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M 0441
Note: Only
those rolls covering periods when CONSTITUTION was in squadron
service have been researched.
Roll 1, Vol. 1 (January 2, 1808 ‑ December 31,
1813)
To
Captain Thomas Tingey,
"The carronades for the
Constitution's quarterdeck & fore castle are wanted, as carriages cannot be
completed before the Guns are received."
Ship them to John Bullus, Navy Agent,
To
Captain Thomas Tingey,
"The Constitution is in want of a
Cable ship the largest lately made by Messrs. Ringgold & Heath in the yard
boat to be delivered on board the Constitution at
To
Captain Thomas Tingey,
"You will send to
To
Captain Thomas Tingey,
"All the articles indented for by
Capt. Hull for the Frigate Constitution & which he may not require of the
agent at Balto. to furnish you will furnish without delay. With respect to sails ‑ no time must be
lost. The Canvas can I am told be
prepared at
To
Captain John Cassin,
"The foreigners sent from the
Constitution must be paid off & discharged & fourteen ordinary Seamen
from the Hornet must be sent to the Constitution..."
To
Captain John Cassin,
"There are some men to be sent
from the Wasp & the Hornet to the Constitution. send [sic] the gunboat with them under the
charge of a Lieutenant with a Midshipman.
Capt. Hull will inform you of the number of men ‑ & one of the
Lieuts, of the Hornet and a Midshipman may be ordered on this service. the [sic] gunboat is to return immediately to
the yard."
To
Captsin Thomas Tingey,
Captain Hull is complaining that the
ironwork for Constitution is "very backward."
To
William Sanford,
"You will proceed to
"To the agent of the place in
which you may procure the canvas you will show this letter, indeed you may
leave it with him as his authority to make the purchase on account of the Navy
Dept.
"You know the importance of our
receiving that canvas as early as possible.
You will therefore instruct the agent and devise the most impetuous
means of getting the canvas to this place."
To
Captain Thomas Tingey,
"You will hasten the equipment
& preparation of the Constitution as fast as possible."
To
Captain Thomas Tingey,
"John Henry 2d & John Smith
3d who were sent from the Constitution are it is said Englishmen and deserters
from the British Service. Discharge them
immediately."
To
Captain William Bainbridge, USS CONSTELLATION, 28 Jul 1812:
"You will assume command of the
frigate Constitution on her arrival in port.
mean time [sic] you will retain command of the Constellation and forward
her preparation for Sea."
To
Captain William Bainbridge, USS CONSTELLATION, 7 Aug 1812:
"You will proceed to
To
Captain William Bainbridge,
Partial
pay scale (per month):
To
Captain William Bainbridge, USS CONSTITUTION, 23 Sep 1812:
"You will convene a Court martial
for the trial of Leonard Hays armourer of the Constitution upon the charges
preferred against him."
To
Commodore William Bainbridge,
"The transfer of part of the Crew
of the Frigate Constitution to the Service on the Lakes gives me great
satisfaction as the nature of the Service required the most prompt and decisive
measures to render it effectual.
"I intended to have ordered
Captain Lawrence to the Constitution without reservation..." but then he
learned of Captain Evans' sight debility and had to take prompt action.
"I have ordered Captain Stewart
from the Constellation to the Constitution and he will doubtless proceed as
soon as possible to his command."
To
Commodore William Bainbridge,
"...I regret the delay in heaving
out the Constitution for want of a Wharf..."
To
Commodore William Bainbridge,
"Mids Frederick Varnum now on
board the Constitution was on the 28th inst ordered by this Department to the
Siren under the impression that he was idle not having any order for Service
from this Department. he [sic] may
however remain where he is...
"P.S. In the list of the officers sent by you I
observe Sailing Master Nixon and Joshua B. Sterns. These officers are unknown to the Department
will you please to say by whom and when they were appointed."
To
Commodore William Bainbridge,
"...Lieut, [William B.] Shubrick
will have ere this reported himself to you for the Constitution and delivered
the Signal books with which he was charged.
Lieut. W. M. Hunter will also report himself for the Ship. Acting Lieut. McCauley is also ordered to the
same which will complete her complement of Lieutenants...
"It is not expedient to adopt the
suggestion of Capt Stewart to strip the GunBoats at
"The recruiting for the two
Sloops of War will progress as fast as possible but as the Constitution wants
only 50 men let the first recruited be ordered to that ship. Please to state the number of Officers,
Seamen, Ordinary Seamen, marines [sic] and Boys on board the Constitution and
the whole number proposed. her [sic]
complement of men will not of course exceed that with which she has already
acquired so much celebrity.
"Docr. Turk was ordered by the
Department from the Constellation to the Constitution at the particular
solicitation of Capt. Stewart but under the impression that it was with the
understanding of Docr. Cotton, and not with a view to supersede [sic] him or
remove him from the Ship. If I have been
mistaken Docr. Turk must either return to the Constellation or go on board one
of the Sloops of War at his option provided he determines immediately.
