1To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 22 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of General Smith, we have purchased, & have the honor herewith to enclose, Wm. Patterson & Sons draft on Severyn & Hauebroeck Amsterdam for two thousand five hundred Guilders, equal, at the Exchange of 40 Cents ⅌ Guilder, to One thousand dollars, & which we have paid for, in a Check for that sum, remitted by General Smith. We are with the highest respect Sir Your Obedt Servts....
2From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 26 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Glendye a presbyterian clergyman from Ireland, who settled two or three years ago at Staunton about 40. miles from this place, understanding that there is or will be a vacancy at Baltimore, proposes to go there to offer himself. my personal acquaintance with him is small, but I have had abundant attestations of his character from others. he is a man of excellent character, goodhumoured,...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 1 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Bowdoin has not yet proceeded to Madrid, nor will he until further orders, which will not be sent him soon—in the mean time he takes his stand at Paris. but mr Erving, I expect, left London for Madrid in September, where he will act as Chargé des affaires till mr Bowdoin goes on. with him I expect you are personally acquainted, however lest you should not be I have written him a line which...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 13 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 5th. has been recieved, and not to keep under suspence the person who has offered the gun-powder, I observe that I have from my first coming into office recommended to the Secretary at War never to buy powder ready made, because it will not keep, but to lay in as great a stock as possible of salt petre and sulphur. he assures me our present stock of these articles are equal to any...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, [25 July 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 23d. came to hand last night. I am unacquainted with the particular conduct of young Yznardi, but if it has been strongly improper I wish his retirement: because having rejected a midnight nomination there, the person substituted should be above exception. I see but one remedy, which is to make mr Yznardi, the father, Consul. [I am] persuaded he can render us better services than...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
According to what I had augured, I have this moment recieved mr Jones’s refusal of the Secretaryship of the navy. in mine of two days ago, I mentioned to you this fear, & that in that event I must avail the public of your kind offer to accept the office for a while. I now take the liberty of repeating my request that you will be so good as to come on on Saturday, that we may have a...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 5 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Would it not be better to leave out of the Naval militia bill all the passage beginning ‘And in time of war either actual or imminent Etc. and ending ‘shall have the immediate command of them.’ it would be much more likely to pass if confined for the present to harbor defence, and if hereafter there should be a visible necessity of extending the duties of the Naval militia to our ships of war,...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 24 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 22d. is recieved the last night. mr Buchanan shall recieve the appointment of Commercial agent to the isles of France & Bourbon as desired. mr Stacey’s being one of the midnight appointments is suppressed on that ground. mr Lewis who actually holds the former commission will resign. to make this easy to him I wish not to issue the new commission till his resignation comes in,...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 30 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I kept up your letter of the 23d. till the return of Genl. Dearborne enabled us to give to the question of lending arms a serious consideration. we find that both law and expediency draw a line for our guide. in general our magazines are open for troops, militia or others, when they take the field for actual service. besides this a law has expressly permitted loans for training volunteers who...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 21 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Our friend Kosciuzko, and your antient fellow souldier, on leaving this country requested me to appoint & superintend his agent for remitting to him the proceeds of his property in our funds. mr Barnes whom I appointed, is too ill at present to do business, and we wish to avail ourselves of the public vessel going from Baltimore to remit the General 1000. D. as he is in want, presuming on the...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 5 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
