51To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 16 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The accompanying statement No 2—exhibits a view of the exact state of the Navy appropriations on this day. Presuming that it will be agreeable to you, I shall in future lay before you, similar statements weekly . I have the honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem, Sir, yr mo ob st RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President United States”; endorsed by TJ...
52To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 23 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I request your signature to the enclosed commissions. I am with great respect sir, yr mo ob s DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
53To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 15 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I have made known to you of going on to Annapolis in the year 1800—and put a card into the Newspaper printerd at this city that brought out Judge Dewala to write essays which was inserted in all the Newspapers through the Unit States that was not in the federal interest as I am getting in years I think you should notiece me—and shall expect it at your death when it shall please the allmighty...
54To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 30 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Upon finding that Capt Tingey had not, as was his duty, reported to the Dept the timber and the tr used in the building and equipping of the gun Boats of this place I without delay called upon him by an Official letter for the requisite information and I have this moment with a view to hasten the report to me sent to him your note. Capt Tingey having been under Orders to keep an exact account...
55To James Madison from Robert Smith, 26 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
The papers by the Northern Mail of this day just received I hasten to forward to you. They are interesting and further evince the necessity of our being all here. Mr Erskine, it is expected, will be here this Evening. For our satisfaction and for his own justification, it is probable, he will shew me his instructions. He and Mr Canning appear to be fairly at issue and, strange to imagine, upon...
56To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 16 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
It would seem from the tenour of the Communications from our Ministers at Madrid that they were mortified not only from their failure in the negotiation, but from the manner of its being conducted on the part of Spain. Its unfortunate termination, be the motives of Spain what they may, has brought us to a crisis that demands great consideration. That Nation, throughout the whole of her recent...
57To 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
58To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your signature a number of Commissions which are wanted to commission the Lieutenants authorized by the Act of the 21 April 1806. I am with high respect Sir, yr ob st: DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
59To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Being apprehensive that the blank Commissions & Warrants mentioned in my Letter to you of the 17th instant, to have been transmitted to receive your signature, and which appear to have been Mis-sent, may not be recovered in time to accomodate Capt. Barron &. some other officers attached to the New York, I now do myself the honor to enclose twelve blanks of each, additional, & have to request...
60To 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...
61To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Some days since I had the honor of communicating to you verbally that there were employed in the service of the United States, six hundred & seventy seamen more than the number estimated for by the Navy Department for the present year. For the purpose of giving you a more distinct view of the subject, I herewith transmit to you the enclosed paper which exhibits the details as far as they can...
62Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 19 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 October 1809, Department of State. Answers Jackson’s letter of 11 Oct. by explaining the purpose for requesting that communications be in written form. Jackson’s interpretation of the request has “converted an intimation of the expediency [of written exchanges] into a general prohibition of all verbal communications whatever.” The point was to avoid misunderstandings. Requests Jackson to...
63To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose six blank warrants which it is intended to fill up with the names of the following young Gentlemen for Midshipmen George W. Barker recommended by Mr. Gregg John Quynn Mr. Duvall & others John R. Sherwood Jacob Gibson & others— John Nevitt R. Bowie & others— John Pettigrew Docr. Bullus & others Thos.
64To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
As it is probable that the frigate Boston may remain on the Mediterranean Station, and as Capt McNeill would in such case be improperly continued in service contrary to the determination of the Executive , I have conceived that some arrangement ought to be made to prevent such an impropriety. The enclosed letters have been prepared with that view and are submitted to your Consideration. Be...
65To George Washington from Captain Robert Smith, 2 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Hardly any thing has come out to Day. No Passes have been granted from Town. Some Ladies who got out by special Favor say as far as the Accots from the british Officers are to be attended to a Movement will take Place early tomorrow Morning. Some of them say to this Town, others that they do not know the Route. At such a Time I think it my Duty to send your Exy the most minute Circumstances....
66To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 30 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of Doctor Barraud brought to your attention by Judge Tucker was acted upon before I came into Office. To enable you to give to Judge Tucker a view of the proceedings that lead to the removal of this Gentleman, I herewith send to you enclosed copies of the Letters upon the subject. The high pretensions of Doctor Barraud were probably not known to either Mr Gallatin or Genl Dearborne—...
