Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 17 March 1803

From Robert Smith

Washington Mar. 17., 1803.

Sir,

The Constellation Capt Murray is arrived and is now in the Eastern Branch. Her crew will be discharged immediately.

As nothing but a formidable force will effect an honorable peace with Tripoli and repress the dispositions of the other Barbary powers to hostility, would it not be adviseable to send immediately to the Medn either the Constitution now lying at Boston or the Philad now lying at Philad—Either of these Ships Could be in the Mediterranean in the Month of May.

Most respectfully I am Sir, Your Obed Servt

Rt Smith

RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 21 Mch. and “Murray. Tripoli” and so recorded in SJL.

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    Jefferson Papers
    Title
    To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 17 March 1803
    Author
    Smith, Robert
    Recipient
    Jefferson, Thomas
    Date
    17 March 1803

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 17 March 1803,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-40-02-0065. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 40, 4 March–10 July 1803, ed. Barbara B. Oberg. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2013, p. 82.]

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