51To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor, to enclose a Letter from John C: Jones Esquire on behalf of the Committee at Boston, recommending William Parsons for Surgeon’s Mate to the Boston—Nehemiah Macombe for Sailing Master—Moses Allen for Purser—and Joseph Beale—Henry S Butler Jaazaniah Tucker Clark—Abel Lincoln junior Joseph Cordis & Benjamin Conant for Midshipmen—; and also a Letter to John C. Jones Esquire,...
52To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a letter from Mr Jones; Chareman of the Committee for building the Boston Frigate, recommending Doctr Vinton for the appointment of Surgeon to that ship:—and also, a letter to Mr Jones, containing a commission for Doctr. Vinton, which will require your signature if you think proper that the appointment should be made. I have the honor to be / with the highest...
53To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 2 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this Day recd. from Capt. Truxtun his resignation of his commission in the Navy. If Decatur who is here employed in superintending the building of the Merchts. Frigate, which they wished him to Command, prefers her to the Constellation; then I shall immediately send a Pilot boat for Capt Barron; at Norfolk, who is quite equal to the Command of the Constellation. I have the honor to be /...
54To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 22 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Mr Constable of New York, one to him from Capt Truxtun—and a copy of my answer to Mr Constable, which I hope will meet your approbation. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir Yr. most / Obed Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
55To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 18 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 10th. on the subject of Mr Parker: and there being room for Lieutenants, I have this Day forwarded to him a commission. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir Yr. most / Obed Servt MHi : Adams Papers.
56To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Sloop of War, building at Newbury port, will soon be in want of Officers—Timothy Newman of that place, Nephew to, or Cousin of Col Pickering, has been very well recommended to be Master & Commandant of that Vessel. He has long been an applicant, & in the Winter I enquired particularly of Mr Goodhue, his Character—and his account of him, was very favorable. If he meets with your...
57To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I once hoped that Talbot might sail by the 15. June, & get to the West Indies by the 1st. of July, & after cruising there a month, until the commencement of the Hurricane season, about the 1st. of August, might at that time proceed towards the Spanish main, & there employ his ships in smaller objects, until it would be safe for him to return again to the West India Station. But it is probable...
58To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
You will have heard, before the rect. of this, of the return of the Genl. Greene—Capt. Perry, to Rhode Island. This unfortunate circumstance arises from the necessity the Captain was under, of going into Port at the Havanna, to repair, damages he had sustained in a gale of Wind—& in port his Crew caught the Yellow Fever, by which he has lost upwards of 20 men, & had on his Arrival 37 Sick....
59To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Arrangement of the Rank of the Captains in the Navy, is a Subject which will soon demand attention.— It will I believe 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 the any service. The paper enclosed No. 1, details particularly, the circumstances...
60To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 17 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
From information from Boston, I find that order can best be promoted on board of the Constitution, which Ship has been most miserably managed heretofore, by removing some of the officers into other ships, and filling their places with others—Lt. Beale is said to be a young man, who promises well, but is too young & inexperienced to act as first Lieutenant on board of such a Ship—Lt. Jarvis is...
61To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Having no Blank Commissions and Warrants with yr Signature on hand, I do myself the honor to enclose forty of each for your signature— I have the honor to be with / the greatest respect & esteem, / sir, your most obed hbl servant MHi : Adams Papers.
62To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose Sixty blank Warrants for your Signature.— The inferior Officers of the Delaware Pickering Scammel, Frigate United States and vessels to the southward together with the different midshipmen formerly appointed many of whom had not received Warrants, have nearly taken the whole of those formerly received from you.— The resignations and changes among the inferior...
63To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
There are seven Captains wanted, and they must be soon called into service.—There are wanted also, a great many Lieutenants, & several Masters & Commandants. Lieutenant Prebble, originally appointed first Lieutenant of the Constitution, from all the information I can receive of him, ought to have been a Captain from the beginning Lieutenant Rogers, appointed first Lieutenant of the...
64To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
In letters to Capt Barry, by Capt Tingey dated the 16 March, He was directed to send Nicholson to Boston without delay, and Fletcher in the George Washington, to Rhode Island. It was supposed that by the time these Vessels could arrive, our Coast might require some attention. By a letter Just recd. from Barry, a copy of which I do myself the honor to enclose, it appears probable, that both...
65To 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...
66To 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...
