1From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the warrant for Mr. George Barrell to be a midshipman & inclosed it to his uncle Joseph Barrell Esqr. to be transmitted to him. This in answer to your favor of the 16th. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
2From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 13 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed recommendation of George Barrel from his uncle Joseph Barrel Esqr. to be a midshipman concurs with that of Mr. Thatcher and I request that you would send him a warrant. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
3From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 2 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last night yours of the 28th. On the 21st I wrote you approving of Talbot to command the Constitution, and shall think the days and hours long, till he arrives in Boston, where he will be liked. I depend much on him for the dispatch of the ship. McNeil will loose no time in obeying your orders. It has been difficult for Perry to get men nearer than Boston. With great regard MHi :...
4From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a Letter from Jesser Lewis which I recommend to your Consideration. General Marshall can probably give you more Information than the Letter contains or is known to your affectionate sert DNA : RG 45--Naval Records Collection.
5From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have read the proceeding against Lt. Mariner of the frigate Adams, inclosed in your favor of the 30 Aug, & upon due consideration of the whole, have approved of the justice sentence of the Court martial. I cannot however omit to express my anxiety, that so much irregularity should have occurred, as I fear from too much indulgence in the harbor of St Kitts. I pray you to impress upon all our...
6From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 11 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from John Davis Esqr, District Attorney at Boston, recommending Charles Angier to be a midshipman, & a letter from Charles Angier himself, requesting an appointment. I desire you would send him a warrant. You may inclose it to Mr Davis— With high regard MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
7From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 27 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the warrants inclosed in your letter of the 15th & sent them to J.C. Jones. His letter to you, I return & suppose you will comply with his request. I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
8From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 19 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received your letter of July fourth by Mr. Hudson, & immediately signed & delivered his commission & sent him down to the Ship. The ship has been three days detained by dead calms & contrary winds. She has fallen down as far as she could & will sail at the first fair breeze. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
9From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Capt Nicholson having a desire to converse with the Secretary of the Navy, concerning several subjects, relative to the public service, some of which he thinks personally, interesting to himself, has my permission to go to Philadelphia for that purpose. I am Sir with great esteem your most / obedient & humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
10From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the commission for Mr. Ebenezer Bushnell of Lebanon, & sent it on in your letter to him, inclosed in yours of the 31st Aug. to MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
11From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 3 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from the president & professor of divinity of our university recommending William Frothingham to be a chaplain on board of some frigate. I know not whether the commanders of our ships have given much attention to this subject—but in my humble opinion we shall be very unskillful politicians as well as bad christians & unwise men if we neglect this important office in our...
12From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 5 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are recommendations of Joseph Williston & Habijah Savage, to be midshipman to whom I pray you to send warrants. If they can be admitted on board the Boston I shall be glad—if not they may be appointed to some other ship MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
13From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 28 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Lieut Cordis which I recommend to your consideration MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
14From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 8 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The plan of operation in the naval service projected in your second favor of the third of June I like very well.—We must open the intercourse with St Domingo on the best terms we can provided the accounts from Steevens and Maitland will admit of it. I will not dissappoint those islandlers if I can help it. My greatest fears are that Maitland & Toussaint will not agree. The Constitution will...
15From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 30 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I rejoice that Captain Truxton is gone to Guadaloupe. But what shall we do with Capt Talbot & the constitution? Your orders to Capt Little, I will transmit to him by the first opportunity. His officers are all appointed & commissioned. This in answer to your favor of the 21st from your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
16From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 29 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose for your consideration, letters from Mr Reed member of congress, Doc Orr and Doc Dunbar recommending Mr Oliver Dunbar to be a surgeons mate. Their testimonials are respectable, and if you have no objection to the young gentlemen’s appointment there is none on the part of your humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
17From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 18 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I beg the favor of your ideas of the information and recommendations necessary or proper to be made to congress at their approaching session. Your observations on the mission to France, the rebellion in Pensylvania, the negotiations with St Domingo, the interuption of the board of commissioners & every other subject will be agreeable, but particularly every thing you judge proper to say on the...
