11To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The chief Clerk of the department of State having this morning shewn to me a Letter from mr Thorton requesting the Executive to order the departure of the English Ship that has been brought into the port of Boston by certain French Citizens, I consider it proper to communicate to you my Opinion thereon. My numerous and pressing engagements will not allow me to go into an extensive discussion...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 26 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Not conceiving it good economy to suffer the Company of Marines to remain at New Orleans merely for the purpose of manning the gun boats we are building on the Ohio I have forwarded the letter to Capt. Carmack. It is quite uncertain when those gun boats will be finished. Our Western Undertakers, not having had any experience in the construction and equipment of such vessels, will meet many and...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 18 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to request your signature to the commissions herewith sent for Lieuts. Haraden and Magrath. One of these officers is required for the J. Adams, the other for one of the gunboats now fitting for service. I am very respectfully, Sir, yr. ob st. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
14To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 14 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
From the enclosed letters you will perceive that Comre. Rodgers proposes to keep in the Mediterranean the Vessels that had been conditionally ordered home by letter dated Oct. 12. 1805 under the reasonable presumption that we did not then know the state of things with Tunis. My letter however by the Hornet of March 22. 1806 conveying to him the information that we have no reason to believe...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 25 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed papers do not suggest one new idea. These are old plans upon which we have made important improvements as the British Officers at Gibralter and Malta have admitted. The writer of the letter must be as unprincipled as he is imprudent and is utterly unworthy of your notice. I trust I do not go too far in advising you not to answer such a letter at all—Respectfully DLC : Papers of...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 23 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I find that the frigate the U. States cannot be prepared to sail for either New York or Boston within the time mentioned yesterday. The proposed arrangement with respect to her will of course not be made. Respectfy DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
17VII. Robert Smith’s Remarks on the Draft, 25 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
If a more summary process be wanted to enforce a specific performance of the Contract of foreign Seamen, ought it not to be a subject of diplomatic adjustment? The Cession of Louisiana is expressed with an accurate attention to the delicacy of the Case. But ought it not to be a separate Confidential Communication? Will it not otherwise produce in France great sensibility and in G. Brittain too...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 21 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Having obtained a sight of the bill now before the Senate entitled “an act in addition to an act entitled “an act supplementary to the Act providing for a naval Peace Establishment; & for other purposes”, I lose no time in informing you that under the restrictions of such an act of Congress The Chesapeake, as contemplated by you, cannot be sent to the Mediterranean—The proposed Act, among...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 26 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Before I make the proposed communication to Brown & Pearson I consider it proper to submit to your examination the enclosed Note. You will be pleased to make such alterations as to you may appear necessary. Very respectfully Your Obed Sevt RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Oct. and “Marine barracks” and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure not found, but see...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 25 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
When Mr Ludlow was Navy Agent I received a letter from the wife of Danl Baldwin exhibiting him to our view as an Object of Charity, and soliciting some employment for him at the Navy Yard of New-York. Not knowing his pretensions or qualifications I referred him to the Navy Agent and at the same time authorised mr Ludlow in his discretion to assign him some suitable station. Mr Ludlow in his...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 1 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
8th. Sect— The Blank to be filled up with 103 —of which three are for the lakes—The State as set forth in the enclosed paper— The words—“having the materials in readiness”—to be struck out—There were no instructions to have such materials in readiness. The materials that had been provided before the last session of Congress, have been noted in the building of the Gun Boats above mentioned. DLC...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 19 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Navy Estimates for the ensuing year, prepared in detail, but can not state the aggregate, until it shall be determined how many vessels are to be kept in actual service—on this point therefore I beg leave to request instructions from you. With the highest respect & esteem I have the Honor to be Sir, your mo ob St. RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text:...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 12 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
From an Officer of the Navy residing at Charleston S.C. who had my permission to make a voyage in a Merchant Vessel, I have just received a letter dated Charleston Nov. 29. 1806 which states that “the only situations to be had here at present are in the African Trade”— I give you this intimation as an indication of the present dispositions of S. Carolina— Respecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to present for your consideration the following Gentlemen to be Midshipmen in the Navy. Jacquelin Harvie Virga. Recomdd. by Mr. Harvie John Lyon Md. Colo. Stricker. Richard Wilson Md. Rt. Brent Esqre. Charles Blake Md. Mr. Nicholson Henry Thomas Md. J. Gibson Esqre. B. F. Rittenhouse Ca. Genl. Smith. of Va.
