Robert Smith to Thomas Jefferson, 11 July 1805
From Robert Smith
Navy Department 11 July 1805
sir,
Will you be pleased to give your signature to the enclosed blank commissions?—they are wanted for surgeon’s mates & other officers of the Adams & of the Hornet.
I am with great respect sir, yr mo ob st.
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 11 July and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “Comns.”
they are wanted: in July and early August, Smith sent out a number of midshipman and surgeon’s mate warrants to prepare the Adams and the Hornet for sea (FCs in Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSO).