M 0089
LETTERS RECEIVED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
FROM COMMANDERS OF SQUADRONS, 1841 – 1886,

IN NATIONAL ARCHIVES (300 ROLLS)

Note:  Only those rolls covering periods when CONSTITUTION was in squadron service have been researched.

East India Squadron

Roll 2 (February 27, 1843 ‑ September 26, 1845)

          NOTHING     

Roll 3 (August 1, 1845 ‑ May 3, 1847)

          NOTHING

Brazil Squadron

Roll 17 (April 19, 1844 ‑ April 28, 1845)

From Commodore Daniel Turner, USS RARITAN, 16 Aug 1844:

          Reports CONSTITUTION arrived on 2 Aug.

Roll 19 (October 25, 1845 ‑ October 11, 1847)

From Commodore L. Rousseau, USS COLUMBIA, 4 May 1846:

          Reports that, at their request, he has permitted Acting Master Isaac Strain of CONSTITUTION and Acting Master James Taylor of COLUMBIA to exchange "situations."  A number of men from DALE are to be invalided home in CONSTITUTION:

          Seaman H. Rockwood ‑ chronic dysentery

          Landsman J. Mitchell ‑ syphilis [?]

          Ordinary Seaman C. Rives ‑ [deleted]

          Seaman Emanuel Sint ‑ syphilis; rheumatism

          Seaman Thomas Laff ‑ [?]

          Landsman W. A. Brown ‑ debilitated

          Landsman John Gleeson ‑ debilitated

Pacific Squadron

Roll 31 (December 30, 1841 ‑ January 18, 1845)

          NOTHING     

Roll 32 (October 16, 1884 ‑ October 23, 1846)

From Commodore John D. Sloat, USS SAVANNAH, 17 Dec 1845:

          At Mazatlan, Mexico.  CONSTITUTION has not yet appeared.

From Commodore John D. Sloat, USS SAVANNAH, 17 Jan 1846:

          CONSTITUTION arrived at Mazatlan on the 14th.  Captain Percival reports the ship "not in very good" condition, but Sloat feels she is fit for anything he would require.

From Commodore John D. Sloat, USS SAVANNAH, 25 Feb 1846:

          Reports CONSTITUTION has more sick [in excess of 12] than any other unit in the squadron, but not excessive considering she came from the Indian Ocean and China.

From Commodore John D. Sloat, USS SAVANNAH, 10 Apr 1846:

          Forwards general courts martial proceedings in the cases of Seaman Joseph Sinnot and Ordinary Seaman Gilman Willey of CONSTITUTION.

From Commodore John D. Sloat, USS SAVANNAH, 11 Apr 1846:

          Forwards general court martial proceedings in the case of Acting Carpenter Henry G. Thomas of CONSTITUTION.

From Commodore John D. Sloat, USS SAVANNAH, 22 Apr 1846:

          Has decided to permit CONSTITUTION to continue her voyage as Captain Percival represents her and his crew "to be in a condition entirely unfit to remain out any longer."  Has invalided home in her Passed Midshipman J. S. Bohrer who suffers periods of unconsciousness since a head wound received in PORTSMOUTH, as well as a number of sick and disabled seamen.  Also transferred were seamen and Marines whose enlistments had expired, and Midshipman T. J. Miller, under sentence of court martial.

From Commodore John D. Sloat, USS SAVANNAH, 30 Apr 1846:

          CONSTITUTION has sailed for home.

Mediterranean Squadron

Roll 78 (August 7, 1847 ‑ June 1, 1849)

From Captain John Gwinn, USS CONSTITUTION, 13 Apr 1849:

          Reports his arrival at Spezzia from Alexandria.  Has just learned of Commodore Bolton's death, leaving him senior officer on station.  Will reprovision from store ship ERIE and be ready to sail as necessary.

From Captain John Gwinn, USS CONSTITUTION, 19 Apr 1849:

          "Sailing from Malta on the 12th February with the Consul General and family on board, I had a boisterous passage of 11 days to Alexandria and owing to the Wife of Mr. McCauley giving birth to a Son at the moment of our entering the Harbour, I was unable to land her for some days or to exchange the usual Salutes with the City and the Lord High Admiral, Said Pasha, Heir Apparent to the Throne..."  Reports that "an unpleasant affair" occurred while he was in Cairo and the ship watering.  The Egyptian who initiated the difficulty was "bastinadoed without number," one of the soldiers received 100 and another 50, and the American Consul demended their officer in charge, a sub lieutenant, be broken.  [Done.]  Passed Midshipman Daniels is praised for his actions in the matter, getting his crew into their boat without any casualties.