25To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 3 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Most sincerely do I regret that I had not known your opinion of Mr Meade some weeks since. I have myself no personal knowledge of him or of any of his family. But from the representations of Gentlemen of high respectability in whom I have great confidence I was induced to appoint him Navy Agent. Had I had the most distant idea of your impressions of him you will be fully sensible the...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 30 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Upon receiving the enclosed I immediately made all the arrangements in my power to order the Cheesapeak, the Wasp & Argus to our Eastern Coast and upon that—taken to remain until otherwise instructed. I have particularly called the attention of the Commanders to the points requiring the greatest vigilance. This indeed I had previously done in a great degree. The enclosed I only received this...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 20 with the enclosed letter to Doctor Rush has been duly received. It is really distressing that medical “partyism” should, upon an occasion so unimportant, have excited such acrimonious broils in Boston. But, some how or other, the disciples of Esculapins, having to grope their way over a ground not sufficiently lighted by the torch of philosophy, are ever thus jostling...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 6 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am extremely sorry that the Tunisian Minister should have given us additional difficulties. Not knowing what course in this delicate case would be to you the most agreeable I have deemed it adviseable to postpone issuing any orders until your determination be known— Respecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
29To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the resignation of George Cox, a vacancy has arisen in the corps of Masters Commandant—Mr. Tarbell is senior to all the Lieutenants excepting Lieut. Blake, who, it is thought, is not entitled to promotion. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir, yr mo: ob: Servt DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
30To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 7 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have marked one Section that I think ought to be struck out thus}— Respecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
31To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 6 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
As I could not consistently apply to Capt Hull by letter either official or private for explanations in relation to the suggestions of the letter of Mr Taber of Rhode Island, I caused my chief Clerk to write, as of his own accord, a proper letter and the enclosed is the reply of Capt Hull. Respecty. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
32To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
As we are to assemble so soon at Washington I have declined instituting any judicial proceeding in the Case of Capt. Porter. The Officers necessary to form a Court are at this time so dispersed and so occupied that it would be not only very difficult but very inconvenient to convene them for such a purpose. The veiw which you Mr. Madison & indeed all of us have of the proper Course of...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall this day have the honor of sending to you Warrants for the two young gentlemen recommended by judge Tyler. You will however be pleased to inform him that the Frigates intended for the Medn. have their full Complement of Midshipmen and that the first services to be performed by these young men will probably be on board of Gun Boats— Y.H.S. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received from the...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 11 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I find that the Gunboats cannot be sent to New-orleans at this time consistently with the appropriations of the law of the last session of Congress— Respectfy DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
35To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 14 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this morning received a letter from Balt stating that Mr. Pinkney is determined to remain at Balt and to prosecute the practice of the Law. He is poor with a large family and he must make some provision for them. He means, it is said, to devote himself to his profession and to keep aloof from politicks. & from Publick employment— Respectfully Y. H. S. RC ( DNA : RG 59, LAR ); endorsed...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 16 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The accompanying statement No 2—exhibits a view of the exact state of the Navy appropriations on this day. Presuming that it will be agreeable to you, I shall in future lay before you, similar statements weekly . I have the honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem, Sir, yr mo ob st RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President United States”; endorsed by TJ...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 23 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I request your signature to the enclosed commissions. I am with great respect sir, yr mo ob s DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
38To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 30 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Upon finding that Capt Tingey had not, as was his duty, reported to the Dept the timber and the tr used in the building and equipping of the gun Boats of this place I without delay called upon him by an Official letter for the requisite information and I have this moment with a view to hasten the report to me sent to him your note. Capt Tingey having been under Orders to keep an exact account...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 16 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
It would seem from the tenour of the Communications from our Ministers at Madrid that they were mortified not only from their failure in the negotiation, but from the manner of its being conducted on the part of Spain. Its unfortunate termination, be the motives of Spain what they may, has brought us to a crisis that demands great consideration. That Nation, throughout the whole of her recent...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 18 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose for your signature Commissions for the following gentlemen, now Lieutenants { Charles Stewart— Captain in the Navy. Isaac Hull } to be Masters Commandants Andrew Sterett John Shaw Isaac Chauncey John Smith Richard Somers Stephen Decatur & George Cox now Midshipmen { Arthur St. Clair