ALS signed “J. Q. Adams,” one page, 7.5 x 9.25, February 24, 1838. Handwritten letter to James Collier of Cohasset, Massachusetts, regarding a claim made on the War Department. In part: "I have submitted your Letter of the 6th inst. to the consideration of the Secretary of War, and have received an answer from him enclosing a report from the acting Quartermaster General T. Cross of the following report: 'In reply to the Letter of Mr. James Collier referred to me by the War Department a few days since I have the honour to state that this office possesses no information whatever in relation to the loss of the ship Charles Wharton or the services alleged to have been rendered by the Schooner Rubicon. It appears however, by Mr. Collier's own admission, that the Quarter Master at Tampa Bay, paid the captain of the Rubicon six hundred dollars, which it is a fair presumption of the value of his services.' The fair presumptions of the Quarter Master General may doubtless be rebutted by positive testimony. If you have any such, I shall be happy to give any assistance in my power to exhibit the same before the proper department." In very good to fine condition, with trimmed edges, overall staining, and complete backing.
Congressional records state that, during the Second Seminole War, 'the ship Charles Wharton was chartered by the United States for the purpose of transporting nearly three hundred volunteer troops, with arms, provisions, baggage, and a quantity of sauer kraut from Philadelphia to Tampa Bay. While on the voyage, and so laden, about the 20th of December [1837], she grounded on a shoal near the entrance of Tampa Bay, and was found in a very perilous condition.' It further reports that the crew of at least one other vessel 'at great risk, and with much labor, aided and assisted in saving the troops, the guns, ammunition, and private property of the officers.'
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