1To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 27 October 1811 (Adams Papers)
I sincerely thank you for your kind letter of the 15th— It always affords me the highest satisfaction to hear of you, &, from you—and more particularly when I hear favorable accounts of your health & contentment. I have seen & repelled the Attack of Col Pickering on you, in a point affecting your moral Character. In relation to any intrigue of my Countrymen, the Smiths with you, for the his...
2To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 August 1811 (Adams Papers)
My Son in Law Doctr. Thomas Ewell & my Daughter are making a Visit to Boston, and I have charged them not to leave that Neighbourhood without paying their respects to you & Mrs. Adams— I rejoice to hear as I have lately done, that you continue to enjoy health & I hope happiness—and am with the / most perfect respect & esteem / Dr sir Yr Obed Servt. MHi : Adams-Hull Collection.
3To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 October 1809 (Adams Papers)
Until within a few Days, I had only seen detached parts of your letters, published in the Boston Patriot. I have now a pamplet containing eighteen letters—I presume the first eighteen you sent to the press. I do not know, that more have been published. It was impossible for me to read these letters, & subscribe to their Justice—at least, so far as they respect myself. You have corrected me...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 14 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Conscious that I have no unworthy motive for giving you so much trouble—I trust you will believe it—and that I shall be thought of no worse, than being too officious, & perhaps, vain. The non-intercourse bill, before Congress, will operate most unfavorably for this Country, and more favorably for England, than the Embargo has done.—for, besides other great injury as to ourselves, it will sweep...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot apologize as I ought, for the freedom of this letter—and therefore I will not apologize at all—but trust that I shall be forgiven for the sake of the motive; and indeed, I do not doubt it. It cannot, I am entirely convinced, be your wish, that this Country should be involved in the European War—still less, that the Union of these States should be destroyed. Most sincerely believing,...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The attention the City of Washington has constantly experienced at your hands, leads me to hope, that any honest plan which promises advantage to the City, and which can injure nobody, will have your countenance. Washington suffers more than any other place, for want of active capital. Men of money, have not shewn a disposition to move to Washington with their money; nor is it probable they...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 18 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing that the Comrs. of Washington, were about addressing you on a subject in which I have an Interest, I sent to them a letter, the copy of which I take the liberty to lay before you; as I find they had made up their dispatches before the rect. of the letter. Mr White, the Comr. alluded to, as not Joining in the engagement to the State of Maryland, informs me, that I have mistated his...
8To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 18 May 1801 (Adams Papers)
I have been for sometime past honored with your letter from Quincy, which afforded great gratification to my feelings, because it convinced me, you thought of me, & was not indifferent to my reputation. My first wish is to Act my part in life, with propriety & honor—my second, that minds like yours, should think I do so Act it. The attack made upon me in the wretched paper of Lyon, which no...
9To James Madison from Benjamin Stoddert, 26 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a list of the French Vessels, captured since the 1st Octr last, & brought into the ports of the United States. There are no documents in this office to shew whether these vessels have been condemned in our courts, or otherwise, except the Berceau, which has been condemned, sold, & purchased by the Public, & is now ordered to be restored, under the Treaty. I have...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 14 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose an account of the French Prisoners in the United States, shewing where they are and in whose custody. A Vessel has been provided at Newyork by Mr. Letombé, to carry away Prisoners. I know not how many the Vessel will carry.—Application has been made, to have those at Boston sent to Newyork to go in this Vessel, which I have directed to be done at the expense of the...
11Enclosure: Account of French Prisoners, 14 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
French Prisoners At Boston, under the care of S. Higginson & Co. 150 At New London, Norwick, Middletown & Hartford Connt. under the care of Philip B. Bradley Marshal. 100 At Providence (R I) under the care of Wm. Peck Marshal. 25 At Frederick Town (Maryland) under the care of Mountjoy Bayley 94 At Charleston. S.C. under the care of Wm. Crafts 8 At Newyork under the care of A. Giles Marshal. 8...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 14 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I understand from the letter with which you honored me, of yesterdays date, that I am not to send the letter I proposed, to Mr Marbury—but that, as it makes a part of my representation to you, it may be recorded in the books of the office, which I will have done. I confess it would have been more agreeable to me, to have sent the letter to Mr Marbury, because the contractors have been taught...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I fear you will think me too great an intruder on your attention—at a time too, when your mind must have full occupation. In order to reduce the cost of the frames of ships, I introduced a method of getting the frames which had often been recommended, but never practised in England. There the method is to transport the logs to the ship yards, & at the ship yards to cut out of the logs, pieces...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, [11 March 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
The Ship Ganges Captain Mullowny, of 24 Guns, sailed the 26th Jany. 1801 for Batavia , to cruise a few months in the Straits of Sunda for the protection of our East India trade the principal danger being from Privateers from the Isle of France, and to return with as many vessels under Convoy as could be collected. It was always intended to send after her, the Ship Connecticut , of the same...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor, by permission of the President, to enclose for your information & consideration, letters Just recd. from the West Indies .—Also a copy of the Instructions given to Capt Barry , the Commanding officer on the Windward Station—at a time when it was not known whether the Treaty with France would, or would not be ratified. All our other Public Vessels have recd. similar...
