Details
DECATUR, STEPHEN, COMMODORE, U.S. NAVY. AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED ("STEPHEN DECATUR") TO FORTISCUE WHITTER, WASHINGTON, D.C., 11 FEBRUARY 1820. 1 1/2 PAGES, 4TO, 205 X 250MM. (8 X 10 IN.), VERY MINOR REPAIR AT A FEW FOLDS, EDGES A BIT WORN, OTHERWISE IN GOOD CONDITION, QUARTER BLUE MOROCCO, GILT-LETTERED SLIPCASE.
THIS LETTER CONCERNING AN APPOINTMENT WAS WRITTEN APPROXIMATELY SIX WEEKS BEFORE DECATUR SUFFERED A FATAL WOUND IN A DUEL WITH CAPTAIN JAMES BARRON. "I HAVE RECEIVED YOUR COMMUNCATION OF THE 8TH AS ALSO THE PRECEDING ONE ON THE SAME SUBJECT, AND I HAVE FAILED IN COURTESY IN NOT ANSWERING YOUR INVITATION; I ASSURE YOU THAT I HAVE NOT FAILED TO EXERT MYSELF TO ATTAIN YOUR WISH, & I HAVE THE BEST ASSURANCES THAT I SHALL SUCCEED, ALTHO I FIND A GREAT DIFFICULTY IN OVERCOMING A RULE OF THE OFFICE TO APPOINT FROM EACH STATE IN PROPORTION TO ITS REPRESENTATION & [V]IRGINIA HAS NOW A GREAT NUMBER BEYOND ITS PROPORTION. I THINK YOU MAY CALCULATE UPON IT ALTHO IT CANNOT BE DONE IMMEDIATELY - I FEEL SINCERELY THE SITUATION OF OUR MANY FRIENDS IN NORFOLK & ALTHO EVERY THING IN THAT QUARTER LOOKS AT PRESENT UNCOMMONLY GLOOMY. I TRUST & HAVE NO DOU[B]T BEFORE LONG THINGS WILL REVIVE."
COMMODORE STEPHEN DECATUR (1779-1820) WAS REVERED AS A NATIONAL HERO FOR HIS SUCCESSFUL AND DARING NAVAL EXPLOITS. HE WAS ACTIVE IN THE NAVY FROM 1798 UNTIL 1815, AND THEN SERVED ON THE BOARD OF NAVY COMMISSIONERS UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1820. CAPTAIN JAMES BARRON HAD BEEN COURT-MARTIALED BEFORE THE BOARD OF NAVY COMMISSIONERS AND SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS WITHOUT PAY "FOR NEGLECTING, ON THE PROBABILITY OF AN ENGAGEMENT, TO CLEAR HIS SHIP FOR ACTION." BARRON FELT HE HAD BEEN ILL TREATED BY THE BOARD AND CHALLENGED DECATUR IN A LETTER. THE DUEL TOOK PLACE ON 22 MARCH 1820: BARRON WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED IN THE THIGH AND DECATUR SHOT THROUGH THE BODY. HE WAS GIVEN A STATE BURIAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 24 MARCH 1820.
THIS LETTER CONCERNING AN APPOINTMENT WAS WRITTEN APPROXIMATELY SIX WEEKS BEFORE DECATUR SUFFERED A FATAL WOUND IN A DUEL WITH CAPTAIN JAMES BARRON. "I HAVE RECEIVED YOUR COMMUNCATION OF THE 8TH AS ALSO THE PRECEDING ONE ON THE SAME SUBJECT, AND I HAVE FAILED IN COURTESY IN NOT ANSWERING YOUR INVITATION; I ASSURE YOU THAT I HAVE NOT FAILED TO EXERT MYSELF TO ATTAIN YOUR WISH, & I HAVE THE BEST ASSURANCES THAT I SHALL SUCCEED, ALTHO I FIND A GREAT DIFFICULTY IN OVERCOMING A RULE OF THE OFFICE TO APPOINT FROM EACH STATE IN PROPORTION TO ITS REPRESENTATION & [V]IRGINIA HAS NOW A GREAT NUMBER BEYOND ITS PROPORTION. I THINK YOU MAY CALCULATE UPON IT ALTHO IT CANNOT BE DONE IMMEDIATELY - I FEEL SINCERELY THE SITUATION OF OUR MANY FRIENDS IN NORFOLK & ALTHO EVERY THING IN THAT QUARTER LOOKS AT PRESENT UNCOMMONLY GLOOMY. I TRUST & HAVE NO DOU[B]T BEFORE LONG THINGS WILL REVIVE."
COMMODORE STEPHEN DECATUR (1779-1820) WAS REVERED AS A NATIONAL HERO FOR HIS SUCCESSFUL AND DARING NAVAL EXPLOITS. HE WAS ACTIVE IN THE NAVY FROM 1798 UNTIL 1815, AND THEN SERVED ON THE BOARD OF NAVY COMMISSIONERS UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1820. CAPTAIN JAMES BARRON HAD BEEN COURT-MARTIALED BEFORE THE BOARD OF NAVY COMMISSIONERS AND SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS WITHOUT PAY "FOR NEGLECTING, ON THE PROBABILITY OF AN ENGAGEMENT, TO CLEAR HIS SHIP FOR ACTION." BARRON FELT HE HAD BEEN ILL TREATED BY THE BOARD AND CHALLENGED DECATUR IN A LETTER. THE DUEL TOOK PLACE ON 22 MARCH 1820: BARRON WAS SERIOUSLY WOUNDED IN THE THIGH AND DECATUR SHOT THROUGH THE BODY. HE WAS GIVEN A STATE BURIAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 24 MARCH 1820.