1From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 9 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
By the time you recieve this, you will have been at home long enough I hope to take a view of the possibilities, & of the arrangements, which may enable you so to dispose of your private affairs, as to take a share in those of the public, & give us your aid as Secretary of the navy. if you can be added to the administration I am forming, it will constitute a mass so entirely possessed of the...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, [before 12 March 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. William Buchanan has resided at the Isle of France for the last four or five years, [his] friends request me to solicit the Consulate of the Isles of France & Bourbon for him—An application for his appointment was presented by me lately to Mr. Marshall signed by the most [respec]table Merchants of both parties in this City—It was rejected because (as I understood) he was known to be my...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor on the subject of capt Wm. Buchanan. mr Madison not being to join us for some time & mr Gallatin gone, I have concluded only to dispatch such subjects as are of absolute necessity & to go home to make some necessary arrangements there preparatory to a final removal to this place. I count on leaving this on the 21st. and of our being all assembled here within 4....
4To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 17 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am afraid I have Acted improperly by delaying to answer your letter so long.—I hope however It will be attributed to the real Cause,—to my anxiety & desire (if possible) to Comply with your wishes by accepting a Post that would have been at all times highly honorable, but during your Administration would have been to me particularly pleasing & gratifying—The Conflict with myself has been...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 20 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit to you an Address from the Republican Citizens of Alleghany County (Maryland), which they have thought proper to request me to present—Should you return an answer, they request It may be done thro: me & that the Address & Answer may be published in one of our Papers— Mr. Dawson will sail on sunday the ship being perfectly ready—. He mentions that I am wanted...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowlege the reciept of your favor of the 20th. the appointment of Secy. of the navy, was immediately on receipt of your letter declining it, proposed to mr Jones of Philadelphia. I cannot have an answer from him till the night of the 26th. but I have great reason to expect a negative. in that case I will gladly for the public accept your offer to undertake it for a time. besides...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
According to what I had augured, I have this moment recieved mr Jones’s refusal of the Secretaryship of the navy. in mine of two days ago, I mentioned to you this fear, & that in that event I must avail the public of your kind offer to accept the office for a while. I now take the liberty of repeating my request that you will be so good as to come on on Saturday, that we may have a...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 2 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A Report prevails & is believed that a fracas took place between the sailors of the French ship at Norfolk & the English & American sailors. I presume no Lives were lost, as I have no Account from Norfolk on the subject— I progress with as much dispatch as possible in putting the Navy in the situation the Law has directed — My son Louis. Buchanan. Smith will go to Europe in two Weeks. permit...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 6 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Inclosed from Mr Dawson I have this Instant received—The fracas at Norfolk commenced with some English & French Sailors & terminated with some very severe broken heads but no lives lost— Previous to my leaving this City (on Sunday) I had ordered all the ships (for sale) that were in Port to be Sold without delay—I directed two 44 gun ships one of 32 guns & a Schooner to be got ready for...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 9th. inst. I recieved your’s of the 2d. and acknoleged it by return of post. yesterday your favor of the 6th. came to hand. the orders for the sale of the vessels which are to be sold, for the equipping three others for sea, & the laying up others are all right. I shall really be chagrined if the water into the Eastern branch will not admit our laying up the whole seven there in time of...