11To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 13 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
The result of the conference of the Heads of Department on Genl. Jackson’s case, will be seen in the inclosed draft of a letter to the General, which is submitted to your consideration. Be so good as to return it with your instructions to alter it, or to send it in its present shape. There is no other copy of the letter. The fact of the release of Judge Hall and Mr. Dick is stated in a second...
12To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 14 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter has just been received from Genl. Jackson. Every step will be taken to secure the payment of his Troops. The British Officer commanding at Castine, declines surrendering the post until he receives orders from Halifax; and the Commander at Fort Niagara declines surrendering until he receives orders from General Drummond. Both say, however, that they expect the orders will be...
13To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 15 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to inclose to you a statement, specifying the appropriations for the expenditures in this department, in the years 1814 and 1815, including the balances of appropriations on the 31st. of December, 1813: the amount actually expended from the 1st. of January, 1814, to the 10th. of March, 1815; the unexpended amount of the appropriations; and the amount for which warrants have...
14To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 16 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
We have received Genl. Macomb’s acceptance of his appointment to continue in the Army; but we have not heard from him, nor from Genl. Brown, as to the time of their coming to Washington. The City fills fast with Officers of all ranks; and it is very desireable to terminate their solicitudes. As soon as your answer to my letters, relative to the organization, are received, I will set Genl Scott...
15To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 19 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am obliged to trouble you again on Mr. Lufborough’s business. He has mistaken my expression, which was, “that if the claim is not legal, still it appears to me to be equitable.” However, recollecting your view of the subject, I do not wish to give a formal decision, without your sanction; and I will thank you to say, whether I shall leave it as it stands, or submit it to the Comptroller on...
16To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 19 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letters of the 14: and 16t instant. It is evident, from the nearer view, which I have been able to take of military men, that your first selection of General Officers is as good as can be made. They are besides, the six General Officers, who have been distinguished by the thanks of Congress. General Ripley still harps upon the Court of Inquiry, and I have not succeeded in...
17To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 20 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have the pleasure to say, that the business respecting Genl. Ripley is arranged; and I hope it will be to your satisfaction. I inclose copies of the letters, which have passed between us. The selection of General Officers being compleat, I will announce it; and if Genl. Brown arrives today, or tomorrow, I think the general plan of organization may be sent for your consideration on Monday....
18To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 25 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
General Brown will probably be here tonight; and I think the organization of the Corps, and selection of Officers, may be compleated on Wednesday. Be so good as to put the inclosed into any shape, that will answer the purpose intended. I think it of some importance, that the feelings of the deranged Officers should be soothed; but it would be impolitic, and, indeed, impracticable to use any...
19To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 26 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
General Brown has joined the Board; and I have the pleasure to inform you that, so far, everything has been transacted with perfect harmony and unanimity. The selections are of a high and distinguished character, as far as I can judge; and I am assured that the army will itself acknowledge their justness. The field officers at present on the list are these, for infantry and riflemen: Colonels....
20To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 29 April 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Board of Officers still continue industriously at work; but I have no result yet. Perhaps, I shall be able to communicate a plan of organization by Monday’s Mail. The inclosd letter, and Extra newspaper, were received by me in the Mail of yesterday. The letter is certainly written by Mr. T. Biddle; and I presume Mr Bache threw it into the Mail, after the Bag had been locked; which accounts...
21To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 2 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I inclose reccommendations for granting Capt Romayne the vacant appointment of Assistant Inspector General. The appointment will be merely nominal, to carry the rank, as the office will be abolished when the Army shall be discharged. The reasons for soliciting it, however, are stated in the reccommendations; and I will thank you to favor me with your decision on the subject. Capt. Romayne has...
22To 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?...
23To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 2 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I inclose General Brown’s letter for your perusal. It is possible, that I may be able to send the Report of the Board of Officers by this day’s mail; but, at all events, it will be sent tomorrow. It appears by an English newspaper, that our Commissioners were about to assemble in London, at the end of February; and that the negotiation of a Treaty of commerce was thought to be their object....