This is meant merely as a private suggestion to hasten the proceedings of the committee on Indian affairs of which you are chairman. the act regulating intercourse with the Indians expired the day before yesterday. in the mean time we are told the Govr. of E. Florida is preparing to enlist men in Georgia for an expedition against the Creeks. should the interval between the expiration & renewal...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 10 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th: came to hand last night. I do not recollect having recieved advice of any books delivered Capt. Rogers for me. if you have no other way of discovering for whom they are, I should think you had better open them, & a [very superficial] note of the contents would satisfy me whether they were intended for me. if they are they should come here. the two former boxes you were...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 9th. inst. I recieved your’s of the 2d. and acknoleged it by return of post. yesterday your favor of the 6th. came to hand. the orders for the sale of the vessels which are to be sold, for the equipping three others for sea, & the laying up others are all right. I shall really be chagrined if the water into the Eastern branch will not admit our laying up the whole seven there in time of...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 20 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor on the subject of the brig Lucy has been recieved. I regretted extremely the trouble which my letter of the 15th. had proposed to you in a moment when your afflicted state was not known here. the knolege of your unfortunate loss came here in the evening after my letter had been put into the post office. I was instantly sensible how ill-timed it had been. the philosophy which would...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 15 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The selection of a successor to mr Purviance was made before the claims of other competitors were known. it was made without enquiry, because none was necessary where the person was so well known. I return you mr Lowry’s letter. nothing can be more inveterate than the discord at St. Louis. if it were lawful to remove every officer that has been appointed, I believe it the only step which could...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 9 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 27. came to hand in due time. I now inclose you the commission for mr Buchanan which you observed would be wanting about this time. I would rather the appointment should be kept out of the newspapers until we recieve mr Lewis’s resignation which we daily expect. After the trouble you have been so good as to take with the Navy department, and the compleat disposition you have...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 4 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your favor covering some papers from Genl. Wilkinson. I have repented but of one appointment there, that of Lucas, whose temper I see overrules every good quality & every qualification he has. not a single fact has appeared which occasions me to doubt that I could have made a fitter appointment than Genl. Wilkinson. one qualm of principle I acknowledge I do feel, I mean the union of...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 2 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Can you get me at Baltimore a gross of good claret and order it round here, to serve me till I can recieve a supply from Philadelphia, which at this season is quite precarious. health and best wishes. PrC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.
19From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 9 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 5th. and am truly sorry that my error in addressing the answer to the Master mariners of Baltimore was the cause of any uneasiness. I now inclose the correction you are so kind as to recommend, open for your perusal, & hope it will be satisfactory. will you be so good as to seal & deliver it? mr Nicholas and his family left this neighborhood on the day...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 24 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 21st. was recieved last night. we had had letters from Genl. Wilkinson on the same subject of the office of Surveyor of the Missisipi territory. but there exists no such office: and the Executive cannot create such a one. this answer has been given to Wilkinson. when the Georgia convention shall be ratified by them, and a land office open a surveyor will be wanting. but...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 11 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. came to hand last night, & has this morning been referred to the Secretary of State, who will ask information from Colo. Habersham & have that done which is best.—I observe the tory papers are making much to do about the Berceau; and it is not improbable that this will be one ground of attack on us in the next Congress. at any rate it must be stated by us to Congress, &...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 9 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
By the time you recieve this, you will have been at home long enough I hope to take a view of the possibilities, & of the arrangements, which may enable you so to dispose of your private affairs, as to take a share in those of the public, & give us your aid as Secretary of the navy. if you can be added to the administration I am forming, it will constitute a mass so entirely possessed of the...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 15 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favor of Genl. Smith to dine with him on Saturday the 19th . at half after three, or at whatever later hour the house may rise. The favour of an answer is asked. Privately owned.
24From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor on the subject of capt Wm. Buchanan. mr Madison not being to join us for some time & mr Gallatin gone, I have concluded only to dispatch such subjects as are of absolute necessity & to go home to make some necessary arrangements there preparatory to a final removal to this place. I count on leaving this on the 21st. and of our being all assembled here within 4....
