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ISAAC HULL, Letter Signed, 1807

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Isaac Hull's Seaman's Court-Martial Appointment

ISAAC HULL, Early American Naval Hero.
Letter Signed, "Isaac Hull," September 7, 1807, 1 page, 8" x 10", on laid paper with integral address leaf, Very Fine. Minor weakness and loss at folds, not affecting body of letter. Written as Captain commanding United States Gun Boat No. 10, to a Lt. Warrington, Commander of U.S. Gun Boat No. 63, it reads:

"In consequence of orders received from Commodore Stephen Decatur to convene a Court Martial on board the United States Frigate Chesapeake on Thursday the 17th Inst. for the purpose of trying a Seaman belonging to Said Ship- I do hereby appoint you a member of said Court, and have to request that you give your attendance."

An important, early American naval document, boldly signed by Hull.


Isaac Hull (1773-1843), the son of a Connecticut mariner, was commissioned a Lieutenant in the new United States Navy in 1798 and distinguished himself during the next two years while serving on board the frigate Constitution in the undeclared war with France. When troubles with the Barbary powers heated up in 1802 he went to the Mediterranean as First Lieutenant of the frigate Adams, and later commanded the schooner Enterprise and the brig Argus, receiving promotion to the rank of Master Commandant in 1804 and to Captain in 1806. During the next few years he supervised the construction of gunboats, and in 1810 was given command of the Constitution. On August 19, 1812, Old Ironsides encountered the British HMS Guerriere at sea and pounded her to a wreck in an action that electrified the Nation. The victory united the country behind the war effort and destroyed the legend of British naval invincibility.

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