasional branches of anchored kelp were showing on the water all the way across the entrance. . . . On the 4th of January, 1855, the weather being clear, the morning bright and beautiful, with a light westerly breeze stirring, and a gentle swell rolling in from the ocean, the Decatur, towed by the Massachusetts, at last emerged from the western entrance of the Strait of Magellan, — her objective-point for eighty-three days, — and, when twenty miles ofif shore, the two ships, under sail, separated, both steering for Valparaiso. . . . Regarding the meteorological and other conditions of the straits through which the Decatur had just 1:2633 APPENDIX passed, I will mention here that from Cape Virgin to Sandy Point, with the exception of one "clear storm," and another accompanied with rain and snow, the weather was fine and pleasant, with few or no clouds to be seen, excepting over the distant mountains; but be- tween Sandy Point and the Harbor of Mercy, a period of sixty-eight days, there were only one or two on which either rain or snow or both did not fall ; and on Decem- ber 23 the ship had dry decks for the first time after leaving Sandy Point, on the 31st of October. There were only a few days of continued rain, and, considering the latitude, the entire fall did not appear excessive, — the principal amount being received from showers in English and Long Reaches. During the eighty-three days' experience between Capes Virgin and Pillar the mean temperature was 45.28°, the maximum 58°, and the minimum 29°, and on two occasions only did the mer- cury fall to 32° or below. In these so-called Cape Horn latitudes any winds blowing over the Pacific Ocean from the north round by west to south, on striking the coast, are drawn eastwardly between the lofty, precipi- tous mountains forming the occidental reaches, and pro- duce an almost perennial westerly wind in these channels. The weather in the reaches eastward from Cape Froward will ofifer no criterion for the meteoro- logical influences to be experienced in those to the west- ward of that point. . . . The 17th of January saw the Decatur at anchor before the city of Valparaiso, missing by two days the semi-monthly steamer plying to Panama. In port was the flag-ship St. Lawrence, Commodore Mervine, and from her officers it was ascertained that weeks before all 1:2643 APPENDIX hope of the Decatur's safety had been abandoned, and their impressions in that respect duly forwarded to the United States. Sailing from Valparaiso on January 26, the Decatur arrived at Honolulu, Hawaii Islands, March 8, and some two months later her people learned that, owing to a disabled steamer, news of the ship's safety was not received in the United States until March 25, sixty- seven days after reaching port, and two days after she had been classed as lost on the 23d of September, 1854, and the names of the following officers, together with those of the crew, erased from the register of the Navy Department, viz.: Commander, Isaac S. Sterrett; Lieutenants, Edward Middleton, Andrew J. Drake, Aaron K. Hughes; Acting Master, Passed Midshipman Thomas S. Phelps; Purser, John J. Jones; Surgeon, Richard W. Jeffery; Assistant Surgeon, John Y. Tay- lor; Passed Midshipmen, Francis G. Dallas, George U. Morris; Midshipmen, M. C. Campbell, John G. Mit- chell; Boatswain, Henry Bright; Gunner, R. M. Stocking; Carpenter, Joseph E. Miller; Sail-Maker, Augustus A. Warren; Captain's Clerk, James S. Ster- rett; all of whom were not regretful in disappointing those whose promotions would have been effected by the foundering of the United States sloop-of-war Deca- tur. [From Honolulu the Decatur sailed for Puget Sound and cast anchor at Port Townsend July 19, 1855. After learning of the condition of afifairs in the Territory she proceeded to the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, for provisions and ammunition, returned to Puget [2653 APPENDIX Sound, and anchored off Seattle October 4th. Com- modore Phelps here resumes his narrative.] REMINISCENCES OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON TERRI- TORY, AND THE U. S. SLOOP-OF-WAR DECATUR, DURING THE INDIAN WAR OF 1855-56.1 The Decatur was only a few hours in port before we had a fair understanding of existing affairs. During the interval between that ship's departure in July and her return the passive attitude of the Indians had changed to an active one. The Kliktat and Spokane Indians first united with hostile intentions, and soon were joined by the Palouses, Walla-Walla, Yakami, Kamialk, Nisqually, Puyallup, Lake, and other tribes, estimated at six thousand warriors, marshaled under the three generals-in-chief Coquilton, Owhi, and Lushi, assisted by many subordinate chiefs. . . . Excepting . . . three tribes, . . . and a few of the Duwam-sh race residing in and around Seattle, the en- tire body of Indians in the Territory were united against the colonists, who were poor, without military resources, save a few rifles and old fowling-pieces, and beyond themselves their only hope rested upon the t^vo com- panies of the Third U. S. Artillery, acting as infantry, commanded by Captain E. D. Keyes, U. S. A., and stationed at Fort Steilacoom, situated about a mile east of the town bearing that name. Unfortunately, at this time their prospects of assistance were lessened by the absence of one company, under Lieutenant Slaughter, upon a reconnoitring expedition to the Naches Pass, and of whose safety serious doubts were entertained. Various extravagant rumors were in circulation, and the 1 The United Sen'ice, December. 1881. 1:266] APPENDIX minds of the people naturally became unsettled and prepared to credit any report however marvelous, and when, about October i, a man by the name of Porter was attacked by a few Indians (but who succeeded in escap- ing to Steilacoom), a panic was created. The farmers of Kings County abandoned their homes and fled with their families to Seattle, where, uniting with the townspeople, they lost no time in constructing a blockhouse on the mound of sufficient capacity to pro- tect them against the incursion of the savage horde momentarily expected; and at this juncture, when all hope of assistance from the outside world was given up, the appearance of the Decatur rounding West Point was such an unexpected acquisition of good fortune to the anxious and despondent settlers that they seemed to feel as if a reprieve from sudden death had been granted, and the transition from despair to unrestrained joy may be imagined but not described. . . . On the 1 8th the alarm of the citizens was seriously augmented by the arrival from Fort Colville of six Frenchmen, who were positive of the union of the Klik- tat, Spokane, Palouse, Walla-Walla, and Yakami In- dians for hostile purposes, and had been assured by the chief of the latter tribe that on October 6 he had at- tacked and destroyed a company of soldiers, thereby securing a good supply of arms and ammunition, enabling him to assume the offensive and also to secure all the mountain passes and rivers. This probably was the Indian version of a report re- ceived through another channel the next day, that on the 6th Major Haller's command had charged and routed a body of Indians, w^ith severe loss on both sides, the soldiers remaining in possession of the field. 1:267] APPENDIX Following this came the news of Lieutenant Slaugh- ter's return from the mountains, where finding the enemy numbering between three and four thousand, he deemed it expedient to fall back, first to White River and afterwards to Fort Steilacoom. These and other kindred stories served as a prelude to the tragedy enacted at the Pup-shulk Prairie on Sun- day morning, October 28, when at eight o'clock the sav- ages surprised and murdered three families recently returned to their homes. . '. . The farmers having returned to Seattle, and that place holding about one hundred able-bodied men, to a certain extent the ship was left free to attend to the in- terests of other places on the sound, and having gar- risoned the block-house with a guard of marines under Lieutenant Drake, she sailed on November 20 for Steilacoom, where the people were much excited over a party of some thirty Northern Indians encamped to the southward of the town. Lieutenant Hughes was dis- patched with the first cutter to investigate the trouble, and as he landed and was advancing towards them, the Indians wrought to a high pitch of anger by the towns- men, and not comprehending the object of the visit, covered him with their guns and ordered him back, but Hughes, undaunted, pushed onward, and as the Indians were on the point of firing, the squaws, fortunately re- maining cool, seized and pressed the muzzles of the rifles down, and by their presence of mind saved the officer's life and their entire band from annihilation. An amicable conversation followed, which resulted in the Indians leaving immediately for Vancouver's Is- land. At the fort Captain Keyes was organizing another [268: APPENDIX expedition for the field, to be commanded by Lieuten- ant Slaughter, and being short of officers, Master Dal- las was assigned temporarily as aide to Captain Keyes, and Dr. Taylor as surgeon, and Lieutenant Harrison, of the revenue cutter Jefferson Davis, as first lieutenant to Slaughter's command, which in a few days left for the Muckle-shute Prairie, and from that point to care- fully examine the White River country through to the head of Duwam-sh Bay. On the ist day of