Captain James Sever-- Part 8: Society of Cincinnati

The article showed a portrait miniature of James Sever that recently was sold and from the face, you can see that Mr. Morris' thoughts on his captain were confirmed.

James Sever left the U.S. Navy in 1801 and did not serve again, even though he was alive during the War of 1812.  He must have become persona non grata with someone.  In later years he became involved with the Massachusetts Society of Cincinnati (officers in the American Revolution).

According to historian Christopher McKee , Sever was "an avid and vocal Federalist" which might explain his presence at the launch.  The USS Constitution frigate was seen as a triumph for Boston federalists., while the Democratic press presented the ship  and the failed launches as little more than a costly farce.

It would have been easy for Sever to visit Boston, especially since the ship construction he was superintending had been halted.  But, that still doesn't explain why so few sources even mentioned him as being there.

--Brock-Perry