Dahlgren, John Adolphus Bernard, 1809-1870 to unknown

Written by Rear Admiral Dahlgren to an unknown recipient. Dahlgren notes that "The Gunners perpendiculars & Levels you speak of must be some recently invented and highly skientific [sic] tools not generally known, as yet they are certainly beyond our limited ken here." Says "We are doing well as you say, and the Navy are just the ones to Foote the bill." ("are" and "Foote"are underscored; latter may be a humorous reference to Admiral Andrew Hull Foote ). Says last December he tried to get iron vessels, but was brushed off and claims "If they had heeded my prayer, the matter would have been crushed out in 30 days. No man need ever attempt to be wiser than his generation, if he would not be kicked for his pains. Give the Ball a kick." Notes in a postscript that "Your [Pill?] at [Matthew Fontaine] Maury is a [settler?] he deserves it for those nasty torpedoes." Year published is estimated as 1864. Dahlgren commanded the Washington Navy Yard in 1861, but references in the letter make it seem to be later. Accompanied by a paper cut-out that appears to have been used as a form of matting.