24To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 3 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
At the request of Col. Owings the inclosed letter is s[e]nt to you. His case has been well considered, and well decided. Major Taylor has been placed on the list. I am, Dr Sir, Yr. mo. obdt. RC ( CSmH ). Dallas enclosed a 1 May 1815 letter to him from Col. Thomas Deye Owings, Maj. Zachary Taylor, and Maj. William Bradford ( DNA : RG 107, LRRS , O-12:8; 5 pp.), protesting what they understood...
25To 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...
26To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 4 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I send a third Report of the Board of Officers, containing a plan, for establishing a Northern and Southern Division of the United States, to be subdivided into nine military Departments; for the distribution of the rank and file of the Army, to the Corps and Regiments of the peace organization; and for apportioning the Corps and Regiments to the two great Divisions. It is proper to note, that...
27To 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...
28To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 5 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I send inclosed a report of the Board officers, respecting Surgeons, Judge Advocates, and Chaplains. The next report, probably the concluding one, will be upon Garrisons, Forts &c. As soon as they have closed the business referred to them, I propose, with your approbation, to write a letter of thanks to them, and to request that they will return to their respective commands, until further...
29To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 8 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I send inclosed a report in the case of Mr. Eustaphieve, the Russian Consul at Boston. The doccuments are recited verbatim in the report, and, therefore, I do not trouble you with them. I preferred a recital, to a reference, that all who read the report, should distinctly understand the facts, without being forced to examine the evidence. It appears to me to be a most flagrant case. I submit...
30To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, [ca. 9 May 1815] (Madison Papers)
I transmit to you the concluding Reports of the Board of Officers; and, I presume, that they will express a wish to be discharged, as soon as you have seen their plans. Upon the whole, they have furnished very good materials; and I will prepare from them a general report of the Department, for your consideration and sanction; which, when approved, will be the proper official document for...
31To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 9 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have just time to inclose the final report of the Board of Officers. There is no additional intelligence from Europe. There is nothing new here. Many of the Officers have left Washington; and, upon the whole, I think that our Military arrangements will produce less discontent and clamour, than was anticipated. I am, Dr Sir, most respectfully & faithfully Yrs. RC ( DLC ). Docketed by JM . For...
32To 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...
33To 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...
34To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 12 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
The Acting Secretary of War has the honor to submit to the President of the United States, the following report: That the Act of Congress entitled “An Act fixing the military peace establishment of the United States,” passed on the 3d. of March 1815, provided that after the Corps constituting the peace establishment was formed and completed, the Supernumerary officers noncommissioned officers,...
35To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 13 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I send a report on the organization of the peace establishment for your consideration. The first General Order proposed, is, also, sent; the second General Order will conform, with some slight exceptions to the Report of the Board; and the remaining two General orders will be in substance what the report states. I will forward them to you, as fast as I can put them into form; but if you...
36To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 14 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
On reflection, I have thought it right to recommend some additions and alterations in the plan submitted to you for organizing the army. 1. To transport the troops from place to place before they are formed into brigades will require more assistance in the quartermaster’s department. I propose, therefore, retaining provisionally, Samuel Brown (the general’s brother), deputy...
37To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 14 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am anxious to make our Army arrangement satisfactory, without taking too great a latitude in the discretion left to the Executive. I am afraid Genl. Jackson will be mortified, if Major Butler and Major Hayne are not noticed in some part of our arrangement; and I think we can manage the matter safely, by allowing an Adjutant General (Major Butler) to be provisionally retained for the Division...
38To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 14 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have written to you already by this day’s mail; but one more alteration in the Army list is desireable. Major Cutler is an excellent Officer, a modest man, and much esteemed. He has been in service 8 years; but has not enjoyed an opportunity of becoming conspicuous in the field. He will be content with a Company, and the brevet. I must add, that he is very poor. If you approve of it, I can...
39To James Madison from Alexander J. Dallas, 16 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I am waiting for your return of the Army report, in order to take definitive measures for the disbandment. I am in hopes, that the Officers will be less disatisfied, than was anticipated; and that the arrangement will not be objected to, by any disinterested man. It would be impossible to complete the payment and discharge by the 1°. of June, and I propose giving a latitude, with reference to...
40To 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,...