Page, Benjamina Price (1818-1904) to John B. Marchand
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02680.07 Author/Creator: Page, Benjamina Price (1818-1904) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 December 1858 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 20 x 12.3 cm. Order a Copy
Thanks Marchand for agreeing to deliver her letters to her husband, Thomas J. Page. Worries because "I have seen in the papers most discouraging accounts of the Steamers intended for the Paraguay expedition," but hopes everything goes well. The expedition was a United States Naval operation which sought indemnity for an attack years earlier by Paraguain forces on an American vessel. The showing of superior naval power also allowed the U. S. to secure an advantageous trade treaty with Paraguay. Page captained the U.S.S. Water Witch on a voyage to survey rivers in South America in 1855. During that journey, the Water Witch was fired upon, and it was in response to this event that the Paraguay expedition was sent. Page later become a Commodore in the Confederate Navy.
Thomas Jefferson Page was an officer in the United States Navy. In 1855 he captained the U.S.S. Water Witch on a voyage to survey rivers in South America. During that journey the Water Witch was fired upon, and it was in response the this event that the Paraguay expedition was sent. Page participated in the Paraguay expedition, again as captain of the Water Witch. Later become a Commodore in the Confederate Navy.
John B. Marchand was an officer in the United States Navy. He captained the steamer "Memphis" during the Paraguay expedition, served as Captain of the U.S.S. Lackawanna during the Civil War, later promoted to Commodore.
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