STODDERT, Benjamin, cabinet officer, born in Charles county, Maryland, in 1751; died in Bladensburg, Maryland, 18 December. 1813. His grandfather, Major James Stoddert, a cadet of the Scotch family of Stoddert, settled in Maryland about 1675, and his father, Captain Thomas Stoddert, of the Maryland contingent, was killed in Braddock's defeat. Benjamin was educated for a merchant, but in 1776 joined the Continental army as captain of cavalry, and was in active service till the battle of Brandywine, when, holding the rank of major, he was so severely wounded as to unfit him for active service. As secretary of the board of war he remained with the army till the latter part of 1781. When peace was concluded he became a successful merchant of Georgetown, D.C. In May, 1798, he was appointed secretary of the navy, being the first to hold the post, and so remained till 4 March, 1801. He was acting secretary of war after the resignation of James Henry, until his successor, Samuel Dexter, took charge. When the navy department was created in 1798, the frigates " Constitution," " Constellation," and " United States" constituted the bulk of the American navy. By the latter part of 1799 five frigates and twenty-three sloops-of-war were in commission. Mr. Stoddert's experience in the mercantile marine, coupled with his tact, industry, and judgment, were valuable in the formation of this naval force, through which the hostilities with France were so soon terminated. That he possessed the confidence and friendship of President Adams is shown by his official and private correspondence. At the close of Adams's administration he returned to private life, settling his business affairs, which during his absence had become so entangled as to cause serious losses.