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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC00722.59 |
| From Archive Folder | William McBlair collection |
| Title | William McBlair to V. McBlair discussing life at sea and his visit to Liberia |
| Date | 12 February 1858 - 5 March 1858 |
| Author | McBlair, William (d. 1863) |
| Recipient | McBlair, V. |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Military document |
| Content Description | Letter to his wife discussing life at sea and his visit to Liberia. Upon arrival in Liberia, McBlair's ship "Dale" gives the young nation a twenty-one gun salute. In Monrovia, the Liberian capital, McBlair meets with President Benson and former President Roberts, both of whom he speaks highly of. Discusses the "sleepy disease," which has killed one of his men. Also discusses family matters. Written on board the U.S.S. "Dale" at sea. Stephen A. Benson served as president of Liberia from 1856-1864. Joseph Jenkins Roberts was the first president of Liberia, from 1848-1856, and again served as president from 1872-1876. |
| Subjects | African American History Disease Health and Medical Malaria Death Africa African Squadron Navy Maritime Government and Civics Global History and Civics Slave Trade Slavery Children and Family |
| People | McBlair, V. (fl. 1857-1859) McBlair, William (d. 1863) Benson, Stephen Allen (1816-1865) Roberts, Joseph Jenkins (1809-1876) |
| Theme | Children & Family; African Americans; Health & Medicine; Naval & Maritime; Slavery & Abolition; Foreign Affairs; Government & Politics; Women in American History |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | William McBlair was a United States naval officer in command of the ship "Dale," responsible for catching illegal slave trading ships off the coast of Africa. Later served in the Confederate Navy. Stephen A. Benson was the President of Liberia from 1856-1864. Joseph Jenkins Roberts was the first President of Liberia, from 1848-1856, and again served as President from 1872-1876. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |