Edwin V. Sumner to William H. Gardner, July 13, 1861

Capt. WILLIAM H. GARDNER, Commanding Navy-Yard, Mare Island, Cal.: CAPTAIN: I think with you that we must take care of ourselves in the first place, but just at this time it may be well for ús to extend what assistance we can to other branches of the service, for it might be embarrassing to us to have vessels captured for the want of an armament that we could have furnished. lam going to issue guns to the liners, and if you can lend a ship carriage for a brass 24-pounder for the cutter Joe Lane, I will have the gun and ammunition furnished from Benicia. If you prefer it, Captain McAllister will exchange guns with you for a time, giving you one mounted on a field carriage.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,