History of Saugus, (Essex County) Massachusetts United States of America

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Gustavus Vasa Fox, cabinet officer, was born in Saugus, Mass., June 13, 1821. He entered the U.S. navy as midshipman, Jan. 12, 1838, and attained the rank of lieutenant July 9, 1856. He served in the Mexican war and on the coast survey and resigned in 1856 to engage in manufacturing at Lawrence, Mass. General Scott in 1861 consulted with him in reference to affording relief to the garrison in the U.S. forts in Charleston harbor, and he was sent to Fort Sumter, where he had an interview with Major Anderson, and on his return was directed to relieve the garrison according to his proposed plan. Delays in obtaining ships and supplies retarded the expedition, and the knowledge of its preparation conspired to hasten the movements of the South Carolina troops, who commenced active operations. He arrived off Charleston while the fort was being bombarded and was allowed to carry the paroled garrison, including Major Anderson, back to New York. He then set out as captain of the Yankee, fined out at the expense of New York capitalists, for the relief of Washington, at the time cut off from communication with New York. He proceeded to the national capital, where he was appointed assistant secretary of the navy by President Lincoln, July 31, 1861. He is accredited with planning movements that led to the capture of New Orleans and the opening of the Mississippi river, and of selecting Commodore Farragut to lead the naval expedition. In 1866 he sailed in the Monitor Miantonomoh as an accredited agent of the government to carry to the Czar of Russia, Alexander II., congratulations for his escape from assassination, and while at St. Petersburg he determined the friendship of the Russian government and its willingness to sell the territory of Alaska to the United States, which resulted in its purchase by Secretary Seward in 1867 for $7,200,000. He was additional secretary of the navy from Nov. 26, 1866, to April 26, 1867, and then returned to Boston, Mass., where he engaged in manufacturing, He died in New York city, Oct. 29, 1883.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Saugus, (Essex County) Massachusetts

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