[Enclosure]

From Passed Midshipman Joseph D. Daniels to Captain Gwinn, 22 Mar 1849:

          On 16 Mar, while on shore in charge of the 1st Cutter and filling water casks, a fight broke out between 2 of his crew and "some Egyptians."  He broke up the fight and got the men into the boat, but a squad of Egyptian soldiers appeared and demanded the 2 men.  Daniels refused and was seized, struck with musket butts, and marched through the streets to a guard house.  A representative from the US Consulate soon arrived and got him released.

From Captain John Gwinn, USS CONSTITUTION, 20 Apr 1849:

          Reports having invalided Passed Midshipman N. T. West home in ERIE, suffering from chronic blenorrhagia and enlarged testicle.

Roll 79 (June 3, 1849 ‑ June 27, 1852)

From Commodore Charles W. Morgan, USS MISSISSIPPI, 25 Jul 1849:

          Has ordered Captain Gwinn and CONSTITUTION to Messina to get for the USN the same relaxation of quarantine restrictions as have lately been granted the British.

From Commodore Charles W. Morgan, USS MISSISSIPPI, 4 Sep 1849:

          "...The Department will recollect that, in my letter number nine, of July 25th from that port [Naples], I stated that I had ordered Captain Gwinn to Messina, to perform an important piece of service, and that I had the honor to enclose in that letter a copy of the General Cruising Instructions which I had given him.  I understood, soon after anchoring at Naples, that Captain Gwinn had proposed to proceed, with his command, in a few days, to Gaeta, upon the coast of Italy, for the purpose of calling upon the Pope, who was then at that place, ‑‑  and, as, for obvious reasons, I could not sanction such a proceeding, I took occasion to suggest the impropriety of it, in the course of a brief conversation which I had with him.‑  As this ship, during the few hours of our stay at Naples, was in quarantine, my interview with Captain Gwinn was necessarily public.  I did not, therefore, say as much upon the subject as I should otherwise have done, but took care to direct him, in my written instructions, to proceed to Messina 'with as little delay as possible,' which struck me as being a delicate, as well as decided, mode, of forbidding the proposed visit to Gaeta.  Since my departure from Naples, I have learnt, to my deep surprise, and regret, that he did not go to Messina, as I ordered, but that he went to Gaeta, where he received on board, and entertained, the Pope, with his attending Cardinals, and the King of Naples &c &c.‑  The Department will readily perceive that when the peculiar position of the Pope, at that time, is considered, this act of Captain Gwinn places the United States in an attitude which, if I understand the views of the Executive, and the general policies of my country, correctly, is, to say the least, extremely embarrassing and painful.  Upon meeting him, I shall certainly require explanations of his conduct, which I sincerely trust may be satisfactory.  My personal relations with him have always been most friendly, but I conceive that I should fail in my duty, if I passed over, unnoticed, conduct so very imprudent, and entirely subversive of discipline..."

From Lieutenant James H. Rowan, USS CONSTITUTION, to Commodore Charles W. Morgan, 4 Sep 1849:

          Reports the death of Captain John Gwin at 3:18 PM this date.  Will proceed to Naples after interment.

[Enclosure]

Report of Surgeon Charles F. Guillou, USS CONSTITUTION, 6 Sep 1849:

          Captain Gwinn reported aboard suffering from neuralgia and dyspepsia, with periods of greater distress than others.

          At the end of July, gastric instability and nervousness increased, and became more aggravated.  As of 7 Aug, use of opiates increased.  Symptoms locally abated, but general debility increased, so that, on 22 Aug I recommended transfer ashore.  Quarters were secured at the Trinacria Hotel in Palermo.

          All food and drink rejected 24 Aug.  Treatment with a blister and a serpentaria infusion eased the situation, but debility and nervous symptoms increased.  Flighty on the night of 27 Aug, Gwinn became delirious on the 28th, and even violent on the 29th.  Thereafter, there were only occasional periods of relative calm.  His pupils were unnaturally contracted.  Continuously on laudanum from 31 Aug, then morphine.  "...he gently breathed his last, without a struggle or apparent suffering, the smile with which he welcomed his last earthly dream still playing upon his features.  His last words, though very disconnected, spoke thoughts of his home, his wife, and his son John."

