Tag Archives: US Navy

3.37 – O Grab Me

October 24, 202103 - Thomas JeffersonAlbert Gallatin, Democratic-Republican Party, Edward Preble, Federalists, France, George Clinton, Great Britain, Henry Dearborn, James Madison, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, John Randolph of Roanoke, Napoleon Bonaparte, New Orleans, Robert Smith, Spain, Stephen Decatur, Thomas Jefferson, US Navy, William C C Claiborne, William Pinkneypresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1806-1808

With a diplomatic resolution to the Chesapeake/Leopard affair looking increasingly unlikely and the threat of war looming, President Jefferson and his administration worked in late 1807 to devise an alternative to war while also preparing for the nation’s defense. Meanwhile, James Monroe’s frustrations continued in London while there was a shift in power in Congress. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “O Grab Me cartoon” [c. 1807], courtesy of Wikipedia

Intro and Outro Music: Selections from “Jefferson and Liberty” as performed by The Itinerant Band

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3.36 – Trial

October 3, 202103 - Thomas JeffersonAaron Burr, Caesar Rodney, Edmund Randolph, Great Britain, Henry Clay, James Madison, James Monroe, John Marshall, John Randolph of Roanoke, John Wayles Eppes, Robert Smith, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Mann Randolph, US Navy, US Supreme Court, William Branch Giles, William Pinkney, William Wirtpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1806-1807

Little did the Jefferson administration, while preparing to prosecute the former Vice President of the United States, Aaron Burr, for treason, that they would be faced at the same time with an external challenge that threatened to plunge the nation into war. In mid-1807, the President, his Cabinet, and the nation were all anxious for the latest information from the Burr trial in Richmond as well as whether Great Britain was truly declaring war on the US following the attack on an American naval vessel off the coast of Virginia. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “John Marshall” by Rembrandt Peale [c. 1834], courtesy of Wikipedia

Intro and Outro Music: Selections from “Jefferson and Liberty” as performed by The Itinerant Band

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SATT 002 – Henry Knox

August 29, 2021Seat at The TableAlexander Hamilton, American Revolution, Federalists, France, George Washington, Great Britain, Henry Knox, Massachusetts, Thomas Jefferson, US Army, US Navy, Whiskey Rebellionpresidencies

Tenure of Office: 12 September 1789 – 31 December 1794

Henry Knox served the United States as a general and as the head of the War Department for ten years, but will his life and career earn him a seat at the table of the Cabinet All-Stars? Listen as we explore Knox’s legacy to find out!

Thanks so much to my special guests for this episode – Rob and Jamie from Totalus Rankium!

Featured Image: “Henry Knox” by Gilbert Stuart [c. 1806], courtesy of Wikipedia

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3.28 – The Calming Seas

March 21, 202103 - Thomas JeffersonAlbert Gallatin, Anthony Wayne, Barbary States, Edward Preble, Henry Dearborn, James Madison, Robert Smith, State Department, Thomas Jefferson, Timothy Pickering, Tobias Lear, US Navy, William Eatonpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1803-1805

With the war with Tripoli continuing to drag on year after year, Jefferson and his administration had to determine whether the best course to bring it to a conclusion lay with opening up a new front by partnering with foreign agents or through engaging in a new round of diplomacy. Meanwhile, a change in the command of the US naval squadron in the Mediterranean took the wind out of the sails of what had been an energetic force. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Attack on Derna” by Charles Waterhouse, courtesy of Wikipedia

Intro and Outro Music: Selections from “Jefferson and Liberty” as performed by The Itinerant Band

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3.17 – Sailing in New Waters

May 24, 202003 - Thomas JeffersonAlbert Gallatin, Anthony Merry, Barbary States, Edward Preble, Henry Dearborn, John Wayles Eppes, Lewis Harvie, Martha Jefferson Randolph, Meriwether Lewis, Robert Smith, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Mann Randolph, Tobias Lear, US Navy, William Clark, William Eatonpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1802-1803

Despite some early successes, the US naval efforts against Tripoli languished in 1802 and early 1803, and with the cost of maintaining a squadron in the Mediterranean climbing, President Jefferson and his administration had to consider alternates in both leadership and approaches to tackle the situation. Meanwhile, various young men in Jefferson’s life moved into new roles in 1803, and the President’s personal and political realms began to overlap in new ways. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Dutch Ships off Tripoli” by Reinier Nooms [c. mid 17th century], courtesy of Wikipedia

Intro and Outro Music: Selections from “Jefferson and Liberty” as performed by The Itinerant Band

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3.07 – The Door to the West

November 17, 201903 - Thomas JeffersonAndrew Jackson, Barbary States, Congress, Henry Dearborn, Indiana Territory, James Madison, James Wilkinson, Meriwether Lewis, Mississippi Territory, Napoleon Bonaparte, Native Americans, Spain, Thomas Jefferson, US Army, US Navy, William C C Claiborne, William Henry Harrisonpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1798-1801

