301To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 22 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The Act intituled “An Act for procuring an additional number of Arms, and for the purchase of salt petre & sulphur” passed 11 March 1808— appropriates “for the purchase of salt petre & sulphur” 150,000 dollars— During the session of 1808, I received from genl Smith, chairman of a committee of the Senate, a letter asking information as to the additional quantity of salt petre & sulphur which it...
302To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed list of surgeons and Surgeons mates is sent to you for nomination to the Senate should it be approved by you.— The Surgeons are required for the vessels now in commission under the act of the 31 Jany; the surgeons mates are also required for these Vessels, and for the Norfolk and New Orleans station. It may be proper to state to you that of the 6 surgeons mates nominated to the...
303To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Shaw who was nominated as a Surgeon in the navy has withdrawn his application. I beg leave to mention to you the name of Doctor Jasper Hand in his place. Doct. Hand was nominated a surgeon’s mate at the same time that Doct Shaw was nominated a Surgeon: tho’ by a mistake in his name made by the gentlemen who recommended him, his name was written Jesse instead of Jasper Hand his real name.—...
304To James Madison from Robert Smith, [15 April] 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed sketch of my proposed answer to Mr Erskine I yesterday morning gave to Mr Gallatin for his consideration—And last Evening I gave him in a short note the intimation which Mr Erskine gave me yesterday at your house. Unexplained there is no understanding it. But I presume he means to say this morning, that he has authority to fix with us the day , when the orders in Council shall...
305Robert Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your very friendly letter of the 10 h I have had the pleasure to receive. A nd most sincerely do I thank you for this additional instance of your goodness and for the interest you so kindly take in whatever concerns me personally. I am happy in learning that your rural occupations afford you so much gratification. After having so usefully devoted to your Country so many years, you are...
306To James Madison from Robert Smith, 24 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed papers shew the temper of the B. Govt. with respect to our late arrangement with Mr Erskine and induce a strong presumption that no adjustment consistent with our interest or our honor can be made with that infatuated nation. It would seem that Erskine is to be superseded by Mr Jackson, who may every day be expected. You will be pleased to state to me what answer, as to time, I am...
307To 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...
308To James Madison from Robert Smith, 31 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 27h. It would seem that Mr Erskine has taken great liberties with his instructions. Of this I had not the slightest suspicion when I was writing my two last letters. And a knowledge of this diminishes the necessity of your return or of the Call of Congress. One of his reasons for not Communicating in Extenso this instruction is now apparent. It was a...
309To James Madison from Robert Smith, 6 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
You will perceive that the enclosed papers from Gov. Claiborne state a Case, which has not been provided for by the Act of Congress. It is to be hoped that it will not occur. If it should, as is apprehended by the Governor, what instructions ought to be sent to him? Ought any to go in anticipation of such an event? I have acknowledged the receipt of the enclosed letter from Genl Turreau and...
310To James Madison from Robert Smith, 8 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed is the only Original despatch which has been received by Mr Jackson. Not having time to have a Copy of it I send the Original. It indicates, as far as mere Conversation with Mr Canning can indicate, something like a change of temper on the part of the British Govt. To judge from the extent of his establishment it would seem that Mr Jackson was disposed to remain a long time among...
311To James Madison from Robert Smith, 11 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
You will herewith receive copies of letters which I have received from Erskine & Jackson and my answers. I have deemed it proper to introduce into my Answer to Jackson some Civility. It may do good. It can’t do harm. Besides, the Comity of Nations, as well as good sense, requires, and especially in the beginning, a style of deportment which would not imply a latent hostility. I have informed...
312Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 9 October 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
9 October 1809, Department of State. Expresses regret that British government has disavowed the agreement signed with David Erskine and then sent by the new British minister no explanation of this disappointing act. States terms understood to be the price Great Britain would exact prior to an official revocation of the orders in council now hampering American commerce. If there is any...
313Robert 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...
314To James Madison from Robert Smith, [29 October] 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have not yet sufficiently regained my health to give the necessary attention to Mr Jackson’s last letter. But it appears to me that we can’t consider it a satisfactory explanation, especially after having so solemnly declared that to be satisfactory it must shew not merely a violation of instructions but must moreover shew reasons strong & solid. What then are the reasons which we can admit...
315Robert 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...
316Robert Smith to Francis James Jackson, 8 November 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 November 1809, Department of State. Jackson’s letter of 4 Nov. not only repeats the assertion that American negotiators with Erskine knew the British minister was exceeding his instructions but aggravates “the same gross insinuation.” Thus, to preclude future opportunities for such abuse, informs Jackson “that no further communications will be received from you” and the British government...