"The inconvenience and
unnecessary expense incurred by the changes made at the solicitation made by
Capt. Stewart have determined me in future to oppose, inflexibly, any change of
officers from mere personal motives upon the change of Commanders unless by
amicable arrangement and free from expense to the public. The interest of the Service and not the
predelictions of Commanders shall invariably prevail.
"Time is now precious and every
day's delay of the Constitution is a new source of regret. I pray you therefore to despatch that Ship in
the first instance in preference to every other object."
Roll 1, Vol. 2 (January 1, 1814 ‑ August 27,
1816)
To
Commodore William Bainbridge,
"You will please deliver to
Sailing Master Samuel C. Hixon his Warrant &c herewith."
To
Commodore William Bainbridge,
"I yesterday ordered Lieutenant
Ballard to report himself to you, but if Captain Stewart should consider his to
[sic] Junior acting Lieutenants as deficient in experience, and express any
dissatisfaction at proceeding at Sea without Lieut. Ballard, you will order him
to the Constitution unless some other satisfactory arrangement can be made.
"I am the more unwilling to
withdraw Lieut. Ballard from that Ship unless her commander shall be satisfied,
from the recollection of the catastrophe of the
"I write this under the possible
chance of finding Constitution in port, though I presume she will have sailed
unless detained by winds or a close blockade."
To
Commodore William Bainbridge,
"In answer to your enquiry of the
25th ulto. whether Capt. Stewart will cruise under his last orders received
from the Department, or whether he will receive new Instructions? I have to observe, that when the crew of the
Constitution is complete, Capt. Stewart will continue in port, in a state of
preparation for a cruise and wait final instructions from this
Department."
To
John Bullus,
CYANE has been condemned as a legal
prize by the
Roll 2, Vol 3 (August 29, 1816 ‑ 182?)
To
Captain Isaac Hull,
"Philip Brimblecome, formerly a
Seaman of the U. S. Ship Constitution, lost an arm in the Action with the
British Frigate Java, in consequence of which he receives a pension of Six
Dollars pr. month. As he represents
himself able to do duty in a Yard, so far as his disability will permit, I
authorize you to enter him for duty at the Navy Yard under your command at six
dollars pr. month, provided you find him to be sober, steady, and capable
of rendering equivalent services for his half pay."
To
George Harrison, Navy Agent,
"In compliance with that part of
your letter of the 29th ulto. which relates to the Resolution of Congress, I
enclose to you herewith those respecting the Medals & Swords voted to the
officers of the United States Ships Constitution, Hornet, Peacock, and
Wasp..."
To
George Harrison, Navy Agent,
"Enclosed is a representation of
the capture of the British Frigate Java intended for the reverse of
Commodore Bainbridge's Medal, transmitted by himself to this Department, and
you will please direct Mr. [Moritz] Furst to engrave a Die in conformity to the
same."
To
George Harrison, Navy Agent,
"Your letter of the 26th instant
is received. it [sic] is not deemed
necessary to make any observations in relation to the objections offered by Mr.
Furst respecting the representation of the Sea, on the Drawing transmitted to
you on the 22nd instant, as it is presumed, that Gentleman has not visited off
the Coast of Brazil, where the action was fought between the U. S. Ship
Constitution and the British Ship Java, or he would have known that the surface
of the Sea in that part of the Atlantic is perfectly smooth, at least during
nine months of the year."
To
George Harrison, Navy Agent,
"I am at length enabled to reply
to your letter of the 23rd May last, on the subject of the extra number of
Medals proper to be struck.
"Of the Medals for
Bainbridge
Jones
Perry
Macdonough
Stewart, and
Blakeley, let
there be
fifty
extra struck in Silver and one hundred and fifty of each in composition or in
Copper. Of the other Medals it will not
be necessary to have more struck than twenty five of each in Silver, and
Seventy five in composition or Copper."
To
George Harrison, Navy Agent,
"....
"The word Momento on
Captain Hull' Medal, it is thought, ought to have been Memento."
Chief
Clerk Benjamin Homans to George Harrison, Navy Agent,
"The drawing intended for Capt.
Stewarts Medal, has been transmitted to the Secretary of the Navy, at
Homans
to George Harrison, Navy Agent,
"The inscription submitted in
your letter of the 15th instant, Viz:
"Carolus Stewart Navis Amer: Constitution Dux
Reverse
Una
victoriam eripult ratibus Cinis, is considered appropriate for Captain Stewarts
Medal, and you will please to direct the Artist to adopt it. Take special care to observe that the victory
was achieved 20th February 1815 and not 20th January 1814 as stated in the
mottos herewith attached."