25From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 23 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your of the 21st. came to hand last night. the father of the mr Quarrier, who is the subject of it, is a very estimable & zealous republican of Richmond. by profession a coachmaker, & at the same time commanding a regiment of Cavalry. the recommendations of mr Wythe & Govor. Monroe to me on behalf of the son, respected the father chiefly; they knew little of the son. his separation from his...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowlege the reciept of your favor of the 20th. the appointment of Secy. of the navy, was immediately on receipt of your letter declining it, proposed to mr Jones of Philadelphia. I cannot have an answer from him till the night of the 26th. but I have great reason to expect a negative. in that case I will gladly for the public accept your offer to undertake it for a time. besides...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 27 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of July 13. covering a petition on behalf of the Lowries did not get to my hand till the 4th. instant. I immediately took measures to obtain information of the case. the result of these came to my hands only by our last post, & I this day write to mr Dallas to obtain for me a copy of the judgment under which they are held in confinement and which is necessary to be recited in the...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 10 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
My Brother has gone this Morning to Baltimore, he has taken with him his Eldest Son, not quite recovered from a Violent Cold, and Swelling in his throat. he will find his youngest Son dead, (he died on Saturday night.) and his only Daughter, extremely Ill, without a hope left of her Recovery. a Dropsy in the Brain is Suspected. her head has been Shaved & Blisters were applied—His Distress &...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 18 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to Enclose a Postcript of a letter received last night from One from your friends.—Is it not easy to Counter Order this intention—I have the honor to be/ your Obedt. Servt DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson. P.S. The Cotten Seed is the present federal Theme, however proper it might be for Mr Jefferson as Mr. Jefferson to comply with a Request from an Agricultural Society,...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 9 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Heretofore the Route for the Mail from Philadelphia to Pittsburg has been thro: Carlisle & Shippensburg to Chambersburg—but by a late Regulation of Mr Habersham , the Route is thro: York & Berlin to Chambersburg—This change has alarmed & greatly distressd the Citizens of Carlisle & Shippensburg, who are to Recieve their Letters from Philada. indirectly thro: Reading & Harrisburg—the Change has...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 22 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I did myself the honor to inclose you a letter from Major Lenox recommending to the vacant Consulate of Glasgow Mr. George Johnston—I have this moment recieved the inclosed from my very worthy & particular friend Mr. [Arsto] Gracie, in whose recommendations I would place great Reliance. I take it for granted that Mr. Johnston must be a Federalist, for I presume no Democrat would ask a place in...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 29 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose you a letter I have recieved from J. H. Purviance. permit me to Say that I know no Gentleman who I think every way So Compleatly qualified to Succeed Mr. Sumpter or who Could be So useful to Mr. Livingston. I am sir/ with the highest Esteem your friend & servt. RC ( DNA : RG 59 , LAR ); endorsed by TJ as received 29 Apr. and “Purviance John H. to be Secy. legn...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 10 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday the Chask Sent by your Servant, and now do myself the honor to Enclose the Bill, Kuhn on yourself for $200.68—and am Dr Sir/ Your friend & Servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
34To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 20 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit to you an Address from the Republican Citizens of Alleghany County (Maryland), which they have thought proper to request me to present—Should you return an answer, they request It may be done thro: me & that the Address & Answer may be published in one of our Papers— Mr. Dawson will sail on sunday the ship being perfectly ready—. He mentions that I am wanted...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 April 1801 [i.e. May 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose you the latest information in this Department relative to the force of the Barbary Powers, and am, with the greatest respect, Sir, your mo ob Sr. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 May and so recorded in SJL . Enclosures not found, but probably: (1) William Eaton to the secretary of state, 15 June...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 31 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I ask a favor, I ask it as an Act of friendship, that you will give the Command of the vacant Company of Cavalry to Doctr. George E. Mitchel (of Cecil County)—he has been and Still is a Delegate to the State Legislature, a leading Member of the Republican party—a Gentleman of unblemished Reputation, young, active Brave and of a fine form—he resides at Elkton, and I have no doubt Could Soon...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 5 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
