101From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 31 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I think it should further be observed to mr Beekman that in order that the public may not be made to prejudge the experiment, the object of procuring the hulks should be kept to himself or disguised. PPAmP : Sol Feinstone Collection.
102To 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.
103To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Act of Congress passed the 21st April 1806 it is provided, that the whole number of able seamen ordinary seamen & boys, to be employed in the Navy, shall not exceed 925 We have at this time in actual service about 700. The Chesapeake requires 292 The Wasp 120 1112 Exceeding the limited number 187 1112
104To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enclosed is submitted to the Consideration of the President by his Hmble Sert. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
105To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 3 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to your request founded on the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 26th. ulto. I have the honor to state to you, that the number of the Frigates of the United States, is the same as was represented in my Report of the 28th. January 1806 to the Honorable the House of Representatives, and that, there has not been since any material change in the state of any of them...
106To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 31 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request you to nominate to the Senate the officers mentioned in the enclosed paper and for the Commissions therein respectively proposed.— Those I have proposed to be nominated as Captains & Masters Commandant have been acting as such under Commissions issued during the Recess of the Senate and since their lass session. Those proposed to be nominated as Lieutenants have...
107From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 23 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of yesterday has been duly considered. what I had myself in contemplation was to wait till we get news from Louisville of Dec. 15. (the day of Burr’s proposed General rendezvous.) the post comes from thence in 12. days. the mail next expected will be of that date. if we then find that his force has had no effectual opposition at either Mariette or Cincinnati, & will not be stopped at...
108To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 22 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In the Course of our various Communications in relation to the movements of Col Burr in the Western Country I have from time to time expressed two Opinions, which, as they were not at all countenanced by any of the other gentlemen, I did not deem it expedient to press upon your attention. The more, however, I revolve in my mind those opinions the more are they confirmed. And I cannot longer...
109To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to your request I have the honor of herewith transmitting to you the statement of the Accountant of the Navy, shewing the sums of money that have been expended on the Navy Yard & Marine Barracks at the city of Washington. I have the honor to be very respectfully Sir yr ob S A Statement of the amount expended on the Navy Yard, and on the Marine Barracks, at Washington. Navy Yard....
110To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mem. Sloops of War } Siren } at Washington. } could all be prepared for sea by the time their officers would join them.
111From 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...
112To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 12 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be pleased to inform me the number with which it would be agreeable to you to fill the Blank in the enclosed answer to Mr Neelsens letter of enquiry. Respecty DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
113To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 12 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
From an Officer of the Navy residing at Charleston S.C. who had my permission to make a voyage in a Merchant Vessel, I have just received a letter dated Charleston Nov. 29. 1806 which states that “the only situations to be had here at present are in the African Trade”— I give you this intimation as an indication of the present dispositions of S. Carolina— Respecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas...
114To 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...
115To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 11 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I find that the Gunboats cannot be sent to New-orleans at this time consistently with the appropriations of the law of the last session of Congress— Respectfy DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
116To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 14 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Being informed by Mr Nicholson that he will not accept the Office of Collector and understanding that you will receive addresses signed by many merchants in favor of Mr Brice & Mr Dolozier I owe it to you to inform you explicitly that these two gentlemen are by us justly classed among the Federalists and that the appointing of either of them would be very painful to your political friends of...
117To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I had made my arrangements to set out for Washington tomorrow, but the death this morning of a near & dear relation the eldest son of Genl Smith will detain me here a few days. I do not think I shall be able to leave my much afflicted relations until monday next. Respectfully & affecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
118To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 12 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received your favor of yesterday. Being much engaged in some private affairs of moment that cannot be postponed I fear I shall not be able to set out for Washington before next Thursday. But surely I will be with you as soon as I possibly can Let me, however, entreat you not to postpone any measure on account of my absence. I am indeed extremely happy you have Offered the...
119From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 11 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison was to set out on Monday last, & is expected here to-day. we have some matters of considerable interest for consultation on which we shall be glad to have your aid. The death of mr Purviance has vacated an office of value. my knolege of the personal worth of mr Nicholson & of his standing with the nation at large, could leave no doubt in my mind as to the propriety of offering it...
120To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 3 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Most sincerely do I regret that I had not known your opinion of Mr Meade some weeks since. I have myself no personal knowledge of him or of any of his family. But from the representations of Gentlemen of high respectability in whom I have great confidence I was induced to appoint him Navy Agent. Had I had the most distant idea of your impressions of him you will be fully sensible the...
121From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 30 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you by this post the Warrants from your office signed but in a very damaged situation from having got wet. I inclose also an application for a midshipman’s place, with respectable recommendations. yet it is for your consideration whether a place pressed for by so many native citizens should be given to a foreigner & especially to one who is claimed by his native country, & if taken in...
122To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 16 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed blank warrants required for the purpose of filling up the vacancies which are frequently taking place in the different Corps of Warrant Officers. I am respectfully Sir, yr mo ob st. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
123From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 12 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. was recieved yesterday. on the 7th. inst. I had recieved one from Mella Menni declining going in the Franklin for reasons which were evidently not the genuine ones. at the same time I recieved a letter from mr Madison informing me that he had authorised Cathcart to charter a vessel at Boston, & in the mean time had taken advantage of one sailing from Alexandria to Boston...
124From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 10 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from James Lownes, a marine or seaman on board one of our gunboats, to his father, a very respectable citizen of Richmond of the society of friends. the young man, in a fit either of dissipation or dissatisfaction enlisted for 3. years, leaving a wife & young children. he has served thro’ the Mediterranean service and has still something more than a year to remain. his...
125To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 6 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am extremely sorry that the Tunisian Minister should have given us additional difficulties. Not knowing what course in this delicate case would be to you the most agreeable I have deemed it adviseable to postpone issuing any orders until your determination be known— Respecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
126To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 17 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt Hull has this instant informed me that he omitted giving me the name of the Purser of his Brig vizt. Mr Goldsborough. He seems distressed at this oversight, as no Officer is more deserving of notice. The Nautilus, Captain Evans, has arrived this morning. In the course of the morning I will have the honor of presenting him to you— Respecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
127To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 9 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving from you the Communication of nathaniel Cutting Esq in which he has submitted to your consideration the expediency of appointing him to an Office similar to that of “Surveyor General of the Admiralty” in Great Britain—As no such Office has been created by the competent Department of the Government, however sensible we may be of the useful talents of Mr....
128From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 8 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
It is really wonderful how compleatly our countrymen, after staying sometime in Europe, forget the constitution, the laws, & the spirit of their own country. mr Cutting’s propositions are evidences of this fact. I would wish however to put them by with a civil answer. this will, I believe, be most effectually done by a reference of the inclosed to you, with a request of an answer which I may...
129To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I some weeks since received the enclosed—I deem it proper to submit it to your eye altho it is not an Official letter—At your leisure you can look at it—Respecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
130To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 26 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The Navy agent has been instructed to pay to mr. Reich to the full amount of the memm. which you furnished me. This he will not accept. Presuming upon your friendly interposition he treats with disdain every proposition made by us. And he has allowed himself to talk so much about what you would direct to be done, that with some in Philada it has become a question whether you will interfere in...