1From John Adams to Robert Smith, 28 December 1807 (Adams Papers)
I have received with pleasure, the letter you did me the honor to write me, on the fifteenth of this month: and pray you to accept my thanks for the impression of a medal, presented to the late Commodore Edward Preble in pursuance of the resolution of Congress of the third of March, one thousand eight hundred and five. This medal, in honor of the Commodore and in commemoration of a Splendid...
2From John Adams to Robert Smith, 25 November 1811 (Adams Papers)
Colonel Pickering in his Letters or Addresses to the People of The United States has represented to the world and supported by Certificates or Testimonies which some persons think plausible, that a corrupt Bargain was made between yourself and your Brother on one part, and me on the other; that I should dismiss the then Secretary of State from his office, in consideration of your votes and...
3From John Adams to Robert Smith, 6 December 1811 (Adams Papers)
Yesterday I received from the Post Office in this Town, your favour of the thirtieth of November in answer to mine my Letter to you of the twenty fifth of that month I thank you Sir, for the Promptitude, Punctuallity and Accuracy of your Reply, which is fully Satisfactory. It is Such indeed as I know, it must be, from the immutability of Truth. With much respect, I have the Honor to / be Sir,...
4From George Washington to Captain Robert Smith, 25 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
As you are furnished with a Copy of the instructions given to Capt. Stith, you will easily discover my design in ordering him to retire with the remains of the Regiment —but as he appears in every instance to have gone counter to them, & has crossed the Delaware without advising me of it, in that case, I would have you fix on some place in the state of Pennsylvania consistent with the...
5From James Madison to Robert Smith, 29 July 1802 (Madison Papers)
It being thought proper that $30,000 should be transmitted to the Consul at algiers, by the ship General Greene, I request that you will please to give the proper instructions to Lt. Chauncy to receive that sum from the orders of the secretary of the Treasury, and deliver it at algiers to the American Consul there, with a further instruction to receive the money back from the Consul, if not...
6From James Madison to Robert Smith, 8 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
In compliance with your request, I have the honor to enclose four lists, comprehending the Articles which it is expedient should be now forwarded to Algiers. It is necessary to remark that the timber should be of the best quality, to ensure to us a preference in sending such articles rather than others in future, if the commutation for money should not succeed, and because it will be returned...
7From James Madison to Robert Smith, 30 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
30 March 1804, Department of State. “The Minister of His Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, at Madrid, having represented to Mr. Pinkney, that irregularities have taken place, with respect to the Imperial Polacre Paula, Capt. Radich, captured last year by the Naval Squadron of the U. States and carried to Malta, I request you to be pleased to furnish me with the report of the officers concerned...
8From James Madison to Robert Smith, 6 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
Mr. James L. Cathcart, who is now at Leghorn, informs me, by letter of the 15th. of December last that he had given a credit of three thousand dollars or more to the Danish Consul at Tripoli, to enable him to relieve the wants of the Officers and crew of the Frigate Philadelphia. He also informs me that he is preparing two suits of Clothes for each individual of that crew. Mr. Lear, the Consul...
9From James Madison to Robert Smith, 12 April 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
12 April 1804, Department of State. “I have the honor to enclose a bill drawn upon me by Mr. Cathcart for five thousand two hundred & fifty dollars, which, from the accompanying letter of advice, appears to be intended to cover expenditures on account of the Navy Department. I shall refer the holder of the Bill to you for payment.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p. See...
10From James Madison to Robert Smith, 9 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that the President has determined to send to the Dey of Algiers ten brass twenty-four pounders, and five brass eighteen pounders, with Carriages and the necessary apparatus complete. They are to be long guns fit for batteries. He also wishes the Cargo of the Ship Sally, lost off St. Lucar, be repeated and another Cargo to be shipped to the Dey to consist of plank...
11From James Madison to Robert Smith, 29 November 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
29 November 1804, Department of State. “The Secretary of State, presents his respects to the Secretary of the Navy, and begs leave to express his opinion that the Naval Stores &c. which have been engaged for the Dey of Algiers, may be forwarded whenever they are prepared and the season admits.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p.
12From James Madison to Robert Smith, 6 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Robert Smith. 6 March 1806, Department of State. “The Secretary of State presents his respects to the Secretary of the Navy, and has the honor to enclose a copy of a letter, this day written to the Ambassador of Tunis, communicating the President’s determination respecting the restitution of the Xebeque and her two prizes captured from Tunisian subjects during the war with Tripoli. The...
13From James Madison to Robert Smith, 3 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
It being understood, that the President has directed the Brig Franklin to be prepared as a present to the Bay of Tunis, I have the honor to request that your Agents may be ordered to put her in a complete state for the voyage, by providing her with officers, crew, stores &c. I am &c. Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 15). For the discussion preceding this decision, see Thomas Jefferson...
14From James Madison to Robert Smith, 28 June 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Robert Smith. 28 June 1806, Department of State. “I have the honor to enclose a letter, directing the Collector of Norfolk to deliver to Capt. Wederstrandt of the Brig Franklin a small quantity of Rice intended for the Bey of Tunis. This, with the goods purchased by the Ambassador of Tunis, and stored at Baltimore will be all that is necessary to be taken on board before the Vessel...
15From James Madison to Robert Smith, 27 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 27 July 1809. Mentioned in JM to Gallatin, 28 July 1809 . Acknowledged in Smith to JM, 31 July 1809 . Makes a few observations on several points for consideration raised by the British repudiation of the Erskine agreement. Declines returning to Washington.
