1From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 4 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have no doubt that we ought to do here every thing which time will permit us to do; and consequently approve of building a brig and two gunboats here. There are weighty reasons requiring a gun boat in Lake Pontchartrain immediately. it is thought too that No. 1. tho not suited to the current of the Missisipi, may be well adapted to the lake, and being a stouter sea-boat than any we may build...