Papers of John Adams, volume 21
Informed bÿ the Resolution of the House of
Representatives that our Government intends to arm Six frigates,1 I find me Self obliged, to make
your Excellency acquainted with a worthÿ American, to whom, if known,
perhaps maÿ be adjudged the command of one of them—at least—He will come in
consideration if an excellent character, a prudent and manlÿ behaviour,
experience in the art of navigation and cool intrepidity can entitle Him to
it. His name is Capt.
Benj. Weeks. In the American War, he commanded
a Privateer—after the peace he was continually, employ’d by Mr̃. John Ross
& Co and we crossed with Him the Atlantic in the Frigat L’Henriette— He
lives in Philadelphia, and the mercantile house of Ross in that city—Shall
provide Him with more favourable testimonies if theÿ are required.2
A warm wish for America’s glorÿ—a conviction of your Excellency’s powerfull influence, and the knowledge of your Excellency’s principles must justifÿ these lines.
Permit me to assure your Excellencÿ, that I am with
Sentiments of the highest consideration and respect / Sir! / Your
Excellency’s most obedt. / humble Servant
P.s. Capt. Weeks is not
acquainted with my intercession—
RC (Adams Papers).
Largely responding to Barbary depredations against
U.S. shipping, Congress on 6 Feb. narrowly passed a resolution
recommending the establishment of the U.S. Navy. Debate centered on the
availability of natural resources to build the fleet, the potential cost
of such an endeavor, and how a naval buildup might be interpreted abroad
in light of U.S. neutrality. Questions arose about debt and government
overreach, but news of several more Barbary captures prompted Congress
to pass the Naval Act on 27 March, and the president signed it into law
the same day. Over the next few years, six frigates launched the U.S.
Navy: United States, Constellation,
Constitution, Congress, Chesapeake, and President (Michael J. Crawford and Christine F. Hughes, The Reestablishment of the Navy, 1787–1801:
Historical Overview and Select Bibliography, Washington, D.C.,
1995, p. 4–6;
U.S. Statutes at Large
,
1:350–351).
This was likely Capt. Benjamin Weeks (Wickes),
originally from Baltimore, whom JA dined with in Bilbao,
Spain, in 1780. John Ross was a former American commercial agent in
Nantes. Van der Kemp sailed for the United States via Weeks’ frigate,
L’Henriette, in 1788 (vols. 5:311, 18:501;
JA, D&A
, 2:432; Franklin, Papers
, 40:244; Van der Kemp, Autobiography
, p. 111).