Instructions to Commanders of Armed Vessels belonging to the United States:— Given at Philadelphia, The tenth day of July, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety eight, and in the twenty third year of our Independence.— In pursuance of the Acts of Congress passed the 28th day of May, the 28th. day of June, & the 9th day of July;— You are hereby authorized instructed,...
2To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
By letters previously recd. from Stephen Higginson Esqr of Boston, I had been taught to expect that both the Herald, of 20 Guns, and the Boston Cutter, of 14 Guns, would have been prepared to Join Capt. Barry, at Cape Cod, or Nantasket road, about the 20th. Instant. Barry arrived at the place of destination about the time appointed, but found the Boston Vessels in an unprepared state; and I...
3To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 31 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Acts of Congress authorize the President to cause to be procured, from the Public money appropriated for the purpose, & the Public Spirit of the Citizens, Six Vessels, not to exceed 18 Guns each. Twelve not to exceed 24 Guns—& Six, not less than 32 Guns. Of the Six, not to exceed 18 Guns,—one I have directed to be purchased at Norfolk, from the very favorable representation of Capt...
4To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Regt. of Marines, under the Command of Major Burrows, is to supply Detachments of Marines, to the Ships of War, as they shall be wanted. A Detachment will be wanted in the course of this month, for the Montezuma at Baltimore, and in next month, for the Ganges and for the Norfolk, a Brig of 18 Guns at Norfolk. It seems to be necessary then, that a part of this Regt. Should be raised without...
5To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 August 1798 (Hamilton Papers)
I should have replied to your letter of the 8 Inst, before this time, had it not mentioned your intention of setting out on a Journey. I am since honored with yours of the 21st. I have no motive but truth, in saying that there is no man known to me by Character only, to whose wishes I would pay so much respect as yours—that I think you have such claims on this Country & this Govt.—that to...
6To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
Not having the Honor to hear from you on the Subject of my Letter of the 30th Ultimo, I have presumed that you did not disapprove of the Arrangement therein proposed of our Vessels, and having good Information that about 80 American Vessels with Cargoes to the amount of two Millions of Dollars were blocked up at the Havana by a few French Privateers, and had little chance of escaping without...
7To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 27 August 1798 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your two letters of the 18. Instant: and am happy, that your wishes on the subject of a convoy for the Vessels at the Havanna, had been anticipated. The enclosed copy of a letter from the Captain of a British sloop of war, to the British Consul at Charleston, affords no very honorable testimony of the courage of Capt Cochran, Commander of the Revenue Cutter. I am glad he was...
8To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 1 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
The paper No. 1. will exhibit a view of the Ships already in Service, & those which are building in different parts of the United States, and their Commanders. Of the Ships building, to which Commanders have not been appointed, those of Newburyport, Middleton & Norfolk, are in the greatest forwardness—and are in a situation to require the attention of their Captains. But as Capt Tingey is...
9To George Washington from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 September 1798 (Washington Papers)
You will I know, pardon me for trespassing on your time, my object being the Public good. If we are to create such a navy, as will make our Commerce respected, and this I cannot doubt, will be the policy of our Country, one Navy yard at least must be established for building Ships. This subject will probably engage the attention of Congress at the ensuing Session, and it will be my Duty, to...
10To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
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 MHi : Adams Papers.
11To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 20 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have not yet recd official accounts of the capture of the French 20 Gun Ship by Nicholson—But the account comes so well authenticated from different quarters, that the fact is not to be doubted. I hope this Ship will prove a useful addition to our Navy. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir Yr. most / Obed. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
12To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 21 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have a letter dated 13th from Pennock, the naval agent at Norfolk, saying Nicholson had brought into Hampton Road a Ship of 20—or 24 Guns, full of men, who refused to give any account of themselves, and who are suspected to be Pirates. I hope by the mail of this evening to receive more certain intelligence. Capt Barry to my Surprize, made his Appearance here, at 1 OClk. His Ship with about...
13To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
I recd. only on Saturday evening, the letter from Capt Nicholson, of which the enclosed is a copy. It is I think, highly probable, that the Ship brought into Hampton by Nicholson, belongs to, or has been hired by, that unfortunate class of Frenchmen, who call themselves Loyalists, & who adhering to the British ‘till a place of Refuge is denied them in the West Indies, come to America as the...
14To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 27 September 1798 (Adams Papers)
Having left behind me when I came into Public Service, a Wife & seven Children whom I am anxious to see, and to remove to Philadelphia, as soon as prudence will permit, I have the honor to solicit permission to transfer the duties of my office, to Col. Pickering, about the 15th. or between the 15th. and 20th. October, for about three weeks—Possibly some necessary attention to my private...
15To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 5 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from Capt Nicholson of the 26 & 27 Septr—which I had the mortification to receive last evening. There seems to be no calculating the evils of his first false step. His letter of the 12th. exhibitted a very strong disposition to remain in port, to secure at all events, his prize—rut the Return into port of the Vessel which he Idly supposed had been sent out...
