Elliott, Jesse Duncan (1782-1845) to James G. Boughan
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04604.15 Author/Creator: Elliott, Jesse Duncan (1782-1845) Place Written: Mantanzas Harbor, Cuba Type: Letter signed Date: 11 March 1830 Pagination: 3 p. ; 24.6 x 19.3 cm. Order a Copy
Signed by Captain Elliott as commander of the West India Squadron on board the U.S.S. Falmouth to Lieutenant Boughan stationed on the schooner U.S.S. Grampus. Boughan was a subordinate to Lieutenant Isaac Mayo, commander of the "Grampus." Instructions given to convoy any American ships around Cuba that so desire it. Tells him to be on the lookout for "the Hermaphrodite Brig. Manzanans, Captain Abnio, suspected of the piracy committed on the merchant Ship, Candace, of Boston." If captured he is to take him to Havana. When Boughan returns to Cuba asks him to communicate with him. Third page is also to Boughan, but appears to be unconnected to the two page letter. Short note says "countermanded verbally and orders given to keep [illegible] Havanna and Mariel when not convoyed from that Port." Marked on verso of third page "orders to Lt. Boughan."
The U.S.S. Grampus was involved in the Amistad incident in 1840. The ship was ordered by President Martin Van Buren to New Haven, Connecticut's harbor in January 1840 to smuggle the captive Africans back to the Spanish in Cuba. The ship did anchor in the harbor, but the plan was never implemented.
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