|
M 0472
Note: Only
those rolls covering periods when CONSTITUTION was in squadron
service have been researched.
Roll 1, Vol 1 (July 2, 1821 ‑ April 7, 1831)
To
the Secretary of the Treasury, 2 Jul 1821:
Requests funds from a number of
accounts with which to pay the Navy's bills.
An enclosure, marked "A," provides the manning of the ships of
the Navy for 1821. The line for
CONSTITUTION lists 1 captain, 6 lieutenants, 20 midshipmen, 1 surgeon, 2
surgeon's mates, 1 purser, 1 chaplain, 1 sailing master, 1 captain's clerk, 2
master's mates, 1 boatswain, 1 gunner, 1 carpenter, 1 sail maker, 3 boatswain's
mates, 2 gunner's mates, 2 carpenter's mates, 1 sail maker's mate, 10 quarter
gunners, 8 quarter masters, 3 yeomen, 1 coxswain, 1 steward, 1 cooper, 1
armorer, 1 master at arms, 3 ship's corporals, 1 cook, 160 able seamen, 170
ordinary seamen, and 27 boys.
Enclosure "B" breaks down
rates of pay, including those assumed for the non‑rated men whose rates
are not specified in the applicable legislation. Of interest is the fact that the warrant
officers' mates received $19/mo. while all other petty officers got
$18/mo. A seaman's pay was estimated at
$12/mo., an ordinary seaman's at $10/mo., and a boy's at $6/mo. It also shows the ration allowance to have
been $.25/day.
To
the Register of the Treasury, 5 Dec 1821:
Indicates that the above figures also
applied to 1822.
To
the Register of the Treasury, 25 Nov 1822:
Indicates that the above figures also
applied in 1823.
To
the Register of the Treasury, 3 December 1823:
Indicates that the above figures also
applied to 1824.
[Note:
Subsequent estimates in this series ceased to provide these breakdowns.]
To
the 4th Auditor, 25 Jan 1827:
Reports having sent to Thomas Wilson,
US Consul at Dublin, a draft of $33.24 on Baring Brothers made out to Mary Anne
Beahan, estate administratrix, monies due James Swords, deceased.
To
the President, 16 Sep 1827:
Forwards a letter of resignation from
Master Commandant Louis Alexis, noting that Alexis has been on leave since 11
May 1821 and has not made himself available for service. Recommends acceptance of the resignation.
To
the Attorney General, 9 Jul 1828:
Summarizes the Navy's pension system
to date as follows:
23
Apr 1800 1st law on subject provides pensions for disabled officers, seamen,
and Marines
20
Jan 1813 law extends pensions to widows and children of officers killed in
action or who died of wounds
04 Mar 1814 law extends pensions on same terms
to widows and children of seamen and Marines
03 Mar 1817 law extends pensions to widows and
children of all who died of disease or accident while in service
03 Mar 1819 extends law of 4 Mar 1814 for 5
years
22
Jan 1824 extends that law another 5 years and added those covered by the law of
3 Mar 1817.
Vol 2 (April 2, 1831 ‑ September 30,
1836)
To
the Secretary of War, the Attorney General, and the Post Master General, 22 Jul
1833 [3 separate ltrs of same date and text]:
"By request of Commo Jesse D.
Elliott Comdr of the U. S. Navy Yard at
To
the Secretary of State, 6 Jul 1835:
"...The frigate Constitution now
at
"If this Ship shall proceed as it
is contemplated an order will be given to her Commander to afford a passage to the
Messinger [sic] that may be entrusted with the delivery of the presents to
which reference is made in your communication."
To
the 4th Auditor, 6 Jul 1835:
"The letter of Passd Midn Berrien
2d Master of the frigate Constitution which you referred to this Department is
herewith returned.‑‑ In the
service there is only one grade of sailing Masters, when more than one serve in
the same Ship, the Senior one will of course be rated first,
the one next second, &c‑ and each will be paid as a Sailing
Master.‑‑"
To
the President, 25 Jul 1835:
"As Commodore Elliott has been
selected as the officer to releive [sic] Commodore Patterson on the
Mediterranean station.‑ it is considered expedient that he should leave
the United States as early as the middle of next month‑ I have therefore
given him advice to hold himself in readiness to sail by that time, in the
Constitution, for that Station ‑ and have given orders to the Navy
Commissioners, to have that ship fully prepared for the cruise, by that time.‑‑
"I hope therefore the
Constitution will sail under Commodore Elliott for the
To
the Secretary of State, 11 Aug 1835:
"...On Saturday the 8th instant,
in consequence of the verbal communication which you had with me on the subject‑
Commdre Elliott was requested to give a passage to the Messenger of your
Department, who would present himself for that purpose, with the articles
alluded to [presents for the Emperor of Morocco].
