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Thirteen Letters by US Navy Purser Thomas Johnston with Barbary War, Jefferson's Embargo and Other Financial Content....
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Description
Thirteen Letters by US Navy Purser Thomas Johnston with Barbary War, Jefferson's Embargo and Other Financial Content. Thirteen letters totaling 27 pages, various sizes but mostly bifolia measuring 7 ¾ x 9 ½ inches with integral address covers; from various locations dated from May 7, 1802 to February 20, 1811. All letters are addressed to James Allston, a merchant in Baltimore. Writing from Washington on March 29, 1804, Johnston notifies Allston that "Nothing decisive has taken plan as to the movements relative to the expedition against Tripoli; this great question is to be determined tomorrow." From aboard the frigate Congress docked in Washington on April 2, 1804, he reports on the makeup of the squadron: "The Squadron destined for the Mediterranean will consist of the Frigate President Comm. Sam Barron, Congress Cap Rodgers. U States Cap. J. Barron, Constitution Cap Campbell, and Jno Adams Lt. Chauncey - I shall be with you in the course of a day or two - for a short time only as our ship will sail first, and very soon in the mean time."Now aboard the USS Constitution, he writes again on November 15, 1804 while docked at Syracuse: "Commodore [Edward] Preble has had his first fight with Tripoli. The particulars of which you will receive & more satisfactorily through the medium of the Newspaper publications than I could possibly state, as I was not on the Ground. The late squadron has done much - but a damn'd quantity yet remains to be done by the present - Commodore Barron is in ill health...Cap Rodgers has succeeded Comm Preble in the Command of the Constitution and has removed with him all his officers from the Congress... The Constitution will sail from this in a few days - we expect to visit all the ports in the Mediterranean (on the North side) including Cadiz + Lisbon in the course of the winter - in the spring we shall be ready to Cut up the Tripolitans..."
There are three letters discussing ongoing negotiations in Congress related to the enforcement and modification of the Embargo Act of 1807. On November 22, 1808 he writes two-page letter giving a synopsis of the discussion: "The Committee to whom was referred the several resolutions on the subject of the Embargo &c &c have reported in part - and the report made the order of the day for Thursday next - This report concludes with three resolutions - The substance of which I only pretend to offer you - [James] Hillhouse [of Connecticut] resolution for the repeal of the Embargo Laws has been discussed again to day in the senate and he resumed (& perhaps) negotiated to... & today to get a bill passed for twelve additional Revenue Cutters...The Bill has been recommitted to the committee who reported it - The National Intelligence will probably give you the Resolutions offered to the House to day & the debates on the bill for the building the Cutters." He lists three resolutions under discussion below his signature.
On November 25 he further reports: "Congress has been sitting with closed doors for three days in consequence of Mr Randolph's motion to remove the injunction of secrecy...for a would authorize the publishing of the recent secret communications of the president to both Houses of Congress - not the secret Journal of the House...The decision of Mr. Hillhouse's resolution for the repeal of the Embargo has been further delayed..."
A week later on December 2, he sends updates, but despairs that little is known: "The resolutions of Hillhouse for the repeal of the Embargo Laws was this day negotiated in the senate - only six voting for repeal. Campbells Resolutions are now before the House on their final passage into law - the supporters of these Resolutions persist in a continuance of the Embargo... I find it impossible sift anything out of the members of either House - the minority know nothing - & the majority will not communicate anything as to the views of administration..."
Writing from Malta on July 12, 1809, he reports that French privateers have captured several schooners and their interference with being able to conduct business.
The final letter in the group is dated February 20, 1811 and reports on the Senate vote on the renewal of the First Bank of the United States that had happened earlier in the day: "The Death Warrant of the US Bank Charter has this moment been signed by the president of the Senate - the votes were 17 & 17 on striking out the first section of the bill to renew the Charter."
The lot includes eight additional letters addressed to Allston from various individuals all discussing business transactions Allston is handling on their behalf.
Condition: Letters have a varying degree of toning and scattered stains, edge wear and offsetting. November 22, 1808 letter has a line of text that has been crossed out resulting in ink burn affecting a line of text on the verso. November 25, 1808 letter has light dampstaining affecting the legibility of a few words. Also, small areas of ink burn with lost to a few letters. Five of Johnston's letters have tearing and some loss from where the seal has been opened, with a few instances of loss of text.
Auction Info
2024 September 25 Historical Manuscripts Including Texana Signature® Auction #6305 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2024
25th
Wednesday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 3
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