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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.02297 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0061] 16-31 July 1783 |
| Title | Horatio Gates to Silas Talbot on naval matters |
| Date | 17 July 1783 |
| Author | Gates, Horatio (cb. 1727-1806) |
| Recipient | Talbot, Silas |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Military document |
| Content Description | This is a copy of a certificate sent to Captain Talbot by Major General Gates. Says when he was in command of the troops in the Eastern Department in 1779, there were many small British cruisers harassing American shipping from Long Island to Nantucket. To stop them, Gates says he had a large galley and a sloop named "Argo" fitted for battle. The "Argo" had 12 6-pound guns and was given to the command of Rhode Islander Silas Talbot, "that intrepid & enterprising officer." Goes on to say he "was eminently useful & greatly assisted in driving the enemy from our coast and relieving our wants by opening a safer Passage to our supplies by water." Says in his first cruise he took 6 British privateers. Afterwards he was sent with dispatches for the French fleet, which was on its way to America, and he took 5 more prizes. |
| Subjects | Navy Privateering Revolutionary War Revolutionary War General Military History Global History and Civics Maritime Weaponry Artillery Letter of Introduction or Recommendation Commerce Merchants and Trade France |
| Place written | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Theme | The American Revolution; Naval & Maritime; Merchants & Commerce |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Additional Information | Talbot was a successful officer in both the army and navy during the Revolution. After the war, Talbot settled in Johnstown, New York, the county seat of Fulton County, where he purchased the former manor house and estate of Sir William Johnson, founder of Johnstown. He was a member of the New York State Assembly in 1792 and 1793 and served in the federal House of Representatives from 1793 to 1795. On 5 June 1794, President Washington chose him third in a list of six captains of the newly established United States Navy. Before the end of his term in Congress, he was ordered to superintend the construction of the frigate President at New York. In 1797, Talbot also supervised the building of the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," at the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts. He served as commander of the vessel from 1799 until his retirement from the Navy in 1801, sailing it to the West Indies where he protected American commerce from French privateers during the Quasi-War. He commanded the Santo Domingo Station in 1799 and 1800 and was commended by the Secretary of the Navy for protecting American commerce and for laying the foundation of a permanent trade with that country. It is said that Talbot was wounded 13 times and carried 5 bullets in his body. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide Download PDF |