An untoward Circumstance has greatly mortified the Master Mariners of this City, (who had lately made an Offer to you of their Services.) in your Answer you unfortunately directed to William Cowper & others instead of Thorndick Chase, (their Chairman), under whose letter their Address was sent—Copy whereof I now inclose—Capt. Cowper was formerly a Master Commandant in the Navy, his Conduct...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 16 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The present will be handed you by Mr. Edward Fell Bond. Mr. B has resided during the last three years at St. Genevieve he Speaks the French & Spanish languages appears Sensible & well informed—he has purchased land in the territory of Orleans where he means to Settle.—he was born in Harford County, of respectable connexions, his politicks republican.—I am (personally) not Sufficiently well...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 24 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On the other Side I have taken leave to send you a Condemnation under a principle entirely novel—the same Judge has lately Condemned a Brigt. of mine the Eutaw from Batavia to Baltimore,—because that she did not go direct to Batavia from Balto.—but went first from thence to Smyrna and thence to Batavia—every Voyage being illegal between a Neutral & an Enemies Colony (agreeably to his Law) that...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 13 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The Writer of the inclosed letter to me, Coll. William Lowry, is an excellent Tactition, has devoted much of his time to his Regiment—He has for Some time Acted as Deputy Naval Officer for the Port of Balto. in which place he has rendered Satisfaction, he has been regularly bred to Commerce—is a Man of Strict Intigrity—he has resided some time at New Orleans, & is Acquainted with the Manners &...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 16 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Letters Such as the inclosed Shew with more truth the State of things at St. Louis than any Official Communication that will be Sent. I Still Continue to be of opinion that It will be for the General Quiet to appoint Some New Man, not known to any of the Parties to the Government of Louisiana & am Dr. Sir/ your friend & Servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
42To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 18 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been in such excessive Pain for a few Days from something like the Rheumatism in my Jaws, that I have not been able to attend to your Letter of 11 Inst. The Treaty with France was signed on the 4th. Octobr.; the Berceau was taken on the 12th. same Month, and arrived at Boston, in November, subsequent to well authenticated accounts being received that a Treaty was effected; but previous...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 31 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
My Colleague Mr. Wright, informs me that he wishes the appointment (now Vacant) of the Associate Judge for the District of Columbia to be given to his Son Robert—I am not much acquainted with the Young Gentleman, I Can only Say that I have never heard any thing to his disadvantag he is about 26 or 27 years of Age, has taken a Degree in College & has Studied & practised Law for Seven years—of...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 8 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The Writer of the inclosed letters Mr. Hatch Dent (a Native of Maryland) imigrated last Winter to N. Orleans.—he lived for seven years in this City & is highly estimated by those Citizens to whom he was known—He was highly recommended by Mr James Mc.Culloh (one of our Senators) for the place of Naval Officer or Surveyor—to either of which I knew him (myself) well qualified—But the application...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 5 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter & I perfectly correspond in opinion with you as to the Appointments in Louisiana, I have always thought & still do think that Genl. W. was precisely the man best fitted for the appointment in every point of view. I take leave to observe that I do not agree with the construction given, at the Navy Department, relative to the law fixing the navy peace Establishment....
46To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 14 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my Letter of this Morning, Mr. John Donnell (one of our Republican & most wealthy Merchts.) put into my hand the Inclosed Letter from his Father in Law Mr. Isaac Smith on whose subject I have already written Mr. Gallatin . Mr. Smith was Collector under the King, is a man of Business highly respectable & Invariably a Whig—Mr. Bowdon is also his son in Law—Mr. Savage the New Member...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 20 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment been informed that Colo. N. Ramsey (Naval Officer for the Port of Baltimore) is dead—I take an early Oppertunity of Saying, that Mr. James H. Culloh, late a senator of the State of Maryland, is a Gentleman of high respectability, and that his appointment to the Naval Office of Baltimore will give almost universal satisfaction to the Republicans of that City—I have the honor...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 9 June [i.e. August] 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. Norman (a respectable Man of this City) has arrived here from Trieste, he has just informed me, that on his passage he Came thro: the Phare of Messina, & landed at the City, that he was informed that a Courier had passed thro: (the Day preceding) from Syracuse with an Account that a Neapolitan frigate was Chased by a Tunisian Squadron , that Capt. McNeill ran between and Cut off the...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 24 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved a Letter last Night from Mr. Patterson requesting me to remind you of your polite Intention of giving him a Letter to Mr. Livingston on the Subject of his Daughter’s Marriage with Mr. Bonaparte—I believe an Oppertunity will offer in a few Days that he wishes to embrace. I am Sir with Respect Your friend & servt. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as a letter of 24 Jan. received on the 23d...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 15 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. your letter yesterday covering One for Capt. T. Chase—Do me the favor to send the inclosed to our friend It is doubted here, whether Louis has abdicated the Crown of Holland, but not that the Emperor has been very much incensed against him for permitting the Trade with England to be as free as it had been prior to his Decree—the Death of the Child has probably broke every Tie that...