Documents relating to the case of the United States frigate Mercury, under the command of George Washington Eayrs, captured by Spanish authorities off the coast of California in 1813, 1820-1841.

0.21 linear ft. (1 box)

Spanish

In Spanish.

Purchased from the William Reese Company on the Frederick W. and Carrie S. Beinecke Fund for Western Americana, 2002.

George Washington Eayrs, merchant and commander of the United States frigate Mercury, was captured with his vessel off the coast of California in 1813. Eayrs, initially engaged in the mercantile trade between Boston, the Northwest and China, had become involved in illegal but highly profitable commerce with Spanish ports in California. As punishment for his transgression, the Mercury was seized, confiscated, and later run aground by Spanish authorities.

Legal documents, reports, certificates, petitions, and receipts relating to the 1813 smuggling case of George Washinton Eayrs. Includes estimate and list of losses by Eayrs; a defense of Captain Nicholas Noé's confiscation of goods; requests by Captain Eayrs and his agent, William Eayrs, for compensation from the Spanish and later, the Mexican, government; a chronological review of the court proceedings prepared by Joseph Connor, Eayrs's lawyer; and several legal opinions produced by the court regarding Earys's claims and settlement.

July 16, 2003

Documents Relating to the Case of the United States Frigate Mercury. Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Documents Relating to the Case of the United States Frigate Mercury. Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Legal documents - Mexico - 19th century.