11From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 4 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses to mr Smith a rough sketch of his first undigested ideas of the matters to be considered at our meeting on Monday next, which he prays him to consider maturely before hand. Affectionate salutations. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
12From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 28 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter and other papers which I recieved from Captain Truxton by the last post. the malice and falsehood so habitual in Federal zealots had prepared me against surprize at the insinuations of this officer against you and myself. but what was his view in inclosing the letter to me? was it to give greater point to his disrespect? or did he imagine I should make him overtures to...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 22 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the inclosed from O’Brien merely that you may read the upper half of the last page the rest is immaterial. it seems to me that his suggestion of Cagliari as our Naval head quarters is worthy of consideration. the circumstances of it’s neighborhood to Tunis (70. miles) cheapness of provision unconncesion with either England or France, and the probable welcome too from it’s impotent...
14From 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...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 10 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heard of your misfortune and lament it, but will say nothing, ha[ving] learnt from experience that time, silence, & occupation are the only medicines such case. I should have regretted the necessity of writing to you on a subject of business, did I not believe it useful to withdraw the mind from what it is too apt to brood over, to other objects. You know the importance of our being...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 21 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison recieved from the Collector of the Customs at Philadelphia, yesterday, capt Kennedy’s information respecting the capture of the Huntress, which substantially ascertains the vessel, the capture, & the port to which she is sent. I do not know what might be the expence of sending a small swift vessel to reclaim her, & to send her on her destination, with some respectable person from...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 12 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
According to information & consultations formerly had, it has been considered that 250. gunboats would be as compleat a defence for all our Seaports as should be provided in that line. calling our present number 75. we still want 175. to compleat our number. besides the public motives which urge the pressing forward in this work I own I feel a personal one in the desire of leaving this branch...
18From 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....
19From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 9 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Soon after my arrival here I recieved a letter from Govr. Cabell requesting me to give such instructions for regulating the intercourse with the British squadron as might enable the officers to act correctly. I accordingly undertook to digest the rules of practice as to flags as well as I could, & so as to meet all cases, in a letter to the governor, a copy of which I now inclose you. soon...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 3 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of Aug. 23. 27. 29. 30. have all been recieved. the two last came yesterday. I observe that the merchants of New York & Philadelphia think that notice of our present crisis with England should be sent to the streights of Sunda by a public ship, but that such a vessel going to Calcutta or into the bay of Bengal would give injurious alarm; while those of Baltimore think such a...