1From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, [8 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
Capt. Robert Hamilton , a first cousin of mine, is desirous of entering into our naval service. He is regularly bred to the sea which he has followed since he was fourteen years old. His opportunities have been of the best, among others that of voyages to the East Indies. I feel myself warranted in recommending him as an able well informed seaman—who adds to this qualification the sentiments...
2From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 10 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Instructions to the 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 twenty eighth day of May, the twenty eighth day of June, and the ninth day of July. You are hereby,...
3From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 10 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday your letter of the third of this month.—The Commissions inclosed I return signed, and approve of the List of officers.—The Heat of the weather from the day I left Philadelphia, has been excessive, and continues so to this moment.— I am Sir / yr. mo. obt & hume. Servt, MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
4From 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...
5From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 18 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from Mr Rutledge at Newport and recommendations from a great Number of respectable Inhabitants of Charleston in favour of George Cross to be a Captain in the Navy. To this Letter and these recommendations I pray you to pay a particular Attention. DNA : RG 45--Naval Records Collection.
6From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, [21 August 1798] (Hamilton Papers)
I, about a fortnight since, wrote to you on the subject of a relation of mine desirous of entering into our Navy and recommending him as a first Lieutenant; to which letter not having received an answer, I am apprehensive it may have miscarried. You will oblige me by your opinion as speedily as convenient how far there is a prospect for him. I anticipate that there may be scruples from his...
7From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 23 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are letters from John Jones, Samuel Rankin, Thomas Laing & recommendations of the last which I transmit to you that they may appear on your records & files & receive your consideration. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
8From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 29 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are Recommendations of John Cruft to be a Lieutenant in the Navy. He was mate of the ship, in which I returned from Europe in 1788 and he has Spent part of a Day with me here this month. From my own Knowledge of him I request your Attention to him in the first List of nominations. I am Sir with great regard / yours DNA : RG 45--Naval Records Collection.
9From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 29 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Your obliging letter of the 24 instant duly came to hand. The very polite ground on which you give me to expect your cooperation in procuring an appointment for Capt Hamilton has a very strong claim to my acknowlegement. In consequence of the information in your letter, I have seen Capt Talbot. He seems to expect an official notification from your department to ascertain and fix his own...
10From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 30 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are letters From Judge Law of Connecticut & Capt Hinman recommending Capt Richard Law jun. to be a Capt in the navy & commander of the armed ship now building at Middleton or any other that shall be thought proper. You will of course put these letters on file & the name of the candidate on the list. I have / the honor to be Sir your most humble servant MHi : Adams Family Papers,...
11From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 31 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I received last night the letter you did me the honor to write on the 25th. I had before received those of 30. 31 of July & 3d August & notwithstanding the heat of the weather my own ill health and the dangerous sickness of Mrs. Adams, I should not have failed to answer them, if I had perceived any thing in them to disapprove, or thought of any thing to improve your plans. I am equally well...
12From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 3 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 27th of Aug. & return the commission for Captain George Cross signed, and I pray you to make out a commission for Capt. Patrick Fletcher, one day earlier. I am happy a convoy has been ordered for the trade of the Havanna. & am Sir / your most obedient &c. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
13From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 3 September 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
Considering the great length of time before the Frigate here will be ready for sea—I have concluded that it may be expedient, if it can be effected, to have Capt. Hamilton appointed & assigned to some Southern Vessel which will sooner be ready. I imagine Cap Talbot will be glad hereafter to have him as an associate. If this can be conveniently managed in the proper time, it will give me...
14From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 6 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter to me of 4 of Septr and another to you of the same date from cap Daniel McNeill of the Navy, which I recommend to your consideration.— Have the Honor to be &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
15From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 10 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 1st of this month and thank you for the paper No. 1 which exhibits a view of the ships in service those which are building and their commanders. I return you the blank commissions signed and approved of the appointment of Capt. Tingey and Capt. Chapman, as you propose, and leave it to your discretion to appoint the other officers in the list, if nothing should...
16From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 19 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a Letter from Captain Patrick Fletcher recommending Captain John Cruft to be a Lieutenant in the Navy.—I have so good an opinion of this Captain Cruft from a personal Knowledge, that I desire you would place him on the List for Promotion among the first Lieutenants that Shall be appointed. Mr Breck of Philadelphia can probably give you Satisfactory Information concerning him. I...
17From George Washington to Benjamin Stoddert, 26 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
It will afford me pleasure to give you any information in my power, and any opinion, so far as I am able to form one, on the subject of your letter of the 16th instant; which did not come to my hands till the 24th. I cannot entertain a doubt, but it will be the policy of this Country to create such a navy as will protect our commerce from the insults and depredations to which it has been...
18From 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.
19From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 1 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favors of the 20 21st & 24 of Sept. I am sorry that Capt. Barry has not fully answered your expectations—but I hope you will soon send him out again. The hurricanes are now passed and there is no longer danger from them. We must sweep the West India seas and get as many of the French seamen as they are called whether they are Italians, Spaniards, Germans or negroes as we...
20From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 2 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of Sept. 27 & with pleasure agree to your plan of a visit to your family, whom I hope you will find in perfect health and remove to Philadelphia, when that city shall be healthy. I am assured glad that Mr Pickering can find time to do the business in your absence. The plan of naval opperations which you have suggested is quite agreeable to me. We must not suffer our...
21From George Washington to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
Captn John Spotswood (Son of General Spotswood of this State) will have the honor of presenting this letter to you. He means to offer his Services in the Naval line. He has been long accustomed to a Sea faring life—is a good Navigator—and for many years has been Master & Commander of Vessels. He is sober. His wishes can be best expressed by himself—& you will be the best judge of their...
22From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 5 with its inclosures. I must leave the Niger to the justice & impartiality of our tribunals & the conduct of Capt. Nicholson to the judgment of the world; but I lament & deplore the misfortunes of his people. The orders you have given him are the most prudent & humane immaginable. Inclosed are letters from Gov. Fenner and old comodore Hopkins recommending...
23From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have signed and inclosed to Col Pickering the authority to act in your absence in the Navy office as you inclosed it to me in your favor of the 9th. Your letter of the 10th is of much importance & deserves consideration. I am &c MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
24From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 20 October 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I have received a letter from Mr. Goldsborough of the 15th. transmitting me one for Capt Hamilton to notify him of his appointment as a Lieutenant in our navy. This event gives me particular pleasure and claims a renewal of my acknowlegemants to you for the obliging part you have taken in the matter. Capt. Hamilton is now absent on a vesel to Albany. I dayly expect him back. On his return, he...
25From George Washington to Benjamin Stoddert, 31 March 1799 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be presented to you by Burwell Bassett Esqr. one of the Senate of this Commonwealth—and a Nephew to Mrs Washington—whom I beg leave to introduce to your civilities. Mr Bassett will mention to you the wish of another of Mrs Washingtons Nephews—Mr Robert Henley—to obtain a birth as Midshipman in one of our Frigates (if youths of Sixteen are admitted). I am not, myself,...
26From 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...
27From 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...
28From 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.
29From 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.
30From 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...