To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 29 April 1805
From Robert Smith
Nav Dept. 29th April 1805.
Sir,
I request your signature to the 2 Commissions for Surgeon’s Mates (for the J. Adams) herewith enclosed.—
I am resptflly sir yr mo ob st.
Rt Smith
RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 29 Apr. and “Surgeons” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP).
The Commissions were for Isaac Kipp and Augustus C. W. Love. Love’s commission was returned as a dead letter. He officially resigned on 23 Jan. 1806. Kipp served on the John Adams until his dismissal in August (DNA: RG 45, LSO; , Register, 30, 32).