To
Captain Isaac Hull, 28 Mar 1821:
"I have received your letter of
the 29th inst. relative to the officers and equipment of the Frigate
Constitution.‑‑ Capt. Jacob
Jones has been directed to proceed and take the command.‑‑ Surgeon Amos A. Evans has been ordered in the
place of Dr. John H. Gordon, whose health will not permit him to go to sea.‑‑
It appears by the returns hitherto received that Stephen G. Clark is attached
as Boatswain.‑‑ William
Johnson Gunner was ordered from Norfolk on the 10th inst, and an acting
Sailmaker is ordered from New York, if you shall not find him competent in all
respects you may select a suitable man in Boston, a Mr. Charles Ware was
recommended by you, Como Bainbridge & others in 1818.‑‑ The Midshipmen have been all ordered, a List
of whom is enclosed. I have ordered the
rendezvous opened at
To
Captain Samuel Evans,
I have the honour to enclose you an
order for Mr. Banks Boatswain of the Franklin 74, attaching him to the
Constitution at Boston,‑‑ you will be pleased to order him
immediately and supply his place as soon as practicable."
To
Captain Samuel Evans,
"You will be pleased to order the
Recruiting Officer at
To
Captain Samuel Evans,
"Be pleased to hand the enclosed
order to Boatswain T. T. Smith of the Ship Washington, & order him to
proceed without delay & join the Constitution in the room of Mr. Banks who
will remain attached to the
To
Captain Samuel Evans,
"In reply to your letter of the
30th ulto. I have to inform you that Capt. Jones reports he will be ready to
sail by the 3d of this month, therefore there will not be time for Mr. Blythe
to reach
Navy
General Order, 6 Aug 1821:
"....
"Table showing the number of
Officers & men necessary for the Ships & Vessels of the U. S. Navy when
placed in a state of Ordinary."
For
a 44‑gun frigate: 1 Captain, 2 Lieutenants, 3Midshipmen, 1 Boatswain, 1
Gunner, 1 Carpenter, 2 Carpenter's Mates to do the duty of Caulkers, 6 Able Bodied
Seamen, 4 Boys.
Roll 2, Vol 4 (May 1824 ‑ April 22, 1833)
To
Captain Samuel Evans,
"I enclose a letter dated 27th
instant, and transmitted to this Department by Midshipman Richard D. Miller
soliciting orders for the United States Ship Constitution."
To
Commodore William Bainbridge,
"You will send to the Frigate
Constitution, now at
To
Commodore James Barron,
"You will cause the Rendezvous at
To
Commodore William Bainbridge,
"You will cause the Rendezvous at
To
Captain George W. Rodgers,
"You will cause the Rendezvous at
To
Richard D. Harris, Navy Agent,
"I have directed a remittance of
$93,000 to be made to you for the purpose of paying off the Crew of the U. S.
Frigate Constitution, being the amount of a requisition from the acting Purser
of the Ship."
Roll 3, Vol. 5 (April 24, 1833 ‑ 1839)
To
Daniel D. Brodhead, Navy Agent,
"Your letter dated the 16th
ultimo enclosing bills of Messrs Kittridge & Blake Flag and Crockett for
Furniture for the Frigate Constitution amounting to Twelve hundred & eighty
six 75/100 dollars was duly recd. The
Constitution having been fitted for the accommodation of a Minister, the extra
charges in those bills are allowed‑‑ The bills are herewith returned."
To
James K. Paulding, Navy Agent,
"You are authorized on the
requisition of [Purser] John N. Hambleton to procure for the use of the
Constitution ten thousand dollars in specie, one half in Spanish gold
(doubloons) on the best attainable terms, and the other half in Spanish milled
dollars at a premium not greater than 3 pr.
To
James K. Paulding, Navy Agent,
"Your letter of the 14th inst.
soliciting father [sic] instructions upon the subject of procuring specie for
the Constitution is received.
"You are now instructed to procure
for the Ship, upon the best attainable terms, five thousand dollars, half in
doubloons and half in Spanish milled dollars.
"This sum will, it is supposed,
be sufficient for the Ship until she shall reach
To
James K. Pauling, Navy Agent,
"Your purchase of Specie for the
Frigate Constitution as mentioned in your letter of the 20th inst. is approved
by the Department."
To
Messrs Fitch Brothers & Co., Navy Agents,
"Your letter of the 7th November
last, enclosing a receipted requisition drawn by Purser Jno. N. Hambleton of
the Constitution, and also informing the Department of the presentations to you
by Com. Elliott, of requisitions to the amount of $53,500, is received."
