Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet
TELEGRAM
Washington, July 26, 1898.
The following is from the attaché at Paris;1 “Pelayo” sustained damages to her machinery on recent trip.2 Troops and material being sent to Spanish ports, particularly Eastern. Great anxiety reigns in Spanish ports notwithstanding announced postponement sailing of the U.S.Squadron. Distribution Spanish naval forces will be decided this week.
LONG.
Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 80, Entry 194, vol. 1, p. 323. Addressed before opening: “Sampson,/Playa, Cuba.”
Footnote 1: United States Naval Attaché at Paris Lt. William S. Sims.
Footnote 2: The Spanish Squadron under Vice Adm. Manuel de la Cámara y Libermoore attempted to reach the Philippines, but were ordered to turn around at the Suez Canal on 23 July 1898. Trask, War with Spain, 282-83.
