THOMAS JEFFERSON (1743–1826), DOCUMENT SIGNED AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, COMMISSIONING ROBERT FRENCH AS SURGEON’S MATE IN THE NAVY

Partly engraved document completed in manuscript. Signed by President Thomas Jefferson ("Th. Jefferson"). Washington, D.C., 14 March 1807. 1 page, visible ## x ## in., on vellum. Accomplished in a bold clerical hand, with engraved patriotic vignette and applied paper-and-wafer seal of the United States, and countersigned by Robert Smith (“R. Smith”; 1757-1842), as Secretary of the Navy.

A finely preserved presidential naval commission issued during the second administration of Thomas Jefferson, appointing Robert French as Surgeon’s Mate in the service of the United States Navy. The document, dated 14 March 1807 and executed at Washington, follows the standard Jeffersonian commission format: an engraved spread-winged American eagle descending amid radiating clouds above the heading, “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America."

The text records that, “reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Valour, Fidelity and Abilities of Robert French,” the President, “by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate,” appoints him Surgeon’s Mate in the Navy of the United States. The commission charges French to “carefully and diligently” discharge the duties of his office, obeying superior officers according to “the Rules and Discipline of the Navy,” and specifies that the appointment is to continue “during the pleasure of the President of the United States for the time being.” Such language reflects the evolving professionalization of the early American naval establishment, still comparatively small but increasingly active in the years immediately preceding the Embargo of 1807 and the mounting maritime tensions that would culminate in the War of 1812.

The lower register bears Jefferson’s clear and characteristic signature, “Th: Jefferson,” executed in ink at left, and the countersignature “R. Smith” at right, that of Robert Smith, then Secretary of the Navy (1805–1809), later Secretary of State under James Madison. At center is affixed the engraved and embossed paper seal of the United States, set within a trophy-of-arms vignette incorporating naval cannon, flags, pikes, anchors, and martial accoutrements- an iconographic program emphasizing the authority and defensive posture of the young republic. The date line reads “Given under my Hand at WASHINGTON this Fourteenth day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seven and in the 31st year of the Independence of the United States.”

Presidential naval commissions of the Jefferson administration are comparatively scarce.

[Manuscripts, Documents, Letters, Ephemera, Signatures, Autographs] [American Revolutionary War, American Revolution, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, Colonial America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, James Monroe] [Presidents, Presidential Memorabilia]