December, while meditating a visit to Nisqually and Olympia, alarming news from Seattle came by express, and the ship immediately repaired to that place, when an urgent request was received from Port Madison for the vessel to "come immediately and save the people from a band of Northern Indians who were threatening the lives of the entire settlement." In a few hours the ship was in that harbor, and Captain Sterrett, believing in the possible settlement of a prob- able misunderstanding by a conference, requested the principal men to assemble on board for that purpose; but the Indians doubting the propriety of subjecting their persons to the tender mercies of the "Bostons"^ without proper guarantees, which Captain Sterrett de- clined to give, sent a decided negative, but after many promises and much persuasion he succeeded in gather- ing a deliberative board of the savages, composed of Scowell, the most powerful chief in all the Territories of Northwestern America, and eighteen minor chiefs, or Tyees, and after giving them an exhibition of the power of heavy guns, the explosive nature of iron shells, and destructive qualities of grape and canister, he ex- plained the situation, the excited state of the settlers, and ^ Americans. [269:] APPENDIX in the war already inaugurated the impossibility of dis- tinguishing friends from foes, and concluded by urging them to return to their own country and remain there until the close of hostilities; to which Scowell imme- diately responded, "In eighteen hours we will leave, and not return till the war is over." Within twelve hours the entire encampment had departed from the waters of Puget Sound. The object of the trip being satisfactorily concluded, and the state of affairs at Seattle rendering imperative the ship's immediate return, preparation was made to leave, when a canoe arrived from the latter place bring- ing news of the disaster which had befallen the com- mand of Lieutenant Slaughter near the forks of White and Green Rivers, requiring notice at this time. The march of the expedition, after leaving Steil- acoom, to Muckle-shute was devoid of interest, and after a brief rest at that prairie proceeded down the val- ley of White River, every precaution being taken against surprise, and notwithstanding the constant fall of rain, neither tents nor fires were permitted until their arrival at the Pup-shulk Prairie, near the forks, where, on December 4, meeting with Captain Hewett, and being assured by that officer of the absence of Indians, his company having thoroughly scoured the neighborhood during the day. Lieutenant Slaughter ordered his men to encamp for the night. Tents were erected, fires kindled, and for the first time in three days the tired and drenched command enjoyed rest and dry clothing. A deserted log hut was found on the ground, which the officers appropriated for headquarters, and with a rousing fire before the door, made themselves as com- fortable as the circumstances would admit. About 10 [270] APPENDIX o'clock P.M., while Lieutenant Slaughter and Captain Hewett were conversing together inside the hut, and exposed to the open door, with Dr. Taylor and Lieuten- ant Harrison also in the room, the Indians, who had passed the sentinels unperceived, poured a heavy volley into the encampment, instantly killing Lieutenant Slaughter and wounding others. The awakened gar- rison were quickly in position, and a fierce fusilade was kept up on both sides until towards dawn, when the Indians retired, leaving on the ground Lieutenant Slaughter, Corporal Berry, and one private of the army, and Corporal Langden, Washington Territory Volunteers, killed, and five men wounded. The intense darkness of the night probably saved the command from annihilation. On December 6 the expedition, with the remains of Lieutenant Slaughter, arrived at Seattle, and returned to Fort Steilacoom by water. . . . On the morning of December 7 the Decatur, with William Webster, pilot, in charge, weighed anchor, and while working to the southward against a light head wind, and at about high water, at 2 P.M., being close in with Bainbridge Island, struck upon a rocky reef mak- ing in a southeasterly direction from the land, a danger of which the pilot was entirely ignorant. A sharp point penetrated the keel and held the ship against every at- tempt to back her ofif, and by the time an anchor could be carried out and the heavy guns run aft, the tide had fallen sufficiently to render futile every effort to move her. The rise and fall of the tide was between thirteen and fourteen feet, and as it subsided the ship canted rankly to starboard, and appeared to be held at a point about ten feet abaft the foremast. About 5 o'clock P.M. a loud, sharp report was heard, accompanied with a 1:270 APPENDIX severe trembling of the vessel, and an examination for the cause revealed the fact of her starboard bilge bear- ing upon a sharp ridge of a ledge, with the side from the keel up being stove in; the main rail between the fore- and mainmasts arched nearly two feet, and the seams opened an inch or more. At low tide the ship rested as follows, viz. : the stern on the bottom, where there was only three feet of water, the bilge under the after part of the fore-channels on a sharp, rocky ridge, and the keel upheld by the pointed rock before men- tioned. Thus she was sustained at two points, the stern and bilge, with the forefoot elevated about five feet above the sand. Had she gone ten feet farther, the ship would have been evenly balanced in the air at low water. The open seams were calked with blankets, and every prepa- ration made to float her at high water. About six o'clock the next morning, during a moderate squall, the ship backed ofif, and soon under a press of canvas was beating back to Seattle, where, after a vexatious passage, con- tending against head winds and calms, she arrived in thirty hours. On the loth of December the command of the Deca- tur was transferred to Commander Guert Gansevoort, U. S. N., Captain Sterrett having been placed on the reserved list of the navy by the action of the retiring board of 1855, in consequence of false charges having been preferred and the defendant adjudged guilty with- out a hearing. Subsequently, however, he was triumph- antly vindicated before a proper tribunal, and one of the most genial and efficient officers of the navy was restored to the active list. As a seaman, he had no su- perior in or out of the service. The ship was now taken 1:272:] APPENDIX to Yesler's wharf, the topmast and yards sent on shore, hold broken out, battery removed to the wharf, and at high water hauled as far up on the shore as it was pos- sible to get her, so that when the tide was at its lowest ebb she was nearly "high and dry." An examination showed the keel, keelson, and side up to the water-line to be badly broken, the latter stove in, and the starboard side from bridleport to mainmast, and rail to keel, frame-knees, lining, and outside planking, excepting an inch of the outer surface, completely dry-rotted. The carpenter's crew immediately commenced the repairs by jacking the side into place, filling in with nev/ wood; bracing with strong timbers, calking, felting, and sheathing the outside; working day and night till the 19th of January, when the battery was remounted, and the ship once more rode to her anchor, where she could command nearly every part of the town with her guns. During the twenty days the ship lay on the beach un- dergoing repairs many incidents worthy of notice oc- curred, among which the following may be considered the most interesting. Early in the month, Lushi, elud- ing the watch of Steilacoom, gained the reservation near that town, and while endeavoring to corrupt the Indians there, notice of his presence was conveyed to Captain Keyes, who immediately dispatched Captain Maloney and company in the Hudson Bay steamer Beaver, kindly loaned for the purpose, to secure the person of that chief for further disposal; but as the Beaver ap- proached the encampment Lushi and his warriors were in battle array awaiting their arrival, but having no can- non or facilities for landing, beyond a small boat capa- ble of holding only three or four persons. Captain Maloney was obliged to return and report the failure 1:2733 APPENDIX of his mission; whereupon Captain Keyes embarked in the Active^ for Seattle to borrow the launch and how- itzer of the Decatur; but they being indispensable for the protection of that place, Captain Gansevoort de- clined to let them go out of the bay. The Active then steamed away for Steilacoom, where she arrived about midnight of January 6. In the mean while, alarmed for his safety and divining the object of the Active's absence, Lushi quietly returned to the Puyallup River, capturing two white men on his way and carrying them prisoners to his camp. About ten o'clock on the evening of January i8 the town was thrown into a commotion by the discharge of a musket, apparently near the outskirts in rear of the mound. The Decatur's crew, who were organized in four di- visions, with a howitzer's crew in addition, sprang to arms, repaired to the stations assigned in the event of a surprise, manned the guns mounted to sweep the wharf, and awaited further developments, while the women, children, and others sought refuge in the block- house. . . . About the 21st of January "Jim"- notified Captain Gansevoort of the Indians having crossed the moun- tains, and on being joined by the warriors west of the Cascades had formed in two columns, under Coquilton and Owhi, to attack simultaneously both Seattle and Steilacoom, which with their overwhelming forces they hoped to carry, and then pursue their bloody work until not a white inhabitant was left alive in the Territory; ^ U. S. Coast Survcj' steamer. - Yark-eke-e-man, an Indian friendly to the Americans. 