350

Illustrated letter by an American sailor.

Rio de Janeiro, 4 March 1855
Autograph Letter Signed from Christian Bennett to a friend. 2 pages, 11 x 8¼ inches, plus integral blank; mailing folds and wrinkling, moderate wear not affecting illustration.

This letter by an American naval seaman is most notable for its lovely ink and watercolor view of the Rio de Janeiro coast. In the foreground are two ships, one bearing the American flag and the other Brazilian. 

The content describes the search for the USS Bainbridge, a ship in the Brazilian Squadron which had not been heard from since an October trip to the Falkland Islands and was feared lost. He notes "some disturbance up the River de Plate among the Brazilians" regarding an effort to survey "the river further up than any other foreign vessell yet has been." Shots were fired which "killed the man at the steamer's helm and wounded eight or nine others." He also describes a shore visit to celebrate the Emperor's birthday.

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