Mayo, Isaac (1791-1861) to J.D. Elliott
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04604.24 Author/Creator: Mayo, Isaac (1791-1861) Place Written: Pensacola, Florida Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 December 1830 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 25.2 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Marked "Copy of a Letter to J.D. Elliott," on docket. Written by Lieutenant Commander Mayo as commander of the U.S.S. Grampus to Captain Elliott as commander of the West India Squadron. Half the letter appears to be written in a clerical hand and the last half written and signed by Mayo. References Elliott's orders of 7 September 1830 (see GLC 04604.22) and says he proceeded to the coast off Havana, Cuba on 13 September. He encountered a gale on the way there, taking much water, and anchored in Mantanzas Bay on 21 September. Waited to leave until 2 October because a convoy was gathering. After seeing them through, he crossed through the Straits of Florida, where he encountered another three day gale, and then went into the Caribbean Sea. On 16 October cruised through Caycos Passage and sailed a few days between Cape Maize and St. Domingo. Lists ports he stopped at in St. Domingo. Says there were many American vessels in the ports. Then went off the coast of Columbia, which is a very unsettled country, and assisted American ships like he was instructed. Then went to Port Royal, Jamaica to check on American shipping and to resupply. Put to sea on 14 December and arrived off Cape St. Antonio on 17 December and then hit heavy weather that turned into a hurricane and damaged the sails and rudder. Finally anchored in Pensacola on 25 December. Repairs were being made to the ship and mentions new sails. Says he has received Elliott's orders about sailing in the Gulf of Mexico. Docket is extremely faint on fourth page.
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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