121From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
We shall never get the constitution to sea, by any means that I know of. After much enquiry I found no body particularly accquainted with Talman, tho many knew him. All agreed that he was a man of property & respectable character. I accordingly sent on by the post your letter to him with his commission. Now I find he is not liked. I desired Talbot to make enquiry—the result you have in the...
122To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a Letter from Genl. Hamilton, recommending Mr. Frederick N. Hudson for the Appointment of Midshipman in the Navy—Capt. Talbot is desirous of having this young Gentleman with him—I have therefore, enclosed his Warrant, which will require your signature, if you think fit that the Appointment should be made. I have the honor to be, sir / with the greatest respect &...
123From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 8 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
The constitution employs my thoughts by day & my dreams by night. Capt. Talbot has written to you in his letter of the 7th of June, which I return. His candid & impartial opinions, according to the information he received. But Beale was absent by the advice of his physicians & Hull was present. I mean no insinuation by this against Mr. Hull, whose character is in my mind fair, & his conduct...
124From 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,...
125To 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...
126To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
If Capt. Talbott persists in declining the Command of the Constitution—I presume Capt. Sever will be quite equal to that service. For my own part, I have thought very highly of him, from his correspondence, and Capt. Murray informs me, that there was hardly a Vessel in our service, where better discipline was kept up than in the Herald, which he attributed in a great degree, to the good...
127To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 13 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 8th. Inst. Having sent by yesterdays mail all the papers relating to Talbotts claim of Rank—I will not add further on that subject. If Talbott will not continue in the Constitution, Sever, I would risk my life, would be found equal to the Command of her.—I am sorry for the prejudices which prevail against him, which arise in part from the his efforts to...
128To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I now do myself the honor to enclose letters from Capt Tingey—who appears to be a Judicious, attentive, active officer. I wish his commission was of older date. The Merrimack, Capt Brown, must have joined him very soon after the date of his last letter—she might have joined him before.—The Pickering sailed from New York, to join him, the 27. June—and the Delaware is now proceeding down the...
129To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 17 July 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose, agreeably to a request contained in a letter from Mr Shaw of the 9th instant, the regulations for the government of the Navy together with my report on the naval establishment. I have the honor to be, with / the greatest respect and esteem / Sir, / Your most Obd. Hb. St. MHi : Adams Papers.
130From 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.