101To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Commodore Preble has in the most importunate and impressive manner entreated me to recommend to you the promotion of Masters Commandant Charles Stewart and Isaac Hull to the rank of Captains in the Navy. mr. Stewart I personally know. His manners are those of a well bred Gentle man. He has had the advantage of a Classic liberal Education and is considered by all an elegant Officer—Mr. Hull I...
102III. From Robert Smith, 25 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
1st. Section The Offences enumerated in the first Section of the proposed Law are Treason, felony, misdemeanor, breach of the peace and breach of the Revenue Laws. Treason cannot be committed but by a person owing allegiance to the U. States and therefore the Commanding Officer of a foreign armed vessel cannot be guilty of it. A felony cognizable in the Courts of the U. States cannot be...
103To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 10 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed just receivd I consider it proper to submit to you, and am with great respect & affection Your Ob. servt DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
104To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the Commissions herewith sent. They are required for the purpose of commissioning the navy officers whose appointments were confirmed by Senate on the 8t inst.— I have &c.—& DNA : RG 45--LSP--Letters Sent to the President.
105To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 26 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed communication from the Mayor of New York I have just received—And I have to state to you that consistently with the limitations of the Acts of Congress in relation to the number of seamen to be employed by the Executive the Navy Department cannot employ or allow pay however small that pay may be to more men than are now in service, and that therefore we are not authorized by Law...
106To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 8 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have Seen Col Burrows and I have arranged with him to be at the Barracks at half after 9 OClock tomorrow morning. I have taken the liberty of fixing this time as I shall thus have more time for the business of my department, and it will not, I trust, be an inconvenient time to you Be pleased to accept the assurance of my Respect RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 8 Oct. from the Navy...
107To 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...
108To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 14 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
From the nature of the service I have been under the necessity of giving the command of the gun Boats to young Officers. Many of the duties to be performed required more sense & discretion than some of them possessed. The News papers state the misconduct of two Officers commanding gun Boats—the one here—the other at New York. No complaints have been made to the Navy Dept. However, I lost no...
109To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 23d enclosing Mr. Simpsons letter to Mr Madison I have received. I am extremely sorry to find that the plan of having made in Europe the gun Carriages for the Emperor of Moracco cannot take effect. I am yet satisfied that the plan was at the time proper. Subsequent events, it seems, have rendered it impracticable. I am also much distressed that Mr Simpson did not deem it...
110To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 29 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I consider it proper to submit to your consideration the proceedings of William Lyman Esq Consul at London in relation to the Ship Huntress, and her Cargo consisting of Provisions & Stores for our Squadron in the Mediterranean—I would however premise, that, Mr. Lyman not having made to me any kind of Communication upon the Subject the only information I possess is derived from papers that have...
111To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 31 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Should you approve of the appointment of Mr. Town to a 2nd. Lieutenancy of Marines, I request your signature to the commission herewith sent. The enclosed letters recommending him for the appointment, will explain to you his qualifications. I am with high respect Sir, yr. mo ob Servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
112To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 30 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I will wait on for you tomorrow to know your determination as to the service of the frigate Chesepeek—She is completely prepared for any service— Respecty DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
113To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 25 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The young Gentleman to whom the enclosed letter is addressed, has been recommended by Mr. Page , for reinstatement in the navy. If you have no objection the enclosed letter shall be forwarded. FC ( Lb in DNA : RG 45 , LSP ); at head of text: “The President.” Enclosure: Smith to Hugh Wallace Wormeley, 25 Mch. 1802, informing Wormeley that he has been reinstated as a midshipman in the navy and...
114To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 9 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed warrants for— Daniel Eldridge Sailing Master. James Watson Boatswain. Robert Myers Carpenter. With much respect yr mo: ob: servt. RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “the President”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 10 Mch. and “Nominations” and so recorded in SJL . FC ( Lb in DNA :
115To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In pursuance of your recommendation I sent to Thomas D. Chamberlayne a Midshipman’s Warrant. To my surprise it was yesterday returned with my letter under a blank cover. I send the Cover to you in order that you may, in case you know the hand-writing, ascertain to whom this indecorum is to be attributed— Ys &c DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
116To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
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 .
