(California) Letter Signed “John S. Nicholas” as Commander of the USS Yorktown, 1 page, 252 x 203 mm. (10 x 8 in.), Monterey, 20 November 1842, to Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones* commanding the Pacific Squadron requesting a new ship’s Master, in full: “As Mr. Gwaltney, Sailing Master has been detached from this Ship, I most respectfully request that some Officer may be ordered in his place.”

On 20 October 1842, one month before this letter was penned, Commodore Jones, commanding a fleet of his flagship USS United States, and two sloops-of-war: the USS Dale and Cyane, responded to false reports that war had broken out with Mexico by seizing the port of Monterey for a single day. Monterey was returned to the Mexican government the following day when it came to light that war had not been declared. Commodore Jones then headed for Hawaii and helped to restore the Kingdom of Hawaii after it was seized by Great Britain. He was likely in Hawaii when he received this letter.
 
 
 
Toning, ink feathering, creasing, soiling,minor edge wear, usual folds, overall very good condition.

(EXA 5724) $375
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^* (1790-1858) a decorated naval officer distinguished for bravery in the Battle of Lake Borgne (Louisiana) during the War of 1812, but also noted for his blunder of one-day seizure the port of Monterey in 1842 while under the mistaken impression that the Mexican-American War had begun. When he arrived in While patrolling Hawaii in August 1843, he picked up a well-traveled deserter of the whaler Achusnet, Herman Melville (1819-1891), for a three-year tour. The Commodores in the Melvile novels Moby-Dick and White-Jacket are both modeled after Thomas ap Catesby Jones.