191To 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...
192To 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...
193To 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...
194From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 3 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I know not whether the inclosed letter from Lady Catharine Duer has not excited too much tenderness in my feelings, but I cannot refrain from inclosing it to you & recommending it to your serious consideration. If it is possible without material injury to the discipline of the Navy, to accept of the resignation of this unhappy youth, I pray you to do it. I had almost said that this letter, at...
195From 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...
196From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 21 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I last night received yours of the 15th & have read your letter to Capt. Nicholson, inclosed in it which as I acquiesce in it I have sealed and shall send to him to day.—All things considered I think Talbot must be the Captain to succeed in the command of the constitution. Mr Crawleys letter mentioned in that of Gen. Smiths was not inclosed to me. The commerce with Guadeloupe will be opened by...
197To 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...
198To 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...
199From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 7 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for the details in your favor of the 29th May Captain Truxton has deserved well of his country and will as he ought, have their thanks, as well as yours and mine. But I should have been much easier on account of the safety of our commerce, if he had remained longer in the West Indies. The Merrimack has been detained by contrary winds but I believe is now gone. Talbot has arrived...
200From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 31 March 1800 (Adams Papers)
The President of the U.S. requests the Secretary of the Navy to employ some of his clerks in preparing a catalogue of books for the use of his office. It ought to consist of all the best writings in Dutch, Spanish French & especially in English, upon the theory & practice of naval architecture, navigation, gunnery Hydraulicks, Hydrostatick & all branches of mathematicks, subservient to the...