To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 29 December 1801
From Robert Smith
Navy Dept. Dec. 29. 1801
Under the impression that the President will be obliged to send to the Medn. Squadron new orders in consequence of measures, which, there is reason to believe, will be adopted by Congress and that such orders will be conveyed in the Enterprize, it is believed that the proper Officers ought to be ordered immediately to that vessel. For this purpose it is proposed to send the accompanying Letters. Taking into view the places of residence of some of these Officers and accidents that may occur, it is probable that this Tender will not be ready before the 1st. Feby. next.
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 29 Dec. from the Navy Department and “orders to Enterprize” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: see below.
For the new orders to U.S. naval commanders and the measures adopted by Congress regarding hostilities with Tripoli, see TJ’s Circular to Naval Commanders, 18 Feb. 1802. On 29 Dec., Smith sent orders to several navy officers, directing them to repair immediately to Baltimore and report to the commanding officer of the schooner Enterprize, including lieutenants John Rush and John Foote, surgeon George Davis, purser Silas Butler, and midshipmen Benjamin Turner, States Rutledge, Daniel Simms, and Joseph Israel (FCs in Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSO).