Description:

Robert Smith, Jefferson's Secretary of Navy Important Pair of Letters

Two Naval letters signed "Rt Smith" by Secretary of the Navy, Robert Smith. The first, 2pp of a bifolium, measuring 7.75" x 9.75", Washington, D.C., dated January 24, 1805. The letter is addressed to Callender Irvine regarding his appointment as Storekeeper. Reading in part: "You will consider yourself hereby appointed Storekeeper to this Department at Philadelphia. Your duties as Storekeeper consisting in receiving, taking care of, and issuing under the directions of the Navy Agent at Philadelphia, all the stores belonging to the Department at Philadelphia. The Superintendent has the custody of the Timber, Plank, Scantling &c… As a compensation for your services as Storekeeper you will be allowed the sum of 600 Dollars per annum payable quarter yearly…"

The second, 1p, measuring 8" x 9.75", Washington, D.C., dated July 29, 1806. Addressed to Lt. Daniel Tod Patterson regarding delays in commission appointments. Reading in part: "…The delay in issuing the commissions for Lieutenants authorized by the late Act of Congress necessarily arose out of the absence of several Lieutenants in the Mediterranean & elsewhere. This circumstance has now brought us so near the period of the next Session of Congress that I have determined to postpone issuing any commissions at all until Congress meet and the regular nomination can be made to the Senate. As soon as the nominations shall be confirmed, the commission shall issue, but it is altogether unnecessary to issue them at this moment as they could be in force for so short a time, and new commissions would become necessary under the confirmation of Senate." Both letters have flattened mail folds, light toning throughout, and tape supporting the left edge. One letter has an area of paper loss from where the wax seal was broken. Large, bold signatures on both.

Robert Smith (1757-1842) was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. After the war, Smith became the second U.S. Secretary of the Navy (1801-1809) and Secretary of State (1809-1811). For a short period, he served as Acting Attorney General as well as Secretary of the Navy until President Jefferson appointed John Breckinridge to fill the position.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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