From Commodore Charles W. Morgan, USS INDEPENDENCE, 24 Sep 1849:

          Reports having transferred Captain Conover to command CONSTITUTION, "for the present."

From Commodore Charles W. Morgan, USS INDEPENDENCE, 29 Sep 1849:

          Recommends to SecNav that, as a mark of disapprobation of the late Captain Gwinn's reception of the Pope, done reportedly with the encouragement of some of the ship's officers, CONSTITUTION be transferred to the Brazil Station in exchange for a frigate there.

From Surgeon Charles F. Guillou to Captain Thomas Conover, USS CONSTITUTION, 31 Oct 1849:

          Requests a medical survey on the following CONSTITUTION personnel:

All invalided home after 2 Nov.]

From Captain George S. Blake for Commodore Morgan, USS INDEPENDENCE, 15 Nov 1849:

          Refers to court martial charges against Seaman Charles Virgin of CONSTITUTION that have been pending since July, during which time he has been confined.  Recommends that  he be ordered to the US in ERIE and given a dishonorable discharge on arrival.  Personnel mentioned: Lieutenant James H. Rowan, Assistant Surgeon P. J. Horwitz, Passed Midshipman Dulaney A. Forrest, Midshipman Eugene H. Oakley, Midshipman J. G. Maxwell, Master at Arms John A. Stager, Sergeant James E. Thompson, and Private Thomas Scott.  [Annotated: "His discharge has been ordered."]

From Commodore Charles W. Morgan, USS INDEPENDENCE, 22 Apr 1850:

          CONSTITUTION "will continue, until further instructed, to cruise in the Gulf of Genoa, and as far west as Barcelona..."

From Commodore Charles W. Morgan, USS INDEPENDENCE, 17 May 1850:

          Refers to Joseph S. Crow of CONSTITUTION, saying the order to discharge him will be forwarded.

From Commodore Charles W. Morgan, USS INDEPENDENCE, 26 Oct 1850:

          Mentions Surgeon Guillou and Gunner John C. Ritter of CONSTITUTION.       

African Squadron

Roll 106 (January 23, 1851 ‑ March 30, 1853)

From Commodore Elie A. F. La Vallette, USS GERMANTOWN, 3 Feb 1853:

          Awaiting the arrival of Commodore Mayo in CONSTITUTION at Porto Praya.  Understands he was to sail some time in December.

Roll 107 (January 4, 1853 ‑ June 1, 1855)

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, Gresham, ?, 4 Jan 1853:

          Requests that Lieutenant M. C. Perry, son of Commodore Perry, be ordered to CONSTITUTION as a supernumerary in the expectation that the African climate will cause casualties among ships' officers.  [Annotated: "Done 10 Jany 1853."]

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, Washington, DC, 4 Jan 1853:

          Requires a Clerk.  [Annotated: Allowed.]

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, Baltimore, MD, 12 Feb 1853:

          Reports CONSTITUTION is about 60 seamen short.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 26 Feb 1853:

          Acknowledges receipt of orders to touch at "certain ports" in the Mediterranean.  Has official mail for the Mediterranean commodore.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 2 Mar 1853:

          At sea.  Not happy with crew, but hopes it will improve.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 15 May 1853:

          At Algiers.  Arrived at Gibraltar on 23 Mar.  Sailed on the 28th and arrived at Spezzia on 8 Apr and delivered dispatches to Commodore Stringham.  Provisioned, then made for Leghorn to get bread, arriving on 24 Apr.  Sailed on the 28th and arrived at Tunis on 6 May, debarking Colonel Nicholson, the designated new Consul, who had taken passage from the US.  On arrival, discovered that acting Consul, Surgeon Heap, had received his commission as Consul, rendering Nicholson's arrival moot.  Sailed on 9 May with Nicholson aboard.  Stopped at Algiers yesterday for water and hoped to ship American seamen, for the ship is still 57 men short.  Nicholson debarked to seek a voyage to the US.  Will sail as soon as watering is complete.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 13 Jun 1853:

