American naval officer (1779-1820) who cemented a reputation as a hero for his leadership during the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. Rare ALS signed “S. Decatur,” one page, 7.25 x 8, January 19, no year but circa 1812. Written while aboard the USS United States, Decatur pens a letter to “Bullus,” friend and Naval doctor John Bullus, in full: “I wrote you by last mail informing you that a fight might take place. The belligerent aspect has evaporated, no fight—the enclosed is a correct tho abridged account; you must not say it comes from me.” Decatur adds a brief postscript to the conclusion, “My compliments to Mrs. B.” Neatly trimmed and partially affixed to a larger sheet. In fine condition.
The mention of a “fight” refers to a proposal made by Decatur to Sir Thomas Hardy for a potentially massive confrontation between British frigates Endymion and Statira, and American warships the Macedonian and the United States. Hardy, after much deliberation, relented to a meeting between the Statira and the Macedonian, but declined to allow the Endymion to meet the more powerful United States. Fearful that premature reports would find their way into the press, Decatur had beseeched Bullus in an earlier letter to ‘wait on all the editors with whom you may have influence, and request them to withhold publishing until the affair is settled.’ Unwilling to force Macedonian commander Jacob Jones into such a position, Decatur also declined, and the battle, as this letter affirms, was ultimately rejected by both sides. A fascinating piece of correspondence related to what could have been one of the definitive battles of 1812.
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