2009-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/31/2009
Autograph Letter Signed, "M.S. Massey Actg. Adj. B. Batt. & Full Qr. Master of the same" 1p. quarto, "Fort McHenry" October 21, 1817, with integral leaf addressed to Lieut. N. Bader, Comg. U.S. Arsenal Near Baltimore" with excellent Baltimore cds, it reads in part: "...Enclosed you will receive duplicate requisitions of Capt. Reed's for some ammunition for Fort Severn, he wishes it sent him so soon as possible, as he expects a visit from the honorable the president of the U.S. the Franklin 74 gun ship being ordered to Annapolis draws him and all the great men of the nation to that place..." Fine. The third USS Franklin of the United States Navy was a 74-gun ship of the line. Built in 1815 under the supervision of Samuel Humphreys and Charles Penrose, she was the first vessel to be laid down at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Franklin sailed on her first cruise on 14 October 1817, when under the command of Master Commandant H. E. Ballard she proceeded from Philadelphia to the Mediterranean. She carried the Hon. Richard Rush, U.S. Minister to England, to his post. Subsequently she was designated flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron, cruising on that station until March 1820. She returned to New York City on 24 April 1820. From 11 October 1821 until 29 August 1824 she served as flagship on the Pacific Station.
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