31From 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...
32From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 19 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 13th & the copies of Murrays letters, with the perusal of which, I have been highly delighted. I pray you that every exertion may be made to get to sea not only the vessels in the Delleware, but the Constitution & the Merrimack which are arrived in Boston Harbor. It will be ruinous to the crews & the reputation of the officers to lie long in port. Those that...
33From 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...
34From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 18 October 1799 (Adams Papers)
I beg the favor of your ideas of the information and recommendations necessary or proper to be made to congress at their approaching session. Your observations on the mission to France, the rebellion in Pensylvania, the negotiations with St Domingo, the interuption of the board of commissioners & every other subject will be agreeable, but particularly every thing you judge proper to say on the...
35From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 8 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 2d of this month. I am sincerely sorry for the resignation of Capt Truxton. Although you have not explained to me his motives, I presume the decision which gave rise to them, was founded in principles of sound policy and eternal justice, as it was made upon honor & with conscientious deliberation. If it were now to be made, it would be the same, tho my...
36From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 9 August 1799 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed are the original letters copies of which I sent you yesterday—one from Turell Tufts Esqr. our consul at Surrinam of the 9th of July to Capt McNeil, the other of the 11th July from him to me. I pray you to expedite Talbot & still more force to that quarter as soon as possible. MHi : Adams Family Papers, Letterbooks.
37From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 6 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Inclosed is a letter from Capt Seymour Potter of Boston with recommendations from several respectable characters for a lieutenancy in the Navy, from his appearance & behavior & the character I hear of him, I believe he will be a good officer, & if there is a vacancy, you may appoint him. Inclosed is a letter from lieutenant Haswell recommending his brother John Montresor Haswell to be a...
38From 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).
39From John Adams to Benjamin Stoddert, 26 May 1800 (Adams Papers)
I hereby request you on the 1st of June, or whenever Mr. McHenry shall leave the war office, to take upon you the charge of that office, and I hereby invest you with full power and authority to exercise all the functions of secretary of the department of war, and charge you with all the duties and obligations attached by law to that officer, until a successor regularly appointed and...
40From 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...