41To 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...
42To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 6 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose copies of letters this Day recd. from Capt. Murray,—being the only information I have recd. for several Days past, from our Vessels in the West Indies. Barry has a considerable force under his Command at Dominica—and I am mortified to find, that so late as the 18th March, no part of it had Visited Curacoa; a place particularly pointed out to his attention by his...
43From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 7 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of 28 ult. & have signed the commission to Lieut. Haswell, and sent it on with the letter to Mr. JC. Jones. I return you the copies of Capt. Truxtons correspondence with Gen. Desfourneaux, which is conducted on our part with dignity and propriety. Excepting perhaps that the respect to French property on board neutral vessels & to unarmed French vessels might as well...
44From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 8 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I forgot in my letter of this day to acknowledge the receipt of yours of 27 Ult. The attention our vessels experience from the British officers is very agreeable. The sentiment of Beauvarlet, that it is incumbent on all Europe to unite for the purpose of checking the progress of the United States, no doubt he thought very profound. It is true, there is an European jealousy against America, but...
45From 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.
46To 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.
47From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 10 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
Capt. Samuel Parker yesterday brought me the inclosed letters from Gen. Knox and Mr. Daniel Davis. Capt. Parker is so genteel a man that I think you may send him a commission as lieutenant immediately provided there is room for him. I should be glad to know by return of post your determination. I am Sir your most obedient MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
48To 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...
49From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 16 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of the 6th. and thank you for Captain Murray’s letters. I am also mortified to find that Barry has not given more attention to Curacoa. We must think of Surrinam and all the Dutch Possessions or we shall repent the Oversight. I am happy to learn that there is nothing to lead to an opinion that there will be any opposition in Northampton. I thank you for yours...
50To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from J C Jones, Chairman of the Committee for building a Ship at Boston; recommending Capt George Little, for the Command of that Ship. Presuming that you Sir, will think it proper to indulge the Committee at Boston, as has been the case in all similar instances, with the selection of the officers—I take the liberty to enclose in the letter for Mr Jones, a...
51To 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.
52From 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.
53To 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...
54To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 19th. April—and in consequence have enclosed in a letter for Capt Parker, his commission as a Lieutenant in the Navy, which requires your signature. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir yr. most / Obed Sevt. MHi : Adams Papers.
55From 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...
56To 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...
57From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 27 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the commission for Lieutenant Parker which was inclosed in your favor of the 19th & sent it to him with your letter & its inclosures. Your other favor of 19th contains matter of more importance. I own that the Navy has not afforded to our commerce that compleat protection which might have been expected from it, considering the vast inferiority of all the French force, both of...
58From 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.
59From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 30 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have signed the commissions inclosed in your favor of the 24 & shall send them in your letter to Capt Tryon to Weathersfield by the post. A report was brought to me yesterday from Boston that some of McNeils convoy had arrived at Newport. We must send a naval superiority to Surrinam. I hope with you that Barry has sent other ships there. I have the honor to be yours &c. MHi : Adams Family...
60To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from our Consul at the Havanna, to the Secty of State. It shews that a state of things which you have long foreseen, is commencing in the West Indies; & forebodes that the American Commerce may have more to apprehend from unauthorized Piracy, than any other. The spot upon which these Fellows have fixed themselves lies about sixty miles from...
61To 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...
62From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 8 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
The combination of a very few ideas has been sufficient to excite apprehensions that the West India islands would soon become a scene of pyracy. The dissolution of all principles, of morals, government & religion the formed repeal of the ten commandments by which it is become as lawful by which it is become as lawful to covet, steal, kill as it is to profane the sabbath or commit adultery—the...
63To 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...
64To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 11 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor, to enclose a Letter from Mr. Jones, Chairman of the Committee for building a Frigate at Boston, recommending William Wild and Nathaniel Clift for Lieutenants to that Ship; and also a Letter to Mr. Jones, containing Commissions for these Gentlemen, which will require your signature, should you think proper that the Appointments should be made. I have the honor to be /...
65To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Frigate United States arrived on Friday—The Montezuma Murray, the Herald, Russell, and the Revenue Cutters General Greene, & Scammel, have since come into the Delaware. The copy of Capt Murrays letters which I have the honor to enclose, contains every thing of importance by these Vessels.—Capt. Tingey has sent in a prize, a small Vessel, not yet come up to the City, tho she is, I...
66To 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,...
67To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the permission contained in the letter with which you honored me, of the 27th. Ulto. and expecting that the Constitution will arrive at Boston in a few Days, if she is not already there; I take the liberty to enclose a letter for Nicholson—If it meets with your approbation, it may be forwarded to him. Barry speaks favorably of Nicholsons conduct, in the West Indies. But as he...
68From 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.
69From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 19 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 10th & read Mr Sewals letter of 25 April & your answer. The reasoning in the latter is so satisfactory that I have determined to send it on to Mr Sewall tomorrow. Nevertheless I think with you that some of our fast sailing vessels might be employed to advantage in a cruise on the coasts of Spain & France during the hurricane season in the West Indias. Nor do I...
70From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 19 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 13th & the copies of Murrays letters, with the perusal of which, I have been highly delighted. I pray you that every exertion may be made to get to sea not only the vessels in the Delleware, but the Constitution & the Merrimack which are arrived in Boston Harbor. It will be ruinous to the crews & the reputation of the officers to lie long in port. Those that...