67To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 12 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received your favor of yesterday. Being much engaged in some private affairs of moment that cannot be postponed I fear I shall not be able to set out for Washington before next Thursday. But surely I will be with you as soon as I possibly can Let me, however, entreat you not to postpone any measure on account of my absence. I am indeed extremely happy you have Offered the...
68To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 26 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The proceedings of the Court not having been yet transmitted to me by Mr Jones the Judge Advocate no notice can at present be taken of the Note of Mr. Hanson—Respecty DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
69To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed is a private letter in answer to one of the same kind from me. In calling it private I mean that it is not to be filed among the publick letters. It is submitted to your Consideration. If it should hereafter be deemed expedient to send to Europe Com. Preble, it would not be proper to accede to any proposition so vague and indefinite as that made by him in relation to his expences....
70To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I some weeks since received the enclosed—I deem it proper to submit it to your eye altho it is not an Official letter—At your leisure you can look at it—Respecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
71To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 14 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
This Subscriber begs leave humbly to Sojest to your Exelancy that on ain Excursion to the North & Westerly part of the State of New york, That he discovred large quantities of pot Perl ashes & provisions of all Kinds driving & Carying to the Head Waters & leading Streams to the Lakes Onterio & Champlain & all other posable pasages to the River St. Lawrance at the Shoars & Banks of places...
72To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 17 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of W.C.N., which you submitted to my consideration, I have read. His ideas have my unqualified approbation. He concurs, I perceive, with me in two points upon which I, in Cabinet, stood alone—namely, the expediency of an immediate call of Congress & a demand of the punishment of the offending British Officer. Most fervently & sincerely do I wish that the result may shew the...
73To James Madison from Robert Smith, 3 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 August 1802, Navy Department. Acknowledges JM’s letter of 29 July and informs him that Lieutenant Chauncey will be instructed to deliver $30,000 to Algiers. “In the event of the money not being applied as intended, Commodore Morris will be instructed with respect to receiving it back.… Mr. Chauncey will also be instructed to receive and deliver the Gun carriages as you request.” RC ( DLC );...
74To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 12 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed are the only papers that have been sent to me in the Case of Neale. If there had been others, they would of course have been filed with the letter of the 30h. Sep. Respecty DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
75To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 15 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have addressed you letters respecting of going electioneering for you in the year 1800. having left Philadelphia for Richmond virginia arrived at Baltimore the last week of May proceeded from there to Charlestown on to Easton to Hadler Cove and crossed Chesepeake Bay ; for Annapolis arrived there about the last of June left there the 5th of July for Washington city got on to and to...
76To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 6 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to present for your approbation as Midshipmen in the Navy, Gilbert H. Smith recommended by Judge Kilty & others— Francis B. Whiting .— John Smith Esqr. Va. Dl. P. Ramsey — Mr. Strode— Chs. Jones — Mr. Merriweather Jones thro’ Mr. Madison.— If you approve the above nominations, the enclosed warrants will require your signature.— With high respect, I am Sir, yr mo: ob Servt.
77To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mem. Sloops of War } Siren } at Washington. } could all be prepared for sea by the time their officers would join them.
78To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose to you herewith a nomination to the Senate of Dr. Saml. D. Heap to be a Surgeon in the Navy of the United States. Dr. Heap acted in the capacity of a Surgeon’s mate from Apl. 1804 to Aug: 1805, and from the latter period to the present time as a Surgeon, and in both capacities he has acted with distinction for the periods above stated on the Mediterranean Station...
79Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 1 November 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 November 1809, Department of State. Jackson’s letter of 23 Oct. discloses that Erskine knew he lacked full authority to negotiate. “It necessarily follows, that the only credentials, yet presented by you, being the same with those presented by him, give you no authority” to make a binding agreement. In such circumstances, negotiations carried on by the U.S. “would not only be a departure...
80To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 3 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your note in relation to Mr. Tarlton Webb—I will accordingly have his name placed on the roll of applicants—There are no vacancies at present in the corps of midshipmen; but when vacancies shall occur, the application of Mr. Webb shall be respectfully considered. I have the honor to be with great respect sir, yr. mo: ob: st DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.