Worthiness of Captain Robinson
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Worthiness of Captain Robinson
Description
Stoddert seeks Hamilton's assessment of Capt. Robinson as a potential commander in the Navy.
year created
1799
month created
01
day created
01
author
sent from location
Philadelphia
recipient
sent to location
New York
in collection
in publication
in image
note
Partially illegible.
Syrett listed this document in the Appendix to Vol. 22.
Syrett listed this document in the Appendix to Vol. 22.
notable person/group
Alexander Hamilton
Benjamin Stoddert
Capt. Robinson
captains of our larger vessels
commander
US Navy
Navy Department
notable location
New York
Philadelphia
notable item/thing
frigate
high commendation
good sense
smaller vessels
Navy
recommendation
merchant frigate
larger vessels
notable phrase
Some indifferent men have already crept into command in our Navy. It will prove worse than worthless if it should be badly commanded.
document number
1799010160101
transcription
Navy Depart
<ins>Ben Stoddert</ins>
General Hamilton
New York -
pg 24 Phila. 1 Jan 9 1799
DSir
A Capt Robinson, who superintends the merchants Frigate at New York, has been recommended to command a Frigate. He was yesterday introduced to me , by Mr Wathor of New York, with high commendations. The Captains of our larger repels, should [possess?] good sense, & real bravery - & of our smaller repels - bravery, at least. Will you be so good as to tell me which kind of a man, this Robinson really is? Some indifferent men have already crept into command in our Navy. It will prove worse than worthless, if it should be badly commanded. I wish immediately destroy your letter, if it should be unfavorable to Ronbin-son. - The impression <sup>only</sup> will remain.
I have the honor to be with real & great esteem yr most obed serv
Ben Stoddert
<ins>Ben Stoddert</ins>
General Hamilton
New York -
pg 24 Phila. 1 Jan 9 1799
DSir
A Capt Robinson, who superintends the merchants Frigate at New York, has been recommended to command a Frigate. He was yesterday introduced to me , by Mr Wathor of New York, with high commendations. The Captains of our larger repels, should [possess?] good sense, & real bravery - & of our smaller repels - bravery, at least. Will you be so good as to tell me which kind of a man, this Robinson really is? Some indifferent men have already crept into command in our Navy. It will prove worse than worthless, if it should be badly commanded. I wish immediately destroy your letter, if it should be unfavorable to Ronbin-son. - The impression <sup>only</sup> will remain.
I have the honor to be with real & great esteem yr most obed serv
Ben Stoddert
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (2 pages) | WGL01 (2 pages) | Collection: Alexander Hamilton Papers | R: 15 |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Publication: The Papers of Alexander Hamilton | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Benjamin Stoddert | Philadelphia | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Alexander Hamilton | New York | [n/a] |