91To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 4 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
From Genl Dearborns answer to my letter respecting the gun carriages I find that the War department cannot supply them, and that there are not, as I had imagined, any artificers belonging to that department. I also perceive that the Secretary at War cannot possibly by any means have them built. I have however since the receiving of this answer been making such arrangements that I am enabled to...
92To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 10 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 23d Ult informed me that the disposition manifested by the French Government had rendered it necessary that we have a public armed ship ready to sail on the 31st. Oct to carry the ratification and if possible the Stock to France and at the same time suggesting the expediency of employing the last of the small vessels in this service. At the time of my receiving these...
93To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 4 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The sickness of my Children continues and appearances are at this moment very afflicting. Mrs. Smiths extreme anxiety has for several days made her consider it necessary to watch over them day & night. It was my intention to have been at Washn. last Sunday. The painful fear of never again seeing my youngest Daughter has prevented me. I have brought my family to the House of Mrs. Smiths good...
94To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The names of the Officers I introduced to you are Mr Jenks Lieut Mr Ludlow Lieut, Nephew of Mr Ludlow of New-York Navy Agent— Mr Perry Midshipman who served as acting Lieut— Mr Ellery is his friend— I am sorry to see such an account of the Midshipman . He was strongly recommended by Mr Thompson of Virginia Member of Congress and from the great interest he took in procuring him the Station on...
95To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 4 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
*The temperate and Correct Course pursued by our Consul Mr Simpson, the promptitude of Commodore Preble, the effecacious Co-Operation of Commodore Rodgers of the returning Squadron, the judicious conduct of Capt Bainbridge and the general zeal of the other Officers and Men are It is proper to state to you that Rodgers being the Oldest Officer was the person that formed the plan of attack and...
96To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to present for your consideration the following Gentlemen to be Midshipmen in the Navy. Jacquelin Harvie Virga. Recomdd. by Mr. Harvie John Lyon Md. Colo. Stricker. Richard Wilson Md. Rt. Brent Esqre. Charles Blake Md. Mr. Nicholson Henry Thomas Md. J. Gibson Esqre. B. F. Rittenhouse Ca. Genl. Smith. of Va.
97To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
To send two additional frigates into the Mediterranean would require an appropriation of about 125000 Dol. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 19 Mch. and “approprn for Meditern.” and so recorded in SJL .
98To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The motion for abolishing the office of Lt. Colo. Commdt. of the Marine Corps having been rejected, I take the liberty to enclose a nomination for that office. The Gentleman proposed is now the senior officer of the Corps. FC in Lb ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ); in a clerk’s hand. Enclosure: suggested message to Senate, “Gentlemen of the Senate, I nominate Franklin Wharton, now Senior Officer in the...
99To James Madison from Robert Smith, 13 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 April 1804, Navy Department. “Immediately on receiving your letter of 30 ult —I called on Capn Morris for the information therein required—& yesterday received from him two letters of which the accompanying are true copies.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, ML ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to Secretary of State). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; docketed by Wagner....
100To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor herewith to transmit to you, for your consideration, a copy of the opinion on the conduct of Capt. Richd. V. Morris, formed & pronounced by the Court of Enquiry instituted agreeably to your directions for that special purpose I have the honor to be with the greatest respect sir, yr mo: ob: st RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President of the...
101To James Madison from Robert Smith, 21 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 April 1804, Navy Department. “I enclose a letter from John Tilden to me [not found]. “There was a John Tilden in the Navy service. He was appointed a Midsn. in January, ordered to the Brig Norfolk in April, and resigned in December 1800. He was the Son of Mr. Marmaduke Tilden, who has long been a Resident of Kent County Maryland. He was of respectable discent. I have no doubt the Writer of...
102To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 24 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose for your signature 30 blank Warrants—they are wanted for midsn—boatswains, gunners, sailmakers & carpenters—When you shall have signed them, I beg the favor of you to have them returned to me. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir, yr mo ob Sr. RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed...
103To James Madison from Robert Smith, 28 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1804, Navy Department. “I have the honor to enclose an estimate of the value of the articles comprehended in the ‘invoice given to the Consul of the United States at Algiers—to be furnished by the United States on account of the annuity which will be due on the 5h seper 1804.’” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, ML ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to Secretary of State). RC 1...
104To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 16 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of sending to you the enclosed for Consideration—If you should be of the Opinion, as I am, that Capt Morris ought to be dismissed without the intervention of a Court Martial, you will be pleased to Correct the enclosed letter so as to please yourself— Respectfully Y H S RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 16 May and “Capt Morris’s case” and so...
105To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 18 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose for your signature Commissions for the following gentlemen, now Lieutenants { Charles Stewart— Captain in the Navy. Isaac Hull } to be Masters Commandants Andrew Sterett John Shaw Isaac Chauncey John Smith Richard Somers Stephen Decatur & George Cox now Midshipmen { Arthur St. Clair
106To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 23 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor herewith to send, for your signature, a Commission for Stephen Decatur junior, to be a Captain in the Navy of the United States. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect sir, y mo ob servt. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 23 May and “Decatur” and so recorded in SJL with notation “post...
