Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 25 March 1802

From Robert Smith

Navy dept: 25 March 1802.

The young Gentleman to whom the enclosed letter is addressed, has been recommended by Mr. Page, for reinstatement in the navy. If you have no objection the enclosed letter shall be forwarded.

R.S.

FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP); at head of text: “The President.” Enclosure: Smith to Hugh Wallace Wormeley, 25 Mch. 1802, informing Wormeley that he has been reinstated as a midshipman in the navy and directing him to join the frigate Chesapeake at Norfolk (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSO).

YOUNG GENTLEMAN: Hugh Wallace Wormeley was a midshipman on the sloop Maryland during the Quasi-War with France. Discharged under the Peace Establishment Act, he was reinstated on 25 Mch. 1802 despite poor health. He served as a midshipman until 1805, then as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps until 1806. He was recommended to TJ for a consular post in the Barbary states in 1806, but did not receive an appointment (NDBW description begins Dudley W. Knox, ed., Naval Documents Related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers, Washington, D.C., 1939–44, 6 vols. and Register of Officer Personnel and Ships’ Data, 1801–1807, Washington, D.C., 1945 description ends , Register, 61, 66; James F. Hopkins and others, eds., The Papers of Henry Clay, 11 vols. [Lexington, Ky., 1959–92], 10:626; Joseph Lewis, Jr., to TJ, 11 Feb. 1806).

MR. PAGE: probably Mann Page, who had previously recommended navy candidates to TJ (Robert Smith to TJ, 20 Feb. 1802).

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