To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 December 1804
From Robert Smith
Nav Dep 19th Decr 1804
Sir,
I submit for your consideration the appointment of the undermentioned gentlemen, to the stations of midshipmen.
| John Wright. | Maryland. | recommended by his father col Wright—& Mr Wright of the Senate | |
| A. B. Lindsley. | Connecticut. | Mr Granger & others | |
| Abner Wickershaw. | Pennsa. | Mr Hanna. | |
| John Kerr. | do. | Mr. Ray Mr. Stuart & others | |
| Gervas Clifton |  |
N. Carolina. | recommended by Mr Stone. col. Lynn & others. |
| Jos. Blount | |||
| Wm. Carter jr. | |||
| James McGlauhon | |||
| Turner McGlauhon |
Should you approve these appointments, the enclosed Warrants will require your signature.
I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir, yr ob st
Rt Smith
RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President UStates”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 19 Dec. and “Midshipmen” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP).
Although John Wright of Maryland received a commission, there is no record of any active service. In a letter Robert Smith sent to his father, Colonel Samuel Wright, dated 5 Jan. 1805, the navy secretary recommended that he keep his son at school until he had “acquired the theory of navigation” (DNA: RG 45, MLS; , Register, 62).
Abraham B. Lindsley served on board the frigate John Adams in the Mediterranean before his appointment was revoked in April 1807 (same, 32).
According to a December 1804 note in the Navy Department’s record of correspondence sent to officers, Abner Wickershaw declined his appointment (DNA: RG 45, LSO).
After receiving his commission, John Kerr served on board the frigates John Adams, Essex, and Constitution from 1804 to 1807 (, Register, 30).
Gervas Clifton served on board the bomb ketch Vengeance and the Hornet in the Mediterranean between 1805 and 1806. After obtaining leave to participate in merchant service, Clifton offered his resignation in December 1807 (same, 11).
After receiving orders to report to Commodore Edward Preble in Boston on 19 Apr. 1805, Joseph Blount resigned his commission (same, 5).
William Carter, Jr., served on board the bomb ketch Vengeance and the Enterprize between 1805 and 1807 (same, 9-10).
Both James McGlauhon and Turner McGlauhon had their first postings on board the bomb ketch Spitfire. James continued to serve on board the frigate Constitution in the Mediterranean, while Turner served on Gunboats Nos. 3 and 9 at various posts before resigning in December 1807 (same, 33).