"Commdre Elliott is instructed to
sail as early as possible, after the 16th inst. after his Ship is completely
ready for sea, which it is expected, will be in a few days."
To
the Attorney General, 10 Feb 1836:
Recapitulates the history of naval
pensions, and adds to the earlier report the following:
22
Jan 1824 law further extends pensions for 5 years
28
Jun 1832 law further extends pensions for 5 years
30
Jun 1834 law further extends pensions for 5 years.
Roll 2, Vol 3 (October 1, 1836 ‑ May 12, 1840)
To
the Secretary of War, 12 August 1837:
"...leave of absence for six
months, from the expiration of the cruise of the Constitution, has been
forwarded to Com. Elliott for Dr. George Clymer..."
To
the 4th Auditor, 26 Sep 1838:
Orders Thomas Payne to be paid as
Gunner's Yeoman during his service in CONSTITUTION.
To
the 4th Auditor, 19 Oct 1838:
Reports that Commodore Elliott left
Port Mahon in 15 Jun 1838 "without meeting with his successor in
command."
To
the Secretary of the Treasury, 19 Jan 1839:
Provides a table of commissioned and
warrant officer annual strength of the Navy from its beginning:
To
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 12 Feb 1839:
"In obedience to a resolution of
the House of Representatives of the 1st instant, I have the honor to transmit
copies of the charges preferred by Charles C. Barton, a Passed Midshipman of
the United States Navy, against Capt. Jesse D. Elliott, while in command of the
Mediterranean Squadron; together with all communications in relation to said
charges on file in this Department.
"The facts disclosed in these
papers furnish the sole ground in which the Department has hitherto declined
acting in [sic] the charges of Midshipman Barton, and are in themselves the
only reasons why Commodore Elliott has not been brought to a trial in [sic]
said charges."
Vol 4 (May 12, 1840 ‑ June 20, 1844)
To
the Secretary of State, 28 Jul 1840:
"Herewith is a case containing a
Cimiter [sic; scimitar] presented to Com. Elliott during his late command in
the
To
the 4th Auditor, 23 Nov 1841:
"The resignation of Midshipman
Jacob F. Sperry, late of the Frigate Constitution, has been accepted."
To
the 4th Auditor, 31 Jan 1842:
"The resignation of Jacob F.
Sperry as a Midshipman in the Navy was accepted on the 28th inst."
To
the 4th Auditor, 22 Jan 1844:
Instructions have been given to allow
the officers in CONSTITUTION with a four month advance of pay.
To
the 4th Auditor, 18 May 1844:
Captain Percival is authorized to make
an allotment of 3/5 of his pay; Lieutenant Amasa Paine, an allotment of
$75/mo.; and Lieutenant Gibson, one of $80/mo.
To
the 4th Auditor, 21 May 1844:
Midshipman J. Elliott in CONSTITUTION
has been allowed a 4 month advance; Purser's Clerk John Collins, is permitted
an allotment of $30/mo.
Roll 3, Vol 5 (July 2, 1844 ‑ November 10, 1848)
To
the Secretary of State, 5 Aug 1844:
Reports that Passed Midshipman Edward
A. Barnett has just been ordered to
To
the Secretary of State, 6 Sep 1844:
Reports that a careful record search
has failed to disclose the name of Don Pedro de Rubio y Mancho on the rolls of
CONSTITUTION during the years 1824‑28.
To
the 4th Auditor, 9 Oct 1846:
"You are informed that Midshipman
John E. Hopson has this day been dismissed from the Navy.
"Midn Hopson is reported to the
Department by Capt. Percival as having deserted from the frigate Constitution
at
To
the 4th Auditor, 9 Sep 1848:
Lieutenant B. F. Shattuck, "who
has orders to...Constitution," may allot $80/mo. to his family.
