1From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Sterett, 1 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of the Navy , the regular organ for the present communication, being absent from the seat of government for causes which may detain him for some time, I do myself the pleasure without further delay of expressing to you on behalf of your country, the high satisfaction inspired by your conduct in the late engagement with the Tripolitan cruiser captured by you. too long, for the...