Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet

 

TRANSLATION                       WASHINGTON, July 21, 1898.

3:30 A.M.         

     The president directs you send ships of war enough and strong enough to enable Miles to land at Porto Rico and to remain there as long as needed to render assistance or till further orders.1 Give him at once the Indiana and the Newark or something of each class as good. Act promptly. Why do you not telegraph about this convoy. Some of them are three days old. On the face of things you seem dilatory in this matter. The Department awaits your quick reply.2

LONG.

ARGIVES  AMANSAREM

Source Note: DecyCy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 28. Addressed before opening: “Sampson, Playa del Este, Cuba.”

Footnote 1: See: President William McKinley to Long, 20 July 1898. Miles was Maj Gen. Nelson A. Miles, commander of the Army’s expedition to Puerto Rico.

Related Content