To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 21 July 1804
From Robert Smith
Navy Dept.—21 July 1804.
Sir,
A Purser is required for Gunboat No 1, under Command of Lieut. Lovell. Mr. Carr for whom the enclosed warrant is intended has heretofore acted in the station of Purser with credit to himself and advantage to the public and is one of that grade of officers who retired under the peace establishment act. If you approve of this nomination I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed Warrant.—
With respect, I am Sir; yr. ob Servt.
Rt Smith
RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 28 July and “Carr purser” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP); misdated as 31 July.
John H. Carr was the purser for the frigate Constellation from 1800 to 1801. After his reinstatement in 1804, Carr served on board Gunboat No. 1 and the frigate John Adams (, Register, 9).