Transcriptions were made from the National Archives and Records Administration Record Group 45 microfilm of the letters of Commodore Thomas Tingey to the Secretary of the Navy requesting assistance for Seamen Newberry and Buchanan. His letter in support of Newberry enclosed petition from Newberry to the Secretary. His letter regarding Seaman Buchanan provides detail as to what it costs the Department to support the old sailor. In transcribing these letters and enclosures, I have striven to adhere as closely as possible to the original in spelling, capitalization, punctuation and abbreviation (e.g. "Do" or "do" for ditto or same as above) including the retention of dashes, ampersands and overstrikes. Where I was unable to print a clear image or where it was not possible to determine what was written, I have so noted in brackets. Where possible, I have attempted to arrange the transcribed material in a similar manner to that found in the letters and enclosure.

                      John G. Sharp                                                                                         March 14, 2009
                      Stockton Ca

					Navy Yard Wash 12th Jan 1809
Sir, 

	The enclosed is from one of the Seaman (from Alexandria) taken to work in this 
yard last summer, in consequence of your instructions at the request of the President. 
	
The situation of this man is entirely owning to his own loose way of life - but he 
is now totally destitute of relief - and has his support from a poor woman, wife of 
one of the laborers of the Yard - a woman I understand of fair character - I am incapable of 
refusing to recommend that he be received into the Hospital on condition that, when 
cured he shall enter into the Service on any station, if wanted at the time. 

			I have the honor to be 
				Very respectfully 
					Sir yr obedt Servt 

						Thos Tingey

Hon Rt Smith 

					29 Jan1809
To Commodore Tingey the petition of Henry Newberry
Respectfully I herewith 
			That your petitioner is now and I have been for some considerable 
length of time laboring under extreme debility so much that he is unable to do any labor  
he is deprived of every means of support as also the means of obtaining medical 
assistance  - That your Petitioner has been in the U.S. Service during his life has fought 
for his country against the Tripolitans - Under all circumstance your petitioner hopes & 
trusts your will be pleased to interest yourself in his behalf to admit him unto the 
hospital and as in duty bound will pray 

				[Henry Newberry Seamen]

					Navy Yard Wash: 16 May 1809 
Sir, 

	I have the honor to state to you that on the 1st July 1806 I represented to the 
Secretary of the Navy, the case of "George Buchanan an invalid seamen, who being ill 
prays admission into the hospital here - This man is now incapable of obtaining his bread 
by labor; but on recovery might be an assistant to the nurse of the hospital, for his 
victuals, and a very small stipend "to keep him clad - which is respectfully submitted for 
your approbation - On the succeeding day, I received for answer "Dispose of Geo. 
Buchanan, in the manner proposed by you."

	This man Sir, after recovery, continued some month's assisting at the hospital - 
but soon became so infirmed as be incapable of any duty - He was therefore removed on 
board among the crew of the Navy in Ordinary; receiving his ration of provisions and 
clothes from time to time, by my Orders on the pursers of the Yard, specifying the 
particulars, with directions to change the amount, to the Navy in Ordinary.  Buchanan, 
has been for some months again so ill, as to be return'd to the hospital, and is now nearly 
destitute of clothing: but existing circumstances precluding (in my opinion, and 
consistent with my feelings) any correspondence, or intercourse between Mr. Hanson and 
my self I beg leave to suggest the propriety of placing said Buchanan, on the pay roll of 
the Ordinary, having retrospect to the last supply furnish'd him, at two to three dollars  
per month, or sufficient to procure him the clothing and necessaries now wanted.  The 
money to be placed in the hands of the Doctor, or an officer of this Yard, for that 
purpose, the man being incapacitated from taking charge of it himself. 

	All this is respectfully submitted for your instruction. 
			I have the honor to be 
				Respectfully
					Sir
					Your Obed Servt. 
						Thos Tingey 

Hon Paul Hamilton 

					Navy Yard Wash: 19th June 1809
Sir 

	The case of George Buchanan, an invalid seaman having been stated in my letter 
of 18th ultimo; I have now the honor to enclose Mr. Hanson's account (for necessities 
supplied him, by my order) which is respectfully submitted, for your determination 
relative to the mode of remuneration of Mr. Hanson the Accountant of the Navy having 
judged it incorrect to be passed in Mr. H - Account with the Department.  
			
I have examin'd and certified the accounts although doubtful, as to the corrections 
of the heading, making the "Navy Department" debtor. 

				I have the honor to be 
					Respectfully
						Sir
						Your Obed Servt. 
							Thos Tingey 
Hon Paul Hamilton 

For the following articles furnished George Buchanan invalid Seaman with the Navy in
Ordinary at Washington Viz

                      Navy Yard Washington 19 June 1809 I certify that the
above account is correct the material enumerated having been supplied the said George
Buchanan by my orders.

                                                            Navy Yard Wash: 21st Feb 1809

Sir, 

            I have received  a letter from Doctor Ewell stating that several of the 
Men, shipped for the Brig Vixen, are "actually unfit for anything but a Hospital" -  
And that already the Hospital here under his superintendence, is crowded with 
them to the great inconvenience of the men from the Ordinary and Marine Corps -  
As these men, are chiefly in capable of duty from disorders caught by their own 
indiscretion  - Some with extremely ulcerated legs, and one with natural small pox - 
I beg leave to suggest that we prepare the Schooner Nautilus, for their reception 
and for such others as may arrive here ill & disordered - to avoid the accumulation 
of such men - Strict examination of the men entering the various rendezvous,  
by a Surgeon or Surgeon's mate of the navy might prove an easy prevention. 

                        All of which is respectfully submitted 
                                    I have the honor to be 
                                                Very respectfully 
                                                            Sir 
                                                            Your Obedient Servant 
                                                                        Thos Tingey 

Commodore Thomas Tingey, 1750-1829     Biography of Commodore Thomas Tingey

Samuel Hanson of Samuel, Purser United States Navy     Biography of Samuel Hanson of Samuel

Robert Smith 1757-1842 Secretary of the Navy     Biography of Robert Smith

Paul Hamilton 1762-1816 Secretary of the Navy     Biography of Paul Hamilton

                            Navy in Ordinary

Dr. Thomas Beale Ewell     Biography of Dr. Thomas Beale Ewell