Vol 6 (November 11, 1848 ‑ May 30, 1851)
NOTHING
Roll 4, Vol 7 (June 2, 1851 ‑ September 17,
1852)
NOTHING
Vol 8 (September 18, 1852 ‑ October 6,
1853)
To the Chief Clerk of the State Department, 16
Oct 1852:
Reports the Navy Department has no
copy of an 11 Feb 1852 letter to the State Department concerning the British
brig CONFIDENCE.
To
the Chief Clerk of the State Department, 18 Oct 1852:
Forwards "a copy of the letter
relative to the British Brig Confidence and also the original of the report of
Captain Conover Commanding the Constitution, on the subject." Requests return of the Conover report after
copying.
To
the 4th Auditor, 11 Nov 1852:
Lieutenant S. F. Hazard of
CONSTITUTION is permitted to allot $90/mo. of his pay.
To
the 4th Auditor, 24 Nov 1852:
Reports that the Navy Agent at
To
the President of the
"Annual Report.
"... The African Squadron is
under the command of Commodore Lavallette [sic], whose flag ship is the sloop
of war
"Commodore Lavallette, having
nearly completed the period of his cruise, will return to the
"The steamer Vixen will be added
to this command for such rapid communication with the coast and the trading
points on the rivers, as the duties assigned to the Squadron constantly
require.
"The service on this station is
arduous and attended with many incidents to render it far from being acceptable
to those employed upon it. Constant
vigilance and intercourse with a barbarous people on the coast, are the least
of its discomforts. To these are added
exposure to disease and the irksome seclusion of a long voyage, which finds but
small relief in visits to a shore without attraction, and always dangerous to
the stranger. The health of our ships on
that Station, I am happy to report, has in general been well guarded by the
useful sanitary discipline, which the experience of the service has, of late
years, been able to suggest and enforce; and we have now no longer to complain
of such maladies of the climate as overtook those who were in times past
consigned to this service.
"The time has come, perhaps, when
it may be properly commended to the notice of Congress to inquire into the
necessity of further continuing the regular employment of a squadron on this
Coast. The Slave trade may be said to be
now driven into a comparatively narrow space on the southern portion of the
coast, and confined to North and
"In Commander Lynch, to whom the
country is already indebted for important service in another field, I have
found a prompt and ardent volunteer for this employment. He is now on his way to the
"With a view to the preparatory
operations of Commander Lynch, and also, in consideration of the need which the
African Squadron has, at all times, for such an auxiliary, I have directed the
small steamer Vixen to be prepared without delay and sent to that Coast, to
constitute a part of the force, under the command of Commodore Mayo, who is
about to take charge of the Squadron...
"Organization and Discipline
of Seamen
"...In obedience to a sentiment
which is prevalent throughout the country, and which is naturally suggested by
those impulses that distinctively characterize the opinions and habits of our
people, congress has been recently led to the consideration of the ordinary
mode of punishment, which it has heretofore been supposed was necessary to the
preservation of the discipline in the Navy.
The result of this consideration has been the passage of a law for the
entire abolition of corporal punishment on board of our ships, both public and
private. This punishment which for a
long time, has been practiced in the Navy and commercial marine not only
without question as to its efficacy in maintaining the proper observance of
duty on ship board, but which, indeed, had become so incorporated in the sober
conviction of both officers and men, as an indispensable [sic] necessity of the
service, that it had grown to be the most unquestioned usage and generally
received incident of Naval discipline, many judicious persons believed might be
dispensed with, not only most acceptably
to the feelings of the nation, but also without disadvantage to the
service. The adoption of this opinion by
Congress in the passage of the act of September 1850, which forbade the
accustomed penalty, without providing a substitute for it, has afforded the
Navy the opportunity to make the experiment.
I very sincerely regret to say that the records of this Department as
well as the almost entire concurrence of facts and opinions, brought to my
notice from authentic sources and vouched for by intelligent and experienced
observers, all tend to indicate a most satisfactory [sic: unsatisfactory]
result. The omission of Congress to
provide for the punishment of what may be called minor offences against
discipline and good order on ship board, may perhaps, account, in part, for the
failure; but the fact of the most serious detriment to the efficiency of our
service is so unhappily forced upon my attention, as the effect of the recent
change, that it becomes the gravest of my duties, at this time, to lay the subject
once more before Congress and to ask its attention to the consideration of such
a corrective to the present condition of the service as I am confident it must
find to be indispensable to the proper government of the Navy. We have evidence furnished to this
Department, in the history of almost every cruise, of acts of insubordination
that not only impair the usefulness of our ships, but which tend also to the
gradual development of habits amongst the seamen that threaten to lead to
extensive and uncontrollable mutinies.
