111III. Robert Smith’s Remarks on the Draft, 27 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
3d. line— thereof —whereof— 6h. line &c—until a Bond with sufficient sureties shall be given to the use of the U. States in a sum double &c &c with Condition that no assault &c—&c— 12h. & 13h. lines—As the Captains of these vessels may not distinctly know the distinction between a lawful & an unlawful search and between the lawful and unlawful use of the arms on board, would it not be proper...
112VI. Robert Smith’s Remarks on the Draft, 31 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
“ will be properly regarded ”— Would it not be better to presume that your representations have been acted upon and therefore use the words— have been properly regarded . The language respecting the gun Boats is rather too strong—The truth is—two of the gun Boats have been built and equipped for service—Eight more are building and most of these will be launched in the Course of next Month/Novr...
113To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The officers proposed on the accompanying paper for nomination to the Senate, have been provisionally appointed during the last recess of the Senate. I am, sir, with great respect yr. mo: ob: st RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 8 Nov. and “Naval nominns” and so recorded in...
114To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to your letter of the 10th ins, & the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 9th ins, therewith sent to me, I have the honor to enclose a statement of the circumstances attending the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia, with the names of the officers & the number of men, employed on the occasion. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, Yr. mo ob st. RC ( DNA :...
115Enclosure: Report on the Destruction of the Philadelphia, 13 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Statement of the Circumstances attending the destruction of the Frigate Philadelphia with the names of the Officers and the number of Men employed on the occasion as laid before the President by the Secretary of the navy, November 13—1804.— On the 31′ January 1804 Commodore Preble lying with his Squadron in the Harbour of Syracuse, gave orders to Lieut. Charles Stewart, commanding the Brig...
116To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 14 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this morning received a letter from Balt stating that Mr. Pinkney is determined to remain at Balt and to prosecute the practice of the Law. He is poor with a large family and he must make some provision for them. He means, it is said, to devote himself to his profession and to keep aloof from politicks. & from Publick employment— Respectfully Y. H. S. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR ); endorsed...
117To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 15 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of informing you that a Commission of Captain in the Navy of the U. States has been sent to Mr Stephen Decatur Jun. Y. St. S. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 15 Nov. and “Decatur” and so recorded in SJL . Smith here canceled “dated.”
118To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 22 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the enclosed in order that you may perceive the movements of the Spanish troops from Pensacola to Baton Rouge in the extract marked +— RC ( DLC ); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 22 Nov. 1804 and “movement Span. troops to Baton rouge” and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure not found, but see below. A widely reprinted extract of a letter from Baton Rouge,...
119To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 22 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mem— We possess already but two gun boats—and in the general Estimate provision is made for the expences of only these two The costs of the gun Boats cannot yet be accurately ascertained. I am rather inclined to think that each Boat will cost from 5000 to 6000 Dol—The Ship builder in Kentucky asked 9000 Dol— RC ( DLC ); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 22 Nov....
120To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
There are eight gun boats now building for the maintenance of which no appropriation has as yet been required—If they should be put in commission with the number of officers & men necessary in time of war, we shall require for their maintenance during the year, 1805, the following appropriations, doll’s cts. 45,324 5665 For pay & subsistence of the officers & pay of the seamen 51528. For...