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Item Specifics:
• Signed by: Levi Woodbury (Secretary of the Navy 1831–1834)
• Date: April 29, 1834
• Subject: Naval Orders / USS Lexington / Crew Discharge
• Recipient: Commodore William M. Crane (Portsmouth Navy Yard)
• Authenticity: Original Manuscript Letter Signed (LS)
Description
Historical Significance:
This is an authentic, handwritten manuscript letter signed by Levi Woodbury, the 13th Secretary of the Navy under President Andrew Jackson. Woodbury later served as Secretary of the Treasury and as an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Content:
Dated April 29, 1834, from the Navy Department, the letter is addressed to Commodore William M. Crane, commandant of the Portsmouth Navy Yard (New Hampshire). It provides official orders regarding the USS Lexington (a historic sloop-of-war). The orders include:
• Discharging and paying off the crew after the survey of the ship.
• Placing the ship "in ordinary" (reserve status).
• Authorizing the opening of a "Rendezvous" at the station for the enlistment of seamen and landsmen for a period of two months to be sent to Boston.
• A side note mentions a payment of $38,000 sent to the Navy Agent for the crew's wages.
Condition Report:
The document is in excellent condition for its age (nearly 200 years old). It shows original fold lines and a clear, bold signature of Levi Woodbury. The ink remains dark and highly legible.
⚠️ Important Note to Buyers: Please examine all high-resolution photos carefully. They provide the most accurate representation of the document's condition, including paper texture, edges, and handwritten notations. What you see in the images is exactly what you will receive.
