By Kevin Thomas
America 250 — Landmark Documents from President Roosevelt’s Early American History Collections
Follow our #America250 series of articles highlighting hundreds of remarkable historical documents, manuscripts, and rare books collected personally by Franklin D. Roosevelt. These special collections reflect Roosevelt’s abiding interests in early American history, our nation’s founding fathers, the American Revolution; and they evidence the personal importance he placed on historical preservation of American heritage. President Roosevelt donated each of these treasures to the National Archives so they would be permanently preserved and made available for public research and exhibition at the FDR Presidential Library & Museum in Hyde Park, NY.
The personal collecting interests of President Franklin D. Roosevelt were varied and possessed a depth perhaps unrivaled among his Presidential peers.
Roosevelt might be most famous for his stamp collecting, but his collections ranged beyond philatelical interests into books, ship models, and many other items. His favorite subject to collect may have been the United States Navy. Among his collecting interests within this theme was that of naval manuscripts, and his personal collection became known as, predictably, the “Naval Manuscript Collection.”
Within this amazing collection of naval history can be found documentation from the period of the American Revolution.
The example presented here is an order for Captain Isaiah Robinson to take his ship, the 14-gun brig Andrew Doria, to defend the Cape May channel in Delaware Bay. The order, issued by the Continental Congress’ Marine Committee, was signed by John Hancock, Robert Morris, William Ellery, and other members. This order dated April 18, 1777, provides a narrative of the vessel’s duties:
[Continental Marine Committee to Captain Isaiah Robinson]
Sir [Philadelphia] April 18th 1777
The Navy Board of this State having requested the assistance of the Continental Navy in defending the Cape May Channel in Delaware Bay so that the inward and outward bound Trade may not be totally obstructed by the enemies ships stationed at the mouth of said Bay.
The Andrew Doria being now ready for service you are forthwith to proceed down the Cape May Channel and Co-operate with the two Gallies [sent] down by the said Navy Board, the Commanders of which will be instructed to Consult with and be directed by you in pursuing such measures as may be necessary to secure and defend the said Channel as well as in any attempt you may think it proper and prudent to make on such of the enemies Tenders and Vessels as you may judge your force equal to Cope with, and you will exert your utmost abilities and address, to take sink burn or otherwise destroy, any or all of their [Cruizers] you meet with. –
You will particularly attend to the business of protecting our Trade and [securing] any American Vessels inward or outward bound to which you can extend protection or assistance. The Gallies of this state whilst acting in conjunction with you will be subject to your orders. They draw little water and have heavy Canon in their Bows which induces us to think they might be very successfully employed in [molesting] and galling the enemies large ships lying at anchor in the Road or any part of the Bay, especially by attacking them in the night. The Gallies might run into shoal water on the shoals nearest to where the ships anchored and take such a station that the large ships could not get near them bring, the Bow Guns to bear on the Enemy and keep up a Constant [fireing] until they obliged them to weigh anchor or slip their cables. Calm weather will be the best for this sort of business because the Enemies Ships would remain unmanageable and the Gallies could Row and do what they pleased. If attacks of this kind are frequently made and with success they will get tired of anchoring and prefer keeping the Sea, which will give our vessels a better chance of getting in and out. We would like to have this plan attempted and think you would do well to go in one of the Gallies on the first occasion taking care not to disgust the Captain of her thereby, but you will be the better able to judge what can be done afterwards. When you find the service herein recommended does not require your particular attention, either by means of your taking or destroying the enemies Tenders or by their quitting the Station, you may then deem these orders to be fully complied with and opening the others given you herewith proceed as therein directed. And as you have a valuable Cargo [on board] you will during this service be particularly attentive to the safety of the Andrew Doria and her Cargo, only exposing her to danger when you are sensible the true interest or honor of America requires it…
(Marine Committee Letter Book, 69-70, NA. Galleys were Convention and Delaware)
Andrew Doria would continue to guard the Delaware through the spring and summer of 1777, culminating with participation in the Philadelphia Campaign in the fall of 1777. Ultimately, the ship was destroyed to prevent capture. Andrew Doria is perhaps most famous for receiving a salute from the Dutch island of Saint Eustatius on November 16, 1776 – the first official salute towards the flag of the United States by a foreign power.
Also of note, this document was laminated by conservators at the National Archives, after the President had asked the agency to evaluate and protect his collections as they were being brought into the custodianship of the Federal Government at his Presidential Library. Lamination was then a common, state-of-the-art method to preserve the longevity of paper-based manuscripts.
For more, please read A Hidden Treasure: Franklin Roosevelt’s Naval Manuscript Collection
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