To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 16 May 1803
From Robert Smith
Nav Dep
16 May 1803
Sir!
The accompanying statement No 2—exhibits a view of the exact state of the Navy appropriations on this day.
Presuming that it will be agreeable to you, I shall in future lay before you, similar statements weekly.
I have the honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem, Sir, yr mo ob st
Rt Smith
RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 16 May and “Appropriations” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP). Enclosure not found.
For previous examples of weekly returns received by TJ from the Navy Department, see Abstract of Warrants from Robert Smith, 28 Feb. 1803 and 2 May 1803.