The multiplication of courts martial and all the consequences of an
increase of disorder and crime, are amongst the least of the apparent and
growing evils of the new system. The
demoralization of both men and officers is a yet more observable
consequence. The absence of prohibition
of the usual punishments known to seamen, has led to the invention of new
penalties of the most revolting kind in the application of which full scope has
been given and the strongest provocations administered to that exhibition of
temper and passion, which however natural it may be to men of hasty and
excitable natures is seldom indulged without leading to cruelties that must
disgrace those who practice them, and what is more to be feared, raised sentiment
in the public mind hostile to the Navy itself.
The seaman, believing himself exempt from the speedy penalty of his
disobedience or neglect of duty, and looking with indifference to the remote
and uncertain proceeding of a Court Martial, upon his delinquency, grows
habitually contumacious of his superiors and infuses the same sentiment into
his comrades; and in the very fact of the diffusion of this spirit of
insubordination, finds ground to hope for immunity from punishment‑
naturally enough believing that what has grown to be the common and frequent
will also come to be more lightly considered when he is summoned to a trial at
the end of his cruise. It may excite some surprise in the statement of
what I learn to be true, that the most frequent complaints against the
abolition of corporal punishment are made, in great part by the seamen
themselves. The difficulties arising out
of its abrogation and the absence of any substitute for it, now constitute the
most prominent obstacles to the ready supply of our squadrons with seamen. This Department is familiar with complaints
from the recruiting stations of the difficulty of enlisting the better class of
seamen. Of that large number of men who
have heretofore constituted the pride of our Navy, by their good seamanship and
highly respectable personal deportment composing I rejoice to say, the great
body of the mariners, who have sustained the honor and glory of our flag, in
its most perilous as well as its most useful career ‑ of these men it is
a fact which invites the deepest concern of Congress, we are daily deprived, by
their refusal to enter again into the service, until, as they ask, they shall
have some assurance that a better system of discipline may be restored. They reasonably complain that whilst the
worst portions of the crew are placed under arrest and are exempt in
consequence from the severe duties of the deck, they find their toil increased
by the constantly recurring exigencies, which compel them for weeks and months,
during a cruise to perform the extra work which the reduction of the force of
the ship inevitably throws upon them. So
oppressively is this evil felt, that I have reason to believe if the best of
seamen, who have heretofore been accustomed to man our ships, could find an
occasion to express their wishes to Congress, a majority of the whole number
would be seen to prefer a restoration of that form of punishment, which has
been forbidden, rather than be subject to the severities imposed upon them by
the present condition of disorder in the Naval discipline.
"Looking at t his state of things
in the Navy, I think the occasion propitious to the adoption of a new system
for the organization and government of the whole material constituting the crew
of our ships; and I take advantage of the present time to submit to your
consideration the outline of a plan which I trust will engage your attention,
and receive the approbation of Congress."
First, proposes that the system of
recruiting for each ship for a cruise be ended, and that the enlistment of
seamen gradually be put on a basis promoting the establishment of career
enlisted people with esprit de corps and a greater sense of status and worth.
Second, seeks a prompt and effective
system of punishments that results in disciplined crews ready to respond in any
emergency.
Third, proposes that disciplined,
skilled seamen be formally identified and recorded in a departmental register
at the end of each cruise. Such men
would be provided certificates signed by
the President attesting to their exemplary conduct, presented formally before
the entire crew. Such men would be
rewarded by: (1) a $1/mo. increase in pay over the existing rate for every five
years of honorable service up to a total of 20 years, and for every five year
period thereafter regardless of conduct; (2) the privilege of leaving the Navy
after 3 years of service, if not on cruise; (3) a man of more than 20 years
honorable service to lose his additional pay only by decision of a court
martial; (4) not being subject to corporal punishment; (5) after 3 years, an
honorable seaman may be given a 6‑month furlough to make a merchant
voyage, his Navy pay to resume on the date the voyage ends as long as he
reports for duty within 90 days thereof; (6) authorization to wear a special badge
on his uniform; and (7) being principal candidates for petty officer ratings in
each ship ("Seaman" in the
above context, encompasses the grades of "seaman," ordinary
seaman," and "landsman.")
