51To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 6 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to Inform you that the squadron under Commodore Dale sail’d on the 1: Inst. & Cleared Cape Henry on that Day—The Inclosed letter from Capt Truxtun I send for your perusal I rather suppose the Semillante had not gone to Sea with Commodore Dale, as no Mention thereof is made in my letter of the 2nd. from Norfolk. I have the honor to be your Obedt. Servt. RC ( DLC ); endorsed...
52To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 17 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am afraid I have Acted improperly by delaying to answer your letter so long.—I hope however It will be attributed to the real Cause,—to my anxiety & desire (if possible) to Comply with your wishes by accepting a Post that would have been at all times highly honorable, but during your Administration would have been to me particularly pleasing & gratifying—The Conflict with myself has been...
53To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 28 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day recieved the inclosed letter from Genl. Wilkinson. I presume from the Postscript that he has made an offer to relieve you from the Situation in which he Supposes you to be placed by his appointment,—I cannot think that this would be the proper time to make any Change,—nor am I of the opinion that any Change ought to be made, at any Rate, not until he has had full time to shew...
54To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 15 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I was led (by the Secretarys Report to the last Session of Congress) to believe that there was no more Salt Petre than what was Contained in that Report—I find the Report is only for that at the Arsenal in Philadelphia. I had no Recollection of any at any other place—If that is the whole that we have, It will produce little more than a Million of Gunpowder,—which I Should Consider not a...
55To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 20 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
When in Balte. a few Days past, I mentioned to Capt. McLellan (of the Artillery) that Genl. Wilkinson had been Charged with having induced the Sheriff of St. Louis to pack a Jury. He said he did not beleive the Charge. The next day he met the Sheriff by Accident in a Store a Copy of whose Deposition I took the liberty to send you least any impression should be made unfavorable to the General...
56To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 25 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I did myself the Honor to forward y[our] Box of Books by a Schooner bound to the Navy Yard—and by the same Opportunity I directed Peters & Johnson to send you one half Barrel of their best Beer—If it Should please you will know where you Can with Convenience supply yourself in future—I have this Day recieved from Malaga a Hhd of Wine sent to you from thence by order of Mr. Yznardi—Will you be...
57To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 11 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Marine Militia Bill has had a fair & full discussion this Day & yesterday. And on a motion to postpone until the first Monday of December, all the Senate except Seven rose in favor of the Motion—So that the principle of the Bill may be Considered as virtually rejected— No Reliance ever Can be placed in a similar Bill ever obtaining —Our Reliance must in my Opinion be placed in a Land Army...
58To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 14 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
You will do me the honor to recollect that Sometime in last Winter, I handed you an application from Coll. Lowry, requesting a place in the Customs in Orleans,—he Still appears anxious to have an appointment there, and has requested me to forward the inclosed Certificate from the Collector, Naval Officer & Surveyor of this Port, respecting his Capacity for the Duties of the Office,—Coll. Lowry...
59To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am applied to by Mrs Rivardi to apply for an appointment for her husband Major Rivardi. her letter inclosed will Shew better her Wishes & expectations than I Should be able—Major Rivardi is an excellent Mathematician, a Man of Science & a compleat Draftsman—I believe him from personal knowledg to be a Gentleman of Integrity & honor, he was deranged by the new Organization of the Army.—if the...
60To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the accompanying Commissions & Warrants— They are all old appointments excepting George Grey Grubb , who has been particularly recommended by Mr Leiper of Philaa. & has been sometime an acting Midsm. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem, Sir, your mo: ob Sr. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “President U: States”; endorsed by TJ as...
61To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Yznardi, the Elder is thus far on his Way to Washington to pay you his Respects, his State of Health will not permit him to go further—I shewed him your letter he will Accept with pleasure the Consulate &c its Duties untill there shall be a general Peace, again which time he expects he Can settle all American Claims for French Capt[ures] now under his Management—He no longer supports his...
62To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 26 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you my sincere thanks for your favorable Intention respectg. Mr. Buchanan—I am pleased with it, because I am confident Mr. Lewis would have been a very improper Character— I am happy to find that the sending the squadron to the Mediterranean & your very early determination to that Object has met the entire satisfaction of the Commercial people—All seem to think that more ships will be...
63To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 11 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to send you a Copy of a letter I have this instant recieved from my friends in Liverpool—and am sir/ your friend & Servt. Gent Liverpool 26 July 1806. We have only time to accompany the enclosed Price Current with information that the British Parliament is prorogued, & that it is officially announced, in the Speech on that occasion, that our Government is engaged in...
64To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. James Lowrey Donaldson, a young Gentleman of the Bar, of very handsome talents, has a disposition to reside in the Western Country. he has been 4 Years a practising Lawyer—and Studied four years prior thereto.—his Character is unblemished his Connexions respectable—his Politicks, has been proved by Some handsome pieces in the public Papers they are Republican, his Age about 25—Permit me to...
65To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 22 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you inclosed two letters I have recieved in behalf of Mr Forbes appointed to Havre by Mr Adams. I know Nothing of that Gentleman, but presume he Cannot be otherwise than Federal, in the late Acceptation of the Term,—From his letters he appears sensible—but It may perhaps be proper not to Appoint all the Consuls from one part of the Union.—Understanding from Mr Maddison that Mr. Doble...
66To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, [9 March 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honor to return you Mr. Coxe’s Opinions —there are some Ideas, that I think useful which I have Communicated to Mr. Randolph as Chairman of the Ways & Means.—I have the honor be your friend & servt. RC ( DLC ); partially dated; address clipped: “The Preside”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 9 Mch. Enclosures: see below. COXE’S OPINIONS : although they were marked private, TJ may...
