To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Truxtun, 10 July 1802
From Thomas Truxtun1
Perth Amboy [New Jersey] 10th July 1802.
Dear Sir
I pray you to accept a Copy of the medal voted me by Congress2 as a Small token of the great Respect and esteem with which I have the honor to be
Dear Sir Your very obt. st.
Thomas Truxtun
Honorable General Hamilton
New York
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. Truxtun was appointed a captain in the United States Navy in 1794 and ranked fifth among the six captains appointed at that time. During the undeclared war with France, he commanded the U.S. frigate Constellation and a squadron of ships in the Caribbean, where he won two important naval engagements against the French ships L’Insurgente and La Vengeance. After peace with France was established in 1800, Truxtun was retained as one of nine captains provided for in the Naval Peace Establishment of 1801. On March 3, 1802, Truxtun resigned from the Navy as a result of a disagreement with Secretary of the Navy Robert L. Smith (Truxtun to H, March 26, 1802).
For Truxtun’s earlier career in the Navy, see Henry Knox to H, June 23, 1794; Silas Talbot to H, January 15, May 13, 1799; Benjamin Stoddert to H, May 3, July 19, 1799.