231To 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...
232To 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...
233To 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...
234From 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...
235To 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...
236To 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...
237To 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...
238To 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...
239From Benjamin Stoddert to Commanders of Armed Vessels, 10 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
Instructions to Commanders of Armed Vessels belonging to the United States:— Given at Philadelphia, The tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety eight, and in the twenty third year of our Independence.— In pursuance of the Acts of Congress passed the 28th day of May, the 28th. day of June, & the 9th day of July;— You are hereby authorized instructed,...
240To 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....