To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, [3 May] 1810
From Albert Gallatin
[3 May 1810]
I have the honor to enclose the copy of an Act for the relief of Arthur St. Clair,1 and a letter from the Comptroller of the Treasury on the same subject.
The phraseology of the Act being different from that adopted in other similar cases, the authority of the President is necessary in order that the money may be paid: and the whole or part will be paid in conformity with his decision.
RC (DLC). Lower portion of RC, including complimentary close, signature, and probably dateline, has been clipped. Docketed by JM, “Treasury Dept / May 3. 1810.” Enclosures not found.
1. Arthur St. Clair claimed that he advanced $1,800 from personal funds for reenlistments in the Continental army in 1776. He was the Federalist governor of the Northwest Territory, 1787–1802. Republicans in the territory charged him with financial and legal improprieties, and after he delivered a speech denouncing statehood for Ohio, Jefferson dismissed him. St. Clair believed that Republicans in Congress blocked his reimbursement. He had lost his fortune by 1810, when a private act awarded him $2,000 provided he would “sign a release of all claim for further remuneration from the government for services rendered, or money advanced by him, during the revolutionary war” (, Claims, pp. 375–76; , 4:243–44; , 6:94–95).