Also urges some plan to reduce to
number of officers by retiring those no longer truly capable of active service.
To
the 4th Auditor, 5 Jan 1853:
"A Clerk is allowed to Commo
Mayo, about to proceed to the coast of
To
the 4th Auditor, 14 Jan 1853:
Purser James H. Watmough of
CONSTITUTION is permitted to allot $200/mo.
To
the 4th Auditor, 19 Jan 1853:
Lieutenant W. R. Gardner of
CONSTITUTION is permitted to allot $75/mo.
To
the 4th Auditor, 29 Jan 1853:
The Navy Agent at
To
the 4th Auditor, 15 Feb 1853:
Boatswain Charles Johnston and
Carpenter Lewis Holmes, both of CONSTITUTION, are allowed to allot $40/mo.
each.
To
the 4th Auditor, 18 Feb 1853:
Wardroom
Steward William T. Jacsune of CONSTITUTION may allot $18/mo.
To
the 4th Auditor, 23 Feb 1853:
Lieutenant C. R. P. Rodgers of
CONSTITUTION is permitted to allot $84/mo.
Roll 5, Vol 9 (October 7, 1853 ‑ Mar 22, 1855)
To
the President, 5 Dec 1853:
"Report...
"Squadrons...
"The African Squadron, Commodore
Mayo, consists of his flag ship, Constitution, Commander Rudd, the Sloop
Marion, Comr Purviance; and the Brig Perry, Lieut R. Le Page. The Dale, Commander Whittle, sailed from
"Commodore Lavallette [sic]
returned from command of this squadron in his flagship, the sloop of War
"Commander Lynch...returned to
the
"The opinion has heretofore been
frequently expressed that there is no necessity for a squadron of so many guns
on the coast of Africa, and that notice should be given to
"...Reorganization of the Navy
"...The abolition of punishment
of flogging, without legalizing some substitute therefore, has already occupied
the attention of Congress and the country, and severely tested the forbearance
and ingenuity of officers, and the character of our seamen. This subject has enjoyed by earnest and
anxious inquiry, and I have no hesitation in expressing an opinion against its
restoration. Having recently visited
many of the ships in commission, conversed with the veteran sailors, and
listened to the narratives of officers who have had the command of large crews
since the law of 1850, my decided conviction, concurred in, too, by many officers
who originally opposed its abolition, is, that its restoration would create
discontent and desertion, and prove positively prejudicial to the efficiency of
that branch of the public service. But,
at the same time, I cannot too seriously urge the policy of legalizing
some substitute therefor.
"It is said that the confinement
of the disorderly and refractory seamen is but little punishment to them
but rather burdensome and oppressive to the faithful, whose increased
labours make them the sufferers, and create a reluctance on the part of
good sailors to remain in the service.
This suggestion merits consideration.
I propose a remedy by which the punishment of the indolent and deserter
will increase the pay of the faithful, and thereby tend to promote his contentment
instead of murmurs.
"The sailor on shore is reckless
and wasteful; afloat he is remarkably avaricious, and daily counts over the
balances due him, and estimates his reckonings of pleasures at the end of his
cruise by the amounts he hopes to realize.
"If a good sailor does the work
of the indifferent, punish the laggard by a forfeiture of pay, not to the government,
but to the faithful sailor, and he will do the additional labor with
additional goodwill, and without a murmur.
"If the deserter leaves
his shipmates overtasked with increased burdens by his desertion, change the
present regulation ‑‑ let the deserter's pay be forfeited to the faithful
portion of the crew, and not, as now, to the government.
"Instead of investing the
commander of the ship with this responsibility ‑ in cases involving
either a forfeiture of pay or a discharge from the service ‑ let a
commission of a certain number of officers of the ship be detailed and
constituted a court, whose decisions shall be subject to the approving power of
the commanding officer. This would be
very simple, would break the force of captious caviling at the single judgment
of the commander, and would obviate the necessity, expense, delay, and demoralizing
influence of frequent courts‑martial, composed, as at present, of a
higher class of officers.
"Let this minor court on every
ship, with the approving, reserving, or mitigating power of the officer in
command, have plenary power to confine offenders, with a reduction of rations ‑
with or without pay. Empower the
commander, upon the recommendation of this commission, to discharge
offenders with forfeiture of pay...
