Semi-Annual Report of the Officers of the U S Ship Warren 1828

Semi-Annual Report of the Officers of the U S Ship Warren 1828. Signed by “Lawrence Kearny, Master- Commdr. US Navy.” Written while serving in the Mediterranean Fleet (until 1830).

This is a one page document made out in three columns, listing names, ranks, and Remarks.  Within the remarks column, is Kearny’s notation as to the conduct, zeal, abilities and moral characteristics, with the exception of one; Midshipman D.L. Randolph, “under suspension for intemperate habits.”

Commodore Lawrence Kearny (1789 –1868), born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey,  was an officer in the navy who served from 1807 to 1861. In the early part of his career he served in the Mediterranean fighting slavers, and pirates. In 1818, commanding the USS Enterprise with the New Orleans Squadron, and  sailed to Galveston, Texas and forced the Pirate Jean LeFitte from his base there without a fight. In the 1840s he negotiated with China to open up  to trading with the U.S. In 1843, Kearny was involved with Hawaii’s King Kamehameha, III and Great Britain, with the King having ceded the Islands to the later, and with a few years of negotiations between the US, Great Britain, Hawaiian sovereignty was restored. He held commands of a few navy yards before his retirement.

The USS Warren, named for the famous founding father and Revolutionary War hero Joseph Warren. Warren was a sloop of war, commissioned in 1827.

The list of officers includes several that served towards or into the Civil War, making flag rank. Midshipman D.L. Randolph, with Kearny’s remark next to his name, entered service in May of 1822, and resigned on 6 February, 1830.  Seems that young Randolph’s intemperance may have been due to his like of alcohol, or perhaps as little as having a swearing habit?

The pencil notation next to John Southwick’s name (A warrant officer- Carpenter), reads,”The man pulled Gen’. Jackson’s nose Alex ……” ?

One sided document of legal size, a few small tears, and mounted on old blue-gray paper. Like most of this naval collection, all were once mounted on this same paper, this one still as found.