31To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 8 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose the Aurora, because it contains an address from Genl. McPherson—& one from a German Clergyman, to the Insurgents. The Accounts from Northampton, are that the People are very much alarmed; & that there is not the least shew of resistance— I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & esteem / sir yr. most obed Serv. MHi : Adams Papers.
32To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 11 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from Capt Truxtun of the 16h. March, with the late correspondence between him & Genl. Des fourneaux. With respect to the Schooner taken by him—his course should have been, to have sent her to America—or, if he could not spare men to navigate her, he should have laid her up at St. Kitts, until his own return. The Laws, & his Instructions, direct...
33To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 16 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from J C Jones, Chairman of the Committee for building a Ship at Boston; recommending Capt George Little, for the Command of that Ship. Presuming that you Sir, will think it proper to indulge the Committee at Boston, as has been the case in all similar instances, with the selection of the officers—I take the liberty to enclose in the letter for Mr Jones, a...
34To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 18 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 10th. on the subject of Mr Parker: and there being room for Lieutenants, I have this Day forwarded to him a commission. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir Yr. most / Obed Servt MHi : Adams Papers.
35To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
In letters to Capt Barry, by Capt Tingey dated the 16 March, He was directed to send Nicholson to Boston without delay, and Fletcher in the George Washington, to Rhode Island. It was supposed that by the time these Vessels could arrive, our Coast might require some attention. By a letter Just recd. from Barry, a copy of which I do myself the honor to enclose, it appears probable, that both...
36To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 19th. April—and in consequence have enclosed in a letter for Capt Parker, his commission as a Lieutenant in the Navy, which requires your signature. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir yr. most / Obed Sevt. MHi : Adams Papers.
37To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have sent a comt. of surgeons mate of the Genl. Greene, to Doctr. Metcalf of Providence. I will write to Mr Bowman, on the subject of his Island, & will also endeavour to get information from others. A great many persons offer land containing the live Oak in Georgia; and each also describes his property as best suited for the purposes of Government.—from the information I have as yet...
38To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 April 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from our Consul at the Havanna, to the Secty of State. It shews that a state of things which you have long foreseen, is commencing in the West Indies; & forebodes that the American Commerce may have more to apprehend from unauthorized Piracy, than any other. The spot upon which these Fellows have fixed themselves lies about sixty miles from...
39To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a letter from Mr Jones; Chareman of the Committee for building the Boston Frigate, recommending Doctr Vinton for the appointment of Surgeon to that ship:—and also, a letter to Mr Jones, containing a commission for Doctr. Vinton, which will require your signature if you think proper that the appointment should be made. I have the honor to be / with the highest...
40To Alexander Hamilton from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 May 1799 (Hamilton Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter I have written to Capt Talb⟨ot.⟩ I have proposed to the President that Nichol⟨son⟩ should be employed in superintending the building of one of the 74 gun ships, & I presume he will acquiesce. Barry the brave, seemed to be, and to think himself, too infirm for active service—perhaps employment may be found for him also, on shore. It is...
41To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 10 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from Mr Sewell—and my answer, to be forwarded, if it meets with your approbation. I have consulted the heads of Departments on this subject, but the opinions are so various, that I could only write give my own to Mr Sewell. Coll. Pickering thinks the convoy ought to be granted.—But there is scarcely a considerable port in Europe, to which...
42To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 11 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor, to enclose a Letter from Mr. Jones, Chairman of the Committee for building a Frigate at Boston, recommending William Wild and Nathaniel Clift for Lieutenants to that Ship; and also a Letter to Mr. Jones, containing Commissions for these Gentlemen, which will require your signature, should you think proper that the Appointments should be made. I have the honor to be /...
43To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 13 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Frigate United States arrived on Friday—The Montezuma Murray, the Herald, Russell, and the Revenue Cutters General Greene, & Scammel, have since come into the Delaware. The copy of Capt Murrays letters which I have the honor to enclose, contains every thing of importance by these Vessels.—Capt. Tingey has sent in a prize, a small Vessel, not yet come up to the City, tho she is, I...
44To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor, to enclose a Letter from John C: Jones Esquire on behalf of the Committee at Boston, recommending William Parsons for Surgeon’s Mate to the Boston—Nehemiah Macombe for Sailing Master—Moses Allen for Purser—and Joseph Beale—Henry S Butler Jaazaniah Tucker Clark—Abel Lincoln junior Joseph Cordis & Benjamin Conant for Midshipmen—; and also a Letter to John C. Jones Esquire,...
45To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
In consequence of the permission contained in the letter with which you honored me, of the 27th. Ulto. and expecting that the Constitution will arrive at Boston in a few Days, if she is not already there; I take the liberty to enclose a letter for Nicholson—If it meets with your approbation, it may be forwarded to him. Barry speaks favorably of Nicholsons conduct, in the West Indies. But as he...
46To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from the Consul at the Havanna, to the Secy of State—and the correspondence between Capt Decatur & the Governor of the Havanna. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect & / esteem Sir Yr. most Obed / Serv. MHi : Adams Papers.
