Instructions to Commanders of Armed Vessels belonging to the United States:— Given at Philadelphia, The tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety eight, and in the twenty third year of our Independence.— In pursuance of the Acts of Congress passed the 28th day of May, the 28th. day of June, & the 9th day of July;— You are hereby authorized instructed,...
2To John Adams from James McHenry, 17 December 1799 (Adams Papers)
We have examined the papers in relation to Mr. Pintard, in the hands of the Secretary of State, including his exculpatory letters to the President, and to the Secretary of State. It appears that Mr. Pintard while acting as Consul, carried on trade with parts of the Dominions of the Emperor of Morocco, at that time in Zebullion, and that he persisted in this trade after our Minister Mr....
3To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Mr Read Senator from South Carolina, containing an application for the appointment of midshipman, for the Son of Mr Izard. Altho there are midshipmen enough from So. Carolina, I presume it will be proper to gratify the wishes of so respectable a man as Mr Izard. I have Just recd information of the Arrival of Capt Bary at Newport, the 12th. Inst. which...
4To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am this Day honored with your two letters of the 19th. Inst. the contents of which shall be strictly attended to. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir Yr most / Obed Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
5To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Pickering, Capt Preeble, arrived at New York two or three Days ago—I expect the George Washington, Fletcher, is at New Port by this time. I will take the most decided steps, to get both these Vessels out immediately. Capt Preeble thinks the Pickering may be dispatched in a Week—she will be sent to near Guadaloupe,—where there remain The Ganges—Tingey The Baltimore—Barron The...
6To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
A Gentleman of Maryland, not long from France, where he was a Prisoner, but after a time was suffered to go at large, mentioned to me last night, that a Colo. Hickbourn had lately arrived at New York from France & had gone on to Boston, where he has connexions—that he was supposed by the Americans in France to be an Instrument of the French Govt.—and that tho’ he was ordered to leave France in...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
By direction of the President, I have the honor to enclose, for your information, a letter addressed to me by Mr Fitzsimmons, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia—and a copy of my answer. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, Your most obt Servt. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President elect”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Feb. and so recorded...
8To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter for Capt Talbot, enclosing a commission for your signature. Several letters have passed between Talbot & me, on the subject of the dispute between him & Truxtun—I have stated to him explicitly my opinion, that Truxtun must now be considered his Senior Officer—but promised him the whole should be laid before you, & that he should not serve with Truxtun,...
9To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have been so much engaged, in consequence of the Arrival of so many Vessels, that I have not been able to communicate so much information on the business of the Navy as I ought to have done. The United States—The Constitution, the Delaware, the Montezuma, the Herald, and the Revenue Cutters, Govr. Jay, the Virginia, the Scammel & Genl. Green, are all in different ports in the United...
10To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Capt Talbot arrived at Hampton roads the 15h. Inst—He writes me that he had not two hours fair wind from leaving Boston. He would leave Hampton for Cayenne, in two or three Days. I am moving this Day my office to Trenton—seeing neither courage, wisdom nor duty in remaining longer at Phila-.— which which I believe could not be done without very great, & unnecessary danger. I have the honor to...
11To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the Aurora of yesterday—beleiving that you do not take that paper. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & / esteem Sir Yr. most / Obed. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
12To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter from Dwight Foster Esquire, recommending Mr. Joseph Willitson for the Appointment of Midshipman; also a Letter to Mr. Willitson, enclosing a Warrant, which will require your Signature, should you think fit that the appointment should be made. I have the honor to be, sir, / with the greatest respect & Esteem, / yr. most obedt. hble servt. MHi : Adams...
13To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 27 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to mention Mr James M Lingan, a very respectable Inhabitant of George Town – of long standing; of great integrity of Character – & great firmness—and in every way qualified to do credit to the Appointment of Marshal for the District of Columbia—He will accept, if appointed. I have the honor to be / with great Respect sir / Yr. most obed. Serv. MHi : Adams Papers.
14To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Congress, after her very long detention at Norfolk, I have reason to hope will be ready to sail on the 15 ins.—to cruise a little while in those latitudes where the French Privateers have lately done most mischief—and then proceed to St. Domingo. The Insurgent too, will be ready to leave Baltimore about the same time, to cruise on the coast, & between the Coast and the Islands—The...
15To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 2 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Having information that Capt Little of the Boston will be ready for Sea, by the 10 Inst— I have the honor to enclose for your perusal, his Instructions. It having been determined, not to let it be known any where, until it could be known every where, that two ports in St. Domingo were to be open to our Trade, I have calculated Capt Littles Instructions, so that he is not to know his...
16To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 26 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter from John C. Jones Esquire recommending Capt. Joseph Saunders, for a Lieutenancy in the Navy—and a Letter to Capt. Saunders, enclosing his commission, which will require your signature should you think fit that the Appointment should be made—As Lieutenants will soon be wanting in that country, I should presume from Mr. Jones’ representation, that Capt....
