Lot 522
Decatur, Stephen, Jr (1779-1820) Celebrated American naval officer whose brilliant successes during the Tripolitan War and the War of 1812 are the stuff of legends. Toasting a successful truce with the North African States, Decatur said, "Our country, right or wrong."
Autograph Letter Signed ("S. Decatur"). One page, 7¼ x 8¼", n.p., January 17, n.y. To Decatur's friend, Dr. John Bullus. Folded in half and mounted on 9 x 5½" page torn from a book, possibly The Life of Stephen Decatur by A. S. Mackenzie. Very minor soil and toning. In very good to fine condition.
In full: "Dear Bullus I wrote you by last mail informing you that a fight might take place. The Belligerent aspect has evaporated, no fight. the enclosed is a correct tho abridged account; you must not say it comes from me. Your obt svt & friend S. Decatur P.S. My compliments to Mrs. B.-" Decatur's storied life and career suggests many possible interpretations of the unique and intriguing letter offered here, with the main stumbling block to certain identification being the lack of a full date. We can be certain that the addressee is Decatur's friend and lawyer Dr. John Bullus (?-1824), a Naval doctor and diplomat who was aboard Captain James Barron's Chesapeake in 1807 (and thus indirectly linked to the events which led to Decatur's death at Barron's hand in March 1820).
Barron's mishandling of an engagement with the British Leopard had resulted in his court martial and five year suspension from naval service. Barron subsequently blamed Decatur for his disgrace and consequent failure to regain his commission, hounding Decatur and eventually challenging him to a duel. Decatur reluctantly met the challenge and, in deference to Barron's age, made concessions as to distance and deloping that made it possible for Barron to inflict a fatal abdominal wound. It would not be unreasonable to assume, given the tone of our letter, that the "Belligerent aspect" has something to do with the accusations manufactured by Barron which led up to the fatal duel. An alternate explanation would be that Decatur is referring to a naval matter, either an engagement or internal naval conflict that had seemed imminent.
Estimated Value $6,000-UP.
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