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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Commodore George Dewey, Commander, Asiatic Station

From Secretary of the Navy

To COM’D’R-IN-CHIEF

Date April 5, 1898.

Subject Purchase auxiliaries.

War may be declared.

Purchase immediately Nanshan one more vessel for supply.

Charge special appropriation.

Send the receipt to the Department.

Enlist for special service if possible one year unless sooner discharged the crew.

Detach and order to assume command of each and officer.

Arm if possible.1

War may be declared.

Condition very critical. 

Source Note: Cy, DLC-MSS, PGD. Document was: “Received Hongkong April 5 1p.m.”

Footnote 1: This cable was part of series starting with Long asking Dewey to purchase a steamer on 4 April 1898, and resulted in the purchase and manning of two steamers: the British collier Nanshan and steamship Zafiro. See: Long to Dewey, 4 April 1898. For information on the manning of the two steamers see: Dewey to Long 18 April.

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