To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 6 October 1803
From Albert Gallatin
Thursday afternoon [6 Oct. 1803]
Dear Sir
The navy estimates have not yet been sent to Mr Smith for approbation & the substance will be communicated to me to morrow morning. I will call with it on you so that you may write by to morrow’s mail.
I find that the establishment now consists of
| The Constitution |  |
each 44 | |
| The Philadelphia |
& five small vessels all of which are now out & intended to stay the whole year as the crew is enlisted for two years. In my opinion one half of the force vizt. one frigate & two or three small vessels were amply sufficient. The large item of repairs for vessels may be postponed till next year
With respect Your obt. Servt.
Albert Gallatin
RC (DLC); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 7 Oct. and “Navy approprn” and so recorded in SJL.
substance will be communicated: the estimates the Navy Department sent to Gallatin have not been found, but see TJ to Robert Smith, 10 Oct.