107To James Madison from Robert Smith, 28 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 May 1804, Navy Department. “We are in want of a Set of the Laws of the United States for Commodore Barron, and if you can furnish me with a Set I will be oblidged to you if you will do it.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to the Secretary of State). 1 p.
108To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 29 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed Commission for Doctor Hunt as Surgeon’s mate in the Navy. He is intended for the frigate Congress. FC ( Lb in DNA : RG 45, LSP ); at head of text: “The President.” On this day, Smith sent to Dr. Joseph G. T. hunt a commission backdated to 19 Apr. From 1804 to 1806, Hunt served in the Mediterranean squadron on board the frigates...
109To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 30 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your Signature to the enclosed Warrant as Midshipman for Mr. Gamble . He belongs to one of the Frigates of the present Squadron and has been some time appointed but owing to his being employed in the recruiting service at New York, has not yet received his Warrant. FC ( Lb in DNA : RG 45, LSP ); at head of text: “The President.” Midshipman Thomas gamble served on...
110To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 1 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your Signature to the enclosed Warrant for John Mason , Sailmaker. He is intended for the frigate Essex. FC ( Lb in DNA : RG 45, LSP ); at head of text: “The President.” Sailmaker john mason served on the frigates Essex and Constellation in the Mediterranean in 1804 and 1805 ( NDBW Dudley W. Knox, ed.,
111To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 4 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your Signature to the enclosed Warrant. It is wanted for Mr. Ludlow one of the Midshipmen of the President who has been some time acting but of whose Christian name I am as yet ignorant. FC ( Lb in DNA : RG 45, LSP ); at head of text: “The President.” Midshipman Augustus C. ludlow served on the frigates President , Essex , and Constitution in the Mediterranean from...
112To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 9 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received with great pleasure the enclosed as it has confirmed me in my favourable dispositions with respect to the young gentleman therein mentioned. I have made accordingly the necessary arrangements about his Rank so far as it could be done consistently with fixed principles. What I have done will, I am confident, be to him perfectly satisfactory. I may have Occasion to remain here...
113To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 17 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. I have had the satisfaction of receiving. Before I had left Washington I made all the necessary arrangements for the constructing of the gun-boats. The forms of the letters of instructions have been prepared for the building at Charleston Savanna, Norfolk, Baltimore, Pittsburgh Philadelphia, New York & Boston. We only wait for the drawings which Mr Fox is preparing...
114To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall this day have the honor of sending to you Warrants for the two young gentlemen recommended by judge Tyler. You will however be pleased to inform him that the Frigates intended for the Medn. have their full Complement of Midshipmen and that the first services to be performed by these young men will probably be on board of Gun Boats— Y.H.S. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received from the...
115To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 3 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have unfortunately been suffering since Saturday under the effects of the “ Ague and fever ”. This day I feel as if I was not again to be troubled with it. I shall however not be able to attend the proposed meeting of the Heads of Departments, nor to accept your polite invitation to Dinner. A recruiting Officer is now at Baltimore for the purpose of Obtaining men for the Gun-Boat No. 1. And...
116To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 6 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your Signature to the enclosed Warrants for Lucas , Boatswain, and Taylor , Gunner. These officers are intended for the GunBoat No. 1 now equipping at this place. FC ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ); in a clerk’s hand; at head of text: “The President of the United States.” James Lucas and William Taylor served on board Gunboat No. 1 ( NDBW Dudley W. Knox, ed., Naval Documents...
117To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 15 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The appointment solicited in the enclosed can with propriety be made. His first employment will be in one of the gun Boats. To me as to you it appears really surprising that so many applications for appointments in the Navy are received from Virginia and Maryland. But the Eastern States have no cause of complaint. All applications from that quarter have been duly respected by us. And if they...
118To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The publication in Major Jackson’s paper to which the enclosed alludes I have not seen. I know not its Object nor the quarter whence the information proceeded. But the Statement of Com. Truxtun in its material parts is correct to my knowledge and to the knowledge of many of the inhabitants of Balt. My commentary upon his text is that he is anxious to be appointed at the Head of the Navy Yard...
119To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 20 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The death of Mr. Enoch S. Lane First Lieutenant of Marines has occasioned a vacancy in that corps. I beg leave to suggest the propriety of filling up the vacancy and at the same time to present for your consideration Mr. Love who has been recommended in such a manner as to induce a belief that he will do credit to the Appointment.— With high respect I am Sir yr. ob Servt. RC ( DLC ); in a...
120To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 21 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
A Purser is required for Gunboat No 1, under Command of Lieut. Lovell. Mr. Carr for whom the enclosed warrant is intended has heretofore acted in the station of Purser with credit to himself and advantage to the public and is one of that grade of officers who retired under the peace establishment act. If you approve of this nomination I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed...