Letters Received by the Secretary of Navy ("Captains' Letters")

The letters are arranged chronologically and by subject. Correspondence received between 1805 and 1848 from the commandants of navy yards and shore facilities deals with a variety of routine matters. The routine correspondence of captains commanding at sea was concerned mainly with matters of shipboard discipline and the repair and supply of vessels. Also included is correspondence from the captains of naval vessels involved in conflicts or disagreements with foreign governments.