1To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 17 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days ago, in conversation with an Officer of high standing in the Naval Department, with whom I had held Considerable intercourse, and mutual opinion in the auxiliary mode of defence by Gun-boats, during the affair of the Chesapeake, he intimated such a change of sentiment in favor of increasing the navy for the purposes of external service, and treated the former system so lightly, as...
2To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 30 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have directed Mr. Bonsal, Sir, to transmit to you the second printed Pamphlet on the subject of the Canal which I have the honor to propose from this port to Carolina, by way of Kempsville & the North Landing; embracing also a latteral naval cut from Kempsville to Lynhaven river, designed for bettering the defence of this place & the United States in general. I have also persevered, under...
3To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 2 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Calculating that you will be at the seat of Government on the 4th. July, perhaps to continue there a few days, and believing that then Sir You will possess both the power and inclination to rescue me from ruinous embarrassments which are resulting from a long continuance out of business, a long & steady attachment to the interests & prosperity of the United States, and a total deprivation of...
4To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 6 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just finished completing my agricultural designs for this year, leaving the Plantation in fine order, & the crop under good fence having a straight line fence of six feet high for all the partitions on a plan new in this Country, & which will, I hope, prove a profitable example. I shall leave the crop (now planted) in the hands of those who remain, & remove towards Harbour Island...
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 10 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I drop you a Note by this Post, chiefly to furnish you with the readiest address, if any occasion occurs to call for my services.—I presume the many important matters before Government at present, may be the reason why I am not honored with any communication from Yourself, or the heads of Department, touching my unfinished Surveys about the enterance of the Chesapeake, the Gunboat Canals,...
6To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 11 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Just as I completed the Land part of my Survey, (forming a correct base, and accurate adjustment of the most prominent objects) by Compass & Chain, perambulating high Water level from the Southward of the Light House on Cape Henry to the Mouth of Long Creek, including Lynhaven Inlet, a British tender [with] two row boats (one of them large) came to an Anchor Close to the Western junction of...
7To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 7 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My last (4th. instant) advised You that I had consented, at Commodore De’Catur’s request, to proceed on the Survey requisite to satisfy the requisitions of the Navy; and I expect to be farther informed on that head; as they certainly do not expect to make me a [s]econd in the business. I have stipulated for the same terms as in the Coast Survey in Carolina, & the same motives which prompt me...
8To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 4 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
After dispatching the Survey &c, inclosed to You last night, Comr. Decatur called on me, in bed, and I have declined going to Carolina till the requisition of the Secy. of the Navy is complied with in the most economical way our economical resources will permit. I shall write You my Sentiments on this subject, at more leisure, & (for the present) I beg the honor of Your Communications to...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 2 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment from Lynhaven Inlet, which I thought it proper to visit before I set out to the Southward; & it may be well (if any thing to say to me) to address to Newbern with duplicate to Norfolk: I shall certainly volunteer it there if circumstances require it, for no misfortune shall suffer fame to recognize an inconsistency in a life which has been perpetually oppressed, & persecuted,...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 26 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here last night, after having gone through an additional & thourough examination of Pamptico Sound since my last to you from Newbern, and had designed to have set seriously to work in order to furnish Government with several Communications on the subject of our public economy, particularly one on the defence of the Coast, wherein (corresponding in sentiment with Comodore Decatur...
11To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 7 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
An indisposition which has followed me into this country, and attacked me with slight fevers and sweatings, ever since I left Lynhaven Bay, has prevented me from communicating to you such observations as I might have thought useful to you in the field of Public economy at the opening of the ensuing Session of Congress. I am now so fully recovered as to be able to set out this day (by water) to...
12To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 24 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 21st. Instant I was enabled to obtain an ultimate settlement of the accounts for current expences accruing near the British Squadron in the Chesapeak Bay, up to the 14th. Instant, to which time they were rendered:—Seven days delay are therefore unnoticed in the accounts, but I submit it to you whether that addition ought not to be all owed me. The accts. are transmitted to the Secy.—...
13To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 13 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Pursuant to the permission I asked, and now presume on, I inclose you my ideas on the particulars I formerly refered to at Lynhaven, which I have minutely reexamined since my Men were discharged. I have all my Accounts in order, & shall transmit them to the Secretary of the Navy without giving you the trouble of intermediating in the way your friendship has offered.—Whatever may be my personal...
14To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 1 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I came up here yesterday to settle my Monthly accounts; &, by the Evenings Mail, was honor’d with yours dated the 28th. Inst. at Washington. Your conclusions, Sir, touching the procedure of the British Squadron correspond with my own opinion, founded on the best observations I am able to make, & such information as I am in a condition to obtain.—I find the Brig & Tender I mentioned yesterday...
15To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 31 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing material this last 24 Hours. I sent off my Store Boat to replenish at Nfk last night; & immediately after She got out of the Inlet, I found a British Gun Brig & Tender had got one on each side of her. I ran out a few miles in the Whale Boat; & then stood for the tender with the Flag of the U. States blown full out in the Wind. Signals were immediately made by the Commodore; & I...
16To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 30 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Patriot went out again yesterday, & in the evening stood close in near the Light House, Cape Henry, from whence I am this moment returned: She is supposed to be cruising off the Cape. The Gun Brig, mentioned yesterday, has been beating all night towards Hampton road, & seems to be, at present, some distance below Willoughbys point: She seems to be a vicious looking thing; & is, I presume,...
