11From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 20 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the information contained in your’s of the 17th. and as it has not yet got into the papers I take the liberty of inclosing the papers to mr Madison with a request to return them to you. I inclose to yourself a letter from Dr. Waterhouse to Dr. Rush, sent me by the latter with a request that you also would read it and see to what lengths respecting him medical par alogism ,...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 3 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a petition from a woman (Mary Barnett) who complains that her son of 13. years of age, is detained against her will in the Naval military service. having never before received an application of the kind in that department, I know not what are the rules there. but in the land service we have had many cases of enlistment of infants, and there the law is considered to be, and our...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 20 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate Joseph Tarbell—now a Lieutenant in the Navy—to be a Master Commandant in the Navy—to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of George Cox late a Master Commandant . Words in italics in Robert Smith’s hand [ Postscript in TJ’s hand: ] Will mr Smith be so good as to say what is the appointment vacated by Cox & to which Tarbell is to be promoted, as that must be specifically...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 1 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I approve of your letter to Commodore Murray entirely, and in order to settle what shall be our course for the summer (now that we see tolerably clearly that no rupture with England is likely to take place during the summer) I propose, the first day that I can be well enough for a couple of hours, to ask a meeting of our colleagues to determine these questions Shall the Proclamation, be...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 3 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Can a gunboat be spared from Charleston? DLC : Harwood Family Papers.
16From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 14 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I believe we must employ some of our gunboats to aid in the execution of the embargo law. some British ships in the Delaware, one of them loaded with 1500. barrels of flour for Jamaica, another armed as a letter of marque, openly mean to go out by force. the last is too strong for the revenue cutter. mr Brice also of Baltimore asks armed assistance. I see nothing at present to prevent our...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 27 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I think the answer to the Mayor of N. York must be that the law fixes the number of men we may subsist & pay, that having already that number employed, no authority but the legislature can give subsistence or pay to any additional number. Affectte. salutns. DNA : RG 45--Miscellaneous Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy.
18From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 15 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
To the letter from mr Davy of the Committee of the Chamber of commerce of Philadelphia (which I now return you) I think you may say in answer that you had communicated it to the President & were authorised to say, that the government of the US. have no present views of forming new harbours for the reception of their vessels of war: that under the authority, & with the means, lately given by...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 14 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Chancey’s letter. I am sorry to see the seamen working for rations only, & that we cannot allow even them, and further indeed that we shall be under the necessity of discharging a number of those we have. this is so serious a question that I propose to call a consultation on it a day or two hence. our 64. gunboats & ketches may certainly be reduced to 10. seamen each; at least I...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 7 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Proceeding as we are to an extensive construction of gun-boats, there are many circumstances to be considered & agreed on. viz. 1. how many shall we build? for the debate lately published proves clearly it was not expected we should build the whole number proposed. 2. of what sizes, and how many of each size? 3. what weight of metal shall each size carry? shall carronades be added? 4. is it...