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Document 257633
JOHN ADAMS and BENJAMIN STODDERT
President Adams makes one of the first appointments to the new Marine Corps
during a tense period with France.
Partly Printed DS: "John Adams" as second U.S. President and
"Ben Stoddert Secy/of the Navy", 1p, 13x8½, on vellum. Philadelphia,
1798 August 15. "Registered" at left: "Ch. W. Goldsborough"
as Chief Clerk of the Department of the Navy. In full: "Know ye,
That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Valor, Fidelity
and Abilities of David Stickney I do appoint him a 1st
Lieutenant of Marines in the Navy of the United States: He is therefore
carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a 1st Lieut of Marines by
doing and performing all manner of Things thereunto belonging. And I do strictly
charge and require all Officers, Seamen and others, under his command, to be
obedient to his Orders as a first Lieutenant of Marines. And he is to observe
and follow such Orders and Directions, from time to time, as he shall receive
from me, or the future President of the United States of America, or his
superior Officer set over him, according to the Rules and Discipline of the
Navy. This Warrant Commission to continue in force during the
pleasure of the President of the United States, for the time being." THIS
DOCUMENT IS AMONG THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS TO THE MARINES. Just one
month before this document, on July 11, 1798, concomitant with the separation of
the Navy from the War Department, Congress authorized "a Marine Corps". BENJAMIN
STODDERT was appointed the first Secretary of the Navy on May 18, 1798. The
following week, Congress authorized President Adams to order the commanders of
U.S. vessels to seize any French armed ship interfering with American commercial
shipping. On June 13, 1798, Congress passed legislation suspending commerce with
France. The Alien and Sedition Act, passed June 25th, authorized the President
to deport any potentially dangerous or treasonable alien during peacetime. On
July 7th, Congress repealed the treaties of 1788 with France. Stoddert
drafted the bill that established the Marine Corps by act of Congress on July
11th and on July 13, 1798, in preparation for war with France. Former
President George Washington accepted a commission as Commander in Chief of the
United States Army. Adams, while sharing the Federalist indignation at France's
behavior, was determined to avoid war with France. In an undeclared naval war
in 1798 against the French, the new U.S. Marines fought in virtually all sea
actions--notably the victories of the Constellation over the
Insurgente (1799) and Vengeance (1800). Some minor landings
were made, including those in Curacao and in Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo in
1800. When the French saw that their naval policies were likely to drive the
U.S. into an alliance with England, they ceased hostilities. By 1800, Secretary
of the Navy Stoddert had added about fifty vessels to the Navy. He pushed for
the construction of dock and navy yard facilities, acquiring properties for that
purpose all over the country. The Marines also fought against the Barbary
pirates (1801-15), including the celebrated march "to the shores of Tripoli" by
eight marines as part of the polyglot "army" that moved 600 miles across the
Libyan desert from Alexandria to Derna (1805). GOLDSBOROUGH was the first
clerk of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing of the U.S. Navy and Chief Clerk
of the Navy from 1798-1812. He served for brief periods as Secretary of the
Navy ad interim under President Madison. His son, Louis, was Rear Admiral of the
U.S. Navy in the Civil War. Lightly creased at blank margins. Folds do not touch
signatures. Fine condition.
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