To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 13 January 1808
Navy Department 13th January 1808
Sir,
Some days since I had the honor of communicating to you verbally that there were employed in the service of the United States, six hundred & seventy seamen more than the number estimated for by the Navy Department for the present year. For the purpose of giving you a more distinct view of the subject, I herewith transmit to you the enclosed paper which exhibits the details as far as they can at this time be ascertained.
It hence results that the number of seamen now in service ought at once to be reduced to the scale of the Estimate, or that Congress ought to be apprized of the necessity of increasing the appropriation.
I avail myself of this occasion to repeat to you that every gun boat in service requires twenty four able & ordinary seamen—& that of course the sixty nine gun boats now in service & ready for service would require
1656. | |
The Constitution requires | 300 |
The Chesapeake has on board | 300 |
The Brig Wasp & Ketches have on board | 220 |
Now at the Navy Yard here | 80 |
2556 | |
The number authorized by Law is | 1425 |
1131 |
It thus appears that the gun boats cannot be manned so as to be fit for actual service, unless the Executive be authorized to employ more seamen than can now be legally employed.
I have the honor to be with great respect, Sir, yr ob servt.
Rt Smith
Exhibit of the number of able seamen ordinary seamen & Boys now in service.
at New York | |
Frig. Constitution & Brig Wasp | 160 |
3 ketches & 31 gun boats | 385 |
at Norfolk | |
Frig. Chesapeake | 300 |
1 ketch & 16 gun boats | 400 |
at New Orleans | |
10 gun boats | 200 |
At the Navy Yard here | 80 |
at Charleston S.C. | |
3 gun boats | 70. |
1595. | |
The number estimated for is | 925 |
The number in service exceeds the number estimated for | 670 |
The number authorized by Law is | 1425. |
The number in service exceeds the number authorized by Law | 170. |
DLC: Papers of Thomas Jefferson.