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- Two ALs by Samuel Reid and W.B. Maclay
Two ALs by Samuel Reid and W.B. Maclay, requesting that President Tyler Appoint Reid Sailing Master in the U.S. Navy. June 27 and 29, 1843.
Manuscript.
Price: $500
Samuel Reid (1783 1861) served with Thomas Truxtun aboard USS Constellation in 1803. During the War of 1812 he commanded the privateer General Armstrong. One notable capture was that of the British merchantman Fanny, notable because of the legal cases that arose from her capture and recapture. At the Battle of Fayal, Reid inflicted severe casualties on boats from a British force en route to Jamaica and New Orleans. Reid was wounded along with one other man, while the British sustained over 100 killed or wounded. Andrew Jackson credited Reids action with delaying the British squadron and so aiding his defense of New Orleans. Reid is also noted for having helped design the 1818 version of the flag of the United States, which first established the rule of keeping thirteen stripes and adding one star for each U.S. state. The first letter was written by Maclay to President Tyler June 27, 1843, requesting the position of Sailing Master for Reid, and citing the gallant services performed by Capt. Reid during the last war. Maclays request is endorsed by Moses Leonard, who agrees as to Reids fitness for the post, and by Robert Morris, who was mayor of New York at the time. The second letter, June 29, 1843, was written and signed by Reid. In addition to his request for the position of Sailing Master, he states that hed happily accept another post, such as a command of one of our Revenue Cutters.” Reid was given the appointment as Sailing Master in lieu of a pension for his role in saving New Orleans. Two letters
