101From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 6 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 1st. came to hand yesterday evening, and I this day inclose it to Garbut. I now inclose to you a letter from Thomas Paine with a model for using two guns in the head of a Gunboat instead of one. mr & mrs Madison are with me and well. I salute you affectionately DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
102From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 16 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Complaints multiply upon us of evasions of the embargo laws by fraud & force. these come from Newport, Portland, Machias, Nantucket, Martha’s vineyard Etc Etc as I do consider the severe enforcement of the embargo to be of an importance, not to be measured by money, for our future government as well as present objects, I think it will be adviseable that during this summer all the gunboats...
103From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 17 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The object of the present is merely to acknolege the reciept of yours of the 14th. and to mention that I have recieved a letter from mr Gallatin disapproving of the first order for the sailing of the John Adams, on general grounds & also on the special ground that the appropriations for that object were exhausted: further that mr Madison will be with me tomorrow, and that I will then take the...
104From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 31 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Commodore Preble’s letter which gives us time enough to consider on his mission. he proposes a longer one than I had supposed necessary. the hogshead of wine was yesterday brought here. it is really a painful & embarrasing thing. to reject may be supposed to imply impure motives in the offer. to recieve leads to horrid abuse. the former however has been my rule, where the thing is...
105From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 17 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved a letter from the Secy. of state informing me that the Dey of Algiers refuses to [accept?] the money offered him in commutation for the naval stores [due] him and consequently it becomes necessary to send the stores immediately. as it is [certainly?] better for the public that the purchase of naval stores should [be in?] the hands of one set of agents, not only to avoid...
106From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 9 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt Truxton’s idea of a [gradual] relief of our frigates [presents] advantages. in addition to what he [mentions], the frigate going out [might] always carry supplies; the frigate relieved may always be any particular one which may have got damaged & need repairs. it puts it in our power to shift the officers at our will & without offence. [it] might, on the arrival of the one & before the...
107From 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...
108From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 19 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had under consideration the letter of Lieutt. Smith commander of Gun boat No. 1. from Charleston, respecting the capture of the Two friends, a registered ship, at the bar of Charleston. his idea, if that be his idea, of having a 16. gun brig with a regular officer to do the duty of the revenue cutter, is condemned by our own experience. the qualities which make a good officer of the...
109To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 8 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose Warrants for Jno. N. Canon—Boatswain & David Loring—Gunner— Should you approve their appointment these Warrants will require your signature— These gentlemen have been in the frigate President, her last cruise—& are highly recommended by Commdre. Dale & Capt. Barron. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect Sir, your most obt servt. RC ( DLC ); in a...
110To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed Commissions which are required for the Officers mentioned in the list accompanying my letter to you of the 7t ultimo & whose appointments have since been confirmed by the Senate.— I am very respectfully Sir, Your most ob Serv. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
111To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 30 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your Signature to the enclosed Warrant as Midshipman for Mr. Gamble . He belongs to one of the Frigates of the present Squadron and has been some time appointed but owing to his being employed in the recruiting service at New York, has not yet received his Warrant. FC ( Lb in DNA : RG 45, LSP ); at head of text: “The President.” Midshipman Thomas gamble served on...
112To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 22 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose you Warrants for Mr J Downes & Mr. L. Alexis , which will require your signature should you approve their appointment—also a Commission for Doct Smith — The two first mentioned of these gentlemen have been serving in the capacity of acting Midshipmen for several years—They are mentioned in very handsome terms by their Commanding officers. Doct. Smith was out in...
113To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, [1 April 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed I have received this morning . There are some incorrect statements in it with respect to me as well as yourself. His suggestions, in his opinion, ought to be regarded as Laws. I have prepared the dispatches for Capt Morris and have herewith sent them for your approbation— RC ( DLC ); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 1 Apr. 1802 and “Truxton’s...
114To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 20 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose Warrants for Charles Benson —of Fredericksburg William Holmes . of Columbia To be Midshipmen in the Navy. Mr Benson is the Gentleman recommended to you by Mr. Mercer—Mr Page & others—Mr. Holmes is a smart young man of this place—There are Vacancies enough to admit their appt.—& if you concur, the enclosed warrants will require your Signature. I have the honor...
115To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I will have the honor of calling upon you tomorrow for the purpose of obtaining your instructions in relation to the points suggested in your note of this morning. Respectfy. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
116To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 16 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Charles Ludlow for whom the accompanying nomination is intended, has been mentioned to me in terms of very high Approbation, by many respectable Nautical gentlemen—He is intended for the Adams. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, your mo: ob: st: RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from...
