To Thomas Jefferson from Charles W. Goldsborough, 18 May 1805
From Charles W. Goldsborough
Saturday, 18 May ’05
C W Goldsborough, for the secretary of the navy, respectfully requests the President’s signature to the enclosed instructions to the commanders of the bomb vessels, Spitfire & Vengeance, which vessels will probably be ready to sail on the 1st of the ensuing month.
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 19 May and “instructions to Captns” and so recorded in SJL, but as received 18 May. Enclosure: Robert Smith to Lieutenant Daniel McNeill, Jr., commanding the Spitfire, and Midshipman William Lewis, commanding the Vengeance, 18 May; instructing each officer to sail his vessel to the Mediterranean and join the naval squadron blockading Tripoli (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSO; , Register, 31, 34).