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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC01617 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1844 |
| Title | Matthew Perry to Thomas Tingey Craven with instructions for suppressing the slave trade on the African coast |
| Date | 11 June 1844 |
| Author | Perry, Matthew Calbraith (1794-1858) |
| Recipient | Craven, Thomas Tingey |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Military document |
| Content Description | Perry writes from U.S. Frigate Macedonian to Craven, Commander of the U.S. Brig Porpoise. Instructs Craven that upon arriving in Liberia, he should go directly to the Galenas River. Discusses procedure for cruising and for display of the American Flag, noting, "...in the neighborhood of the Galenas at least you may be able to prevent the desecration of the American Flag to the vile purposes of the foreign slave Dealer." Requests Craven's observations on the land, currents, and other features of the Galenas River. Craven and Perry were engaged in suppressing the slave trade along the West African Coast. Docketed in graphite. |
| Subjects | African American History Africa African Squadron Navy Maritime Military History Global History and Civics Slavery American Flag Slave Trade Geography and Natural History |
| People | Perry, Matthew Calbraith (1794-1858) Craven, Thomas Tingey (1808-1887) |
| Place written | Monrovia, Liberia |
| Theme | Naval & Maritime; Slavery & Abolition; Foreign Affairs |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Perry would eventually become well-known for establishing trade relations between the United States and Japan in the early 1850s. Prior to that, in 1843, he was made Commodore of the Africa Squadron, which was a U.S. Navy unit charged with suppressing the slave trade off the coast of Africa. Thomas Tingey Craven (1808-1887) served in the Africa Squadron until 1846. He saw naval action in the Civil War, and was promoted to Commodore in 1862 and to Rear Admiral in 1866. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |