271To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 18 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Gallatin has abandoned the idea of desiring the collectors to deposit in the hands of the Navy agents monies to be applied to the payment of the crews of the expected frigates—and has recommended the mode stated in the return letter addressed to him. This form has, I understand, been pursued in similar cases— It is necessary that the enclosed letter from me to mr Gallatin be sent to his...
272To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, with Jefferson’s Note, 7 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I came over this morning to submit to you the propriety of procuring Carronades for the Small Vessels we are about building. All practical men prefer them to Cannon. But the Cost of them not being Comprehended in my Estimate they cannot be Obtained but under the appropriation in Brackenridge’s Bill .—I wish to have your Opinion upon this Subject Respectfully [ Note by TJ :] I should approve of...
273To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, with Jefferson’s Note, 7 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of informing you that with Mr Wm. Smith came Mrs. Hall the Sister of Mrs. Rt Smith and Mrs. Hughes our friend— Mr Williams is at Genl Wilkinsons with his two daughters Prudentia and Kitty— Y. H. S. [ Note by TJ :] Mr. Wm. Smith Mrs. Hall Mrs. Hughes Mr. Williams and the miss Williamses RC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ as received 7 Jan. the liberty of informing you
274To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 9 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I request your signature to the enclosed warrants—They are wanted for midshipmen & other officers for the Ship Adams & the Brig Hornet. I have the honor to be with great respect, sir, yr mo ob servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
275To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 24 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your Signature to the Commission herewith enclosed for Lieut Philomon C: Wederstrandt : This Gentleman has been heretofore Commissioned, but as his Commission was filled up on a blank, originally intended for a Warrant, he is desirous to have it exchanged. With the utmost respect I have the honor to be Sir Your mo. obt. Servt. RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed...
276VI. Robert Smith’s Remarks on the Draft, 31 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
“ will be properly regarded ”— Would it not be better to presume that your representations have been acted upon and therefore use the words— have been properly regarded . The language respecting the gun Boats is rather too strong—The truth is—two of the gun Boats have been built and equipped for service—Eight more are building and most of these will be launched in the Course of next Month/Novr...
277James Madison, Henry Dearborn, and Robert Smith to the Judges of the Circuit Court of New York, 8 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
We have been summoned to appear on the 14th day of this month, before a special Circuit court of the U. S. for the district of New-York, to testify on the part of William S. Smith, and Samuel G. Ogden, severally, in certain issues of traverse between the U. S. and the said William S. Smith, and Samuel G Ogden. Sensible of all the attention due to the writs of subpoena issued in these cases, it...
278To James Madison from Robert Smith, 13 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have the Honor to request that you will be pleased to send me an order on the Director of the Mint, permitting Mr Harrison, or an artist under his direction, to use the Machine for striking Coins, for the Medal intended for Capt Truxtun. I have the Honor to be sir, very respectfully Your Mo ob servt. RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to Secretary of State)....
279To James Madison from Robert Smith, 5 April 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 April 1803, Navy Department. Encloses a letter “this day received” from Israel Whelen in reply to a 26 Mar. letter from Smith requesting information about the stores due to the dey of Algiers. “As the subject is new to us, I beg the favor of you to let Mr Wagner make out a list of the articles wanted.” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, ML ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to Secretary...
280To James Madison from Robert Smith, 21 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
21 April 1804, Navy Department. “I enclose a letter from John Tilden to me [not found]. “There was a John Tilden in the Navy service. He was appointed a Midsn. in January, ordered to the Brig Norfolk in April, and resigned in December 1800. He was the Son of Mr. Marmaduke Tilden, who has long been a Resident of Kent County Maryland. He was of respectable discent. I have no doubt the Writer of...
281To James Madison from Robert Smith, 3 August 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
3 August 1802, Navy Department. Acknowledges JM’s letter of 29 July and informs him that Lieutenant Chauncey will be instructed to deliver $30,000 to Algiers. “In the event of the money not being applied as intended, Commodore Morris will be instructed with respect to receiving it back.… Mr. Chauncey will also be instructed to receive and deliver the Gun carriages as you request.” RC ( DLC );...
282To James Madison from Robert Smith, 17 November 1808 (Madison Papers)
Resolutions, somewhat like the enclosed, ought, I think, to be introduced into Congress by one of our friends, connected with and preceding the Non-intercourse resolution. Respectfully DLC : Papers of James Madison, Rives Collection.
283To James Madison from Robert Smith, 11 May 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 May 1803, Navy Department. Encloses for JM’s information a copy of a letter to Mackenzie and Glennie, navy agents at London, “containing general instructions for the liquidation of claims against the U States, for supplies that may be furnished any of our Public ships by any of his Britannick Majesty’s Agents—also directions for the payment of an account enclosed to you in a letter from...
