Conover, Thomas A. (1794-1864) to William McBlair
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00722.02 Author/Creator: Conover, Thomas A. (1794-1864) Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript letter signed Date: 19 January 1858 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 35 x 22 cm. Order a Copy
Ordering McBlair to return with his ship to his "cruising ground" and continue his "suppression of the slave trade." Says McBlair should first take on recruits and supplies, then proceed to the coast to suppress the trade. States he is enclosing two separate orders from the Navy Department. Written on board the United States Flagship "Cumberland" in Porto Praya in Cape Verde off the coast of Africa.
Thomas A. Conover was a Captain, later Commodore in the United States Navy, and the Commander of the African Squadron. A veteran of the War of 1812, Conover had previously commanded the "John Adams" and the "Constitution." His African Squadron flagship, the USS "Cumberland," from which these orders were written, would be sunk by the Confederate ironclad CSS "Virginia" in 1862.
In part: "...you will provision your ship with all dispatch and proceed to the Canary Islands to give all hands an opportunity to recruit...and sail for the south coast of Africa by the first of May next. You will proceed to your old cruising ground when on your arrival you will proceed to carry out as in your late cruise your general instructions for the suppression of the Slave trade. You are at liberty as before to visit Little Fish Bay for fresh provisions but not 'St. Helena.'...You will leave a report of the events of your late cruise, for me, with the U.S. consul at this place...I enclose two General Orders from the Navy Department for your action."
William McBlair was a United States naval officer in command of the ship "Dale," responsible for catching illegal slave trading ships off the coast of Africa. Later served in the Confederate Navy.
Thomas A. Conover was a Captain, later Commodore in the United States Navy, and the Commander of the African Squadron.
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