101From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 7 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Proceeding as we are to an extensive construction of gun-boats, there are many circumstances to be considered & agreed on. viz. 1. how many shall we build? for the debate lately published proves clearly it was not expected we should build the whole number proposed. 2. of what sizes, and how many of each size? 3. what weight of metal shall each size carry? shall carronades be added? 4. is it...
102From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 14 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Chancey’s letter. I am sorry to see the seamen working for rations only, & that we cannot allow even them, and further indeed that we shall be under the necessity of discharging a number of those we have. this is so serious a question that I propose to call a consultation on it a day or two hence. our 64. gunboats & ketches may certainly be reduced to 10. seamen each; at least I...
103From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 15 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
To the letter from mr Davy of the Committee of the Chamber of commerce of Philadelphia (which I now return you) I think you may say in answer that you had communicated it to the President & were authorised to say, that the government of the US. have no present views of forming new harbours for the reception of their vessels of war: that under the authority, & with the means, lately given by...
104From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 27 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I think the answer to the Mayor of N. York must be that the law fixes the number of men we may subsist & pay, that having already that number employed, no authority but the legislature can give subsistence or pay to any additional number. Affectte. salutns. DNA : RG 45--Miscellaneous Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy.
105From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 14 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I believe we must employ some of our gunboats to aid in the execution of the embargo law. some British ships in the Delaware, one of them loaded with 1500. barrels of flour for Jamaica, another armed as a letter of marque, openly mean to go out by force. the last is too strong for the revenue cutter. mr Brice also of Baltimore asks armed assistance. I see nothing at present to prevent our...
106From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 3 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Can a gunboat be spared from Charleston? DLC : Harwood Family Papers.
107From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 1 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I approve of your letter to Commodore Murray entirely, and in order to settle what shall be our course for the summer (now that we see tolerably clearly that no rupture with England is likely to take place during the summer) I propose, the first day that I can be well enough for a couple of hours, to ask a meeting of our colleagues to determine these questions Shall the Proclamation, be...
108From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 20 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate Joseph Tarbell—now a Lieutenant in the Navy—to be a Master Commandant in the Navy—to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of George Cox late a Master Commandant . Words in italics in Robert Smith’s hand [ Postscript in TJ’s hand: ] Will mr Smith be so good as to say what is the appointment vacated by Cox & to which Tarbell is to be promoted, as that must be specifically...
109From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 3 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a petition from a woman (Mary Barnett) who complains that her son of 13. years of age, is detained against her will in the Naval military service. having never before received an application of the kind in that department, I know not what are the rules there. but in the land service we have had many cases of enlistment of infants, and there the law is considered to be, and our...
110From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 20 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the information contained in your’s of the 17th. and as it has not yet got into the papers I take the liberty of inclosing the papers to mr Madison with a request to return them to you. I inclose to yourself a letter from Dr. Waterhouse to Dr. Rush, sent me by the latter with a request that you also would read it and see to what lengths respecting him medical par alogism ,...
111From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 31 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Capt. Truxton’s letter. the only difficulty in the case is to concieve how such anachronisms could have taken place as to dates so recent and easily to be ascertained. if you will be so good as to address a letter either directly to mr Patterson, or through the Secretary of state, the errors will be rectified. it will not I suppose be necessary to make a new die. that would be...
112From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 15 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have considered the letter of the Director of the Mint stating the ease with which the errors of Commodore Truxton’s medal may be corrected on the medal itself, and the impracticability of doing it on the die. in my former letter to you on this subject I observed that to make a new die would be a serious thing, requiring consideration. in fact, the first die having been made by authority of...
113From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 16 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Complaints multiply upon us of evasions of the embargo laws by fraud & force. these come from Newport, Portland, Machias, Nantucket, Martha’s vineyard Etc Etc as I do consider the severe enforcement of the embargo to be of an importance, not to be measured by money, for our future government as well as present objects, I think it will be adviseable that during this summer all the gunboats...
114From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 9 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The letters of Trenchard, Williamson & Leonard, which I recieved from you the last week, I forwarded to mr Gallatin for his information, & desired him to return them to you. that of a person of Boston whose name I cannot decypher is reserved for a similar purpose. I inclose you a letter to mr Gallatin covering some others, which I will ask the favor of you to read & hand on to him with such...
115From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 12 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of July 30. came to hand only yesterday. it has consequently loitered somewhere two posts. I am glad to learn the prompt aid you have afforded the Treasury department; to let you further understand the importance of giving all the aid we can, I pass through your hands my letter of this day to mr Gallatin, with those it incloses, which I will pray you, after perusal, to seal & put into...
116From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 19 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 13th. has been recieved, and mr Goldsboro has forwarded to me the state of the gunboats in building, & the stations of those in commission. the discretionary power given to mr Gallatin as to those at New York was I think the best step to be taken. under the appearances of present peace no great number need be in the harbour of New York. presuming that the inclosed application...
117From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 16 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
You will percieve by the inclosed papers that an aggression has been committed on the Spanish territory by (if I understand the case) both our land & sea officers. I inclose the papers to you that the necessary orders may be given in your department & the papers handed on to the War department that the same may be done there. I suppose it will suffice for the present to order the men to be...
118From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 10 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
you will percieve by the inclosed letter, that the young man who writes it (enlisted among the marines is far above that condn. Genl Dearborn can state to you particular facts & considerations which would recommend a discharge, or I will do it vivâ voce as may be most to your convenience Affectte salutns MoSHi : Bixby Collection.
119From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 19 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a petition of the widow Bennet for the liberation of her son at Boston, a Minor, or for a moiety of 3. months pay to enable her to go to another son. I think when her case was formerly before us, she was said to be a woman of ill fame, & that her son did not wish to return to her. still however the mother, if there be no father, is the natural guardian, & is legally entitled to...