18From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are the original letters copies of which I sent you yesterday—one from Turell Tufts Esqr. our consul at Surrinam of the 9th of July to Capt McNeil, the other of the 11th July from him to me. I pray you to expedite Talbot & still more force to that quarter as soon as possible. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
19From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 6 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Capt Seymour Potter of Boston with recommendations from several respectable characters for a lieutenancy in the Navy, from his appearance & behavior & the character I hear of him, I believe he will be a good officer, & if there is a vacancy, you may appoint him. Inclosed is a letter from lieutenant Haswell recommending his brother John Montresor Haswell to be a...
20From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I hereby request you on the 1st of June, or whenever Mr. McHenry shall leave the war office, to take upon you the charge of that office, and I hereby invest you with full power and authority to exercise all the functions of secretary of the department of war, and charge you with all the duties and obligations attached by law to that officer, until a successor regularly appointed and...
21From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 13 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed & return inclosed all the blanks which came with your favor of the 5th. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
22From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 18 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Mr. Otis & another from Mr. Bussey, recommending Mr. Payton Gay of Dedham to be an officer of marines. Enclosed also is a letter from Dr. Charles Blake requesting to be a surgeon in the army or navy. Dr. Blake served on board the constitution untill he was promoted in the army. I submit them all to your consideration With sincere esteem MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
23From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 28 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Elijah Brewer petitioning for a first lieutenancy in the navy and recommendation from Col Wadsworth and two other respectable gentlemen. It is His experience in service appears to demand deserve attention. I am Sir your most obedient / Servant MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
24From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 1 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
According to your request in your favor of 24th June, I return to you the commission for Timothy Newman to be a master commandant in the navy MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
25From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 12 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are recommendations of Henry Jackson Knox to be a lieutenant in the Navy & a petition for liberty to Capt. Brown to take some merchant vessels under convoy, which I granted—This petition you may file away. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
26From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 4 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the commissions for Lee, Folsom Varnum Cushing, Homan, Wadsworth & Woodward to be midshipman, and sent them in your letter to Capt James Sever, as you proposed in your favor of 28 ult. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
27From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 20 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
The letter you sent me is from Mr. Murray of the 1 of May at Paris. I return it inclosed to you, that you may consider the recommendation of Mr. Dan. Murray of Anapolis his relation, who is a midshipman on board the insurgent. If this young gentlemans merits will justify his promotion, of which you are better judge than I can be, my disposition to consent to it need not be doubted. With great...
28From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have considered your report of the 25 of April & concur with your opinions in general & pray you to carry them all into execution as fast as may be prudently done, excepting with regard to Portsmouth & Rhode Island, which will require some further consultation with you. The lands at Charleston I wish you to purchase immediately & that to the amount of 45 or 50 acres marked in the plan & to...
29From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 18 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 11, & have signed the commissions & Warrants inclosed, which I now return to you MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
30From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 5 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Samuel Wales requesting an appointment in the Marines. A certificate in his favor signed by many respectable characters in Bridgewater is also inclosed much in his favor. From the knowledge I have of him & his connections I believe him a good appointment if there are any vacances MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
31From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 1 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have sent your letter, with the commission inclosed, signed to Capt Talbot as you proposed in yours of 25 June. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
32From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 22 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Mr Senator Foster, recommending Dr Mason of Newport. Another from Mr Cabot, one from Dr. Tappan & another to him from Dr. Osgood, recommending the Rev. Mr. Samuel Sargeant to be a chaplain. Tappan & Osgood are divines of the highest characters among us. Mr Sargeant appears very worthy. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
33From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 12 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the commission for Dr. Edward Field of Enfield & sent it on in your letter to him. Dr. Cogswells letter to Mr. Wolcott I return to you. Knowing, esteeming & loving Dr. Cogswell I could not hesitate a moment to credit his recommendation. I hope every exertion will be made to get the congress to see. I have as good & as high an opinion of Capt Sever as you have expressed in a late...