17To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 29 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My Whale Boat returned last night, from Smiths Island & the Eastern Shore at Cape Charles.— From the account given by them, & the guard near Cape Henry, signals were given (in vain) for Her capture. My Men report as follows.— On Saterday evening they left me (say 4 to 5, O.Clock at Lynhaven Inlet; & that night at Ten O.Clock, anchord in “ Fisherman’s ” Northampton)—At Daylight on Sunday...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 28 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment returned from the Cape Henry Light House. The Triumph, & Patriot, came in last night, & took their Station at their accustomed place, in Lynhaven Bay, in Blockade order. No small vessels seem to be molested; but it is uncertain what is done to the outward bound. This morning the Patriot went out, & seemed to be cruising off the Light House, as usual, when I left it. Fifteen...
19To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 27 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this minute arrived on shore from the L. House Cape Henry.— The Ship hitherto called the Triumph , I now find, is the Leopard; the Bellona & Melampus gone some days ago; & the Triumph & Patriot cruising just Southward of Cape Henry.— The Triumph & Patriot were close in with the Light House last night; &, in the early part of the evening fired heavy guns (they say at the L.H.) on some...
20To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 26 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night I dispatched my Whale Boats, with six trusty oars, to Cape Charles, & Smith’s Island; or as far to Sea as prudence requires, in order to observe the movements of the Ships gone out. At ¼ past six (leaving me at the Inlet at 5 OClock) last evening, they were as far as I could well discover them with the Tellescope, towards Cape Charles; and, I doubt not, would make a safe port on the...
21To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 25 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
This morning the Leopard & Melampus are off , in the last 4 Hours. The Triumph remains, but no tenders visible, excepting boats under sail at a distance.—I presume the vollies fired yesterday were by the Militia who were relieved: too much replete with spunk & imprudence. This is, at least, all I can learn on going over to the Cape side of the Havens, last night. I am this moment returned from...
22To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 24 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
This morning has produced nothing very material that we yet know of. The Triumph, Leopard, & Melampus appear to occupy their yesterdays station; which Capt. Decatur says they shall not continue to hold. The Tenders occupied as usual. Capt. Decatur has rounded the Inlet, out as far as the Tideway in front of the British Ships; & will communicate his sentiments to You on such subjects as we...
23To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 23 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
All today as last night, nothing new. The Tenders said to get supplies at the Wash Woods. I think it probable that the Triumph is sharing the provision taken from on board the Medway & others without the Capes; as they have been alongside each other ever since her veture into Port. Commodore De Catur is now on Board my Boat here; & tells me he is coming to you at Washington immediately: We are...
24To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 22 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
After dispatching my note to you, of yesterday, from Norfolk, I made haste to return to this place. I found the Skipper of my provision boat much alarmed, having been down to the Inlet in the small boat, & having observed a Boat rowing in at the inlet, which he supposed had come off from the British Ships in this bay. Shortly after the same boat came along side; & was kept off by our french...
25To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 21 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. Decatur & Capt. Hull will be with me tomorrow, at Lynhaven, in order to examine that place touching the Gun boat service: My whale boat, which arrived here yesterday morning at two O’Clock, will therefore return to meet them in Lynhaven; without pursuing her intended destination to Cape Charles, & its neighbourhood, at present. I regret that a severe rain, all this Forenoon, has so...
26To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 20 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just this moment returned from the Coast & Inlet, where I have been my usual reconoitering rounds. Two Ships of the British force, & two of their tenders, under-sail, as usual, (the Ships remaining at Anchor in this Bay) are all that I have discovered. The Schooner lays still at the Cape which was there two nights ago, with her boat along side; & has much the appearance of a Carolina...
27To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 20 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
After recollection !. I forgot to say that, on the 18th. instant, a Negroe, in a Canoe, passed out at the Inlet of this haven under pretext of fishing, & went on board the British Squadron: We have no information that this fellow, or three others have ever returned. It has determined me to be strict; & yesterday, I stopped a very fine Pettimajor with two Negroe fellows in the Inlet. They...
28To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 19 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
After my express of Yesterday was dispatched, I set out across the Haven in the Whale boat with a view to arrange the extension which I have contemplated, about eight miles farther (including boatage) to the Light house. In crossing the Haven I observed several large and small vessels covering near the Seventy fours, apparently as in amity with them: I desisted from crossing the Haven, Landed,...
29To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 18 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just returned from Mr. Cornicks, on Linkhorn Bay, where I found a Masters Mate, Midshipman, & three Sailors of the Party I mentioned to you yesterday, who were taken by the Volunteer Cavalry, as I had expected they would be: I presume they will be sent up to you as hostages for the fate of our men taken out of the Chesapeake; as they would have been, by my Men, if they had been armed...
30To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 17 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The moment I dispatched my express of Yesterday, I set out in my Whale Boat to arrange the extension of my line of daily communication to Cape Henry; by the help of some of the leading Characters of Princess Anne. Capt. Reid, who dined at the same house ( Mr. Christian’s ) Lynhaven, & Mr. Christian, mounted their horses at the same moment; & on my respecting & interogating the object of their...