91To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 13 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
Genl. Brown has not yet arrived; but the other Generals have been at work, as pioniers, to prepare the way for an immediate report, as soon as he appears. I am assured, that the selection will be impartial, and such as must command the approbation of the Army, and the confidence of the nation. I do not fail, however, to attend to the course pursued in making it. Indeed, such is the jealousy...
92To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 2 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
The restoration of Bonaparte is confirmed, as all the newspapers will tell you. The effect upon Europe will be general and important; but it is difficult to form a satisfactory conjecture of the result. The abdication included both France and Italy, will both Crowns be resumed? Bonaparte consented to the restoration of Ferdinand, will he retract, or will he support, that incorrigible tyrant?...
93To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 21 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have just received your letter, expressing a wish that Colonel Croghan’s resignation should be accepted; but the Army Register has been actually printed, including his name, for the reason which I assigned in my last letter. I think, however, you will not regret the occurrence when you observe that Major Taylor must have been promoted to a higher rank in order to take Colonel Croghan’s...
94To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 11 September 1816 (Madison Papers)
When the report first reached me, that Mr. Sheldon was going to Europe, I felt some solicitude, that he should not go, before the Treasurer’s accounts were stated and settled; and I released him from all the other duties of the office, that he might attend exclusively to that object. I certainly felt no objection, generally, to his departure, as his health really required some relaxation from...
95To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 3 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I now send to you a report of the Board of General Officers upon the organization of the peace establishment, and the selection of Officers; and, also, a report for a General Staff. The latter will certainly require legislative sanction, before it can be adopted to the whole extent. It seems to be indispensable, that an Officer performing the duties of Adjutant General, should be attached to...
96To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 12 September 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have received your favor of the 8: instant. Having heard from Messrs. Gallatin & Clay the contents of the Commercial Treaty, as well as their opinion upon the necessity of a special call of the Senate to ratify it, I was prepared to express to Mr. Rush, in compliance with your request, a decision against the call. Your letter anticipates the principal reasons of the decision. I will only...
97To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 26 June 1816 (Madison Papers)
The communications from the Departments of State and the Navy, will give you a great deal of interesting intelligence. The Algerine business requires decision; and yet, in the affair of the Brig, you have a delicate case to act upon. The Dey has always considered the restitution of the prizes, as a part of the negotiation; and though we considered the promise as merely gratuitous, it was a...
98To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 22 August 1815 (Madison Papers)
The arrival of several Bremen vessels at Baltimore, has put the claim of entry on American duties into action. The letter, which I have received on the subject, and my answer to it, will be transmitted, under cover, from Washington, for your information. The British Government contracted with a Mr Jacobs for Cartels, to bring our seamen from England to the United States. The owners of the...
99To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 4 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Secretary of the Treasury has the honor respectfully to submit to the President of the United States the following report: That in the month of November, in the year 1814, the British sloop Mary, Darling, master, with a cargo on board, sailing under convoy of his Britannic majesty’s sloop of war Pelter, on a voyage from Halifax to Castine, was captured within the district of Penobscot, by...
100To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 9 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
After a very unpleasant excursion as far as New York, I returned to Washington on Thursday evening. It is some consolation, however, that I have been able to put all my objects of business in a good train; and I shall be much mistaken, if the machinery of the Treasury be not restored to its regular movements, with the aid of the Banks, in the course of two or three months. I inclose a copy of...
101To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 10 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Board of General Officers expressed a wish to be discharged; and I thought some advantage would be derived from their separation, while you were deliberating on their reports. I have, therefore, written to them a letter of thanks, in your name, and they will, probably, leave Washington tomorrow. With the materials, which they have furnished, and your instructions, I have no doubt that we...
102To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, [ca. 20 May 1815] (Madison Papers)
The organization of the Army is now completed, and it will be published in the National Intelligencer of Monday. Perhaps, I shall be able to send you a copy of it tomorrow, or the next day. It will be some satisfaction to you to hear, that on reading to Col. Aspinwall and Col. Jessup, in confidence, the Army Register, that I might ⟨enbibe⟩ some idea of the probable effect of the selection,...
103To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 12 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
Your letter to Mr. Monroe has been the subject of several conversations; and we have agreed, 1°. That the Army should be discharged, for the reasons which you state, and the reasons suggested in my last letter to you. 2d. That the Squadron should sail, under private and confidential instructions to watch every appearance of danger in Europe, and to avoid surprize by any hostile force. The...
104To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 12 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
To save time, I inclose the rough sketch of a second letter to the General Officers, giving a view of the effect of the Act of Congress on the preexisting military code. You will perceive that it corresponds with the view which Mr. Monroe had taken of the subject. It seems indispensable that the Adjutant General’s Office should be retained, to connect the War Department, by a proper link, with...
105Memorandum from Alexander J. Dallas, [ante–12 June 1815] (Madison Papers)
A general question occurs: what is the effect of the Act of the 7. of February 1815 upon the powers and duties of the Secretary of the Navy? 1. The Act, by its own declaration, must not be construed to take from the Secretary of the Navy his controul and direction of the Naval forces of the United States, as previously possessed by law. Some powers of controul and direction were meant to be...
106Alexander J. Dallas to Sister Marie Olivier, 17 June 1815 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ Alexander J. Dallas to Sister Marie Olivier. 17 June 1815, War Department. “General Jackson has been so good as to transmit to me a copy of the letter which you addressed to him, relative to the exchange of lands with the Ursuline nuns of New Orleans, as authorised by an act of Congress, passed on the 23 d. of April, 1812. I very much regret that the exchange was not effected in time to...
107Alexander J. Dallas to Thomas Jefferson, 28 April 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 18: instant , and to inform you, that measures were im me diately taken to comply with your request. Your draft in favor of M r Barnes has been paid. M r Short has been informed, that the draft in his favor will be paid, as soon as it is presented here. The Treasury Notes, to be paid on your own account, have been ordered to...
108Alexander J. Dallas to Thomas Jefferson, 21 February 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that, under the authority of an Act of Congress , I am ready to issue Treasury Notes, for the Sum of Twenty three thousand, nine hundred, and fifty dollars, in your favor: on account of the purchase of your Library, for the use of the Government. Be so good as to state, to whom the Notes shall be made payable, at what place, and of what denominations, the issues...
109Alexander J. Dallas to Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
On recieving your letter of the 7 h instant , I ascertained that William Armstead had been appointed the Principal Assessor, for the 19 th Collection District of Virginia , with the consent of the Senate , on the 23 d of December 1813; and that he had signified his acceptance of the office, on the 7 th of February following. If, under these circumstances, it is your wish, that any measure...
110Alexander J. Dallas to Thomas Jefferson, 16 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of M r Isaac Briggs , I take the liberty of asking you to state your reccollection of the facts represented by that gentleman in the inclosed letter, relative to the subject of his Petition, referred by the Senate to this Department. I have the honor to be, with every Sentiment of respect and attachment, Sir, Y r mo. obed Sev t RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The Honble Thomas...
111Memorandum of a Conversation between Alexander J. Dallas and Luis de Onís, [24 June 1815] (Madison Papers)
Mr. Monroe being absent, the President requested me to receive a visit from the chevalier de Onis, in consequence of that gentleman’s letter, expressing a desire to present his credentials, as Minister Plenipotentiary of the King of Spain, and to report the result. The Chevalier called on me about Six o’clock in the evening and observing that Mr. Pleasonton had intimated the President’s...