67To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 5 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
My Brother has Come up to Attend to his Business in Court. I first to meet him with the distressing Account of the Death of his Eldest son (a Charming Boy) his Distress is great, that of his family will be greater, he will of course be detained some time at home— Our squadron had arrived —The Essex had gone to Tunis having under Convoy the ship for that Regency—The Philadelphia was seen...
68To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 23 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to you a letter just received from Genl. Dearborn—I do not admire either the Cost in Mariners or Mastters—I asked for the loan of two Brass field peices which I had brought back from the Western Insurrection and which I had Caused to be delivered in good order to the commanding Officers at the Fort—and am answered by reflections on the State of Maryland—I told...
69To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 23 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
During the late War between England & France—England levied a Convoy Duty of ½ ⅌C: on Goods exported from G.B. to any Port in Europe & One ⅌C: to all other Countries—for which difference there was some pretext—Neutrals as well as National Ships were Charged therewith—On the Peace this Convoy Duty was Changed to a Duty on Export, and the U.S. were thus subjected to double the Duty paid by other...
70To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 29 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Maryland arrived last Night & this Morning, Mr. Purviance the Bearer of her Dispatches proceeded to Washington—The inclosed Letter from Capt. Barney will Aid in explaining the Causes why no Exchange of Ratification had taken effect—and will shew, that Federalists Can not be trusted with the Objects of Government. I Confess that I highly approved of the Delicacy of your Conduct towards Mr:...
71To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 18 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been in such excessive Pain for a few Days from something like the Rheumatism in my Jaws, that I have not been able to attend to your Letter of 11 Inst. The Treaty with France was signed on the 4th. Octobr.; the Berceau was taken on the 12th. same Month, and arrived at Boston, in November, subsequent to well authenticated accounts being received that a Treaty was effected; but previous...
72To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 5 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter & I perfectly correspond in opinion with you as to the Appointments in Louisiana, I have always thought & still do think that Genl. W. was precisely the man best fitted for the appointment in every point of view. I take leave to observe that I do not agree with the construction given, at the Navy Department, relative to the law fixing the navy peace Establishment....
73To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 9 June [i.e. August] 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. Norman (a respectable Man of this City) has arrived here from Trieste, he has just informed me, that on his passage he Came thro: the Phare of Messina, & landed at the City, that he was informed that a Courier had passed thro: (the Day preceding) from Syracuse with an Account that a Neapolitan frigate was Chased by a Tunisian Squadron , that Capt. McNeill ran between and Cut off the...
74To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 17 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the Liberty as one of thy wellwishers to address Thee thy Enemies assert that thou art a Deist and thy Friends that thou art a Christian, but thy conduct demonstrates to me that thou art suitable for the office that thou fillest, as I look not at Names but actions. our beloved Saviour says that a Tree is known by its Fruit which is truly Philosophical and consequently agreable to that...
75To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 13 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last respects of the 5th. May I have endeavoured as much as the pressure of business would permit me to inform myself respecting the Navy yards purchased for the use of the Public. Not being able to find that there was any Law authorising the purchase of Ground for Navy yards—I enquired and am informed that the purchase was understood to be authorised by the following Laws—1st a Law...
76To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreably to your request, I will endeavour to give as correct an idea of the Navy of the United States, as my short acquaintance with this Department will enable me to do. On the 4th. March last, the Navy of the United States consisted of 5 frigates of 44 guns 3 " " 36 — 5 " " 32 — say thirteen frigates, those by the Law “Providing for the Naval Establishment of the United States” are...
77To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 6 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Inclosed from Mr Dawson I have this Instant received—The fracas at Norfolk commenced with some English & French Sailors & terminated with some very severe broken heads but no lives lost— Previous to my leaving this City (on Sunday) I had ordered all the ships (for sale) that were in Port to be Sold without delay—I directed two 44 gun ships one of 32 guns & a Schooner to be got ready for...
78To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 7 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have shewn your letter recommending a clergyman to some of my particular friends, they laugh at the Idea of my being written to on that Subject, however your Recommendation will have great Weight—There is no positive Vacancy here yet, but there must be, for Doctr. Allison’s situation is little short of Lunacy, Nor is there any Appearance of his recovery—There has been a young Gentleman of...
79To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 14 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I Congratulate you on the success & good Fortune of the Squadron under Commodore Dale—Lieut Sterett’s success will Convince the Tripolitan & other Barbary Powers of the Truth of Mr. Cathcarts remark —(that they would not find the Americans like the Neopolitan Castratti) & I hope will tend to keep the other Powers in Peace with us—War having now Actually Commenced, It becomes a Duty to have a...
80To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 8 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am about to ask of you a particular favor. Not an Office for any of my friends, but that you will not Nominate Col Hammond to be the Successor of Genl Wilkenson. I ask it as well on your Account as because that I verily believe his appointment will greatly Estrange the affections of the ancient inhabitants of Louisiana from you and from the Govt of the U.S. General Wilkenson has made himself...
81To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 20 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pitcairn the Consul at Hamburg is a Merchant of Considerable Credit & well supported in New York. the Merchants who do Business with him from this City Speak highly of him, as a Man of Understanding & one who has their entire Confidence,—and in this point of View he is Considerd by those who do not know his Transactions at Paris & a part of his Commercial Conduct, known to few—I do not...