John Cassin Esq., 15 July 1811 Navy Depart
The bearer Mr. Booth has appointed Clerk to the Commandant of the Navy Yard at this place in which you will be pleased to receive him.
Paul Hamilton [Signed Secretary of the Navy ]

Letter from Mordecai Booth to Secretary of the Navy re his son Master Commandant Benjamin Waller Booth
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Navy yard Washington 21st Dec 1827

Sir

The information derived from the receipt of the enclosed letter from Doctr. John Denny, of the 11th Oct. last, from the Gulph of Smyrna; induces me address you feeling It a duty as a Father, and which I deem a sufficient apology for my letter.

When my son was in the Mediterranean last in the command of his health became so bad to get to leave that station, & return to the United States - and on getting home , was so reduced & his breast so weak, that there was much doubt, weather he would ever recover well. Here he appeared to have regained his health and with pleasure and promptitude he received & obeyed the Order of the Department, to take Command of the U. States Sloop of War Lexington for the Mediterranean Service - Again I fear he is threatened with a pulmonary affliction - And having lost four Daughters with that dead disease; you may easily imagine, the alarm of a parent, on receipt of a letter, such as the one enclosed.

May I be favored with Information from the Department Whether, any communications have been received Capt. Benj. W. Booth, requesting to be relieved from Command of the Lexington, & permitted to return home as suggested by Doctr. Denny - & whether if there has,, what is the decision of the Department - for I fear that , if he does not speedily return from those seas – A little while , and I shall have no son in the Navy, one lost, the pride of his Father, the other threatened with a most alarming complaint , the main stay of a Parents hopes -

If Sir, you have not already recalled him, suffer a Father to plead for the life of a son, and ask you to it forthwith or a short delay away be for too late to save a life so dear to his aged parent – to a beloved wife & Children -& I trust is of some importance to his County - whose honor, he has faithfully endeavored to maintain –

I have the honor to be
Be pleased to cause
the enclosed to be returned
M. B. Very respectfully
Sir your Obedt. Servt.
Mordecai Booth [signed]

Hon. Saml. L. Southard
Secretary of the Navy