David Porter Signed Letter for Funds to Pay Navy Expenses

PORTER, David. Letter Signed, "D. Porter", 1p, on a bifold sheet measuring 8” x 9.25”, New Orleans, November 6, 1809. Integral address leaf at verso postmarked New Orleans, November 15. Verso of the document is glued down to a larger sheet measuring 11" x 13" and showing a few notations from a previous collector. Near complete separation at integral vertical fold with varying degrees of separation at remaining folds. Chipping to edges, staining, toning and foxing, else in good condition with a bold signature. 

Master Commandant David Porter was in charge of the naval forces at New Orleans from 1808 to 1810. In this letter, he informs Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton that he has drawn $6,000 in funds for pay for the Navy, the hospital department, repairs, and other expenses.

David Porter (1780-1843) was an officer in the United States Navy in the rank of captain and the honorary title of commodore, where he commanded a number of U.S. naval ships. He saw service in the First Barbary War, the War of 1812 and in the West Indies. Porter was a member of the Board of Navy Commissioners. Later court-martialed for invading a town in Puerto Rico, he resigned from the Navy and served as the commander-in-chief of the Mexican Navy from 1826 to 1829. He later served as United States Charge d’Affaires and then Minister to the Ottoman Empire (1831-1843).

Paul Hamilton (1762-1816) of South Carolina served as Secretary of the Navy from 1809 to 1813.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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