To
Messrs Fitch Brothers & Co., Navy Agents,
"Your letter of the 26th March
last, enclosing a receipted requisition of Purser John N. Hambleton, dated
To
Messrs Fitch Brothers & Co., Navy Agents,
"Your letter of the 7th ulto.
enclosing a requisition of Purser John N. Hambleton for fifty three thousand
five hundred dollars, and receited [sic] by Purser D. Fauntleroy for $46,000
has been received."
To
Messrs Fitch Brothers & Co., Navy Agents,
"Your letter dated 31st May last
enclosing a requisition of Purser John N. Hambleton for $80,000, receipted by
Purser D. Fauntleroy, has been received."
To
Asa Fitch, Jr.,
"Your letter of the 21st instant,
enclosing an account current of Messrs Fitch Brothers & Co, agents of the
Department at Marseilles, showing that on the 1st of October next, should the
whole amount estimated for by Com. Elliott for the expenses of the
Mediterranean Squadron be taken up, there would be a balance against the
Department of $59,222.06 has been received.
"From advices received from Com.
Elliott, this Department is informed, that the estimates of $80,000 per
quarter, were made under the expectation that the force in the Mediterranean
would be increased by the addition of the North Carolina, but if not increased,
so great an amount would not be required.
The probability is, therefore, that the whole amount of the requisitions
for the 3d and 4th quarters, will not be taken up, for on the arrival of the
United States, the Potomac will, without unnecessary delay, return home, and it
is not, at present, contemplated to send out the N. Carolina..."
To
Asa Fitch, Jr.,
"Your letter of the 17th instant
to Mr. Boyle [Chief Clerk of the Department] has been received; and I have this
day authorized to be remitted to you, one hundred thousand dollars, to meet the
expenses of the Mediterranean Squadron, for the first two quarters of the
coming year."
To
Asa Fitch, Jr.,
"I have this day authorized to be
remitted to you as one of the house of Fitch Brothers & Co. of
To
Michael W. Ash, Navy Agent,
"...the Frigate Constitution is
expected to return to the
To
George Loyall, Navy Agent,
"I have this day directed that a
remittance of $75,000 be sent to you to enable you to meet requisitions for the
payment of the Officers and crew of the Constitution."
James
K. Paulding, Navy Agent,
"....
"You are authorized to purchase
an Iron Chest for the Frigate Constitution, having due regard to the size
required and to the price which must be reasonable."
Roll 3, Vol 6 (1839 ‑ February 10, 1845)
To
George Loyall, Navy Agent,
"I have approved and herewith
return the account of Wm. D. Roberts amounting to $84 for two stoves furnished
to the U. S. Frigate Constitution."
To
George Loyall, Navy Agent,
Directs him to advance CONSTITUTION's
officers 4 months pay, if they wish it.
To
Robert C. Westmore, Navy Agent,
Directs him to advance Midshipman John
E. Hart of CONSTITUTION 4 months' pay.
To
Robert C. Westmore, Navy Agent,
Authorizes him to advance 4 months'
pay to any CONSTITUTION officer desiring it.
Roll 4, Vol 7 (February 13, 1845 ‑ 1849)
To
Joseph Hall, Navy Agent,
Provides list of boxes natural history
specimens to be shipped from CONSTITUTION to the Department "by the
earliest opportunity."
Acting Secretary W. L. Marcy to Hall, 13 Oct
1848:
Lieutenant M[elancthon] Smith is now
attached to CONSTITUTION.
Roll 4, Vol 8 (1849 ‑ May 21, 1858)
To
William H. LeRoy, Navy Agent,
"You will be pleased to advance three months
pay to such officers of the U. S. Frigate Constitution as may desire
it."
To
Messrs. Baring Brothers, Navy Agents,
"A communication has been
received by this Department through the Secretary of State from Her Brittanic
Majesty's Minister to the United States, enclosing a claim for $15,111 against
this Government for coals supplied from Her Majesty's stores as Fernando Po, to
the United States Ship of War 'Constitution,' a copy of the receipt for which
is herewith transmitted. You will be
pleased to pay the amount of this claim to her Majesty's Pay master General in
Roll 5, Vol 9 (May 21, 1858 ‑ 1861)
To
H. G. S. Key, Navy Agent (Acting Purser), Baltimore, MD, 8 Sep 1860:
"You will be pleased to transfer
the accounts of the men of Constitution which were transferred to you from the
Receiving Ship at
To
William F. Russell, Navy Agent,
"Your letter of the 9 inst
purporting to enclose account of Messrs. Cromwell & Co. for Towing the U.
S. S. Constitution has been received without the account. The bill should be submitted to the
Department through the Commandant of the New York Navy Yard."
To
Isaac Henderson, Navy Agent,
".... Is not the bill for towing Frigate
'Constitution' approved by the Department 29 ult in your possession, or with
the Commandant of the Navy Yard [sic]."
Roll
5, Vol 10 (1861 ‑ December 20, 1865)
NOTHING
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The Captain's Clerk |