          Arrived at Gibraltar on 2 Jun, having taken 15 days from Algiers, touching at Tangier on 9 Jun.  Had to remain there until the 11th due to west wind.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 21 Jun 1853:

          Rports arrival at Funchal on 17 Jun after a 60 hour passage from Gibraltar.  Master D. R. Lambert and 4 men are being invalided home in JOHN ADAMS.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 17 Jul 1853:

    Sailed from Funchal on the 3rd, touched at Teneriffe on the 5th, paused at Sao Vicente, 11‑13, and arrived Porto Praya on the 15th.  Present was the store ship J. P. KENNEDY of the Exploring Expedition.  MARION, PERRY, and BAINBRIDGE have gone Madeira and the Canaries to recruit, their crews debilitated by African service.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 18 Jul 1853:

          Observes that there will be much activity in Japan next summer, that a large force will represent the US, and that he and Commodore Perry are old shipmates.  He writes, "The Constitution is a strong ship, well manned and equipped, and her very name alone would be a powerful reinforcement to any squadron of our Navy.  I propose therefore, that orders be sent to me, to sail in her during the approaching winter, in time to reach Japan before the summer weather permits the commencement of active operations on that boisterous coast, and that during these operations, I serve as second in command, bearing a red pendant..."  Would leave the African Squadron in the charge of the senior captain until he returned.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 21 Jul 1853:

          Intends to send BAINBRIDGE home because she has been out 34 months, her crew will be beyond their terms of service, and her relief, VIXEN, cannot be on station soon.  Is invaliding 8 men from CONSTITUTION home in her, together with 9 from PERRY.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 13 Aug 1853:

          Arrived at Sierra Leone 10 Aug from the Isles de Los.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 20 Aug 1853:

          Sailed from Sierra Leone on 14 Aug and arrived at Monrovia yesterday.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 2 Sep 1853:

          Arrived at Cape Palmas on 29 Aug, having left Monrovia on the 25th.  Has been requested by Chief Magistrate McGill of the American Colony to "interfere" in some wars between petty kings that are interrupting trade.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 14 Sep 1853:

          At El Mina.  On 5 Sep, at the mouth of the Cavally River, he sought to negotiate a settlement between the Barbos on the south bank and the Grebos on the north.  They had been fighting intermittently for 3 years.  After having a messenger under a white flag twice threatened with murder, fired signal rockets over the village and a few rounds from the boat guns.  This brought a white flag and an agreement to talk.  Successful peace talks were held in CONSTITUTION on the 6th, and she sailed that same day.  Intends to leave for Dix Cove "this evening."

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 7 Oct 1853:

          Forwards CONSTITUTION's punishment reports without comment:

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 5 Nov 1853:

          Mentions Passed Midshipman G. H. Bier.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 7 Nov 1853:

          "My instructions from the Navy Department direct me to avoid having recourse to Courts Martial as far as may be possible.

          "...the unfortunate position in which the Navy has been placed by the abolition of the former mode of punishment, without providing a substitute, leaves me scanty means of maintaining discipline, without resorting to the power still possessed by a Court Martial."

          Forwards the records of several he has been "compelled" to hold.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 9 Nov 1853:

          Departed Fernando Po on 2 Oct and arrived off the mouth of Gaboon River on the 9th.  sailed on the 11th, touched at Sao Tomas I. on the 13th, then headed for the African coast.  On 3 Nov captured the American schooner H. N. GAMBRILL "fully equipped for the Slave trade, and on the verge of taking on board her Cargo..."  arrived at Sao Paul de Loando on the 10th, where he found MARION.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 10 Nov 1853:

          Has ordered Lieutenant deCamp to take H. N. GAMBRILL to the US.  Requests he be ordered back to CONSTITUTION.  [Annotated: "not expedient."]