17To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I should have replied to your letter of the 8 Inst, before this time, had it not mentioned your intention of setting out on a Journey. I am since honored with yours of the 21st. I have no motive but truth, in saying that there is no man known to me by Character only, to whose wishes I would pay so much respect as yours—that I think you have such claims on this Country & this Govt.—that to...
18To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 September 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed Capt Dale to repair to New Port, to act as President of a Court of enquiry on the conduct of Capt Perry as well in relation to the Danish Schooner, captured through his means, as some other matters. Had it been practicable to have Spared a sufficient number of officers to have formed a Court Martial, this course would have been pursued in preference. Perhaps some of the persons...
19To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 10 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The arrangement of the rank of Captains in the Navy, is a subject which will soon demand attention. It will I beleive be of great consequence to the character of our Navy, that the last four of the first six captains appointed, should be retained in the service. They seem to be men who would do honor to any service. The paper enclosed No. 1 details particularly, the circumstances connected...
20To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
By letters previously recd. from Stephen Higginson Esqr of Boston, I had been taught to expect that both the Herald, of 20 Guns, and the Boston Cutter, of 14 Guns, would have been prepared to Join Capt. Barry, at Cape Cod, or Nantasket road, about the 20th. Instant. Barry arrived at the place of destination about the time appointed, but found the Boston Vessels in an unprepared state; and I...
21To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 29 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
After having obtained your approbation of an enterprize to the Court of Spain &c for the two largest Frigates, it is painful for me to propose a different arrangement. But So much time has elapsed in getting the Constitution to Sea—& I have no accot. that she has yet got out; that I fear it would be the 15. of August, before the two Frigates could leave Hampton for Europe—they can Safely...
22To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 1 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A Capt Robinson, who superintends the Merchants Frigate at New York, has been recommended to command a Frigate. He was yesterday introduced to me, by Mr. Wattson of New York, with high commendations. The Captains of our larger Vessels, should possess good Sense, & real Bravery—& of our smaller Vessels—Bravery, at least. Will you be so good as to tell me what kind of a Man, this Robinson really...
23To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter to Capt Little, covering Warrants for Saml Bullen Saml. G. Jerald } to be Midshipmen Jno G Norwood Edward Durant —Gunner James Potts —Boatswain James Howe —Carpenter These Gentlemen are recommended in a Letter just received from the Committee at Boston, & are intended for that Frigate, which I hope is on the eve of Sailing—Their Warrants, if you think...
24To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Both the Ganges, and the Warren, have been driven from their station at the Havanna, by the Sickness of their Crews. The Ganges arrived at New Castle a few Days ago, and the Warren I expect is by this time at Norfolk. I am taking measures to send the Delaware to the Havanna, without delay, that our Commerce to that place, at this moment unprotected, may not be long exposed to the depredations...
25To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 8 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose the Aurora, because it contains an address from Genl. McPherson—& one from a German Clergyman, to the Insurgents. The Accounts from Northampton, are that the People are very much alarmed; & that there is not the least shew of resistance— I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & esteem / sir yr. most obed Serv. MHi : Adams Papers.
26To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
If Capt. Talbott persists in declining the Command of the Constitution—I presume Capt. Sever will be quite equal to that service. For my own part, I have thought very highly of him, from his correspondence, and Capt. Murray informs me, that there was hardly a Vessel in our service, where better discipline was kept up than in the Herald, which he attributed in a great degree, to the good...
27To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from Mr Sewell—and my answer, to be forwarded, if it meets with your approbation. I have consulted the heads of Departments on this subject, but the opinions are so various, that I could only write give my own to Mr Sewell. Coll. Pickering thinks the convoy ought to be granted.—But there is scarcely a considerable port in Europe, to which...
28To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to your command, I have endeavoured to give to the important question you were pleased to suggest—Whether it would be proper for the President to recommend, in his speech to Congress, a declaration of War against France, all the consideration permitted by the shortness of time, & my own scanty means,—the result, I will now do myself the honor to lay before you. Knowing that this...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor, by permission of the President, to enclose for your information & consideration, letters Just recd. from the West Indies .—Also a copy of the Instructions given to Capt Barry , the Commanding officer on the Windward Station—at a time when it was not known whether the Treaty with France would, or would not be ratified. All our other Public Vessels have recd. similar...
30To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 11 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a letter to Capt Tryon, covering Warrants for Loudon Baley, Sailing Master, Joseph Dorr, George Tryon, Owen Tudor & Matthew Talcott, for Midshipmen: which will require your signature should you think fit, that the appointments should be made. These Gentlemen, are wanted for the Connecticut, & have been named to me by Capt. Tryon. I have the honor to be, / with...