117To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 16 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The extent of our Coast, the prevailing winds during the winter, the length of the nights and the inclemency of the winter, making it impossible for our publick vessels cruising on our Coast to repress the violations of the Embargo law, I would submit to your Consideration the propriety of stationing one or more of the gun boats in each of our principal ports and of ordering the Cheasapeak,...
118To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 11 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have great satisfaction in informing you that the Elections in the State of Maryland for Electors of the State Senate have terminated in favor of the Republicans. I hasten to give you this information from the knowledge that you are sensible of its great importance in the national Councils. We have retained our ground in all the Counties in which we had succeeded in the last Election and we...
119To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The chief Clerk of the department of State having this morning shewn to me a Letter from mr Thorton requesting the Executive to order the departure of the English Ship that has been brought into the port of Boston by certain French Citizens, I consider it proper to communicate to you my Opinion thereon. My numerous and pressing engagements will not allow me to go into an extensive discussion...
120To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 26 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Not conceiving it good economy to suffer the Company of Marines to remain at New Orleans merely for the purpose of manning the gun boats we are building on the Ohio I have forwarded the letter to Capt. Carmack. It is quite uncertain when those gun boats will be finished. Our Western Undertakers, not having had any experience in the construction and equipment of such vessels, will meet many and...
121To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 18 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to request your signature to the commissions herewith sent for Lieuts. Haraden and Magrath. One of these officers is required for the J. Adams, the other for one of the gunboats now fitting for service. I am very respectfully, Sir, yr. ob st. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
122To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 14 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
From the enclosed letters you will perceive that Comre. Rodgers proposes to keep in the Mediterranean the Vessels that had been conditionally ordered home by letter dated Oct. 12. 1805 under the reasonable presumption that we did not then know the state of things with Tunis. My letter however by the Hornet of March 22. 1806 conveying to him the information that we have no reason to believe...
123To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 25 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed papers do not suggest one new idea. These are old plans upon which we have made important improvements as the British Officers at Gibralter and Malta have admitted. The writer of the letter must be as unprincipled as he is imprudent and is utterly unworthy of your notice. I trust I do not go too far in advising you not to answer such a letter at all—Respectfully DLC : Papers of...
124To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 23 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I find that the frigate the U. States cannot be prepared to sail for either New York or Boston within the time mentioned yesterday. The proposed arrangement with respect to her will of course not be made. Respectfy DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
125VII. Robert Smith’s Remarks on the Draft, 25 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
If a more summary process be wanted to enforce a specific performance of the Contract of foreign Seamen, ought it not to be a subject of diplomatic adjustment? The Cession of Louisiana is expressed with an accurate attention to the delicacy of the Case. But ought it not to be a separate Confidential Communication? Will it not otherwise produce in France great sensibility and in G. Brittain too...
126To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 21 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Having obtained a sight of the bill now before the Senate entitled “an act in addition to an act entitled “an act supplementary to the Act providing for a naval Peace Establishment; & for other purposes”, I lose no time in informing you that under the restrictions of such an act of Congress The Chesapeake, as contemplated by you, cannot be sent to the Mediterranean—The proposed Act, among...
127To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 26 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Before I make the proposed communication to Brown & Pearson I consider it proper to submit to your examination the enclosed Note. You will be pleased to make such alterations as to you may appear necessary. Very respectfully Your Obed Sevt RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Oct. and “Marine barracks” and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure not found, but see...
128To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 25 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
When Mr Ludlow was Navy Agent I received a letter from the wife of Danl Baldwin exhibiting him to our view as an Object of Charity, and soliciting some employment for him at the Navy Yard of New-York. Not knowing his pretensions or qualifications I referred him to the Navy Agent and at the same time authorised mr Ludlow in his discretion to assign him some suitable station. Mr Ludlow in his...
129To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 1 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
8th. Sect— The Blank to be filled up with 103 —of which three are for the lakes—The State as set forth in the enclosed paper— The words—“having the materials in readiness”—to be struck out—There were no instructions to have such materials in readiness. The materials that had been provided before the last session of Congress, have been noted in the building of the Gun Boats above mentioned. DLC...
130To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Navy Estimates for the ensuing year, prepared in detail, but can not state the aggregate, until it shall be determined how many vessels are to be kept in actual service—on this point therefore I beg leave to request instructions from you. With the highest respect & esteem I have the Honor to be Sir, your mo ob St. RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text:...