121To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have a letter dated 13th from Pennock, the naval agent at Norfolk, saying Nicholson had brought into Hampton Road a Ship of 20—or 24 Guns, full of men, who refused to give any account of themselves, and who are suspected to be Pirates. I hope by the mail of this evening to receive more certain intelligence. Capt Barry to my Surprize, made his Appearance here, at 1 OClk. His Ship with about...
122To George Washington from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
You will I know, pardon me for trespassing on your time, my object being the Public good. If we are to create such a navy, as will make our Commerce respected, and this I cannot doubt, will be the policy of our Country, one Navy yard at least must be established for building Ships. This subject will probably engage the attention of Congress at the ensuing Session, and it will be my Duty, to...
123To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 10 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The arrangement of the rank of Captains in the Navy, is a subject which will soon demand attention. It will I beleive 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 any service. The paper enclosed No. 1 details particularly, the circumstances connected...
124To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
By letters previously recd. from Stephen Higginson Esqr of Boston, I had been taught to expect that both the Herald, of 20 Guns, and the Boston Cutter, of 14 Guns, would have been prepared to Join Capt. Barry, at Cape Cod, or Nantasket road, about the 20th. Instant. Barry arrived at the place of destination about the time appointed, but found the Boston Vessels in an unprepared state; and I...
125To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to your command, I have endeavoured to give to the important question you were pleased to suggest—Whether it would be proper for the President to recommend, in his speech to Congress, a declaration of War against France, all the consideration permitted by the shortness of time, & my own scanty means,—the result, I will now do myself the honor to lay before you. Knowing that this...
126To 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...
127To 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...
128To 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...
129To 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...
130To 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...
131To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter I have written to Capt Talb⟨ot.⟩ I have proposed to the President that Nichol⟨son⟩ should be employed in superintending the building of one of the 74 gun ships, & I presume he will acquiesce. Barry the brave, seemed to be, and to think himself, too infirm for active service—perhaps employment may be found for him also, on shore. It is...
132To 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...
133To 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...
134To 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....