Autographs
Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith Signed 1807 Letter
Regarding Aaron Burr, To Burr's Treason Trial Prosecutor George Hay in Richmond VA
ROBERT SMITH (1757-1842). Secretary of the Navy under Thomas Jefferson, (1801-1809); Secretary of State in Cabinet of James Monroe (1809-1811); an American politician who played a significant role during the early years of the United States.
June 17, 1807-Dated Federal Period, Aaron Burr Treason Trial Related Navy Department Autograph Letter Signed, "R. Smith", as Secretary of the Navy, 1 page, measuring 7-7/8" x 9-7/8" with a massive bold signature by Smith, Choice Very Fine. This clean well written Letter is written to George Hay (1765-1830), as U.S. Attorney for the District of Virginia (1803-1816); the Son-in-Law of James Monroe, Hay served as the "Prosecutor" during the Treason Trial of Aaron Burr held in Richmond, Virginia May-September 1807. In this Letter, Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith transmits an authenticated copy of an Order issued Dec. 20, 1806 to Captain Shaw of the US Navy, reading, in part:
"the commanding officer of the gun boats stationed at New Orleans", and advises that: "No other order or instruction has been given through the Navy Department by the President of the United States (Thomas Jefferson) to any Naval or military officer at or near the New Orleans Station, touching or concerning Aaron Burr or his property".
Docket on the reverse blank panel reads, in full: "Robt. Smith Letter to Geo. Hay esqr."
Aaron Burr had conspired to seize the Territory of Spanish America, and create a new "Republic" in the Southwest. Burr was arrested in Feb. 1807, and taken to Richmond, VA, where he was tried on charges of Treason. He was acquitted on Sept. 1, 1807. A very scarce Letter sent directly to Burr's Prosecutor and during his historic Trial for Treason against the United States.

Accompanied by a typed Letter of Authetication from noted Autograph Dealer: "Walter R. Benjamin" on his company stationary Signed by Mary Benjamin to: "Hon. William J. Middendorf II Secretary of the Navy, The Pentagon, Washington D.C." dtaed December 2, 1976. (Benjamin also suggests the purchase of a related "Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith's brother General Samuel Smith, asking he use his influence in having his brother Robert Smith accept the post of Secretary of the Navy." (not included here) President Jefferson's pleading was apparently successful ! (2 items)
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF
AMBASSADOR J. WILLIAM MIDDENDORF II
Robert Smith was born on November 3, 1757, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Princeton College (now Princeton University) in 1781. During the American Revolutionary War, Smith served in the Continental Army.
After the war, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in Maryland in 1786.
He began practicing law in Baltimore. Robert Smith entered politics and was elected to the Maryland State Senate in 1793.
He served as Secretary of the Navy under President Thomas Jefferson from 1801 to 1809. During his tenure, the U.S. Navy experienced significant growth. After Thomas Jefferson's second term, Smith briefly served as Secretary of State from 1809 to 1811. Robert Smith's political career was marked by his service in key cabinet positions during the early years of the United States. His roles in the Navy and State Departments contributed to the development and shaping of American foreign and naval policy during a critical period in the nation's history.
Following his time in the cabinet, Smith retired from public service. He continued to be involved in various civic and philanthropic activities. Robert Smith died on November 26, 1842, in Baltimore, Maryland.