To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 December 1803
From Robert Smith
Navy dept.
Decr. 28. 1803.
Sir,
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 Blake1 | Md. | Mr. Nicholson | |
Henry Thomas | Md. | J. Gibson Esqre. | |
B. F. Rittenhouse | Ca. | Genl. Smith. of Va. | |
Alexr. S. Dexter | R. Id. | Mr. Dexter. | |
Edd. Winslow | Mtts. | Doctor Eustis | |
Thos. Shields | Del. | Mr. Rodney. | |
Andw. McDowell | Vt. | Mr. Elliott. |
Should you approve of these appointments the enclosed Warrants will require your signature.—
I have the honor to be, with much respect, Sir, yr ob: servt.
Rt Smith
RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 28 Dec. and “midshipmen” and so recorded in SJL. FC (DNA: RG 45, LSP); in a clerk’s hand. Enclosures not found.
Smith wrote letters to all of the candidates for midshipman listed above, except for Charles Blake, on 2 Jan. 1804, forwarding their warrants, copies of various navy regulations, and blank oaths of allegiance to be returned to the Navy Department along with their letters of acceptance (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSO).
1. In FC, a note records that Blake was “not warranted.”