Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813 to John Adams
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.07279 Author/Creator: Talbot, Silas, 1751-1813 Place Written: On board the Frigate Constitution Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 July 1799 Pagination: 2 p. : Height: 30.4 cm, Width: 18.3 cm Order a Copy
Talbot thanks President Adams for receiving the commission of Captain of the Navy and "also another to Cotton Thayer as Second Lt. of Marines." Talbot has difficulty accepting this commission because he fears he will be a junior officer to someone who does not deserve to be ranked ahead of him, citing [John] Barry, [Samuel] Nicolson, and [Thomas] Truxton. "I consider a commission only as a certificate or evidence of an appointment, why then have I not untill this day been furnished with the Evidence of my first appointment under the present Government as well, or instead of the Letter." Talbot does not have "confidence" in the Navy Department. Talbot respectfully declines the commission and wishes to retire from the service. Noted at the top as a "copy," though written in Talbot's hand and signed by him. Originally eclosed with GLC02437.07282.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.