16From James Madison to Robert Smith, 15 September 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of the 11th. with the papers to which it refers. The determination of Jackson to withold even informal intimations of his authorized communications, previous to the ceremony of his reception, and his apparent patience under the delay of this preliminary, are sufficient proofs that his instructions are not of a nature to produce a conciliatory effect, and much less to change...
17John D. Lewis and Others to Robert Smith, 1 April 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 April 1810. The petitioners, Americans residing in Malta, urge that John Hudden Lander, “an Englishman by birth,” be appointed to replace the present consul, who is “negligent & inattentive in his Office” and who “neither speaks, writes, or understands the English language.” As Malta is a rendezvous for the Royal Navy, the interests of American seamen there “require consular interference.” Ms...
18From James Madison to Robert Smith, 17 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
The letter from Govr. Holmes, with that from Mr. Lowry & copy of the answer, which were inclosed to me, are now returned. I think Govr. Holmes should be encouraged in keeping a wakeful eye to occurrences & appearances in W. Florida, and in transmitting information concerning them. It will be well for him also to be attentive to the means of having his Militia in a state for any service that...
19From James Madison to Robert Smith, 26 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
I return herewith the letters from Vanderhorst, & Bernabeu. It would have been better if Lowry had more carefully concealed his destination. The case of the Spanish Goods landed from the French privateer, must be decided by the result of the judicial enquiry into the character of the latter. If equipped from our jurisdiction, the capture gives a claim to restitution. If not so equipped, the...
20From James Madison to Robert Smith, 12 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have recd yours of the 5th. instant from Washington. The speedy return which it appears is wished by Mr. ⟨Adams⟩, is to be regretted; but if his anxiety be as great and the cause as powerful & unforeseen, as is stated, it is scarc[e]ly just to oppose his escape from ruin. I hope however that the extreme anxiety is rather that of the parent, than of Mr. ⟨A.⟩ himself; nor is it unprobable that...
21From James Madison to Robert Smith, ca. 30 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. Ca. 30 September 1810. Mentioned in Robert Smith to William Harris Crawford, 2 Oct. 1810 (DNA: RG 59, DL), where Smith informed Crawford that his letter of 27 July (not found) had been sent to the president, who was “perfectly satisfied with the arrangement made by you in the execution of the delicate trust which we took the liberty of committing to your management.”
22Louis-Barbé-Charles Sérurier to Robert Smith, 17 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
17 February 1811, Washington. The effort of being presented yesterday to the president and at the State Department has worsened his indisposition to the extent that he cannot pay his respects to Mmes Madison and Smith and to others as he had proposed. Offers his apologies; will make the visits his first duty and he is eager to fulfill it. Still hopes to be able to come to the State Department...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 9 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
When it became necessary for me to name a successor to Mr. Stoddart, as Secretary of the Navy, my attention was naturally first called to those gentlemen whose line of life led them to an intimacy with ship-building & navigation. the place was therefore proposed to your brother, to mr Langdon & to Capt Jones. they have all declined it. it becomes now necessary to find one in some other line....
24From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 14 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday mr Thomas’s favor covering the list of warrants for the week, and your’s of the 7th. inst. I am very glad to learn your opinion on the question of admitting French & English prizes into our ports, & that it coincides with my own. indeed it is the opinion of every member of the administration. I consider that we are free to recieve, or to refuse the prizes of both nations,...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 29 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress appropriated 20,000 D. to effecting the Marine hospital . the Site purchased of the Commissioners cost between 8. & 9000 Dollars. but it was thought that 4000 D. only of that in cash would be requisite for their purposes & that the balance might be applied to their credit in account of the sum guaranteed by Congress: consequently that there remained 16,000. D. of the appropriation...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 5 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Aug. 27. 31. 31. are received. the last one requires only to be acknoleged. the commissions , which are the subject of the first, are signed & forwarded herewith. with respect to the Boston she may get ready for departure as soon as possible. we do not consider it as proper to delay either the vessel or mr Livingston. the delay under which the treaty is may possibly be...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 11 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just recieved from Govr. Drayton a letter [on] the subject of the French prisoners there, with copies of those which had passed between him and the French agent, which I inclose you. in his letter to me is this passage. ‘I should be glad to know in what manner the expences of the said prisoners are to be defrayed: whether by the US. or the French republic. for as they were brought in...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 19 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The letters of the 7th. 8th. 11th. & [14]th. inst. from yourself and your chief clerk came to hand the day before yesterday. consequently that of the 7th. must have slept a week by the way somewhere. I now return the warrants for the midshipmen signed. I rejoice at the event of your election. it gives solidity to the Union by gaining a legislative & ensuring an Executive ascendancy to...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 9 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Capt Truxton’s idea of a [gradual] relief of our frigates [presents] advantages. in addition to what he [mentions], the frigate going out [might] always carry supplies; the frigate relieved may always be any particular one which may have got damaged & need repairs. it puts it in our power to shift the officers at our will & without offence. [it] might, on the arrival of the one & before the...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, Henry Dearborn, and Robert Smith, 5 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary at War & Secretary of the Navy to carry into execution the inclosed resolution of the H. of representatives of May 3. 1802. desiring a statement of expenditures from Jan. 1. 1797. by the Quarter Master Genl. the Navy agents, for the Contingencies of the Naval & Military establishments and the Navy contracts for timber &...