41From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 18 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Mr. William Gray of Salem, a capital Merchant of that place called on me to request a Convoy, for an hundred sail of American vessels now at the Havanna, watched by twenty or thirty French Privateers. I desired him to write to you and to pray you to afford them a Convoy, if possible. Mr. Simmons of Charleston SC on a visit to me Yesterday informed me, that Dispatches & Petitions to Government...
42From 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,...
43From 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.
44From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 25 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
Sometime ago, Capt. Nicholson made me a visit in order to lay before me some complaints against the conduct of the naval agent at Boston, Mr. Stephen Higginson. I told him, that complaints of that kind, if made to me at all, ought to be made in writing. In consequence of which, he has sent me the inclosed letter of July 21st, and a copy of a memorandum, signed by himself & copies of extracts...
45From 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.
46From 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.
47From 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.
48From 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...
49From 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...
50From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
It always gives me pain, when I find myself obliged to differ in opinion from any of the heads of department, but as our understandings are not always in our own power, every man must judge for himself.—In the case of Capt Talbot, I am perfectly clear in my own mind, that he has been a Captain in the Navy of the United States, from the time of his appointment in 1794 to this hour—that a legal...