To James Madison from Asbury Dickins, 26 March 1816
From Asbury Dickins
Montarno, 26th. March 1816.
Sir,
Presuming on the kindness and confidence with which you have honoured me, I beg leave to suggest, whether, under the Bill now before Congress for constituting a Board to settle claims on the United States for private property lost or destroyed in the public service,1 an opportunity may not be found for carrying into effect the disposition which you have been pleased to manifest to give to me some suitable employment under the Government.2
Although I do not pretend to any merit or qualifications superior to those of other gentlemen who may present themselves on this occasion, allow me to remark that I have made sacrifices for my attachment to the Country which few have had an opportunity to make, and that I have rendered services, which, though humble, were nevertheless necessary. And, if I might be permitted to touch on so tender a subject I would express a hope that your Sensibility may find a motive for favouring my application for the sake of the eight helpless children whose welfare is so deeply interested in its success. I have the honour to be, with the most respectful attachment, Your obedt. Servt.
Asbury Dickins.
RC (DLC). Docketed by JM.
1. On 22 Dec. 1815 the House of Representatives began consideration of a bill to pay compensation for private property lost, captured, or destroyed while in the service of the United States during the War of 1812. Members from Kentucky made a sustained effort to include the claims of volunteer militiamen under the command of Kentucky governor Isaac Shelby, who had lost their horses during the Lake Erie campaign in the fall of 1813. After much debate and many amendments, the provisions of the bill eventually covered horses, mules, oxen, wagons, carts, boats, sleighs, and harness that, through no fault of their owners, had been lost while in the military service of the United States during the war. The bill also authorized the president to appoint a commissioner to administer its provisions for a period of two years after its passage. JM signed the bill on 9 Apr. and nominated Alexander Scott of Maryland as the commissioner on 29 Apr. The Senate rejected Scott, and JM replaced him with Richard Bland Lee, who was confirmed the next day ( 14th Cong., 1st sess., 32, 34, 95, 103, 124, 205–7, 209–10, 257, 395, 398–401, 404–7, 409, 1224, 1228, 1289, 1299–1300; 3:261–64; 3:52–53).