120From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 9 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
being quite a stranger to the service in which the vessel at Charleston is engaged, as well as to her situation & condition, I must request you to do in it what the service or her condition admits. Affectte. salutations. DNA : RG 45--Miscellaneous Letters Received by the Secretary of the Navy.
121Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 10 [July] 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from mr Smith of Erie , one of the members of Pensylvania , which you will readily percieve ought to have been addressed to you by himself; as it is official, & not personal opinion which can answer his views. I am however gratified by his mis take take in sending it to me, inasmuch as it gives me an opportunity of abstracting myself from my rural occupations, & of...
122From James Madison to Robert Smith, 27 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 July 1809. Mentioned in JM to Gallatin, 28 July 1809 . Acknowledged in Smith to JM, 31 July 1809 . Makes a few observations on several points for consideration raised by the British repudiation of the Erskine agreement. Declines returning to Washington.
123From James Madison to Robert Smith, 15 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 11th. with the papers to which it refers. The determination of Jackson to withold even informal intimations of his authorized communications, previous to the ceremony of his reception, and his apparent patience under the delay of this preliminary, are sufficient proofs that his instructions are not of a nature to produce a conciliatory effect, and much less to change...
124John D. Lewis and Others to Robert Smith, 1 April 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 April 1810. The petitioners, Americans residing in Malta, urge that John Hudden Lander, “an Englishman by birth,” be appointed to replace the present consul, who is “negligent & inattentive in his Office” and who “neither speaks, writes, or understands the English language.” As Malta is a rendezvous for the Royal Navy, the interests of American seamen there “require consular interference.” Ms...
125Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 30 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
In the action brought against me by E. Livingston on the subject of the Batture , the counsel employed desire me, without delay, to furnish them with the grounds of defence, that they may be enabled to put in proper pleas. towards this it is indispensable that I should have a communication of such papers in the public offices as are material for either information or evidence of material...
126From James Madison to Robert Smith, 17 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
The letter from Govr. Holmes, with that from Mr. Lowry & copy of the answer, which were inclosed to me, are now returned. I think Govr. Holmes should be encouraged in keeping a wakeful eye to occurrences & appearances in W. Florida, and in transmitting information concerning them. It will be well for him also to be attentive to the means of having his Militia in a state for any service that...
127From James Madison to Robert Smith, 26 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I return herewith the letters from Vanderhorst, & Bernabeu. It would have been better if Lowry had more carefully concealed his destination. The case of the Spanish Goods landed from the French privateer, must be decided by the result of the judicial enquiry into the character of the latter. If equipped from our jurisdiction, the capture gives a claim to restitution. If not so equipped, the...
128From James Madison to Robert Smith, 12 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 5th. instant from Washington. The speedy return which it appears is wished by Mr. ⟨Adams⟩, is to be regretted; but if his anxiety be as great and the cause as powerful & unforeseen, as is stated, it is scarc[e]ly just to oppose his escape from ruin. I hope however that the extreme anxiety is rather that of the parent, than of Mr. ⟨A.⟩ himself; nor is it unprobable that...
129Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 23 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have waited the occasion of the present inclosure to perform the duty of my thanks for the kind communication of papers from your office in the question between Livingston & myself. these have mainly enabled me to give a correct statement of facts. I deferred proceeding to a particular consideration of the case in hopes of the aid of Moreau’s memoir, which I have understood to be the ablest...
130From James Madison to Robert Smith, ca. 30 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 30 September 1810. Mentioned in Robert Smith to William Harris Crawford, 2 Oct. 1810 (DNA: RG 59, DL), where Smith informed Crawford that his letter of 27 July (not found) had been sent to the president, who was “perfectly satisfied with the arrangement made by you in the execution of the delicate trust which we took the liberty of committing to your management.”
131Louis-Barbé-Charles Sérurier to Robert Smith, 17 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 February 1811, Washington. The effort of being presented yesterday to the president and at the State Department has worsened his indisposition to the extent that he cannot pay his respects to Mmes Madison and Smith and to others as he had proposed. Offers his apologies; will make the visits his first duty and he is eager to fulfill it. Still hopes to be able to come to the State Department...
132Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 20 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Having just now made up my packet of documents to be sent to Mess rs Hay & Wirt , my counsel in the case of the Batture , I think it my duty to furnish you with a particular list of those sent me from your office, which list you will accordingly find on the next page. those marked as now returned, you will find in the packet which accompanies this letter. the rest are sowed together that they...
133Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson’s List of Batture-Related State Department Documents, [ca. 20 March 1811] (Jefferson Papers)
Papers recieved from the Secretary of State’s office and now returned Derbigny’s Opinion on the case of the Batture MS. his Memoire. printed copy Livingston’s
134Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 30 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have learnt, with sincere concern, the circumstances which have taken place at Washington . some intimations had been quoted from federal papers, which I had supposed false, as usual. their first confirmation to me was from the National Intelligencer. still my hopes and confidence were that your retirement was purely a matter of choice on your part. a letter I have recieved from mr Hollins...
135From John Adams to Robert Smith, 25 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
Colonel Pickering in his Letters or Addresses to the People of The United States has represented to the world and supported by Certificates or Testimonies which some persons think plausible, that a corrupt Bargain was made between yourself and your Brother on one part, and me on the other; that I should dismiss the then Secretary of State from his office, in consideration of your votes and...
136From John Adams to Robert Smith, 6 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received from the Post Office in this Town, your favour of the thirtieth of November in answer to mine my Letter to you of the twenty fifth of that month I thank you Sir, for the Promptitude, Punctuallity and Accuracy of your Reply, which is fully Satisfactory. It is Such indeed as I know, it must be, from the immutability of Truth. With much respect, I have the Honor to / be Sir,...