8-inch Brass Presentation Sextant

8-inch Brass Presentation Sextant, c. 1850, cast brass frame with riveted and screwed top plates, horizontal bar engraved Presented by the Lords of the Admiralty of Great Britain and Ireland to Mr. Alexander Baxter Master of the United States Ship Cleone, for the humanity and intrepidity displayed by him in proceeding to the rescue of the Crew of the British Brig Elizabeth of Harrington from the sinking wreck of that Vessel on the 29 Dec. 1851 , sliding index arm with vernier and magnifier, horizon mirror, sunshades, no 865 engraved under the arc scale, all in a fitted mahogany box with brass plaque reading the same as the instrument. Note: A letter appeared in the New York Times , Thursday, June 24, 1852, reading in part: "Hugh Maxwell, Esq. Collector of the Customs, NY, I transmit to you, herewith, a box containing a gold medal and a sextant which have been bestowed by the British Government upon Capt. Alexander Baxter, of the ship Cleone, of New York, for rescuing in December last, the master and crew of the British brig Elizabeth....."