Robert Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 9 July 1805
From Robert Smith
Nav dep 9 July 1805
sir,
I request your signature to the enclosed warrants—they are wanted for midshipmen & other officers for the Ship Adams & the Brig Hornet.
I have the honor to be with great respect, sir, yr mo ob servt.
Rt Smith
RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 July and “midshipmen’s warrants” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP).
midshipmen & other officers: over the course of the next several days, Smith sent out warrants to 28 midshipmen, three surgeon’s mates, and one purser (FCs in Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSO).