Collection Summary
David Conner Papers 1817-1847
(bulk
1844-1847)
1817-1847
(bulk
1844-1847)
MSS16618
Conner, David, 1792-1856
400 items
3 containers
.6 linear feet
English
Collection material in English
Manuscript Division, Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.
Naval officer. Correspondence, reports, invoices,
ships returns, extracts from ships logs, and other official naval papers primarily pertaining to
Conner's service as commander of U.S. naval forces in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Selected Search Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
People
Aulick, John H., -1873--Correspondence.
Bancroft, George, 1800-1891--Correspondence.
Chase, Franklin, 1804-1890--Correspondence.
Chase, W. H. (William Henry), 1798-1870--Correspondence.
Chauncey, John S., -1871--Correspondence.
Conner, David, 1792-1856.
Gideon, Joseph--Correspondence.
Glass, James William, approximately 1825-1855--Correspondence.
Gwinn, John, 1791-1849--Correspondence.
Hunt, William E. (William Edgar)--Correspondence.
Latimer, William K., -1873--Correspondence.
Lavallette, E. A. F. (Elie Augustus F.), approximately 1790-1862--Correspondence.
Levi, Henri--Correspondence.
Mason, John Y. (John Young), 1799-1859--Correspondence.
Mattison, Joseph--Correspondence.
Saunders, John Loyall, -1860--Correspondence.
Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866--Correspondence.
Scott, Winfield, 1786-1866.
Organizations
Bainbridge (Brig)
Falmouth (Sloop of war)
Porpoise (Schooner)
Potomac (Frigate)
United States. Navy.
Vandalia (Sloop of war)
Subjects
Mexican War, 1846-1848--Naval operations, American.
Places
Caribbean Area--History, Naval--19th century.
Dominican Republic--History--1844-1930.
Gulf Coast (U.S.)--History, Naval--19th century.
Mexico, Gulf of--History, Naval--19th century.
Veracruz (Veracruz-Llave, Mexico)--History--Surrender, 1847.
Occupations
Naval officers.
Provenance
The papers of David Conner, naval officer, were purchased by the Library of Congress in 1914.
Processing History
The David Conner Papers were processed and bound into three volumes in 1918.
Copyright Status
The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of David Conner is governed by the Copyright
Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).
Access and Restrictions
The papers of David Conner are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the
Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting. Many collections are stored off-site and
advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information:
Container number, David Conner Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington,
D.C.
Biographical Note
Date
Event
1792
Born, Harrisburg, Pa.
1809
Joined U.S. Navy
1813
1815
Served in the War of 1812; wounded in action; promoted to lieutenant in 1813
1825
Attained rank of commander
1835
Promoted to captain
1841
1842
Navy commissioner; became first chief of Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Repair
1846
1847
Commanded the Home Squadron during the Mexican War; led American assault against the city of Vera Cruz, Mexico
circa 1848
1856
Commanded Philadelphia Navy Yard
1856, Mar. 20
Died, Philadelphia, Pa.
Scope and Content Note
The papers of David Conner (1792-1856) span the years 1817-1847, with the bulk of the material
concentrated in the period 1844-1847. The collection consists of correspondence, reports, invoices,
ships returns, extracts from ships logs, and other official naval papers primarily pertaining to Conner's service
as commander of United States naval forces in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Many of the letters are from commanders
of vessels, such as the
Bainbridge
,
Falmouth
,
Porpoise
,
Potomac
, and
Vandalia
. Included is material relating to the 1844 revolution
in the Dominican Republic, naval operations in the Mexican War, and preparations for the attack on Vera Cruz, Mexico, where Conner
managed the landing of General Winfield Scott's army.
Correspondents include John H. Aulick, George Bancroft, Franklin Chase, W. H. Chase, John S. Chauncey, Joseph Gideon, James William
Glass, John Gwinn, William E. Hunt, W. Latimer, E. A. F. Lavallette, Henri Levi, John Y. Mason, Joseph Mattison, John L. Saunders,
and Winfield Scott.
Arrangement of the Papers
This collection is organized chronologically in three bound volumes
Container List
Container
Contents
1
Vol. 1, 1817, May 30-1845, Aug. 19
1817, May 30-1845, Aug. 19
2
Vol. 2, 1845, Aug. 20-1846, Jan. 30
1845, Aug. 20-1846, Jan. 30
3
Vol. 3, 1846, July 1-1847, May 1
1846, July 1-1847, May 1