Gerry, James T. (1797-1854) to Ann T. Gerry

U.S. Ship Warren
Havana Dec. 1st 1839
My Dear Emily,
Your very charming letter of October 25th has been acknowledged, but not answer'd and as it is Sunday Evening and all my Messmates are on shore, I cannot pass it more agreeably than writing to and thinking of those who constitute the principle attachment I have for this world. The many little family incidents you so kindly collect for my amusement, fill up a vacuum which no one can realize until deprived of all such society as affords pleasure to associate with, and I have nothing in return to offer, but my warmest gratitude for your successful exertions in making me feel for the time quite at home, and as if I was again enjoying those charms which afforded me so much delight while with you. I was gratified to learn that Eleanor Townsend had been making a visit away from Boston, and hope that as 'Bridge informs me she may pass her winter with those friends at the South. The arrangement made by Gerry Austin at last, will no doubt contribute greatly to the happiness of all concerned, and I am right glad an account of Sister Kitty. Those of our officers who knew P. Micl. Bacon, inform me that without he was an entirely alter'd man, neither his friends or the Service will have much cause to regret his loss, for he was on the Med. Station, a low, vulgar intemperate fellow, but still being young, he might have reformed, and I regret, an account of his young wife, his death. The Brig which carried Mr & Mrs Kibby out, was near landing her passenger, at Pensacola, and in all probability they would have returned North again [2] until the sickness had subsided but all is no doubt for the best. What a queer set those Gaelets are! I do verily believe that when the old lady dies, she will make a request that the event shall be kept a perfect mystery until they are all ready to put her right under the sod, and then it must appear in some obscure part of the paper to avoid all excitement in the world. Mr Ingersoll I am told, has left some tho not much property, but had his life been spared a few years longer, he would have accumulated a pretty little fortune, having situations and opportunities that must have been very lucrative to him. I am much gratified with the account of your plants, and visit to the Exhibitions, and since our arrival here, have perused with great pleasure the Reports in our little New Haven Herald. The Report of Doct. & Mrs Jarvis' affair was painful to read, and must injure both exceedingly as well as their daughters. What could have put it into Mrs Bristols head to call upon Mother at this late hour? I do think people become more odd and inconsistent as the world grows older and hereafter shall never be surprised at any strange freak. Your little neighbour Mrs Woolsey has always been disposed o consumption, and I fear there is a small chance for her full restoration to health.
Since we arrived here, I have been several times on shore, and enjoyed myself very much. On one occasion I accompanied Capt Spencer and several American Captains to visit three American seamen, sentenced to Six Years in chains, for being found in the Streets of Havana with sharp pointed knives about them, contrary to the express lan[guage] of the late Capt Genl. Facon. We shall probably succeed in liberating them after some delay, but attended with much difficulty. Such is a specimen of the rigorous police of this Island, and 'tis only by such means that every thing like gambling, murder, and [3] disorder has been completely suppressed. The law is after very hard upon some, but it must be administer'd with impartiality to be effectual. The Slave Trade is carried on openly from the port to a very great extent and that altogether in American built vessels and thru the agency of Americans [illegible strikeout] vessels arrive and depart daily, that are known to be Slavers, but they clear out with an American an board and with two sets of Papers; When they clear from a Spanish Port, they are under a Spanish Capt and Spanish Papers, but the moment they are clear of the land, the American Capt takes charge and arriving on the Coast of Africa, is protected by our flag from all Cruisers; When everything is ready to receive their "Wool & Ivory", the cargo is shipd on board after dark and the vessel changes her Color, Capt and departs at once for Cuba. Arriving on this coast they land their cargo from 300 to 1000 in the most convenient place and shape their course with flying Colors for this port to fit out again with all dispatch. The horid barbarities committed by these fiends of darkness upon the poor Africans after they are taken on board [illegible strikeout] surpass the most glowing accounts we have ever read of. I have heard these very brutes relate acts committed themselves in a recent voyage that are too shocking to credit. This fellow shot three and hung two Africans on board his little Schooner to intimidate the others; and threw two overboard that were sick to avoid the trouble of tending them!! She landed, within 15 miles of this port, 380 negroes worth upon an average $500. for a prime youth and $450 general average for a Cargo! "What better business Sir can a man engage in who wants to make a fortune in one year"? was the question this very D_C ask'd. An English Brig of War has just chased on shore a Slaver with 7 or 800 on board off Cape Antonio, some of which, they captured; & landed a force to retake those on shore which, had been landed. The moment news was conveyed here of the fact, two Spanish Brigs of War and one Span. Schooner sail'd for Cape Antonio, while a force of Cavalry were sent down by land to repel the invaders our Consul Mr Frist is a very much injured and abused man! He has shown to us documents that place his innocence above all doubt, and I find them corraborated by every merchant of any standing in this place. When the matter is investigated by Congress, he will furnish the [4] Committee with all information they require and full proofs of his innocence, which will be given to the world in one mass and must satisfy every unprejudiced mind. He has all these Rascals against him who, want his passport to Nationalize their Vessels, but since he discover'd the fraud they had practiced upon him, he refuses to clear them and hence their animosity against him. Under the existing laws of Congress, we have not right to molest one of these Slavers, and they are so protected by double papers, against capture, that to check the trade carried on now entirely by means of American assistance Congress must pass some Laws different from those now existing. The Capt of a Slaver told me, that when he left the coast all the Factories were crowned with first rate "Wool and Ivory" and if more Vessels were not soon sent to take it away, the owner would be compel'd to make a ready "Sacrifice in Short Hand". The English of all this is, that the poor Slaves would cost more to feed them than they would sell for, and consequently would be all put to Death." I could fill a sheet with just such tales, which are all facts admitted by the very men engaged in the trafic, but will share your feelings. Give my best love to Dear Mother & Sisters and believe me ever Dear Em your truly fond Brother
James T Gerry.

[on the margins of page 1:] P.S. Tell the Croppy, I have just seen a paper and find that Gov. Everett will be chosen by the Seante & her Bay State saved for another year! ha,ha, hurrah for the Croppy's nose. I wrote to Dear Mother by the New York Packet, and think it very likely this will be sent by the same vessel. The Sweet meats I shall send from Pensacola to save duties. We are all ready to sail at a moments notice upon some extra service on a short cruise and have our Boats ready for a frolic, but 'tis all mystery & would delight old Mrs Gaelet.

[address leaf]
Miss Emily L. Gerry
Orange Street
New Haven
Connecticut