Robert Smith (Cabinet member)

Robert Smith ( born November 3, 1757 Lancaster, Pennsylvania, † November 26, 1842 in Baltimore, Maryland ) was an American politician, 2nd Secretary of the Navy and 6th Secretary of State.

During the American Revolution, Smith served in the Continental Army and took part in the Battle of Brandywine. He graduated in 1781 after studying law at Princeton University, and began as a practicing attorney in Maryland. In 1789 he became president of the Electoral College in Maryland and was from 1793 to 1795 Member of the Senate of Maryland. From 1796 to 1800 he was a delegate in the House of Representatives from Maryland ( House of Delegates ) and belonged from 1798 to 1801 the city council of Baltimore.

U.S. President Thomas Jefferson appointed him on 27 July 1801 Secretary of the Navy. On 2 March 1805, the U.S. Senate confirmed him in office, the U.S. Attorney General and Jacob Crowninshield took over the Office of Naval Minister. After Crowninshield had resigned, Smith took over again the Office of Naval Minister. After the presidency of Jefferson Smith also presented on March 4, 1809 his office as Minister of the Navy and was appointed by the new U.S. President James Madison on March 6, 1809 the new foreign minister. In this capacity he negotiated in 1809 the Smith Erskine Agreement, which was ultimately not adopted by the British government and therefore the relations between the two countries had a strong influence. From this office he resigned on 1 April 1811. His successor in office was James Monroe.

After his political career, Smith was 1813 president of the American Bible Society in 1818 and the founding president of the Maryland Agriculture Society.

According to him, built after the end of World War II destroyer USS Robert Smith ( DD -324 ) Clemson class was named in his honor.