Commander Andrew Hull Foote to Gideon Welles, April 4, 1861

[Copy]

Navy Yard                 

New York      

April 4/61

Sir:

Captain Meigs has called on me with a letter showing his authority from the government to have certain preparations made and things placed on board of vessels soon to go to sea, about which you are familiar; but as the orders do not come direct I make this report, but as no time is to be lost I am preparing what is called for and report my action.

I have the honor to be in great haste

Yr Obdt Servt,

A. H. Foote

For Comdt.

Hon: Gideon Welles

Sec'y of the Navy

Washington D. C.

SOURCES: Robert Means Thompson & Richard Wainwright, Editors, Publications of the Naval Historical Society, Volume 9: Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1861-1865, Volume 1, p. 19