317Draft of Robert Smith to William Pinkney, [ca. 9 November] 1809 (Madison Papers)
By the frigate L’Africaine I transmitted to you copies of my letters to Mr Jackson bearing date the 9 & 19 of October and also a Copy of his letter to me bearing date the 11h. October. You will by this Conveyance receive duplicates of those letters and also the sequel of the Correspondence consisting of three letters from him of 23 & 27 Oct & of the 4 Nov and of two letters from me of the 1st...
318To James Madison from Robert Smith, 14 February 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
14 February 1810, Department of State. Relays to JM for transmittal to House of Representatives copies of various documents related to the House resolution of 5 Feb. requesting the orders and decrees of France and Great Britain “violating the lawful Commerce and Neutral Rights of the United States, except such parts, as may, in his Judgment, require secrecy.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 233,...
319Robert Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 4 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive your Letter of the 30 th Ult. and in compliance with the request it contains I have now the pleasure to send you such of the Papers in this Office relative to the Batture , as can be prepared in time for the Mail of today. The residue shall be forwarded by the next Mail. RC ( DLC ); in John Graham’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esq r...
320Enclosure: Robert Smith’s List of Batture-Related Papers Sent to Thomas Jefferson, 4 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
List of Papers sent to M r Jefferson 4 th June 1810— Gov r Claiborne’s Letter. 3 d Sep r
321Draft of Robert Smith to John Armstrong, 5 June 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 June 1810, Department of State. Acknowledges letters and enclosures from Armstrong received on 21 May. Protests strongly against France’s decision to seize American vessels as announced in the letter from the duc de Cadore to Armstrong [14 Feb. 1810]. Describes French policy as “an act of violence, which under existing circumstances is scarcely less than an act of war [and] necessarily...
322Robert Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor to forward to you by the last Mail, most of the Papers belonging to this Department, which relate to the Batture . I now send the residue and should add to them a copy of the Instructions under which the Marshal took possession of that Property, were they to be found on our Records. RC ( DLC ); in John Graham’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esq r...
323Enclosure: Robert Smith’s List of Batture-Related Papers Sent to Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
List of Papers sent to M r Jefferson 6 th June 1810 —from the Dept of State. Three Letters from M r Livingston to the Sec y of State the one without date the others dated
324To James Madison from Robert Smith, [23 June?] 1810 (Madison Papers)
Mr Lowry is a good Republican, of unblemished Character—understands the French & Spanish languages—a regular bred Merchant—about 30 years of age—his talents good. RC ( DLC ). In pencil. Addressed to “The President.” Dated 1809 in the Index to the James Madison Papers . Conjectural date assigned on the basis that Lowry probably traveled to Washington after 21 June and evidently had left the...
325Madison’s Draft of Robert Smith to John Armstrong, 5 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I avail myself of the oppy. by Mr. to forward copies of my several letters lately written to you; & to add the present. The arrival of the J. Adams brought your letters of the following dates . From that of the 16th. April, it appears that the seizures of Amn. property lately made, had been followed up by its actual sale, & that the proceeds had been deposited in the Emperors Caisse prive. You...
326To James Madison from [Robert Smith?], ca. 12 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 12 July 1810. Mentioned in JM to Smith, 17 July 1810 . Forwards letters from Gov. David Holmes and Robert K. Lowry and a copy of his reply to Lowry.
327To James Madison from Robert Smith, 5 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
I came from Balt to the office on Monday to attend for a few days to its general affairs and arrived just in time to receive & to forward to you Mr Moriers letter. I have in a letter to him acknowledged the receipt of it and have intimated to him that you would probably be at Washn in the course of the first week of the next month. The papers, as prepared, in the case of the proposed return of...
328To James Madison from Robert Smith, 26 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 26 September 1810. Described as a two-page letter in the lists probably made by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2). Also referred to in Smith to JM, 28 Sept. 1810 . Concerns the drafting of a proclamation to be issued upon the revocation of the French decrees. Smith probably enclosed as well a letter (not found) from William Harris Crawford of 27 July 1810 (Crawford to...
329To James Madison from Robert Smith, 28 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
In my last letter I took the liberty of intimating to you that I would by the next Mail forward for your consideration a sketch of a proclamation to be issued upon the revocation of the Fr. Decrees. This was my first idea, formed, indeed, without having considered the subject and under the impression that the same Course would be pursued as was taken in the case of Erskine’s arrangement. Upon...
330Robert Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 1 October 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday had the honor of receiving your letter of the 23 Ult and I have this day forwarded its enclosure to mr Rodney . Well knowing how necessary it is that this very interesting statement should be promptly laid before your Counsul and not imagining that I could suggest any improvements, much less, such as would make amends for the injuries that might result from the delay, I could not...