67To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 23 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter Just recd. from Capt Little, who writes like a man of Spirit & enterprize—and such I have no doubt, he will turn out to be. The object of Our arrangement with Toussant was to come in for a share with the British, of the Trade of St. Domingo—The British seem intirely excluded—& indeed our own Vessels from British Islands are denied admittance—Ships belonging...
68To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 14 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 8t.—Capt Truxton resigned on the ground that he was injured in rank by the confirmation of Talbot in his original Rank. I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of my letter to him communicating the decision & his answer. He still keeps the command of the Constellation, Barson not having arrived from Norfolk, tho’ hourly expected. Barson will well supply...
69To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 18 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a sett of warrants, corresponding with those you were pleased to sign for the officers of the Portsmouth— Mr. Shaw will be so good as to furnish the dates of such Commns. & Warrants, as you may sign & issue I have the honor to be, / with the highest respect & Esteem / sir Yr Most Obed. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
70To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I recd. only on Saturday evening, the letter from Capt Nicholson, of which the enclosed is a copy. It is I think, highly probable, that the Ship brought into Hampton by Nicholson, belongs to, or has been hired by, that unfortunate class of Frenchmen, who call themselves Loyalists, & who adhering to the British ‘till a place of Refuge is denied them in the West Indies, come to America as the...
71To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
If it meets with your approbation, I will send as soon as possible, two Vessels at least, to cruise about Surinam & Cayenne—one or two to cruise about Curicoa and the Spanish main—three or four will be necessary to be kept in the neighbourhood of the Havanna, and a greater number must be kept about Guadaloupe; and altho’ I beleive there is have no necessity for it, yet to quiet the...
72To 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...
73To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 27 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
By the Brig Norfolk, Capt Williams, I have letters from Capt Truxtun, of the 6th. March—The Insurgents had not proceeded on a Cruise, but was nearly ready I have also recd. a letter from Capt Decatur, of the 5th. March—He had just captured a small French schooner, of one 9 pound Gun—& 26 Men. The papers of which the enclosed are copies, were sent by Truxtun, who continues to speak of the great...
74To 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.
75To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 23 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to receive, in my absence in Maryland, your letter of the 10th. Ulto.—And being at such a distance from the seat of Government, it was out of my power to co-operate in the enquiry you were pleased to direct, on the subject of the meeting of Congress in Philadelphia. The present severe weather it is supposed has intirely eradicated the remains of the pestilence which has so...
76To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have this Day sent on to Capt Talbott, his Instructions, to proceed to Norfolk—where he will join Capt Barry & receive further orders.— Capt Barry sailed yesterday—the Delaware will be out next Tuesday, & the Scammel about the same time. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & esteem / sir Yr most obed Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
77To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 26 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose copies of a correspondence Just recd, between Capt Truxtun, & Genl. Desfourneaux—Truxtun expected to get the Insurgents to Sea, about the 3d. March; having a good prospect of picking up Men enough from the Islands, to Man her. The Newspapers give an accot. of Barrys having captured a French privateer, & recaptured an English Armed Ship—and of the two Cutters under...
78To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 28 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a letter to Capt Sever, covering Warrants for John Lee, Samuel Folson, John Varnum, Saml. W. Cushing, Thomas Homan, Henry Wadsworth, & Woodward, to be Midshipmen in the Navy:. which will require your signature, should you think fit that the Appointments should be made. They are all wanted for the Congress & have been selected & recommended by Capt. Sever. I...
79To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 28 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Committee for building the Ship at Boston, recommend in strong terms, Mr Haswell to be Lieutenant—and as they express impatience to know early whether they can be gratified, I have taken the liberty to enclose a commission for him, under cover to Mr Jones. If you Sir, think proper to appoint Mr Haswell, the letter for Mr Jones may go on to him—otherwise, returned to me. I have the honor to...
80To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 5th Inst enclosing two letters from Captain Talbot—I cannot express the mortification they have given me— I fear Captain Talbot has not met with much Candour in his intercourse with the World, or he would not have urged as one of his reasons for declining the Service, a Suspicion of my want of confidence in him directly in the teeth of my whole...
81To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have sent a comt. of surgeons mate of the Genl. Greene, to Doctr. Metcalf of Providence. I will write to Mr Bowman, on the subject of his Island, & will also endeavour to get information from others. A great many persons offer land containing the live Oak in Georgia; and each also describes his property as best suited for the purposes of Government.—from the information I have as yet...