1:2743 APPENDIX but when on the eve of executing these plans, Coquilton was instructed by a scout that the "Boston war-ship," then aground in Duwam-sh Bay, had her hold full of powder, and to an enterprising chief like himself would become an easy prey, whereupon he had recalled Owhi, and with the united columns was marching upon Seattle to secure the prize providentially placed within his reach; and that secured, the Territory, he reasoned, would be at his mercy, and its final conquest only a mat- ter of time. . . . The work on the ship was pursued with unremitting vigor until she floated, all ataunto, in the stream. The divisions, skilled in the exercises of battle, nightly oc- cupied the shore, vigilantly guarding the people as they slept, and resting only when the morning light released them from the apprehended attack. The divisions com- manded by their respective officers were distributed along the line of the defense in the following order: the fourth, under Lieutenant Dallas, commencing at South- east Point, extended along the bay shore to the sand-bar, where meeting with the right of the first division. Lieutenant Drake, the latter continued the line facing the swamp to a point half-way from the bar to a hotel situated midway between the bar and Yesler's place, and there joined the second, under Lieutenant Hughes, whose left, resting on the hotel, completed an unbroken line between the latter and Southeast Point, while the howitzer's crew. Lieutenant Morris, was stationed near Plummer's house, to sweep the bar and to operate wherever circumstances demanded. The third division, Lieutenant Phelps, occupied that portion of the neck lying between the swamp and mound east of Yesler's [275] APPENDIX place, to secure the approaches leading from the lake, and the marines, under Sergeant Carbine, garrisoned the block-house. The divisions thus stationed left a gap between the second and third, which the width and impassable na- ture of the swamp at this place rendered unnecessary to close, thereby enabling a portion of the town to be en- compassed, which otherwise would have been exposed. The distance between the block-house and Southeast Point, following the sinuosities of the bay and swamp shores, was three-quarters of a mile, to be defended by ninety-six men, eighteen marines, and five officers, leav- ing Gunner Stocking, Carpenter Miller, Clerks Francis and Ferguson, and fifteen men with Lieutenant Middle- ton to guard the ship. Surgeons JefTery and Taylor, Purser Jones, and Sail-maker Warren composed the stafif of the commanding officer, and did good service on shore. Of the entire ship's company, numbering one hundred and forty-five officers and crew, only one, Hans Carl, an old seaman in the last stage of decline, was un- able to answer when the muster-roll was called. . . . On the 24th the Active came into the harbor, bearing Governor Stevens and stafif, accompanied by Captain Keyes and Indian Agent Simmons. The governor, recently returned from visiting the CoEur d'Alenes and other transmountain tribes, scofifed at the idea of Indian troubles, and on the evening of the 25th concluded a speech addressed to the settlers with these emphatic words: "I have just returned from the countries of the Nez Perces and of the Coeur d'Alenes; I have visited many tribes on the way both going and coming, and I tell you there are not fifty hostile Indians in the Territory, and I believe that the cities of New 1:2763 APPENDIX York and San Francisco will as soon be attacked by In- dians as this town of Seattle." The effect of this decla- ration upon his hearers was disheartening in the extreme, for within an hour before their utterance in- telligence had been received that "Coquilton with his army was approaching by the way of Lake Duwam-sh, and had been crossing since early in the morning"; and many then resolved to leave the country, which they afterwards did, causing much annoyance to the gover- nor, who attributed their defection to the "improper influence of the officers of the' Decatur." Immediately upon closing, the gubernatorial party re-embarked and continued their inspecting tour of the reservations in the lower waters of the inlet.^ Owing to a singular idiosyncrasy on the part of the people residing in the upper regions of the sound, only a few apparently believed in the danger near at hand, and laughed to scorn the "officers of the ship at Seattle" for their absurd apprehensions of any difficulty with a race too cowardly to resist any aggressions, however se- rious they might be. During the afternoon of the 25th, Tecumseh, chief of the Lake Indians, came in with his whole tribe and claimed protection against the hostiles, who designed their destruction in consequence of their adhering to the whites, and they were assigned to a portion of the unoc- cupied ground in the southern portion of the town with ^ The Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens (see especially Vol. II, pp. 162- 167) gives quite a diflferent impression of the governor from that here set forth by Commodore Phelps. It is possible that at this time, just after his return from Fort Benton, he was not perfectly familiar with local conditions around Seattle, though his knowledge of the whole Indian situation was surely not deficient. He was probably misun- derstood by the naval officers. 1:2773 APPENDIX the injunction to keep within their camp and not to stray beyond its bounds. The protestations of these Indians were received in good faith and an asylum cheerfully accorded; how well deserved the following pages will show. . . . At midnight, commencing January 26, Tecumseh, Owhi, Lushi, Curley, Yark-eke-e-man, and chiefs of lesser note were assembled in the lodge of the former to decide upon a plan of battle and the necessary details to harmonize the movements of the Indians both in and out of the town. Preliminary to more important busi- ness, the council decided upon an indiscriminate slaugh- ter of all the people found in Seattle, including those belonging to the ship. Curley requested an exemption in favor of Mr. Yesler, — always a kind friend to his race, — but being overruled, finally consented that he also should be consigned to destruction with the others. Next, after serious deliberation, they decided that their stranger guests should immediately return to Coquilton by water, and arrange for a simultaneous assault of all the forces under his command; the Indians within the town to provide against a retreat in the direction of the bay, and thus insure the destruction of both people and town, and secure a retreat to the forests before the heavy guns on the ship would be able to open fire ; the attack to be made about 2 o'clock A.M. instead of the hour im- mediately preceding dawn, as is usual with the Indians; and the inadequate garrison being taken by surprise, would, they argued, offer only a feeble resistance to the overwhelming number of determined Indians launched suddenly upon them, and an easy victory be gained with little loss to themselves. Having satisfactorily completed the programme for C2783 APPENDIX offensive operations, the two chiefs were on the eve of embarking in a canoe waiting for them on the beach, when Yark-eke-e-man, who had some time previously been accused by the Indians of being too friendly with their enemies, and who was not yet wholly free from the ban of suspicion, now became painfully conscious of his inability to give timely warning of the intended move- ment, and instantly conceived a way of defeating their well-digested plans, while at the same time he would be enabled to notify those interested in the measures in- augurated for their destruction; and while apparently assenting to every proposition decided in the affirma- tive, he boldly opposed the method of execution, and counseled the chiefs not to attempt to leave in the man- ner suggested, for the men guarding the shore would certainly discover and shoot them, "and your death or capture at this juncture," said he, "will defeat the ob- jects we have in view; but rest quiet until morning, and as soon as the crew return to the vessel, you can walk out over the bar, mistaken for Lake Indians; besides, the 'Bostons' are anticipating a night attack and prepared to resist any assault you may make; and if you should suc- ceed, which is doubtful, it will be at the cost of a fearful loss of life ; but wait," he added, "until ten o'clock, when the Decatur's men will have breakfasted and gone to sleep ; then be prepared to attack with your whole force, leaving the avenues of retreat to the care of the Indians in town, and when ready, overwhelm the place with every warrior in your army, and before the guns of the ship can interfere, every inhabitant will be dead, their dwellings given to the flame, and your people back in safety to the woods. "Now mass your forces in ambush near the brow of 1:2793 APPENDIX the first range of hills, leaving a few exposed in front, and as the Decatur's men land, mistaking them for the main body, they will charge and drive the flying In- dians up the hill, and on their reaching