151To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Last advice Gun Boats. 4 in Matthewes co. on the Stocks 4 at Hampton hauled up. 4 at Norfolk — afloat & ready for service 4—do. nearly ready— DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
152To 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...
153To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The reasons you have assigned for abanding the measure of sending out the Express-Boat are very satisfactory and I am greatly pleased with the determination. Be assured the Squadron shall not suffer on account of the Detention or the loss of the Huntress. As in relation to economy on the general arrangements of the Navy Department it is unimportant whether the people of the Yard be employed...
154To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor herewith to transmit to you, for your consideration, a copy of the opinion on the conduct of Capt. Richd. V. Morris, formed & pronounced by the Court of Enquiry instituted agreeably to your directions for that special purpose I have the honor to be with the greatest respect sir, yr mo: ob: st RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President of the...
155To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 6 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
If you approve the sentence upon William Hook, gunner of the Chesapeak, will you be pleased to place your signature under the word “confirmed”. I think it ought to be confirmed. I have the honor to be very respectfully Sir y ob S DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
156To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 29 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The accompanying papers will shew to you the ideas of Mr Gallatin & of the presidents of certain Insurance Companies in relation to the project of giving notice to our trade east of the Cape of good hope of the state of our affairs with G. Britain. My communications with the merchants of this place have produced on my mind different impressions. Here they all say that the appearance in those...
157To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 6 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your Signature to the enclosed Warrants for Lucas , Boatswain, and Taylor , Gunner. These officers are intended for the GunBoat No. 1 now equipping at this place. FC ( DNA : RG 45, LSP ); in a clerk’s hand; at head of text: “The President of the United States.” James Lucas and William Taylor served on board Gunboat No. 1 ( NDBW Dudley W. Knox, ed., Naval Documents...
158To 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...
159To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 26 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enclosed has some relation to the Case of the Officer of the Marine Corps some days since submitted to your Consideration. His proposed bargain is an additional evidence of his meanness. With great respect Your Mo. Obed Servt RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Oct. and “Lt. Church” and so recorded in SJL . Enclosures: (1) Jonathan Church to William...
160To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 17 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
By the XLIst art. of the “Act for the better government of the Navy of the U. States” it appears that all sentences of courts martial going to the dismission of a Commissioned or Warrant officer, must, before they can be carried into execution, be approved by the President of the United States. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir Yr ob svt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
161XII. Robert Smith’s Remarks on the Draft Message, [on or before 21 November 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
page 1st . I sent a small squadron of frigates into the Mediterranean with overtures of conciliation and with instructions to assure the Bey of Tripoli of my cordial disposition to preserve with him a State of peace; but with orders at the same time, in case of a declaration of war by that Regency, to protect our Commerce against depradation and our Citizens against Captivity. The Measure was...
162To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of the Navy has not deemed it expedient to write the proposed letter to Jacob Bauldin because he cannot ascertain that such a person is in the City or in Geo. Town. It is, besides, believed that such a person, if worthy of attention, would present himself in person—He certainly ought to do so— RC ( DLC ); undated; addressed: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received from the...
163To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 23 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your favour of the 19h ins. & agreeably thereto & to the opinion of the members of the Administration who are in Washington, I have not forwarded to Commre Rodgers the proposed letter countermanding the orders of the 12h Octr. 1805, as to sending home the Essex, the sloops of war & the gun boats. I have on the contrary recalled his attention to your orders of...
164To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 15 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed Warrants— The persons for whom they are intended have been recommended by Capt. Murray —those stations being vacant on board the Constellation. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, Your mo ob hb sr. RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “Honble Th Jefferson Prest U States”; endorsed by TJ...
165To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 12 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the Conversation I had with you some days since respecting the Compensation to be allowed to Capt Tingey I have Offered to him the same pay & emoluments which he would have been entitled to receive, if he had remained a Captain of the Navy. This he does not consider sufficient. Herewith you will receive Copies of my Letter & his answer. I find that in the hurry of your...
166To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 29 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I some time since wrote to the Navy Agent at New York respecting Danl Baldwin . The result shall be Communicated to you when received. I did not understand from Mr Gallatin that I was to send to him an additional Estimate of Navy appropriations . I will however see him this morning. Respectfully H S RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 31 Jan. and “navy approprns”...