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 10 Nov 1853 [2nd ltr]:

          Took H. N. GAMBRILL of New York on the morning of 3 Nov about 60 miles south of the mouth of the Congo River.  "Nothing could be more gratifying to my professional pride than to serve with the Constitution for my Flag Ship.  Possessing every admirable quality that can commend a vessel to her officers and crew; Swift, Staunch, Strong and very commodious, her past history has endeared her to every American heart, especially the heart of every American Seaman.  Were I to listen to the promptings of my own interest, I would be false to those of my government, and I therefore feel compelled to state that she is entirely unfit for the duty on which she is at present employed."  Smaller ships would be better; able to control a wider area with the same number of men.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 20 Dec 1853:

          At Monrovia.  Has appointed Passed Midshipman [George]  Bier Acting Master in MARION in place of Acting Master [Colville] Terrell, who, in turn, has succeeded Master [D. R.] Lambert in CONSTITUTION.  Lambert was invalided home in JOHN ADAMS.  Boatswain's Mate Ezra Chamberlain has been appointed Acting Boatswain in CONSTITUTION in place of the invalided Boatswain [Charles] Johnston.  Lieutenant [William R.] Gardner has been sent to MARION as Executive Officer; Lieutenants [Samuel] Larkin and [Albert G.] Clary have been ordered to CONSTITUTION per their requests; and Lieutenant [Mayo C.] Watkins to MARION, together with Midshipman [Charles H.] Cushman.

          Aknowledges receipt of orders to send home the remains of Captain's Clerk [N. M. C.] Abbott, late of MACEDONIAN, in MARION.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 26 Jan 1854:

          Arrived at Porto Praya on 6 Jan to find store ship PALMETTO.  Sailed on the 19th for Sal I. to assist the whaler SYLPH of Fairhaven, which had wrecked there on the 10th.  Arriving on the 22nd, took aboard 21 survivors, and brought them to Porto Grande.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 3 Apr 1854:

          Arrived at Funchal on 1 Apr to rest the crew and maintain health.  It will be first liberty of cruise.  Reports having appointed E. Cobb as his clerk, replacing the ailing B. F. Waters, who returned home in the store ship REPUBLIC.

 From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 17 May 1854:

          Sailed from Funchal on 2 May, the funds he was awaiting having arrived, and made Teneriffe on the 4th.  Sailed on the 5th, arriving at the Grand Canary on the 6th.  Sailed again on the 9th and arrived at Porto Grande on the 14th.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 3 Jun 1854:

          Notes that CONSTITUTION was sent out with no new sails, and her best suit "half worn."  If she is to remain into the next winter, she needs a fore topsail, a main topsail, a fore course, a main course, fore and main topgallants, a "main trysail," and a fore topmast staysail.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 24 Jul 1854:

          Left Monrovia on 12 Jul and arrived at Cape Palmas on the 16th.  Finding the Grahway and Half Cavally tribes on the verge of war, induced the chiefs to come aboard and work out their differences, which they did successfully.  Arrived at Accra "yesterday."

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 9 Aug 1854:

          At Prince's I.  The King of Lagos visited the ship on 31 Jul while at Lagos.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 9 Oct 1854:

          Forwards with "hearty concurrence" a request from the officers of the ship that Boatswain's Mate Thomas C. Berry be appointed a Boatswain.  Suggests the appointment be made retroactive to 29 Sep 1854, the date on which Berry (from Maine) leapt overboard and saved the life of injured Ordy James Lee, very nearly succumbing himself in the effort.  [Done.]

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 31 Oct 1854:

          Mentions Master's Mate John Collins.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 27 Apr 1855:

          Departed the Cape Verde Is. on 1 Apr, having previously transferred Lieutenant C. S. McDonough and Midshipman E. E. Potter to MARION.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 27 Apr 1855 [2nd ltr]:

          On the 23rd, when 400 miles from Portsmouth, NH, learned from a passing American ship that the US was sending warships to Cuba.  Believing that the Department wanted maximum force near Havana, decided to head there.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 27 Apr 1855 [3rd ltr]:

          Intends to send his secretary, Llewellyn Boyle, to the US in the first ship encountered going there.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 16 May 1855:

          Reports "just anchored" at Havana.  After watering, will sail for Key West seeking Commodore McCauley.  Further action to be dictated by his desires.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 23 May 1855:

          At Key West.  Saw McCauley at Havana and transferred 13 men to SAN JACINTO.  Is taking aboard invalids from JAMESTOWN, then will sail for Portsmouth.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 2 Jun 1855  (telegram):

          Reports arrival at Portsmouth, NH.

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 2 Jun 1855 [2nd ltr]:

          Notes that he placed in irons for one day a number of men who protested his diversion from the homeward track by claiming to be sick.  Ten of these he later transferred to SAN JACINTO in order to punish them by 'protracting' their service.  Request that the remainder of this group not be discharged with the rest of the crew, but be required to serve out the 8‑12 months remaining on their enlistments.

