Commodore John W Livingston Letter 17 July 1862
U.S. Navy Yard Gosport
July 17th 1862
Sir,
Your letter of the 12th inst; in relation to Mr. A. Morell’s claim to the ownership of a Burnetizing apparatus now in this Yard, has been received. You inquire also, what has become of of the one put up in the Yard by the government: also the loyalty of the claim &c.
In reply, I have to state, that Mr. Lyons, the machinist now employed in this Yard, informs me, that before the Rebellion broke out, a Firm, doing business in Baltimore, styled “A. Morell & Randoll”, put up a Burnetizing apparatus on a property near Fort Norfolk in Norfolk, that he, Mr. Lyons, made a part of it himself, that a man, Mr. H. A. Landry, professed to be the agent of the above firm, and calls himself an Englishman, and has since told Mr. Lyons that he is a partner in the firm. The agent first called upon me & claimed the property, alluded to, in this yard, not succeeding in getting it, he again called with a person who was introduced to me as Mr. A. Morell, who informed me that he owned the Burnetizing apparatus, that he lived in New York, and that Mr. Landry was his agent and that I might deliver the apparatus to the latter, he stated also that he owned the property now occupied as a Naval Hospital by Flag Officer Goldsborough.
There is some mystery hanging about the above party. I have been told that Mr. Morell is a bankrupt, and a few days since, I found his so-called agent, Mr. Landry shipping some frame timber to New York, said timber having once belonged to this Navy Yard, was taken to Fort Norfolk by the Rebels, where they were about to build a Gun Boat; I seized this timber, also a fine raft of the same, and have it now in this yard. The agent excuses himself by saying that he thought it belong to the Rebels, and as they had taken so much from him, he took this in some retribution.
As to the loyalty of these men I know nothing, but shall of course ascertain, if possibe, and inform you before delivering anything to them.
The Burnetizing apparatus, put up by the Government, in this Yard is still in its place, the building was destroyed and the Engine & Cylinder some what injured, but to no very great extent, good soon be repaired.
I am Sir Very Respectfully,
your obedient servant,
John W Livingston
Commodore Commanding U.S. Navy Yard
Gosport, VA
Commodore Joseph Smith
Chief of the Bureau of Yards & Docks
Washington D.C.
Fort Norfolk Documents
1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, 1799,
1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804, 1805, 1806, 1807, 1808, 1809,
1810, 1811, 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815, 1816, 1817,
Source of Information
National Archives, Record Group 71 Bureau of Yards and Docks
Letters Recieved from Commandants of Navy Yards -- Norfolk
April 4 1858 - June 26 1860
Box No. 159B, Entry 5