To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 September 1798
Navy Department 19. Septr. 1798.
Sir
The enclosed letter was recd. last night—it is yet too early to receive an official confirmation of the intelligence it contains—but as I hope, & believe it to be true, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of forwarding it to you in its present state.
I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & / esteem, sir yr. most Obed / servt
Ben Stoddert
MHi: Adams Papers.