82To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have not heard of the Arrival of the George Washington, Capt Fletcher, at Newport—but not doubting, that she is now there, and that she must be ready to sail by the time orders arrive; I shall this Day send on Capt Perrys Fletchers Instructions to proceed on a cruise keeping near the Coast, as far as the River St. Marys—And from thence to the Havanna—To wait three or four weeks in the...
83To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 29 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a letter from Capt Perry, on the Havanna station—It appears from this letter—as well as letters from the Consul to the Secy of State, that our Vessels are freedy admitted into the Havanna, except when they go from British ports—and the behaviour of the Govr. to Perry was something more than polite. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem...
84To 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...
85To 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...
86To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Agreeably to your Letter of 12th instant, I have the honor to enclose a Warrant for Mr. George Barrell, which requires your signature.—He is ordered to join the Congress Capt. Sever— I have the honor to be, / with the greatest respect, & / Esteem, sir, your most obed hbl servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
87To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 8 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter from Doct. Mason F. Coggswell, recommending Doctor Edward Field for the appointment of a Surgeon’s Mate—Also a Letter to Doctor Edwd. Field, covering his Commission, which will require your signature, should you think fit that the appointment should be made—There have been very few appointments from the state of Connecticut, comparatively—This young...
88To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 11 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from Capt Truxtun of the 16h. March, with the late correspondence between him & Genl. Des fourneaux. With respect to the Schooner taken by him—his course should have been, to have sent her to America—or, if he could not spare men to navigate her, he should have laid her up at St. Kitts, until his own return. The Laws, & his Instructions, direct...
89To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 29 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have sent to the Secy at War, the letter you honored me with, of the 22nd. instant, inclosing the application & recommendation of the Revd. Samuel Sargeant—to be a Chaplain. The application is, to be a Chaplain in the Army. If the Navy would be as agreeable to him, He could, I presume be appointed to the Congress, Capt Sever. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir...
90To 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,...
91To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 23d. Inst.—The alteration directed, shall be made in the Register of Capt Talbotts commission—and I beg leave to add, without any regrets arising from my opinion on that subject being over-ruled. I never doubted that Talbot had merit equal to any man in our Service, notwithstanding his unwarrantable suspicion of my want of confidence in him, nor shall my...
92To 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.
93To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter Just recd. from Capt. Tingey. I have the honor to be / With the highest respect & esteem / sir Yr most Obed Sert. MHi : Adams Papers.
94To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 29 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 24h. Inst—In consequence of which I now enclose a letter I recd. from Capt Talbot on the subject of his Officers— Not deeming it proper to send on a second Captain to Act on board the Constitution—and not having the power of sending on to Act as first Lt., a fit person older in comn. than Lt. Beale. I saw no way of getting things right in that Ship, but to...
95To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 31 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Ebenezer Bushnell of Lebanon in Connecticut, is recommended, is recommended by Mr. Swift of Windham—and by Mr Wolcott, as a very deserving man, and well qualified to be a purser in the Navy. A purser is wanted for a ship at Baltimore—and another for one building at New London. I have the honor to enclose a letter to him, covering a Warrant, which will require your signature, if you approve of...
96To 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...
97To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a Letter from Genl. Hamilton, recommending Mr. Frederick N. Hudson for the Appointment of Midshipman in the Navy—Capt. Talbot is desirous of having this young Gentleman with him—I have therefore, enclosed his Warrant, which will require your signature, if you think fit that the Appointment should be made. I have the honor to be, sir / with the greatest respect &...
98To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 21 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter to Joseph Whitmore, covering his Warrant as a Sailing Master in the Navy, which will require your signature, should you think fit that the Appointment should be made. He is well recommended by the letters enclosed—and is wanted for the ship Warren. I have the honor to be, with the / greatest respect & esteem, sir, / your most obedt. servt. MHi : Adams...
99To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 9 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter to Mr. Lemuel Little, covering his Warrant, as a Sailing Master, which will require your Signature, should you think fit, that the appointment should be made— This Gentleman is intended for the Frigate Congress, Capt Sever, by whom he is strongly recommended—He is brother to Capt. George Little, of the Boston. I have the honor to be, with / the...
100To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have not yet recd official accounts of the capture of the French 20 Gun Ship by Nicholson—But the account comes so well authenticated from different quarters, that the fact is not to be doubted. I hope this Ship will prove a useful addition to our Navy. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir Yr. most / Obed. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.