117To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 4 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Considering it important to give our Constituents soon a view of the Special Message of yesterday and beleiving that it requires nothing but the reading of it to recommend the measure to the thinking part of the people, I would thank you to let me have a Copy of it. mr Madison also wishes to have an Opportunity of also taking a copy of it—Whatever you send to me the Original or a Copy will...
118To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
A large ship the Othello direct from Liverpool with goods to the value of between three & four Hundred Thousand Dollars has a few days since captured in the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of Patuxant by an armed Schooner manned, it is said, with people of different nations but principally French. This event naturally produced a strong sensation. To regain their property the owners of the vessel...
119To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 1 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose for your consideration the Proceedings of a Court Martial held at New Orleans upon Doct William Rogers of the Navy—Their sentence cannot be carried into effect until approved by you. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir, yr mo ob sr. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
120To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 31 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
On making out Capt. Barron’s orders I find that we are without your signature to any of the printed instructions to the commanders of our armed vessels, I have therefore the honor to enclose twelve copies, & to ask that you will be pleased to Sign & return them by the next Mail— Capt. Barron is hauling out of the Eastern Branch, & will have dropped down to Hampton Road before these...
121To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 26 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enclosed is a Copy of the letter addressed to Mr John Randolph respecting the two Brigs— Respecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
122To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 16 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just a moment to state to you a Report brought from Halifax by a Capt Sherman—namely—that the British June Packet had arrived at Halifax and had brought intelligance that the British had again taken Copenhagen—that Mr Rose was preparing to sail for the U. States in the Latore frigate with full powers to adjust all matters in dispute &c— Capt Sherman, who is considered a man of good...
123To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 29 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Officers that I will have the honour of presenting to you tomorrow morning about 10 OClock and that are the most proper to be noticed by you are Capt Decatur & Lieutt. Trippe Capt Stewart & Lieut Wetherstrandt Capt Shaw & Lieut Murdock Capt Chauncey & Lieut Leonard— After these gentlemen shall have waited on you, their invitations may be sent to my Office and my Messenger will deliver...
124To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 17 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. I have had the satisfaction of receiving. Before I had left Washington I made all the necessary arrangements for the constructing of the gun-boats. The forms of the letters of instructions have been prepared for the building at Charleston Savanna, Norfolk, Baltimore, Pittsburgh Philadelphia, New York & Boston. We only wait for the drawings which Mr Fox is preparing...
125To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 2 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
From the Conversation I have this moment had with you, I find that you will experience serious difficulties in appointing an Atty. General. My wish is that either Mason or Breckinridge should have the Office. To neither of them can any reasonable Objections be made. The circumstance of their being Virginians by birth ought not to prevail over the important considerations that so powerfully...
126To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 23 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
From the enclosed letter you will perceive that the Conduct of young Cooper has been as was apprehended before his appointment . His attrocious Conduct has not been concealed from me, and I have had it in contemplation for some time to submit to you the propriety of revoking his Warrant. It has however taken a better Course, as it will now be less painful to the father. But by the bye I have...
127To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 17 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Constellation Capt Murray is arrived and is now in the Eastern Branch. Her crew will be discharged immediately. As nothing but a formidable force will effect an honorable peace with Tripoli and repress the dispositions of the other Barbary powers to hostility, would it not be adviseable to send immediately to the Medn either the Constitution now lying at Boston or the Philad now lying at...
128To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 18 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enclosed Dispatches I received late last Evening—Lieutenant Izard who brought them I will present to you this morning. Respectfully RC ( DLC ); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Feb. from the Navy Department and “Preble’s lre from Tripoli” and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: probably Edward Preble to Smith, 18 Sep. 1804 (printed in ASP American State Papers: Documents,...
129Robert Smith’s Observations on the Charges Against Arthur St. Clair, 15 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Observations upon the charges against Governor St. Clair— 1st. Charge is not established. It was not an usurpation, but an exercise of a legitimate power. The Ordinance of Congress has expressly given to the Governor the power of laying out the Territory into Counties and Townships subject only to this qualification—that the Legislature may thereafter make any alterations therein. The division...
130To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 31 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed blank warrants to which I have the honor to request your signature, are wanted to fill up the vacancies now existing in the Corps of Midshipmen. I am very respectfully Sir yr mo ob Servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.