Quarto bifolium (ca. x cm. or x in). 2 pp. of text. Docketed, stamped, and addressed on the verso of the last page. Brown ink on yellow laid paper. Fold marks, but overall a very good letter, written in a legible hand.

Historically important and one of the earliest manuscript letters written a few hours after the end of the Vera Cruse siege. The twenty-day blockade of Vera Cruz marked the Mexican-American War's final phase and culminated in Mexico's surrender on 29 March 1847.

The author, Wilkes Almy Slocum (ca. 1824-1848), originally from South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, was first a seaman and later a boatman near Vera Cruz during the Mexican-American War. On 21 February 1848, the twenty-four-year-old Wilkes “fell from the topgallant yard of the “Southerner” ship and was so much injured that he died soon after. His remains were buried at sea.” The Boston Journal. 6 March 1848.

The letter, dated 29 March 1847, is addressed to “Dear Mother,” Catharine Slocum (ca. 1797-1889), in South Dartmouth, MA. In the text, the author shares the latest news and talks about the siege of Vera Cruz, the American conquest of the city & castle, and the Mexican defeat. He also discusses an “unexampled” contrast in casualties between the parties and writes: “they lost only 16 men while the Mexican loss was nearly 3000.” In the rest of the letter, Slocum mentions his new job as a boatman, expresses hopes for a better situation & easier money, and speculates about the bright business future of Vera Cruz. Overall, a historically important letter written by a young boatman shortly after the end of the Vera Cruz siege and only months before his tragic death. 

The text of the letter (original spelling preserved): “You will doubtless be surprised at the caption of my letter but I’ve been tumbling about at sea till I’m tired + I obtained my discharge here + am now with Capt Wanton Dennis of New Port who is harbor master here, working as boatman at $25 per month for the present but hope in a few days to obtain a better situation. I am stationed out of the reach of harm + am situated that I have nothing to do that can place me in danger any more than at home + hope you will approve of my removal from the vessel as I hope to make a few dollars before I come home. I left New York on the 28th of Jany + arrived here some fortnight since after as – passage + this is the first opportunity I’ve had to write + hasten to let you here from me by the first opportunity but shall write again in a few days when I have a little more leisure + give you the whole particulars of the past, present + future. I have enjoyed the best of health since leaving home + am now in perfect health: Mr. Ogden formerly Sutter at fort Adams, Stewy Davis, Thomas Townsende, Benj Coit + Frank Garton from New Port are here so that it seems quite like house. The Americans took possession of the City + Castle to day after a weeks siege in which they lost only 16 men while the Mexican loss was nearly 3000 an unexampled action. It is a pleasant place + business here will be very brisk + I hope in a week or two to get a situation for two or three months that will enable to visit home with something in my pocket. Dear Mother + Sister you my be assured I shall be home as soon as if I had stayed by a vessel with more money + easier earned. I believe my letter is rather incoherent but I have but about two minutes to write + have to scrawl what comes first to mind but will write very soon + rather more connected. I must now close. Please give my love to Mumford + let him I will try + write him the next opportunity when I shall again write you, till when I remain as ever wholly yours while life lasts.”