34From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 31 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you the papers inclosed in your letter of the 24th. My knowledge of the Spanish language is not sufficient to give me much confidence that I understand the letters. We must wait for further information I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
35From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 5 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you a letter from McNeil of August 1st & 3d with two inclosures. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
36From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 3 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 27th of Aug. & return the commission for Captain George Cross signed, and I pray you to make out a commission for Capt. Patrick Fletcher, one day earlier. I am happy a convoy has been ordered for the trade of the Havanna. & am Sir / your most obedient &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
37From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 14 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have sent your letters to Jonathan P. Hitchcock & William H Williams, with their commissions inclosed, signed to be midshipman. I return you Mr. F. Fosters letter. This in answer to yours of the 8th. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
38From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 19 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Dr. Thomas Ruston, which I pray you to consider, & send for Dr. Ruston & converse with him on the subject of the navy lands he offers. I have the honor to be Sir your very humble / servant. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
39From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 10 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your two favors of the 3d. The constitution shall not be delayed by me. If Talbot cannot go, I will appoint Sever. Tis a choice of difficulties. Unpopularity, censure and reproach must attend every thing I do. Talbot in my opinion ought to rank from his appointment by Gen. Washington, but whether I shall risk a declaration of this opinion or risk an equal & more just censure,...
40From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 October 1800 (Adams Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Mr Joseph Woodward & another from Mr Thomas Amory. The first requests employment & the second recommends Mr Willliam Haswell to be a lieutenant in the navy. This is a brother of Mr Haswell already in the navy. I am with great esteem &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
41From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 24 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter of the 21st of this month from his Excellency Govenor Monroe, which I request you to consider & report to me the result of your examination A marine hospital at Norfolk, I suppose is necessary for the United States. With high esteem &c P.S. The constitution arrived in Boston harbor yesterday. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
42From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 22 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I return you the correspondence, between Truxton & Desfourneaux, inclosed in yours of the 11th. which I received on the 20th. I wish all the other officers had as much zeal as Truxton. What has become of them? We hear nothing of any but Decatur, Truxton & Murray. If you correct Truxtons ardor a little, as you ought to do, I pray you to do it very gently and with great delicacy. I would not...
43From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 17 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the commissions for Lt Wild & Clift inclosed in yours of the 11th & sent your letter with its inclosures to Mr J. C Jones MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
44From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 8 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Chief justice Dana. I pray you to send him for his son a commission or warrant as a midshipman by the name of Edmund Trowbridge Dana, & to assure him that he shall be put under Capt. Sever on board his frigate. I am &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
45From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 20 September 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a request from Edward Brewer, to be an officer in the army or marines. The certificates and recommendations are from good authority. I pray you to make him a Lieutenant of Marines. He will be likely to recruit for you as fast as any man. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
46From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 31 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a list of grounds, which I have determine to purchase for the United States for a Ship yard & a dock yard. Inclosed also is a platt of those grounds, & a letter from Aaron Putnam Esqr of the 29 of July. I pray you to authorize him, to purchase all the lands, according to the list & platt, & to transmit him the ten thousand dollars, to enable him to fulfill immediately the...
47From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Recommendations of John Cruft to be a Lieutenant in the Navy. He was mate of the ship, in which I returned from Europe in 1788 and he has Spent part of a Day with me here this month. From my own Knowledge of him I request your Attention to him in the first List of nominations. I am Sir with great regard / yours DNA : RG 45--Naval Records Collection.
48From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are letters from John Jones, Samuel Rankin, Thomas Laing & recommendations of the last which I transmit to you that they may appear on your records & files & receive your consideration. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
49From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 15 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is an essay on a naval academy, which Dr. Morse put into my hand yesterday, in a letter to him from Captain Robert Haswell. It deserves some attention. I direct it to you at Washington city, though as I have no letter from, you, since your arrival, I am not informed whether you are there or in Georgetown. Wherever you are I wish you health & happiness With great regard I am Sir yours...
50From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 27 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I enclose you some papers from Mr. Bradford Marshall of this district & a letter from some French officers prisoners at Wiscassett. I pray your attention to the subject & I believe it will be adviseable to give them all leave to return to France upon Parol, not to serve against the United States by sea or land I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.