RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President U States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 19 Jan. and “small vessels” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP). Enclosure: Smith to William Eustis, 18 Jan. 1803, replying to a letter from Eustis dated 23 Dec. 1802; to better protect American seamen and commerce in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, Smith recommends that Congress authorize the construction or purchase of four small vessels of war not exceeding 16 guns each, leaving the means of acquisition to the president’s discretion; Smith subjoins a cost estimate for building a vessel of 14 or 16 guns, calculating an average cost of $24,000 per vessel; if Congress authorizes the procurement of these vessels, Smith believes that an appropriation of $96,000 would be adequate; Smith also encloses an estimate of the annual expense of maintaining a vessel of 14 and 16 guns, respectively (NDBW description begins Dudley W. Knox, ed., Naval Documents Related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers, Washington, D.C., 1939-44, 6 vols., and Register of Officer Personnel and Ships’ Data, 1801-1807, Washington, D.C., 1945 description ends , 2:346).