1From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 9 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
When it became necessary for me to name a successor to Mr. Stoddart, as Secretary of the Navy, my attention was naturally first called to those gentlemen whose line of life led them to an intimacy with ship-building & navigation. the place was therefore proposed to your brother, to mr Langdon & to Capt Jones. they have all declined it. it becomes now necessary to find one in some other line....
2To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of acknowleging the receipt of your favor of the 9th in which you were pleased to propose to me the department of the Navy. Sincerely do I lament that you have been constrained to turn your attention to a person whose education and habits have not sufficiently prepared him for the various duties of this Office. Unqualified, however, as I may be at the beginning, I am disposed...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 20 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Instead of proceeding to Washington immediately and of returning, as suggested by you, in the Course of a few days for the purpose of adjusting my private affairs, I have determined to postpone my removal until Saturday next. The state of the health of one of my sons irresistiby demands my immediate attention. Under the advice of the Physicians I will tomorrow take him and Mrs. Smith to a...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The chief Clerk of the department of State having this morning shewn to me a Letter from mr Thorton requesting the Executive to order the departure of the English Ship that has been brought into the port of Boston by certain French Citizens, I consider it proper to communicate to you my Opinion thereon. My numerous and pressing engagements will not allow me to go into an extensive discussion...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 14 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday mr Thomas’s favor covering the list of warrants for the week, and your’s of the 7th. inst. I am very glad to learn your opinion on the question of admitting French & English prizes into our ports, & that it coincides with my own. indeed it is the opinion of every member of the administration. I consider that we are free to recieve, or to refuse the prizes of both nations,...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 17 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit herewith Abstracts of the Warrants on the Treasury issued by me for the use of the Departments of War and Navy, and the balances remaining on hand, for the Week ending the 15th Inst. I have the honor to be Sir with the highest Consideration & respect your most obt. Servt. RC ( DLC ); in clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “The President”; endorsed by TJ...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 29 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress appropriated 20,000 D. to effecting the Marine hospital . the Site purchased of the Commissioners cost between 8. & 9000 Dollars. but it was thought that 4000 D. only of that in cash would be requisite for their purposes & that the balance might be applied to their credit in account of the sum guaranteed by Congress: consequently that there remained 16,000. D. of the appropriation...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 31 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
From the dispatches received by Captain Rodgers , which will be transmitted by this post from the department of State to you and to mr Madison, we have the unhappiness to perceive that the French Government have not appeared disposed to accede to the terms of ratification proposed by us. Apprehensive that at some future day claims respecting indemnities might be revived, they, it seems, have...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 4 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot find that any of the 20,000 Dol fund can be spared for the purpose mentioned in your Letter of the 29h. Ult. The Report made to me by Col Burrows which was inclosed in my Letter to you of the 31st. Ult has no doubt satisfied you that this fund, instead of lending, would willingly borrow money for the purpose of completing the Barracks. This letter was put into the post-Office the day...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 5 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Aug. 27. 31. 31. are received. the last one requires only to be acknoleged. the commissions , which are the subject of the first, are signed & forwarded herewith. with respect to the Boston she may get ready for departure as soon as possible. we do not consider it as proper to delay either the vessel or mr Livingston. the delay under which the treaty is may possibly be...