121From 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...
122From 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...
123From 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...
124From 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...
125From 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...
126From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 4 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr. Hudson who will deliver you this is desirous of the place of Midshipman on board of our Navy. This Gentleman completed his Studies in the law with me. He possesses talents and animation and I have no doubt will succeed in the naval career. An active temper joined to the pressure of pecuniary circumstances has determined him to embrace this course. I interest myself in his success as far as...
127From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 29 July 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A pressure of various business has delayed a reply to your favor of the 19th. instant. The principle you suggest for my consideration, though if it could be introduced it would work well, cannot in my opinion be put into practice. It would contravene too much, pretensions rooted as well in the human heart as in unconquerable prejudices of the military State, by which expression I include the...
128From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, [6 June 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
I have received your letter of the third instant, with the paper to which it refers. Tomorrow I set out for Oxford. Any communications which you may have for me you will be pleased to enclose to Brigr General North who will be here to execute any order of your department.
129From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 18 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, August 18, 1800. On August 25, 1800, Stoddert wrote to Hamilton : “I am honored with your letter of the 18.” Letter not found. ]
130From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 30 October 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I enclose to you a letter in recommendation of Dr. Adolph Lent. It has the signature of Mr. Tillary a respectable physician of this city, and a gentleman in whom I can place full confidence. Doctor Lent has shewn me the recommendations from other physicians of respectability, and I have no doubt from these recommendations that he is fully deserving of the place which it is his wish to obtain....
131From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 1 March 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I am destined to become, occasionally, the organ of application to you for naval appointments—It is impossible to refuse all attention to the requests of persons who write to me on the subject—I send you therefore the inclosed letter—All I can say is that Mr. McLeod has been recommended to me by Abraham Archer Esqr. of York Town who bears a respectable character— ( Df , in the handwriting of...
132From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 22 May 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to you recommendations in favour of a Mr Thoms—a candidate for an appointment in the Navy—I have confidence in the Gentlemen recommending , and should be pleased that Mr Thoms should meet your approbation — With— ( Df , in the handwriting of Ethan Brown, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
133From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 2 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The enclosed letter is from certain prisoners of war who have omitted to mention to me the place where they are confined. I presume they are naval prisoners. As the honor character of the U States is concerned in the affair which is the subject of the letter I send it to you that you may do in it the case whatever shall appear to you proper— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton...
134From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 3 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is a letter from Lt. Wands solliciting an appointment in one of the permanent regiments, and a recommendation of him by Major Wilcocks—This recommendation deserves all the attention which is due to the testimony of a very worthy man. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
135From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 3 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed is an extract of a letter from Major Rivardi which I send for the information of the Department relative to the subject of it. ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
136From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 4 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed are proceedings of Courts Martial which have been acted upon. The Proceedings in the case of Morris Gerry have been acted upon in General orders. I have caused search to be made for them in the Office of the A General—They are not there, nor are they in my office—I conclude therefore that they have been forwarded to you ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers,...
137From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 5 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Enclosed are Proceedings of Courts Martial in the cases of Lt. Loring and Dwight—Also the Proceedings of a Court Martial held at Fort Jay on the twenty third of April, of which Captain Elliot Cochran was President, and Lieut. Hancock Judge Advocate— They have all been acted upon— ( Df , in the handwriting of Thomas Y. How, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress).
138From Alexander Hamilton to Benjamin Stoddert, 5 June 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Doctor Coffin, the former Surgeon of Niagara, having received a furlough which was necessary from his health, and the state of his public accounts, the Commandant of the Post Major Rivardi was obliged to have recourse to the Physicians of the British physicians posts on the opposite side of the streight— The enclosed letters and extracts will shew you the state of the case, and the impressions...
139From 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...
140From 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...
141From 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,...
142From George Washington to Benjamin Stoddert, 10 July 1799 (Washington Papers)
When I quitted the Chair of Government it was my full determination not to apply to the Executive in behalf of any person for an appointment, knowing the trouble and inconvenience which I must experience myself as well as give to othe[r]s without forming this resolution. In some instances I have, however, been obliged to depart from this rule, where, from particular connexions or circumstances...
143From George Washington to Benjamin Stoddert, 4 October 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your polite attention to my recommendation of a Son of General Spotswood to be a Midshipman in our Navy; has opened the door for another application of a similar kind in behalf of Mr John ⟨Henley nephew⟩ to Mrs Washington. In April last, Mr Bassett, ⟨one of⟩ our Senators, and Cousin german to this young Gentleman, presented a letter from me to you respecting ⟨a younger⟩ brother of Mr Henley’s....
144From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Stoddert, 21 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. did not get to my hand till yesterday. I thank you for the accomodation in point of time therein offered; circumstances may render it a convenience, in which case I will avail myself of it, without too far encroaching on your wishes. at this [moment] it is not in my power to say any thing certain on the subject of time. the declarations of support to the administration...