your line give them the contents of your guns, and let clubbed muskets and knives do the rest; not a soul can escape, and with canoes the ship will be easily overpowered, and she, to- gether with her ammunition and provisions, will be yours." This scheme proved too grand in the prospects ad- vanced, and by far too brilliant in its anticipated results, not to find a ready response in every Indian's heart, and without modification the council unanimously voted to substitute it for the original one planned a short time before. . . . Meanwhile the Decatur's people had gotten them- selves ready to partake of their morning meal, and were on the eve of satisfying their appetites, rendered keen by a night's vigils, when the long-roll summoned them to the deck, and ten minutes later found them, breakfast- less, under arms at the stations vacated by them a short time before. The third division was the last in order to leave the ship, and the captain accompanied it to the shore, where the non-combatants of the friendly tribes were hurrying their chattels into canoes and pushing out into the bay. . . . The third division, while dashing forward to the ren- dezvous, caught sight of the Indians massed in the Lake trail, and, contrary to orders, charged and drove them to the ridge of the hill before they could be arrested and turned back, and the ambushed Indians, too much astonished at the unexpected retreat to improve the criti- 1:280] APPENDIX cal moment, suffered their enemies to regain their sta- tions unmolested, when the latter, finding a few sapling- stumps for rifle-rests, soon cooled down to their work, while their disappointed foes vainly endeavored to re- gain the ground they had lost. The costumes of the officers and men being similar, the puzzled Indians were unable to distinguish one from the other, but the initial movement revealing to them the officer in charge of that command rendered his position an unenviable one during the next five hours of the fight. Early in the action Klakum, secreted in easy range behind a tree, observing Mr. Peixotto standing on the block-house steps with young Holgate two or three steps above and immediately behind, carefully leveled his rifle at the former and fired; the ball missing its mark penetrated the brain of the latter, and the poor boy fell backward dead upon the floor. Within an hour after this sad event Hans Carl, the invalided sailor of the Decatur, quietly breathed his last, and his nurse, a colored boy belonging to the ship, came to the front, and upon his reporting the circum- stances, I inquired why he had left the body uncared for, to which he replied, "I can't see no good watching dead man when Injuns is round; he ought to look out for his own self when fightin's goin' on, and 'stead watchin' dead body I want to do some of it myself, sah !" The excuse was deemed sufficient, and his conduct un- der the circumstances warranted. A rifle was placed in his hands, a position in the line given him, and a braver man never endured an Indian fire in battle. Leaving the third division and marines to hold the Indians in check at the head of the swamp, we turn to 1:281] APPENDIX the south end of the peninsula, where the contestants being separated by the slough, the battle assumed the nature of a long-range duel, where large numbers were engaged and neither party could approach the other without incurring certain destruction, and any attempt at crossing by the sand-bar would have resulted in in- stant death to any one foolhardy enough to undertake it. The Indians possessed the advantage of position, over- whelming numbers, and in being screened by trees, logs, and bushes, while the whites in the field south of the neck, including citizens who came forward to assist in protecting their families and property, did not number over one hundred men under arms, and, except the pro- tection afforded by a few scattering stumps, the entire party was openly exposed to the storm of bullets con- stantly sweeping over the slope and ridge. The roaring of an occasional gun from the ship belch- ing forth its shrieking shell and its explosion in the woods, the sharp report of the howitzer, the incessant rattle of small-arms, and an uninterrupted whistling of bullets, mingled with the furious yells of the Indians, transpiring beneath an overcast and lowering sky, pic- tured a scene long to be remembered by those who were upon the ground to witness it. A young man, having benefited by the protection afforded by a stump for an hour or more, lost his life by the severance of the spinal column with an Indian bullet, while in the act of run- ning to the rear for the purpose of procuring water to quench his thirst. Loud above the din of battle could be heard the shrill screaming of the Indian women urging the delinquent warriors to the front, nor were they sparing of their expressions of contempt to the laggards in the fight; and [282] APPENDIX when not caring for the wounded or secreting the dead beyond all chance of discovery, any signs of wavering in the ranks brought them like furies to their midst, and woe to the lordly Indian who failed in following their frenzied lead. Fortunately, as the assembled tribes were ignorant of the language spoken by either of the others, all orders issued by the chiefs and communications between the different people were necessarily uttered in Chinook, a jargon common to them all, which frequently informed us of their movement in advance, and revealed many incidents of the battle they were anxious to conceal, and when a certain 15-second shell created havoc in their midst, knowledge of the event came to us through this channel. It appeared that when the flight of the missile was nearly spent, its further progress was stopped by their blankets, and while circling around it in a dance with joined hands the shell exploded, dealing death to ten of their number and wounding several more. Returning to the neck, where the firing had assumed a terrific form on the part of a thousand disappointed Indians assembled on the hillsides and in the valley near the swamp, and made desperate by the blunder com- mitted early in the action, the Indians now seemed bent upon remedying their error by raining bullets upon the little band of men holding them at bay. . . . The firing continued until 1145 A.M., when it sud- denly ceased in our immediate front, and the deep gut- tural voice of Coquilton was heard in the centre issuing undistinguishable orders to his responsive lieutenants on the right and left. A glance at the situation gave warning of his inten- C283: APPENDIX tion to strike a blow for the annihilation of my division, and, by turning the flank of the others, place his forces in their rear, when fifteen minutes would decide the battle in his favor and give the town up to his destroying hand; and also notified me to be ready for the decisive moment whenever it should come. Quickly arranging my command to meet the tremendous odds to be launched against it, I had only time to impress their minds with the certainty of our scalps ornamenting an Indian wigwam in the event of any weakness on our part in the assaults to be made, and to receive their wel- come and characteristic responses of "Never fear for us, sir; we will stand by you or die in our tracks," when the ship's bell announced the hour of noon, and down came the Indians, like so many demons, tearing through the bushes and filling the air with frightful yells, till they reached the edge of the chaparral, not twenty feet away, where they delivered a terrific volley, and ar- rested by the firmness of fourteen men, undismayed by their noise and numbers, suddenly turned and sought shelter behind the trees and log^s. At this moment the fate of Seattle hung by a thread. With two bounds, or three at the most, the third division would have gone down like grass before a mower's scythe, and in a few moments the battle have been won, the people given up to indiscriminate slaughter, and the village in flames; but failing to make these bounds, the town remained in our possession and the Indian cause was forever lost. The Indians, ignoring their fatal error, now appeared bent on overwhelming us with bullets, and from their front and enfilading fire no avenue of escape seemed open, vet throughout those wearying hours of exposure 1:284: ' APPENDIX to that ceaseless flow of deadly missiles not one of that little band was harmed. Dr. Taylor, Mr. Smithers, and Tom Russel, together with four young men, volunteers from Meig's mill across the sound, now appeared upon the ground, adding seven excellent marksmen to the squad, which continued to hold their own until two o'clock, when the howitzer came to their assistance, and her crew increased the force on the Sawdust to thirty- one, with the important addition of a field-gun throw- ing a 1 2-pound projectile, and when the latter was in position, I directed Morris to land a 2-second shrapnel in Klakum's ambuscade. That savage observing my conference with the officer, and suspecting the object of the interview, withdrew behind the tree, and, as he sup- posed, beyond the reach of any missile approaching his direction; but when, an instant after, a well-directed shrapnel, exploding at the proper time and place, cut away a heavy lock of hair just above his ear, he was un- able to comprehend the philosophy of a gun "shooting around a corner," and his well-secured retreat became vacant for the occupancy of any Indian whose ambition