1852 - U.S. Navy Department letter informing a 'ships carpenter' that he cannot avoid duty with the East Indies Squadron, an assignment that led to his accompanying Commodore Perry to Japan

Envelope or Cover. Very good. This one-page stampless folded letter measures approximately 15½" by 9½". It was written by H. Parker at the Navy Department to Daniel Jones, a ship's carpenter, at Kittery, Maine. It is datelined, "Washington / 15th March 1832". It bears and indistinct "free frank" along with a circular Washington D.C. 5-cent postmark. In nice shape. A transcript will be provided.

In this letter, Parker humorously informs his friend that he was unable to get him out of an assignment to the Navy's East Indies Squadron.

"I called this morning (Monday) on the Chief Clerk of the Navy Dept. He infornmed me you are noted for the Steamer Princeton & will be detailed to her unless the Secretary other wise orders. She is going to the East Indies . The fabled report here is none but Christians are to be sent to that heathen land.

"So make ready & have your lamps trimed - ready for the burning.. . ..

"Tell Br. Steward last evening I went to a lecture at the Smithsonian Institute [and that the gals here are mighty pretty & make a fellow's heart effervese like Julip water."

. In actuality, Jones, a career ship's carpenter in the Navy did go to the East Indies Squadron, but onboard the Macedonian and not the Princeton. At the time, ship's carpenters (not to be confused with later Carpenter's Mates) were highly skilled specialists in the Navy, akin to warrant officers of today. Jones had received his appointment in 1847 and was assigned to the Sloop-o-War Decatur, which was assigned to the African Squadron hunting slave ships. Until this letter surfaced, it was unclear where he was next assigned, but as it was addressed to Kittery, Maine, it is most likely he served at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. During his follow-on assignment aboard the Macedonian, Daniel's sailed with Commodore Perry on his return voyage to Japan and was present at the famous signing of Convention of Kanagawa, in which the Tokugawa Shogunate opened the ports of Shimoda and Hakodate to American trade. He later served aboard the Sloop-of-War Brooklyn on an expedition to determine the best route for a canal across Panama and as part of the Union blockade during the Civil War. He transferred to the Sloop-of-War St. Louis in 1862 which hunted Confederate commerce raiders from ports in Spain and Portugal. Following the war, Daniels returned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard where he served until retiring in 1869.

(For more information, see the "Daniel Jones Letters, 1860-1863: Finding Aid" at the U. S. Naval Academy and "Ship's Carpenters" at the Philp K. Allen website.

.