Thomas Jefferson Papers
Documents filtered by: Recipient="Smith, Robert" AND Period="Jefferson Presidency" AND Period="Jefferson Presidency" AND Project="Jefferson Papers" AND Starting date=4 March 1801 AND Ending date=3 March 1805
sorted by: date (ascending)
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-35-02-0346

From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 9 October 1801

To Robert Smith

Octor. 9 1801.

Th:J. to mr Smith.

Capt Truxton’s idea of a [gradual] relief of our frigates [presents] advantages. in addition to what he [mentions], the frigate going out [might] always carry supplies; the frigate relieved may always be any particular one which may have got damaged & need repairs. it puts it in our power to shift the officers at our will & without offence. [it] might, on the arrival of the one & before the departure of the other, enable the Commodore to undertake an enterprize with 4. frigates to which 3. would be incompetent, it would enable him to send home from time to time1 such men as were become permanently sick or disabled. perhaps the intervals from 4. months to 4. months may be rather long.

PrC (DLC); faint, with words in brackets supplied from Tr. Tr (MHi).

On 9 Oct., Secretary of the Navy Smith wrote another letter, enclosing warrants for Richard B. Brandt, James Lawrence, and Morris Newman as sailing masters. The enclosed documents (not found) required TJ’s signature (RC in DLC, in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith, at foot of text: “Ths. Jefferson Esqr Prest. UStates,” endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 10 Oct. and “Commissions” and so recorded in SJL; FC in Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP).

1Preceding four words interlined.

Index Entries