Alonzo C Jackson (6 results)

Stiff pr. wraps. Condition: Good. 31pp, fold-out frontis, self pict. wraps fine The seizure of Monterrey and the final conquest of 1846.

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. F/o plate, wraps, privately printed for friends of E. Eberstadt, 1953, NF, 31pps.

Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Privately printed. Original publisher's light beige paper wrappers with staple binding. Black lettering printed on front cover. No lettering on spine. 6" x 9." Two black-and-white facsimile illustrations of pages from Jackson's letters, complete. Pages are very clean and intact except for light age toning. Covers are very clean and intact except for light age toning and a few smudges. A Very Good, almost Near Fine copy. "Privately printed from the original unpublished manuscripts of 1842 and 1846 for the friends of Edward Eberstadt & Sons, Christmas, 1953." Fascinating account of American midshipman Alonzo C. Jackson (?-1953) while he was on active duty during the United States' captures of Monterey in 1842 and 1846. Jackson's account of the 1842 capture is on Pages 11-18. His account of the later event is on Pages 21-31. Both of his letters are addressed to his uncle, Alonzo C. Paige. In his1842 letter, Jackson enthusiastically describes his time while serving as a midshipman for the U.S. Navy on board the frigate, the USS United States. The USS United States was accompanied by two other war vessels, the USS Cyane and the USS Dale, for a mission to seize Monterey, then controlled by Mexico, which was set in motion by (erroneous) intelligence that the U.S. and Mexico were at war. In his letter, Jackson describes the natural scenery and local animals. Jackson writes how the U.S. ships fired their cannons and appeared to seize Monterey with relative ease. He says that Mexican Governor Alvarado surrendered and writes about the dispatching of U.S. servicemen to take the city. He alludes to how the seizure of Monterey was indeed mistaken because he writes how Mexico and the U.S. were found later to be at peace, not at war. Jackson also conveys his opinions of the local Mexican population and culture among which are his views of them as expert horseback riders. He also writes about the abundant game animals, prominent cattle-raising and tanning industry, and local "ranchas." In his 1846 letter, Jackson writes with a relatively more serious tone about the 1846 U.S. capture of Monterey after the Mexican-American War had officially begun. Jackson writes about various U.S. military movements. He writes fairly early in the letter about Commodore John D. Sloat's ploy to trick English Admiral Seymour so that his ship, the USS Savannah, could pass northward to Monterey without being detected by the Royal Navy (the U.S., England, and France were all vying to seize California). Sloat's deception proved successful (it involved staging a fake execution at sea), and the USS Savannah and two accompanying ships, the USS Cyane and USS Levant, successfully arrived in Northern California. Much of Jackson's letter describes the movements of John C. Fremont and the Bear Flag Revolt. He also writes about the military movements of Mexican General Castro. Jackson conveys the tensions between the French, Englishmen, and Americans when they rendezvous in Monterey. Jackson does not speak highly of French Consul Gasquet (in turn, France was hostile to the U.S.; Jackson recounts some tense correspondence sent by the France to the U.S.). He describes the eventual arrival of Seymour. He posits that Seymour is especially upset because he was duped by Sloat. Jackson also describes how the Navy servicemen and Fremont's men size each other up and conversely poke fun at each other's respective strengths and weaknesses on land and at sea. The Englishmen were also apparently overheard acknowledging the American servicemen's aptitude (and the general strength of the U.S. military) and conveying their acceptance that the U.S. was strong enough as to not be attempted to be conquered by Britain again. Jackson then writes how Sloat relinquished his command to that of Commodore Stockton and how part of Fremont's forces were sent to Southern California to pursue Castro. Jackson, like in his first letter, also writes about his family.

paperback. Condition: Very Good. 1953; red paper covers; illustration pasted to front cover; corer wear; 8vo, 7 3/4"-9 3/4" tall; fold-our frontispiece; Interior is clean and unmarked; 31 pages.

Condition: Good. Good condition. (US history, california, CA, letters) A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.

Paperback. Condition: Very Good. 8vo, paperback, staple-bound. Vg condition. Few pale outer smudges, cover's paper title label slightly toned; contents bright & clean. 31 p., fold-out frontis. plate. Printed from the original unpublished manuscripts, 1842 and 1846.