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...
71To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 25 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I did myself the Honor to forward y[our] Box of Books by a Schooner bound to the Navy Yard—and by the same Opportunity I directed Peters & Johnson to send you one half Barrel of their best Beer—If it Should please you will know where you Can with Convenience supply yourself in future—I have this Day recieved from Malaga a Hhd of Wine sent to you from thence by order of Mr. Yznardi—Will you be...
72To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 20 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pitcairn the Consul at Hamburg is a Merchant of Considerable Credit & well supported in New York. the Merchants who do Business with him from this City Speak highly of him, as a Man of Understanding & one who has their entire Confidence,—and in this point of View he is Considerd by those who do not know his Transactions at Paris & a part of his Commercial Conduct, known to few—I do not...
73To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 11 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Marine Militia Bill has had a fair & full discussion this Day & yesterday. And on a motion to postpone until the first Monday of December, all the Senate except Seven rose in favor of the Motion—So that the principle of the Bill may be Considered as virtually rejected— No Reliance ever Can be placed in a similar Bill ever obtaining —Our Reliance must in my Opinion be placed in a Land Army...
74To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 2 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to Inclose you a letter recieved from Judge Davis.—The Territorial Governors have their Enemies. I am Sir/ your Obedt. Servt DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
75To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 14 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
You will do me the honor to recollect that Sometime in last Winter, I handed you an application from Coll. Lowry, requesting a place in the Customs in Orleans,—he Still appears anxious to have an appointment there, and has requested me to forward the inclosed Certificate from the Collector, Naval Officer & Surveyor of this Port, respecting his Capacity for the Duties of the Office,—Coll. Lowry...
76To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am applied to by Mrs Rivardi to apply for an appointment for her husband Major Rivardi. her letter inclosed will Shew better her Wishes & expectations than I Should be able—Major Rivardi is an excellent Mathematician, a Man of Science & a compleat Draftsman—I believe him from personal knowledg to be a Gentleman of Integrity & honor, he was deranged by the new Organization of the Army.—if the...
77To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the accompanying Commissions & Warrants— They are all old appointments excepting George Grey Grubb , who has been particularly recommended by Mr Leiper of Philaa. & has been sometime an acting Midsm. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem, Sir, your mo: ob Sr. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “President U: States”; endorsed by TJ as...
78To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Yznardi, the Elder is thus far on his Way to Washington to pay you his Respects, his State of Health will not permit him to go further—I shewed him your letter he will Accept with pleasure the Consulate &c its Duties untill there shall be a general Peace, again which time he expects he Can settle all American Claims for French Capt[ures] now under his Management—He no longer supports his...
79To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 26 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you my sincere thanks for your favorable Intention respectg. Mr. Buchanan—I am pleased with it, because I am confident Mr. Lewis would have been a very improper Character— I am happy to find that the sending the squadron to the Mediterranean & your very early determination to that Object has met the entire satisfaction of the Commercial people—All seem to think that more ships will be...
80To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 10 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to send you an Extract of a letter recieved in Baltimore from our Navy Agent in London—The Idea of making all the Ports in G.B. Free is grand & may operate powerfully to support her sometime longer. I am your Obed Servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
81To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 11 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to send you a Copy of a letter I have this instant recieved from my friends in Liverpool—and am sir/ your friend & Servt. Gent Liverpool 26 July 1806. We have only time to accompany the enclosed Price Current with information that the British Parliament is prorogued, & that it is officially announced, in the Speech on that occasion, that our Government is engaged in...
82To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 4 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. James Lowrey Donaldson, a young Gentleman of the Bar, of very handsome talents, has a disposition to reside in the Western Country. he has been 4 Years a practising Lawyer—and Studied four years prior thereto.—his Character is unblemished his Connexions respectable—his Politicks, has been proved by Some handsome pieces in the public Papers they are Republican, his Age about 25—Permit me to...
83To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 22 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you inclosed two letters I have recieved in behalf of Mr Forbes appointed to Havre by Mr Adams. I know Nothing of that Gentleman, but presume he Cannot be otherwise than Federal, in the late Acceptation of the Term,—From his letters he appears sensible—but It may perhaps be proper not to Appoint all the Consuls from one part of the Union.—Understanding from Mr Maddison that Mr. Doble...
84To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, [9 March 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honor to return you Mr. Coxe’s Opinions —there are some Ideas, that I think useful which I have Communicated to Mr. Randolph as Chairman of the Ways & Means.—I have the honor be your friend & servt. RC ( DLC ); partially dated; address clipped: “The Preside”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 9 Mch. Enclosures: see below. COXE’S OPINIONS : although they were marked private, TJ may...
85To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 12 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The present will be forwarded by M r Caustin, the general Agent for the sufferers by depredation Committed by the French prior to the year 1800—He has Collected a Mass of testimony all going to Confirm the Opinion I had always had. That the Government had bartered the fair Claims of the Merchants against the Guarantee of the W. Indian Islands. and was bound in Common honesty to pay the losses...
86To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 5 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
My Brother has Come up to Attend to his Business in Court. I first to meet him with the distressing Account of the Death of his Eldest son (a Charming Boy) his Distress is great, that of his family will be greater, he will of course be detained some time at home— Our squadron had arrived —The Essex had gone to Tunis having under Convoy the ship for that Regency—The Philadelphia was seen...
87To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 23 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose to you a letter just received from Genl. Dearborn—I do not admire either the Cost in Mariners or Mastters—I asked for the loan of two Brass field peices which I had brought back from the Western Insurrection and which I had Caused to be delivered in good order to the commanding Officers at the Fort—and am answered by reflections on the State of Maryland—I told...
88To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 23 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
During the late War between England & France—England levied a Convoy Duty of ½ ⅌C: on Goods exported from G.B. to any Port in Europe & One ⅌C: to all other Countries—for which difference there was some pretext—Neutrals as well as National Ships were Charged therewith—On the Peace this Convoy Duty was Changed to a Duty on Export, and the U.S. were thus subjected to double the Duty paid by other...
89To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 29 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Maryland arrived last Night & this Morning, Mr. Purviance the Bearer of her Dispatches proceeded to Washington—The inclosed Letter from Capt. Barney will Aid in explaining the Causes why no Exchange of Ratification had taken effect—and will shew, that Federalists Can not be trusted with the Objects of Government. I Confess that I highly approved of the Delicacy of your Conduct towards Mr:...