might lead in that direction; whether it was taken pos- session of I am unable to say, but I am certain of expe- riencing no more trouble from that quarter during the remainder of the day. . . . Three o'clock came, and also exhaustion for the men, induced by more than twenty-three hours' abstinence from both food and rest, and wearying of drawing the Indians from their cover, another method was deemed expedient for bringing matters to a close. The non-combatants having been disposed of early in the day, — fifty-two women and children finding refuge on the Decatur, and the remainder on board the bark 1:2853 APPENDIX Brontes, waiting for a cargo in the stream, and the adult males being safely housed in the block-house, guarded by the marines, at 3.30 P.M., escorted by Indian bullets, the divisions repaired on board ship, and, manning the battery, the enemy were soon driven beyond the reach of our great guns and kept at bay until after nightfall, when, under cover of the darkness, many efforts were made to set fire to and rob the buildings, but a well-di- rected shell sent them hurrying away to rejoin their companions in the woods. At 10 P.M. the last gun was fired and the battle of Seattle was among the things of the past; her enemies had been defeated and turned back into the wilderness from whence they came, never again to rally for the destruction of the people of Washington. The number of Indians assembled before Seattle is not known ; the natives themselves being ignorant of or declining to give any reliable information on the subject, the matter naturally becomes one of conjecture. But if we consider the preparations made, the number of tribes represented, their confidence in being able to conquer Seattle and Steilacoom with a divided army, and by comparing the amount of noise made by their simul- taneous shouts with the well-remembered cheers of a line-of-battle ship's crew of a thousand or eleven hun- dred men, in addition to the length of time they oc- cupied, a pretty fair estimate may be made, and they could not have fallen far short of two thousand souls; also, of the number of killed and wounded we have no means of knowing, the most that the Indians would ad- mit being twenty-eight of the former and eighty of the latter. That our loss should have been only two killed and [2863 APPENDIX none wounded appears incredible, and when we remem- ber that one hundred and sixty men were for seven hours exposed to an almost uninterrupted storm of bullets, filling the air like swarms of bees, perforating their gar- ments and tearing up the ground around them in every direction, the result appears little less than miraculous. However, the confident savage had been arrested in his course of blood, — fairly beaten, demoralized, and scat- tered, — while the moral effect was as great as if half the whites engaged had been slaughtered. The morning of the 27th revealed the fact of the In- dians having disappeared, taking with them most of the cattle found browsing near the town, the sole results of an expedition requiring months to perfect, and looking to the utter annihilation of the white settlers in that sec- tion of the country. News of the attack appears to have been rapidly car- ried to all parts of the sound and inlet. Even at Belling- ham Bay, one hundred miles distant, it was known as early as 4 P.M., — seven and a half hours after its com- mencement: and at noon the Active came steaming into the bay, when the governor, with the proof before him, was at last compelled to acknowledge the presence of hostile Indians in the Territory. Their sudden disap- pearance from before Seattle, in the opinion of Captain Keyes, boded no good for the people of Steilacoom, and at his earnest solicitation the Active was dispatched to land him at his post and the governor at Olympia. I now learned from Yark-eke-e-man that the hostile chiefs, confident of an easy victory at Seattle and also at Steilacoom, where well-stored depots of provisions were to be found, gave little thought to their commissary de- partment, and being provided with a deficient quantity 1:287: APPENDIX of food for prosecuting a protracted campaign, their unexpected repulse at the former place left them with- out resources for supplying their immediate wants. Therefore it became necessary to form into small bands, and scour the country to secure the means for con- tinuing the war. From three to four weeks was deemed sufficient for the accomplishment of this object, and, considering that time ample for perfecting his plans, Coquilton, on the 28th, sent word by a Lake Indian "that within one moon he would return with twenty thousand warriors, and, attacking by land and water, destroy the place in spite of all the war-ship could do to prevent." . . . The lessons of the past taught the people to heed the warnings of the high chief, and a council held to con- sider the situation decided to immediately fortify, and for this object Mr. Yesler volunteered an entire cargo of house lumber, ready sawed for shipment; and, on the ist day of February, the four divisions of the Decatur assembled and commenced to erect barricades, consist- ing of two fences five feet high, placed eighteen inches apart, and filled in with earth and sawdust, well tamped, until bullet-proof. This breastwork, commencing at the shore beyond Plummer's house, extended to the north block-house, and thence over the bluff to the water's edge, the distance barricaded being about twelve hun- dred yards, and inclosing a large portion of the town. A second block-house was also erected about two hun- dred feet easterly from the hotel, on the summit of the ridge near the swamp. An old ship's cannon, battered, rusted, and half hidden in the ground, was unearthed, and mounted on a carriage built for the purpose, which, with a 6-pounder field-piece borrowed from the Active, constituted the battery of this wooden fort. 1:288] APPENDIX The defenses being up, and the greater portion of the land at South Seattle in the condition that nature had left it, after the trees and undergrowth had been re- moved, to operate the howitzer and crew it became nec- essary to uproot stumps, haul and pile logs, level the cradle-knolls, and make roads connecting the inhabited portion of the town with the south water-front, where an esplanade was constructed to enable the gun to sweep the shores of that end of the peninsula. Both officers and men entered upon the work with a spirit worthy of the occasion, and the stumps too large to be extracted with levers were burned, the fires being kept alive night and day till reduced below the surface, when axe and shovel completed the rest, and in a few days South Seattle assumed the appearance of a well laid-out town. . . . On the morning of February 15, the barricades and block-house having been completed, the finishing touches given to the roads, and the town placed in con- dition to welcome the enemy whenever it might suit his pleasure to appear, and after detailing Lieutenant Drake, with ten men and six marines, to guard the northern end of the town, and myself, with the same number, together with Lieutenant Johnson and ten men from the Active, to protect South Seattle, the remaining officers and their commands returned to the ship, with the exception of Dr. Taylor, directed to act as surgeon for both detachments. With our reduced numbers, time did not drag with us. Incessant watching for an enemy daily threatening to "let slip the dogs of war," clearing away the trees and undergrowth from the eastern slope bordering on the swamp to destroy the Indian lodgments in that quarter, opposing certain dealers bent upon selling liquor to our C2893 APPENDIX men and in trading with the savages, and, finally, in endeavoring to persuade the vicious element overrun- ning the place to organize for their own protection, ren- dered our lives otherwise than monotonous. . . . An hour or more before daylight on the morning of February 24 a continuous dull thumping sound, similar to that made by a heavy trip-hammer at a distance, was heard out on the inlet, greatly puzzling us as to the cause, but at dawn the mystery was cleared away by the unexpected appearance of the U. S. steamer Massa- chusetts looming through the haze as she steamed towards the anchorage. Commander Samuel Swartwout, commanding the Massachusetts, being the senior officer present, assumed charge of all naval matters in the Territorial waters, and after a short stay in port, departed to examine per- sonally the various establishments on the sound. During the evening of this day Clerk Charles Francis suddenly died from the effects of a disease contracted previous to joining the Decatur. The arrival of the Massachusetts rendered a further detention of the Ac- tive unnecessary, and preparatory to her departure, Lieutenant Johnson with his command was withdrawn from the barricades on the 27th, and on March 13 that vessel, with Major-General Wool, U. S. A., on board, left Puget Sound for San Francisco to resume her sur- veying duties. Meanwhile, where our persuasive elo- quence had utterly failed to induce the floating popu- lation of the town to organize for the field, starvation, or the prospect of it, happily succeeded in creating a company numbering fifty-one members, and when mus- tered in under Captain Edward Lander, the naval forces stationed on shore returned to the ship, leaving C2903 APPENDIX Seattle to the care of Company A, Second Regiment, Washington