Commandant V F Johnston Letter 26 January 1848
Commandants Office
Navy Yard Gosport
26 January 1848
Sir,
I have received your letter of the 20th, informing me that there is an amount of funds on hand to the credit of the Hospital & Magazine. My difficulty now is how these funs can be expended to the best advantage of both establishments. When Doctor Patten, who is now on a visit to his family, returns, I will consult with him as to the most judicious mode of expending the money to the credit of the Hospital, having in view always, the utility of the expenditures.
The amount to the credit of the Magazine, is a matter of still greater difficulty. The contiguity of the Magazine to the Naval Hospital & I may add lunatic Asylum, together with the flat making off from the wharf so far as to render it difficult of access except at high water, are subject to which I beg most respectfully to call your attention; the proving of powder so near the Hospital, I am informed by Doctor Williamson has a most pernicious effect upon the lunatics and in the event of any accident to the Magazine producing an explosion of the powder in store, the Hospital must of necessity be destroyed & with it perhaps most of its unfortunate occupants. Several more eligible sites, near here might be selected. Old Fort Norfolk, belonging to the War Department, or a place on St. Helena.
It may be well to observe in this connection that the “Keeper of the Magazine, is old and very infirm & has been confined to his bed a long time. I believe he has not been at the Magazine for several months; indeed his age & ill heath render him entirely unfit for the station.
I am Respectfully, Sir
your obedient servant,
V F Johnston
Commandant
Comm Joseph Smith
Chief of the Burrow of Yards & Docks
Washington
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Source of Information
National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks
Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk
Nov 3 1846 - Sept 15 1848
Box No. 154, Entry 5