To Thomas Jefferson from James S. Smith, 12 May 1804

From James S. Smith

New Orleans 12h. May 1804

Thos. Jefferson Esqr, Sir,

Genrl: Wilkison, will do me the honour to make application to the President, for an appointment in the Army of the United States, if my recommendations are such as may be approved off, I must take the liberty to solicit the appointment of a Lieuftennancy in the recruiting service, however this must be alone submited to your Honour to direct—

The President will please pardon the liberty I have takeing by addressing those line to him, and do me the justice to belive I shall feel myself Honoured in the dicharge of that trust which may be reposed in me by the govrment—

I have the Honour to be With sentiments of the greates Attachment your most Obed, a Hum ser—

James S. Smith

RC (PHi); endorsed by TJ as received 12 June and so recorded in SJL with notation “to be Lieut.”; endorsed by a clerk.

James S. Smith of New Jersey received a commission as second lieutenant of artillery. He rose to first lieutenant in 1806 and resigned his commission in 1808 (Heitman, Dictionary description begins Francis B. Heitman, comp., Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, Washington, D.C., 1903, 2 vols. description ends , 1:899; Baltimore American and Commercial Daily Advertiser, 19 May 1807; Dearborn to TJ, 27 June, 9 Nov. 1804; TJ to the Senate, 13 Nov. 1804).

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Source Project: Jefferson Papers
Title: To Thomas Jefferson from James S. Smith, 12 May 1804
Author: Smith, James S.
Recipient: Jefferson, Thomas
Date: 12 May 1804

Reference

Cite as: “To Thomas Jefferson from James S. Smith, 12 May 1804,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-43-02-0316. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 43, 11 March–30 June 1804, ed. James P. McClure. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2017, pp. 421–422.]