16To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 9 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
Col Pickering thinking that cases might occur, to make, it necessary to shew that it was your pleasure he should execute the duties of my Office in the absence you have done me the favor & honor to permit—I have taken the liberty to enclose a paper to that effect. He does not think it necessary that I should remain here, ‘till he receives this paper. Mr Pennock, the Navy Agent at Norfolk,...
17To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 10 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The arrangement of the rank of Captains in the Navy, is a subject which will soon demand attention. It will I beleive be of great consequence to the character of our Navy, that the last four of the first six captains appointed, should be retained in the service. They seem to be men who would do honor to any service. The paper enclosed No. 1 details particularly, the circumstances connected...
18To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a commission, for Jno. Cruft, as Lieutenant in the Navy. Also a list of officers for the Navy, whose Services will be immediately wanted;—and commissions filled up for these officers.—By filling up the commissions now, such of them as may be approved of by you Sir, may get their commissions before my return from Maryland, which in some instances, may be necessary. I...
19To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
In my letter of to Day on the subject of appointments—I omitted to mention Mr Benjamin Strother, (Who was an Officer in the Army & resigned on accot of pecuniary embarrassments, under circumstances honorable to himself)—as a Lieutenant of Marines. I now beg leave to mention him for that appointment—He is recommended by the Secy at War, & is spoken of by the officers with whom he served as a...
20To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 17 October 1798 (Adams Papers)
The Arrangement of the Rank of the Captains in the Navy, is a Subject which will soon demand attention.— It will I believe be of great consequence to the character of our Navy, that the last four of the first Six Captains appointed, should be retained in the service. They seem to be men who would do honor to the any service. The paper enclosed No. 1, details particularly, the circumstances...
21To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 23 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
I had the honor to receive, in my absence in Maryland, your letter of the 10th. Ulto.—And being at such a distance from the seat of Government, it was out of my power to co-operate in the enquiry you were pleased to direct, on the subject of the meeting of Congress in Philadelphia. The present severe weather it is supposed has intirely eradicated the remains of the pestilence which has so...
22To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 November 1798 (Adams Papers)
In obedience to your command, I have endeavoured to give to the important question you were pleased to suggest—Whether it would be proper for the President to recommend, in his speech to Congress, a declaration of War against France, all the consideration permitted by the shortness of time, & my own scanty means,—the result, I will now do myself the honor to lay before you. Knowing that this...
23To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 1 January 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
A Capt Robinson, who superintends the Merchants Frigate at New York, has been recommended to command a Frigate. He was yesterday introduced to me, by Mr. Wattson of New York, with high commendations. The Captains of our larger Vessels, should possess good Sense, & real Bravery—& of our smaller Vessels—Bravery, at least. Will you be so good as to tell me what kind of a Man, this Robinson really...
24To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 8 January 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a copy of the additional Instructions, you were pleased to direct, to be issued to the Commanders of the Public Armed Vessels, in consequence of the outrage committed on the Ship Baltimore, Capt Phillips. In Justice to the general conduct of the officers of the British navy, I take the liberty to observe, that in every instance but the one in question, they have...
25To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 1 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
Mr Henry Seton—son of the late Wm Seton a very respectable man, wants to be made a Lieut in the Navy—a Story was some time ago in circulation, to the disadvantage of this young Gentleman, which I hope was unfounded—will you be so good as to let me know his Character if it be a good one—If otherwise, you need not trouble yourself to answer this letter. I have the Honor &c ( LC , RG 45, Naval...
26To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 6 February 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a paper containing the circumstances, & all the circumstances, connected in the relative rank of Captains Truxton, Talbot & Dale. It appears to me, that Talbot & Dale, cannot now be placed above Truxton, but by dismissing the latter from the Service. Dale who has permission to make an East India Voyage, is reconciled to what He conceives unavoidable, to rank after...
27To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 26 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose copies of a correspondence Just recd, between Capt Truxtun, & Genl. Desfourneaux—Truxtun expected to get the Insurgents to Sea, about the 3d. March; having a good prospect of picking up Men enough from the Islands, to Man her. The Newspapers give an accot. of Barrys having captured a French privateer, & recaptured an English Armed Ship—and of the two Cutters under...
28To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 27 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
By the Brig Norfolk, Capt Williams, I have letters from Capt Truxtun, of the 6th. March—The Insurgents had not proceeded on a Cruise, but was nearly ready I have also recd. a letter from Capt Decatur, of the 5th. March—He had just captured a small French schooner, of one 9 pound Gun—& 26 Men. The papers of which the enclosed are copies, were sent by Truxtun, who continues to speak of the great...
29To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 28 March 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Committee for building the Ship at Boston, recommend in strong terms, Mr Haswell to be Lieutenant—and as they express impatience to know early whether they can be gratified, I have taken the liberty to enclose a commission for him, under cover to Mr Jones. If you Sir, think proper to appoint Mr Haswell, the letter for Mr Jones may go on to him—otherwise, returned to me. I have the honor to...
30To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 6 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose copies of letters this Day recd. from Capt. Murray,—being the only information I have recd. for several Days past, from our Vessels in the West Indies. Barry has a considerable force under his Command at Dominica—and I am mortified to find, that so late as the 18th March, no part of it had Visited Curacoa; a place particularly pointed out to his attention by his...