167To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to your letter of instructions of the 23d I have put in Commission the additional frigate. I have selected the John Adams because she is the smallest and of course the Cheapest and she will, besides, answer all the purposes of the largest frigate. Dispatch is of the Utmost importance. Notwithstanding the oppressively hot weather we have been progressing with the New York with an...
168To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 4 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 1st with its enclosure I have this moment received and be persuaded I well know how to appreciate such a Communication. As I shall leave this for Washington on the 7th (Sunday) I will bring the papers with me.—I would at this time only remark that as to the case of the lady there is not a Gentleman in the U. States of either party who does not hold in detestation the pitiful...
169To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 3 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The information I possess respecting the harbour of Beaufort is—that on the bar at low water there are 22 feet & that the tide ebbs and flows from 6 to 10 feet. The ground seawards from the bar is very good holding ground and Ships may safely ride there during the summer months and in fact it may be considered an Outer Harbour. Hunting Island landlocks the harbour so much that there is very...
170To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
No despatches came, as I had expected to the Navy Dept., in the Vessel that brought to Salem the pleasing account of peace with Tripoli, and I presume none came from Col. Lear to the State Dept.—A publick Vessel was no doubt immediately sent with despatches. And I fear some accident has prevented her arrival. It will I presume, be found that the peace has been accelerated by the movements of...
171To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Officer complained of by Mr Taber is Hull the Nephew & protege of Genl Hull and has been therefore considered by me correct in his political principles. However He & all others act in such cases under instructions to employ those who work upon the most reasonable terms & who at the same time are capable of the work—I will have the necessary enquiries made in the particular case & will...
172To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 23 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure of informing you that a letter to Norfolk will reach the Chesapeake in time & that Mr Higgins can draw on me as before for the amount of your purchase Respecty DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
173To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 21 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of Mr Smith alluded to in your favour of the 19th I have not yet received. There is however some mistake in this—The Commanding Officer of Gun Boat No. 1 at Charleston is Mr Fanning a gentleman lately appointed by you in consequence of strong letters of recommendation from our friends in New York. The Navy Agent at Charleston is Mr. Smith and the letter is probably from him. I have...
174To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 31 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
From the dispatches received by Captain Rodgers , which will be transmitted by this post from the department of State to you and to mr Madison, we have the unhappiness to perceive that the French Government have not appeared disposed to accede to the terms of ratification proposed by us. Apprehensive that at some future day claims respecting indemnities might be revived, they, it seems, have...
175To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 23 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 20h. I have just received. A few days since I made the appointment of Navy Agent at Boston. I gave it to Mr Francis Johonnet Merchant—a gentleman of very fair character, of correct habits in business and withal a uniformly chaste Republican. He is heartily with the administration in politicks & has ever been uniformly so at all times. He is a Native of Massachussetts, has...
176To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Shaw who was nominated as a Surgeon in the navy has withdrawn his application. I beg leave to mention to you the name of Doctor Jasper Hand in his place. Doct. Hand was nominated a surgeon’s mate at the same time that Doct Shaw was nominated a Surgeon: tho’ by a mistake in his name made by the gentlemen who recommended him, his name was written Jesse instead of Jasper Hand his real name.—...
177To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 8 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose two copies of a report made to me by B. H. Latrobe Esq on the subject of a Dry Dock, at this place, of a size sufficient to contain Twelve frigates of 44 guns—in which report he mentions the site that would, in his opinion, be the best—the works necessary to be erected, accompanied by Drawings—the means of supplying the Dock with Water—& the probable period it would...
178To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I forgot to ask you this morning whether the hint about returning in the Revenge was not in the private letter from Genl Armstrong to yourself—We cannot find it in any of the publick letters—This information Mr. Madison wants Respectfy DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
179To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of sending to you the enclosed letter. It explains itself. Respectfully Your Hmble Servt DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
180To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 29 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Warrant is for a young Gentleman recommended by Col Burr. If you approve his Appointment be pleased to give the enclosed Warrant your Signature I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect Sir, your mo obt St. RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President U:States.”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 29 Mch. and so recorded...