Territory Volunteers. Early in March four companies of the Fourth U. S. Artillery and the Ninth Regiment of Infantry arrived at Steilacoom, where they immediately organized by companies for a vigorous prosecution of the war; and in this connection the Massachusetts, on the 20th, brought to Seattle Company B, Ninth Infantry, Captain F. T. Dent, en route for the Duwam-sh and White Rivers. The Indians, as we subsequently learned, notwith- standing their frequent threats of attacking our lines, had been so completely broken and dispersed after their defeat at Seattle that they were incapable of again con- centrating their forces, and at this time were scattered in comparatively small bands over the country in search of food and ammunition, when the army reinforcements arrived and were soon in hot pursuit, with a prospect of speedily terminating the war. On March 28 we were agreeably surprised by the ap- pearance of the U. S. steamer John Hancock, Lieuten- ant David McDougall commanding, increasing the naval force to three substantial fighting ships, and two of the number being steamers, greatly exercised the In- dians, who possessing a wholesome dread of pyre-ships,^ as they termed them, now began to realize the hopeless- ness of their cause. The Hancock, but recently re- turned from the Behring Sea exploring expedition, had been hurriedly fitted at Mare Island by Commander David G. Farragut for the suppression of Indian hos- tilities, and proved a serviceable auxiliary to the forces operating in the Territory. . . . During the months of April and May the United 1 Fire-ships. C2913 APPENDIX States forces and volunteer companies in the field had succeeded so well with the enemy that the ist of June found a delegation of Indians crossing the mountains on their way to Olympia to sue for peace. The Decatur having accomplished her mission in the Territory, was now ready for sea, and at 6 o'clock A.M., June 2, she took her final departure from Seattle, towed by the John Hancock, and accompanied by all the Northern Indians then in Puget Sound, with whom she appeared to be an especial favorite. Touching at Port Townsend for the night, an early hour the next morning saw the ship out in the straits towing towards the Pacific Ocean, ninety miles away, still escorted by our Indian friends, representatives from the Tongas, Hyeta, Stickene, and Shineshean tribes, and when abreast of Victoria, waving us a last farewell, they paddled towards Vancouver's Island, and soon disappeared. . . . The evening of June 3 exhibiting signs of thick weather, we anchored for the night in Port St. John, Vancouver's Island, and at seven o'clock on the morning of June 4, 1856, weighed anchor, and in three hours our noble vessel once more rode over the long gentle swell of the broad Pacific, and when well outside of Cape Classet and clear of Duncan's Rock, the hawsers con- necting our ship with the John Hancock were cast off, and as she swept around in a graceful curve on her re- turn to Puget's Sound, an exchange of three rousing cheers expressed our farewells, and, steering to the southward, soon Satouch [Tatoosh] Island bore well to the northward of east, and as our eyes turned in the di- rection from whence we had come, with the exception of the writer, every officer and nearly every man on board the U. S. sloop-of-war Decatur looked for the last time upon the magnificent Strait of Juan de Fuca. [;292] INDEX Active, U. S. Coast Survey steamer, 202, 274, 276, 287, 289, 290 Adalbert, Prince of Prussia, xxvii, XXX, 71, 72, 76, 78, 80, 81, 166 Adams, John Quincy, Secretary of State, xxxix African Squadron, xxv, xxxvi, xlii, xliii, xlvi, xlvii, 1, 219, 22i- 242 Alabama, U. S. mail steamer, 185 Albany, U. S. sloop of war, 128, 184 Alceste, French frigate, 196 Amphitrite, H. B, M. frigate, 196 Ardenne, American bark, 237 Ascencion, Island of, 238, 239, 242 Austria, xxvii, xxix, xxxvii, xlii, 118, 124 Bancroft, George, Secretary of the Navy, xxi, xxiv, 10, 11 Barbarossa, German steam frigate, 170, 171 Barnard, Daniel IDewey, U. S. Minister to Prussia, 77, 80, 81, 88, 89, 92, 95, 96, 100, 102, 104, 113, 166, 169, 172 Barrington, Samuel, Surgeon, 17, 18, 23, 24, 26, 40, 43 Bavaria, 117, 118 Beaver, Hudson Bay Company steamer, 273 Bellingham Bay, xxxii, 205, 207, 208, 209, 210, 287 Benin, Bight of, 224, 225 Bier, George H., Midshipman, 44 Bismarck, 92, 100, 102, 104, 113, 181 Blake, Joseph D., Lieutenant, 215, 216 Blanton, William L., Lieuten- ant, 33 Boarman, Charles, Captain, 128 Boerum, William, Captain, xvii, 55 Booth, Benjamin W., Captain, xvii, 55 Borgingnau, Colonel, 119, 181 Borja Bay, Straits of Magellan, 192, 193, 194, 253, 254, 257, 258, 260, 261, 262 Bothmer, Baron von, 168 Brazil and the Slave-trade, xlvii, xlviii Brazil Squadron, xxv, 61, 65, 67, 69, 187 Breese, Samuel L., Captain, 57, 61, 62, 142, 144 Brent, Daniel G., 140, 141 Brent, Thomas W., Commander, 139, 140, 236, 237 Bridge, Horatio, Paymaster General, 145 Bright, Henry, Boatswain, 265 Brisque, H. B. M. steam sloop, 196 Bromme (Brommy), Karl Ru- dolf, Rear Admiral, xxviii, xxix, 65, 66, 73, 74, 82, 83, 99, 100, loi, 106, 115, 120, 160, 161, 162, 163, 166, 169, 172 Brown, A. J. D., xvii Brown, J. A. D., xvii [;293 3 INDEX Browne, A. J. D., xvii Browne, Thomas, Midshipman, 55 Buchanan, Franklin, Com- mander, xxi Buchanan, James, President, 136 Campbell, Marshall C, Mid- shipman, 265 Campbell, William P. A., Lieu- tenant, 143, 222, 231, 236, 239 Cape Classet, 199, 208, 292 Cape Froward, 191, 250, 256, 264 Cape Pillar, 132, I95, 264 Cape Quod, 194, 254, 255, 256 Cape Verde Islands, xlvi, 221, 231, 232 Cape Virgin, 189, 247, 264 Cass, Lewis, General, U. S. Minister to France, xlii, xliii Chatard, Frederick, Lieutenant, 57 Chinsura, British bark, 239 Clitz, John M. B., Lieutenant, 213 Cockburn, Sir Alexander, 173 Coleman, David, Midshipman, 27, 28 Colorado, U. S. steam frigate, 217 Columbia, U. S. frigate, xxv, 7, 8, 39, 52, 61, 67, 130, 186 Columbus, U. S. receiving ship, 6, 7, 8, 9, 61, 67 Comegys, Cornelius, Midship- man, 44 Conflict, H. B. M. steamer, 236 Congo River, xliv, 139, 140, 228, 229, 230, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 242 Congress, U. S. frigate, 65 Conner, David, Commodore, xxv, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 61 Conover, Thomas A., Commo- dore, 221, 231 Cooper, James Fenimore, xviii Coquilton, Indian chief, 266, 274, 275, 277, 278, 283, 288 Crooked Reach, Straits of Magellan, 254, 258 Crosby, Peirce, Lieutenant, 215 Cuba and the Slave-trade, xlvi, xlvii Cumberland, U. S. frigate, 14, 16, 17, 221, 222, 231, 232 Cummings, Andrew B., Lieuten- ant, 222 Cunningham, John S., Purser, 222 Curley, Indian chief, 210, 278 Cushman, Samuel, 3, 4 Dackenhausen, Lieutenant- Colonel von, 166 Dahlgren, John A,, Lieutenant, XX ii Dale, U. S. sloop of war, 221, 226, 231, 232 Dallas, Alexander J., Commander, xvii, I, 2, 3, 4, 6, 17, 67 Dallas, Francis G., Birth of, xvii, 62, 67; Midshipman, xvii, 8; At Naval Academy, xxiv, xxvi, 22, 25, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 45; Service of, xxv, xxvi, 51, 52, 54, 61, 62, 67, 68, 69, 70, 82, 83, 85, 86, 100, 103, 130, 131; In the Mexican War, xxvi, 20, 40, 67, 69 ,* Lieutenant in German navy, xxvi, XXX, 64, 84, 156, 157; Passed Midshipman, U. S. navy, xxx, 45, no, 178; On the African Station, xxxvi, 1, 139, 140, 221-237; Retirement and death of, 1; Papers of, li; Applies for appointment in the navy, I, 2, 3, 4; Appointed act- ing Midshipman, 5 ; Orders to, 6, 7,8,9, 10, II, 12, 14, 18, 19, 20, 22, 46, 47, 63, 65, 73, 106, [2941 INDEX no, III, 128, 129, 132, 136, 137. 139, 140, 145, 184, 185, 199, 202, 205, 211, 213, 214, 215, 216, 219, 221, 227, 231, 236,237 ; Performs duty on board of: U. S. S. Columbus, 6, 7, 61, 67; U. S. S. Columbia, 7, 8, 61, 67; U. S. S. Mississippi, 12, 61, 67; U. S. S. John Adams, 14, 61, 67; U. S. S. Flirt, 18, 61, 67; U. S. S. Saratoga, 20, 61, 67; U. S. S. Electra, 22; German steam frigate United States (Hansa), 58, 63, 68, 69, 82, 83, 100, 150-159; German steam corvette Royal Ernst Au- gust, 65, 68, 82, 85, 100, 159- 162; German steam corvette Hamburg, 70, 82, 86, 100, 162-172; U. S. S. Decatur, 129, 130,132, 185-205,211, 212, 213, 265; U. S. S. Princeton, 137, 214-219; Bark Orion, 139, 140, 236-242; U. S. S. John Hancock, 205-211; U. S, S. Release, 219-221; U. S. S. Dale, 221-231; U. S. S. Marion, 231-236; At Pensa- cola Navy Yard, 10, 61, 67; Sick, 12-18, 23, 24, 39, 69, 74, 158, 159, 160, 161, 167, 168, 169; Fights a duel, 25-44, 51- 55, 68, 69, 103, 108, 109; Wounded, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34; Defense of, 37—45 ; Passes ex- amination for promotion, 45, 46, 57; Dismissed, 47, 48, 54, 55 ; Advised to apply for rein- statement, 49, 50, 178; Testi- monials and certificates, 51, 52, 53, 54. 