Sir,
In compliance with your order of the 26th Decr (addressed to Commodore Pendergrass, which we were directed by him to carry into execution) requiring us to fix a valuation on the Clothing and Belongings to the Small Pox patients, which were destroyed by your order; we have to report that, after maturely considering the subject, we are of the opinion that the Bedding and Clothing so destroyed should be returned free of cost to the men, article for article, so in the following instances, viz., Alfred Hedeby and George Carlos to receive each one pair of Cloth Trousers, instead of two. John Hedeby and James Lambert to receive each one mattress instead of two, and John Conny and James Lambert to receive each one mattress instead of two, and John Harris 1st two Blankets instead of four destroyed
We have awarded to George Carlos four Blankets because it appears he was sent to the Hospital twice – on his return to the ship the first time his two Blankets were destroyed; on his second return and hence with allowance of four Blankets he will have after returning the two borrowed, only two Blankets which are necessary for his health and comfortIn the case of the men who had the Blue Flannel Trousers destroyed, we recommend that they should receive three yards of Blue Flannel for each pair of trousers as there are no Blue Flannel Trousers on board ship.
Annexed is a list (certified by the Fleet Surgeon) of the men whose clothing was destroyed with the articles belonging to each man set opposite their respective names. In this list we have included the names of the nurses of the small pox patients, understanding that such was your intention, and believing them equally entitled to remuneration for their losses as the other men. We have delayed making this report until all the Small Pox patients have returned on board the Columbia.Signed in Quadruplicate
Very Respectively
Your Obedient Servants[Signed] Edward T. Dunn
Purser[Signed] Solomon Sharp
Fleet Surgeon[Signed] R. L, Love
Lieutenant[Signed] John Thomas Newton
Commandg Home SquadronA list of men (Small Pox patients and their names) whose clothing was destroyed by order of Commodore John Henry Newton as a Sanitary measure with the articles so destroyed as to each man set opposite their respective names. The complete list: Image 3
I certify that the above list is correct and that the clothing was actually destroyed by order of Commodore Newton, and I consider the destroyed said clothing necessary in order to prevent the Small pox from being introduced on board the ship U.S. Frigate Columbia
[Signed] Solomon Sharp, Fleet Surgeon Home Squadron, off St. Thomas - Feb 8th 1854
Source: Robert T. Newton to Secretary of the Navy, 8 February 1854, pp. 1-3. Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy from Commanding Officers of Squadrons ("Squadron Letters"), 1841-1886, Record group 45.
* * * * * *
Unusual Request
Dr. Solomon Sharp USN to Secretary of the Navy John Pendleton Kennedy, for permission to grow a beard, to prevent a severe inflation of the tonsils 6 February 1853
U.S. Frigate Columbia
Norfolk Va. Feb 6th 1853To the Hon John P. Kennedy
Secy of the NavySir
Prior to 1835 I was frequently attacked with severe inflation of the Tonsils, when by advice of surgeon Haslett, I ceased to shave around my throat (which I had always done before) and not since that time done so, but once when I was obligated to allow beard to grow again, and it is my opinion that by so doing, I have escaped those attacks which frequently endangered my life.
Commander Pendergrast referred me to you for permission still to do so, as it is in contravention of the regulations establishing a uniform for the Navy.Very Respectfully
Your Obt Svt
[Signed] Solomon Sharp
Fleet Surgeon Home Squadron
Solomon Sharp
6 February 1853
Volume 412 - 413
Date Range Jan 1, 1853-Feb 28, 1853
Roll Name 0213, p.3
Navy Officers Letters 1802-1884
RG 45, NARA, Washington, D.CDr. Solomon Sharp, Surgeon USN. Dr. Sharp was appointed Assistant Surgeon USN on 15 September 1829 and made Surgeon USN on 20 February 1838. On 12 July 1838 Dr. Sharp wrote Secretary of the Navy Mahlon Dickerson to protest the navy having to provide treatment to enslaved workers, to which Secretary Dickerson replied the current medical policy would remain. Dr. Sharp served in a wide variety of assignments including Fleet Surgeon to the Home Squadron 1853-1855 on the USS Columbia. He retired 16 August 1865. For his services, Dr. Sharp received from Lord Lyons, Secretary of State for Great Britain, an inscribed silver plate recording his medical treatment to two British officers. The plate was forwarded to and signed by President Abraham Lincoln on 23 April 1864. In his later years Dr. Sharp suffered "a mental aberration" and attempted suicide. He died 7 January 1870.
Source: Sharp John G. M., Early Pensacola Navy Yard in Letters and Documents to the Secretary of the Navy and Board of Navy Commissioners 1826-1850 http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/portsmouth/shipyard/sharptoc/pensacola-sharp.html
John Pendleton Kennedy (October 25, 1795 to August 18, 1870) was an American novelist, lawyer and Whig politician who served as United States Secretary of the Navy from July 26, 1852, to March 4, 1853, during the administration of President Millard Fillmore, and as a U.S. Representative from Maryland's 4th congressional district, during which he encouraged the United States government's study, adoption and implementation of the telegraph. A lawyer who became a lobbyist for and director of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Kennedy also served several terms in the Maryland General Assembly and became its Speaker in 1847.
Dr. Solomon Sharp Fleet Surgeon USN 1863 with beard