"The establishment of this
tribunal on each ship of war on a cruise would tend much to secure obedience
from the crew to those in command, and thus, instead of flogging and other
degrading punishments, substitute close confinement, forfeiture of pay,
reduction of rations, denial of liberty and shore privileges. These would punish the offending. Let the honorable discharge, temporary leave
of absence pay, the distribution of the merit fund, liberty and shore
privileges, be the reward of the meritorious and true."
To
the 4th Auditor, 2 May 1854:
Sailmaker William Bennett of
CONSTITUTION has permission to allot $45/mo. for 2 years commencing next 1 Aug.
To
the 4th Auditor, 10 Jul 1854:
Sailmaker William Bennett of
CONSTITUTION has permission to allot $25/mo. for 2 years from 31 Jul next.
To
the President, 4 Dec 1854:
"Report
"...Squadrons
"...The African Squadron, Commodore
Isaac Mayo, consists of his flag‑ship, the frigate Constitution,
Commander J. Rudd, the sloops‑of‑war
"The vessels of this squadron
have been actively, and in many instances successfully, engaged in checking the
slave trade, and some of them have been regularly cruising on the coasts most
frequented by slavers. The officers in
command have also had it in their power to render assistance to merchant
vessels in distress, and to our growing commerce, exposed to many dangers on
the African coast."
"...Discipline of seamen and
the enlistment of boys as apprentices
"...I consider it all important
that the Commander of any vessel should be authorized by law to order a summary
court‑martial for the trial of the petty officers and those below them;
that they should have the power to punish by dishonorable discharge in any
port; by confinement on reduced rations and without pay, with extra labor and
denial of shore privilege. When the
seaman knows that these punishments can be promptly inflicted by the officers
in command of the ship, he has much to deter him from disobedience."
To
the 4th Auditor, 16 Feb 1855:
"Mr. John L. Heylin, Secretary to
the Commander in chief of the U. S. Squadron on the coast of
Vol 10 (March 22, 1855 ‑ November 29,
1856)
To
the Solicitor of the Treasury, 2 Jul 1855:
"By the 2d and 3d sections of the
Act of April 16, 1816, in relation to the Navy Pension Fund, the Marshals and
district attorneys of the
To
the Secretary of the Treasury, 11 July 1855:
"I have the honor to transmit
herewith, a certificate of deposit with the asst Treasurer at New York for
$2763.31, proceeds of sale of Prize Schooner 'H. N. Gambrill;' and to request
that you will cause the amount to be covered into the Treasury, one half to the
credit of the Captors and the other half to the credit of the Navy Pension
fund."
To
the 4th Auditor, 6 Aug 1855:
Forwards CONSTITUTION's prize list for
H. N. GAMBRILL.
To
the 4th Auditor, 7 Sep 1855:
"In the case of Elihu Morris, an
insane ordinary seaman, late of the Constitution whose account was transferred
to you from the Rec'g Ship at
To
the Commissioner of Pensions, 20 Nov 1855:
Reports the only reference to a James
F. Kittridge being in CONSTITUTION is the following log entry: "
Roll 6, Vol 11 (December 1, 1856 ‑ September 11,
1858)
To
the President, 6 December 1858:
"Annual
Report...
"I cannot omit to invite
attention to the very inadequate provision that has been made for the
accommodation of midshipmen at the
Vol 12 (September 13, 1858 ‑ August 21,
1860)
To
the President, 16 Apr 1859:
"I have the honor to submit
herewith for your signature a Commission for Captain Charles Stewart conferring
upon him the rank of Senior Flag Officer of the United States Navy on the Active
List, prepared agreeably to the Joint Resolution of Congress approved 2 March
1859."
To
the Commissioner of Pensions, 3 Nov 1859:
"The Department has to reply as
follows to your letter of the 22d ultimo in relation to the services of the
'Constitution' during the Mexican War
"1st No Order appears on the records of this
Department from it to the Commander of the Constitution to report to the
Commanding Officer of the Pacific Squadron for duty at any time during the
cruise in question from 1844 to 1846 inclusive.
"But from the extracts (herewith
enclosed marked A) it will be seen that the Constitution was for a time ‑
from Jany 14th to April 22s, 1846, under the orders of the Commander of the
Pacific Squadron, upon his own responsibility, and that his action was
subsequently approved by the Department.
