Autographs
Commodore Matthew C. Perry Naval Autographed Letter of Concern Mentioning Commodore (David) Porter
MATTHEW C. PERRY. American Naval Officer known as “The Father of the Steam Navy” and Negotiated an Historic American Treaty to Open a reclusive Empire of Japan to Commerce.
August 20, 1823-Dated, Autograph Letter Signed “M.C. Perry”, 4 pages, measuring 8” x 9.75”, Saratoga, New York, Choice Fine. Some internal fold splits and light tone typical of the white wove paper of this period. This Letter apparently being in personal response to the complaint alleged against Perry by the Captain of the Schooner “Jane,” which was not afforded an escort and subsequently ran aground. Written to Secretary of the Navy Smith Thompson, Perry explains the overall situation he faced, his reasons for his decisions and defends his Naval honor. This historic early American Naval conduct related Letter reads, in part:

“Sir --- I have the honor to enclose herewith a Paragraph which appeared in the New Bedford(?) paper and which I trust will be reviewed by the Department in its true light as a more second loud libel upon my official character --- The Facts in regard to the Schooner Jane are as follows, -- I had sailed from Vera Cruz for Tampico, in great haste understanding from the affairs of the Peacock, that Comd. Porter was anxiously awaiting my arrival at Thompson Island. It was therefore impossible for me to be long detained at Tampico. I consequently on my arrival at that place, accepted my ---- practice of offering protection to all vessels bound in the direction of my route, which was through the Straits of Florida. The only application from convoy was by Capt. Corson, of the Schooner Jane bound for New Orleans. Whose requests I at first refused to comply with as it would have taken me in a directly contrary direction from my prescribed route And would have been at resonance with the supposed wishes of Com(modore) Porter... I have endeavored to be particularly attentive to my duty and felt a consciousness of having performed it faithfully, but have found experience that it is impossible to meet the views and wishes of the contending interests of so many merchant Captains who seem to think that U.S. vessels ought to be placed at their entire disposal to await their convenience and to submit to their directions.”

The exact details of this episode regarding the Schooner “Jane” are uncertain, though Perry’s frustration is evident in having to escort that ship while trying to make his scheduled rendezvous with Commodore Porter. An important, classic Naval letter from a most under-documented time in Perry’s Naval career. Holographic text is legible, the “M.C. Perry” signature is dark and prominent, measuring a large 2.75” long.