[Enclosure]

List of protesters:

From Commodore Isaac Mayo, USS CONSTITUTION, 4 Jun 1855:

          Forwards copies of letters to each of the Midshipmen in the ship:

          Midshipman Wm L. Bradford, his aid, has been in the ship since June 1853.  Warmly recommended to examiners.

          Midshipman Aeneas Armstrong also has been aboard since June 1853, and is likewise warmly recommended.

          Midshipman Wm H. Dana, aboard since November 1852, is warmly recommended.

Roll 107 (Supplemental) (January 4, 1853 ‑ June 1, 1855)

Agreement between the Barbo and Half Cavally tribes, 6 Sep 1853:

          "Commodore Mayo being desirous of concluding a peace between the Half Cavally and Barbo people, present the following officers, Commodore Isaac Mayo, Commander in Chief, Commander John Rudd, Lieutenants Jno De Camp, Benj F. Dove, C. R. P. Rodgers, Flag [Lieutenant] Llewellyn Boyle, Secretary.

Jim Peter Headman in place of King George the Chief King of the Barbo people, being sent as the Representative of King George.

Joe Wilson, Headman, Representing King Freeman, of Cavally being sent by his said King as his legal Representative.

Bill Williams, or Simby Bala, being of Cape Palmas, as Spectator, Tom Peter, as spectator, and Ben Coffee (Nar Wee), interpreter and commissioner to act between the two parties.

          "On the 4th inst: anchored off Cavally River, sent a boat with Lieut Rodgers to communicate with the King of  the Cavally River tribe, who expressed his willingness for peace, and to be guided by the Commodore, at the same time an officer was sent with Ben Coffee, head Krooman, of this ship, to communicate with the Barbo people, on the left bank of the River, the two tribes being at War.

          "Ben Coffee on his return reported that the Barbo people refused the Commodore's 'Dash,' or present, stating that they would not make peace until the Cavally river people abandoned the territory, which they now occupy, they refused all further communication with the Commodore and threatened to shoot Ben Coffee, until he left their shore.  The Cavally people being allies with the Colonists at Cape Palma and within their territory, the Commander in Chief felt it his duty to urge upon the Barbo people the necessity of making peace.

          "The interruption of trade upon the coast was most injurious to the Colonists; On the morning of the 5th, the Commander in Chief fitted out five armed boats from the 'Constitution' and approached the Barbo Coast, with a 'Flag of Truce' at the Fore on board the Constitution.

          "Ben Coffee was again sent on shore with a White Flag to know if the Barboes were willing to treat with the Cavally people in [?] of making a treaty of Peace.  The Barboes replied to Ben Coffee that they had said every thing to him on yesterday.  Ben Coffee returned and stated that the Barboes were armed and ready for War.

          "A General Order was given to Captain Rudd, not to fire unless ordered or fired from the shore, a further order, was given Capt Rudd to commence firing Signal Rockets over the town, by way of intimidating the inhabitants and brining [sic] them to terms, or failing Lieut De Camp was ordered to fire over the "town" with his 12 pounder, 24 shot fired, when the Barbo people hoisted a 'Flag of Truce' on the beach, when the firing ceased, Ben Coffee, the interpreter, was again sent on shore, on his return, stated that he had seen the old King George, and  'Jim Peter,' who is now present.  The King stated that he begged pardon, for what had been done, and wished 'Peace' all around.  Ben Coffee further stated that the Barbo people proposed that the Commo, should come on shore the following morning, and in the Commo's presence they would arrange the terms of the 'Peace,' they further requested Ben Coffee to come on shore and receive a 'Dash' for the Commo, as confiming the Peace.

          "All parties dined in the Cabin, and after receiving presents from the Commo, departed in company for the shore, highly pleased.

"Witnesses

 I. Mayo|Commander in Chief

John Rudd|Commander

Jno De Camp|Lieutenant

Benj M. Dove|do

C. R. P. Rodgers|do

Llewellyn Boyle|Secretary

          "Done on board the U. S. Ship Constitution, on the 6th day of Sept 1853.      (Signed) Llewellyn Boyle

                                  Secretary &c

"True Copy

Edward Cobb

Commodores Clerk

African Squadron"

The Captain's Clerk
1989, TGM