47To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am this Day honored with your two letters of the 19th. Inst. the contents of which shall be strictly attended to. I have the honor to be / with the highest respect / & esteem sir Yr most / Obed Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
48To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
There are seven Captains wanted, and they must be soon called into service.—There are wanted also, a great many Lieutenants, & several Masters & Commandants. Lieutenant Prebble, originally appointed first Lieutenant of the Constitution, from all the information I can receive of him, ought to have been a Captain from the beginning Lieutenant Rogers, appointed first Lieutenant of the...
49To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 25 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have been so much engaged, in consequence of the Arrival of so many Vessels, that I have not been able to communicate so much information on the business of the Navy as I ought to have done. The United States—The Constitution, the Delaware, the Montezuma, the Herald, and the Revenue Cutters, Govr. Jay, the Virginia, the Scammel & Genl. Green, are all in different ports in the United...
50To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 28 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
As I have not been honored with an answer to my letter of the 15h. Inst—enclosing one for Nicholson, I have presumed that You did not disapprove of Talbot, for the Command of the Constitution—And have this Day sent orders to him, to proceed to Boston. Nicholson has no reason to complain—He will be employed on shore to as much advantage to himself—and he certainly ought to be grateful, that the...
51To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 29 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter Just received from Capt Truxton who has arrived at Hampton, with the Constellation & the Insurgente. There are now in the West Indies, The Genlr Tingey, the Baltimore Barson—the George Washington, Fletcher the Pickering Preeble the Norfolk, Bainbridge, the Richmond, Speak, and the Eagle, 14 Guns, Campbell—but I am afraid, the George Washington,...
52To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 25th Inst.—The Herald sailed on Tuesday last, from New Castle, to cruise on the Coast, until the 10th. of July, when she is to return to Boston—Mr. Beale can then be changed from the Herald to the Boston. I have the honor to be / With the highest Respect & / Esteem sir Yr. most / Obed Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
53To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 30 May 1799 (Adams Papers)
It is very possible there may be Lieutenants, Midshipmen, a Master, and some other officers wanted for the Constitution before she sails—which I hope will be by or soon after the 15 June. As you Sir can better Judge than I can, of proper persons to fill vacancies—and as appointing immediately any officers wanted, will contribute to the dispatch of the Ship; I have taken the liberty to enclose...
54To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a Letter from Dwight Foster Esquire, recommending Mr. Joseph Willitson for the Appointment of Midshipman; also a Letter to Mr. Willitson, enclosing a Warrant, which will require your Signature, should you think fit that the appointment should be made. I have the honor to be, sir, / with the greatest respect & Esteem, / yr. most obedt. hble servt. MHi : Adams...
55To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 3 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
If it meets with your approbation, I will send as soon as possible, two Vessels at least, to cruise about Surinam & Cayenne—one or two to cruise about Curicoa and the Spanish main—three or four will be necessary to be kept in the neighbourhood of the Havanna, and a greater number must be kept about Guadaloupe; and altho’ I beleive there is have no necessity for it, yet to quiet the...
56To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 15 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Pickering, Capt Preeble, arrived at New York two or three Days ago—I expect the George Washington, Fletcher, is at New Port by this time. I will take the most decided steps, to get both these Vessels out immediately. Capt Preeble thinks the Pickering may be dispatched in a Week—she will be sent to near Guadaloupe,—where there remain The Ganges—Tingey The Baltimore—Barron The...
57To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 17 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
From information from Boston, I find that order can best be promoted on board of the Constitution, which Ship has been most miserably managed heretofore, by removing some of the officers into other ships, and filling their places with others—Lt. Beale is said to be a young man, who promises well, but is too young & inexperienced to act as first Lieutenant on board of such a Ship—Lt. Jarvis is...
58To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 18 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose a sett of warrants, corresponding with those you were pleased to sign for the officers of the Portsmouth— Mr. Shaw will be so good as to furnish the dates of such Commns. & Warrants, as you may sign & issue I have the honor to be, / with the highest respect & Esteem / sir Yr Most Obed. Servt. MHi : Adams Papers.
59To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 19 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
I have not heard of the Arrival of the George Washington, Capt Fletcher, at Newport—but not doubting, that she is now there, and that she must be ready to sail by the time orders arrive; I shall this Day send on Capt Perrys Fletchers Instructions to proceed on a cruise keeping near the Coast, as far as the River St. Marys—And from thence to the Havanna—To wait three or four weeks in the...
60To John Adams from Benjamin Stoddert, 24 June 1799 (Adams Papers)
The Sloop of War, building at Newbury port, will soon be in want of Officers—Timothy Newman of that place, Nephew to, or Cousin of Col Pickering, has been very well recommended to be Master & Commandant of that Vessel. He has long been an applicant, & in the Winter I enquired particularly of Mr Goodhue, his Character—and his account of him, was very favorable. If he meets with your...