Title: Manuscript Journal of a Mediterranean Cruise Aboard the U.S. Sloop St. Louis. August 23, 1852 to April 8 1855.
Author: Lane, Moses A.
Description: Archive of material including: Handwritten journal, approximately 160 pp, modern half calf over original marbled boards. * A series of approximately 22 letters written between 1852 and 1861. * A collection of approximately 35 partially printed official documents relating to the Naval activities and career of Moses A. Lane beginning in 1852 and extending into the 1880's. (Several signed by Gideon Wells, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.) * A copy of the book 'Daring Diplomacy' by Andor Klay (written in 1957 which tells the complete story of the involvement of the St. Louis in the famous "Koszta Incident".) A complete typed transcript of the journal and some of the letters.Moses A. Lane was a gunner aboard the U.S. Sloop of War, St. Louis when it was sent on a cruise through the Mediterranean from August of 1852 through April of 1855. The ship visited most of the major cities and ports around the Mediterranean including Gibraltar, Tunis, Tripoli, Marseilles, Malta, Alexandria, Smyrna, Naples, and on and on. Lane's journal reads very much like a very insightful travel guide and is filled with delightful insights into local customs, culture, and sights. Perhaps most interesting are Lanes observations about social conditions in the various countries he visits including race relations, male/female relations and living conditions. Most significant in the journal (and accompanying letters to his sister) are his first hand observations about an incident which became famous throughout the U.S. and has subsequently been called "The Case Of The First American Ultimatum". "The Incident" In 1848, the Hungarian people, inspired at least in part by the American model of Democracy, rose up against the Austrian empire in a bid to gain independence and basic human freedoms. This "first" Hungarian revolution was widely followed in the American press and applauded by a strongly sympathetic American populace. A former congressman from Illinois by the name of Abraham Lincoln even drew up a resolution to be presented to a large public gathering which read in part: "Resolved, that in their present glorious struggle for liberty the Hungarians command our highest admiration and have our warmest sympathy; that they have our most ardent prayers for their speedy triumph and final success." Subsequently the Hapsburg dynasty brutally smashed the Hungarian attempt at independence and many of the Hungarian soldiers not killed in the insurrection attempted to escape further reprisals by emigrating to America. Among them was a former captain of infantry named Martin Koszta. After establishing himself in New York Koszta obtained employment and filed the necessary papers to become an American citizen. When his employers sent him to Smyrna (Turkey) to investigate business possibilities the Austrian consulate learned of his presence and made arrangements for him to be kidnapped and incarcerated aboard an Austrian ship anchored in Smyrna at the time. The U.S. consular authorities learned of the kidnapping and immediately took strong steps to thwart the Austrian actions. The U.S. Sloop of War St. Louis under, the command of Captain Duncan N. Ingraham, (and with Moses Lane aboard) just happened to be in the harbor at the time and the Captain was called upon by the U.S. consulate to free Koszta. After two or three days of threats and negotiations (and only after Ingraham came within minutes of attacking the Austrians ships in the Smyrna harbor) Koszta was released into the custody of a neutral third party and eventually returned to the U.S. a free man. Ingrahan was widely lauded throughout the country and in the U.S. Congress for his courageous actions.
Heading: Place Published: On board the U.S. Sloop St. Louis
Publisher:
Date Published: 1852-1855
Author: Lane, Moses A.
Description: Archive of material including: Handwritten journal, approximately 160 pp, modern half calf over original marbled boards. * A series of approximately 22 letters written between 1852 and 1861. * A collection of approximately 35 partially printed official documents relating to the Naval activities and career of Moses A. Lane beginning in 1852 and extending into the 1880's. (Several signed by Gideon Wells, the U.S. Secretary of the Navy under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.) * A copy of the book 'Daring Diplomacy' by Andor Klay (written in 1957 which tells the complete story of the involvement of the St. Louis in the famous "Koszta Incident".) A complete typed transcript of the journal and some of the letters.Moses A. Lane was a gunner aboard the U.S. Sloop of War, St. Louis when it was sent on a cruise through the Mediterranean from August of 1852 through April of 1855. The ship visited most of the major cities and ports around the Mediterranean including Gibraltar, Tunis, Tripoli, Marseilles, Malta, Alexandria, Smyrna, Naples, and on and on. Lane's journal reads very much like a very insightful travel guide and is filled with delightful insights into local customs, culture, and sights. Perhaps most interesting are Lanes observations about social conditions in the various countries he visits including race relations, male/female relations and living conditions. Most significant in the journal (and accompanying letters to his sister) are his first hand observations about an incident which became famous throughout the U.S. and has subsequently been called "The Case Of The First American Ultimatum". "The Incident" In 1848, the Hungarian people, inspired at least in part by the American model of Democracy, rose up against the Austrian empire in a bid to gain independence and basic human freedoms. This "first" Hungarian revolution was widely followed in the American press and applauded by a strongly sympathetic American populace. A former congressman from Illinois by the name of Abraham Lincoln even drew up a resolution to be presented to a large public gathering which read in part: "Resolved, that in their present glorious struggle for liberty the Hungarians command our highest admiration and have our warmest sympathy; that they have our most ardent prayers for their speedy triumph and final success." Subsequently the Hapsburg dynasty brutally smashed the Hungarian attempt at independence and many of the Hungarian soldiers not killed in the insurrection attempted to escape further reprisals by emigrating to America. Among them was a former captain of infantry named Martin Koszta. After establishing himself in New York Koszta obtained employment and filed the necessary papers to become an American citizen. When his employers sent him to Smyrna (Turkey) to investigate business possibilities the Austrian consulate learned of his presence and made arrangements for him to be kidnapped and incarcerated aboard an Austrian ship anchored in Smyrna at the time. The U.S. consular authorities learned of the kidnapping and immediately took strong steps to thwart the Austrian actions. The U.S. Sloop of War St. Louis under, the command of Captain Duncan N. Ingraham, (and with Moses Lane aboard) just happened to be in the harbor at the time and the Captain was called upon by the U.S. consulate to free Koszta. After two or three days of threats and negotiations (and only after Ingraham came within minutes of attacking the Austrians ships in the Smyrna harbor) Koszta was released into the custody of a neutral third party and eventually returned to the U.S. a free man. Ingrahan was widely lauded throughout the country and in the U.S. Congress for his courageous actions.
Heading: Place Published: On board the U.S. Sloop St. Louis
Publisher:
Date Published: 1852-1855
Condition report
About fine.
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Auction details
Americana - Exploration - Natural History
1:00 PM PT - Jul 24th, 2008
offered by
PBA Galleries
133 Kearny Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
San Francisco, CA 94108
