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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO B. STODDERT, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. 1 - John Adams, The Works of John Adams, vol. 8 (Letters and State Papers 1782-1799) [1853]

Edition used:

The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States: with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations, by his Grandson Charles Francis Adams (Boston: Little, Brown and Co., 1856). 10 volumes. Vol. 8.

Part of: The Works of John Adams, 10 vols.

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TO B. STODDERT, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.1

Quincy, 1 October, 1798.

Dear Sir,—

I have received your favors of the 20th, 21st, and 24th of September. I am sorry that Captain Barry has not fully answered your expectations; but I hope you will soon send him out again. The hurricanes are now passed, and there is no longer danger from them. We must sweep the West India seas, and get as many of the French seamen, as they are called, whether they are Italians, Spaniards, Germans, or negroes, as we can. Seamen are so scarce that they cannot send out large privateers.

I thank you for your humane and wise directions to the Navy Agent at Norfolk. The captives ought to have able and honorable counsel, and I rely upon the impartial justice of our tribunals, for their honorable acquittal, if the law and the truth require it. The suppression of ship’s papers is a suspicious fact. If they have cruised and plundered Americans, there cannot be much hesitation. I cannot conceive there can be any difficulty in procuring evidence to show clearly the guilt or innocence of the ship.2

[1 ]The navy department had been organized in the month of May preceding, and Mr. Stoddert of Maryland, had been made the first secretary.

[2 ]This was a ship of twenty-four guns sent into Hampton roads by Captain Nicholson, on a suspicion of piracy. Mr. Stoddert was inclined to believe the vessel filled with French refugees under British protection. In his letter, he says:

“I have written to the Navy Agent at Norfolk, to liberate, on parole, the officers and owners, if they are confined, unless there are stronger reasons than I am informed of, to suspect them of piracy; and to tell them they have nothing to apprehend, if innocent. And I have desired him to recommend them to able and honorable counsel, which I have no doubt will meet with your approbation.”