Letter of Daniel Webster to Sec. of the Navy, William Preston, under President Taylor,
Relating to Coll F. T Lally of Hallowell, Maine.

Sprague's Journal of Maine History
No.  II
Vol.  VII
AUG. SEPT. OCT 1919
pages 99

LETTER OF DANIEL WEBSTER TO THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY UNDER PRESIDENT 
TAYLOR, RELATING TO A MAINE MAN.

(Contributed by Raymond Fellows of Bangor.)

In a note to the editor Mr. Fellows says:  "The enclosed was secured by a Portland 
soldier, who in company with a squad of other Union men visited the home of the Prestons 
in Smithfield, Virginia, during the Civil War.

I am not sure about Lally, but think his home was in Hallowell.  So far as known this 
was never before published.

Washington April 5, 1849.
To the Honble Wm. B. Preston Sec. of the Navy;

Sir,

I beg to recommend to your favorable consideration Col. F. T. Lally, of Maine, a civil 
Engineer of great merit and ability.

Col Lally was at the head of the Corps of Civil Engineers of the American Party in the 
late joint Commifsion for running and marking the line of Boundary under the Treaty of 
Washington. The Superintendence of that Commifsion belonged to the Department of State; 
& I had consequently full opportunity of becoming acquainted with the merits & talents 
of the Gentlemen composing it.  Col. Lally was regarded, by both the American & British 
commifsioners, as equal, at least, to an officers of either Party.

At the breaking out of the late War with Mexico, Col. Lally was appointed a Major, 
in the 9th Infantry, & for his gallant conduct in the field rec'd a Brevet promotion.  
There is little reason to doubt, that if his political sentiments had accorded with 
those of the late Administration he would have been Commifsioner for running the line 
between the United State & Mexico, under the late Treaty Col Lally is capable of 
rendering efficient Service, in any of the Navy Yards, or other Stations, in the 
construction of Docks, Embankments, or other works, requiring the Superintendence of
an Engineer.  Having great personal regard for Col Lally, & in the full consciousnefs 
that the Public would derive essential benefit from his employment in its service, 
I shall be quite gratified to hear that he has attained the object of his wishes.



I have honor to be,
with great regard,
Your Ob. Servant
DANIEL WEBSTER


(c) 1998
Courtesy of the Androscoggin Historical Society
<http://www.rootsweb.com/~meandrhs>  
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