Luce, Stephen Bleecker, 1827-1917

Commissioning certificate to commodore, dating from 25 November 1881, signed by President Chester A. Arthur and William H. Hunt, Secretary of the Navy, on 20 December 1881.

Commissioning certificate to lieutenant, dating from 16 September 1855, signed by President Franklin Pierce and James C. Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy, on 24 July 1856.

Genealogical chart of the descendants of Vinal Luce (1782-1856) and Charlotte Bleecker (1789-1858) prepared by John B. Hattendorf. Measures 11"x 27".

Certificate appointing Luce Honorary Commissioner to Spain, for the World's Columbian Exposition to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America, held in Madrid in 1892.

Letter from Captain Stephen B. Luce to Nathaniel Banks, January 9, 1879, relating to a bill in Congress for increasing by 750 the Navy’s complement of seamen. New York, N.Y.

Letter to Samuel DuPont requesting assignment to his squadron.

Autographed letter signed from Luce in USS Minnesota, to John G. Walker, 1878, discussing indiscriminate restoration to the active list of naval officers. Each case should be referred by Congress to a board of naval officers for decision. States that Captain Law will be restored to his position as well as others.

Holograph letter signed to Thomas Gibbons, regarding Luce's account of Commodore Biddle's visit to Japan in 1846 and his desire to post a reward in Annapolis newspapers for the loss of Biddle's illustrations of the Columbus and Vincennes.

Autographed letter signed to Thomas Gibbons on USS Santee, with envelope, regarding his sending a photograph, finding the book Tales That Were Told, and the location of "The Cumberland's Crew" in his book of naval songs.

Letter on U.S. Naval Academy letterhead to Commodore Andrew A Harwood, USN, regarding the lack of parade or show exercises in the winter. He invites him to come when the weather improves and mentions his petition to reorganize the Navy.