An Unpublished Archive of Correspondence From Africa Squadron Commander and Future Admiral Francis Hoyt Gregory, on Anti-slavery Duty, Written on the USS Raritan Off the Brazilian Coast

There is considerable discussion of the comings and goings of the transatlantic vessels carrying mail and people.

 

These were passed down by the Gregory heirs and have never before been offered for sale

 

“…The Brig Porpoise wil leave with us, on her way to Boston under charge of Mr. Dun – she is a vessel seized here for having been engaged in the slave trade.”

 

“Tell Master Stephen that a young prince has been born here today – the future Emperor of Brazil and for whom we have fired a hundred guns by way of lullaby.”

United States Navy Rear Admiral Francis Hoyt Gregory began his naval career as a merchant marine from 1807 until 1809 when, on January 16, 1809, he was warranted as a midshipman and served on the “USS Revenge” under the command of Oliver Perry. While in command of a barge from the “USS Vesuvius” he captured, in 1810, the pirate schooner “Diomede” and the slaver “Alexandria”. During the War of 1812, he was assigned to Lake Ontario, serving with Isaac Chauncey. Promoted to lieutenant on January 28, 1814, he was captured by the British in August and he remained their guest in England for nearly two years. In 1816 he joined a frigate cruising against Algiers and, in 1821, assumed command of the “USS Grampus.” While patrolling the waterways in the Gulf of Mexico, he captured the pirate brig “Pandrita.” He was involved later in the Mexican War and the Civil War and 2 United States Navy Destroyers, the DD-82 and the DD-802, were named in his honor. In the mid 1840s, he was an officer in the Africa Patrol and would go on as its commander.

The African Slave Trade Patrol was part of the Blockade of Africa suppressing the Atlantic slave trade between 1819 and the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861. A squadron of U.S. Navy warships and Cutters were assigned to catch slave traders in and around Africa, and Gregory was an integral part of that.

A series of autograph letters between Elizabeth (Kate) Gregory and Francis Hoyt Gregory, with franking panels present. There are 18 letters from FH Gregory, most 3-4 long pages; 6 from his wife Kate. Letters from FH Gregory are written on board the Raritan off the coast of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. As a result, though much is not quoted here, there is considerable discussion of the comings and goings of the transatlantic vessels carrying mail and people.

A very small selection of excerpts:

January 2, 1845 – “…We have been running a row with the Congress and beat her most shamefully every way, leaving no room for prevarication whatever. After her ten successive days in high winds and low, when about 250 miles from the port we ran away from her and around 30 hours before her….”

Jan 14, 1845 (7 oversized pages) – Extensive conversation in addition to this about the movement of men and boats, some of life on the ship, family discussion: “…We have had another sailing match with the Congress and beaten her every way, most shamefully, and finally run away from her altogether, which puts an end to the boasting, after bragging about the world for two years without contradiction they have been most woefully disappointed, as well as their friends, whose pockets are now somewhat lighter, for their confidence in her speed. The officers in the Congress pay now the compliment to say that they will bet $1000 if I will come aboard their ship and sail her against the Raritan…We ran ahead of them by day light and arrived in port 30 hours before them, got the papers from the US…

“…When at Montevedo, I went in a boat on an excursion about 70 miles up a river, took John along. At a little town called San Lucia an Indian girl, a perfect child of nature, about 15 years old, became desperately in love with John and went almost mad about him. Which has subjected Mr. John to a great deal of joking from his young companions.. Mr. John’s fancy did not compound to the Indian beauty and between them there were some funny scenes.

Feb 23, 1845 – “…I had intended to have sent you some plants and bulbs by this conveyance, but have been disappointed by the person who engaged to procure them for me. There are several other vessels to sail soon for New York and I shall find no difficulty in getting them to you in time for the coming season… There are thousands of roses here of every hue and description and numberless other flowers….

“Tell Master Stephen that a young prince has been born here today – the future Emperor of Brazil and for whom we have fired a hundred guns by way of lullaby.” [Dom Afonso was the Prince Imperial and heir apparent to the throne of the Empire of Brazil. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he was the eldest child of Emperor Dom Pedro II and Dona Teresa Cristina of the Two Sicilies, and thus a member of the Brazilian branch of the House of Braganza.]

May 18, 1845 – “… Observing a vessel now coming down the bay bound to New York with a Captain Travers whom I know, I hasten to drop you a few lines to say that we are well – excepting Commander Turner, who has been confined to his bed about a month with the gout. We sail Wednesday for the River, to return immediately here. Mr. Dun will sail with us for Boston on the slave brig…”

May 20, 1845 – “…The Brig Porpoise wil leave with us, on her way to Boston under charge of Mr. Dun – she is a vessel seized here for having been engaged in the slave trade. Midshipman Dyer goes home in her…”

This is our first diary relating to figures active in the slave trade or its suppression. The fact that it is unpublished adds to the interest.