"2d From the reply of the 4th Auditor (copy
herewith enclosed marked B) in answer to an inquiry of this Department, it
appears that the crew of the Constitution
received extra pay for services on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, in 1846,
under the Act of March 3, 1853.
"3d The extract also herewith enclosed marked C,
from a communication dated Sept 27, 1846 addressed to the Department by the
Commanding Officer of the Constitution, will show that the vessel did convoy
certain merchantmen from Rio de Janeiro on towards the United States."
To
the President, 2 Dec 1859:
"Report...
"Naval Academy
"...For the purpose of increasing
the efficiency of the navy, without materially increasing the annual charge
upon the treasury [sic] I have transferred the new members of the fourth class
of acting midshipmen to the sloop of war 'Plymouth,' attached to the Academy,
thereby enlarging the accommodations provided there without the expense of new
buildings; and arrangements have been already made to accommodate eighty five
pupils and their instructors on board of that vessel."
To
the Commissioner of Pensions, 5 Mar 1860:
With regard to William Johnson's
petition for a Navy invalid pension, the log book of CONSTITUTION makes no
mention of him in relation to the JAVA action, nor is he listed among those
then wounded.
To
the Commissioner of Pensions, 15 Aug 1860:
With regard to the application of
Sarah Johnson, neither the log books of CONSTITUTION nor departmental records
contain any information in the case of Gunner William Johnson.
Roll 7, Vol 13 (August 23, 1860 ‑ September 18,
1861)
To
the President, 1 Dec 1860:
"Report...
"Of the sailing frigates, the
"Naval Academy..
"The measure adopted a year ago
of placing the fourth class on board the sloop of war Plymouth, attached to the
academy [sic], has proved entirely successful.
I have caused the frigate Constitution to be substituted for the
To
the Secretary of War, 27 Apr 1861:
"In consequence of the disturbed
condition of affairs in
"It is proposed therefore, that
the personal [sic] and material of the Academy, be transferred to '
To
the 4th Auditor, 14 May 1861:
Lieutenant B. B. Taylor of
CONSTITUTION may allot $90/mo.
To
the 4th Auditor, 15 May 1861:
"The resignations of the
following Acting Midshipmen attached to the school ship Constitution at
To
the President, 4 Jul 1861:
"Report...
"The Naval Academy
"The
Vol
14 (September 19, 1861 ‑ May 26, 1862)
NOTHING
Roll 8, Vol 15 (May 27, 1862 ‑ February 5, 1863)
NOTHING
Vol 16 (February 5 ‑ September 29, 1863)
To
the 4th Auditor, 28 Aug 1863:
"The Department informs you, in
reply to your letter of the 26th inst., that Richard F. Dunn, late a Gunner in
the U. S. Navy, lost a leg in the War of 1812, and was regarded thereafter as
disabled from sea service." [Dunn
was in CONSTITUTION in the fight with GUERRIERE.]
Roll 9, Vol 17 (September 30, 1863 ‑ May 12,
1864)
NOTHING
Vol 18 (May 13 ‑ October 11, 1864)
NOTHING
Roll 10, Vol 19 (October 11, 1864 ‑ March 28,
1865)
NOTHING
Vol 20 (March 29, 1865 ‑ February 20,
1866)
NOTHING
Roll 11, Vol 21 (February 20, 1866 ‑ March 25,
1867)
NOTHING
Vol 22 (March 27, 1867 ‑ September 19,
1868)
NOTHING
Roll 12, Vol 23 (September 21, 1868 ‑ February 17,
1870)
NOTHING
Vol 24 (February 18, 1870 ‑ July 12,
1871)
NOTHING
Roll 13, Vol 25 (July 13, 1871 ‑ September 17,
1872)
NOTHING
Vol
26 (September 18, 1872 ‑ November 29, 1873)
NOTHING
Roll 14, Vol 27 (December 2, 1873 ‑ December 31,
1874)
NOTHING
Vol 28 (January 2 ‑ December 31, 1875)
NOTHING
Roll 15, Vol 29 (January 3, 1876 ‑ February 16,
1877)
NOTHING
Vol 30 (February 17, 1877 ‑ March 11,
1878)
To
the 4th Auditor, 26 Nov, 1877:
"Mr. [James] Magruder under the
circumstances is to be considered as a Paymaster's Clerk of a First rate vessel
for the time he passed on the 'Constitution,' and entitled to pay as such, but
this is not to be regarded as a precedent for other past or future cases."
