1To 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...
2To 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.
3To 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...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 18 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
My health & my private affairs have for sometime required more of my attention than the duties of my office would permit me to give to them; and I have therefore been anxious to relinquish my official situation, which would have been done before this time, had Mr Adams been re-elected, for in that event he could have found no difficulty in supplying my vacancy. Thus circumstanced, I hope you...
5To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
The bad weather prevented my doing myself the honor of calling this morning, to mention, at the request of some Members of Congress—that the Judiciary bill would be taken up in the House of Representatives tomorrow—& be passed upon. As the bill proposes a reduction of the Judges to five—and as there are already five Judges in commission, it is suggested that there might be more difficulty in...
6To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have done myself the honor, in pursuance of your instructions, to throw together, in the enclosed paper, a few Ideas, which appear to me to be proper, in the Presidents Speech to Congress. Other matters – particularly our relations with the other Powers of Europe besides France – the state of Agriculture; the prosperity of our Commerce; – & the situation of the Revenue, are so much better...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Law requiring that the sentence of a Court Martial, for the dismission of a comd. officer, shall not be executed until approved of by the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose for your consideration, the proceedings of a Court on Lt. Marner, of the Frigate Adams. The charges imply a degree of insubordination which cannot be tolerated in the Navy, without producing...
10To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 18, enclosing papers respecting the conduct of Capt Perry, towards the Danish schooner, William & Mary. The Gentlemen at whose request you transmitted me these papers, may be assured that a strict scrutiny shall be made into this affair—& that no proper step shall be omitted to vindicate the Character of Capt Perry, if innocent, or to punish him, if guilty....
11To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 21 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose sailing orders for Capt Little, to be forwarded to him, if they meet with your approbation. Capt Truxtun, informed me by letter, that it was your desire he should be sent as early as possible to Guadeloupe. I have accordingly hastened all in my power his preparations, and I hope he has sailed from New York in the Frigate President, before this Day. I have the honor...
12To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 14 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 3d. & 6h. Inst.—I have in consequence of the first, written to Capt Morris, & to Mr Duer, and have no doubt, the business respecting Mr Duer will be so managed as to admit of this Young Gentlemans release without injury to the Discipline of the Navy. Lt. Elison, who has been most offended by Mr Duer—and who caused him to be arrested, will I expect, on...
13To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 13 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 31 ult—and have in consequence directed a remittance to be made to Docr. Putnam of 10000 dollars towards the purchase of ground for a Ship yard & a Dock yard at Charleston. On the subject of the Purchase of the 47 1/2 acres of ground at Charleston, for a Ship yard and a Dock yard, I beg leave to observe that there has been no special appropriation for the...
14To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 11 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Some of the officers of the Boston, have resigned, and others I understand, intend resigning. The Ship will probably be delayed for want of Officers, unless you will please to take the trouble to direct Mr Shaw, to fill up the Commissions & Warrants which I have the honor to enclose, or as many of them as may be necessary, with the names of Gentlemen ready for immediate Service, to fill the...
15To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose copies of sundry papers, as a list at foot, Just recd. from Captn. Talbote. Lt. Maley who is mentioned in these papers, has arrived in the Delaware, in the Schooner Experiment, and is now performing quarantine. From his letters to me, the Schooner will require considerable repairs before she can go to sea again, which I shall take measure to have made without...
16To 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...
17To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 7 June 1800 (Adams Papers)
All the papers of both the War & Navy Departments are packed up for removal, & will proceed towards Washington, on monday—I mean to set out with my Family early on monday morning, & hope to arrive at Geo. Town, on Saturday the 14th.— I have the honor to be / with great respect / & esteem sir Yr. most / Obed. Serv. MHi : Adams Papers.
18To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have this day received your two Letters of the 31st ulto to the Secretary of War, and transmit, agreeably to your request, a Copy of the List of recent promotions in the Army. I have considered your proposition of uniting the two Battalions of Artillery, but, the President being absent from the City, the regular Successor of Mr. McHenry not yet arrived, and myself ignorant in many...
19To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 28 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Mr Marshalls letter of acceptance arrived this morning. Mr Lee has written, but lest one letter should not overtake you, & knowing you will be anxious on this subject, I have taken the liberty, to address one note to you, at York Town, another at Fredk. Town. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / and esteem sir yr most / Obed Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
20To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor of your direction of this Days date, for me to take upon myself the charge of the War Office, and to exercise all the Functions of Secretary of the Department of War, from the first Day of June, or from the time Mr. McHenry shall leave the office, until a successor regularly appointed & commissioned, shall appear to relieve me; which I shall attend to with great cheerfulness,...
21To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 8 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
Influenced by no motive but a desire to promote the popularity of the Presidents Administration, & the Public good, which in the present posture of American affairs, He beleives to be inseperable, The Secretary of the Navy ventures to obtrude some observations on the subject of a successor to Mr McHenry. All the present secretaries are from States on the North side of Patomak—That portion of...
22To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Navy, has the honor to submit, for the consideration of the President, the following observations. No express provision was made by Congress, for establishing Navy Yards, for building the first six Frigates directed by Law; but as Vessels so large could not be built without first erecting Wharves, or extending Wharves before erected, both these things were done—and in...
23To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 23 April 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Secretary of the Navy, in obedience to the order of the President, respectfully submits the following observations on the matters of reference to the heads of Departments. The proposed letter of the Secretary of State, in answer to Mr. Liston’s notes of the 2d and 4th February, demanding the restitution of American vessels captured by British ships, and rescued by their own crews, appears...
24To 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....
25To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose my Ideas on a few of the points proper to be noticed in the Speech to Congress. I have said nothing about the Penna. insurrection, the begining of that business being better understood by Col Pickering, & the conclusion, by Mr McHenry, than by me. I have forborne any observations about spiolations by British Cruisers, & the extraordinary lengths to which the...
26To George Washington from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 October 1799 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 Oct. 1799. On 20 Oct. GW wrote Stoddert: “Your favor of the 16th instant was received this morning.”
27To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 23 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter to Mr. JTK Cox, covering his Commission as a Lieutenant in the Navy, which may be forwarded to him at Boston, should you approve his appointment. He has acted as a Midshipman, on board the Herald, since July 1798—and has been represented by his Commanders, as a gentleman worthy of promotion. He is intended for the Herald, where his services are at...
28To 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...
29To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 13 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 4 Inst, and cannot but lament that the accomodations to be obtained here, are very far inferior to such as would be suitable for the President of the United States. Indeed I am afraid none could be obtained which would not be extremely inconvenient & disagreeable to both Mrs. Adams & yourself. Yet having no motive unconnected with your honor & that of the...
30To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
A surgeon being wanted for the Ship Herald, I have taken the Liberty to forward a Commission for Doctr. Amos Windship, agreably to your Letter of 16th ultimo. I have the honor to be with the / greatest respect & esteem, sir, / your most obed servant MHi : Adams Papers.