War-dated LS signed “D. G. Farragut, Rear Admiral,” two pages on two adjoining sheets, 7.75 x 10, embossed U. S. letterhead, July 26, 1863. In a letter to Act. Rear Admiral T. Bailey, Com’dg E. G. B. Squadron, regarding allegations pertaining to stolen goods, in full: “Your dispatch in relation to the stealing of certain articles from the passenger Don Higena of the ‘Comet’ captured by the Kanawha and sent to Key West has been received. I regret that Lt. Com’dr Mayo should have allowed his judgement to give way in the manner he did in his letter, altho’ I agree with you that the Officer’s statement is perfectly satisfactory, still it was an official representation of a Foreign Consul and called for circumspection on your part; but I have my doubt that these men would say anything to give trouble as they almost invariably do when you meet with a perverse disposition, and I believe the whole representation a fabrication, and that all these articles were for Commercial purposes, and not entitled to respect as private property. Our war has been conducted with the greatest liberality and our part, while so far as I know, we have been taken advantage of whenever it was possible for them to do so. The part that the English people, if not the Government, is playing in this struggle with us is as great a disadvantage to us, as the Rebels, and we are unable to help ourselves; but I trust it will be not so long. I regret that I am not 20 years younger and could live to see it all fairly settled. But God will settle it all right, in his good time. I will say this for the British Officers whom I have met that they do not approve the conduct of their countrymen and regret that there should be such just cause for complaint against them. I suppose they are much as good and honest people of our Country were on the subject of Philibustering.” In fine condition, with a small hole and paper clip impression at the top edge, and mounting tape on the reverse.
Farragut began his naval career at the age of nine and stopped a mutiny at the age of eleven during the War of 1812. Fifty-one years later, he had achieved the rank of Rear Admiral that had been created just for him. In 1863 he was commanding the West Gulf Blockading Squadron and is here writing to Theodorus Bailey, his East Gulf Blockading Squadron counterpart about the difficulties navigating political waters following the capture of the British brig Comet after it had been captured by Lt. William Kennon Mayo's ship, Kanawha, trying to run the blockade to aid the Confederacy. Here he defends Mayo's claim of the cargo stating that "these articles were for commercial purposes, and not entitled to respect as private property". Farragut continues expressing his frustration about the British stating "our war has been conducted with the greatest liberality and our part, while so far as I know, we have been taken advantage of whenever it was possible for them to do so. The part that the English people, if not the Government, is playing in this struggle with us is as great a disadvantage to us, as the Rebels, and we are unable to help ourselves." This letter presents the admiral who famously shouted "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" with his hands tied, tiptoeing around political land mines as the British play allies to both sides of the war. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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