284To James Madison from Robert Smith, 6 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
A man of fair character has this moment informed me that a Captain Cowper of Norfolk has lately been at St. Augustine and then became a Spanish Subject—that he engage to equip for the Spanish service three privateers—that he has been equipping one at Norfolk—that a person of the name of Robinson is to be one of her Lieutenants. Under the supposition that this may be the vessel mentioned to you...
285To James Madison from Robert Smith, 24 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
By a letter addressed to me by Col. Wharton, I perceive that the services of all the officers in the Marine Corps are now necessary. He wishes to be informed how he is to consider Mr. Coxe one of the Lieutenants of Marines, now consul at Tunis, and that I may be enabled to give to Col. Wharton the necessary information upon this subject, I ask the favor of you to inform me of your intentions...
286To James Madison from Robert Smith, 17 February 1807 (Madison Papers)
By direction of the President of the United, Commre. Saml. Barron was on the 6th. Octr 1806, directed to proceed to the place where the Impeteux was destroyed for the purpose of ascertaining whether she had been destroyed within the jurisdictional limits of the United States. This Service was performed by him & I believe you are in possession of the result of his enquiries. The commre. now...
287To James Madison from Robert Smith, 13 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 April 1804, Navy Department. “Immediately on receiving your letter of 30 ult —I called on Capn Morris for the information therein required—& yesterday received from him two letters of which the accompanying are true copies.” RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 59, ML ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to Secretary of State). RC 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; docketed by Wagner....
288To James Madison from Robert Smith, 29 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I enclose you a copy of a letter from Messrs. Carl & Allston with their Signatures for your information. DNA : RG 45—Letters to Secretary of States.
289To James Madison from Robert Smith, 28 May 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 May 1804, Navy Department. “We are in want of a Set of the Laws of the United States for Commodore Barron, and if you can furnish me with a Set I will be oblidged to you if you will do it.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to the Secretary of State). 1 p.
290To James Madison from Robert Smith, 28 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 April 1804, Navy Department. “I have the honor to enclose an estimate of the value of the articles comprehended in the ‘invoice given to the Consul of the United States at Algiers—to be furnished by the United States on account of the annuity which will be due on the 5h seper 1804.’” RC and enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, ML ); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to Secretary of State). RC 1...
291To James Madison from Robert Smith, 17 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
I deem it proper to intimate to you that the lowest Sum to be paid for the passage of Mr Purviance in the West is fifty Guineas. Respectfully DLC : Papers of James Madison.
292To James Madison from Robert Smith, 6 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Robert Smith. 6 March 1806, Navy Department. “I enclose for your perusal a copy of a letter from the British Consul at New York to Captain Chauncey, & a copy of Capt Chauncey’s answer. “Capt. Chauncey commands the Brig Hornet now at New York.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to Secretary of State). 1 p. Enclosures not found, but see n. 1. The letters presumably dealt with Thomas...
293To James Madison from Robert Smith, 17 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Blanks in the Commission, & in your letter to the Commercial Agent of the United S: at Batavia I have filled with the name of John W Clallan Esqr. and the following is a copy of a note by me signed and annexed to your letter. Resp DNA : RG 45—Letters to Secretary of States.
294To James Madison from Robert Smith, 3 July 1805 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Robert Smith. 3 July 1805, Navy Department. “Will you be pleased to send me an order on the director of the mint, to permit George Harrison esquire navy agent at Philadelphia, or an artist under his direction to use the machine for striking coins in the case of the medal for commre. Preble—& to furnish the necessary aid in preparing the steel to sink the die on.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML );...
295To James Madison from Robert Smith, 23 January 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Robert Smith. 23 January 1806, Navy Department. “I have the honor herewith to conclose [ sic ] for your information a copy of my letter to Captain S Decatur jr and Doctr Go Davis, with their answers relatively to the Tunision Zebeque and prises captured in the spring of 05 by the fregate President.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 45, Letters to Secretary of State). 1 p. For enclosures, see...
296To James Madison from Robert Smith, 23 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
I have received from a friend intimations which induce me to think that the son of G. Christie is not qualified for the appointment of Consul. This may be a subject of some delicacy. But to such unpleasant situations we are frequently exposed. With great Esteem I am sir, Y st. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR , 1801–9, filed under “Christie”). Docketed by Jefferson. For Gabriel Christie’s efforts to...
297III. Robert Smith’s Opinion on the Common Law and Hardin’s Case [ca. 11 November 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
Mem. If in a Case of Criminal jurisdiction there be not a Statute of Congress, defining the offence and prescribing the punishment, the prosecution cannot be sustained in any Court of the United States. If the federal judge does not find such an act of Congress, he cannot resort to the common or Statute law of the State. An action, which Congress may constitutionally declare to be an Offence,...