Qualifications of Capt. Samuel Nicholson & Capt. John Foster Williams
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Qualifications of Capt. Samuel Nicholson & Capt. John Foster Williams
Description
Wolcott addresses the qualifications of Samuel Nicholson and John Foster Williams for command during the critical state of the country.
year created
1798
month created
06
day created
07
author
sent from location
Treasury Department
recipient
sent to location
Boston
in collection
in microfilm
in image
notable person/group
Benjamin Lincoln
Oliver Wilcott, Jr.
Samuel Nicholson
John Foster Williams
notable location
Boston
Treasury Department
notable item/thing
prudence, bravery, diligence, and talents for command
good of the service
new appointment proper
fourteen guns
age and services of both of these characters
critical state of our country
magnitude of the interests at stake
aid to the President in the discharge of his arduous duties
document number
1798060790101
page start
1
number of pages
2
transcription
Private
General Benjamin Lincoln
Boston
Private
Treasury Department
7th June 1798
Sir
I have received the directions of the President to ascertain your opinion upon a subject which though is be of a nature peculiarly delicate and one with which men not officially responsible, reluctantly interfere, will I am persuaded be given with candor and impartiality and after a due estimate of every circumstance which ought to be considered.
The question is whether Captain Samuel Nicholson possesses the prudence, bravery, diligence and talents for command which his station is the navy requires, or generally whether the good of the service renders a new appointment proper.
It is also requested that your opinion in respect to the qualifications of Captain John Foster Williams for the command of a Cruizer of Fourteen Guns may in like manner be communicated.
The age and services of both these characters will I am certain plead strongly in their favor, you will however naturally consider the present critical state of our Country, the magnitude of the Interest at stake and the obligation imposed on all good men to afford aid to the President in the discharge of this arduous duties.
I am with great respect
Sir
Your obedt. Serv[an]t
Oliver Wolcott
Benjamin Lincoln
General Benjamin Lincoln
Boston
Private
Treasury Department
7th June 1798
Sir
I have received the directions of the President to ascertain your opinion upon a subject which though is be of a nature peculiarly delicate and one with which men not officially responsible, reluctantly interfere, will I am persuaded be given with candor and impartiality and after a due estimate of every circumstance which ought to be considered.
The question is whether Captain Samuel Nicholson possesses the prudence, bravery, diligence and talents for command which his station is the navy requires, or generally whether the good of the service renders a new appointment proper.
It is also requested that your opinion in respect to the qualifications of Captain John Foster Williams for the command of a Cruizer of Fourteen Guns may in like manner be communicated.
The age and services of both these characters will I am certain plead strongly in their favor, you will however naturally consider the present critical state of our Country, the magnitude of the Interest at stake and the obligation imposed on all good men to afford aid to the President in the discharge of this arduous duties.
I am with great respect
Sir
Your obedt. Serv[an]t
Oliver Wolcott
Benjamin Lincoln
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | FDF22 (2 pages) | Collection: Robert Goodloe Harper | [unknown] |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Microfilm: Benjamin Lincoln Papers | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Oliver Wolcott, Jr. | Treasury Department | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Benjamin Lincoln | Boston | [n/a] |