American Historical Ephemera & Photography

23 July 1813. 2 1/4 pp, on bifolium, 7 7/8 x 12 5/8 in. (creased throughout, with loss and separations to creases and crease intersections, staining throughout). Addressed on integral leaf. 

Parsons writes of venereal diseases affecting may of his fellow men, and states that he "left New York on the 3rd Inst. with part of the fleet and arrived here [spermaceti cove] in a few hours." Interestingly, he also reports that the British ship, HMS Poictiers "had taken several fishing smacks and fited [sic] them out with men and arms to deceive the coasters & fishermen which they succeeded in doing for some time. But their stratagems were soon frustrated." He then describes the encounter with the enemy that foiled their ruse: "We manned out a small sloop with about 30 men with small arms who were secreted below except three or four who were carelessly fishing with a calf & a goose & a sheep on deck. When the enemy's boat saw ours she made toward her came along side & told her to repair immediately to the commodore. At that instant the signal was given for the men to make their appearance on deck. They came up deliberately and commenced a firing which in five minutes completely silenced the enemy. The commanding officer was killed and a midshipman mortally wounded who died the next day..." 

11 August 1813. 2 pp, on bifolium, 7 3/4 x 9 1/2 in. (creased throughout, with some loss and separations in certain spots, staining throughout). Addressed on integral leaf.

Parsons provides some updates including an interesting mention of a planned attack on Canada. In part: "As to the state of Harrison's army we have but little correct information the last accounts state that he is at lower Sandusky making preparations for a general attack on Canada and that fort Meigs has been besieged by a large force but the latter has not been so well authenticated as to be entitled to much confidence." 

2 February 1814. 2 1/2 pp, on bifolium, 7 5/8 x 9 1/2 in. (creased, with several separations extending nearly fully through some creases, spots of loss and staining throughout). Addressed on integral leaf. 

Parsons writes that he is taking leave from service "for a while" due to the "extremely uncomfortable" conditions aboard the Flotilla in winter which render it nearly impossible for him to remain in good health. He also mentions vessels carrying important diplomats including Nathaniel W. Strong, [Henry] Clay, and [Jonathan] Russel, the latter two of whom were appointed to assist in negotiating peace with the British. 

12 May 1815. 2 pp, on bifolium, 7 7/8 x 9 5/8 in. (creased, with several spots of separation and loss throughout, occasional staining). Addressed on integral leaf.

Parsons tells his brother of a shipwreck he was in just recently: "Since my last letter I have met with a slight disaster which took place about four weeks ago on my passage from Salem. On account of the badness of the roads I took a passage in the brig Maria and was cast away on the south side of long Island about 50 miles from Sandy Hook lighthouse. Whether it was owing to carelesness in steering or a strong current setting to the northward I cannot judge but she struck on a bar about half a mile from the beach at 2 o.clk A.M. and immediately bilged. We supposed ourselves at least 40 miles from the land which made it at first rather alarming. We stuck by the wreck till day light when we were happy to find land so near. I met with no essential loss except my bed, blankets &c. together with a few of my wearing apparrel [sic] and took a decent cold bath." 

Near the end of this letter, he turns to commenting on "late news from Europe." He writes, in part: "Astonishing events have taken place of late which I think give us reason to rejoice. Much blood will no doubt be shed in France but to no purpose. Should any respectable Nation go to war with Great Britain I should be induced to join it. I thurst [sic] for the blood of her subjects and shall make it my study to drench them of all in my power." 

Together, 4 letters written from J. Parsons to his brother, Ichabod Parsons in Denmark, Lewis County, New York.