16To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 27 February 1801 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to mention Mr James M Lingan, a very respectable Inhabitant of George Town – of long standing; of great integrity of Character – & great firmness—and in every way qualified to do credit to the Appointment of Marshal for the District of Columbia—He will accept, if appointed. I have the honor to be / with great Respect sir / Yr. most obed. Serv. MHi : Adams Papers.
17To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
By direction of the President, I have the honor to enclose, for your information, a letter addressed to me by Mr Fitzsimmons, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce of Philadelphia—and a copy of my answer. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, Your most obt Servt. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President elect”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Feb. and so recorded...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 18 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
My health & my private affairs have for sometime required more of my attention than the duties of my office would permit me to give to them; and I have therefore been anxious to relinquish my official situation, which would have been done before this time, had Mr Adams been re-elected, for in that event he could have found no difficulty in supplying my vacancy. Thus circumstanced, I hope you...
19To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 January 1801 (Adams Papers)
The bad weather prevented my doing myself the honor of calling this morning, to mention, at the request of some Members of Congress—that the Judiciary bill would be taken up in the House of Representatives tomorrow—& be passed upon. As the bill proposes a reduction of the Judges to five—and as there are already five Judges in commission, it is suggested that there might be more difficulty in...
20To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 November 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have done myself the honor, in pursuance of your instructions, to throw together, in the enclosed paper, a few Ideas, which appear to me to be proper, in the Presidents Speech to Congress. Other matters – particularly our relations with the other Powers of Europe besides France – the state of Agriculture; the prosperity of our Commerce; – & the situation of the Revenue, are so much better...
21To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 September 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have directed Capt Dale to repair to New Port, to act as President of a Court of enquiry on the conduct of Capt Perry as well in relation to the Danish Schooner, captured through his means, as some other matters. Had it been practicable to have Spared a sufficient number of officers to have formed a Court Martial, this course would have been pursued in preference. Perhaps some of the persons...
22To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 September 1800 (Adams Papers)
Both the Ganges, and the Warren, have been driven from their station at the Havanna, by the Sickness of their Crews. The Ganges arrived at New Castle a few Days ago, and the Warren I expect is by this time at Norfolk. I am taking measures to send the Delaware to the Havanna, without delay, that our Commerce to that place, at this moment unprotected, may not be long exposed to the depredations...
23To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Law requiring that the sentence of a Court Martial, for the dismission of a comd. officer, shall not be executed until approved of by the President of the United States, I have the honor to enclose for your consideration, the proceedings of a Court on Lt. Marner, of the Frigate Adams. The charges imply a degree of insubordination which cannot be tolerated in the Navy, without producing...
24To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 August 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 18, enclosing papers respecting the conduct of Capt Perry, towards the Danish schooner, William & Mary. The Gentlemen at whose request you transmitted me these papers, may be assured that a strict scrutiny shall be made into this affair—& that no proper step shall be omitted to vindicate the Character of Capt Perry, if innocent, or to punish him, if guilty....
25To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 21 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose sailing orders for Capt Little, to be forwarded to him, if they meet with your approbation. Capt Truxtun, informed me by letter, that it was your desire he should be sent as early as possible to Guadeloupe. I have accordingly hastened all in my power his preparations, and I hope he has sailed from New York in the Frigate President, before this Day. I have the honor...
26To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 14 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 3d. & 6h. Inst.—I have in consequence of the first, written to Capt Morris, & to Mr Duer, and have no doubt, the business respecting Mr Duer will be so managed as to admit of this Young Gentlemans release without injury to the Discipline of the Navy. Lt. Elison, who has been most offended by Mr Duer—and who caused him to be arrested, will I expect, on...
27To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 13 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 31 ult—and have in consequence directed a remittance to be made to Docr. Putnam of 10000 dollars towards the purchase of ground for a Ship yard & a Dock yard at Charleston. On the subject of the Purchase of the 47 1/2 acres of ground at Charleston, for a Ship yard and a Dock yard, I beg leave to observe that there has been no special appropriation for the...
28To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 11 August 1800 (Adams Papers)
Some of the officers of the Boston, have resigned, and others I understand, intend resigning. The Ship will probably be delayed for want of Officers, unless you will please to take the trouble to direct Mr Shaw, to fill up the Commissions & Warrants which I have the honor to enclose, or as many of them as may be necessary, with the names of Gentlemen ready for immediate Service, to fill the...
29To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose copies of sundry papers, as a list at foot, Just recd. from Captn. Talbote. Lt. Maley who is mentioned in these papers, has arrived in the Delaware, in the Schooner Experiment, and is now performing quarantine. From his letters to me, the Schooner will require considerable repairs before she can go to sea again, which I shall take measure to have made without...
30To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 July 1800 (Adams Papers)
The Congress, after her very long detention at Norfolk, I have reason to hope will be ready to sail on the 15 ins.—to cruise a little while in those latitudes where the French Privateers have lately done most mischief—and then proceed to St. Domingo. The Insurgent too, will be ready to leave Baltimore about the same time, to cruise on the coast, & between the Coast and the Islands—The...