56, 57, 71, 72, 82, 83, 85, 86, 100, no; Enters Ger- man service, 63 ; Commission of, as Lieutenant in German navy, 64, 84, 103, 114, 116, 126, 156, 157; Complaints of, 66, 73, 1:295 160; In command of a ship, 70, 78, 82, 84, 86, 87, 91, 100, 162, 163; Social relations of, 70, 75, 76, 157, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 170, 173, 178, 183, 184, 188, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219; Applies for transfer to Prussian navy, 78, 81 ; Claims of, 84, 87, 88, 89, 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 103, 104, 108, 115-127, 172, 179, 181, 184; Recommends an officer, 91 ; Dis- charged from German service, 97, 105, 106, 172; Transfers his ship to purchaser, 98, 172; Applies for reinstatement in U. S. navy, 108, 109, 178; Re- instated, no, 112, 178; Acting Lieutenant, 129, 130, 185; Master, 132; Lieutenant, 133, 135; Prize master, 139, 236; Disposition of his prize, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145; Journal of, 149; Sails for Germany, 150, 178; Arrives at Liverpool, 153; In England, 153-156; Arrives at Bremerhaven, 156, 181; Re- marks on German service, 157, 158, 159, 160, 161, 169, 170, 171; Visits U. S. frigate St. Lawrence and city of Bremen, 157; Travels in Germany, 160, 161, 165, 166, 167, 168, 169, 181, 182; Remarks on European politics, 164, 165, 169; In win- ter quarters, 164, 165; Meets the U. S. Minister, 166; De- clines to enter Prussian service, 171 ; Sails for New York, 172, 182, 214, 237; At Southamp- ton, 173, 182; Arrives at New York, 177, 183, 214, 242; Sails on a cruise, 185, 187, 219; At Norfolk, 187; At Rio de Ja- neiro, 189; In Straits of Ma- gellan, 189-195 ; At Valparaiso, 3 INDEX 195, 265; At Honolulu, 196; In Puget Sound, 197, 199-21 1 ; At San Francisco, 198, 211; At Mare Island, 198, 211 ; At Se- attle, 199, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210; Takes part in Indian war, 199-205, 275; On dutj' with army, 199-202, 269 ; In battle with Indians at Seattle, 203, 204; Cruising in the Sound, 205-211; At Pan- ama, 212, 213; On receiving ship duty, 214-219; Sails for African Station, 219; Arrives at Porto Praya, 221, 231 ; Cruis- ing on the coast of Africa, 222- 231, 232-237; Unpleasant rela- tions with Captain, 226, 227 ; In command of a prize slave- ship, 236 ; Delivers his prize at New York Navy Yard, 242. For Letters to and from, see Contents Dallas, Horatio, 215, 218, 219, 220 Dallas, James, 184, 216, 219, 220 Dapel, Lieutenant von, 168 Davidson, Hunter, Lieutenant, 222 Davis, Charles H,, Lieutenant, xxii Dean, Richard C, Assistant Surgeon, 222 Decatur, U. S. sloop of war. Cruise of, xxxi, 129, 130, 132, 136, 185-213, 245-292; In Straits of Magellan, xxxi, 189- 195, 245-264; In Puget Sound, xxxiii, 197, 199-208, 265-292; At Seattle, xxxiii, 199, 202, 266, 267, 272, 274, 276, 280, 285, 292 ; At San Francisco, XXXV, 198, 211; At Panama, XXXV, 212, 213; Ashore. 202, 271, 272 Denmark, xxvii, xxix, xxxvii, 153, 163 Dent, F. T,, Captain, 291 Depot of Charts and Instru- ments, xxii De Russy, Gustavus Adolphus, Captain, 177, 183, 217 De Russy, Rene E., Lieutenant- Colonel, xvii, 49, 50, 54, 55, 56, 133, 135, 163, 178, 187, 214, 217 Deutschland, German frigate, 164, 171 Devoe, G. H., 141, 142 Deyton, A. O., Auditor, 138 Dibble, George M., Midship- man, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33 Dickerson, Mahlon, Secretary of the Navy, i, 2 Dido, H. B, M. sloop of war, 196 Dobbin, James C, Secretary of the Navy, 128, 129, 131, 132, 133 Downes, Charles, 220 Downes, John, Commodore, 6, 7, 56, 62 Drake, Andrew J., Lieutenant, 213, 265, 268, 275, 289 Duckwitz, Arnhold, Minister of the German navy, 95, 96 Duwamsh, Puget Sound, 204, 266, 269, 275, 277, 291 East India Squadron, xxv, 66 Eberling, W., 64 Eckernfohrde, German frigate, xxix.' See Gefion Electra, U. S. store-ship, 22 El Morion, Straits of Magellan, 254, 255 Emma Lincoln, Prize slave-ship, 237 Engles, S. A., Passed Assistant Surgeon, 222 1296-2 INDEX English Reach, Straits of Magellan, 256, 258, 259 Etheridge, John, Navy Depart- ment clerk, 131 Eurydice, French sloop of war, 196 Falmouth, U. S. sloop of war, 142 Farragut, David G., Captain, 57, 62, 291 Fay, Theodore S., U. S. Charge d'affaires, 80, 82 Fernando de Noronha, Island of, 188, 239 Fernando Po, Island of, 233 Fillmore, Millard, President, 108, 109, no. III, 117, 122, 123, 178 Fischer, Doctor, German Fed- eral Commissioner, 98, 99 Fitzhugh, Andrew, Captain, 12 Flirt, U. S. schooner, 16, 18, 61, Foote, Andrew H,, Lieutenant, xlvii Fort Benton, xxxiii, 277 Fortescue Bay, Straits of Magel- lan, 191, 192, 193, 194, 251, 252, 256, 259, 260, 261 Fort Severn, xxi France and the Slave-trade, xxxvii, xl, xlii, xliii Francis, Charles, Captain's clerk, 210, 276, 290 Frankfurt, German steam corvette, 86, 91 Fulton, U. S. steamer, xviii Gale, John, Midshipman, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 39, 40, 44, 48 Gansevoort, Guert, Commander, 202, 211, 272, 274 Gebser, Lieutenant-Colonel, 166 1:29711 Gefion, Danish frigate, captured by Germans, xxviii, 165, 170, 171, Geisinger, David, Captain, 57, 61, 62 George Law, American steamer, 214 German Confederation, xxvi, xxvii, xxix, XXX, 58, 87, 88, 89, 90, 93, 105, 106, 112, 1 14-124, 127, 149, 181. For navy of, see Navy, German German Federal High Diet, 105, 114, 115, 116, 117, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 172 Germantown, U. S. sloop of war, 215 Gerry, James T., Commander, 184 Gillis, James M., Lieutenant, xxii Glasgow, Propeller, 180 Goldsborough, John R., Lieu- tenant, 57 Graebe, Charles, U. S. Consul, 116, 119, 122, 127, 181, 182 Great Britain and the Slave- trade, xxxvi-xliv, xlvii, 1 Gregory, Francis H., Captain, 12, 129, 185 Guinea, Gulf of, 222, 224 Guthrie, Presley N., Captain, 214 Haller, Major, 267 Hamburg, German steam cor- vette, 69, 71, 73, 74, 76, 78, 82, 83, 86, 88, 89, 91, 92, 94, 96, 98, 99, 100, loi, 162-172 Hamilton, Robert, Seaman, 260 Hanna, John E., 236, 240, 241 Hansa, German steam frigate, 63, 65, 68, 82, 83, 87, 91, 94, 100, 103, 114, 156, 159. See United States INDEX Harmonj^ David B., Lieutenant, 213, Harris, Thomas C, Lieutenant, 215, 216 Harrison, Gustavus, Midship- man, 25, 27, 28, 33 Harrison, Lieutenant, 269, 271 Hartlant, D. S., Doctor, 74 Hays, Gilmore, Captain, 200, 201, 202 Henderson, Francis W., 26, 27, 28, 29, 34 Herrmann, Merchant steamer, 172, 173, 177, 178, 179, 182 Hewett, C. C, Captain, 202, 270, 271 Higgins, Captain, 172, 174, 179 Hodenburg, N., General, 165 Hoff, Henry K., Commander, 213 Holbrook, Henry H., 220 Hollins, George N., Commander, 10 Home Squadron, xxiv, xxv, xxvi, II, 14, 16, 18, 19, 22, 61, 67, 69, 125, 130 Honolulu, xxxi, 196, 265 Hopkins, William E., Lieu- tenant, 217 Howard, Captain, 150, 154, 155, 158, 161 Hudson Bay Company, xxxii, 197, 201, 273 Hughes, Aaron K., Lieutenant, 265, 268, 275 Hulse, Isaac, Surgeon, 12, 13, 14 Hunt, Charles H., Assistant U. S. District Attorney, 143 Hunt, Timothy A., Lieutenant, 22 Hunter, Charles C, Midship- man, 29, 31, 32, 48 Hydrographic Office, xxii Independence, U. S. flag-ship, 199, 213 Indian War, xxxi-xxxv, 199- 210, 266-292 Ingraham, Duncan N., Captain, 124 Isaacs, Purser, 150, 155 Jackson, Andrew, President, i Jackson, George William, Captain, 77, 80, 82, 86 Jamestown, U. S. sloop of war, 216 Jefferson Davis, U. S. Revenue cutter, 211, 269 Jeffery, Richard W., Surgeon, 213, 257, 265, 276 Jochmus, A., German Imperial Minister, 64, 84, 114 John, Archduke of Austria, xxvii, 63, 64, 82, 84, 87, 104, 114, 116, 120 John Adams, U, S. sloop of war, 14, 16, 18, 23, 24, 39, 40, 45, 61,67 John Gilpin, Ship, 235 John Hancock, U. S. steamer, 205, 211, 291, 292 Johnson, Lieutenant, 289, 290 Jones, John J., Purser, 213, 265, 276 Jones, William, Secretary of the Navy, xxi Juan de Fuca, Strait of, 197, 199, 208, 211, 292 Julia Ford, American brig, 232 Kabinda, 230, 235 Kelley, S. S., 220 Kenned}', John P., Secretary of the Navy, 108, iii, 178 Kerst, Secretary of the German navy, 63, 64, 84, 1 14, 155 Keyes, Erasmus Darwin, Cap- tain, 200, 266, 268, 269, 273, 274, 276, 287 King, Ralph, U. S. Consul, 85 Klakum, Indian chief, 281, 285 1:298] INDEX Koszta, Martin, 124 Kroomen, xlvi La Forte, French frigate, 196 Lambert, D. R., Lieutenant, 213 Lander, Edward, Captain, 290 Lane, L. C, Assistant Surgeon, 213 Langhorne, John D., Midship- man, 44 Latimer, William K., Captain, II Lawrence, Abbott, 53, 56; U. S. Minister to Great Britain, 79, 93, 169 Leontine, American brig, 220 Liberia, xxxviii, xlvi, xlix, 1 Lockwood, John A., Surgeon, 32 Long Reach, Straits of Magellan, 192, 194, 195, 253, 254, 256, 258,_ 259 _ Lushi, Indian chief, 266, 273, 274, 278 McBlair, William, Commander, 222, 226, 227, 228 McCauley, James B., Lieuten- ant, 213, 216, 218 McClelland, U. S. Revenue cutter, 142 McCluney, William J., Com- mander, 14, 15, 57, 61, 62 McCrosky, U. S. Consul, 173 McDougall, David, Lieutenant, 291 McKeever, Chauncey, Lieuten- ant, 199, 200 Magaw, Samuel, Passed Mid- shipman, 33, 44 Magellan, Straits of, xxxi, 189, 195, 245, 247, 256, 263 Maloney, Maurice, Captain, 201, 202, 273 Marcy, William L., Secretary of State, 124 Marion, U. S. sloop of war, 65, 139, 140, 231, 232, 236, 237_ Martha, Slave-ship, xlvii, xlviii Mason, John Y., Secretary of the Navy, xxiv, 9, 18, 19, 20, 21, 32, 36, 38, 46, 47, 48, 51, 54, 56, 57, 108 Massachusetts, U. S. steamer. At Rio de Janeiro, 189, 246; In the Straits of Magellan, 193, 194, 195, 258, 259, 261, 262, 263; In Puget Sound, 204, 210, 290, 291 Maury, Matthew F., Lieuten- ant, xviii, XX, xxi, xxii, xl May Queen, steamer, 209 Medical Corps, U. S. navy, xxiv Mediterranean Squadron, xxv, 61, 67, 69 Merck, German Imperial Min- ister of Marine, 64, 84, 114 Merrimac, U. S. steam frigate, xix Mervine, William, Commodore, 136, 213, 264 Mexican War, xxiii, xxv, xxvi, xxxii, 20, 40, 67, 69, 125 Middleton, Edward, Lieutenant, 187, 213, 265, 276 Miller, Joseph E., Carpenter, 265, 276 Mississippi, U. S. steamer, 12, 23, 24, 40, 61, 67 Mitchell, John G., Midshipman, 265 Monarch, H. B. M. ship of the line, 196 Monroe, James, President, xxxviii Morgan, Charles W., Captain, 45 Morgan, Van R., Lieutenant, 216 