To
the President, 30 Nov 1877:
"Report...
"The following are employed as
training ships:
"Minnesota at New York;
Constitution at Philadelphia; Saratoga at Norfolk; Dale as instruction‑ship
at Annapolis; St. Mary's as Marine‑school ship at New York; and Jamestown
as marine‑school ship at San Francisco.
To
the 4th Auditor, 23 Feb 1878:
Gunner J. Swift of CONSTITUTION may
allot $100/mo.
Roll 16, Vol 31 (March 11, 1878 ‑ March 11, 1879)
To
the Secretary of State, 20 Feb 1879:
"I have the honor to acknowledge
receipt of your letter...of the 11 instant, enclosing a copy of a despatch, No.
214, dated the 25th ultimo, from Mr. Walsh, the minister of the U.S. at London,
communicating his action in connection with the accident to the U.S.S.
'Constitution,' which went ashore at Ballard Point, Studland Bay.
"I have to request that the
thanks of this Department maybe communicated to the minister for his prompt
course in taking such steps as were in his power to aid the 'Constitution,' on
this occasion."
To
the Secretary of State, 5 Mar 1879:
"I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 3d instant, and a copy of a despatch of the
31st of January last, No. 217, and of its accompaniments, from the Minister of
the United States at London, in relation to the measures taken by him on the
occasion of an attempt being made by certain parties to arrest the U.S.s.
'Constitution' and cargo by a warrant from the Admiralty Court and to express
the thanks of the Department for the same."
Vol 32 (March 11, 1879 ‑ April 20, 1880)
To
the 4th Auditor, 21 Jun 1879:
"The [CONSTITUTION] was not put
in commission for sea service until January 9, 1878."
To
the 4th Auditor, 31 Oct, 1879:
Sailmaker's Mate Francis Evans of
CONSTITUTION may allot $26.50/mo.
To
the 4th Auditor, 3 Dec 1879:
Gunner John B. Grainger of
CONSTITUTION may allot $120/mo.
to
the 4th Auditor, 3 Dec 1879:
Sailmaker Harman Hansen of
CONSTITUTION may allot $75/mo.
To
the 4th Auditor, 5 Dec 1879:
Schoolmaster John Bates of
CONSTITUTION may allot $20/mo.
To
the 4th Auditor, 5 Dec 1879:
Carpenter John L. Thatcher of
CONSTITUTION may allot $70/mo.
Roll 17, Vol 33 (April 22, 1880 ‑ August 5, 1881)
To
the Postmaster General, 21 May 1880:
Mentions 2/c Boy J. W. Simpson of
CONSTITUTION.
To
the 4th Auditor, 22 Jun 1880:
Reports the resignation of Midshipman
Jonathan K. Brice of CONSTITUTION as of this date.
To
the 4th Auditor, 13 Sep 1880:
Reports the resignation of Midshipman
A. C. Paris of CONSTITUTION effective 1 Dec 1880.
To
the Secretary of the Treasury, 29 Sep 1880:
"I have the honor to request that
the Collector of Customs at Baltimore, Md., may be instructed to admit free of
duty and charges the articles herein mentioned, which are intended for the
Naval service: one package or box of 408 Navy Cap ribbons for the crew of the
'Constitution,' the word 'Constitution' woven in the gold thread on each
ribbon, arrived at Baltimore in the steamship 'Historian,' sometime in June
last addressed to Paymaster Allen."
To
the 4th Auditor, 27 Oct 1880:
Reports CONSTITUTION was employed in
convoying merchantmen from
To
the 4th Auditor, 23 Mar 1881:
Boatswain T. W. Brown of CONSTITUTION
may allot $75/mo.
To
the 4th Auditor, 21 Jun 1881:
Mentions Paymaster R. W. Allen of
CONSTITUTION.
To
the 4th Auditor, 24 Jun 1881:
Refers to "the late Robert
Douglass, 2nd class Boy, U.S.S. 'Constitution'," whose clothing and
bedding were destroyed to prevent infection.
Vol 34 (August 6, 1881 ‑ July 19, 1882)
NOTHING
Roll 18, Vol 35 (July 20, 1882 ‑ May 19, 1883)
NOTHING
Vol 36 (May 19, 1883 ‑ February 25, 1884)
NOTHING
Roll 19
NOT SEEN
Roll 20
NOT SEEN
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The
Captain's Clerk |