61To 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...
62To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreably to your request, I will endeavour to give as correct an idea of the Navy of the United States, as my short acquaintance with this Department will enable me to do. On the 4th. March last, the Navy of the United States consisted of 5 frigates of 44 guns 3 " " 36 — 5 " " 32 — say thirteen frigates, those by the Law “Providing for the Naval Establishment of the United States” are...
63To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 28 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day recieved the inclosed letter from Genl. Wilkinson. I presume from the Postscript that he has made an offer to relieve you from the Situation in which he Supposes you to be placed by his appointment,—I cannot think that this would be the proper time to make any Change,—nor am I of the opinion that any Change ought to be made, at any Rate, not until he has had full time to shew...
64To 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...
65To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 22 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Tracy’s motion for a Call for the Letter of Mr. Munroe has been under discussion & has been adjourned until tomorrow—Many Gentlemen have declared that they were absent when the letter was Read—others that they had not attended (all our friends)—I therefore take leave to Submit the propriety of Sending the Letter tomorrow early—It may be requested that (after reading) the Same shall be...
66To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 7 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have shewn your letter recommending a clergyman to some of my particular friends, they laugh at the Idea of my being written to on that Subject, however your Recommendation will have great Weight—There is no positive Vacancy here yet, but there must be, for Doctr. Allison’s situation is little short of Lunacy, Nor is there any Appearance of his recovery—There has been a young Gentleman of...
67To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 14 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I Congratulate you on the success & good Fortune of the Squadron under Commodore Dale—Lieut Sterett’s success will Convince the Tripolitan & other Barbary Powers of the Truth of Mr. Cathcarts remark —(that they would not find the Americans like the Neopolitan Castratti) & I hope will tend to keep the other Powers in Peace with us—War having now Actually Commenced, It becomes a Duty to have a...
68To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 8 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am about to ask of you a particular favor. Not an Office for any of my friends, but that you will not Nominate Col Hammond to be the Successor of Genl Wilkenson. I ask it as well on your Account as because that I verily believe his appointment will greatly Estrange the affections of the ancient inhabitants of Louisiana from you and from the Govt of the U.S. General Wilkenson has made himself...
69To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 15 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I was led (by the Secretarys Report to the last Session of Congress) to believe that there was no more Salt Petre than what was Contained in that Report—I find the Report is only for that at the Arsenal in Philadelphia. I had no Recollection of any at any other place—If that is the whole that we have, It will produce little more than a Million of Gunpowder,—which I Should Consider not a...
70To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 20 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
When in Balte. a few Days past, I mentioned to Capt. McLellan (of the Artillery) that Genl. Wilkinson had been Charged with having induced the Sheriff of St. Louis to pack a Jury. He said he did not beleive the Charge. The next day he met the Sheriff by Accident in a Store a Copy of whose Deposition I took the liberty to send you least any impression should be made unfavorable to the General...