Morris, Charles M., Lieutenant, 237 [12993 INDEX Morris, George U., Lieutenant, 213, 218, 265, 275, 285 Murden, E. O., Captain, U. S. Revenue Service, 142, 214 Myers, Henry, Purser, 139 Nautical Almanac Office, xxii Naval Academy, U. S., xxi, xxii, xxiv, xxvi, 18, 22, 25-46, 54, 62, 67, 69, 108 Naval Hospital, Pensacola, 12, 13, 16, 17, 40; Norfolk, 187 Naval Lyceum, xxii, 140 Navy, British, xxxvii, xxxix, xl, xlii, xliii, xlvii Navy, German, Sketch of, xxvi- xxx; Beginnings of, 58, 63, 72, 87, 88, 94< 95, 96, 112, 150, 152; Commission in, 64, 68, 69, 84, 103, 114, 116, 126, 127, 156, 157; Service in, 66, 73, 82, 83, 85, 86, 87, 100, 109, no, 121, 167, 181 ; Belgian officers in, 66, 93, 115, ri7, 158, 162; De- cline of, 80, 81, 169, 170; Dis- solution of, 92, 105, 171 ; Dis- charge from, 96, 97, 106, 115, 1 18, 171, 172 Navy, Prussian, xxvii, xxviii, xxix, XXX, 77, 78, 81, 171 Navy, United States, In middle of nineteenth century, xvii— xxv ; Steam in, xviii, xix ; Armor in, xix; Dry docks in, xix; Reform of administration in, xix— xxi; Education in, xxi, xxii; Science in, xxii ; Ordnance, xxii ; Per- sonnel of, xxii-xxiv ; Men, xxii, xxiii ; Discipline, xxiii ; Flog- ging, xxiii ; Temperance Re- form, xxiii ; Officers, xxiii, xxiv ; Dueling, xxiv; Line and StaflF, xxiv; Retired list, xxi\- ; Opera- tions of, xxiv; Squadrons of, xxiv, xxv ; In the Mexican 1:3 War, xxv; Material for history of, xxv ; And the British navy, xxxix, xlii, xliii, xlvii; And the Slave-trade, xliii, xliv, xlvi, xlvii, 1 Navy Commissioners, Board of, XX Navy Yards, Boston, xix, 7, 8, 51, 130, 185, 219; Norfolk, xix, 187, 215, 217; Philadel- phia, xxi, xxxvi, 138, 214, 215; Pensacola, xxvi, 10, 1 1, 61, 67, 130; New York, 142, 144, 145, 242; Mare Island, ig8, 205, 211, 265, 291; Washington, 218 Netherlands, xxxvii Nisqually, Pugct Sound, xxxii, 201, 202, 207, 266, 269 Obligado, French brig of war, 196 Oldenburg, Grand Duke of, 169 Olympia, xxxi, xxxii, xxxiii, 205, 206, 207, 209, 210, 269, 287, 292 Orinoco, British steamer, 186 Orion, Prize slave-ship, 139-145, 236-242 Otis, Arthur H., Midshipman, 33, 44, 45, 183, 184 Owhi, Indian chief, 266, 274, 275, 278 Pacific Squadron, xxv, 136, 187 Palmer, N. C, Captain, 58, 60, 61, 149, 154 Palmer, W. G., Doctor, 30 Palmerston, Lord, xxix, xli Panama, xxxv, 136, 138, 212, 213, 214, 264 Parker, Foxhall A., Captain, 8, 52, 56, 61, 62, 88, 89. 112, 178 Parker, Foxhall A., Midship- man, 70, 71 00] INDEX Parker, William A., Lieutenant, 220 Parker, William H., Captain, xix, 1 Paulding, Hiram, Captain, 71, 72, 156 Paulding, James K., Secretary of the Navy, 3, 4 Pay Corps, U. S. navy, xxiv Pennsylvania, U. S. ship of the line, 217 Perry, Matthew C, Commo- dore, XXV, xlvi, 22 Perry, U. S. brig, xlvii, xlviii Phelps, Thomas S., Lieutenant, xxxi, 132, 213, 245, 265, 275, 277 Pierce, Franklin, President, 128, 133. 135 Pique, H. B. M. frigate, 196 Piracy, xxiv, xxix, xxxviii, xxxix, xlii, xliv Playa Parda Cove, Straits of Magellan, 194, 255, 262 Pluto, H. B, M. steamer, 237 Plymouth, U. S. sloop of war, 218 Polk, James K., President, 10, 18, 35, 37, 44, 47, 48, 50, 51. 52, 53, 54, 68, 69 Porpoise, U. S. brig, xlviii Port Famine, Straits of Ma- gellan, 191, 193, 250 Port Madison, Puget Sound, xxxii, 206, 207, 209, 269 Porto Praya, Cape Verde Islands, 221, 231 Port Townsend, xxxii, 197, 199, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 265, 292 Portugal, xxxvii Preble, U. S. sloop of war, 142, 216 President, H. B. M. frigate, 196 Preston, William B., Secretary of the Navy, 59 Princes Island, 227, 228, 232 Princeton, U. S. steamer, xxxvi, 14, 15, 16; Receiving ship, 137, 214, 215, 216, 218, 219 Prokesch-Osten, Count Anton von, 119, 123, 181 Prussia, xxvi, xxix, xxxvii, xlii, 72, 79, 92, 118, 166 Puget Sound, xxxi, xxxii, xxxiii, xxxiv, XXXV, 133, 134, 199, 265, 270, 290, 292 Pupshulk Prairie, 20l, 268, 270 Puyallup River, 199, 200, 201, 202, 266, 274 Quackenbush, Stephen P., Lieu- tenant, 218 Quid Nunc, Schooner, 241 Raritan, U. S. frigate, 12 Rastedt, Bark, 170 Rattlesnake, H. B. M. ship, 196 Reichert, P., Lieutenant, 65, 85 Release, U. S. bark, 219, 220, 222 Renshaw, Edward, Lieutenant, 216 Right of Search, xxxvii-xliii Ringgold, Cadwalader, Com- mander, 205 Rio de Janeiro, xlviii, 187, 188, 189, 195, 245, 258 Roenne, Baron von, German Minister to United States, 59, 60, 61, 87, 89, 94, 95, 96, 97, 112, 114, 149, 156 Rowan, Stephen C, Com- mander, 144 Royal Ernst August, German steam corvette, 65, 66, 68, 82, 85, 100, 159, 160 Rush, Madison, Lieutenant, xlviii Russia, xxxvii, xlii O INDEX Rynder, Isaiah, U. S. Marshal, 141, 144 St. Lawrence, U. S. frigate, In the North Sea, 70, 71, 72, 156, 157, 158, 159, 163, 164; At Valparaiso, 195, 264 St. Mary's, U. S. sloop of war, 164 St. Paul de Loanda, 228, 229, 231, 235 Sandy Point, 191, 249, 253, 264 San Francisco, American steamer, xxxi, 185, 186 Saratoga, U. S. sloop of war, 20, 21, 22, 62, 67, 130 Savannah, U. S. frigate, 189 Schleswig-Holstein, xxvi, xxvii, 163, 166 Schultz, Major, 75 Scowell, Indian chief, 269, 270 Seattle, xxxi, xxxii, xxxiii, xxxiv, XXXV, 199, 203-211, 266-292; Battle of, 203, 204, 280-286 Sharks Point, Congo River, 139, 140, 230, 235, 237, 238, 239 Sherman, W., Passed Assistant Surgeon, 221 Shubrick, Edward R., Captain, 56, 61, 62 Sichert, Brauns von, Colonel, 166 Simms, J. D., Chief Clerk of Navy Department, 5 Sinclair, Arthur, Lieutenant, 18 Skinner, Charles W., Commo- dore, 20 Slaughter, William A., Lieuten- ant, 200, 201, 202, 266, 268, 269, 270, 271 Slave-trade, xxiv, xxv, xxxvi-1, 141 Sloat, John D., Commodore, xxv Smith, Joseph, Captain, 7, 61, 62 Smith, Watson, Lieutenant, 215, 217, 218 Spain, xxxvii Steilacoom, xxxii, 200, 201, 202, 206, 207, 208, 209, 266, 268, 271, 273, 274, 286, 287, 291 Sterrett, Isaac S., Commander, xxxi, 129, 130, 132, 185, 215, 245, 255, 257, 260, 265 Sterrett, James S., Captain's clerk, 265 Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, Governor, xxxi, xxxii, xxxiii, xxxiv, xxxv, 210, 276, 277 Stevens, Thomas H., Lieutenant, 214 Stevenson, Byrd W., Midship- man, 60, 150, 155 Stewart, Charles, Commodore, 1,37 Stiles, Edward C, Passed Mid- shipman, 60, 66, 150, 155 Stillwell, James, Lieutenant, 218, 219 Stocking, R. M., Gunner, 265, 276 Stockton, Edward C, Lieuten- ant, 213 Stockton, Robert F., Commo- dore, xxv Supply, U. S. store-ship, 216 Swartwout, Samuel, Com- mander, 290 Tatnall, Josiah, Captain, 56 Taylor, J. W., Assistant Surgeon, 24 Taylor, John Y., Assistant Sur- geon, 142, 213, 265, 269, 271, 276, 285, 289 Taylor, Zachary, President, 59 Tecumseh, Indian chief, 277, 278 Thatcher, Henry K., Com- mander, 213 Thomson, John A., Doctor, 177, 178, 183, 184 Csoz] INDEX Thornton, James S., Passed Midshipman, 26, 39 Tierra del Fuego, 195, 247, 254 Tinkham, Frank, 220 Tongri, D., Commander, 65, 83 Toucey, Isaac, Secretary of the Navy, 136, 137, 145 Treaties, xxxiii, xxxvii, xxxviii, xxxix, xl, xlii, xliii, xlvi Triton, H. B. M. steamer, 235, 236, 237 Tucker, Charles C, Claim agent, 125, 126 _ Tyler, John, President, xli, 6, 9 United States, German steam frigate, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 68, 69, 70, 87, 95, 103, 149, 150, 151, 156. See Hansa Upshur, Abel P., Secretary of the Navy, xx, 6, 7, 8 Upshur, George P., Commander, 22, 23, 30, 32, 37, 38, 47, 54, 56 Valparaiso, 195, 196, 258, 263, 264, 265 Van Buren, Martin, President, 2, 3, 4 Vancouver Island, 197, 205, 207, 208, 268, 292 Vera Cruz, xxv, 14, 16, 17, 22, Vienna, Congress of, xxxvii, 120 Vincennes, U. S. sloop of war, 222 Vixen, H. B. M. steamer, xlv, xlvi Wabash, U. S. steam frigate, 218 Ward, Edmund, 154, 155 Ward, John, Passed Assistant Surgeon, 213 Warren, Augustus A., Sailmaker, 265, 276 Washington, Merchant steamer, 158, 161, 163, 167 Washington Territory, xxxi, xxxiii Weber, Lud., Captain, 73, loi Webster, Daniel, Secretary of State, xli, xliii Wedding, W., Professor, Ger- man Commissioner, 58, 150, 153 Wellington, Lord, xl Welsh, Charles W., Chief Clerk of Navy Department, 135 West, George, 220 Whiting, William D., Midship- man, 27, 28 Wilkes, Charles, Lieutenant, xxii Winder, Edw^ard L., Lieutenant, 222, 227 Wood, John Taylor, Midship- man, xlix Wool, John E., General, xxxv, 290 Wooley, Charles Woodruff, Passed Midshipman, no Wyman, Robert H., xvii ; Passed j^ Midshipman, 23, 24, 33, 34, 41, 65, 66; Lieutenant, 163, 164, 178, 213 Wvneken, John, General, 76, 165, 168 Yarkekeeman, Indian chief, 274, 278, 27Q, 287 Yesler, H. L., 203, 278, 288 York Roads, Straits of Magellan, 192, 193, 252, 254, 256, 259 Young, William S., Commander, 215 l303'2 THE NAVAL HISTORY SOCIETY The Naval History Society has been established for the purpose of publishing and preserving manuscripts, docu- ments, and writings relating to our naval history, naval art and science, and the surroundings and experiences of seamen in general and of American seamen in particular. The Society has already issued: In 1910: Volume I. The Logs of the Serapis, Alliance, Ariel un- der the Command of John Paul Jones, 177S—1780. Edited by Captain John S. Barnes. In 191 1 : Volume II. The Narrative of Nathaniel Fanning, an Officer of the Revolutionary Navy. Edited by Captain John S. Barnes. In 1912: V^olume III. The Despatches of Alolyneux Shuldham, Vice Admiral of the Blue and Commander in Chief of His Britan- nic Majesty's Ships in North America, January-July, I7j6. Edited by Robert W. Neeser. For 1913 and 1914: Volumes IV and V. 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