Jefferson and his administration early on focused their attention on the civilian and military operations in the western frontier of the US and worked through the year leading up to the convening of the first session of the Seventh Congress to determine who would stay and who would go. Meanwhile, despite his concerns about a standing army and navy, Jefferson also worked in his first year in office to establish two key supports for the US military establishment: a military academy and a dry dock. Sources used in this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: Portion of “The Treaty of Greenville” [c. late 18^th century], courtesy of Wikipedia

Intro and Outro Music: Selections from “Jefferson and Liberty” as performed by The Itinerant Band

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3.06 – To Limited Arms

November 3, 201903 - Thomas JeffersonAaron Burr, Albert Gallatin, Alexander Hamilton, Barbary States, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Congress, Democratic-Republican Party, Edward Livingston, Federalists, George Clinton, Gideon Granger, James Madison, John Beckley, John Jay, Levi Lincoln, Meriwether Lewis, New York, Robert Smith, Samuel Smith, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Mann Randolph, US Navy, Washington DCpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1795-1801

Jefferson managed to get a permanent Secretary of the Navy just in time for Commodore Dale’s naval squadron to engage in combat in the Mediterranean. In addition to that key post being filled, the administration was able to make some additional structural decisions during the final months of 1801 in time for the new congressional session in December. Meanwhile, a new opposition was organized by a key Federalist leader to ensure that Jefferson’s first annual message would not go unquestioned. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “U.S. Schooner Enterprize Capturing the Tripolitan Corsair Tripoli, 1 August 1801” by William Bainbridge Hoff [1878], courtesy of Wikipedia

Intro and Outro Music: Selections from “Jefferson and Liberty” as performed by The Itinerant Band

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2.18 – New Year, New à Vous

March 24, 201902 - John AdamsFrance, Great Britain, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Napoleon Bonaparte, Oliver Ellsworth, Talleyrand, Timothy Pickering, US Navy, William R Davie, William Vans Murraypresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1800

The French Directory falls, and the three US peace commissioners are left with many questions as to how to proceed before they even arrive in Paris. Meanwhile, the US government considers a change in its policy towards the Barbary States, and the USS Constellation engages French naval forces once more in the Caribbean. Source information for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Les trois consuls de la Constitution de l’an VIII (de gauche à droite : Cambacérès, Bonaparte, Lebrun)” by Henri-Nicolas Van Gorp [c. 1803], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.13 – Destiny Written in the Stars

January 13, 201902 - John AdamsAbigail Adams, Caribbean, Elbridge Gerry, France, Fries's Rebellion, George Washington, Great Britain, James Madison, Jay Treaty, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Napoleon Bonaparte, Robert Liston, Rufus King, Thomas Jefferson, Timothy Pickering, US Navypresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1797-1799

Despite the wealth of evidence coming in of the sincerity of the French Directory in seeking peace, President Adams found himself at odds with his Secretary of State Timothy Pickering at the beginning of 1799 with Pickering continuing the push for war. Meanwhile, the US Navy proved its worth in protecting American shipping in the Caribbean just as relations with the British began a downward spiral once more. Sources used for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “USS Constellation vs L’Insurgente,” Rear Admiral John William Schmidt [c. 1981], courtesy of Wikipedia

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2.06 – Scandals and Observations

October 7, 201802 - John AdamsAaron Burr, Abigail Adams, Abraham Venable, Albert Gallatin, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin Bache, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Elbridge Gerry, Frederick Muhlenberg, Henry Knox, James Callendar, James Monroe, John Adams, John Marshall, John Quincy Adams, Maria Reynolds, Robert Liston, Thomas Jefferson, Timothy Pickering, US Navy, William Blountpresidencies

Year(s) Discussed: 1792-1797

Adams is joined in Philadelphia by his wife Abigail as he tries to balance war and peace with the first of the original six frigates of the US Navy being launched around the time that he appoints peace commissioners to France. Meanwhile, the US Senate is rocked by a scandal involving one of its leaders while news of Hamilton’s extramarital affair becomes public. Source information for this episode can be found at http://presidencies.blubrry.com.

Featured Image: “Alexander Hamilton” [possibly by John Trumbull, c. 1790], courtesy of Wikipedia

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Presidencies of the United States

A journey through presidential history from the beginning to the present day

Tag Archives: US Navy

3.37 – O Grab Me

3.36 – Trial

SATT 002 – Henry Knox

3.28 – The Calming Seas

3.17 – Sailing in New Waters

3.07 – The Door to the West

3.06 – To Limited Arms

2.18 – New Year, New à Vous

2.13 – Destiny Written in the Stars

2.06 – Scandals and Observations